This Visual Artist –
a picture maker or a picture taker?
~ Beverly J. Koski
I had seated myself
comfortably in a white
satin upholstered
chair on the balcony/
mezzanine above the
stage of the Great
Hall in Government
House, Victoria. I
was applying myself
to examining the
functions of my new
digital camera which
was supposed to be
simple, but which was
proving itself to be as
complicated as any
electronic equipment
of greater size. I was looking for the switch to de-activate the automatic flash. Since
it was evening and the light was dim, the caution by the President of "no flash
allowed" was causing me some anxiety. It was then that I spotted the sturdy woman
in her impressive uniform, on the main level, with her back to the outstanding view
of the Olympic Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. She was spending a great deal of
time looking up at me! The audience began to fill the area below my viewing station
and presently the Lieutenant Governor made his entrance to the stage accompanied
by the traditional Scottish bag pipes; shortly, the performers took their places at
piano and violin. It was then that I realized that I was the only artist who had
responded to the invitation to attend the concert, with the object of returning to
studio to complete a finished art piece for an auction to benefit this musical group.
The crowd was hushed as I took my first shot from above. Two hours later as
I joined the audience for complimentary wine and tasty tidbits of food served on
silver platters, I reflected upon the unexpected in one’s life. Giving certainly has
its compensations; it often results in receiving. Had I not answered the "call for
submission", I would not have enjoyed a first class concert in an undeniably magical
great hall and finger food from the Province’s top chef. So it was, wine glass in
hand, that I turned with a smile to meet the serious face of that persistent security
guard. "What had I been doing up on the balcony?" Explaining that I had received
permission, it became clear that she had not been notified. An artist taking photos
for future studio work? The connection between photography and fine art didn't
seem to register at first. Perhaps I didn't look dangerous after all, for at last she
nodded positively and assured me – "Oh, yes, I understand now. You are the official
photographer of the Franz Schubert Society".
~ Beverly J. Koski, Duncan, B.C. November, 2008
