Saturday, August 1, 2020

One Human Family--Masked! by Liz Acar


LUCY BURDETTE: The pandemic has certainly spawned a certain amount of creativity, from sewing masks to writing about the lockdown to taking photographs. I noticed that a friend from our Key West church, Liz Acar, was doing a photography project involving masked residents. I thought you all would be interested to see some of her lovely photos and hear how her project evolved. Welcome Liz! Tell us a little about why you turned to photography as a creative outlet. 

LIZ ACAR: When the pandemic hit, it was unprecedented and very unsettling. So many unknowns were out there. People were anxious, fearful, worried. I wanted to do my part to help provide a moment of peace, hope, and connection. So I turned to photography. Mallory Square’s Sunset Celebration was closed down on March 17th. I decided I wanted to help keep it alive virtually by doing FB Live Sunset Celebrations until they reopened. My desire was to provide a space for others from around the world to connect and to share a moment of peace and hope. I did 28 straight days of FB Live Sunset Celebrations before being shut down by the Key West Police. I was told photography was not allowed under our “safer at home” orders. We could only be out to exercise or walk a dog. 

photo by Liz Acar


Photography and creative expression helps me to stay grounded and also provides a way from me to help support others. Since we were allowed to be outside to exercise, once my FB Lives were shut down, I decided to take pictures while out biking. When I would see a good photo opp, I would take a quick ’rest’ break and capture the shot. During sunset, I would occasionally get chased off by the police. Each day I did my best to capture shots and share them on social media. My desire was to continue to help bring about a moment of peace, connection, and hope to others. 



Lucy: Tell us how you came to this idea of the mask photography project.

Liz: One day while I was out biking and taking pictures of our city during the lockdown, I caught an interesting shot of someone on a bike with a mask on. It felt like a powerful photo capturing the essence of the times. About a week later, my mask project idea got sparked based on that photo. The vision wasn’t clear at that moment, but a seed was planted. 

photo by Liz Acar

Lucy: How did you decide to use the black-and-white photographs with only the masks in color, and how were you envisioning the project?

Liz: On April 28th I took the bike rider image and converted it to black and white and colorized the mask just to see what it would look like. It really highlighted the mask and created some interesting contrast. And then the idea came to mind. What would it be like to capture a moment in history in a unique way. I could take photos of people with masks on, convert them to black and white and colorize the mask. I thought it might be cool to go for a vintage feel. Like looking back on history. I decided it might make for an interesting art project. So I posted a call on FB that day. 

photo by Liz Acar


I honestly didn’t know what the response would be and what the end result would be. I just felt nudged to do it. I got a lot of positive responses from my post. For my pictures, I scheduled appointments and I also headed out on my bike rides looking for interesting shots. If I saw an interesting shot, I would let the person know about my project and ask if I could take their picture.

During this time, I would talk on the phone daily with my dad about the project. He was always so excited to hear how it was progressing. As I kept moving forward with taking pictures, my mask project vision was gaining more clarity. My dad and I talked about how cool it would be if it became an art exhibit at a gallery showing one day. It was nice to have something to dream about during such a challenging time, even though I still didn’t know what the end result was going to be. 

 I was also having fun with converting the pictures to black and white and colorizing the masks. I would send the copy to the person as a thank you for allowing me to take the pic. I would typically get a response of “I love it” and I started seeing several people post their picture as their profile picture. It felt good to see people enjoying their pictures. 



I finally decided I wanted to create a collage out of the pictures I had taken and then take a photo of the collage. I could make prints or canvasses out of the collage photo. Now that I had a plan, I had almost completed my project when my dad fell ill suddenly and was hospitalized on May 10th. His health went downhill quickly. He went from independent living to looking like he have to be discharged into hospice. Stress from his illness impacted my creative focus and I took a break from the project. But on the morning of the 25th, something inside nudged me to pick it back up and finish the project. It become important for me to finish it while he was still alive. It’s hard to explain the feeling, but I felt driven to finish it that day. Amazingly, somehow even amidst all the stress, I was able to pull it all together and get the file off to a printer. I picked up my first printed canvas that evening. It looked great! That first canvass became even more special to me because dad unexpectedly passed away that night. I’m so grateful that I completed it before he passed. It feels like a part of his energy is in that first canvas.



Lucy: tell us a bit more about the final project now that it’s completed.

Liz: Each picture in the collage is a photo I took, turned into black and white and added the mask color back in. Then I printed each photo on regular printer paper, hand tore the edges, and interwove them together on a poster board. It captures an unprecedented moment in our history. My goal was for it to look vintage, as if you were looking back on history. Hence the black and white choice and the torn edges. The canvas is a picture of the collage I laid out on a poster board. I did my best to capture a collection of the diversity of people and activities on our island. I laid it out in a way that highlights the interdependence and interconnectedness of all of us during this time. I call the finished project, ‘Namaske; One Human Family, Masked’.

