Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Toys in the Attic by J.C.


This is a photo taken by dear friend who lives in France. He like myself is an avid antique and toy collector. This is a photo that he made for my father who is a painter and enjoys set ups to paint from. Amazingly this is only a partial set up as most of these things are really sitting on shelves in his attic. I really love this image and it is only part of the whole photo as there is so much its impossible to see any details so I cropped it a little to have a closer view at all the wonder that is there. Feast your eyes. I hope that this new year will be a great new begining for all of us and also that somehow the conflicts around the world will find a peaceful solution. Enjoy your day and remember to take heart in the little things and never forget the past as it is our window to a bright future!

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Just another way to paint photos!



These are two examples I came across in a photo album I was dismantling for sales on ebay. I couldn't help but show these as before the Marshall company sold their photo paints for the average photographer and family picture taker, folks would desperately attempt to color their photos with food dye. I am starting to like this look because it really is the most simplistic way to tint the images but yet retains a garish look one that nowdays might even seem artistic!
At any rate this is my post after a long and many handmadeitems for family later and I, for one, am thrilled it is over. And every year I say the same thing.. not many appreciate the handmade things and go out and get a bar of soap or a dishtowel or things that they know you will use vs a small attempt to make something by hand. I am not here, patting myself on the back... my handmades are strictly a selfish thing as I truely get a kick out of proving that not everything that is a gift has to be bought. But then I realize that I spent all that time making things and would anyone really notice... so next year everyone is getting a calendar. I did get a wonderful calendar this year from a dear artist friend and it is Charlie Harper... if you don't know who he is I suggest you google his name asto me he was truely a unique piece of Americana artistry and his prints/serigraphs are very valuable now.
So here we go into the new year.. lets see what awaits us all.. hopefully a better economy and health care for all, less poison in the air and better water , and while I am moaning can we please pay our teachers a decent salary so we can demand that they teach our children what they will need to compete in the future markets as the Chinese and other Euro countries are already doing that while our schools slowly attempt to catch up. I guess if we didn't allow them so much time on the computer games they might read a good book.. its all a balance I think... one I am working on myself. So that might be the theme for next year.. a balance of ideas, art, work and play... lets see what comes our way!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Baby in Winter Sleigh w Dog Fine Art Photograph


Winter and snow are here for many of us. Children and their parents will be sledding, tobogganing and ice skating around those parts of the country where snow happens. For us in Sedona we would have to drive to get to the snow so that isn't happening today or any time soon.
I wanted to share an image from my glass negative collection that I made of this baby and her dog out in the snow on a home in Vermont.. yes the negative was fortunately labeled when I recieved it. This is a cyanotype photo made by coating a piece of paper with a sun sensitive solution and then placing the large negative on the paper and leaving it int the sun for about 15 minutes, then rinsing the paper and drying. It is the pre coating in the dark that makes this process difficult as you cannot see where you are coating the paper and sometimes the results are iffy. this one was good luck and the paper had a wonderful even coating of the solution.
Enjoy your snow folks as you could be stuck in a town like Sedona with nothing but bright blue skies and sunshine. We may still get snow.. it is cold enough for it!!
Click on the title to go to my etsy store to see the image bigger by clicking the little magnifier under the photo. Enjoy your Sunday!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Polaroid Transfer Vogue Gal w Camera


Here is the new banner image for my shop on etsy.. I went from a mom and daughter w parasol on the steps to this rather mod version of a 50s fashion gal holding a rollieflex camera. I had some suggestion from sister sharon about this and although I had another rather all american idea she thought that it might be a better image because of the camera. I took some artistic license to change the scarf and tones and made it my own look with roses from another polaroid transfer I did awhile back. I love the color and the sharp blacks and the blue where the emulsion peeled away when I was making the transfer. You can try to fake the transfer look but one that is actually made with the process of peeling away the emulsion gives a unmistakable look that takes some genius to invent. I feel excited about a new page online I found where you can put different backgrounds or screens on the photos to make them look old and like you are looking through a viewfinder with the rounded edge. check my store for the photos of the Sedona barn and the pepsi sign as I used filters I created on these 2 images and it looks great!
I am having fun with these images and hope that people will realize I am not just an antique image of kids with a goat or a girl with a doll, but I still love the clean and pure imagery of those glass negs. It is just I feel I have been depriving myself of the toys of the trade for too long and it is time to give myself some time to have fun with them. Heh I used to teach photoshop so I can't let others get ahead on the tools discovery dept. no way! So let me know what you think of my new banner in the store or the new polaroids I am listing.. or anything.. how is your season going... let me know... until then..Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Thank You POE Photographer's of Etsy Blog team!


