Zach Sarette

Minigun girl

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:47:00 +0000

Minigun girl
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

Working on illustration. It's hard to draw straight neat lines, but it's well worth it and a lot of fun.

Also this is my first posting to Deviant art.

Enjoy!

-Zach

Little Life

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:13:00 +0000

Little Life
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

It's been a while since I've painted much of anything just for the fun of it.

The past few weeks have been quite busy. With work, and learning japanese, and work, and paperwork. Before you know it, it's Christmas!

So in these days I think we should learn to cherish the time we have now. Cherish the little moments. Cherish the joy and the pain. Cherish the fact that we are alive.

I won't attempt to tell you what was going through my mind. So just enjoy the painting. Because I share it for that reason. :)

Lots of love to all! And do your best! We're all in this together!

Time: maybe 6 hours.

Cheers!

Acceptance

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Acceptance
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

"Deep down inside, I never wanted to let you go. I wanted to escape from the pain. So I pushed you away. I shut you out. I set the house afire. And now you are gone, yet the pain remains.

I accept this pain as a reminder. Deep down inside I've found a conviction. I will never forget. Another journey begins with my new found strength.

Acceptance"

Boy am I tired. It's almost 11.

Just put the finishing touches on it. I'm really glad I finished it this evening. Can't wait to start on something new!

Time: 4 hours-ish

Thanks to all who inspired me and helped me along the way! Lots of love!

-Zach

Crazed

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Crazed
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

The idea came to me when I was thinking about autumn. I was also thinking about the beach, and fashion photography. I'd love to bring pumpkins to the beach with a model. Any model will do, I just really like the pumpkins!

So.... I can just create it for myself now... hehehe.

Weird. I really like the fall. Even though it's the end of summer, It always feels like the beginning of something amazing.

Autumnal Journey

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Autumnal Journey
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

Lunch break anyone

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:42:00 +0000

My goodness. Today was absolutely drop dead you know what. Not too hot, not lung scraping cold... Juuuust riiight

So I went out! Lunch time. Done looking over my funds... Manager went to lunch a little while ago... I should go NOW!

So I walked. I'm thinking... I need ocean. I need the water. Not just the park water, but the sea water. So I walked out to the wharfs. :)

brought my camera along just cuz.

Don't you just love the sun and how it makes you squint! AAAH MY EYES!

So I've decided I'm going to the beach this labor day weekend. And seeing an old classmate of mine play at the Stone Church. :)

It's going to be a friggin great weekend!

Heart Ache

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:31:00 +0000

Heart Ache
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

It's been a bit stressful at work lately. But I've been discovering a lot of things about myself. I still have a lot to learn, and my conviction is growing stronger each day.

And it is totally awesome! Here's a quick sketch I did. I was going to work on my other painting, but I just wanted to make something complete and from a different feeling today. It's a different expression, and the form has been in my mind for a while and in my sketch book. I'm glad I got to use it. :D

Beginnings of "Autumn Run"

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:17:00 +0000

I've got the itch again!

Just like with Summer Blues. Only this time it's a bit different. Which is a good thing, I guess. I was able to map out quickly what I wanted just like before and I used hard brushes instead of soft brushes.

This is going to be fun. I'm really excited and it makes me very happy. :D

Fashion Shoot Event Saturday

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:17:00 +0000

Yesterday at the Sopha Studio they held a members event for shoots.

The first time I ever did such a thing, and it was a whole heap of fun. I learned alot from Dave Botelho and the other members at the studio.

First thing

I learned is the makeup and the model make the shot. You just have to do the rest of the job. Get to know the model and work with the makeup and fashion designers as well as the art director. Show some appreciation for their hard work, especially the model. They work very hard and are very good at what they do.
Don't shoot down on a model. In other words, never make her/him look short.
The other rules are made to be broken. Work with the people, yes, but don't be afraid to shoot what you want to get the shot you want. Talk to the model, talk to the hair and makeup team, etc. Get your hands dirty.

Fashion is fun and don't over do it. Models are very good, but like other people, they only have so much fortitude and patience and will melt under hot lights. Take a few test shots.plan out what you want to do. Then do it. Next shot. Next setup. Next outfit. It's work. Ya gatta produce! :D

Thank you to Bud and Dave and Dave and the others for the awesome member event at the SOPHA!

