<![CDATA[Daniela Edstrom

<![CDATA[Daniela Edstrom - Blog]]>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:38:42 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[A journey into abstraction]]>Sun, 07 Mar 2021 20:40:16 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/a-journey-into-abstraction

Recently, I have been immersed in exploring abstraction

in photography as intervened upon with digital art. Digital

photo collage is precisely like traditional collage except it

makes use of digital tools located in such computer

software programs as Photoshop. The scissors are traded

in for a mouse which enables one to select a cutting tool;

this latter is then used to manually trace around the form

one wishes to clip. To paste a shape you simply must set

the figure into the wanted position. Thus, the computer is

being guided by the hand directly to complete the work

the artist has imagined with his or her mind's eye.

In the work to the right, "Iris Meditation", traditional

photography is combined with digital, art making. The

work began with a photograph of the interior of a French

iris. This photograph provided the basis for the

subsequent abstract interventions. Geometric forms

were then drawn onto the black and white, iris image with

the aforementioned software's shape tools. Shapes

were then hand colored and hand positioned.

It is a falsity to believe that digitally created or influenced

art is less in value or work input than the traditional

media based, art pieces. One must forgo ones'

preconceptions. The computer and the software are

merely tools to achieve an artistic end. As any tool the

computer requires the artist's forethought and manual

dexterity. Digital art is merely the new frontier. Let us

embrace the computer as a tool which enables the

creative spirit to mold fresh and interesting worlds.

"Iris Meditation", digital photo collage, 8.5" x !1"

]]><![CDATA[Digital Art - "Techspressionism"]]>Wed, 03 Feb 2021 23:25:40 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/digital-art-techspressionismThe work below, "Magenta Halo", results a marriage of two distinct media - traditional drawing and

digital painting. As in all "techspressionism" pieces, the artist makes use of computer technology to

produce visually bold work which wishes to elicit a spontaneous, emotional response. In the noted

piece, vivid yellows contrast with flourescent pinks to create a pulsating image . . . hues blending

and separating appear to vibrate. Inspired by 50s color field painting, "Magenta Halo" evokes

feelings simultaneously of contemplation and euphoria. Making use of artistic color theory, here,

the painter has complimented a purplish pink with a lemony tone . . . each of these colors is

the others opposite on the color wheel. Thus, a "high tone" is evoked between the melding of the

two hues. To learn more of the contemporary movement "Techspressionism", please visit

www.techspressionism.com.

"Magenta Halo" 8.5" x 11", digital photo collage, 2021.

]]><![CDATA[Laboring in art]]>Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:46:58 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/laboring-in-art

"Here and There", 11" x 8.5", photo collage, 2020.

In the work above, "Here and There", this artist is seeking to resolve formal, as well as symbolic

challenges. In the series to which the noted piece belongs, Intimacies, one wishes to reveal

the cryptic nature of isolated or secluded places within untouched settings. "Here

and There" is composed of several scenes melded in such a way that the viewer is induced to

believe he or she is lost within the thick of the woods - in a "bramble" of ferns, maples and other

deciduos trees. What one is meant to feel is urged into the lush character of a previously

unexplored place. The ferns, encased in boxes of light, are as lenses - giving us a look into the

dense foliage of the forest's usually unnoticed floor. The emerald green foliage of the ferns is

contrasted with the olive green and sage of the neighboring flora. The all is meant to coax the

observer into examining the piece in question carefully. There is more than meets the eye in this

bit of the woods full of hidden meanings.

]]><![CDATA[Art is Hope]]>Mon, 13 Nov 2017 21:05:46 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/art-is-hope

What is life without Art? Empty? Lacking in enthusiasm? -

Life without art is quite obviously dull and colorless. Bland is the world denied the

rainbow of shades produced by the visual arts. Why should one care? Imagine a book

without pictures - what would children read . . . how would they imagine? Art IS, as said,

the color of life. Paintings, sculpture, all genre of art tells of existence . . . of personal, as

well as, universal hopes, dreams and ambitions, etc. The visual arts grant vision to an

often directionless society.

Think of a framed photograph. Why should one invest in its acquisition? Well, BEAUTY

nourishes the soul. It grants an instant high, a pleasure response, that is deep and

sincerely felt. Nothing can replace that lasting serene and euphoric memory. And . . .

what is memory? Tis but images seen, enjoyed and catalogued in your heart and mind's

repository. Art is pleasure. Art is protest. Art IS a visual statement. One can read a piece

of art a million times and garner a thousand different meanings.

Art is mood. It is a chameleon constantly altering in its impression - as the sensitivity or

emotions of the viewer shift so does a creative piece's interpretation. Art is then

psychology, science and beauty. It touches all we are, everything we encounter with its

vibrancy of language. In addition, there is no right answer to choosing or appreciating

a visual piece. If you love it, then you have spoken with it; you have conversed with the

essence of the artist. The best to you, therefore, when you voyage through a museum.

May you come upon many lands and perhaps stand awhile and pitch a tent. For Art is

an adventure - art is life.

]]><![CDATA[Life is about appreciating the differences]]>Wed, 01 Nov 2017 12:08:51 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/life-is-about-appreciating-the-differencesWhat is different in art and in life in general should not be

discouraging . . . rather, it should be inspirational. The things one

sees in our travels and naturally in our environment are meant to be discovered,

somehow understood. When one comes upon an object or piece of art that is different,

unconventional, even "ugly or unpleasant", the reaction should not be of disdain but

rather of questioning. Why does one dislike something or ignore it because it is out of

our ordinary experience or collective memory??? The introduction to it, our coming

upon it, may be sour . . . not pleasurable because it does not meet our standards of

beauty or does not communicate in our "common language." But differences are what

make our world interesting . . . more beautiful, more engaging.