Click on the photo to go to my Etsy store to view this image.. and if you click the magnifier under him in the store you will get a larger version of it.
I have really had a great response to this photo and its been printed twice at 13X19 and kept all of its clarity.
Thanks so much to the POE Photographer's of Etsy for posting a photo and giving recognition to my French Boy on Scooter Photo. Click the title to go visit their blog.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

meow kitty design


This is an image created in photoshop from a vintage photo of a cat lying on the rug.
It was an experiment which took about 5 hours of digitizing. I wanted a clean yet mod look and so i used the lasso tool and then the fill tool making tons of layers. My arm is hurting from the back and forth of it. I am now printing it on to silk to make into a piece of wall art for a gift for my niece who loves cats. Anything to take the photo to its limit is what I say. I am pretty happy with it and now have a better understanding of the ability to trace and fill.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Old Fashioned Christmas Tree w Gifts Tinted Photo from a Glass Negative


Well, after my birthday on sunday I am heading toward Christmas and wanted to share a little photo I tinted of an old fashioned Christmas tree and the gifts underneath that awaited the lucky child when they awoke. This is cropped from a larger glass neg image but this really is the interest and so i decided to take the liberty to crop out the top of the tree. Note that parents put burning candles on the tree before elctricity and also the little toy trumpet and other wonders on the tree. This year I decided to have only little lights and popcorn on my tree so we could keep it simple and really enjoy the tree. I find I am getting less and less interested in weighting down the tree with heavy ornaments and more about the tree.. I think eventually it will be tree only but somehow I cannot seem to get away from those twinkling lights.
They are predicting snow but so far its only rain. I know many have snow now and really I think it would look good on the mountains here and after dawn breaks there might be some up there, but down on the ground is just water. I hope as the next 10 days go by we all settle into a little relaxation mode. This is when we would be hibernating if we were in a cave.. ok so hibernate in your home!
Enjoy, peace and love and good will to all men and women and children!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Victorian Lace by Poppylove from Etsy


I want to introduce all of my blog fans to my new favorite artist on Etsy.. can I hear a round of applause please. This beauty photo was part of a store started by my neice Krysta who along with caring for 2 wonderful boys and a husband has.. like so many moms on etsy, found time to start a store with her jewelry. Right off the bat you don't need to tell her how to list or photograph as she has it down. Please look forward to more of her treasured jewlery in the future.. after she puts the boys down for a nap that is... good luck Krysta and have a very Merry Christmas!
click the title to go to her store!

I am including a treasury I just did with another pair of her earrings in it, please stop by and see it! click here to view

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Boy in Straw Hat w Books-Painted tintype


This is my latest painted tintype. Almost all of the detail is still there. I have not added anything except paint. I like it alot. It is for sale on ebay right now. I probably shouldn't sell it but then what would I do with it. I still retain the rights to the piece and that is fine for me.

Women w Long Hair From the back Unidentified photographer Tintype


This is a tintype from an exhibit currently at the ICP International Center for Photography in New YOrk where the exhibit is now of tintypes in AMerica. I purchased the catalogue that accompanies the exhibit and am not sorry that I did. I have lately gone back to painting over the tinypes and find although difficult due to the small size that there is real satisfaction in taking one art form and transforming it into another. Some would say I am ruining the original image. I try to stay as true to the orignal as possible. Also I paint with acrylic and if need be the entire thing would rinse right off as it is painted on a metal surface. It probably should be sealed with a plastic and could be but for now they remain the way I finish them and that is just with acrylic.
I reccommend clicking the title link to go see these amazing tintypes.. This art form of photography really has some incredible images. I have always loved them and there is an abundance if you want to be a collector!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Lucky me another FP yesterday afternoon about 5:30 pm

New French Collage by Moi!





