"Speaking with the Soul"

Title: "Speaking with the Soul"
Size: "24" x 36"
Medium: Acrylics

“A photograph could never capture the true essence of a painting…” my entire undergrad, and the above picture, could attest to this statement…

This weeks project was a little different, different how? Well, unlike my past paintings, this one was meant to show communication and understanding, on another level.

When I first set out to paint this picture, I thought of Mark Rothko’s paintings in The Rothko Chapel (http://www.rothkochapel.org/). Colored canvases, placed in a room, which help to evoke a feeling/emotion in the visitor. Communication without words. The idea is impactful to me, so I wanted to see if I could instill a feeling in the viewers of my painting.

When the background was complete, I remember sitting back and feeling calmer, a feeling of peace. As if the day0s troubles had washed away. How amazing? Just staring at chaotic shades of purple and white could impact a viewer in such a positive manner.

It was good enough for my soul, it was complete! I was at peace… BUT! For the artistic side of me, the challenge hadn’t even begun. This background merely set the stage for the story yet to be told. In my mind, I had an idea of what this canvas would look like when complete… but as any painter can tell you, painting is an organic process, and sometimes paintings can grow in way we did not anticipate.

My gut said, “show two characters that are connected, who get it, but demonstrate no physical interaction between one another.” This was my challenge to myself! Is it possible? It is, and the face held the key to this mystery. Expressions of the face tell a story. I mean take a look at the Mona Lisa for instance.

Nailing the right expression was so important to me, so I placed a lot of emphasis on it. As time went on, I felt like anything I added to the body of the characters would take away from the story… so arms became unnecessary, this is why the lady has no arms.

So, Who are these two people?

Mother and son? Teacher and student? Or two random individuals, who get it, get one another… Neither having met one another, nor will they ever. As I quoted in a previous posting, “…a picture is worth ten thousand words…” and in this case, not all words are spoken.

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

Deep Thoughts....Deep Thoughts....

This has been one of the busiest weeks of my life. So busy that I had to halt one of my new painting midweek, something I never like to do. But, sometimes life takes priority…and this is that time.

This week, I give you one simple, yet beautiful, image of a sunset from the highest point in Toronto…YUP! The CN Tower. I have to say, it’s one of the most breathtaking sights I have ever seen.

Anyway, this picture reminds me of a quote from “The Alchemist,” and yes I feel the need to share. I hope I quote it properly, as I can’t seemed to find the page on which it’s written…

The boy was jealous of the freedom of wind, until he realized the only thing holding him back was himself.
I am not sure what it is about breathtaking sites, that makes us remember these important quotes…but it does.

I hope you enjoy this little gem.

Keep making your piece of the world a little better.

Koray (Core-EYE)

Pin Her Up: DJ Miss Kittie

It was about a month ago, after DJ Miss Kittie caught a glimpse of some of my work, that she decided to contact me about taking some promo shots. She said “pin-up style,” and I was intrigued… I mean trying to recapture that 50’s style pin-up girl, with modern day photography… that was a challenge I was looking for. I was in!
 
The initial step, the fun step, was to do the research. Searching the internet for both old and new pin-up style pictures, to see what has been done. Notice I said internet, not library. The idea of doing research in a library was daunting. I couldn’t even imagine what it must be like going to school in today’s day and age, having all that information at your fingertips. I digress.

Knowing we shouldn’t rely on the internet for everything, I decided to try my chances at two books stores…and amazingly…the universe heard my request. I was in Indigo when I found a full color, 270 page collection of Gil Elvgren’s life works for about $14 (on major discount). Are you kidding me?!? Yes please, I took their last copy. This book was not only helpful to myself, for figuring out the shots and poses we should be going for, but also for Miss Kittie, so she could nail down the look she was going for.

The next step was the task of securing a location. Surprisingly, this wasn’t that hard… I scouted a couple of locations, but nothing had the perfect feel, like the Temperance Gallery (Thank you Victor for having us). A beautiful gallery, a great location and a perfect backdrop, to say the least.

