Dramatic Events...

[merimask]

A dramatic night on a couple of fronts. 

 

I went to the photoshoot with my masks and it was a lot of fun.  The photographer, Rose, is a total sweetheart and we had a great time setting up the shot and experimenting with different lighting.  She was wonderful & didn't mind my suggestions.  Because I knew the venue we were doing the shoot in; a very dark odd "goth" bar with a burned-out baroque look to it (I often describe this nightclub as an Applebee's with fire damage) I thought the metallic steampunk masks might look good, so I brought one with me.  It was a good call!  The Fighting Betta mask will certainly be on the cover (we left that one on one of the models the whole time) & most likely my "Full Steam" mask as well.

The models were cute; a mother & daughter.  They threw Mardi Gras beads at the camera and danced and we got these great, colorful, dynamic pictures.   The daughter wore my Fighting Bettas; she had glorious thick reddish-blond hair and the mask looked like it was made for her.

So, everything will be in next week's issue of "Artvoice".  I'm really happy about that, & I think this could lead to some great local exposure. 

I came home truimphant & was pretty pleased with myself.  Greg got home while I was at the shoot so he was waiting for me with a grin; he loves his new car.  Apparently, it's a joy to drive compared to the last one.   Everybody was pretty happy.

And then at about 10:30 pm a passenger plane crashed in Clarence, not far from where I live.  Everyone died...49 people I think.  It's the first airline fatality in two years and also the first airline fatality ever in the history of our nice little airport here in Buffalo.   The news is all full of fire and sad relatives and it's pretty awful. 

I've been up working & watching the news all night until just a few minutes ago.  I had to quit.  I'm not superstitious and not into magical thinking (much), but I do believe there is such a thing as positive energy.  Usually, I'm full of that positive energy, and I feel like my masks soak some of that up, and maybe that's part of why people are drawn to my art.  I watch the history channel or listen to good music while I work, usually, and it helps me create.  Tonight I was just filled with empathy & sadness because of the news and I had to stop making masks, 'cause I didn't want to taint them.  Does that make sense? 
 

Going to bed now.  Dreading the inevitable pictures of the crash in the daylight.