This is a collage created during a time that i was forced to go on prednisone for a week. I really had never done a collage this big. It is 24"X36". I had a great time collecting and assembling the various pieces and then glueing them to a canvas and then painting over it and then putting several layers of clear gloss acrylic to preserve all the pieces.. It has held up pretty well over the years and I always like to go in and look up close at all the wonderful connective details involved in collage. It really is more of a piece of work on the creative soul than the brain as this took very minimal planning and really just created itself as it went along. I honestly think I finished this in 2 days time.. prednisone is deadly but really great for getting alot done.. I haven't taken it since and it took a week for my body to relax after all the things I did with it but I have 2 large great collages that I know would never have been created had I not had to take that medicine. Look for a section of this collage that I am offering in photopaint store as a print... the can can girl.. click the link to go and see it there.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Dancing Crane, 5x5 Fine Art Photographic Print by BarbaraCarter


Wow.. is what I said when I found this lady's website on Etsy! Wow. All of her work speaks to me on many levels. After reading her profile I realized how close in mood and style my ideas and art dreams were to what she was doing in her work. I love the tone, mood and color of her compositions and her creative and technical skills are unmatched as far as I am concerned. I want to collect her work and have it as large as possible on the wall... if I only had more room in this little condo!
All I can say is that you must check out her site.. by clicking the title.. and see if you are not totally moved and thrilled by her imagery and style of photography/art.
I now want to go to Santa Fe. Sedona is nice but I am sure I am missing something by not having gone there, not to mention I keep finding photographers I love who live there... is something calling me?
Here is Barbara's profile.. enjoy her wonderful imagery!

Santa Fe, New Mexico, where my home, studio and gallery reside, is a stimulating art environment. Here I developed my signature style from an exploration of alternative photographic processes and digital image manipulation. Initially I was attracted to the Polaroid transfer process because it creates a particular mood and texture, an impression rather than a literal expression. However, the original transfers are fugitive and UV sprays do little to increase their longevity. So I started scanning the transfers. Once they were digital files, not only could I create permanent images on archival materials, but I found I could also transform the images, adding more detail in some areas, more softness in others, and work with saturation and hue in very specific ways. I could also add elements, such as a cat in the window or fog rolling over hills. I then began compositing my images from multiple captures, bringing together a sky, a background, and various foreground elements, working more as a painter from the images in my imagination.

My style is painterly (called pictorial in the history of photography) and often at an exhibition I will be asked if it is watercolor or pastel. My themes are pastoral for the most part, the peaceful coexistence of human and nature. My material is drawn from New Mexico, Italy (particularly the region south of Siena), Ireland, France, and most recently, China.

website: www.barbaracarterfineart.com
blog: http://barbaracarterblogs.blogspot.com

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Tinted Tintype Teen Queen


I went looking for this photo on Ebay. I had a mission, to find a tintype that looked like a daguerreotype photo. There was a different style to the way the photographer posed the subject. The camera came closer and more often than not the legs and feet were omitted in lieu of a more intimate shot. This one is no exception. The detail is wonderful and although hard to see every little detail in this is quite clear. I tinted it in photoshop carefully and here is the final result. I also cleaned up some flaws and scratches but all in all this is the way she came to me. For some people this may appear to be a rather boring sedate view but to me, clarity is everything and to see all of it in a tin is a rare and wonderful thing!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Etsy Front Page Nov 28th! Peppermint Stick


Hooray for the front page! Yesterday for an hour and half! 5 items sold off my treasury! I felt like a true merchant!! HAHA! be sure and check out all the wonderful gifts on etsy for holiday shopping.. I am busy working and will post again tomorrow!!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Don't miss this sale on all the wonderful blogger's stores