Finally, getting the shoot to come together. We arrived at Temperance Gallery at 7PM, on Sunday night (a late one). After a few hours of hair and makeup, paralleled by a quick camera setup, and we were good to go. The photo shoot was fun… there’s no crazy story, it was just fun… the big payoff for all the preparation.

After a few hours of photography, mixed with mambo music and Ice Cube’s greatest hits, it was time to throw in the towel.

A little after midnight, my lighting assistant, Bobby Del Rio, and I decided to head to Sneaky Dee’s for a midnight Fajita and Quesadilla fiesta… ahhh, a reward that’s well worth the wait!

Now, please click on the photos above and below so you can check out the pin-up gallery.

When viewing these photos, please note that the final shots found on my site vary in finish, compared to what will be used for promotional purposes. This is a classic case of “Function over Form.” When being commissioned for work, we have to keep in mind the goal of the end user vs. our vision. However, since this website is dedicated to showing you the world through my eyes… I have decided to finish the photos in the manner in which I envisioned them… ; - )

Enjoy!

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih


This team effort was brought to you by: Ashley Short (hair), Trisha Dolmer (makeup), Bobby Del Rio, Victor Fraser and Temperance Gallery, and DJ Miss Kittie.

 

Simply Repetitive

 

When learning about photography, often you are taught, “pictures containing repetition make for a great shot!”…for example, a row of flowers planted one after the other. Why is that? Why does repetition make for such a great shot? I like to think it’s because we find comfort in things we are familiar with…something that doesn’t vary too much, and doesn’t deviate from the norm. These predictable themes are exactly the reason I try to avoid photographing repetition; that is to say, I like a little variety with my crumpets and tea.

A couple of weeks ago, while wondering around Toronto, I found this interesting mural that I was instantly drawn to…. although it contained a repetitive theme, there were slight variations in it that sucked me in. What was it? This mural, with an industrial overtone, got my number. I couldn’t help but stare at it...it's simple, yet intricate, beauty, the contrast in colors, the different shapes and height of the nails and the raw power that was needed to drive all those nails into the wall. I was sucked in. I love it, and I couldn't help but photograph it.

What can I say? I am another victim of repetition, and although it bugs me a little, I do enjoy the simple beauty of it all.

If you are ever by Toronto's City Hall, walk in the main entrance and look immediately to your right to see what I am talking about. I wish I knew the name of the artist who created the giant mural, but the moment I find out, I will credit them on this website.

Have fun!

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih 

"V for Vendetta... or Valentines..."

Title: "V for Vendetta...or Valentines..."
Size: 24" x 36"
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Well, the title is based on the subject line from an e-mail to friends. The purpose of the e-mail? To organize a group outing on Valentines Day. As we all know, when you are young and single, Valentines is the last day you want to spend at home, by yourself…or even be alone for a moment. This is possibly why so many single people dislike Valentines day. So, the goal is to have a bunch of friends, married, dating and single to go out for dinner. I mean Valentines isn’t just about celebrating love for a lover, but it’s also a day to celebrate love for others, and sharing it with those who you love.

So, you’re asking, how does this relate back to my painting? Well, this painting started with a color that I fell in love with, turquoise. I found it during one of my shopping excursion over at Gwatzman’s Art Supplies, a little art shop on Spadina, run by a jaded old artist (it’s fantastic!). I saw the color on a shelf, and figured, I’m going to incorporate this into one of my paintings somehow. It evokes an emotion in me, an emotion I can’t explain…is it excitement? Is it happiness? Is it being content? Whatever it is, it’s bottled emotion (pardon the pun).

