Island Queen Images - Lynda Boltz

Transformations

2009-08-23T13:54:00.003-04:00

Hello, everyone! Here are a couple of images I have created using self-portraits and old photos of myself -- in an ongoing attempt to find out who I am!

The first is a photo I took on my built-in webcam, then modified using Photoshop.

Next is a textured-appearing image using two photos -- one taken on my webcam, and the other of me when I was about 17 years old and singing in a musical in high school.

Don't forget that you can take what you already have, combine it in unusual ways with new techniques or software (i.e., Photoshop), and make something totally unique!

This week I have a number of projects:
1. A wedding album for a friend -- doing this with iPhoto, Photoshop, and iPhoto Books -- I am arranging the photos, adding captions, choosing backgrounds and a theme, then ordering it for her via Apple/iPhoto books.

2. Making jewelry -- I am still working with copper, this time folding and texturizing as well as etching, and I have a new silver watchband that I made by hammering some sterling wire -- VERY therapeutic!!!

3. Painting some watercolor backgrounds for scans for future art pieces.

Have an artful week, friends!

Lynda

Journal Cover!

2009-08-03T20:10:00.002-04:00

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Dear ones,

Here is the cover of the newest NCMEA journal -- including my own art! This is an original watercolor background, layered with music notes and various drawings of trumpets, then with color and effects added. Don't be afraid to combine all of your visual art media to make one unique combination!

Thank you, NCMEA, for using my cover!

Lynda

Memories for the weekend - for Art!

2009-07-26T16:35:00.006-04:00

Memories - Yours AND Others!

Here is a piece I created using "instant ancestors" -- i.e., vintage photos I purchased or was given. I added a nice gradient and cleaned up some items I didn't want included, as well as added text. I believe in combining all media for optimum effect!

"Gloria Jean and Mama" -- named for a girl whose childhood photo I discovered years ago. I loved the name and used it here. Obviously, she is standing beside "Mama".

Ever give in to that urge to go through that old box of photo albums? You know -- the ones that are probably filled with precious memories NOT saved in acid-free albums? I did that this weekend -- or I have BEGUN the process, at any rate. One of the groups of photos I have pulled is a group of pics of my daughter when she was 6. All it took was scanning, then cleaning up, the photos. Here is one:

And while I am on the topic of collecting, and restoring, old photos -- I should raise again my ideas with you of collecting items that may not be YOUR own family vintage, but which may speak to you in some ways. I will post here one or two scans of items that I intend to use as part of my art.

I hope this item from My Private Museum gives everyone some ideas for your own art. Happy collecting!

Lynda

Weekend art!

2009-07-11T12:01:00.004-04:00

Happy Saturday!

My plans this weekend are to finish up a batch of etched copper jewelry, antique the finish of those pieces, and at least design their construction. I'm also designing a box to hold my original jewelry pieces!

More to share later on in the weekend. Make art, my friends! It will do you good to create some beauty to share.

Lynda, the Island Queen

Summer, holidays, and old friends

2009-07-06T15:08:00.005-04:00

Hello! This past week I finished a semester in our wonderful year-round school! It is challenging, yes! I choose to "wind down" for a couple of days, then am much more able to make art and otherwise enjoy myself.

Today I have spent some time making a few new website banners, plus I have shared some photos on FaceBook and with friends from a Mustang Car Show held here in Raleigh. These cars are gorgeous! I love the careful polish of the finish, the pristine look of the important logos, and the pride of the owners!

This week's projects, besides getting the NEW semester begun, are to paint some watercolor backgrounds with spray watercolors and some special effects, as well as to etch a batch of copper jewelry. Some fun!

NOTES TO ALL: Surround yourself with positive people...AND...do NOT lose sight of old friends. "Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold."

Lynda

Inspirations from the UK -- and more

2009-06-22T18:57:00.008-04:00

Leeds Castle -- one of 6 views from inside windows -- my favorite vantagepoint.

Castle Combe, UK -- one house set apart. I felt I was in a book. A fairytale.

A lazy stream in the Cotswolds. Sit down and watch the river run.

This lovely angel stands patiently in Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia.

Goodnight.
Lynda

Summer Projects - the sun is HOT

2009-06-22T17:01:00.007-04:00

Gaze into the pool...koi in a cool spot on a warm evening.

Welcome, everyone! I have used other means of communication for the past year, and have prodigally (is that a word?) returned to my blog. Here's to my being able to keep up..

Join me at my kitchen table for a cup of coffee or some iced tea...the roses are from a sweet student. Lovely.

