His photography inspired me to create the following Etsy treasury.
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| Look what I found outside my window - Etsy Treasury |
"An open mind is an open thought." by Madi
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Photography
His photography inspired me to create the following Etsy treasury.
"An open mind is an open thought." by Madi
Artist of the Month - Monica Soeldner
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| A New Path |
Monica first creates mini collages and then displays them behind a glass bubble. She is currently focusing on inspirational and encouraging words or reminders. I really like how the glass makes the message and artwork appear more mystical. For the next step, Monica solders the edges and works on the backs of the pendants. The backs are all unique as well, each one is a different vintage paper or washi tape that is then sealed in a resin coating. Sometimes she even puts little words or notes on the back. The best part is each one is truly unique; no two are exactly alike.
She combines her love of collage and photography with her photography panels (above) which she will be exhibiting at the Enormous Tiny Art Show in Portsmouth, New Hampshire this fall.
I came across several photographic styles and techniques that I am not familiar with while reading about Monica's photography work in her blog. One such concept is called Through the Viewfinder (TTV). I asked Monica to give us a little more information about this interesting type of photography. Here is what she said;
"Through the Viewfinder (TTV) is the process of using a digital SLR camera to shoot an image of the viewfinder of a vintage twin reflex camera. I use a Kodak Duaflex III, which was produced sometime in the mid-1950s. I enjoy this process because I’m still able to get the lovely effects that the dust particles, flaws in the viewfinder, and interesting lighting that the Duaflex produces, without having to use film in it. The film for the Duaflex is no longer made, so in order to use film in this camera, I would need to re-roll it onto a spool that would fit it. With the TTV method, I’m able to forgo film and still get some of the effects of the Duaflex. It produces square images, which are then fun to use in my panels. You have to be prepared to talk to a lot of people if you are working with the TTV method out and about though...everyone is curious about that crazy contraption!"
TTV sounds really interesting and creative. It's nice to know that photography has other styles besides all digital. Another type of photography she mentioned is called lomography. I was curious about this style and asked Monica to explain it to me.
"Lomography is a company, but is sort of described as a type of photography now since it’s become more of an art form. It’s basically a variety of “toy” plastic cameras that produce distortion, blurring, differentiation in colors, and other “happy accidents” that make the photos seem more whimsical and dream-like. The Diana is probably the most popular of the lomography cameras, also the Holga. They are film cameras. I don’t have one yet, I’m still deciding what I want.But I love how dreamy the images turn out. I think they’ll be a perfect next step in my photography panels!"
Journaling is another form of artwork that interests Monica. I asked her what she usually fills her journal with and here is her response:
"Sometimes I doodle or add images to my journaling, but for the most part it’s a lot of writing. I usually go for a stream of consciousness, a free flow of thoughts. Then it will often jump into lists (lists of things I’m worried about, happy about, thankful for, goals, etc.). I journal both on my computer as well as in a number of moleskines I keep in various bags and next to my bed. I always have one I carry with me that often becomes a compilation of to-do lists, random thoughts, ideas for artwork, phone numbers and info I scribble down, etc. This year, one of my goals is to journal daily (more than just the random scribble here and there, but to get my thoughts down each day about what’s going on with me). This is like therapy to me. I find that I’m clearer on my direction, how I approach my work, and how I feel throughout each day if I get it all out like this."
Monica is about to begin a new and exciting chapter in her life. She has been accepted for a graduate program in Library Science in Boston. A girl after my own heart, I'd love to live and work in a library or bookstore! Just the smell of the books is enough to bring a smile to my face. But the field of library science has many different career paths. While Monica would love to work as a librarian, she has other interests as well. She is particularly interested in the tool of online presence development in libraries and library programs. She said that she would love to work on building community involvement in library programs via social media and interactive web databases.
Monica has a shop on Esty, M. Soeldner, if you'd like to see more of her jewelry. To read more about Monica and all of her remarkable artwork, visit her blog. In closing today, I had to include just one more photo from Monica. I love this photo of her and her very well loved dog, Erma.
Artist of the Month - Jane Davenport
I find her drawing so motivating that I've watched this video a bunch of times. I feel like I can reach right into the soul of the girl through her incredible eyes.
