Category: News

Digital Image Transfer and Mixed Media Workshop

That’s right people…I’m teaching a Digital Image Transfer and Mix Media Workshop February 11th and 12th at The Studios of Key West!!  And if ya didn’t know already, I’m pretty stoked about it!!

In this unique two-day workshop, participants will learn the techniques of digital image transferring while creating distinctive, one-of-a kind prints onto a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal foils, and fine art papers.  Day two takes the initial results further with the incorporation of mixed media including watercolors, oil paints and encaustic wax. This hands-on workshop is for artists and photographers seeking more creative options for their imagery. Emphasis is on exploration and experimentation.

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Results of day 1 image transfers onto a variety of art papers.

 

I test drove this workshop a few weeks back with some good friends and got some really great results!  Many thanks to Jen Bull Wood and Christi George for helping me fine tune the experience that is coming to TSKW this February!

 

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With the images above, Jen first distressed the transfer film before transferring it onto watercolor paper.  She then hand colored the image with water color pencils and dipped it into encaustic wax.

 

 

 

For the following images, Christi used a white transfer solution to release her image onto a metal foil substrate.  She then added encaustic wax and paints, and applied oil pastels into scraped limbs details of this tree.

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On Day 1, Jen first distressed and then transferred this awesome image of her son Silas onto tissue paper.  Day 2, she took that image, attached it to a canvas and encased it with encaustic wax and paints.

 

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And finally, this last image…a happy surprise.  When Jen transferred this image to tissue paper, it bled onto the craft paper underneath it…totally unintentional….love it’s soft focus and ghostly feel!

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Click HERE For more information on the workshop I will be teaching at TSKW on February 11th and 12th from 10am-4pm.

I am also teaching an Image Transfer Class for Kids on Saturday February 13th from 10am-12pm.

 

Announcing Luminiferous: Adventures in Metal

I’m am excited to officially announce my upcoming exhibition, Luminiferous: Adventures in Metal, at the University of Alabama in Huntsville‘s Wilson Hall Gallery from March 7th – 28th, 2016!

I am currently exploring the world of digital photographic transfer techniques reminiscent of old school alternative processes.  By printing onto specially coated transfer film, my images are released onto a variety of substrates with custom made transfer mediums.  This process reiterates the print making pleasures I experienced when creating photo emulsion transfers and lifts with Polaroid film.  At the same time, the superimposing of images to create a final piece emulates the multi-layered, 19th century photographic printing process of Gum Dichromates.  I find myself continually looking to the past to process the present.

Luminiferous: Adventures in Metal, features an image transfer process solely onto metal substrates.  The decision to work with metal is a direct result of searching for the reflective light I once took for granted living near the ocean.

Here is a time lapsed video of my recent full on production mode.  Stay tuned for more info as the exhibition draws near!!

 

 

 

KNLT Pine Mountain Artist Retreat

This past fall, I was invited to attend an artist retreat with the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust in Pine Mountain State Park.  KNLT has started hosting retreats where they invite 20-25 artists to join them in the Pine Mountain Wildlands Corridor, their primary project area, to learn more about this special place and their efforts to preserve and protect it.

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Fall 2015 Artists’ Retreat ~ photo by Guy Mendes

 

The big weekend activity was a day long hike in Bad Branch State Nature Preserve.  The specific hike was to High Rock, a massive sandstone extending along the summit offering spectacular views of the Cumberland Plateau.  It was a beautiful autumn weekend.  Clouds in the sky made for the most spectacular light and the views were stunning!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weekend sparked a moving conversation about the role of art and conservation.  As we drove nearly an hour through the mountains to arrive at our departure hiking point at Bad Branch, we passed large mined areas of the ridge, devastating to see and truly sobering.  What can we do as artists to be the voice for nature?  Science doesn’t seem to be getting very far with facts alone.  Art is crucial to making that emotional connection which inspires change.  It got me thinking about my creative voice for nature!

The weekend was transformational.    I was inspired by KNLT and charmed by the Pine Mountain Settlement School.  There was a bonfire and bonafide entertainment.  Met a lot of great people.  Took a lot of deep breaths.  Felt connected.

Thanks to Greg Abernathy from KNLT for all his hard work in making this weekend a success!!  Click to access KNLT Fall Artist Retreat blog post to see who was on the retreat with me!!

Stay tuned for the announcement of an upcoming group show with artists from both the 2015 spring and fall retreats!