madshutterbug: (c) 2011 by Myself: Zone VI 8x10 view camera (View Camera)
It is an old practice for artists to take their inspirational cues from legends, fables, scripture for that matter, and even from other artists work particularly if work comes out of any of the above.

Creating art which comes from a science fiction source (as it were) often requires what people think of as 'special effects' work -- think either the energy beam of Star Trek phasers or Star Wars light sabres, or the transporter effect from Star Trek and yes I reveal some of my fandoms here. Composite work where the artist combines and blends two or more images into a final which exists primarily in their imagination is one of these special effects. Long before 'blue screen' (more properly labeled chroma-key and often using green rather than blue) either stage backdrops or glass screens were painted for the 'alien' landscape and then worked into the scene takes from the storyline. A variation on this is known as 'split screen', another variation is 'back projection'.

One of the pieces I've been working up for, oh, nigh on a couple two-three years calendar time from the creation of one of the components progressed under the 'working title' In the Hall of the Mountain King. This is of course the title of a musical piece written by Edvard Grieg for Henrik Ibsens play Peer Gynt. The play storyline is from a Norwegian fairy tale. So per the opening statement here, the subject of the piece hearkens back to a fairy tale, yet as I worked I knew it held no more linkage to that specific fairy tale than the working title.

Composite pieces are intended to create, as mentioned, a place, a vision, which exists primarily in the artists minds eye. I am frequently asked 'Where is that' related to one or another of my composites. Sometimes my curmudgeonly nature comes through and I obstinately answer, In My Head. This despite recognising that people are asking so that they might be able, some day, to go to a 'place' and see it for themselves. Hobbiton, The Shire is an example of that; Tolkien first established that place in his minds eye writing both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson and associates then created it somewhere in New Zealand to film those sequences for that version of the trilogy. As I understand it, this is now something of a tourist attraction.

Jerry Uelsmann is my first inspiration for this type of work, and I've no idea truly how he might answer the same question. However, in my less curmudgeonly moments I may be a bit more forthcoming about sources, perhaps, or might answer fairly simply yet politely:

This is the Hall of Titans King. Discussion and Image behind the cut. )

Again, then, from a primarily technical point of reference:
- Approximately 72 hours of work
- Two different image manipulation software packages, starting in Photoshop 7 and completing in Gimp
- Seven different images provide the component pieces in total or in part
- Yes, I do pun my titles

The working title, or project title, came along as I started putting things together. That also lets you know some of my musical inclinations, even if I'm not telling you the different 'covers' of the piece I've heard. It isn't a re-telling of the fable, or the play that grew from the fable, or even the specifics of the musical piece as background for a scene in the fable. It is my own short story, 1000 words more or less, which still leaves questions unanswered. The working title did lead to the final title, once I added the celestial image to the overall.
madshutterbug: (c) 2011 by Myself: Zone VI 8x10 view camera (View Camera)
Which is a good way to describe the whole venue of composite artwork, since by definition a composite piece is assembled from at least two images.

I remember thinking (as most probably did any of a lot of other people) when someone first described a piece by Jerry Uelsmann to me: That's not photography. Then I saw one. Now, I'm working on making my own.

Behind the Cut for Maybe Not So Much Work Safe, and... well, biggish )

While the file gets a working name, the piece definitely needs some title other than 'Untitled'. So I'm putting that out here, feel free to suggest a title. I might add incentive if you do.
madshutterbug: (C) 2005 S Grossman (Stalking_Elusive_Photograph)
Posted this to both Flickr and Deviant Art a couple days ago, and showing them locally I am getting a question rather consistently: where is this?

In this instance the answer is 'In my mind, eh!' Astute observers may deduce they know 1/3 of the where (which is, itself, a small clue). Yet this is only true of source material. Really, guys, this is in my mind.

Transporter )
madshutterbug: (c)2009 by Myself (Houdini&I)
I like slow mornings. Quite the 'hook' turn of phrase, that, teasing you into continuing to read I'm sure. This slow morning I've spent with my coffee, and Houdini, and some on-line research in an area I'm wondering why I've spent so little time, considering...

Considering I call myself a science fiction fan, what with starting to read SF - um - I don't remember what age. It is easy to tell you (nor surprising) that some of the famous big names comprised my early reading list: Andre Norton, Arthur Clarke, and of course Robert Heinlein. My oldest sister took me to see 2001: A Space Odyssey in '68. She didn't hold herself to be a big SF fan, nor probably even an SF fan at the time. I think that's when she became one, talking to me after the event.

I love telling people why I consider myself a hard-core Trek fan. Watched the debut aired episode (second in filming order) The Man Trap in the TV department at Sears because my parents insisted (as only parents can) that was the night to get me new clothes for school. With more shopping to do after the clothing purchases, I told them, promised them I'd wait Right Here... and did, managing to see most of the episode. Missed a wee bit of the beginning.

Considering this, I wonder betimes just why my Con attendance is so limited. As in, well, One. Multiple times, yes, yet only one Con.

Considering the biggest reason I started attending Necronomicon again had more to do with the Art Show and my escalating on that long-term plan for 'getting my art out there.' Sort of a different turn of events, since while I do claim to be interested in the surreal I'd not actually until a few years ago thought that could turn into Sci-Fi or Fantasy inspired artwork. Now, I can.

Considering a chat on-line with an artist friend yesterday, when she lobbied pretty hard to convince me to submit artwork to a Con in Virginia, and the hind-brain says to Myself, Myself, DUH! This is quite a venue available for Self-Promotion, eh? That being one of the things I need to learn, it's off to the means to research things, and away we go. Cons? Yup, they're out there. Means to find out when, where? Yup, out there too.