Mayor Teri Johnston with Liz's collage
Thank you Liz for sharing your photos and project with us. Reds, Liz will be stopping in to answer any questions today!

About Liz: In 2016 Liz moved to Key West, Florida for a healing sabbatical from a significant illness. She has recovered and is still living in Key West. Over the past three years, Liz has conducted over 500 training and speaking engagements on mind/body/spirit wellness. She is also the author and photographer for the International Bestseller, In Joy; A Guide to Designing a Joy-Filled Life, and the co-author and photographer for the Bestseller, You Are Loved; An Inspired, Meditative Visual Journey. 

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Multi-Certified International Coach, Inspirational Speaker, Photographer, and Author, Liz’s work over the past 25 years has focused on supporting others in living a healthier, more peaceful, and joy-filled life. Liz loves combining her passion for photography, coaching, speaking, and writing to help inspire and support others on their journey. 

Visit FB @Liz Acar, Instagram @liz.acar, or www.LizAcar.com to check out her services, photography, and positive vibes.

48 comments:

  1. First, I’m sorry to hear of your father’s passing . . . thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

    Liz, your photographs certainly captured the spirit of this strange time in which we’ve found ourselves. Thank you for sharing your special project with us . . . .

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    1. Joan, thank you so much for your condolences...

      And, it's my pleasure. It was an interesting project and journey... It's nice to hear it captured the spirit of this strange time. Thank you sharing your thoughts... :-)

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  2. Those are some wonderful photos. Thanks for sharing the journey with us. I'm glad you got to finish the first part of it when you did.

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    1. Thank you so much, Mark. Yes, I'm so glad I was able to as well... And, it's my pleasure. I hope you enjoyed it. :-)

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  3. My goodness, Liz, what a wonderful project. Thank you for sharing it and your entire process with us. Do you use a "real" camera or a phone when you are riding around? Also - those mean police! I suppose they are just trying to get people not to gather.

    I'm so sorry about your father - he definitely was part of it.

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    1. Awww, thank you so much, Edith. It's my pleasure.

      Most all of the shots for the project were with a "real" camera. A majority of my 'riding around shots' were with my phone. I was always social distanced with a mask on... :-) You know... even though I was sad that I couldn't keep sharing the FB Lives to help support others, I really felt for the police... they were just trying to do their job during an unprecedented time. :-)

      So interestingly, I bought a Nikon camera right before the lock down happened. Prior to the pandemic all of my photography, since moving to Key West, has been done with an iPhone 7. My first hardcover photography book even used my iPhone. So another aspect of the project was a desire to push my creativity comfort zone and learn how to use that dang camera. lol Especially since I was switching from sunsets to portraits and black and white. It's been a fun learning curve and journey. :-)

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  4. My deepest condolences on the passing of your father.

    The concept of the project is fantastic. Truly captures the unique spirit of Key West. Are copies of the collage available for purchase?

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    1. Thank you so much for your condolences...

      Aww, so glad you loved the concept! :-)

      And yes, copies are available for purchase. You can reach out to me via contactliznow@gmail.com or through FB/FB messenger @ Liz Acar

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  5. I'm so sorry about your father's death.

    Mentally I'm juxtaposing 1918 photos of mask-wearing people with your Key West photos.

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    1. Thank you...

      And, interesting. I'd love to hear more about your impression when you did so. Seeing some of those 1918 images influenced my desire for this to look vintage.

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  6. So sorry about losing your father, but I'm sure he would have been thrilled and proud. Yhat was such a fabulous idea you had and made it work.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts... :-)

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  7. Liz, I'm so sorry for your loss. That is a crusher.

    Your incredible photographs are such a reflection of the times we're living. I love that it is so hopeful.
    It feels like that's exactly what we need - a lot of hope.


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    1. Thank you so much, Jenn...

      I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Yes, hope is so needed right now...

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  8. Art uplifting spirits--those of the maker, the participants, the viewers! Thanks for sharing, Liz, and yes, it's easy to understand how your father is part of the finished work. Be at peace, daughter of Key West.

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    1. Thank you so much, Flora. And you're welcome, it's been my pleasure to share it. :-)

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  9. Oh what a touching and meaningful story—your father must have been so proud of you. The photos are really profound. Thank you so much for showing them to us.

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    1. Aww, thank you so much Hank for sharing your kind thoughts. And, you're welcome. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story and pictures...

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  10. these photos are just wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. It's my pleasure... I'm so glad you enjoyed the photos.

