Rachael Padilla

Wednesday Walk, Holy Calamity

Walking into the second half of the week!  It's still hot and humid, but a beautiful sunny day for a walk.  I made sure that this one had an awesome sandtrack brought to you by Handsome Boy Modeling School.  

Tuesday Update!

Here's everything that is going on with me this week! It also applies to the plans for the coming weeks...

I recorded this early on in the day, but it was already really warm. Which means that the cicadas were already out and about, making a raucous. Everything I say is audible, but please bare with me through the buzz of bugs.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

https://vimeo.com/856910494/ed0870af11?share=copy

Selfie in Three Parts

Today, the "Selfie in Three Parts" is presented a little differently than normal. Rather than the typical photo post and description, a short movie instead!

The movie format allows me to talk a bit about the process, and share that process as it happens. This is especially useful for new Patrons. Being able to see the instant photo as it develops and the drawing as it's created along with hearing the haiku spoken. 

This is a brief summation of the how and why of my three part process of self portraiture. 

https://vimeo.com/856560795/bbe8526cb4?share=copy

Take it Back

A look behind the scenes, or in this case: the shower curtain. I often film myself doing ordinary things, just in case there's a use for such footage. Picasso said, "Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working." This is my way of being prepared for when Inspiration comes knocking!

I created this short movie to elevate this every day, mundane activity to a new level using digital film. I strive to take these average moments and turn them into art. I've altered the mood of the footage with music and manipulation of the light and sequencing in the editing process.

https://vimeo.com/851836300/cbd461bc39?share=copy

Knives Out

With knives out, I took to the backyard for a bit of target practice!

There is something very satisfying about knife throwing as a hobby. I've always enjoyed the feeling of hitting my mark with a throw, and there are very few applications for it as an adult! Or so I've found. It is a solitary game, and I only have to compete against my own personal best.

I enjoyed playing with this footage. You'll find parts it mirrored, slowed down, reversed, and askew. This movie was almost as much fun to edit as it was to throw the knives!

https://vimeo.com/848866122/42031148aa?share=copy

Cover of Darkness

This was an exercise in creating a story without words. Setting the stage, creating an atmosphere with lighting, editing,  music, and mere actions. my intention was to create a story that is brief yet intriguing and mysterious. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it! 

Poetry Reading

The poem is called "On Turning 10", but I find that I can relate to it about turning any age. After all, any new age I become, it's the first time I will have ever been that old. I had no previous experience in being any of those ages. I can remember turning 25, and since I'd never been there before, it felt terribly old. I recall thinking of it as an entire quarter of a century! 

This charming poem however, takes the perspective of one much younger still and applies the anxieties of aging to that unique time in life. 

https://vimeo.com/849591305/dd2162bc72?share=copy

Behind the Scenes: Today's Gesture Drawing

A behind the scenes look at the creation of today's gesture drawing. 

Sometimes I feel as if I look so hard at myself that I may be creeping up on me! So it seemed appropriate to set this to a sneaking feeling soundtrack! Additionally, I added a black and white edit for this piece, which hopefully adds to the mood I was intending! 

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

The realization

That the perceptions I had

May not have been true.

Part of what I enjoy about my selfies in three parts is the aspect of taking a real hard look at myself. In drawing my own reflection, I have to. I can’t just draw what I think I look like, but what I actually see reflected back. I think this practice has opened me up to self reflection in other ways. Emotionally and socially, for example. I’m glad to  have the ability to look and discover new things about myself. It makes me feel like I’m growing and improving.

Wednesday Walk

This one is a little bit different.  My usual Wednesday involves finding a beautiful, or interesting spot that I can enjoy and that I think you will enjoy seeing.  This week I was simply and honestly too busy to get out into the world as I would have liked.  So, I had to improvise.   I took a piece of footage that some of you may have seen before and tweaked it a little.  I corrected the color and added some quirky music that I can license for use anywhere as opposed to stealing something with a copywrite.  I hope that you enjoy this encore of my trip to this beautiful and unique landscape. 

https://vimeo.com/855132886/46b82d41a8?share=copy

Tuesday Update!

