Everything I do is Epic

Jonathan Franzen-The Corrections

2010-11-25T17:30:00.002-08:00

Another Likely Story-Au Revoir Simone

2010-11-25T17:30:00.001-08:00

Nick Bertke

2010-11-12T18:01:00.000-08:00

Pizza

2010-10-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

Letter from Sol Le Witt To Eva Hesse

2010-10-07T18:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Eva,

It will be almost a month since you wrote to me and you have possibly forgotten your state of mind (I doubt it though). You seem the same as always, and being you, hate every minute of it. Don’t! Learn to say “Fuck You” to the world once in a while. You have every right to. Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, grasping, confusing, itchin, scratching, mumbling, bumbling, grumbling, humbling, stumbling, numbling, rumbling, gambling, tumbling, scumbling, scrambling, hitching, hatching, bitching, moaning, groaning, honing, boning, horse-shitting, hair-splitting, nit-picking, piss-trickling, nose sticking, ass-gouging, eyeball-poking, finger-pointing, alleyway-sneaking, long waiting, small stepping, evil-eyeing, back-scratching, searching, perching, besmirching, grinding, grinding, grinding away at yourself. Stop it and just DO!

From your description, and from what I know of your previous work and you [sic] ability; the work you are doing sounds very good “Drawing-clean-clear but crazy like machines, larger and bolder… real nonsense.” That sounds fine, wonderful – real nonsense. Do more. More nonsensical, more crazy, more machines, more breasts, penises, cunts, whatever – make them abound with nonsense. Try and tickle something inside you, your “weird humor.” You belong in the most secret part of you. Don’t worry about cool, make your own uncool. Make your own, your own world. If you fear, make it work for you – draw & paint your fear and anxiety. And stop worrying about big, deep things such as “to decide on a purpose and way of life, a consistant [sic] approach to even some impossible end or even an imagined end” You must practice being stupid, dumb, unthinking, empty. Then you will be able to DO!

I have much confidence in you and even though you are tormenting yourself, the work you do is very good. Try to do some BAD work – the worst you can think of and see what happens but mainly relax and let everything go to hell – you are not responsible for the world – you are only responsible for your work – so DO IT. And don’t think that your work has to conform to any preconceived form, idea or flavor. It can be anything you want it to be. But if life would be easier for you if you stopped working – then stop. Don’t punish yourself. However, I think that it is so deeply engrained in you that it would be easier to DO!

It seems I do understand your attitude somewhat, anyway, because I go through a similar process every so often. I have an “Agonizing Reappraisal” of my work and change everything as much as possible = and hate everything I’ve done, and try to do something entirely different and better. Maybe that kind of process is necessary to me, pushing me on and on. The feeling that I can do better than that shit I just did. Maybe you need your agony to accomplish what you do. And maybe it goads you on to do better. But it is very painful I know. It would be better if you had the confidence just to do the stuff and not even think about it. Can’t you leave the “world” and “ART” alone and also quit fondling your ego. I know that you (or anyone) can only work so much and the rest of the time you are left with your thoughts. But when you work or before your work you have to empty you [sic] mind and concentrate on what you are doing. After you do something it is done and that’s that. After a while you can see some are better than others but also you can see what direction you are going. I’m sure you know all that. You also must know that you don’t have to justify your work – not even to yourself. Well, you know I admire your work greatly and can’t understand why you are so bothered by it. But you can see the next ones and I can’t. You also must believe in your ability. I think you do. So try the most outrageous things you can – shock yourself. You have at your power the ability to do anything.

I would like to see your work and will have to be content to wait until Aug or Sept. I have seen photos of some of Tom’s new things at Lucy’s. They are impressive – especially the ones with the more rigorous form: the simpler ones. I guess he’ll send some more later on. Let me know how the shows are going and that kind of stuff.

My work had changed since you left and it is much better. I will be having a show May 4 -9 at the Daniels Gallery 17 E 64yh St (where Emmerich was), I wish you could be there. Much love to you both.

Sol

Why not to Google...

2010-10-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

....I Google myself and this pops up.