The latest project is a series of website banners for a professional association, and I'll post one as an example...next will be a few photos for inspiration, and who knows what I will end with today! Stay tuned.

I will post more this evening. Leave me a comment -- and look everywhere for inspiration!!! Lynda

I'm ba-a-a-a-ack!

2008-06-14T09:18:00.002-04:00

Hello, everyone! and thanks for checking back here to see if I am alive and kicking! I definitely am, but have had 2 months of whirlwind life, as happens in most people's experiences.

I am finishing up the school term at the year-round school where I work, AND I finished the planning for, packing for, and anticipation for, my wonderful trip to England. I JUST got back this past Monday afternoon, and I am elated AND exhausted. I will be posting a few photos here when they get organized. My quickest advice? GO there, and you will understand. I will also share parts of my England journal here.

The other projects have been my entries into other artists' Round Robin journals. Today I am finishing yet another couple of pages in the one that I must send on to the next person on the list. This one has the theme of HISTORY. I will use some English history (of course) and some photos from my recent trip.

More to come later today, and again, be patient with me! Stuff is coming!

Lynda

Spring photos AND Round Robin Art

2008-04-05T15:14:00.004-04:00

Good afternoon! It is raining here in NC (still) and I am glad...glad for a cool rainy Saturday to be indoors, AND glad that our long-winded drought may be winding down somewhat!

I worked on some flower photos today and printed some for my "new" room upstairs, so I will share one here. I have made several versions, but this one is my favorite.

In addition, I am sending off my Round Robin journal, begun with friends from the Visual Journaling workshop I attended in February. There are 20 artists contributing to each journal. My theme is "travel" -- no surprise -- and I am posting here my cover design (modified from my latest poster design), as well as the first two sets of pages.

The first set is watercolored, then ink-outlined, and last I decorated two envelopes, one to show the "to" -- TO my artist friends -- and the other to be opened and read by those colleagues as they receive my journal. There are instructions inside the envelope, as well as a list of all the participants and the order in which the journals should travel.

The second set is 2 digital collages, each begun by scanning some old journal pages, then with travel photos layered on top. I printed those pages, then took permanent ink and journaled around each element.

I will be adding pages to the other nineteen people's journals throughout the next 20 months, then each of us should receive our original journal with everyone's contributions! So exciting.

I hope you all have a marvelous weekend -- look for me here again soon, and be sure to leave me comments or send messages!

Lynda

Thank you AND I'm getting organized!!!

2008-04-02T14:56:00.004-04:00

Thank you, everyone for your kind comments and enthusiastic, creative questions regarding digital collage. Thank you for reading the article in this issue of CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS, and a BIG thanks to Lesley Riley for asking me if she could interview me for that marvelous publication! It has inspired me to continue what I am doing, and do MORE MORE MORE!

So...with that in mind, here is a series of early shots of my "new" artspace. I will keep posting them as I finish putting the room together. I figured that if I could get the painting, jewelry-making, sewing projects out of my computer space, I could accomplish even more in both work areas. I am so lucky to have the space, I know!

This week I am "tracked out" from school (ask me about year-round school sometime), so I am working on my room upstairs. I bought a rug, a pillow, a wooden tray, and some placemats in my color scheme (blue/taupe) and am on my way up there this afternoon to put things in place. More photos to come tomorrow!

Here's to creating what we love and finding some space to do it! I am also anxious to share my plans for my England trip with all of you, so watch this space!!!

Lynda

CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS

2008-03-02T20:40:00.003-05:00

Good evening, everyone! Just wanted to tell you that the March/April issue of CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS is on the shelves tomorrow. The article that Lesley Riley wrote as she interviewed me is wonderful, and they have published several of my collages, as well. Do check it out!!!

Here is a glimpse into the poster I've been working on all weekend. I'm hoping that the article, plus seeing some of my work, will encourage more people to delve into this area.

Thank you, Lesley -- for the opportunity for others to see my art -- and for the chance to share a small glimpse into my artistic world. I'm hoping this helps make artists collectors and collectors artists!!!

Oh, and this June I will make a journey to England to observe, photograph, experience, and just make art and write about it. I will be keeping a journal and sharing it here.

Lynda

Visual Journaling - Loose Ends (and NEWS)

2008-02-24T19:02:00.006-05:00

It is Sunday evening, and I am trying to be HAPPY about going back to work tomorrow! :) I'm posting a couple of snapshots of my work space last week, and I have to say these were NOT the typical mess that usually describes my table or desk. Observe the half-eaten apple...if the food were not so good last week, I would have forgotten to eat!