Considering the economy I'm not sure how much travel I'll be doing to attend in person, so that means learning how (not a big leap, really) to ship my artwork to where. On the other hand, depending on where, there may be some travel and personal attendance. Probably will be. Which is dependent on when and where of course. There is, for example, a con coming up in Orlando this weekend. Yah, not so much to be there.

However, two or more months in advance, and I can reasonably think about getting work to a Show. It's not like I need to spend a lot of time getting it ready, I've already made the pieces. There is a logistical decision to make, related to how I've been showing at Necro. The last couple years, I've chosen to display (show) framed finished pieces, and put the matted/mounted/sleeved work into the Print Shop. Shipping framed pieces will be Expensive, so more likely to be sending the matted pieces.

Still... Considering the cost recently researched to get into a very local here in North Central Baja Jorja weekend Arts Festival entails a $20 application fee, if accepted (rounded off) $200 booth fee. The specific price depends on whether I choose a competitive or non-competitive booth space. The application process is weighted to competitive, with three times the number of booth spaces over non-competitive. Either way, the space cost rounds off that price. Beyond cost of goods sold, something I wouldn't actually figure in since unsold pieces are available in future shows, this still means that a break-even weekend starts with bringing in $220 just for Booth fee.

Suddenly, Cons become not only something I know will be fun, will also be somewhat to a lot more cost-effective.

Meanwhile, Houdini is now nudging me to remind me research and prospects all considered, the Ranch Critters are desiring that Morning Rounds be completed.

Right, Then

Mar. 4th, 2009 03:45 pm
madshutterbug: (c)2009 by Myself (Got Oxygen?)
It's a link. No pictures here. These are not the pictures you're looking for.
Move along now.
madshutterbug: (c)2009 by Myself (Default)
It's been on my mind for a while, off and on, and for a variety of reasons. Some of the subject matter, things I'm interested in, check. Opportunities for photography, both sketchbook and contacts for future work on projects, check. Opportunities to dress up, check. So when one of my Muses mentioned a mere week or so ago she is thinking seriously about attending Dragon*Con this year (It's all about the dress-up, don't you know... :D Yes I do, [livejournal.com profile] alienorade) my mind started working on this in a slightly higher gear.

If I'm going, it's time to start the process. Contributing factors include things I've not discussed here yet, will soon, and are feeling a bit... strange. Also included, quite a bit that I mentioned above. This morning I skimmed through the Guest List and recognised one name from my Reading List here which I expected to see, and a few others from various areas I am not surprised to see, and one name from that list that piques my interest for a different reason.

Leonard Nimoy is on the Guest List.

OK. Now, Science Fiction is on my Interests list, and Star Trek could be because it's Science Fiction and hey, I'm a Trekkie from the very beginning. I know I've mentioned someplace here on LJ that I watched the debut episode, the Very First Time Anyone Saw Star Trek, in the TV department of Sears after my parents got me new clothes for school and still had some shopping to do on their own.

So does it surprise you to hear there is a totally different reason I'd just really like to be able to ask Mr. Nimoy for an autograph? Or two.

Yes, there is, Oh My Readers, Mr. Nimoy is an accomplished photographer of The Human Body. I've got a couple of his books. I would really like his autograph on those books.

So. What do you think, Oh My Readers?
madshutterbug: (c)2009 by Myself (Geek)
In Three Parts:
Friday )

Saturday )

Sunday )

After that, another brief conversation with another Dealer in the Dealer Room looking for some resources to make some props I'm contemplating for Studio, plus brief visit with Skippy. Then out the door, across the road for a Subway lunch, and then back up the road to home. Got back to teh Ranch right about 16:00 to an enthusiastic greeting from the Border Collie Bros, and just in time to help Herself replace some of our broken screens. Now, more windows open, far fewer mosquitoes coming in for dinner while we sleep.

Hot, hot soak before bed and after a dinner of Herself's Fried Rice along with watching 'The Water Horse' which she'd recorded while I was gone. All in all, a good weekend followed by a great evening home.

But, yanno, I don't think we're in our 30's any more, Toto.
madshutterbug: (c)2009 by Myself (Shutterbuggin')
Pay no mind to the man behind the camera.

Quick recount of the Con so far. Two interesting panels. Quite a bit interesting in the Art Auction room. Some interesting things in the Dealers Room. One interesting video watched. Robert DeNiro as (well, I'm still not quite sure which of the two, so) either a gay, or a cross-dressing, pirate. Yes, I shall want to watch this one again (Stardust). Some outstanding costumes in the Costume Contest. And several old friends visited with.

And a lot of sketch-book photos made. Which means y'all will probably only see about 10% of them, but the rest are most excellent food for thought on some projects percolating away in the hind brain.

And Houdini, not to worry, I shall be home tomorrow.
madshutterbug: (c)2009 by Myself (Geek)
On this date in 1907 Robert Anson Heinlein was born in Butler Missouri. If you're wondering why this means anything to me, you've not read my Interests on the Profile, eh? Mr. Heinlein is sometimes called the Dean of American Science Fiction. I don't know about that. I do consider him a consumate storyteller, one who to the best of my knowledge never claimed to be anything but a storyteller. That's as opposed to, say, a literary genious.

Probably because of that honesty, as well as inate skill, he is indeed one of my favourite writers. And so I nod my head towards Missouri today, lift a glass, and say, "TANSTAAFL."

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