ETSY BLOGGER"S HOLIDAY SALE
click the links to go to my store for a 20% off all vintage prints and the other link to go to the blogger's link where all the links to the store's having sales will be... get shopping!! HAVE FUN!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
now through December 1st!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Dressed up for the Holidays!


how exciting... I took a little nap today.. very rare.. and awoke and immediately checked the front page and there we were! I was so happy to see this.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Monday, November 24, 2008

French Girl w Flowers Stands On Her Little Red Chair


Here is my latest creation. I found this image on Etsy in a seller's store and purchased it and then last night decided to paint over it. What fun! Usually the images I have chosen to paint over before were tintypes or photos of my own, but this image intrigued me so much. This little tiny girl standing so self assured on this chair holding on with only one hand and the other with a little bouquet of flowers, such a confident little gal! I wanted to immortalize her in a painting but didn't want to obscure her face or clothing. I am very happy with it and listed it this morning in my Clancy Paints Etsy shop. I would be thrilled to get any feedback at all on this one to see if people will respond to this in any way. Click on the title to go to the image and then click on the magnifier icon to see it larger.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Little Girl w Her Doll Family on Front Steps Collage Mixed Media Vintage Photo Print


This is the latest creation of mixing glass negative with fabric and it has an interesting and unique look. The glass neg that this photo came from didn't have a head on the girl, well she had a head but didn't have any clarity. So I photoshopped in another image of a girl from a wonderful glass neg that I will list today in my main store on etsy. A family of girls with one boy, be sure to check it out. I had so much fun with this one and heh that is what its about, an enjoyable artistic experience and for me trying something new.. I have done this before and will do it again with tintypes but never with regular photos as if an image stands alone it doesn't need a thing added such as the case of the family of girls with one boy that this girl's head came from. I used samples of fabric to photoshop into this one giving it an almost 3D look.. I made a print for a good customer and she will get it tomorrow and hope she will enjoy it!
She is a doll collector and knew right away the Indian doll was called an Hookam Doll. Hope I got that spelling right. Well winter is starting to creep into Sedona, although I must torture you with the fact I wore short sleeves to the post office walk yesterday and it felt warm, but also felt like the last day to go without a sweater... today is sunny and nice but I see those clouds coming in.
Tomorrow starts a week sale in the store of 20% off all prints in my main Clancy's Classics store as a member of the Etsy bloggers so look here tomorrow for a banner that will give you a link to all the great stores participating in that sale!!! Don't miss it, lots of wonderful items to buy for Christmas and very reasonable and of course..hand made!!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Painted Tintype Little Girl w Bird


I have just added this little gal to my new Clancy Paints store on Etsy. I worked on her for a few hours fixing little details and now she is ready to show. I like painting in a folk art type of style because it frees me up to be creative and not follow any layout or idea per se but rather to focus more on the color and paint. I actually added 2 new painted tintypes yesterday and want to list another of a spinster image that I painted but it is very different than the cute little girl and pretty women ones and more of a garish tight painting... well maybe I will list it just to throw some folks off track for awhile. I am so anxious to do more art but with holidays coming and gift giving and also my ebay store, often as we all know, our artistic desires are put on back burner. Moms know this one as we tend to do the chores and then do our own needs.. let alone art!
Maybe tomorrow I will take a few hours to do something new with the tins or with wax-- I set up the whole encaustic table and have yet to start, that is because once I start I won't stop. It is addicting! I did finish a piece of jewelry I started long ago and it turned out great.. its a gift for my youngest daughter, I wanted her to have something handmade this Christmas, not just things purchased. I remember when I would make all my gifts for Christmas, I found the time, it gave me such pleasure and it saved money. Now off to start the day. My word of advice, find time for yourself this holiday season. It's good for you!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Japanese Garden at the Chicago Botanical Garden - Infrared Photo


"This is an 8x12 infrared digital print taken with a dedicated infrared camera. The internal filter turns anything with chlorophyll white and the result is an image that looks magical and surreal."
This is the explanation the artist
re4madoprints gives under the wonderful photo of the Japanese garden above.