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  11. What a wonderful project! Art really does have a way of helping us through the tough spots and drawing us all together over experiences we all share. My deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. It was cool that you got to work with him and enjoy this project together as it evolved.

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    1. Thank you for your thoughts and kind words. And, yes... so true. Art and creative expression provides such a beautiful way of helping us though tough spots and drawing us all together.

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  12. Thank you, Liz and Lucy, for sharing this. Your project illuminates some important ideas, that we are all one, and all in this together.

    I hope you can get back to chronicling the sunsets. Deepest condolences on the loss of your dad.

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    1. Thank you so much, Karen.

      And yes... I'm already back out there chronicling sunsets and playing around with other shots from Key West. If you would like to check any of them out, I post the majority of them on my personal profile FB page @ Liz Acar :-)

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  13. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad, Liz.

    One of the things I most enjoy each day is visiting the page of a local photographer who shoots sunrise/sunsets of Pittsburgh, skylines, and, well, just about anything local. Looking at the beauty of the photos relaxes me. Same with yours. Thanks.

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    1. Another Liz. :-) Thank you so much for your condolences...

      And awww.. I'm so glad you are to connect with a moment of joy and relaxation from the photography. If you ever what to check out a few non-local shots, I post most of mine on my personal profile page @Liz Acar and a few on instagram @liz.acar :-)

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  14. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. What a wonderful thing, though, to have that memory of his support on this project!

    These photos are lovely and powerful on their own. The final way you printed and presented them, though, is a classic example of true artistry. Lovely!

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    1. Thank you so much for your condolences, Susan. Looking at the canvas I have in my house feels like a special connection with him. I'm very grateful for that.

      And, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I'm so glad you enjoyed the project. :-)

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  15. The gold in those sunset shots is just otherworldly!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed the sunset shots! Part of my love of sunsets is seeing what will unfold for the night. Every night is a new adventure. :-)

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  16. I'm always amazed at creative people. Thank you for sharing your experience of this creation.
    And sorry about the loss if your dad.

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    1. Awww, it's my pleasure. :-) And, thank you...

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  17. I'm always amazed what we create in times of stress. When my mother was growing up, her mother was a portrait photographer who hand colored her sepia tone prints. The difference just a bit of color can bring to a picture is amazing. Thank you for sharing your art.

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    1. What a great story about your grandmother. Hand coloring would be so interesting to play with as well. Thank you for sharing a bit about her creativity as well. :-)

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  18. Liz, thanks for sharing your wonderful project and photos with us, and my condolences on the loss of your father. I'm sure he was so proud of you. It is so encouraging to see creativity blossoming in these difficult times.

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    1. Thank you so much, Deborah. I appreciate your kind thoughts and words... :-)

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  19. What a brilliant project, Liz. I love the black and white phots with the touch of color being the mask. This is an award worthy piece of photography and art. I’m so glad your father lived to see the coming together of your efforts, but I’m so sorry that he died. He must have been so proud of you.

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    1. Awww... thank you! Gosh, an award worthy piece of photography and art... how kind and amazing of you to say that. I never imagined when I started this project in April how relevant masks would still be. And, thank you regarding the condolences and thoughts...

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  20. Sorry I am late to the party. Welcome to Jungle Reds and what a brilliant project. Your photographs are wonderful!

    Diana

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    1. Thank you for the welcome:-) So glad you enjoyed the photographs!

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  21. Liz, these are gorgeous photos. And I have to say, you're also all over Twitter! When I searched your name to see if I should "at" you, I saw tweet after tweet from Key West's National Weather Service featuring your beautiful sunset photos!

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    1. Awww... thank you so much, Julia! So glad you enjoyed the photos.

      And, oh my goodness! I don't publish anything on twitter so hope whatever is 'all over' is positive. lol Gosh, I never know where some of my pics, videos or other stuff is going to pop up. Some of made it has made i to Apple news, CNN news, Miami Herald, ABC Miami News, Newsweek and a few other places. It's cool to see where they have been picked up. :-) If you ever want to check it out, I tend to post most of creative stuff on my personal FB profile page @ Liz Acar and a few on Instagram @liz.acar

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  22. Your lovely project is a gift to all of us and was a special, final gift to your father, who was surely proud of his daughter. Hugs <3

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    1. Awww... thank you so much. I appreciate it. And, hugs back <3

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  23. Great concept and great execution. Hoping they will let us back into Key West this winter.

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    1. Thank you, Bill. Hoping you are able to enjoy winter here. :-)

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  24. Fascinating project, Liz, and quite poignant. Thank you for sharing your gift.

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    1. It's my pleasure. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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