Another little glimpse of the workspace.

Here's Eric working on his own journal. I will try again another day to post the snapshot I took of Dave, but right now it keeps uploading upside-down for some reason, so I will leave it until later.

As I look at this photo of the mountains, I'm cooking a huge pot of taco soup, recipe courtesy of NCCAT dining service...it smells wonderful and should make lots of lunches this week.

Now the big news: CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS March/April issue will be on the shelves March 3 (a week from tomorrow), and the interview that Lesley Riley did with me is in it! It is called "Artist to Artist with Lynda Boltz" by Lesley Riley. I received my advance copies yesterday, and I am so excited and honored to be part of this fine publication! Please take a look at it and send me your comments. Thank you, Lesley!

Big news PART 2: We are NOT going to Pienza Italy after all. So sad. BUT I am taking a solo trip to England in June, so I want everyone to write with your ideas for where I should go and what I should not miss, OK?

Goodnight.
Lynda

Visual Journaling - Part II HOME

2008-02-23T20:25:00.005-05:00

I am home in Raleigh today. We drove in yesterday. As we left Cullowhee, I stopped several times to take photos of the mountains in the clouds. It would never become commonplace to me to see this view.

This lovely composition is my fellow (Gemini) artist Matt's shoes and his journal for the week!!! I was TRYING to stay serious and focused during our closing circle, but I looked down to see this marvelous ensemble and couldn't resist.

Later this evening I'll be posting some additional photos of the Visual Journaling workshop, including ones of Eric Scott and Dave Molder, our fearless leaders in that quest. Please watch for their work to appear in book form sometime soon, and remember to look for their names if you are checking out some workshops or conference presentations, as they are marvelous leaders through the process of visual journaling.

Back soon!

Lynda

Visual Journaling- Part I

2008-02-21T06:12:00.005-05:00

Greetings from the mountains of western North Carolina! Here is a detail from a stained glass window I enjoyed on a "scavenger hunt" to greater downtown Sylva.

Lovely, no? I'm hoping this will inspire some journal pages. I love the colors.

It is 36 degrees here in Cullowhee, in the mountains of western North Carolina, but most of us here have not thought too much about the weather lately, because we have been spending 12 hour days in the studio. The two facilitators are marvelous and I will write about them more at length in another post. They have led us through writing prompts, suggested the myriad ways to confront the enemy (the blank page), and demonstrated methods of image transfer, watercolor, and use of photos and other artifacts in our journaling. All of us have already made vast progress.

I wandered some about the studio yesterday and there was a true visual feast! Each of us (24) has interpreted the prompts and inspirations in our own way, through our own vision, and the results are absolutely beautiful, awe-inspiring, touching, funny, and in many ways, surprising. We have been urged to be honest and to share what we choose to share with the group. Here are some pages (some in progress) from my own "Transformation" journal.

The cover:

Symbols and meanings: the swirl, the circle, the square, the triangle, the cross.

Next is a background process for these facing pages -- all in blue. I had somewhat of an idea where it would go, and this morning I will finish it and post the finished product here. The background is watercolor, sprinkled with salt, then dried, after which I took a fine point black pen and emphasized some of the lines created by the watercolor.

After the blue page is My coffee page! I began by staining the pages with coffee from a spray bottle. I collaged torn and scrunched pieces of brown paper and dress pattern tissue for both color and texture, then journaled on them. Here is a detail from that page showing my journaling about my mother, father, and the proprietor of a cafe in France...all about coffee! I then had to scribble in a verse of the "Java Jive"!

The next images are from "I NEED" page and "I WANT" page. what I need is TIME, hence the clock theme on that page. On the other, I used many tiny copies of my own art and photography, as well as images clipped from magazines and other ephemera. There is even a tiny square from the cover of one of my antique copies of LITTLE WOMEN.

Enjoy these, and please leave comments or questions. I'll post again before the end of the week. I can't wait to get to breakfast and back into the studio! Thanks for visiting. Lynda

Transformation -- the definition of art?

2008-02-03T18:15:00.000-05:00

Welcome to February! I don't care if the groundhog saw his shadow -- I have figured out that I can wear fuzzy socks, velour warmups, and curl up under a nice quilt if I need to! I have a great recipe for sugar-free hot chocolate, so I am set!

I'm off to a visual journaling class in the mountains of western NC in two weeks, and as an exercise before I go, I created a self-portrait, so I'll post it here before running to the other room to watch the Super Bowl. I am rooting for the underdog (Giants)!

Lynda (on her way to curl up)

Art and order...not always compatible in my house...

