Digital Collage: Lonely

Lonely, digital collage

Lonely speaks of the odd, the off, the different. What is this man's story? Is he angry, resolute? Does he play music or only wish so? The eye in the box gives the sense of him never feeling quite free of judgement. The discarded doll; a discarded childhood? The man is eccentric and alone, standing at the edge of the composition. Soft shadowing keeps him feeling outside of things. Broken and degraded is the environment. Lonely is the mystery of the outcast, the forgotten. From where has he come, where has he to go?

Digital Collage: Duo

Duo, digital collage

Duo

Duo pays homage to my musical sisters who delight me with their tunes, laughter and joy. I am fortunate enough to be a party to and friends of many talented women in the Wichita, Kansas area.

I collect images, particularly vintage images. If they are musical, all the better. This piece showcases a rare vintage scene - one depicting action. Common photos of the time are rigidly posed, as most cameras had long exposures and the subject had to sit still for a long time.

The subjects are given wings of blue, then surrounded with florals. I cut, paste, multiply and repeat the flower elements until I am happy with my garden. To use an image several times, I vary the size and direction of it. This helps make it look more natural all together.

My fairies are then painted with a digital airbrush to bring them to life with color. The remainder of the collage is airbrushed, including the starlit background.

Digital Collage: Baby June

Gypsy Baby, digital collage

Baby June

This digital collage uses a vintage image of June Havoc, sister of Gypsy Rose Lee. The photo spoke to me; her rehearsed pose, her little girl hands.

I mix old and new, object and abstract. This piece was an exploration of transparency in digital tools. I often saturate the colors, giving the subject an otherworldly element, dreamlike.

The background branch-like shapes are abstracts of one of my beaded necklace photographs.