Jana Carrey Photography Blog

In a society addicted to busy-ness, sometimes all we need is a little rest…

Perhaps one of my greatest joys!

Ode to Sleep

Beneath, the earth, I yearn to Slumber.
Tired, my bones yawn.

Body aches. I’ve worked too hard?

Rest is a green dream. Lush & Cool.
Foresting my imagination on another plane.

Gone are your gritty streets & false prophets.

Here words flutter like moths,
Quite & gentle, attracted to light.

Sinking in, I let go. My coat is hung,
my shoes are shined.

Even warriors must leave their armor
at the door.

Here there is only space for essence.
It floods the deserts of our thirsty MIND.

I feast on divinations, hungry belly
no longer cries.

This is where I long to go.
To the center of my origins.

To lose & find & lose again.
For only in emptiness, am I full.

- Jana Carrey, 2012

Dave Lienemann & Alex Webber of  Love Haight Records present the “Local Artist Live-In” at the Underground SF located in the Lower Haight of San Fran. A weekly concert series held on Wednesdays featuring local bands in an unplugged/acoustic arrangement.

Tonight’s (5/9) talented line-up includes musical artists: (from 9:00 – 12:00)
- Cello Joe (www.cellojoe.com)
- Sheila Star (www.sheilastar.com)
- Tamarind (www.soundsalone.com)

DJ: (from 12:00 – 2:00)
- NoDough (http://www.majorlabelstartup.com/)

Visual Artist: (throughout show)
- Jana Carrey (http://www.janacarrey.com/)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

(c) Jana Carrey Photo 2012

Above are some pics from the first night (5/2) which featured Brod Rob,  Alex Webber & Benjamin Brown of Love Haight Records.

I have recently begun a new project, Dwellings (working title) – a visual examination of
the places people call home. In this project I aim to explore both the physical structure of
these “homes” and the ways in which we inhabit and make ourselves “at home” in these
spaces. This project is in part inspired by the philosophy of Martin Heidegger* in “that the
manner in which we dwell is the manner in which we are, we exist, on the face of the
earth – an extension of our identity, of who we are.”

I am particularly interested in documenting dwellings that stray from traditional living
arrangements such as houses, apartments and condos. In particular I am looking for
people who view their relationship with their dwelling as testament to a greater creative
existence, a relationship that is characterized by nurturing the planet and through their
living space work to preserve and/or to live in concert with the natural environment.

I am currently looking for participants, who are open to having me photograph them in their dwelling. If you or anyone you know lives in an alternative living arrangement that might fit within the parameters of this project – please be in touch!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

* From the essay, “Building, Dwelling,Thinking” by Martin Heidegger. Taken from Poetry,
Language, Thought, translated by Albert Hofstadter, Harper Colophon Books, New York,
NY, 1971.

I have been gone from the bloggosphere for a while and it feels good to be back…. Since getting an i-phone, I am playing with the concept of communication devices as art tools.

Case in point: Skype is technology and technology is a tool. Like any tool, it can be a hindrance or an enhancement to creativity – it is all in how you use it.

A bad wireless connection. Bad video quality…. Maybe…but I say Skype art!

Here are some photos and reflections of Pomponio State Beach, south of Half Moon Bay.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The beach sustains me. I grew up near the beach and wherever I go in life I can still call her home.

I am always humbled by the simple offerings of the beach and how these gifts can make me so happy.

A photo walk down the beach, my camera and me: discovering … a cave full of secret rituals that delight the imagination, a boy and his green pail, the patterns and textures made when earth.air.water.fire. collide and awaken my senses.

The world changes. Things get faster. Things fall apart. Things get old.  New things begin. People change. People get faster. People fall apart. People get old. New people are born.

The beach never seems to get faster, to fall apart or get old … yet she is always changing and in that sense is always being reborn.

Now that is something to feel joyful about.

The 50-50 Show III Grand Closing* is tomorrow, Sunday, October 2nd from 1-5 pm. The Sanchez Art Center is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 pm. My series, Senseless Acts of Beauty is in the West Gallery. I will be posting this series soon on my website – details to come! This weekend is your last chance to check out this eclectic assortment of themed small works from over 68 artists, representing a range of media.  This is a great place to find a small gift for the home, office or the art lover in your life.