Ruth Snyder

2010-08-31T11:22:00.001-07:00

Photo: Tom Howard

Screamin' Jay Hawkins

2010-08-27T00:41:00.000-07:00

Kevin Hayes

2010-08-26T22:38:00.001-07:00

http://thedirtiestlittlerainbow.blogspot.com

Bellydancing

2010-07-30T18:43:00.001-07:00

Fuck Shit Stack

2010-07-30T18:38:00.001-07:00

Travis Mathews

2010-07-30T17:57:00.001-07:00

NSFW

I want your love:

http://www.nakedsword.com/features/iwyl.aspx

Rubber Johnny

2010-07-30T17:26:00.001-07:00

Chris Cunningham

Mitsu's Studio

2010-07-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

Mer visits San Fran

2010-07-07T12:14:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I on a hike

2010-07-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

Slug

2010-07-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

Cherries

2010-05-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

Animating Flies.

2010-05-27T00:31:00.000-07:00

I still don't believe in sleep

2010-05-27T00:30:00.000-07:00

It's hard to love someone who doesn't like Joanna Newsom

2010-05-27T00:29:00.001-07:00

No Sleep.

2010-05-19T14:08:00.001-07:00

So for some reason I've decided I never need to sleep again.

Don Hertzfeldt

2010-05-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Garden

2010-05-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

Slim Whitman

2010-05-13T12:08:00.001-07:00

Lake Times

2010-05-13T11:57:00.001-07:00

San Francisco test images

2010-04-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

I missed you too Chicago

2010-01-01T11:48:00.001-08:00

Up Late

2009-12-26T22:08:00.000-08:00

Working on my general statement, what I have so far:

I find the body fascinating and beautiful. The poses it can hold, even if for a moment are engrossing. It's fantastic and I can't resist it as subject. I use photography to capture these nonspecific narrative performances. After becoming sick of "sad girl" art, I try to model the female in photographs as being a part of their surroundings--willing to give up control even if for a moment to participate in the environment they are placed in. I draw inspiration from Joss Whedon and Sam Raimi. They often work with empowered women and humor. Titles are also an important way to draw information from the photograph, such as with Michael Phelps Wannabe where one can see a figure by a pond sticking her head in the water. This could be construed as a melodramatic action until another meaning is inferred through the title.

Sketches/Photos

2009-11-21T00:55:00.000-08:00

EDIT

2009-10-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

I haven't edited this photo completely. I'm not sure what I want to do with it. If anything...

Diet Coke

2009-10-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

After a 7 mile bike ride in summer in Chicago

2009-10-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

Bike

2009-10-16T19:16:00.001-07:00

Table

2009-10-11T23:18:00.001-07:00

Teeth

2009-09-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

Colors changed in the upload but I did this years ago.

Drawings From Notebook

2009-09-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Balance Practice

2009-09-12T12:08:00.001-07:00

Sublet Table

2009-09-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

Faces

2009-09-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

These Shoes Have a Right to Live

2009-09-12T11:54:00.001-07:00

Balloon

2009-09-05T17:00:00.000-07:00

Books and Birds

2009-09-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

2009-08-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

Mitsu's feet after an amazing day hanging out with him and Tyler, eating way too much taffy. My bike which is now my brothers and zucchini with onions, garlic, tomatoes and blended beans. Delicious.

The Summer so Far in Cell Phone Pictures

2009-08-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of tooth brushes at my teachers house. Final critique/meeting of my undergrad life.

Then there was watching the final work of the FVNM students. Carolina Gonzalez had an amazing piece which won the Fellowship, Exal's piece was awesome to see on the big screen and it was incredible to see Kali's work for the first time.

Bike races at the school Sabrina teaches at was amazing. Those high school kids where so creative and even though it was a chilly day it was awesome watching them ride modified bikes.

I graduated and the speaker was Renzo Piano. My brother and sister came down and we got Ethiopian food after. My mom and aunt came too.

Exal and his family, Kali and her family and Amanda, Crysta and I all went out that night to the Grand Lux. All I can say is "Pollo Busto".

