Archive for February, 2009
Torso Class
As I mentioned previously I am taking a torso making class led by artist Tammy Vitale, in her studio in Lusby.
I have been totally enjoying the process and learned lots of little technical things about clay and how it works.
Below are images of Tammy teaching us how to “wedge” the clay while standing at her slab roller. Then she shows us how to make sure each slab it connected to make bigger slabs and roll them then smooth them properly.
The bottom photo is of my torso still on its armature. I went back Sundy for a very brief but important hands-on lesson in removing the torso from the armature. Next week is glaze – can’t wait!
One of my favorite techniques that I use in my tiles is stamping designs into the clay. I am going to try out carving some of my own stamps so my tiles and other work are even more unique. Though I doubt I will ever stop using commercial stamps because some of them are so cool and I love them, I think it will be nice to do my own too.
All About Galleries
I am starting from scratch in the Galleries section of this site – but only on the art photos, not the events. I didn’t like how they were different sizes and qualities and watermarks, etc. That is due to the fact I have been photographing and making different websites with different requirements over the years – but I think it’s time for a re-vamp!
I am hoping to have all of the gallery images that I have photos of and would like to have in the gallery up by the end of Sunday. It’s good to have goals!
More Art Adventures
I am pretty excited that I will be taking the Tammy Vitale torso class I mentioned in a recent entry. That’s starts Saturday.
Today I will be working on uploading some of my work to my galleries right here on my art site.
Here is another image I created from layering photos. The models – Rob and Jackie – were photographed in a friend’s secluded yard about seven years ago. It was one of my first photo sessions and I didn’t know a whole lot about lighting and my camera was only 2 or 3megapixels – which isn’t much better than your average cellphone cam.
Here is the outcome of yesterday’s photo adventure. It was called, “Wake Up Little Fairy” before it was altered. I think maybe it’s now called, “Violet Angel 2″ – to see the first Violet Angel, scroll down the page a little to the previous entry.
Violet Angel
This photo of Robin was taken about seven years ago. I had just gotten a brand new Fuji Finepix 2megapixel camera and she was a willing model. I didn’t know anything about lighting or color balance and stuff. We were just experimenting. The night before Jackie and I had thrown a Fairy Party and Robin and costumes were around the next day – so we ate breakfast and just played a bit. Now seven years later after honing some graphic editing skills, I am playing with lots of the photos – the thousands of photos – I have sitting on my hard-drive.
The above photo is in my old back yard. the below photo is after tinkering and finetuning it in Photoshop.
Romeo & Juliet – The Faerie Version
This is a layering of images of trees and crystals as well as wings. The photo of the models was for promotional materials for Port Tobacco Players production of Romeo & Juliet something like five years ago. The photos were early ones for Will and me. We were had a 2mpix camera and used one heavy light plus the theatre house lights. It didn’t hurt that the models were great!
Yay, more faeries!
*UPDATE*
Facebook removed my Christiania Fairy. I have considered doing a slightly different version of it – with some flowers or something showing over some of the upper torso. I don’t know. We’ll see.
***
One of my favorite and most adventerous art models, Christiana, is now a fairy too. I have many more photos of her I can’t wait to turn into fairy photos. This particular photo isn’t quite done, but I’m not 100% sure what is left that I want to do to her. I think maybe I’ll do a version where her skin is more translucent and you can see plants through it. Or perhaps add some flowers – or lights – to her hair. I will do it when I know what it is I want to do.
In the meantime, here is today’s creation:
More Fairy Love
I worked last night and this morning on another fairy portrait.
First I took photos in my tiny little bohemian garage studio:
Then I take lots of photos that I own the copyright to (I took them, or the hubby took them, etc.) and layer, layer, layer, merge, layer, apply effects etc.
Then this is the final result:
The mushroom was lucky the way one little one was beneath her feet – that was all chance.
Fairy Things
Since my studio is clean I have time to work with just about any medium I like! Today I played around with some photos. I took a photo from a session with my friend Jackie and layered it and applied some filters and stuff. I have lots of wonderful photos to work with so I’m looking forward to doing lots more.
I am hoping to do these for commission for anybody who would like to be a fairy!
An Organized Studio
have been complaining for a looooong time that I can’t get my studio organized. It’s been a real pain in the ass trying to get things organized in a way that is functional. I finally FINALLY have done it with help from my family. Amber filed mounds of papers several months ago. Robert is going to file the last bit. Jade helped me organize bins and art supplies. Will put up shelves. I shredded at least six trash bags full of stuff, some of which I’ve had since the early 90s! I don’t know how we’ve managed lately but my house has also stayed clean too. You don’t understand what a magical feat this is for this house. A few new rules have made things so much easier on us all, but mostly me and Will – who end up doing the lion’s share of the housework. That frees up time for me to do…well, work other than housework and mom duties.
Of course no “after” photos are any good without a “before” to go by. So, I dug into my archives and found these photos from 12/07 (click image to see larger versions):
Now – here is the clean studio – ready to CREATE. Everything I need and I will actually be able to FIND IT! I wonder how many other artists struggle with disorganized and zany studio environment? It was really hard to decide what I needed and what needed to go. What was in my way and what was something that actually helped. Sometimes the decision wasn’t that hard, but other times it was hard to let go. After seeing these photos I realize we needed Niecy’s help! LOL!
AFTER
Will brightens up any studio – and not just cuz he put those shelves in!
Adventures in Clay
I am excited that I will be taking a class on making torsos, by one of Maryland’s best clay mistresses – Tammy Vitale.
Here are class details – hope to see you there!
Would you like to make a torso similar to this one?
Torso Class
All Materials Included
$150
Tammy Vitale is a professional artist who has been making clay torsos for 4 years for commission and retail sales. You can see more of her work on her bog: http://www.tammyvitale.com.
Above is Tammy’s “Island Girl” torso.
Class Schedule
Saturday 2/21 10-3 make torso (learn how to manipulate clay)
Sunday 2/22 10-1 come back and take it off the armature.
Saturday 2/28 11-1 glaze your piece and/or learn how to cold finish
Saturday 3/7 pick up fired piece.
Contact Tammy to register for the class:
Tammy Vitale
Lusby, Maryland
410.326.9473
