Laid Off — And Lovin’ It!

keep out of this place

This past Groundhog’s Day I was laid off from my Graphic Designer position at the real estate office I’d been employed by for the last year. It was my first grown-up, professional-with-benefits job, and I loved it.

Yet I’m not writing to complain, nor receive digital empathy! Quite the opposite—I’m making the most of this new situation. As a creative person, I’ve always felt like with a little more time I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. Now that I am blessed with the absence of a 9–5 job, I can start putting these passions into action! My side projects have now become my obsessions and I’ve never felt so inspired.

For example, my new header image I created using Photoshop and a compilation of photos from a sweet photoshoot I went on last Wednesday. My cohort in crime was DJ Inform, and he was most gracious to show me this amazing location and be my art director / photographer.

DJ Inform is not scum (no matter what you may hear)

On the drive over to the spot I passed the ol’ office and thought of the Simpsons axiom, “working is for suckers…”

The location was an abandoned water treatment facility near Bexley, OH off of 670. It is a hidden spot for graffiti artists and hobos alike. We took the time to climb a 3-story water tower (whose roof is in dubious condition) so that we might properly moon the highway. (Photos not forthcoming).

Photography has always been one of my strengths, but rarely since I’ve graduated have I had time to go out into the sunshine and shoot some photos with my trusty Carl Zeiss-lensed digital camera.

unemployment will give me time to work on my Houdini act

My plan was to get some black and white photography of the graffiti art and some of me handcuffed to various found objects and edifices so that I might illustrate the “Fettered” part of my blog title. The header pictured above is the fruit of such photos, though still a work in progress, so let me know what you think!

Also, I’m greatly looking forward to my next blog posting about Wink,

who’s giving an awesome CSCA lecture on Thursday evening on The Ohio State University campus. If you haven’t plans, seriously consider attending!

Until next time,

-suzy