Photo Collage and Digital Design
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NEWS
My present endeavor is to master digital collage.
Using point and shoot photography, the intent is to combine imagery of nature inspired by the rhythms of music. Color will attempt to interpret sound and form will be a compliment, varying according to the elements originally found in the environment. 
"Shadow Talk", 11 x 8.5 in., photograph, 2014.
"Emergence", 8 x 10 in., photograph, 2014.
The point and shoot camera continues to offer
challenges, obliging the artist to be severely critical with the "compositional eye." The simple camera forces one to be highly selective with shots taken - studying form becomes evermore pivotal. 
"Unfolding", 11 x 8.5 in., photograph 2020.
"Subtle Evocation", 8 x 10 in., photograph, 2014.
"Death Card" study in a reinterpretation of the famous Arthur Waite tarot deck, 2019.
"Freedom of Religion, Freedom to Believe" a study for the "Four Freedoms" traveling exhibition (20 x 24 in., photo collage, 2018).
FOUR FREEDOMS
The study above, "Freedom of Religion, Freedom to Believe", wishes to challenge the viewer into considering what is the contemporary role of faith and religion in the 21st century. It is a modern reinterpretation of American illustrator, Norman Rockwell's Post cover - "Freedom of Religion." Within the aforementioned piece, Rockwell places the statement -"Each according to the dictates of his own conscience." I too aim to provoke thought in the viewer . . . I leave to his or her gaze the quote: "Faith is the tolerance required, compassion the key." 
"Here and There", 14 x 11 in., photograph, 2020.
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EXHIBITIONS
CIRCLE OF LIFE
Running from Sept. 1 - Sept. 26, 2021 at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery in Portsmouth, N.H. is the show Circle of Life; this exciting exhibition explores the mysteries and myths of the meaning of existence, pondering such concepts as family and molecular life. This artist's piece, a pen and ink, freehand, line drawing is entitled "Incantation"; it intends to examine the mystical and occult in fanciful terms. 
"Incantation", 10 x 8 in., freehand, pen and ink drawing, 2021.
42ND JACK PARFITT JURIED EXHIBITION
Recently exhibited at the annual Jack Parfitt exhibition was this artist's work - "Dandelion Blending" (seen below). The successful show ran from August 5 - August 29, 2021 at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, in Portsmouth N.H. Photographic works ranged from traditional silver gelatin prints to digitally altered pieces. 
"Dandelion Blending, 8 x 10 in., photo collage, 2021.
SUMMER COLORS
Now on view at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, in Portsmouth, N.H. is Summer Colors. This latter is a show dedicated to the joyous hues of the season. From the verdant greens of woodland forests, to the boisterous colors of wildflowers in fields - it runs form July 1st to August 1st, 2021. The work Rose Unfolding will be exhibited at the noted show. It celebrates the seductive beauty of the wild rose as it opens its mysteries to the world at large. 
"Rose Unfolding", 8 x 10 in., photo collage, 2021.
WHO WE ARE
Presently showing at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery in Portsmouth, N.H. is the exhibit "Who We Are" (June 3 - June 27, 2021). This show presents the work of a variety of artists each of whom interprets, in their given creations, the manner in which they perceive themselves, focusing on particular sensibilities - their backgrounds, aspirations, personal vision, etc. The piece below, "Who We Were, version one" is this artist's entry into the noted show; a photo collage, it wishes to recall the common ancestry that all creatives share within their development as both artists and individuals in general. 
"Who We Were, version one", 8.5 x 11 inches, photo collage, 2021.
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
A show on the positive we strive for despite the trying times, "On the Bright Side" is to be held at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery in Portsmouth, N.H. from March 3 - March 28, 2021. It presents a wide array of styles and media, from the abstract to the figurative and from oils to photo collage. This exhibit should prove a delight for all eyes, whether one is interested in realism or more contemporary expressions. On view at the noted show is the work below "Iris Meditation"; a digital photo collage, it results a combination of traditional photography and digital drawing. 
"Iris Meditation", 8.5" x 11", digital photo collage, 2021.
Blue Halo", 8.5 x 11 in., mixed media, 2021.
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INSPIRATION
Creating art requires a good deal of effort and
an ounce of that intangible, inspiration. It is for this reason that the artist must consistently refuel his or her psychological or emotional gas tank. He or she must take time away, a break, from the process of art production, to "imbibe" more external imagery (visual nourishment), as well as ideas. The process of artistic growth is a constant one, with the "creator" steadily weighing information and external stimuli. Producing art is a perennial judging of factors and meanings - i.e. color, line, form, light, etc.- with symbolism often shifting as the work progresses. Thus, I would encourage one to dip one's feet into the other cultural arts - writing, theatre, dance. music. Excursions into the territory of these art forms rewires the brain, invariably stimulating other senses and abilities. One discovers new ground in exploring other visual and performing arts. A fresh light is often shed on given ideas or concepts, and with a different viewpoint comes a new, revitalizing approach to realizing or finishing a work. "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant." Robert Louis Stevenson "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Pablo Picasso "It is not enough to know your craft - you have to have feeling. Science is all very well, but for us imagination is worth far more." Eduard Manet "No one is an artist unless he carries his picture in his head before painting it, and is sure of his method and composition." Claude Monet 
"in the Light", 10 x 8 in., photography 2020.
Snap and shoot photo. "Haiku moment", 8 x 10 in., 2020.
"Memento Mori, In the Name of Freedom", 11 x 8.5 in., photo montage, 2017.
"Kisses in the Dark", title of a poetry book. It results a study in publication design. The cover wishes to draw the reader in with a sense of the evocative and entranced.
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Book Cover Design is one of the more inspirational forms of design within the illustrator's or designer's fields of endeavor. The ideal, of course, would be to have a synopsis of the book's narrative as a launching point for the cover's actual ideation. Book cover design IS a visual challenge - as can be imagined - loaded with symbolism. But all begins with a first sketch, which filters out one's initial ideas. Certainly, a myriad of studies ensue from the first conceptual drawing; for the above cover, "Kisses in the Dark", love poetry was the launching point. One is compelled to visually state that the theme of love itself is not always focused on passion, happiness or predestination, but also regret and loss. 
"Hydrangea Blur", 14 x 11 in., photograph, 2020.
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