Another beautiful Tuesday! I hope your week is off to a great start. 

Here's what's going on with me. My schedule of late has been a bit different, but I'll be back to my regular posting next week. 

https://vimeo.com/854824417/9a637881e9?share=copy

Weather

With all the rain lately, I've stayed indoors and watched the storms through the window. 

I've become fascinated by the way the wind moves, and although I can't see it necessarily, I see what it does. The way it passes through the trees causing the branches to bend and sway, and causing the leaves to dance. 

For this short performative movie, I tried to use my own body to move in such ways. As if I were a tree, I sway and lean. Dancing with a force that for the purposes of this piece is represented by a fan. It is then set to a soundtrack of rain and thunder, and light music that itself reminds me of the nature of a storm. 

https://vimeo.com/854342715/1e56bb40a0

Hints at my strange adventure!

I had forgotten all about this video!  It was a beautiful day, and I was so excited!  I wanted to jump into an imaginary world and finally had a chance to do just that!  Walking onto the set of Stranger Things was as surreal as it gets, and I think that being able to walk on the set of any TV show or move top free would be pretty scary even for professionals.  Was I too afraid to do it?  Not me!  trying to live as fearless a life as possible is a goal I'm always chasing.  

https://vimeo.com/538454605/8b40fb64f8?share=copy

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

Lightening cracks the sky,

Thunder rolls loudly above.

Branches sway and bend.

It’s been unusual weather this month. Loud and impressive rain storms almost daily, often preceded with sweltering hot temperatures. The storms seem noteworthy enough for writing about.

REminded of a REpost by REquest.

This is my first requested repost!  It was drawn to my attention that new Patrons may find some of the information in this video useful in understanding my work.  The video was shot just after finishing the alterations to a custom piece of costuming that really "stands out" :) Finding ways to gently change people's perceptions using my art, body or in this case specifically my nipples is always a treat.  It can be such a simple thing to not sexualize a woman for having her teats visible.  Sometimes she's just walking around living her life and it doesn't have to be about who's looking. This garment is challenging to wear because I know that there will be people staring when I do, but the more they see it and the more their expectations of how others look, dress, and behave are challenged the more they grow.

https://vimeo.com/724562372/424554b242?share=copy

Extra Hands

Taking today's haiku to an illogical extreme, through the magic of movie making I give myself multiple hands and arms.

I am forever fascinated with the art of motion, and the art of capturing that motion. It is a consistent theme in my self portraits of freezing moments and capturing them in paint. It is an easier feat in film, where each frame can be a painting set to sound. 

https://vimeo.com/853849006/7e4433fd51

Behind the Scenes: Today's Drawing

A look at today's gesture drawing in real time. 

The studio cat makes a guest appearance, in the lower left hand frame. She often enjoys watching me while I work. While she prefers to be elusive and scarce around people, she's become accustomed to the cameras and tripods and has no idea that they are capturing her presence. Otherwise, she'd be scarce with them as well! 

 https://vimeo.com/853832726/96e151bb24

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

Old timers would say:

“I could use another hand”

I only have two.

I often wonder if it would benefit me at all if I did have more hands. I will never know, but I can create another hand with multiple exposures!

Selfie in Three Parts: Peeking

A haiku: 

When I saw myself

Peeking around the edges,

I thought I'd draw it. 

I realize that I often peek around the edge of the paper when creating the drawings of myself, but it rarely occurs to me to draw the paper that I'm drawing on. Just for emphasis, I also photographed it. The flash of the camera in the mirror creates a bit of a ghostly feel! 

Behind the Scenes: Creating Today's Drawing

A behind the scenes look at the creation of today's gesture drawing. From behind the edge of my drawing paper. On this side of the looking glass. 