2008-01-21T17:35:00.000-05:00

Hello, everyone. I have 3 glorious days off -- hooray! I am facing 2 more days that I will fill with art and my continuing project of re-organizing!

Today and yesterday I finished getting Christmas stuff out of the way, and I began re-doing a room upstairs which will become the art room. I still have my computers and digital art things downstairs, but the stashes of paints and papers and beads and jewelry supplies, not to mention books and magazines about art, were keeping me from having a workspace around the computer, and that I must have.

I will take some photos tomorrow and share my plans for storage, but will say today that I made certain all my large ephemera (sheet music, large prints, photos, composition books) was safely tucked away in clear archival envelopes and put into a rolling storage tower. THAT made me feel pretty good, actually. The smaller items are in boxes on shelves in my usual workspace, as I love to have them close to me! I am framing (shadow-boxing) some of my 3D items, such as keys and eyeglasses, and I know I will enjoy them more that way.

News on the CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS story -- it will be published in the March/April issue, so be certain to watch for it the end of February: ARTIST to ARTIST with Lynda Boltz - by Lesley Riley. It is SO exciting.

Here is one of my incarnations of Nana's photo...I am fond of this texture but will be using this image for many things.

Have a great day and week, everyone!

Lynda

Re-organization -- a resolution

2008-01-01T19:15:00.000-05:00

So today I made a resolution: I will try my best to organize things. Understand (as I must) that I have many categories of stuff. Here are a few:

1. Vintage photos, composition books, magazines, hankies, eyeglasses, keys, coins, greeting cards, letters.
2. Photo printing supplies: ink, paper (many many different kinds), printer (BIG one).
3. Writing supplies: paper, pens, cards, addresses, letters, bills, checks, envelopes, stamps, stickers, journals (many).
4. Photos: boxes and boxes
5. CD's: music, software, files saved to CD or DVD.
6. Magazines: craft, photo, travel.
7. iMac computer
8. Canon scanner
9. PowerBook laptop computer
10. books on photos, printing, collage, etc.
11. Craft supplies -- you don't even want to KNOW how many and what kind at this point.

I have a room upstairs that can be fitted for some of this, but all the shelves, etc., have to be cleaned out to make room. There are also closets up there...hmm. I have much of my stuff on a great antique pub table downstairs, and I love to work at this table. I have a storage armoire. I have a file cabinet that doubles as a printer stand. I have a bookcase.

I will figure it out. Eventually. Got any ideas for me?

Happy New Year.

Lynda

Happy New Year -- a look back at vintage photos!

2007-12-31T11:36:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! As I close out '07, I am looking forward to new artistic endeavors and equipment/software to inspire and motivate me all year long. I just purchased a new scanner (Canon 8800F) and am getting fullblown Photoshop for the first time. (I have been using Elements all this time, but it has been wonderful and sufficient.)

In addition, I recently acquired some new (old) family photos, plus my daughter gave me some delightful images from her shopping trip to an antique store in PA, and I will share those at a future time. Now I will quickly post a wonderful shot of my grandmother Nana when she was a child. (She doesn't look too happy in this shot!) I look forward to using this in some restoration work and some art pieces!

Everyone have a marvelous and safe New Year's Eve, and a prosperous and artistic 2008.

Sincerely,
Lynda

One week of art and anticipation...

2007-12-16T16:38:00.000-05:00

Here we are, one week and a couple of days until Christmas. I am finally finishing my cards. I used the poinsettia photo I took in Texas, Photoshopped it a bit, and printed in in PrintShop for ease of use. I embossed some simple images on the envelopes -- snowflakes on some, trees on others -- and they will be off tomorrow! My last package to out of state folks was sent Friday, and I have only some immediate family to finish wrapping gifts for. Whew.

I put out my Dickens village this year -- but put it under the tree -- and I'll never be sorry I did it this way! I have enjoyed it so much! My mother gave me a new piece, the "Victorian University" and it is the centerpiece.

Love and joy to all...I'll be writing more later on this week!

Lynda

Art is in what the day brings

2007-12-04T19:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I flew back to North Carolina from Texas. As we took off from Dallas, it hardly seemed possible that I had been there for nearly a week, and that I went to be there for my mother and siblings after the death of my father. What I remembered most were the stories we told, the music we sang and heard, and the flowers.

Advent is upon us, and Daddy's new beginning seems perfectly timed with the season. I post here this brief note and a snowy poinsettia, one that I am currently embellishing for an art piece. Next is one glimpse of the sunrise on my last morning in Texas.