Also if you're down in Manchester, take a look at the intern's work. Theses bright eyed students really love to make stuff, and it really shows. :D If you're in a rutt, go check it out or check out an art gallery at a local college. Inspiration comes from everywhere, but that spirit and energy put in by other student or young artist can really be powerful.

Crawling Parts

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Crawling Parts
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

What I sketched out this evening.

John and L's Wedding

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:03:00 +0000

So my trip up to Vermont was really quite amazing. I feel really blessed to see so many old friends and make a lot of new ones.When I found out L was getting married, there could be no other photographer. I couldn't trust anyone else to handle it accept me. I knew exactly how to shoot L! In this posting are some of my favorite photos I've captured over the days. Enjoy! :D

L has been a very good friend, looking back more than I had really ever known. I'm so glad to have finally met John and see who he really was not only by talking with him, but also by socializing with his friends and family. Boy did I learn a lot about John the past few days. I know it was only yesterday, but it seems like forever ago, and I miss them both already. I miss john and L's family and friends too. I wish the weekend had been longer, but ya know what? This is only the beginning in life, not the end. I think that's why I'm a little sad with joy right now.

The engagement story alone was quite amazing.

It's always so hard to describe yourself as the photographer. So you do this for full time, or... So many questions, I hadn't really thought of myself. I've really just been blind about it. To be honest, I'd like to do as few weddings as possible durning the year, while still making some decent money (money enough to move out of the house) because they are hard work, and stressful emotionally, physically and mentally. There is a lot of pressure. Things go wrong. And you have to keep on pushing through like water through a sieve.

I'm actually glad all of the questions came up, because it made me thing on the spot. Meaning I had to be honest with myself and see what came up. Wedding photography isn't for everyone, but more power too you if you are starting out. I have an article with some tips based on my experience on my web site. Nothing technical.

I loved the drive up. It is the furthest I have ever driven before. I think I'm buil

ding up driving stamina. The way home was much easier and I was wide awake. I didn't come out of the car like a drunken zombie like when I drove up.

It was good to meet the groomsmen the night before too. I had a good conversation right away with a groomsmen just going into town to pick up cards at Kinko's.

Man, the rehearsal went smooth, and I'm really glad I came up for that. At dinner we shared stories of L and John. It was interesting to have other people fill in the holes of John and L's Story. Sure hearing it first hand is nice, but I think it's more colorful and more personal when friends tell these stories. They seem to observe better, nay differently than the first h

and story.

It seems only yesterday I was saying goodbye to L after a hiking trip.. or did we go to the beach? She went off the PA school, and I said, "Well, here we go on separate paths!"

Wow, I just think that's so cool. It's somewhat mysterious and cosmic. Something like a part of God you can't describe. I'm sure someone reading this will be totally lost. But when we leave paths and go off and meet up with each other again. I felt that way with many of the other people I knew from UNH. A lot of the brides maids, and my old roommate and his wife! :) And not in the Great Gatsby sense either, I was not disillusioned. This time it was real. It was truth. It was genuine people coming to support and celebrate a sacred bonding. Like how we are all connected. It was truly beautiful.

I think it's interesting that I had prayed about becoming a man. I had prayed for a mentor and a true man to learn from. I've learned a lot about what it means to be a man from this wedding in particular. Not that the other weddings I shot were not about that. It's just that theme had really been sewn into the fabric of the day. Especially when I got to know L's brother a little bit more during the Bachelor party. I feel really blessed that he reached out to me and made me think and talk about things that I admittedly have been too cowardly to take responsibility for, among other things.

The after reception party was a bit scary for me to get too. I was in E

ast best friend Vermont where I had only a google map print out of the cabin location. I missed the turn by a lot and ended up in Richmond at a gas station.... oops. So I was one of the first to leave for the cabin, but the last to arrive. Which kind of saddened me, but I felt really proud of myself that I navigated and found my way to a very remote site in God's country Vermont.

