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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

Well done you amazing creative soul. I didn’t understand the vast majority of the technical stuff in there but it really didn’t matter. Your enthusiasm and enjoyment made this such a wonderful read. Well done. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes across the world. 🤗🤗😘

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Beth! you are just the sweetest. I am so grateful for your support. I can't tell you how much it means to me. I feel your love and hugs from across the world. Thank you!

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Shital Morjaria (she/her)'s avatar

Loved the video! Also enjoyed going through the process with you. You describe everything so vividly the side stories and the darkroom part that I can imagine it. The last bit where you talk about abstract art was really interesting. I felt the same for many years it’s only now that I have come to appreciate it for what it is.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Oh, thank you, Shital! I'm so happy to hear that you feel the same way about abstract art. It's an acquired taste, I suppose. Thank you for reading and I'm glad I brought you there with me in the darkroom.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Awesome! I just made a few Photogramms myself two weeks ago. I love that you turned you collages into some. That is just brilliant! Love them. I hope you will experiment a bit more.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Susanne! I hope so too. This is just the beginning but it's going to be a long process as I don't have regular darkroom access. It's definitely a slow simmer but I can see it become something quite special once it gets going. I hope you also fun with your photograms the way I did. Cheers!!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Well my darkroom (aka our guest bathroom) is very basic. Three trays, the chemicals, a safe light and a headlight for exposure. I don’t have an enlarger and it’s a tiny space I am working in, but it is enough to make photograms. I will share mine in one of my newsletter in two weeks…

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Joan Pinto's avatar

It’s been 20 years! Your video brought back so many wonderful memories of being in the darkroom at Brooks, brought me to tears. Sean’s darkroom is great. What a gift. Your collage work took on a nostalgic look when printed. I really love it.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Aww, hearing that made me tearful too. Thank you Joan for chiming in. I hope to do some more in the future. I'm glad you like the photograms. Love to Gui!

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Mia Quagliarello's avatar

So cool! I too haven’t been in a darkroom in decades, I think I would be worried about the chemicals at this point. 😅 Anyway, I love the outcome! Also love how you work in plant-based eating ideas — very clever.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Mia! I hear you on the chemicals. Back in the day when I didn't care much about sleep or health, I was a full on darkroom junkie. Lol, you're so perceptive. (re: plant-based ideas). It wasn't intentional. I was truly remembering the events as they happened.

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Tom Bland's avatar

I love these. It probably helps that I also love abstracts and typography, and photographic work that has a unique one-off nature to it - so this work is right up my street. Haven’t watched your video yet but will do so later…

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Oh, thank you, Tom! I'm so happy to hear you're into the trifecta like me. I can't tell you how excited I was when the first print appeared in the developer tray. Looking forward to pursuing this direction but it will be a slow one-- I don't have regular access to a darkroom. I see so much possibilities! Thanks for chiming in and hope you get to view the video.

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Zeralda LaGrange's avatar

Fantastic! I too am working to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. Keep it up! 👏👏

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thank you, Zeralda!

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Zachary Ayotte's avatar

So nice to hear your voice and see your face! Thanks for sharing. And oh so jealous of being in that darkroom.

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

Thanks for watching, Zachary! I’ve been fortunate to have this time in the darkroom. I’m grateful and wish it wasn’t 300 miles away!

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

I loved every word and picture of this post, Stella - what an absolutely fascinating process for creating art! Awesome.

I'm so behind on my reading and I'm really glad to be spending some time this afternoon catching up - this post was a wonderful find in my inbox. Thank you!

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Stella Kalaw's avatar

No worries, at all, Rebecca! I'm the same way--so behind reading my stacks. Thank you for spending some time with me. Always appreciate you chiming in!

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