Welcome to the beauty of the season. Savor what the day brings.

Lynda

Beauty in the eye...

2007-11-26T19:27:00.000-05:00

...of the beholder is food for the artist.

Today I drove down a local street to run an errand, but the autumn leaves slowed me down -- they were practically glowing. The maples seemed achingly beautiful to me today, and as I listened to Bach on the radio and drank in all the orange and red of the trees, I truly thought I was going to have to pull off the road and cry. Instead, I ran my errand quickly and drove back again along the same road on the journey home. I wasn't disappointed.

Let me share a bit of autumn's glory -- not a maple, but a crepe myrtle in my own yard.

Arty note: notice that the leaves in the background seem a mosaic, a planned background that I could have painted before I put in the main subject. If I Photoshop this photo a bit more, the background will seem just that -- perhaps a watercolor. One more photo before I go -- this one I blurred intentionally as I took it, just to see if I could MAKE these colors into a watercolor-like background. Bingo!

Analyze all the colors and shapes of your photos. What seems to you to be "merely" a tree or some leaves in focus may magically transform itself before your eyes -- into something achingly beautiful.

Hope you all found some beauty today.

Lynda

Nana would've laughed...

2007-11-24T21:17:00.000-05:00

...at this photo, but sometimes ya just gotta play!

Subject: me
Medium: Photo Booth on the Intel iMac

Why??? : for fun

Lynda

Back again...making art and writing.

2007-11-24T16:17:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Thanks to the loyal ones who kept checking here to see if I would reappear. Long stories aside, I finished all but one fall concert, went to my HS reunion, saw my father and mother, and kept right on collecting treasures to use in my art...but neglected this blog.

I'm here to say I am back. My friend Cynthia gently chided me for being away, so I promised her (and myself) I would share all that is going on, plus continue with my artistic plans, AND share some good news as well.

Here is an autumn scene from Old Salem, North Carolina. I always make a fall pilgrimage there after our annual music conference in Winston-Salem. The fall leaves never look prettier than they do there.
Sad news first -- my father passed away yesterday in Texas, and I am on my way there Wednesday. He was 78 and had been ill for over two years. I love him and we will all miss him. He was the salt of the earth, a common-sense man, die-hard Cowboys fan, and totally devoted to my mother and us. I give thanks that he was my father and that he lived such a good and full, giving, life.

Artistically, my family is still, and will be, a continuous source of support and inspiration for me. I'll be sharing some old photos of my maternal grandmother, the one who gave us the "book" that was my original collage "heart". I have photos of her when she was very small. They cry out for restoration and to be included in some very special creations.

Additionally, I feel the need to keep communications very strong this holiday season, and I am sharing the photo I'm using on our Christmas cards this year. Try taking photos of your holiday decorations and your home, as well as your family itself. Those are the tender glimpses that your friends and family want you to share with them this joyous season.

Some very good news, in 2 parts:
1. I just found out I received my National Board Certification in teaching (Music). It is a year-long (plus) project, and in hours seems to rival another master's degree. I'm very proud of finishing the process, and particularly proud of certifying.

2. ART NEWS: Watch for Lesley Riley's interview with me, "Artist to Artist" in the January issue of CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS! I loved working with Lesley on this project, and am super excited to know they will be publishing 3 pieces of my artwork! Hooray! Everybody watch for it.

One last note -- I am signed up to go to Tuscany next June 2008 to take Lesley's course, sponsored by Art & Soul, but I know they are still trying to sign up the minimum number of participants. Think about it, and how beautiful and awesome an experience it will be, and join us! Information is on the Art and Soul site. Consider this a personal plea from me!

Back to Christmas cards and emails and packing for my trip to Texas. I hope everyone had a warm and joyous Thanksgiving, and that it is just the very beginning of an extra-special holiday season, 2007!

Warmly,
Lynda

Thoughts after a break...

2007-09-25T20:56:00.000-04:00

Good evening, everyone! I have taken a small break from blogging, but am back. I am a fulltime teacher in a year-round middle school, and we're just finishing a looooonnnggg month of work, work, work - big assembly, honors chorus auditions, concert preparation!

Our Professional Learning Community is reading ARTS WITH THE BRAIN IN MIND by Eric Jensen, and I was just thinking today about how music, visual arts, and movement all collaborate in my brain sometime. Paintings/collages have movement, color, balance, and show our thoughts or moods. I have been looking at others' websites, blogs, and art, and I am moved by so much of it. I can only hope that something of mine will have a deep effect on someone else at some point.