We share some more stories, I met some really cool people. John Sang

me songs on the deck. I went for a walk with L's brother. I saw

John and L off as they drove by us, (I missed the sparklers, I wish I had my omnipresence button...) And I stayed a little longer, really getting to know people better. To know their true and genuine selves was amazing. I had never really done that before, or not for a long time. I had never really opened up and shared my stories with anyone in a long time either. Weird...

I mean don't get me wrong, I socialize, just not as deep and genuine. An

d I think that's why I've been hurting, among other things. God does heal in amazing ways. Now I'm crying...

So I want to Thank the Pastor and Spading Family and friends so much for

your hospitality and friendship. You guys rock! And I feel really blessed, like apart of a bigger family. Something bigger than myself. Thank you.

Please keep in touch.

Reaching Parts

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:39:00 +0000

Reaching Parts
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

So here lays my painting I call "Reaching Parts." I initially thought of it as A teaching circle on a hill. But It became something different as I painted onwards. The hand creature was definately a favorite part of mine!

The painting was first done without the river and she was just sitting on the grass. Then I thought, no. This isn't right. It's more summer fun. I remember going hiking with a friend and how we stopped at this place where there were rocks in the river. We slid down them like a waterslide. Soo much fun, and the water was cool and awesome! Good times. I wanted to paint that feeling a little bit.

The girl doesn't really represent anyone or anything. I just like painting people, and women are easy to paint. Perhaps she is the same girl in "Summer Blues." who is really apart of myself. I don't know what's next, but it's going to be fun. Gosh I love what I just made. :D

Cheers!

500 days of Summer: worth a review

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Okay, so you can already tell that this is a really good movie just by me writing about it, since I normally don't write about movies. That being said, there's a first time for everything, and I would tell you what not to see if there was something really crappy out.

500 days of summer stars that kid from angels in the outfield, I mean that guy from 3rd rock from the sun.... I mean Rexx from GI JOE.... wait, what? Really???

Yes It stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and that girl from Yes men... I mean that chick from Elf... I mean Zooey Deschanel (worth seeing just for her)....

Anyways, it's an awesome story about man's journey to finding self. I think it's very relevant and interesting to my recent studies about masculinity. How man is fed and grown up to worship women by the media, movies, advertisements, and even greeting cards.

This isn't a chick flick. It just has to be marketed like that so it can bring in some money. To be honest it's a critique/comedy. Almost a dramadey, but not really. Oh Genre, how simple we use thee.

This movie is so good, I'd rather not spoil it for you.

All I can tell you is that it's sort of a coming of age story. It's very well done. It's not super hollywood like GI Joe. Indie film, and a work of art.

This is definitely a guy movie though. Women can see it too, but I think men can learn a lot from it and would appreciate it more.

I'll give it an A+.

Jenn and Dan's Wedding

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:05:00 +0000

Wow, I can't believe it was only Saturday.

I loaded my wagon up with all of my equipment and headed up 89 to Hanover, NH.

Boy, it was a hot one! It was beautiful out in the sun, but it beat down pretty hard. We had a wonderful tent set up, and I was very keen on doing my job swiftly so people could take shelter in the tent for formals.

Absolutely beautiful. I can't believe how wonderful the bride and groom's family and friends were. Very down to earth, but knew how to have fun. Everyone did such an awesome job setting things up and making sure everything went smoothly. I feel really blessed to be a part of it.

So thank you all again!

-Zach Sarette

Danielle by Karl Berlin

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:01:00 +0000

Danielle
Originally uploaded by Karl Berlin

Got to show a little love for a wicked awesome shot I found while browsing through flickr for inspiration.

Just look at how amazing all of the colors work together!

Sunrise from the right, and white umbrellaed flash from the left. The clothing choice is perfect too! The grass looks wet, so here's to models who are troopers too. (a lot of brides and grooms are troopers)

The most wonderful part about this photo is how it makes me feel. It makes me feel like I'm out in the cool grass of a summer night looking up at the beautiful moonlight from above. Here's to art!

If you see things you like on flickr, give a little love and show them how you feel. Praise is always wanted to let people know they are doing something right.

I don't need praise because my work makes me happy, and that's the most important part. And yet I also like to give praise to masterpieces. Photography and painting is hard friggin work, and the work put in almost never yields as much rewards as you might think.