I went to San Francisco to find jobs the day after graduation. I ate a huge thing of gelato in the Castro and fell in love with Kiki Smiths "Lillith" and the SFMoMA.

I went to a Sox game with a guy and then to Phoenix in Chinatown for dinner. It was pretty delicious.

Moving from my studio.

Buying plants that make me think of California.

My new room, green of course.

Gorgeous new apartment.

This summer involved sweet potatoes. Yum.

And Exal. Lots and lots of Exal.

Cooking expired popcorn with Gillian.

Empty studio apartment.

Frozen bananas.

New roommates.

St. Louis to see Stan's art opening.

With my brother, awesome trip.

I broke my elbow and sprained my wrist flipping over my bike handles. Then drugged up I still went out that night.

North Avenue Beach.

New tattoo.

Spending a gorgeous afternoon with Monica in a park nearby.

Enjoying not having to go downtown but when I do I can nap on the 14th floor.

New computer!! So useful!

At the top part of North Avenue beach so I don't get sandy. Went to Merideth's after this to hand out.

My Mom and Myah, the best dog in the world.

All the plants surrounding our apartment.

Male Model

2009-07-30T16:54:00.001-07:00

Beach Test

2009-07-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

I need to color adjust this image. I haven't shown this one yet.

Frustrated Artist

2009-07-30T16:41:00.001-07:00

Failed Performance

2009-07-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

Coffee with Monica

2009-07-30T16:15:00.001-07:00

Finally, a photograph comes out of this summer.

My Feet at Ravinia

2009-07-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

I went to the Ravinia Music Festival and listened to Herbie Hancock.

Bike Sculpture

2009-07-30T16:12:00.000-07:00

Went to the beach with the roommates and created this.

North Branch Trail

2009-07-21T11:20:00.001-07:00

This is a map of the North Branch Trail in Chicago. I'm going to bike this and see how far I can go. Ideally I will set up an entire day and pack a lunch with some friends for this. I will upload photos from that day and if you are interested in more info check out: http://www.fpdcc.com/tier3.php?content_id=68&file=map_68e.

End of summer goal

2009-07-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is my sister and now I've decided I would like to be able to skate by the end of summer. I already love surfing and because I'm not by an ocean now this seems like the next best thing. Sometime in the near-ish future Vicki, Nick and I will be going to Colorado to rock climb, bike, camp and white river raft.

Timothy

2009-07-05T18:08:00.000-07:00

Timothy was a king. Upon his castle people threw themselves. The sky watched from a distance. Timothy didn’t watch at all. Although the castle pointed out to the world around him, Timothy kept himself inside, never once looking out. His people would look up to his stone house. They didn’t feel jealous or bitter. They felt pity for old Timothy in his castle. They didn’t want what he had. His riches meant nothing. He was trapped. His home became his prison. He wouldn’t leave. He didn’t care to look out. All he saw was what was in his cold stone castle. One day his people his people asked Timothy to come out. They shouted to the castle guards and to the great towers. The castle shook with the cry of Timothy’s people. The stones crumbled. Timothy was in the rubbles of his home but could not see that the walls had come down. He had gone mad.

Etchings 2009

2009-05-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

Prints

2009-05-04T22:44:00.000-07:00

I didn't know I had a friend who is an amputee

2009-05-04T22:16:00.000-07:00

BFA Documentation

2009-04-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

These are some pictures of the room I shared with Margot Brummer, Gwyneth VZ Anderson. Margot did the cloth sculpture of the character hanging from the ceiling and Gwyneth did video pieces. The TV is a part of her installation. I didn't document that though because at the time it was malfunctioning. The two photographs and four small frames with prints in them are mine.

Scott Beat Me Up Photo Shoot

2009-04-01T08:47:00.001-07:00

This is the photo shoot of Scott beating me up. Obviously he fails. I do enjoy his sexy model pose. Work it!

Aunt

2009-04-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

Faking it

2009-04-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when I can't think of what to photograph and am stuck inside. Sa-weet.