So I post just one tiny piece of art tonight and I hope that it speaks to you. It is a quote I adore. I used a scan of some end papers of a rare book in my collection in order to frame the quote. I printed this and it is on my classroom door. It is my mantra today, I believe, having just been discussing the book I mentioned, and talking to colleagues about the difference between hearing and listening. My colleague, a dance educator, told me that one child in her last period class answered the question: "So what is the music telling you?" by saying offhandedly, "Oh I don't listen to the music!" Arrrrrgggh. Sometimes we must be VERY quiet.

So quiet I will be. I am on my way to Texas for a class reunion and to see my family. I will be quiet at least on the plane ride.

Lynda

Looking forward to the weekend -- make art!

2007-08-30T20:23:00.000-04:00

It's Thursday night. I'm tired but I need to do some washing. My wonderful housekeeper is coming tomorrow, and I know that by the time I drag myself in the door tomorrow evening, I'll be tired, but oh, so glad to see the squeaky clean kitchen and everything else in its place. Wow. What a well-worth-it extravagance!!!!

This weekend I will read the stack of old letters and scan some old postcards I have been hoarding. I have one of a Japanese woman in traditional dress. It appears to be a photo, but it has been hand-colored and is gorgeous.

I'm not writing much tonight, but wanted to share something I made last year for my exploratory music class. We were learning about ballads, and my favorite example is "One Tin Soldier", so I made a poster while I was thinking about it.

The background is a wallpaper scrap, then there is some music manuscript, and the top layer is a scan of a letter written home from the front during WWI by a French soldier. I added the text and that was that. Maybe some of my new letters will tell me what to do with them!

Goodnight from my messy table.

Lynda

Where do you get these ideas? Hmmm??

2007-08-26T21:56:00.001-04:00

Tonight I'm inspired to talk about inspiration! I've tried to analyze how I come up with ideas, and there isn't a pattern. At times I find new designs upon waking, sometimes from nature or photographs of nature, and some come from who knows where. But the point is that I use whatever comes into my brain -- no, not everything is gold -- but the ideas are MINE.

There are weeks when I don't make art, but rather allow ideas, or inklings of ideas, to percolate. When it is time, I know it, and I head for my workspace. Right now I work at an antique English pub table in a corner of our (big) bedroom. Eventually I hope to have a dedicated space, but this is fine for now. My table has, from left to right, a stack of file baskets, mail baskets, iMac desktop computer and keyboard, lamp, scanner, and Mac Powerbook. On a stand to my right is my Canon i9100 photo printer, and behind me are a shelf and an armoire loaded to the gills with all my "stuff". My collections are in envelopes and boxes and files, and all my papers are stacked up and waiting. My cameras are nearby for uploading photos, and I'm surrounded by inspiration.

Oh yes, I should tell you about the latest addition to my inspiration collection -- a stack of WWII era letters I bought on eBay. I will read them and scan some of them for ideas OR to use for backgrounds. I know I have some photos that would layer well with these! I also know that the stamps and postmarks on some of the envelopes will make striking accents for these new art pieces.

Off to collect more ideas...goodnight from the studio of the Island Queen. Here's to new ideas every day!

Lynda

Thinking about the mechanics of collage...

2007-08-19T18:35:00.000-04:00

Good evening! I was thinking...there are so many tiny details of creating a digital collage that I do automatically. I click on Command/X or Command/Z and I go back and forth between selecting one layer and editing another. I'm saying I have learned so much BY DOING that I don't always have to think about each step anymore.

I was asked to analyze the creation of a specific piece of art for an interview, and it was good for me to do so, but it was difficult to take it apart, step by step, after the fact. Once I finished, however, I realized that I had quite accurate a recollection of the process. In addition,I read today in another artist's blog that she was frustrated with creating the step-by-step art pieces for the illustrations of a book she is writing, and I completely understand!

So I'm choosing to post a piece tonight that is simple for me deconstruct, and perhaps helpful to someone for me to do so. Here is "Island Queen".

The background is an original watercolor...swirls and dots in a random pattern. I scanned it and started with that layer. Next I added the Island Queen's face. She was the design on the cover of a piece of antique sheet music from my collection. I used the Enhance/Color options to make the ribbons and flowers deeper in hue, then "posterized" (Photoshop filter) her. Next I searched for something that would be a "natural" border; i.e., something I could drag over and use without too much modification. I found it -- a scan of an old cigar box! I "removed" the parts I didn't want, using the "magic wand" and "select" tools, and dragged my border over onto my image. All I had to do to make it fit was adjust it slightly for size. *Note that I left some areas of the box which appeared to add texture to my painted background.

