In The Picture - April

Photography projects are taking up a little time lately....not least my 'In The Picture' monthly challenge set by Urban Muser .  This month we are to 'shake it out'.  There has to be some movement in the shot.

I'm not very good at this, and don't possess a tripod, so I set up my camera on a bench outside my studio,  pointed it down the garden, focussed it on 'infinity', set the 10 sec. delay....

...then danced around the garden like a mad woman, trailing my favourite red pashmina. The neighbours must've been impressed.

I took lots, on several days...

... and naturally couldn't resist a little photoshopping, like the first photo, and this.

It all felt very strange, but certainly made me think more about the process of taking a photo.  Perhaps I'll investigate all the functions of the camera now.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

... but aren't we all?

It's been one of those weeks.  Friend and neighbour, Vicki. asked R and I to photograph her wedding.  What a responsibility!!!  Neither of us are what you call photographers, although we both dabble.  However we agreed, as the cost of professional photography was exorbitant. 

Armed with three cameras, two digital SLRs and a pocket digital, we set off early so that I could document the bride's preparations.

Her granddaughter was to be flower girl and  Kallie loved the attention she was getting.

The day, and the dress, were perfect and Vicki and Courtney, her daughter, were looking beautiful.

The cars duly arrived... how great are they!

They transported the bride to an eagerly awaiting groom, groomsmen, and celebrant.

After the brief ceremony Brenden only had eyes for her.

 

Then it was off for some 'real' photos of the bridal group....

... and some more candid shots.

After this it was time for celebrating at the Reception..... but that's another story.

We took over 1500 photos of which this is but a few (and not necessarily the best), so I think we managed to fulfil the brief adequately.

Vicki & Brenden, may you have a long and happy life together.

Painting Miniatures

Along The Gully

Although I really enjoy large canvases I occasionally like to sit down with some small brushes and make a more intimate work. 

Miniatures are supposed to be no more than 40 cm. around the perimeter, i.e 10 x 10 cm (or 4" x 4").  It is difficult to get the same sort of visual impact within such a small space, as you can with a large work.

The Valley

Red Furrows

Despite the small format, it is still possible to do mixed media work...



Reef Fish

Looped

... and abstract.

The bridge

I guess my point is that you don't always have to make a HUGE effort to create art.  If you are having an off day for whatever reason, just sit quietly with your brushes, paint, and a tiny canvas, or paper, and play.

About Collages...

I have always loved mucking around with bits of paper.  Remember those cardboard dolls with paper cutout outfits from waaaaaaay back (like over half a century)? I loved them.  You could say my tastes have matured over the years, but I still love bits of paper.....



Boolimba Bluff

.... and leaves....

Drought

.... and almost any other bits and pieces...


Out Of Time

However these lean more towards 'mixed media' work than 'real' collage which is cut and paste... generally of found pre-printed words and/or images rather than painted paper and objects.

There are many cut and paste collagists whose work I admire, some below:

Cecil Touchon
Steven Specht
Edvard Derkert

... and not least our own Aussie, JOEL LAMBETH

Joel organises a collection of collagists each year that he calls To The Power Of N where he selects a number of participants, this year 12, and provides each with the same images on paper that they must use to make their own collages.

Last year they were soooo different, but there were some bits from the provided papers that several chose.  See the 2011 participants HERE.

I can do this I reckon... LOVE a challenge. Check out my own cut'n'paste collages in my portfolio on the right.

Why don't you give it a go too?  Submit HERE.

Dinner on my accountant...

Yes it's hard to believe that your accountant would shout you dinner unless you are VERY rich, and give him oodles of business.  Not so, the following image won me a dinner voucher at a lovely restaurant on the beach.... TIDES.

'Does this croc have initiative... not yet'

That bag belongs to Initiative Accounting, on the Sunshine Coast, our very efficient accounting firm.  Despite their attention to business they had a bit of fun on their Facebook page called "Where's Your Bag Been?".  Customers were required to photograph their bags at exotic locations. 


There were some very clever entries.  I entered several, mostly photos I took on trips around the place like the above taken in the Northern Territory on the croc-feeding tour. But of course I couldn't resist some creative Photoshopping too like this one...

Brad Pitt recycles his Initiative

(Thought that'd get your attention girls!)

The runner up was Matt Savage with his entry "Giving Initiative A Lift" with the bag up in the air hanging from a huge crane. Congratulations Matt, sorry I don't have a pic.

COMA - Maleny Image 11

The latest COMA (Collaboration Of Maleny Artists) exhibition is up and running. The theme is 'making music', and size restricted to 30 x 30 cm.

My entry this time is ...

I called it 'Playing On Silence', taken from a quote by Leopold Stokowski.

“A painter paints pictures on canvas, but musicians paint their pictures on silence”…. Leopold Stokowski

Leopold Anthony Stokowski (April 18, 1882 – September 13, 1977) was a British-born, naturalised American orchestral conductor, well known for his free-hand performing style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from many of the great orchestras he conducted.

His progressive views, flamboyant presence on the concert stage, and innovative approach to music-making provoked both the epithets "genius" and "charlatan".  (Sounds like my kind of bloke...J)

For more info about the exhibition, AND pictures of all the other entries go to the blog of our illustrious and hard-working co-ordinator  Ken Munsie.... and, while you're there, check out his wonderful sculptures.  I should've put him on my last blog's list.

I Love.... SETH APTER

Self Portrait - Seth Apter

... and who wouldn't?  (sorry Richard)  Seth is one of those busy, busy people who always makes time for other people and projects, as well as his  own art.  He is a fellow blogger, and a prolific one at that. His blog The Altered Page  mostly promotes the work of other artists, and he has recently published a book The Pulse Of Mixed Media containing the innermost thoughts, and the works, of 100+ mixed media artists.

His 'real' job is psychologist, tho' when he finds time for that I don't know. New York City is his home... the international hub of modern art. ... and, by the way, he's much better looking than the self-portrait above.

He is focused primarily on paper arts, book arts, and textural assemblage.  His work and words can be seen in print, in such publications as Artful Blogging, Pasticcio Quartz.  His artwork is available for purchase in his Etsy shop.

Some examples of his work....

With my recently renewed interest in collage and mixed media work you can see what the attraction is.  However...  I'm nothing short of fickle so I have to say that I also love:

Eric Adama of Cerulean

Ralf Bohnenkamp

Mick Mather

Barry of Rustnstuff

and, Csaba Pal

Well, I never said I was perfect.

COLLAGING INTERNATIONALLY

If you like collage, the place to visit is Dale Copeland's site in New Zealand.  The 14th International Collage Exchange is now up and running, with two exhibitions showing concurrently.  One is a selling exhibition, and one is destined to be part of a permanent collection.  I'm delighted to be a participant.

This is part of the selling show...

Jewel Of The Orient

... and this will be in a permanent collection...

Bound

Some of my favourite artists are also included:

Laura Lein Svencner

Mary Ellen Long

Richard Fulham

Jette Clover

Cordula Kagemann

Dianne Vottero Dockery

Csaba Pal

and Dale Copeland herself

... and lots more.  Enjoy!!!