I incorporated my drawing paper into my composition today. It was blocking the view of my reflection from where I stood. Rather than shifting my perspective, I included it as an element.

https://vimeo.com/853496123/84615cf05a

Remembering the good times.

This neighborhood has changed so much in just the short time that I have known it. I wanted to repost this short clip for you to enjoy (of course) but also as a reminder to myself of how quickly some of these beautiful spaces can change forever. and how important it is to appreciate fleeting things whenever you can. 

https://vimeo.com/442845726/99f4d18e01?share=copy

Too much fun. From the vault.

Ok.  you've probably been here for a while.  Most of my supporters like to stick around, but if you're new you might have missed this one.  If you're one of my treasured longtime supporters you deserve to see it again!  Please enjoy this encore! 

https://vimeo.com/567649540/7f02ebbf20?share=copy

Tuesday Update!

Happy Taco Tuesday!

I hope your week is going well! I am so glad that you're here and willing to help support a living artist. Patrons of the arts can be hard to come by, so the fact that you appreciate my work means so much to me. Your support motivates me, builds my confidence in my work, and inspires me to keep creating! Thank you!

https://vimeo.com/852784458/3f11dc75bf

Selfie in Three Parts

A haiku:

Darkened thunder clouds.

Winds. Gusty hot, rattles trees.

Heavy drops falling.

A throwback

It has been stormy off and on and I'm waiting for some action on some of my ongoing projects.  that makes it a great time to pull one out of the vault!  Here's a walk in the woods set to an absolutely beautiful piece of music.  I hope that every one of you is enjoying Summer as much as possible.  

https://vimeo.com/585915235/895324fa32?share=copy

A Poetry Reading

This is a poetry reading of a poem by Charles Simic called, "Modern Sorcery". 

This poem by a Serbian-American poet is a lovely analogy of love/infatuation to sorcery! It sums up the magic of infatuation of love, in all its majesty and magic. 

I'm sporting a hat and suspenders for this reading. The costume choice reminds me of something worn in a post-apocalyptic  sci-fi. Elegant and absurd in the same breath. Also, I was trying to capture depth and interest in the camera placement. The Canon EOS Rebel was my choice for filming, it always captures a richness and intimacy.

https://vimeo.com/849576267/d33010c481

Selfie in Three Parts

In lieu of a haiku, a tongue twister:

Padilla picked a peck of jalapeño peppers, a peck of jalapeño peppers Padilla picked. If Padilla picked a peck of jalapeño peppers, where’s the peck of jalapeño peppers that Padilla picked?

It’s been a spicy week! In addition to the jalapeños that are quite prolific in the garden, my grocery store got a shipment of Hatch peppers from New Mexico. So if course I bought pounds of them! Then roasted, peeled, seeded and froze them.

Wednesday Walk

On a sticky-hot afternoon, I was fortunate to have a bit of shade near a slow and gentle creek.

I didn't linger much by the water, but I did wonder if there were any fish there and hoped that they were keeping cooler than I was! Days like this leave me hot and sweaty. It does help to have an open top! I can see why men everywhere often go without tops, or open them up. 

It was nice to practice a point of equality, but it was for more necessary to keep a bit cooler. 

Tuesday Update!

Peaches, green chilies, fellow New Mexico Native: Smokey the Bear, and upcoming visitors! 

Everything that is going on in my world. 

Right here in a convenient update! Here's everything going on with me!

I hope your week is off to a fantastic start! Thank you so much for  being here. I am thrilled to be starting this August with you. It is harvest season!

https://vimeo.com/850727379/0fffe6099f

"House Paint"

I've been working a lot on sprucing up the house lately. I'd mentioned in Tuesday Update that this seemingly straightforward task ended up taking longer than I had anticipated.  It is now finished, and ended up looking fantastic! 

I filmed quite a bit of the process in the hopes of creating some art in movie form. It comes together for this montage. The accompanying music is not my own, but brings forward the rhythm of painting! 

  https://vimeo.com/849731965/80620f8cb7