Untitled

I get charged up on combining words with images. I have as much fun giving my images titles as I do creating the image. Sometimes I research the subject's symbolism before a title comes to me. As this process evolves I am more and more amazed by how energizing symbols are. For me the car is the most obvious example of a cultural symbol in action; the mode in which we journey through life/our vehicle...As my beloved old SUV ages I must consider my next car. The obvious choice for me is a small van, economical and carries a lot of stuff. I haven't considered what I'd like to drive...just what I should have. A hybrid is too small...? Maybe I will just take the bus. Or stay home and become an art hermit. With the internet one might never need to leave...

One of my favorite artists is Duane Michals. He truly rose to the art of combining poetry and photography.

http://www.climateprotect.org/

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This Image "Untitled" Elena Ray Copyright 2007. 17" x 22' Pigment ink on Acrylic and Ink Aid primed watercolor paper substrate.

Comments

[Thomas]

Elena, This black-winged beauty is wonderful! Erotic energy pulses...bold and vulnerable at the same time. What is she doing? Where is she going with that wing? Are there two wings?

[Elena Ray]

'muk
thanks for those questions...still waiting to title this image, still thinking...

[Thomas]

Elena, This image fronts my manuscript right now, with the title: "Gibraltar; a novel" on it. For my use only, as publishers have their own ideas of what covers should be and most of the time, authors don't have the final say. I suspect they'll be looking for an image of the ocean...literal bastards....I am two weeks away from submitting the new new book to my agent, who has already read it and loved it...This image has the perfect colours for this book...the whimsy, the darkness, and the erotic.
I suspect the new book will be on the market in February.
'muk

[Elena Ray]

well, the wing is a Pelican wing, so that stays in theme...but I wonder about the nudity-i'm thinking in the US that wouldn't "fly". But you Canadians-you're still wild.

BTW-been meaning to write you-just got back from a long road trip in which I read your novel "Doubting Yourself to The Bone" It was WONDERFUL!!!! I love how much you love ALL your characters. Everybody became somebody...in that way like Joyce Carol Oates does; each character's depth is bottomless-the writer never boxes the character in, or objectifies them. I sent the finished book right off in the mail to one of my best friends who I often fwd your poems to.