What if you were the only white skinned individual in a tropical, African village????

Would your skin color first offend, or would it draw interest because it is out of the

ordinary? Would you seem to inspire interest or would you be ignored or even

shunned? All is in the eye of the beholder and the reactions ARE based on cultural

values, often centuries old and ingrained in a particular society. Then, if a work of art

is blatantly different, from what is typical in a region or from what is trending in a

society, is it acceptable, is it of value? Often in art history that which was "challenging"

and visually "difficult" later became that which was the most avant-garde and then

most fashionable. Life is not meant to be easy, neither is art. Good art is often difficult;

the best of what humanity has produced has been distinctly challenging - defying

standard codes of acceptance and traditions (values aesthetic and moral).

Thus, the rule is: When it offends, ask why! When it screams different or avant-garde,

ask: What does it mean? Do not walk about life with blinders on. Believe you have a

discerning eye and mind. Don't be a lazy viewer and don't be a lazy painter, sculptor,

designer, etc. Believe you can say something of value, lasting value. Deny no

experience, therefore . . . wade into the choppy waters and swim.
]]><![CDATA[Isn't she wonderful]]>Tue, 31 Oct 2017 03:30:14 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/isnt-she-wonderfulWhat a vision the world of flora is . . . her richness, variety

and intricacy is magnificent - truly inspirational. The images below of magenta phlox and hot pink rhododendron are

studies into the sensual nature of flowers; their exhuberance and beauty speak of a world inviting to be discovered.

Nothing is lost on the eye when in the presence of these beauties. They are vivid images of life bursting forth in all its

plenty and mystery.

]]><![CDATA[Take a Look . . .]]>Sun, 29 Oct 2017 20:38:05 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/take-a-lookWhat is nature? An adventure for the eye, a walk with God's soul?

Discover . . . find within the beauty of your natural environment, the purpose

of living, perhaps of life itself. Nothing is "flippant" in flora or fauna's conversation with

man. Nature is an intractable force; forever "moving", singing, and mutable.

"Jumping Shadows", 5 x 5 in., photo collage, 2014.

"Falling Soul", 5 x 5 in., photo collage, 2014.

A work dedicated to the mystery in nature - its nuances and details. The singular beauty of a leaf is eternal. How did it come to be??? Only the divine can answer.

]]><![CDATA[October 29th, 2017]]>Sun, 29 Oct 2017 20:10:48 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/october-29th-2017Are you in love with what you produce????

In the final summation, are you proud of your work?

To work with intensity and a purpose is crucial; do not think that simply externalizing

any image without a feeling of sincerity, commitment or understanding is professional,

art work. To produce simply to make money, (if that is possible) by creating commercial

work of a meaningless quality, is trivializing talent. True, one must eat, but one must

operate with a modicum of pride. To create with the idea that one will be instantly

successful in any field, with mediocre work, is defacing one's own image.

There is hope in all work done when it is created with the heart. With love of one's own

vision and a deep desire to share it directly with others, the individual may rise above

the fray. One must live ideals to regurgitate them. Do not use your work as a soapbox

opera; be sure what you are saying is truly meaningful to you and profoundly held.

Nothing insincere will survive.]]><![CDATA[We're going somewhere . . .]]>Sat, 28 Oct 2017 19:25:27 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/were-going-somewhereSEE Yourself as Professional . . .

You cannot live in a vacuum as a professional artist; part of making a living as a creative

individual is the importance of marketing yourself and your work. You must walk the

walk, and talk the talk. If you are going to portray a certain image, do it seriously and

with taste. Do not think gallery openings are simply hobnobbing. They are infinitely

more. You owe it to yourself to put forth your best self, your best image -as earlier

stated.

What you say, what you do with your networking is pivotal. Do not believe luck will

come out of the blue and shower you with instant success. Everything, all your dreams

to achieve, will take blood, sweat and tears.
]]><![CDATA[Say what you wanna say!]]>Thu, 19 Oct 2017 12:02:49 GMThttp://www.danielaedstrom.com/blog/say-what-you-wanna-sayArt cannot thrive in a field of solitude. Art is meant to be shared, even in the production process. Thus, when creating art, know that one of the best antidotes for "creative blocks" is sharing your work- getting another pair of eyes to peruse your artistic production. There is nothing like a second opinion to refresh your standpoint before the challenges poised by the completion of a piece. Simply asking how the visual work "feels", how the composition flows or relates to the color scheme or theme may be of assistance.

Do not give up on an art piece in the midst of the creative process. Give it a chance. Take a break. Walk away from the work for a few days and then return to it with "new eyes." You may find that your inspiration has returned with a renewed strength or that innovative ideas have come to the fore. On the other hand, a piece may produce such frustration and angst, that you may feel compelled to start over. By all means do try to create afresh should nothing else bring your instincts to respond. Remember, however, that each artistic moment has its purpose toward producing the "final piece." Thinking, sketching, studies, talking, seeing other's work, all have a powerful affect on the outcome of your art. Live, therefore, every day fully. Paint, sculpt, draw, design on a daily basis to keep your skills honed like a well oiled machine. And . . . find inspiration everywhere, for everything has a need to be, a purpose under the sun.]]>