“There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.”
― Frank Herbert
This is my final post for the Stuck in Plastic blog. It is where I stop this chapter, but not the story. I’ve been blogging about toy photography in all its silliness and creative ambiguity for too long to stop now. I’m simply moving to a new home – The Toy Photographers Blog.
When Boris and I started this blog three years ago I had no expectations about what we would create or even what our goals would be. Sure we had a few ideas: get our work seen on gallery walls, include a few high profile friends and build a following. We accomplished all of those goals and so much more. All I have to do is read the comments you left on HOLY GIVEAWAY, BATMAN! to realize how much we’ve done, the lives we’ve touched and the friends we’ve made. I see another measure of our success when I look at the quality of the work being created in our community. I like to think that many of you have taken the lessons we’ve learned and shared here on the blog and used them to improve your own photographs.
To say that these last three years have been an amazing ride would be an understatement. But now its time for me to move on.
When I decided to shake up the blog a few months back by including a lot more choices from the community I didn’t realize where that would lead me. I’ve really enjoyed working with the many guest artists and I would like to keep doing that.
My own personal goals as an artist / blogger have diverged from the goals of the collective. I’m leaving this beautiful blog and my friends to start a different stage of my journey by running my own toy photography blog in conjunction with Brett Wilson.
The many wonderful comments / contest entries on Brett’s recent post regarding the batman figure give away has made this decision all the harder. Your comments have really showed me that what we have built has touched so many lives. That we’ve inspired you to take your photography to the next level. That we’ve all learned that our own journey may be unique, but that we all share so much in common. That we can revel in finding beauty in the small things and we can be annoyed at Instagram. That the classic LEGO face is an over looked treasure. That Avanaut continues to inspire the next generation of toy photographers ( trust me, we all want to know his lighting tricks!)
Most of all we learned from each other.
I have to thank Boris for being such a fabulous visionary. Three years ago he saw the possibilities in toy photography. He wanted to create a blog to champion our art form and create a community alongside the blog on G+ to share and learn in. He wanted to showcase toy photography on gallery walls and he wanted to get the attention of our lego overlords. We’ve done all of that and so much more. Thank you Boris for your vision and allowing me to partner up with you on this amazing journey.
I want to thank Mike for being our steady rock. Thank you for being so ready and willing to share your extensive knowledge of studio lighting and thank you for being a fabulous editor. Your photography is as quirky and meticulously as your are. It was my absolute pleasure getting to know you over the past two years and I wish you all the best in your own creative journey.
I would be remise in not thanking my good friend Avanaut for always being my cheerleader, mentor and friend. I look back at my earliest blog posts and they’re filled with so much doubt. I was intimidated by the addition of the great Avanaut to our blog! I wondered how my own work would measure up when hung side by side with one of my heroes? My fears were obviously unfounded. I’ve learned that we each create the work that comes from within. Boris, Vesa and I shared one of the greatest weeks ever and through our many other shared experiences we will always be friends.
A special thank you to Brett who joined our little group only this year but left a lasting impact. I will forever be in his debt for his regular posts, his unique voice, his readiness to help whenever needed and especially his willingness to get up at 5am on Monday morning for our frequently hangouts. Brett you’re amazing!
I’ll miss StuckinPlastic, but I’m leaving filled with tremendous pride for this wonderful community, lasting friendships with my blog mates and a commitment to keep growing what we’ve started in new and interesting ways.
I will always treasure this chapter of my life. Thank you all for an absolutely amazing experience. Now I need to get busy writing the next chapter, because the story isn’t over.
Your new blog has been bookmarked! I love stuckinplastic, and certainly not in the last place because of your contributions. You’re the one that made me think about art and creation itself. Not about all the practical stuff, but the core believes. I see myself as a dreamer and creative but combined with about zero artistic capability in my hands, that was pretty frustrating. I played around with Lego a little, but you were the one that linked my hobby to a more fulfilling context in my mind. Thank you for that.
See you at http://toyphotographers.com/
Dwass you are so sweet. I can’t believe you never saw your self as a creative! I love your what you’re doing with the Foolish Lego. Im glad that you were able to see yourself through a new lens through my words. I know that we are often our own worst critics.
Thanks for bookmarking the new sight! I will be up and running there shortly. I have so many thoughts in my head, I need to find the time to get them down on paper! :)
Good luck with your new chapter! And thanks for SIP. For me it feels like maybe I’m finally finding my own place in this world… Nothing ever felt right, either because I didn’t really fall for it, or because others didn’t think it was right for me. You, and everyone here on SIP and IG, basically told me, that it’s ok to play with Lego even as an adult. Thank you for that.
Sabe, Don’t ever let anyone ever let you feel bad about doing something so innocent, that helps you feel good about yourself creatively. I’m glad we were able to show you that its ok to be an adult and play with toys, because it is! Keep up awesome work and we will still be here to support you. :-)
Dear Shelly,
thank you for sharing your passion and for all the energy you contributed to this great community. I’m wishing you all the best for this new chapter of yours.
We’ll meet again further on down this road, in digital life or the real one…
Stefan
Thank you Stefan for being them from the beginning. I am indebted to you for all you have done for me and this blog. You know I will be back to Hamburg, so our paths will definitely cross in person. Much love to you my friend!
Good luck Shelly!
Thanks Jason! See you on the G+!
Thank you so much for everything you’ve done so far, Shelly. I’m excited to see where your road takes you next!
Thank you Dave for your kind words! And that makes two of us!
Good luck Shelly! I will follow the new blog as well! The adventure continues :)
Thank you! The adventure continues and it will be more fun with friends along!
Good luck with the new venture, I’ll be following along eagerly! Your passion for toy photography keeps me hanging in there, even if I get in a funk and step back awhile.
Thank you Maggie! Im so glad you found us on G+. I do hope you like it! I hope you will give yourself permission to fall into and out of toy photography. It think that process can be helpful and all part of the larger process. See you in the G+ community!
I bet the new blog will be an exciting new chapter! Blank slate ready for anything and everything creative – looking forward to it!
Thank you Joe! That is exactly what it feels like, a blank slate to grow something new and amazing. We’ve already done so much and this next step is an extension of that. Sort of like shedding that snake skin you photographed recently. :)
Good luck my friend and I’ll read your blog aswell :) You have challanged me in photo like no other, you and the rest of the folks at SiP have build something where I feel at home
Hugs
Stefan
Thank you Stefan, you are so very kind. I think there is enough room in this universe for both blogs. I want you to know that I’ve learned as much from this community as you may have learned from me. The beauty is that we challenge each other. Hugs, Shelly :)
Good luck Shelly! The show must go on ;)
See you in toyphotographers.com
Thank you Julia! We are getting going on the other side, see you there! :)
Quite a profound experience you’ve helped create for all of us through StuckinPlastic! Thank you Shelly! And thank you for continuing the story! See ya there!
Thank you Leila! I do this as much for me as I do for the community,. Im glad you appreciate the effort. I value the friendships I’ve made – like yours – so much. I hope to see you on the other side. x0