Restless Imaginings by Julie Jira

Happy January!

Julie — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:09:30 +0000

It’s my first week back in New York City since going away for the holidays. I was in Toronto for a little over two weeks and then I flew out West to BC where I enjoyed 8 blissful days of good company and majestic mountains. I had the chance to make mini-day trips around Vancouver and Kelowna, and managed to snowboard at Whistler and Silver Star for a day each, and Big White for two days. I, once again, tested the limits of my wonderfully rugged camera (a Nikon D80), and it roughed it out through cold temperatures, slushy rain, and even a few tumbles through glades, cliffs and fog patches. I haven’t had a lot of time back, but I did manage to post a few photos from one of the best riding days I’ve had thus far. It was at Big White exactly a week ago today that I was riding it out in the sun shine, and hitting some nice verticals and deep snow pockets. Those photos can be found by clicking on the image below.

In reflecting on last year, I wanted to also mention here how thankful I am for the positive response I have received for my photography work since beginning Restless Imaginings. I am grateful for the encouragement I have received, and excited that I had the chance to begin a small part of a bigger whole which I will continue to grow upon for the years to come. This year has begun well in terms of shooting, and there are still many more trips and photographs to come for this year. I look forward to encountering many more adventures with my camera, and to see what limits I am able to push myself to, both mentally and physically.

So, here’s to yet another year full of capturing unpredictable beauty!

Holiday Specials!

Julie — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:57:15 +0000

Queens & Redhook, NYC

Julie — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:46:49 +0000

Two shoots I’ve done this month were in Queens and Redhook, NYC.

In Queens, I shot the 5 Points area at night (in September) and then Greg Lynn’s Korean Presbytarian Church (pictured above). There were also some random photos from around Queens, including a shot of Manhattan from Hunter’s Point and some interesting subway grates that doubled as street furniture.

I also took a very early trip out to Redhook two weeks ago. The shoot involved a lot of random things that were shot in a 5 hour time span since we really wanted to find something interesting about Redhook.

Paper & Machines

Julie — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:04:56 +0000

I recently visited the Pratt Industries Recycled Paper Mill on Staten Island as a research trip for my studio class. This mill recycles 30% of NYC’s paper and creates card paper for uses such as pizza boxes. The mill was difficult to photograph because of the steam and humidity from the evaporation, but the lighting, movement of the flowing paper and machines created a surreal shooting experience.

flickr access

Julie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:20:26 +0000

My flickr account is available for viewing again. There you can find many of my trip photos, as well as relatively up-to-date scenes from my life. My most recent collections include images from Coney Island and Queens, NYC

Busy-Business

Julie — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:07:38 +0000

Since last posting, I experienced an influx of interest in my work:

One of my Human Light photos made it into the semi-finals for the YOBI Pics competition. In March 2010, I will be one of 40 entries vying to win over $10 000 in cash and prizes.

I met new clients while selling at various markets, and through friends of friends. I sold my largest piece to date, a 32″ x 24″ resin coated abstract piece, as well as a few other resin coated pieces.

I met some pretty cool artists from around the city, and even did a photo shoot for one of them. I went to Albania for a few weeks of vacation. Then I tied up loose ends in Toronto…

…and finally, I moved back to New York City where I will begin school this coming Tuesday. On the plus side, I’ve had plenty of time to explore the city and get some great shots of the people and places that make up the fabric of this place.

As for business, I will keep things running throughout my studies. I hope to get my work into a few venues here in New York, and continue shooting around the city. I will definitely have a few new collections to post by the end of the year. That is all for now!

Julie

Street Blitz: Kensington Market & Wychcraft Market

Julie — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:44:27 +0000

This past sunday, I decided to hit the streets of Kensington Market, in an attempt to sell my work during Car Free Sunday. I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful reactions people had to my work. It took me back to the days when I sold bracelets on the streets of Sydney, Byron Bay and New York City. Except this time, I was really putting my personal work out there for people to enjoy and have the chance to own. I hope that my first market vending experience this Saturday at the Wychcraft Market on St. Clair and Bathurst is as fruitful in terms of people’s reactions!

I also wanted to mention that 8 of my photos are in the top 9 entries for the YOBI pics contest…yay! I still have to win the round in order to get into the semi-finals, but if it isn’t this week, hopefully it will happen in the next few. So, vote if you can!

Restless Imaginings say Hello

Julie — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:41:59 +0000

I finally have a site to showcase all the work I have completed in the past few years. It will also be the place I debut new projects and promote shows my work participates in.

Currently, my work is being displayed at the Blue Banana Market in Kensington Market, Toronto. It’s on the second floor, among an eclectic blend of other artist’s works ranging from photography to paintings to jewelry, clothes and furniture. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, it is definitely worth stopping in for a look.

Four of my Urban Experimental projects will also be participating in the Women’s Art Exhibition 2009 at the Ben Navaee Gallery Starting June 29th running until July 9th with a reception on July 4th.

Finally, about a month ago, a film by Paul Kurti, based on an aspect of my travels, which I also starred in, won an International Film Contest through the Yobi TV contest network. As a result, the filmmaker won a good sum of money, and I will accompany him to the 2010 Sundance Festival in January. I am also currently trying to get into the semi-final round with my own photography work. If you enjoy my photographs, please take a moment to vote for any or all of the photos I have posted.

Julie