Last, I added the letters. I had found some antique letter stamps (lucky me!), and I arranged them appropriately (upside-down) on my scanner bed and scanned them. I saved the words as a .jpg file, removed the background, and dragged them over to my Queen! I posterized the letters to give them depth, then flattened the image and signed my name.

Island Queen reigns.

Hope everyone had a great Sunday!
Lynda

Creating your own backgrounds...one idea

2007-08-16T16:13:00.000-04:00

Happy Thursday! I had a workday at my school, and it was marvelous to spend the day working with adults! Of course, we laughed and played like our students, but it was refreshing, to say the least.

I believe that hanging out with my fellow arts folks at school is a big inspiration for my art. In the first place, they support my work in both music and art, and that encourages me to make more of each. In addition, I see the contributions of others in other art areas every day: visual arts, instrumental music, and dance.

Today I was thinking about painting. I seldom paint. As a child, I drew and painted a great deal, but I always quit trying to make things realistic after awhile, and enjoyed sort of smushing (artistic term) colors around, and particularly liked new, exciting, and unexpected results! So I wanted to write today about painting as a background for digital collage -- not painting with Photoshop, although that is another great method for making lovely backgrounds -- but rather, watercolor.

Now I was terrified to use watercolors. All my early attempts had seemed a muddy mess. But I discovered Zia's Chroma Sprays. I found them by taking one of Zana Clark's great classes through Art and Soul in Hampton, VA, but I see that they are now available on her website, stampzia.com, and they are gorgeous!

Once I wasn't so afraid to experiment with them, I went crazy creating backgrounds! I layered colors. I used a resist and sometimes a black marker or metallic paint to accent. So much fun! I scanned the painting into my computer and used it as a whole in some pieces, and portions of it in others. I found I could modify it digitally and create an entirely new painting at a touch. The piece at the top of this posting is "Trump"; the second is "Let's Play a Game". Both were made from the same background painting. The lower piece is "L'oiseau". I love these colors!

I leave for two days of state music association board meetings, and will post again when I return. Have an artful weekend.

Happy painting! Be brave. Be very brave.
Lynda

The Artist's Eye and Looking through your own personal microscope

2007-08-13T18:05:00.000-04:00

I turned the pages of Nana's Book slowly, so as not to crumble the edges or remove them from their seating in the spine, fragile as it was. I learned how valuable it was to work slowly as I turned and discovered this page -- a girl's picture -- carefully glued down onto the page of lines and lines of typing. The young lady who was doing the gluing must have wielded a heavy hand on this page, for it seemed she left a bit more glue in one spot than she should have, and perhaps it had not completely dried by the time she closed the book for the day. By the time I turned the page, a spot in the hair of the young woman pictured had scraped or pulled away, revealing the word "may".

Oh, my! I immediately named this photo "May", and I gingerly scanned her right away.
The next time I came across her on my computer, I decided to make her three faces in one. I began playing with reversing the image, as well as varying transparency of each image. What resulted was "Three Faces May".

The last time I called upon May to be my subject I combined her face with the enigmatic "May" with some details from an old leather-bound copy of "LITTLE WOMEN", my favorite book. As I played with the text and the outside cover, and as I pasted some of the text from the book into the art piece, I was reminded of the words Alcott chose to describe the March girls' Christmas breakfast. She described the oranges and the coffee so delectably that I could, and can, almost smell and taste them. I vowed I'd write like that some day! I'm still trying. Here is "Pretty Little Woman May".

Now when I am looking over any ephemera I have collected, I put it under my best personal microscope: my own eyes and imagination. You would be amazed at what I see.

Lynda

Using collections artfully

2007-08-10T10:51:00.000-04:00

I began using images from my collections -- scanning them and tweaking them when I chose, often simply using one as a background upon which to place another image. One of my collections is antique sheet music (remember, my first profession is as a singer/vocal music teacher). My mother and I were antiquing in Texas once, and we found a treasure-trove of old music with gorgeous covers. I chose one with a title something like "I love you 'cause your hair is curly!". I loved the title (Mother remembered the song) and the cover art.

Using "Curly" as my centerpiece, I modified an old page and book cover to use as a background, copied some old art-nouveau images as a border, and crowned the image with old keys (of course). The result was "Curly Sue with Keys".