That's why you have to do it for yourself if you're going to do it. Don't listen to the turkeys who poo poo your hard work. Just keep on going and feel it out.

Thanks for the inspiration Karl Berlin (this is his creation)!

I give this the greatest honor I can: I wish I had taken it myself! :D

Here's his Blog karlberlin.blogspot.com/

Mi Hermano

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:27:00 +0000

Mi Hermano
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

Here's a photo I posted last week. Didn't blog it though.

I really like it. We were just having fun and something cool happened. I think that's how a lot of great photos happen. Sure you have the lighting set up to be perfect, but with people, it is much harder to capture than a landscape or an object.

First, people are quirky and wierd and beautiful. Second, they are always moving. Such is life. Life is irritation, a reaction to a stimulus. You must stimulate properly. Sometimes it can be a real pain in the butt, though.

That's why i love weddings, because people are over stimulated with joy and awe and a unique energy that feeds itself. Many people work hard to put a wedding together in order to enjoy the one day. And that hard work pays off. :D

Summer Blues

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:54:00 +0000

Summer Blues
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

Here it is finally. This is my very favorite so far. It's the one that's made me very happy.

Technical junk:

From my last posting, I worked on the cup, the details, and redoing the lighting for the eye and mouth. The entire lighting was re-done, as you can see.

That's all for now. there's gonna be more to come, but I'm too friggin hot right now. Aaaahh finally, august gives us some real summer weather.

5th progression Summer blues

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:44:00 +0000

The basic lighting is layed out.

I feel I rushed it a little bit and need to put in some more hours in it. The mouth doesn't look quite right. The shadows are too soft.

Another day. Is it really Thursday already??

4th progression of Summer Blues

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:39:00 +0000

I worked on this a little bit more and am feeling I am nearly finished. Lighting and finishing details will come next. I feel that the mouth is too light and bright and the lighting seems to put it out of place where it sits on the table. I feel it shall be more of a back lit object now that I look at it.

Today was an interesting day. Restructuring and organizing of groups. New learning! Yippie!

At the very least and look at Summer Blues's progress

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:15:00 +0000

Here lays the summer blues progression. It's not finished yet, but nearing the end. As you can see It has evolved from my imagination. I spent a good deal of time on it sunday night working on the face, window, shelves, ceiling, and some lighting.

Looking back, I see that while focusing on details I have lost some definition in lighting and contrast by smoothing tones and adding color. The mood has definitely changed overall. Especially with the window going from black, to purple mist with a hint to the outside city street.

While learning and evolving through time in these recent weeks, I did an exercise with myself to open myself to myself. If that makes sense the first time ready, you are either lying or very sage.

When I first started this blog, I knew I had to do something more with it, and it had to be here not for anyone but myself, with the intent of open honesty and transparency to conquer my fears and instill a bit of courage. I feel that any time I haven't written in my blog, I've been running away from that purpose.

So here's that exercise. Take it as you will, and perhaps learn from it yourself it it helps you. I am still hesitant and anxious about writing this, but I must turn that anxiety into courage and press on. The worst that can happen is nothing at all. And that's not so bad.

Here goes as raw in-cohesive thoughts as I wrote in my sketchbook:

"Tough Questions

Open up.

What are you not admitting:

I'm not better than everyone else. I'm just like most people. I'm unique.

What are you running away from?

Responsibility, independence, hard work, my future.

What ideals are you clinging to too tightly (men, women, relationships)?

I have to be big and strong, I am weak, goofy. I need women and sex to feel good. I need a girlfriend to be fulfilled and happy. I'm less of a man and a weak man without a woman. All women have my best interest in mind. All women don't like me, I'm ugly.

What do you need to realize and accept?

I am going to be okay and am on a steady path to maturity and fulfillment, I have a lot of anger and anxiety. I give away my power like a child. I hate male masculinity in others because it makes me feel weak and jealous. I don't plan for the long term thoroughly even though I think I do. I have a strong sexual drive that I repress deep down inside rather than integrate it and accept it. I have unhealthy fat inside my body.

Where do you accept 2nd rate (class) behavior?

From myself about my eating and spending habits and planning habits. Business and hygene habits. From both men and women by not being assertive. Second rate planing and maintaining perspective.

