Crane Update: #73

I've almost reached the end of my first package of origami paper, and I still have a long way to go. I've been asked multiple times what kind of paper I'm using. It is a basic 6"x6" white folding paper. I purchased it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Origami-Folding-Paper-White/dp/B0034JIOMK/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I32Y4EFGZ13065&colid=4LG0T72AWV2B Unfortunately, they are currently sold out of it, so I'll be looking into other papers. Any suggestions on local Austin stores or good online stores are welcome.

Also, I thought I would give you an update on my dad since this whole project is based on him. Back in the fall (2009), he had a stint put in his liver to help it drain since he was getting jaundice. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaundice About a month ago (March 2010) he was put in the hospital multiple times because of an infection that had formed in his liver because of the stint. Getting an infection in the liver is a possible side effect of having a stint put in. He had the stint replaced last week because the tumors in his liver had blocked the stint from draining properly. However, he is getting fever again, so he is going back to the hospital today so the doctors can check the current stint and make sure it is draining like it should. Unfortunately, he has been out of chemotherapy since February because of the infection and currently not get back onto a study until his bilirubin counts get back into a normal range. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilirubin As soon as I get more information on his condition, I will let y'all know.

The Beginning

It's hard for me to explain a photographic concept I've been living with for a while, but haven't photographed yet. I've never been one for words, so maybe that is one reason I express myself through images. I hope that by writing and talking about this project, I'll be able to completely fulfill my expectation for this idea. I guess I'll start explaining this idea from the beginning...

About a year ago, March 2009, my family discovered that my father, Bruce Bowman, has pancreatic cancer. If you have no knowledge of this type of cancer, click this link to learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancreatic_cancer. Having known him my entire life I know what a great person he is and how many people he has helped and loved throughout his life. Needless to say, he is a very important part of my life. He has influenced my hobbies, career, and personality more than I can comprehend. However, when someone you love is fighting cancer, you feel helpless, like there is nothing you can do to make them feel or get better. Having gone through chemotherapy before myself, I thought I could help get him through the treatments, however, my experience was not near as serious or life-threatening as his. Our experiences were similar at first, but his has gone to a completely different level than mine. Feeling helpless, I searched for ways in which I could show my support and feel like what I was doing might make a difference. This is when I remembered the Japanese legend of folding 1,000 paper cranes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1000_paper_cranes I know I'm not Japanese, but I have always loved origami and the meditation associated with folding. This is where my inspiration came for my photographic project.

My current plan is to fold 1,000 white paper cranes for my dad. These cranes will also be photographed in places that remind me of my dad and represent memories I have of him. I have been working out the details of this project for a couple of months now, but I am still in the beginning stages. I hope to document the creation of this project here and work through my ideas to make this something I am truly proud of.

Crane update: #67

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