I was curious about how Jane gets her ideas and what motivates her work. She said,
"Hmmm...I work in Series. I have an idea and it takes a few images/ artworks to fully express it, delve in to it and explore it. I usually work in one medium per series. My memories and inner world are what mostly arrive out of my brush/pencils/camera. Nature inspires me and that is a constant."
Jane grew up drawing and continues to love it. She starts her day drawing at the beach while her husband surfs. What a way to start the day! She then goes home to create her art in one of her five studios. Yes, I said five. She has separate studios for Photography, Big paintings, Digital studio, Sewing and Crafts, and her Drawing/Art Journal/Water colors and Library area. As you can see Jane has quite a diverse artistic life.
Not only does she create art, she also owns a Gallery in Byron Bay called The Institute of Cute.
The Institute of Cute is filled with Jane's other love, Ladybugs! All types of products including jewelry, clothing and even a surf board!
Jane also sells all her other artwork at the shop. So, if you are ever in Australia (love to go!) be sure to stop by for a visit.
Jane's love of drawing sent her off to school for Fashion Illustration. I have always had a dream of becoming a Fashion designer ever since I was young, so I wanted to know more. I asked Jane about her work surrounding Fashion, and here is what she said.
"I have always been around the industry especially in my 20's. My mother is Liz Davenport, an Australian fashion 'Icon' , having been in the ragtrade for over 35 years! It's a super-high pressure career option. I had my epyonomous fashion label, but aside from working on the textile prints, I'm just not that entranced by fashion at present. I have so many other things that ignite me, if I'm not passionate about something it just seems like hard work.
My first job was as a fashion illustrator. I was actually at University doing Commerce and I was visiting my mother at her work, and I saw someone drawing up her Collections. I was amazed that sitting around drawing all day was a job! I chucked the Uni degree at the earliest opportunity, enrolled in Fashion College, and struggled away at sewing, but excelled at drawing and designing. My mothers illustrator left, and I applied for the job. Fashion Illustration is quite specific, you are presenting the Designers often scrappy sketches and ideas in a polished, stylised way. My job grew to textile design, and then fashion design. But the commercial realities construe to make it nowhere near as exciting as you dream at fashion school! I got to do less and less drawing, and it was relegated to a hobby. And I discovered photography and everything changed for me. My latest blog post picks up my journey to becoming an artist from here. "
When I asked Jane if she would be my Artist of the Month for March, she said yes and "Can I talk about colored pencils?" They are her current favorite tool for illustration. I asked Jane, what she liked about colored pencils and what other types of medium she uses to create. Here is what she said;
"Did you know that I have already declared 2011 as Year of the Colored Pencil? I am a complete coloured pencil nerd and am working on a series of reviews of all the different brands as they each have their own unique traits. There is a lot to be said for them as an art tool as they so IMMEDIATE! No set-up time, no washing up or spills. No waiting to dry between layers. I can use them at the beach because sand doesn’t worry them (sand and paint or oil pastels – bad combinations!)They are expressive and fun to use. And the colours….oh, the colours…
I also use acrylic paint, watercolor, ink, markers and pastels. And I use them all together too. I am an Art Supply junkie and always adding to my hoard! A hopeless case."
Jane is also a remarkable Photographer. Her photos are so crisp and sharp, yet somehow soft. Her work has been published in various periodicals including Qantas Diary.
I really enjoy the feeling of clarity as well as mystery that I have when I admire Jane's photography.
Daisy's have always been my favorite flower. When I was a little girl, my bedrooms always had daisy wallpaper. Even now, my jewelry studio is painted daisy yellow with a lovely daisy photograph hanging on the wall in a prime spot. I love the simplicity of the clean white petals and the more muted soft yellow centers.
Jane is planning on teaching her first E course soon. She is teaching at 21 Secrets - an Art Journal Playground. She said that she discovered Art Journaling herself about a year ago and it has changed her whole creative process and life. I can't wait to sign up!
To find out more about Jane and visit her shops visit her blog and her websites listed below.
Website: Jane Davenport
Blog: Artomology
Shops: The Institute of Cute
I hope you have enjoyed your visit with Jane and her art. Thank you so much for stopping by. Stacie
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