I remember as a student at the University, the first time I saw some prints that Ted Orland did that were infrared in my advanced photo group and I was amazed and intrigued by the process.. but because I was heavily into my hand painting I never got around to trying this film which had to be kept cool and you worked pretty strict sometimes with it.. I was in my devil may care photo phase and missed a sparkling opportunity to try it. It is never too late though and I hope to give this a whirl in the near future. This film works best with foliage as it turns everything green white.

Here is what I found online about the film,
"In infrared photography, the film or image sensor used is sensitive to infrared light. The part of the spectrum used is referred to as near-infrared to distinguish it from far-infrared, which is the domain of thermal imaging. Wavelengths used for photography range from about 700 nm to about 900 nm. Usually an "infrared filter" is used; this lets infrared (IR) light pass through to the camera, but blocks all or most of the visible light spectrum (the filter thus looks black or deep red).

When these filters are used together with infrared-sensitive film or sensors, very interesting "in-camera effects" can be obtained; false-color or black-and-white images with a dreamlike or sometimes lurid appearance known as the "Wood Effect."

The effect is mainly caused by foliage (such as tree leaves and grass) strongly reflecting in the same way visible light is reflected from snow. There is a small contribution from chlorophyll fluorescence, but this is extremely small and is not the real cause of the brightness seen in infrared photographs.

The other attributes of infrared photographs include very dark skies and penetration of atmospheric haze, caused by reduced Rayleigh scattering and Mie scattering, respectively, compared to visible light. The dark skies, in turn, result in less infrared light in shadows and dark reflections of those skies from water, and clouds will stand out strongly. These wavelengths also penetrate a few millimeters into skin and give a milky look to portraits, although eyes often look black."

There is the lesson for the day on a very wonderful and magical film process called infrared.
I hope you find time to click on the title to go to the store of this artist on Etsy and see some of her wonderful and magical work... I think she is one of the best I have seen and I love her choices for subject!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Front Page on Etsy! How fun!! congrats to all!! 5:30 Thursday Night!!

Current Treasury forcing you to sing along...while you shop!



Here are my 2 latest treasuries... I thought I would list them just because they are so colorful and fun to look at. Click on this LINK to go to the treasury above. Click the title to go to the lalalala treasury! HAve fun shopping!!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Photographers of Etsy


click on the title above to go to the
blogsite for complete interview with eddyizm

The Leaning Swazey Hotel


Just one of many of the photos of Etsy photographer Eduardo Cervantes or better known as eddyizm. There is a wonderful interview of him and his work on the etsybloggers website and click the title above the POE logo, to be taken there to read more about him.. I love many of his images but I think this one is my favorite above, the hotel being held up like an old man with a cane, propped against the dry desert winds and the empty void beyond the once thriving western town. Contrast this with his writing on the wall image that you see first on the Etsy bloggers page and you will see a many sided and multi-talented young man... I, for one, want to see more!

click on the title The Leaning Swazey Hotel.. to be taken to his store.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Paris Girl in Pink and Blue Watercolor