Older-ish Work

2009-04-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is stuff I've shot but don't use because it's a little melodramatic or trite or just not my thing. Something like that.

Self-Portrait as a Photographer

2009-04-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sketchbook

2009-04-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Freshman Year

2009-04-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

First year, in the dorms doing a photo shoot with Kara.

This Blog

2009-02-16T18:59:00.000-08:00

This blog is for me to be able to display anything. The good, the bad and the ugly.

I have a flickr for the classy-er work I make. http://www.flickr.com/photos/katebieschke

I enjoy having a place to put my work that isn't taken terribly seriously. So keep that in mind when viewing this blog. It's not all gold. But it's not supposed to be.

First Picture I Ever took with my Digi Slr

2009-02-16T18:49:00.000-08:00

Kara Housewife

2009-02-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

Studio Lighting Long Ago....

2009-02-16T18:43:00.000-08:00

Old Skool at North Ave Beach

2009-02-16T18:18:00.000-08:00

Some California Images

2009-02-16T17:53:00.000-08:00

Lamp

2009-02-13T21:14:00.000-08:00

Clock

2009-02-13T21:12:00.000-08:00

Mouth

2009-02-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

san francisco

2009-02-02T17:09:00.000-08:00

this might be an option

2009-02-02T16:58:00.001-08:00

...or...

2009-02-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

Thinking of BFA show combos

2009-02-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

These three around 20x30 or 25x30

BFA Show

2009-01-17T23:51:00.000-08:00

the beginning....

i'm starting to put the first touches on my BFA show for March. the longer i give myself the more adjustments i can make. this is part of the hanging and installation process. after this pretty mundane stuff i have to work on making and picking the images. i have one in mind that i took in california. i just need it to be uniform and not disparate.

.....to be continued....

going to california

2009-01-02T18:03:00.000-08:00

i'm leaving the dreary weather and headed out to california. i'll post pictures when i get back.

Games

2008-12-25T14:47:00.000-08:00

Finger

2008-12-23T16:43:00.000-08:00

Jungle Adventure

2008-12-23T16:29:00.001-08:00

Miranda July Moment

2008-12-22T20:25:00.000-08:00

Photographically Depressed

2008-12-22T20:21:00.000-08:00

I'm making a goal of photographing everyday. And of course I didn't photograph today.

I used to be a photo junky. I'm now turning into an "inky". I have a project idea for screenprinting. It'll be a book. I'll post photos when I make it.

I had a dream. That my project is about where I am. Where I go. So I'll take that as divine intervention for now and stick to it until something else emerges. I feel like I had my tower of blocks and they all got knocked down by people who wanted it to be something else rather than the best thing that it was.

I'll photograph tomorrow and post.

12/21/08

2008-12-21T21:21:00.000-08:00

10/28/08

2008-12-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

Drawing

2008-12-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

Car

2008-12-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

Central

2008-12-11T12:58:00.001-08:00

Woods

2008-12-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

Instant Art

2008-12-11T12:45:00.001-08:00

Red Lawn

2008-12-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

Wood Sculpture

2008-12-11T12:20:00.000-08:00

Fall 2005

Shoe Sculpture

2008-12-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

Fall 2005

Diet Coke and Water

2008-12-11T11:56:00.000-08:00

April Day

2008-12-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

September 15th, 2008

2008-12-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

You give me fever

2008-12-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

This is me sick. And writing.

I like blending work. Not having it be so strictly photographic. As in only photo work clumped next to photo work.

A year or so ago I was rigidly photographic. Religiously so perhaps. After I came to the conclusion that I adore work that has to be made no matter what, despite skill or health or money or anything, I've opened up a lot.

I've been doing more scribbles. I've been putting myself in different positions. I've accepted how performative my self portraits are and embraced that. I've finally found a way to introduce text back into my work. Things are reaching equilibrium again and I'm enjoying it. Dare I say it, photography cannot capture every idea I wish to get across so being open to other mediums is helping a lot. I know, I sound like an elitest photo prude. I'm working on it though.