Work In Transition....

[karen m]

Hello everyone....
You mightn't remember me. I do check in fairly frequently but as the little note always reminds me...
Our records indicate you haven't posted in the community in several weeks. Why not take a few moments to check into your favorite forum and let us know what you are up to!
So I thought I would.

You know how we - especially artists - start to do one thing, which leads to something else, which leads to something else...on and on...? Here's an example.

While working on another series project and wanting to create fairly large images I decided to begin with a printed canvas (since I don't do so well with image transfers and get verrrrrrry frustrated) and use it as an under-painting and proceed from there.

I really enjoy playing with digital images and like the look of them, even considering that they very well could be complete in themselves. But local originals-only galleries are not apt to accept them as original work. Soooo...the paint application seems to be the qualifier for acceptance.

Recently while playing around I scanned a little oil pastel sketch of a jack-in-the-box I'd done several years ago. And then I began to play. And play. And play some more.

And having a recently acquired book of wonderful images by Franz Kline I rediscovered my love for the contrasts of black and white.

First image is the original sketch. The second image is the digitally manipulated image printed on canvas. It is now mounted and I am about to embellish it with quite a bit of textured paint. A bit excited about this and will post the finished result. Btw, it will be 16 inches square when complete.

Hope you like.

[Cyndi L]

Hi Karen! It's great to have you back

This is amazing. If you hadn't told me that they were related, I never would have seen it. I just love playing with digital images, but I'm always more about layering them than manipulating them like this. You've inspired me to think more broadly about it!

[karen m]

Hi Cindy!

Thanks for looking. The transformation is pretty amazing, isn't it? And I haven't a clue how I got there... .

I think this new one is going to be tranformed yet again with the paint - possibly a black and white bird about to take flight. Just not sure yet.

I need to refresh my memory of your work, although I know I've always enjoyed it. When you refer to layering I think you mean 'for real' vs. digital?
I have PS Elements only as a digital editor which works fine although I know I don't use it in the proper way. I create layers and superimpose them sometimes but it's not exactly according to Hoyle. It would mean reading the directions, hah!

I think not long ago you had your first grandchild? I bet you are so enjoying that. We now have a third - a little girl named Lily - and the first 'baby' in 9 years. What joy!

So good to see you again. And thanks.
_______________________________________________|
(...a bit later.....and verrrrrry embarassed)... I chased down your site once again and now realize I was confused as your primary work is done in beads. What gorgeous things! I am passing the site link on to one of my daughters who has just developed a real passion for beading.

[WildGoose]

Karen m-

Forgive, but I couldn't help chuckling at a lot of what you've said...think I've been in some of the same ,shall we say, slightly frustrated fixes...... self-imposed? NOT!!!

Ummm-nnn,lesseee....
What's the best way to do this one?!

...should I try a transfer under.....or bl---y direct sketch.... Or just print out and be done with it....so glad they came up with clear gesso to use as an under/over-coat...works wonders!
( at least for me )!

Quite annoying that antique notion about digital work as not-quite-"real" art....still pretty pervasive, here, too...

Regards,

Chris/WildGoose

PS Manips PLUS Layers = Way to go!
PPS- I"ve got Elements 2!Beat that!

[karen m]

Quite annoying that antique notion about digital work as not-quite-"real" art....still pretty pervasive, here, too...

Thanks for the encouragement Chris. You know I think it may take awhile for local galleries to accept this stuff as 'art', but I see similar things all the time in larger centres and in the international art magazines. And anyway....I have always felt that sometimes people don't know what they want until they actually see it. If we can do something very well then I think we can win them over. Fingers crossed on that.

I have actually been working on this very piece for part of today but have just set it aside till tomorrow. Every time I go to apply paint I feel like it's on its way to something less than it is right now.

I have never used clear gesso but am planning to use some heavy gel medium to create some texture at least. Will let you see when it's done.

I'm assuming you have examples of your work here someplace - I'll set off on a little search.

[Cyndi L]

LOL!! Karen, I work in digital as well as beads, as well as physical collage, assemblage, etc. I'm a mixed media junky! So don't feel bad that you didn't "remember" what I do...you did remember!

When I said "layering", I meant that I tend to pile up images in Photoshop, collaging them together but each on it's own PS layer, rather than doing the kind of manipulations that you did in your piece. Some of my work is pure digital, but most is a combo of physical and digital

It's great to have you back, and congrats on the new baby!! You were right about that too...we were blessed by our first grandchild back in the spring . Of course, Mike and I are MUCH TOO YOUNG to be grandparents...

[karen m]

When I said "layering", I meant that I tend to pile up images in Photoshop, collaging them together but each on it's own PS layer, rather than doing the kind of manipulations that you did in your piece. Some of my work is pure digital, but most is a combo of physical and digital

Okay then!
I must play some more with the digital stuff. I have not quite figured out the knack of super-imposing one image on top of another - it can be done can't it? Pretty sure I did it once quite by accident. Think I used the 'photo merge' feature along with some images on a transparent background.

we were blessed by our first grandchild back in the spring . Of course, Mike and I are MUCH TOO YOUNG to be grandparents...

Well, it is one of the rewards of getting a bit older....ahem. Can't say I can find much else good about it.

And I will go hunting for your digital stuff....right after I make a bit more headway in cleaning up my studio for the next little round of play.

[Sonia]

Looking forward to see what you do with this one Karen.

I'm not much into digital manipulation (the old grey cells are beginning to complain of technological overload), but I can see that it could be a catalyst for new work when inspiration has deserted me.

[karen m]

Hi Sonia....
Good to see you again. The only thing that's changed about the piece so far is the addition of some texture. But I'll let you see when it's done.

Seems so long since I've 'seen' you. Nice to be back.

[Cyndi L]

I've got one link that encompasses all the digital tutorials I've written. The very first one on that list has directions for making collage components in Photoshop, placing your image on a transparent background so that you can make digital collages or montages. Maybe that would inspire you to mess around even more

[Sonia]

Thanks for that link Cyndi. Although I don't have Photoshop (mine is Serif's Photoplus), I'm sure I might be able to follow some of your tutorials. Something to keep me occupied on a winter's night whenever my brushes are idle.

[karen m]

Cyndi....thanks sooo much for that link. I have it bookmarked and will be referring to it a lot. So generous!

[Cyndi L]

Originally Posted by karen m

So generous!

Nope! Just bossy

[karen m]

Well, I have played with it and tried to make it more painterly. I think I have done that but there are a few things I was reluctant to paint over entirely so I am not sure if I haven't just 'muddied the waters'. If anyone feels inclined to offer an opinion I'd love to have it.

[Cyndi L]

It definitely looks more like a painting now. The "brush strokes" are more distinct, and the colors seem a bit less muddied to me, so I really don't think that you have 'muddied the waters' with the manipulations you've done.