about idols, arts and scribbles

 remember that the choice of a profession was really difficult to me. even today I think it is not easy at all because at the age of 15/16 how you can know yet for sure what profession you wanna do? once I thought about a make-up artist apprenticeship and then I switched to hotel management. but what I really wanted to do was the arts college. in the end I made my apprenticeship in a office like most of us in the 80's and became finally a public relations professional.

I loved to spend my freetime near by my step-brother, he was 22 at that time and a young artist like you couldn't imagine better: always a little shy, black curled tousled hair, a greec profile and these sparkling and wild eyes...the girls went mad about him..haha...!

I just sat somewhere around in his room and watched him painting. he made his studys as photographer on the arts college and I was so fascinated by his creativity. he definitely was my idol :) I remember one day he came back from a photo session in the woods and he was so excited about the results. when he showed me the blackwhite photographs I was like "uh?" I didn't saw the model at first view..but then I discovered her on the forest floor, covered partially by leaves and her naked body was like painted by the dirt and her legs and arms seamed to be branches..

that was the moment that I decided that one day I also wanna be able to make such images, which leave you stunned and amazed by what you may discover on them...my step-brother moved to germany for his love and his art and we don't saw each other for several years.

my first exhibition I made in 2008 was in germany, near where  he lives with his wife, and so I sent them an invitation. since she is a worldwide recognized artist, she's having many exhibitions around the world and I did not know if they would be around at that time. imagine your first exhibition, you're so exited and overwhelmed by all your emotions, the feeling when you see your photos the frist time framed on a wall, so many friends came over to assist my exhibition and then he stood in front of me suddenly...I think my heart stopped beating for seconds!!

it was one of my happyest moments ever and it ment so much to me showing him my framed imaginations and discussing with him on photography and just sharing those moments with him and his lovely wife. he still is my idol ...!

when I'm drawing - and I do almost always and everywhere, p.e. in meetings, or making scribbles for my shootings - It remember's me that time with my step-brother and why I feel that passion for what I'm doing...

love, Calisto

what is real ART?

what is the main element of ART in your optinion? is it virtuosity? or expression? is it all about diversity? or uniqueness?

when do you consider something to be real ART? I am quite sure there are several perceptions. as for me, I often observe that people consider something to be art, what they think they aren't able to do in the same way. one thing I'm sure about: as different as people are and feel, as different are the ways of individual expression. but at the end, only a handfull of artists may truly blow my mind away with their oeuvre....

if you like, join the discussion on my facebook profile. I'm very curious about your point of view and about your reflections about that topic.

what is the main element of ART in your optinion?

cheers, Calisto

Icarus - rise with the sun

The deepest sorrow will be followed by a relief. After the darkest night, there will be a rising sun. and that moment, when you spread your wings and you feel your inner strength to overcome everything that crushed you down, you feel how tough you really are.

never give up, even when you don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. believe in you, because you've got the light in yourself and it will guide you - at any time. to me, this is the image of inner strenght and victory. it is about a new beginning, about leaving all behind you and rise again...

Icarus - about hope

This weekend I finally got the muse to edit some photos, my friend Carina gave me over a year ago.

There are two images showing my own interpretation of the Icarus theme. It tells the story about hope and how to get rid of old chaines. About never giving up and a sort of deep confidence to fly again one day.

This is the first image. when all is obscure and you feel alone and lost in a deserted place...after all you saved this light in you, and you still believe that you'll get over this.

yes...I would say, this is the image about hope, definitely.

the story behind

we where talking via skype with our family. it's always fun because my father in law don't talk with us, if he don't see us on the screen... haha... it's so cute :)

so while we discussed and laughted with my husbands parents, I enroled a paper and looked at the swirl it makes...I took the cam and some books with different cover-colours. Seing me standing beside my husband, Mom asked me "what are you doing there?" I've finished my photos and sat down again and smiled to her: "oh just some shoots with that Mom, nothing special". I showed her the paper swirl. And she answered me with her beautiful smile, was she already used to see me taking photos everywhere and at any time...

I guess she doens't expect a picture like that. maybe I should bring her this one framed next time we go for visit...

To me this is important in my life, to see all the little things like that little paper swirl - it's really nothing special, but give him the right frame and it will fascinate you like no other. if life could always be that easy... *sigh*

have a wonderful day everyone and have a look at all the little precious things around you :)
love, colours and swirls,
Calisto

new website design :)

hey guys :)

I was ill with pneumonia, accompagned by really bad asthma attacks. it took two weeks to make a full recovery and as you can immagine, after three days it was totally boring...haha..

so what to do? taking pictures was beyond debate and so I've decided to give a new look to my website.

and this is it *tadaa*...have a look and feel free to give me feedback :)

have a sunny and wonderful day.

cheers, Calisto

Spiegelbilder - Die gefühlsbetonten Porträtfotografien von Calisto

When Martin Zurmühle asked me to contribute to his new book, I was very flattered because I appreciate him as person and as a photographer as well. But then my harddisk crashed abd it was not sure at all, if I can save any images...but finally I could save some photography and he had all of them at time.

Now his new book is out, called "Die Magie der Fotografie oder das Geheimnis herausragender Bilder". I was so exited to finally get my copy! He made an amazing collection of great photographers and their images, with interesting interviews and explications about his 4-eye-principle.

So if you wanna read the article with my interview and see my images, click here (PDF).
And for all who wanna purchase the book, this way please :)

have a wonderful day everyone!
cheers, calisto