a jumble of work.
I found some old, scratched slides of some of my work. Quality is poor and the colors are bad- but I’d thought I’d share since I spoke about it a few days ago.
Fuji Chrome Velvia Color Slide Film, scanned in.
These last five are fairly new. My mother has this painting in her room, and I have loved it since the day she bought it. It is a beautiful painting and the texture on it is exquisite! Painting Bird.
the act of femininity.
I feel it is appropriate (in today’s post I suppose) to talk a little about myself. Maybe a few of you have some questions about my work- and why I am in pretty much EVERY single photograph!
Growing up as little girl I was very girly- whatever and however you’d like to understand that, is fine with me! I loved pinks, I loved dolls, I loved dresses, and the cute curls with the ribbons. Becoming a teenage girl was the complete opposite. I was against it, I wanted to hide it, and I was ashamed of it. Becoming a woman I have embraced it, am understanding it, am finally becoming comfortable with it- with myself. As a teenage girl I suffered with a few personal body image issues- overcame it with a lot of love, help, and support and am very grateful for that because I would never want to go back and experience that stage all over again. However, things don’t just disappear for good. There is and always (I believe) a part of everything that stays with you forever, am I wrong? So today (for the past month or so), I think I am entering a new yet strange phase in my life because if I wasn’t then I wouldn’t notice it. And maybe it will turn into something wonderful- but as of right now, it is trying to accept the comfort that I have with myself.
My work- my work are all self portraits. They are photographs, they are paintings, they are installations, they are stories, they are pieces of art, they are pieces of my heart, they are pieces of my soul, and they are pieces of my crazy imaginative mind. I was never one to limit myself to just one thing. “What do you want to be when you grow up, Sylvia?” I believe that we all have more than one strength-one talent-one path. We have plenty and what is wonderful about that is we can be whatever we want whenever we want, as long as we continue to follow its path.
My work is mostly and pretty much has been all about femininity. Any chance or idea I get- to manipulate, to explore, to dissect, to understand the idea of “the woman”, I do it. I have done pieces in wooden boxes, in watercolor, in pencils, in short fiction stories, in photographs- and I’m never completely satisfied. So I move on and continue exploring.
I feel comfortable writing this- although I am re-reading everything like 5 times and I am choosing my words carefully and am being all picky and unconfident. It is a vulnerable action- writing about yourself. And all these things- the self doubt and the should-i’s? and the indecisiveness is where I am in my life right now.
I appreciate those who do read this! If you have questions or comments, please feel free to email me. I truly enjoy talking to people. I think that is one my best traits and I want to thank my mother for that. :)
Scarlet Red.
This color has been appearing more and more in my work, my wardrobe, my feelings. My attraction to it is growing stronger. It’s seductive, it’s romantic, it’s mysterious, it’s lovely, and it’s addictive. Am I in love?
event photography.
Hello! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I sure did! I was kept busy and loving every minute of it! I photographed an event and met incredible and inspiring people. One word of advice: GET YOURSELF OUT THERE (okay, not one word, but). You will be blown away with the amount of opportunities that are available for you and also, the opportunities to meet other people. I can’t tell you enough how great it felt coming home knowing that I experienced a wonderful night. You just never know where life will take you by just stepping your foot out the door. Smile while you’re at it too- you won’t believe how it effects others. 
Here are some photographs from the event that I’d like to share with you. I would also like it to be known that I am currently available for booking photoshoots and photographing events. If you or anyone you might know of are in need of a headshot or a photographer at a party…. please pass this information along!! Also, email me at sylvia@thisgirlsylvia.com to discuss packages and pricing! I absolutely love working and meeting new people.
love, sylvia.
dress up games.
Remember playing ‘dress up’ as a little kid? Trying on your dad’s ties or your mom’s heels and feeling like you’re on top of the world! This dress makes me feel like I’m in the ’60s or the ’70s… more so the ’70s. Attitude baby, attitude.
playful thoughts.
I might add some more as the day goes on. Chicago’s gloominess is getting to me.
what is new? well…
This weekend was quite busy! It was a fun-filled weekend with lots of parties: graduations and birthdays.
I have nothing new to post today as for I am working and editing my White Pest series. I did however take some photos at my little brother’s highschool graduation (I guess I should stop calling him little, eh?) and I also scanned in some film from my vacation trip to Tennessee with the Mackey family 2 years ago. The quality isn’t that great, but I am absolutely in love with the photos. Maybe it is because I have a strong connection and memory of the location, the scent, the sounds, and just being there-the feeling. And, I had to add the most adorable portrait of my puppy, Brody. He loves to pose for me!
inspiration.
Yesterday was spent editing and browsing the web! (It is certainly becoming an addiction… I will admit).
Here are some photographers who I stumbled upon. I think their work is just simply stunning- from their color usage to composition to content. It is very inspiring to see amazing work! Enjoy!
also, this was passed along to me today and all I can say is WOW!
http://tweetalink.com/go/AcPE
feel inspired yet?
i will leave you with my 2 new work- in- progress images! can’t wait to complete the project!
trendhunter magazine.
Hi everyone! Some exciting and unexpected news: Some of my photographs from my ‘Beauty’ series was featured on Trendhunter Magazine! I am under the Trend “HOT” list with over 4,000 views!! I am very excited, happy, proud, and grateful for this opportunity. Please check it out and feel free to leave some comments! I love reading what other viewers have to say or ask about my work! Thank you everyone for all your support and encouragement. I appreciate it greatly.
http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sylvia-krzysztofek-beauty
And I will leave you with a beginning to a current project I am working on- White Pest. I am thinking of turning it into a short video/motion clip because the body gestures and movement is very intriguing- and I feel it would be more successful to see it in action! Please leave some feedback and let me know what you think!
mirror reflections.
mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the most reckless of them all?
identity.
so yesterday was a productive day: cleaning, photographing, editing, and stumbling across old personal memorabilia.
a black wig. i bought this wig for a different project a few years ago, and it was unsuccessful and i hid it away. when i was working with it, i was actually jealous of it- i wanted my hair to be as long as the wig and i wanted my hair to be a different, radiant, shade of black- knowing, i would not look good in it at all.
i put this wig on last night and felt ridiculous. i felt like a creep. i am in my room, alone, with this wig on wearing nothing but my bandeau and underwear. i was someone else for awhile. and i wondered, what would it really be like to just completely change my look- everything from hair color and cut, to a new nose and butt- and still be Sylvia Krzysztofek.
identity, which I think we all think about atleast once in our lifetime, is something powerful. we have total control over our identity. let’s just start by putting a wig on.
it’s an off day.
the weather is off today. the harsh sun + the gloomy clouds creates mixed emotions- some good and some bad.
today i thought a lot about moving- and where to. i just know that i need a change of scenery. i want a big change- a place that i have never been to, have no clue how to get around, know absolutely no one, and start from there. i love chicago but it’s not doing it for me right now. maybe it’s because it is an off day- my mind is off. that doesn’t make any sense anyway.