So, last week I was about to start a new painting that I had in mind, and figured this would be the perfect opportunity to incorporate turquoise into the background. I started applying thick layer after thick layer…mixing in white to lighten it, and then going back to the concentrated dark color, to build intensity…however, as I developed the background, I developed an urge to make the background an important element of the painting. I had to let the painting sit so I could figure it out. I was a little stumped…after a couple of days, and an encouraging conversation with my mom (who is also a painter) about letting go and doing what I wanted to do. I went for it, I figured this would be my first abstract painting I would produce.

From there on in, passion drove the rest of the painting. As I painted, the subject “V for Vendetta…or Valentines….” lingered in my mind. I want to communicate this statement on a canvas, but how do I do it? Easily…with the most passionate color of all, RED! The color of love and the color of vendetta. And within a couple of swipes…there was the V.

I have to admit…striking that V on the canvas filled me with emotion. Before the first strike, my heart began to pound…after the second strike, it got stronger. Never having experienced it before, I let the feeling linger…

The layers of the paint will forever encase the feeling I had at that moment.

I can say a ton about the similarity and ties between love, passion, vendetta and Valentines. But I will leave that up to some poor university student to argue in their 10 page paper.

Oh, and Valentines dinner with my friends, it’s still on, and it’s going to be fun!

I Love You.

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

An Experiment in Light and Color...

Colors set off butterflies in my stomach, and the stronger the color, the more intense the butterflies. Call me crazy…or lucky to have found what excites me.

So in my latest experiment with lighting and color, I wanted to see what was possible with the small space in my apartment, and a point and shoot camera. This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to work with Bobby Del Rio and Lindsay Brown to explore the wonderful spectrum of color and light! We ended up working on this project for several hours, partially due to lighting changes and partially due to set changes. Suddenly, I have a newfound appreciation for an assistant (If you know of anyone who would like to work for free, I mean for the love of ART! Send them my way!).

The photos that I have chosen to display here could be split into three categories or sets. The first set were warm-up shots, to play around with different styles of white lights. These are the ones of Bobby sitting in a chair.

Warm-up!

The second set, which I like to call “the man with the devil’s soul,” is meant to build the story of a shady character…clearly a dark individual. For these photos I have drawn on reds and blues to tell the story. It’s rather funny how a seemingly kind friend could suddenly send a chill down your spine.

“the man with the devil’s soul”

The last set is meant to tell the story of “a troubled state”….The troubled state of a couple, a couple of friends? A couple who is dating? A couple of coworkers? Ultimately it’s a glimpse at the troubled state of a couple you may or may never know.

“a troubled state”

All in all, I am rather happy with the outcome, and am happy to share the end result. Please click on any of the pictures above, or go to the Photography! page for more.

BIG THANK YOU to Bobby Del Rio, Lindsay Brown and Carly Brown for all your help!!!


If you would like to be added to the mailing list, to receive an e-mail when new material is posted, please send me a message via the contact page indicating “mailing list” in the subject line.

Thanks so much!

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

"when I grow up..." or "what may...or may never be"

Title “when I grow up!” or "what may...or may never be"
Materials: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 12”x36”
Date: January 17, 08

It’s been a little over a week since my last posting, and there’s a good reason for that, I’ve been pushing through the last couple of days so I could complete this new painting for you! It’s funny, it looks rather simple, but the challenge is in lighting and working with limited colors (blue, brown and white). I can imagine some of you might find it simple to work with fewer colors, but when you start going with it, you realize that this is an exercise in shading.

So what’s this painting about? Now the title is "when I grow up..." or "what may...or may never be"…Why? We’ve all seen a movie or two about what toys do when we’re not looking, or not at home. Similar to that, this picture tells the story of what this stuffed bunny dreams of. For a logical thinker, sure a stuffed toy is not real. But what if they could think? What would they dream about? Much like a child who often dreams of a grown up independent life, here the bunny dreams of the same.

Of course a stuffed bunny doesn’t grow, nor will it ever, so the second title "what may...or may never be" speaks to the impossible dream. But, the bunny doesn’t need to know that…sometimes, some things are better left unsaid…"sweet dreams!"

Enjoy! 

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih