[-photography, practices-]

Curvyques

Originally uploaded by suzeque.

This photograph is taken by my cohort [and, btw, sister] Suze and is an image from Texas, taken in San Antonio.

I’m crazy about it. But why?

Taking the time to analyze what we love about someone else’s work is a useful exercise. Heightened awareness can only help to make our own work more instinctive and personal and therefore, better.

This is what I like about Suze’s image: The composition is beautifully balanced without being predictable. The colour contrast between the graceful curlicues and the background is lush and the colour combination unusual. Then there’s the texture on the green metal, the layers of paint - light green, darker green yellow and more - and the rust, which I love. We might as well revere rust for its beauty since it’s inevitable! But in the interest of heightened awareness, let me just ask myself, why? Why is rust so great?

It isn’t predictable. It eats through surfaces irregularly. It makes the surface not only visually variegated but also texturally varied. It adds as it takes away.

Any ideas on rust?

Thanks, suzeque, for your curlicues!

See Suze’s other articles on the PCQ.
See photographs of lots of gorgeous rust and other beautiful signs of aging on our Patina page.

Suze Corte is a writer, artist and pre-school teacher in Houston, Texas. In 2007, she was chosen as be the Houston Area Association of Educator’s of Young Children’s Teacher of the Year and the Texas Association of Educators of Young Children’s Teacher of the Year. Congratulations, Suze! It is a well-deserved recognition.

Originally published in the original Practically Creative blog, March 2006; edited for re-publication

[-art, technique-]

You’ll never look at your scanner the same way after reading this fun how-to article

by J. Black

Photo or Scanner Art is a simple way to capture still life images that can be turned into creative pieces of art to decorate your home.

Many ordinary objects that would be difficult to photograph are good candidates for photo art - in particular objects where it is otherwise difficult to get a good, clear close-up shot of your subject.

These include such items as…

* Feathers
* Fruit and vegetables
* Shells
* Flowers
* Pine Cones

To name a few.

Various backgrounds can be created for your artwork including the use of tissue paper, rice paper, velvet or any texture or background that would add interest.

Before placing objects onto the scanner surface it is important to protect it from scratches and accidental damage. I like to use a sheet of acetate (OHP transparency is a good option). Likewise any debris should be removed from the object and also the glass which could ruin the finished image. It is easier at this stage than to have to do a touch-up with your editing software program later on.

Be careful not to touch the scanner glass as it can be easily ruined by acids such as perspiration on finger tips, drink or food coming into contact with it likewise do not scan anything that is wet or damp.

I like to let my scanner warm up for at least half an hour to ensure that I get the best quality scanned image.

Compose your composition away from the scanner and when you are happy with your arrangement lay your objects carefully onto the scanner surface. Now you are ready to scan your masterpiece.

If you are using a background (instead of the scanner cover as your background) it is better to remove the cover to avoid accidental damage.

Light backgrounds can be created using

* Scanner Cover
* Tissue or Rice paper

To create a seamless Black background

* Make a black box at least 6 inches deep to sit on top of your scanner. By having this depth you will ensure that it is always out of focus. Black velvet makes a good liner but be careful to remove any white specks that could show up in the final image with a small piece of sticky cellotape.
* Start scanning at a lower resolution because of the memory required and increase until you have the result you require.

Save your images onto computer ready for printing.

To print your images, use a good quality plain paper, glossy paper or textured board.

If you use a textured board paper this can be sealed using a decoupage medium to give the appearance of a textured canvas. This is especially good for still life arrangements. To give an aged appearance to your art use a crackle medium.

Copyright © 2005. J Black.
For more resources and ideas for creative living
go to netwrite-publish.com

published by permission of the author in the April 2005 issue of The Practically Creative Quarterly, theme: inspiration