Suzan Scott                                                       Artist, Observer

Suzan Scott                                                      Artist, Observer

In September, 2006, I decided to document a month by recording the changes in the sky over time. I would use photogrpahy, painting and collage to record the days. I began my project by taking a photograph, approximately mid-day, each day. The camera was pointed straight up; there was no attempt to create or compose a pleasing composition. I wanted to merely record what was there. I needed the objective eye of the camera to simply record what was there.

Each evening I would download the image to my computer and use it as a reference as I painted the image onto a small canvas. I intentionally created the painting at day’s end to capture the  energy of the day. This was my subjective record of the day.Finally, a collage was created for each day. I used objective references, my photographs and daily events, as recorded in local newspapers, and subjective influences, my paintings, observations and creative process. Sometimes the sky seemed to mirror the day's news, on other days it seemed untouched by human events.

After September's project was completed, I realized I could not walk away from it. I was "hooked". I still feel a strong connection to the month. The experience has made me more present and aware in the day.

I continue to take daily photographs and track the flow of days. As part of my process, I continue to review and combine images and elements to create new ways of seeing what is above us and around us every day.

The Weather Project: Getting Started