Where are you not being authentic?

In photography, while talking to people about it. I fear they look at me as a con man and uncle bob just got a new camera so why should they hire me?

Not being authentic with myself and taking a look at reality.

Holding back and not ever being authentic with my friends always just listening, and usually not contributing, with fear of being ignored, boring, and stupid. I pride myself on my intellect too much which ironically kills it.

In life?

Integrity to yourself?

Integrity that I know how to do things and how to trouble shoot and solve problems. That I can figure things out for myself. Which is why I look for reassurance from others. Sure it is a way of communicating and elevating problems, but I do that too early before self assuring and digging around with my hands.

What are you hiding?

I lost my temper and hit someone with my shirt. Many times I thought about suicide when I was young in middle school and high school. I'd break down and cry and tear up in school just to get attention. I knew if I yawned my tear ducts would turn on. I'm hiding how lonely I was as a child and through most of college and life. I hide my stupidity. I used to lie about how much money I had so that kids would stop calling me scrub and stop harrasing and hitting me and spitting on me. I'm hiding I wished some of those kids who tortured me dead.

I'm hiding how insecure I am about relationships with women and friendship with men.

I never really realized how good it was to have good male buddies until very recently.

All male friendship I've had have either soured or been alienated or have been beat up by men as well.

I'm fighting demons of childhood. "

And there you have it. Now I just need to press publish... have courage, Zach, you'll be okay!

things are coming together

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:50:00 +0000

Can you believe it's almost august?

This is a summer I will miss. Filled with such joy, excitement, and fulfillment. Here's what I've been working on slowly. Taking my time on this one. It's paying off, though.

Here it is unfinished!

enjoy!

and here's a quick reference from my last post

in the works: Summer Blues

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:03:00 +0000

I know how a lot of people only show their best works at the final stages to make them look good. But quite frankly, I don't care any more about looking good. I just like to share what I'm up to.

Unfortunately I haven't been sharing enough. And that's part of the problem. My transparency is not very. So here's a start.

I think it odd to compare myself this year to one year ago. It's weird, because looking back I would say that I didn't like myself very much at all. I felt burned out, lost, scared, and just drained of all illusions. If you had asked me back then I would say I was happy, and yet there would still be a drive to be something more.

I really don't like to talk about weight, because it brings up feelings of shame and judgement to anyone. Though it is hard for me not to. However, I will talk about it in the form of strength. Last summer I was so weak, in the mind, heart and spirit. I felt very disillusioned with the world, and hated the silly game of going out and finding a job. I was depressed and hid it very well by not acknowledging it. I know I've hurt people that summer that I wanted to get close too. That's hurting right now.

Last summer I weighed the most I've ever been. 245 lbs. My body was very weak, so much that I got chest pains from doing regular things like climbing stairs. When I got a job, I started doing tae-bo with a dvd to "wake myself up" and to build strength. And I joined a gym and met an excellent personal trainer to get me started and keep me motivated. Now I'm weighing around 205 lbs give or take. (the scale is a bit irratic at times.)

I started to be more active, hang out with friends more, and now I still yearn for something more. I signed up for rec sports today. And I can't wait to get started. I had forgotten how much I miss those sorts of things, and how much I love to work my body at play. I think that's why I love dancing so much! It is an amazing form of play. All work and no dance makes Zach a bit of a creep... :)

anyways, here's what I've been working on with my painting time at it's unfinshed stage.

Up Parts

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:01:00 +0000

Up Parts
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

Here's something I did. Didn't really keep track of time. Got anxious and called it done. You can overwork things sometimes. :D

Went out with a friend in Cambridge last night and had a few drinks. The mood from last night is portrayed in the painting.

Enjoy!

One Part

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:57:00 +0000

One Part
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

quick 10 min sketch. Got a story to go with it. :D

Leg Room

zacharywsarette@gmail.com (Zachary W Sarette) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Leg Room
Originally uploaded by Zach Sarette

I really rushed through this one. I started with the rooms, then the leg first. Lips and the eye were next. I applied lighting to the room afterwards.

Notice at the very edge of each side. The doors, one light, one dark.

Enjoy!