Check out some press on the show by the juror, DeWitt Cheng. You can see a sneak preview of my series, #16 on this post, as well as get a taste of the great work by many of the other 50-50 artists.

Come kick off Fall Open Studio season @ Art Explosion next weekend.  Stop by to say hi and check out my 3-month new studio space: #113, that’s on the first floor of the Alabama Street Studios @ 744 Alabama St, SF, CA. Stay to enjoy an eclectic mix of art and designs!

Opening Reception: Friday Sept 16th 7pm – 11pm
Open Studios: Sat & Sun Sept 17th-18th 12-5pm

Art Explosion Studios, the Mission’s largest Artist’s collective is holding its annual Fall Open Studios on September 16th thru 18th. Come see over 120 artists as they open their studios to exhibit their work. Painters, sculptures, photographers, fashion designers, jewelers and textile artists will be showing so there is something for every type of art connoisseur. The free opening reception gala will be on Friday, September 16th from 7-11pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a first look at all the incredible work that will be on display and enjoy a spectacular night of viewing art. In addition to artists opening their studios, our galleries will be filled with art, hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served. On Sat & Sun we will have open studios from 12 – 5pm. Come meet the artists in their studios and get a personal showing of their art. As always Free Admission and Free Refreshments with plentiful street parking.

Two Locations:

744 Alabama Street, SF, CA

2425 17th St, SF, CA

Didn’t get to the 200 yards @ Cafe Royale? The show has been extended and tonight (3pm -closing) is the last night to see this collection. Stop by 800 Post Street and grab a drink while you see images of the Tenderloin in a new light!

200 Yards @ Cafe Royale

Show extended through September 1st, 3pm – closing
Cafe Royale: 800 Post St. @ Leavenworth

“Booked,” by Jana Carrey. (c) Jana Carrey Photography 2011.

http://200yards.com/

The 50-50 Show III opens this week @ the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA and includes 50 small works by 68+ Northern California artists. The Opening Reception is this Friday, August 26th from 6-9pm. This exciting art-filled event gets crowded, so come early! There is also a ticketed Preview Night on Thursday, August 25, 7-9pm, for early bird viewers who want more time and space to check out these amazing works of art. Preview night tickets are $10 if you purchase @ www.BrownPaperTickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006.

The show is open from August 26th – October 2nd. For all of you who can’t make the opening nights, the gallery is open from 1-5pm, Fri, Sat and Sunday including the Grand Closing on October 2nd.  Admission is free! The Sanchez Art Center is located at 1220-B Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica, CA, 94044. For directions click here.

My series, Senseless Acts of Beauty, will be hung in the West Gallery. A small preview of all of my images (in the order in which they are hung) and the artist statement are displayed below:

50-50 Show III

Artist Statement| Senseless Acts of Beauty
Jana Carrey, 2011

What I’ve discovered in 50 days: Beauty is everywhere. Beauty is not senseless; it comes in many forms and delights all the senses. In its purest form, beauty is simple. My conception of beauty may not be yours.

This series grew from a documentary project that I dreamt up over the years. Weary of media channels that feed us sensationalist images of destruction and hopelessness, I’ve often wondered how our world might be different if the media incorporated more kindness, beauty and hope. What if images and videos delighted and encouraged the collective imagination rather than intimidated and subdued it. Thus the idea for the “Not-so-Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty” project was born.

I decided to begin my experimentation with this idea during the 50-50 Show III and narrowed my focus to simple, senseless acts of beauty in the world around me. With my camera at my side, I spent 50 days looking for beautiful images in California and Costa Rica. I let chance guide me on many mini-adventures. Looking for beauty, my perspective shifted. Every day was an opportunity to something new and wonderful. I woke up a bit lighter with this simple mission in my heart.

To add another level of senselessness to the series, I narrowed my edits down to 100 images and from those choose the 50 final images, as well as their placement in the 7 x 7 grid, at random.

Eventually, I’d like to take this project further, broaden the scope and audience, and make it collaborative to incorporate multiple viewpoints.

If the original print has sold, re-prints are available up in the following sizes:

6 x 6
11 x 14
16 x 20

Please contact the artist, Jana Carrey, for more information.