I keep, like many artists, folders and boxes filled with the small things that "I might use one day". When that day came, I added bits and bobs clipped from paper napkins and fabric to a background made from the inside front cover of Nana's book. The textures seemed to move forward, toward my eyes, and I found that even what seems to be two-dimensional may fool the eye into thinking it has more depth! I chose another of the etchings of a nineteeth-century actress and used her image to complete "Teal Lynda". You see, I think she looks like me, the me of my memory, of my youthful face and body. I believe that much of our art is autobiographical in some way. Surely "Teal Lynda" is, for me, myself -- Lynda, Island Queen*.

One comment about my digital compositions: I use Photoshop Elements and an Apple computer. I am purposely not going into technical detail here about the use of the software, as there are those more qualified to do that. I'm largely self-taught, although Leslie Parsons taught me some tricks during her Art and Soul workshops. Thanks, Leslie. I'd suggest anyone interested in digital collage check out some of those classes, and/or some of the great books on the subject. Many titles are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

My next topic will be "The artist's eye and looking through your own personal microscope"!

Lynda

*footnote: I became the Island Queen while living on Hilton Head Island, SC (someone has to do it!). A dear friend crowned me with that title, and I happily claim it. Thank you, AJ. The tiara fits.

The beginning - Nana's book

2007-08-05T18:32:00.000-04:00

When my mother gave me this book, she said herself she didn't know what I'd do with it, or if I'd even want it. I had been devouring all the art and books of Nick Bantock, and finally I realized that something I had said a couple of years earlier was coming to pass. I had looked at all the antique letters and books I collected, and had said, "You know, someday I will know what all of this is for, and it will all make sense to me!" Well...I opened that book, and had my answer.

Every page tells a story. I poured over this book, carefully lifting and turning pages, because they were brittle. I found enough material to use forever!

After seeing it all, I was overwhelmed. I began scanning pages, but also considering what pages were good background textures, and which images would be the focal points of new pieces of art, and what would look best a teensy bit transparent against a background filled with mysterious handwriting or faded copies of etchings.

I began to collect things -- not that I wasn't an avid collector before this -- but now I had a purpose! I scoured everywhere for old photos, cabinet cards, letters, poetry, and books. I used books' end papers and outside covers as backgrounds. So many had beautiful patinas and I knew would be the perfect foil for other items.

Keys -- there are keys in many of my pieces -- and they are scånned from real keys. I collected keys, spectacles, gloves, stamps, sea glass, shells, coins, antique game pieces, and they all became part of my Working Scans files on my iMac. Yes, I am a loyal Macophile.

One of the most exciting collections I own and continue to build is the box of composition books I have bought on auction sites. I have books with the handwriting of 19th century schoolgirls, one which has that gorgeous script including the lyrics to all the popular songs of the day. Others include poems and sermons. I began buying diaries, but most of them are not romantic and dramatic, but rather list the activities of the day. I buy them anyway, because occasionally I find a forgotten letter or photo inside, and remember, the outside cover is often the best find of all!

Here are some glimpses inside the book...what a treasure!

Lynda

The beginning of Island Queen's image-making

2007-08-04T10:31:00.000-04:00

Today I begin to tell the story of Island Queen Images, and I hope it inspires others to create!
"Genevieve's Conscience" is one of the first images I made after my initial "aha moment" at the beginning of this phase of my artist's career.

It began with an old book found in Nana's storehouse -- a great name for a shop someday, I think -- but I digress. My mother gave me this book, given her by her mother. I will dig it out today and take its photo in total for the next posting, but it will be difficult to show how fabulous it truly is. It was an old copy of the Congressional Record. A young lady of the late 19th century, in the fashion of the day, took this old book and made a scrapbook of it. She pasted in poems, church literature, copies of etchings and watercolors, ads from magazines and newspapers, and greeting cards. Some of the pages were works of art in and of themselves!

I began to turn the pages (carefully) and explore what I saw. The textures literally jumped off the page! There were layers of color and line, just the way my mind was seeing the art I wanted to create. I scanned a few images and realized this was to be the basis for my art. My collection of old documents and other ephemera began the day I got to know Nana's book.

Genevieve (my name for her) was an actress of her day, and the young lady who clipped her portrait had saved it and several others and added them to the scrapbook. I layered her image, some ancient music staves, a few ads, and other miscellaneous images, all against the background of the inside cover of the book itself, complete with faded ink signatures of the scrapbook-maker. Voila -- "Genevieve's Conscience"!

Welcome to the Island Queen's new blog!

2007-08-02T15:25:00.000-04:00

Hello, everyone. I hope my fellow artists, family, and friends will read and post here. I'll be talking about art, inspiration, and perspiration! Join me as I try to stay up to date!

Lynda