Ok, so I am feeling a little French this week. I can't help myself. I have a friend who lives in the Beaujolais area of the French countryside and he is in PAris for the week and so I have thought about how fun it would be to go there and wear pink and walk around the Montmartre and the Louvre and all the Musee de PAris! This little watercolor was done while I was in Oregon on a vacation a few years ago, out of my head and really a form of relaxation as when I try to draw anything first or look at something that requires thinking and planning and although I am not afraid to do that I often enjoy painting out of my head. It certainly uses another side of my brain and also frees up the spirit to just be, "creative". This little gal is shopping and can almost not carry all of the wonderful things she bought. I also have just finished creating a treasury to go with this watercolor and it will be called"Putting on Pink for Paris". Soon to be displayed when the time is right.
I actually worked last night on another piece that is out of my head but a bit larger, its a Christmas gift for my 2 little grandaughters Ava and Miranda, who are almost 5 and 2 years old, for their bedroom. I will try to finish it soon and post it here when finished. I might even offer prints of it, but the original will go to them.
The wind is blowing and Rita is still sleeping. I think after hiking the Grand Canyon for 3 days and nights this week, for the first time, my 16 yr old is making up for a long needed rest. I always think I am going to sleep in on the weekend but really there is too much to do with Ebay and Etsy and treasuries and painting and dog walking and cleaning and cooking and shopping and writing emails and if lucky a little reading.... does this sound like your life too? I enjoy every minute of it. Have a wonderful Sunday. Our weather is in the low 70s in afternoon so I will wait until then to walk.. sorry, don't mean to make you jealous!
You might note that the above paragraph speaks to the brand new banner I put up yesterday.. it is about the balance of all of the things we love that make life so great!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Chromo Litho Juggler Women


This is a French Chromo Litho. I mentioned before and this won't be the last time, I am fascinated by circus and juggling and all things that are theater like involving costumes and action. This piece which was an advertisement for some type of French cream or maybe even a small drink such as milk, had a label on it which would peel off and folks in 1880s collected them. Mostly women and girls. The men were collecting stamps so this was for the women. This is a wonderful example and one I cannot help but think how very difficult to create considering the time consuming process involoved in the art form. Here is a definition I found on a British website. There really isn't much online about this process.

Chromo Litho Chromolithography is a printing method. It was the first method capable of producing multi-color prints and prevailed on postcards published in the late 18 and early 1900's. Based on lithography it used print blocks (originally stone slabs) onto which an image was drawn using an oil based medium and with one block (or stone) for each colour. A chemical process then etched away the oil medium free parts of the block leaving the image part for the given colour proud of the surface. The card would be printed in multiple impressions, each block adding another colour layer.

There are still lots of people who collect these now and I think not only women. The images are wonderful and the color is vibrant and rich...

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Sandy Sea by Gourd Fairy


Let me introduce you to the wonderful world of gourds. This creation by Etsy artist GourdFairie. Click the title to go to her store. I was traveling around Etsy world last night collecting items for my next treasury and this wonderful woman popped up! I think she is absolutely wonderful and although not very experienced with gourd art I can see where the creativity flows using nature's own to create with gourds. Please check out her shop its really unique and wonderful!
Here is a little from her profile page.
" Thank you for taking a look. You might get a little fairy dust on you, but its all part of the magic. I'm working on numbered series of fairy cottages. Each comes with it's own Certificate of Authenticity. Enjoy the magic!

Each of my fairy cottages has a carved detail shingle style "roof" and includes at least one original twig furniture piece created by me especially for it. The tops can alternate from original gourd stems, to metal or porcelain or glass drawer knobs...whatever gives it just the right feel. If it strikes me as perfect without one, that's the way it is left. No two cottages can ever be the exactly the same.

My other gourd art is created from the magic of the gourds themselves.

I've been doing some kind of craft all my life. Sketching with charcoal as a child earned me the use of my Mother's desktop easel, of which I am now the proud owner. I've traveled on roadtrips to all but two states on the mainland, flew to Oahu, crossed Canada and have been down to Mexico.

On most trips, where legal, ziplock bags and plastic containers outweigh luggage room. Collecting natural and rusty material on roadsides and in non-park woodlands is part of my road adventures. These I try to incorporate into my gourd art.

Please visit my website to read my Artist Statement and view my other gourd "kreations".

--------
WEBSITE: http://www.karolskreations.com
MY BLOG: http://www.graymarye.blogspot.com
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/gourdi"

Front Page Etsy 5:30 on Monday


This was another exciting post as I was lucky to have another front page with my Blue Buddha. However admin. took out the Buddha polaroid and so it was not coherent but I am not complaining as it was up for 30 minutes. Don't know if anything sold but heh it was fun!

Monday, November 10, 2008

front page early this morning!!


Pretty exciting while having my morning coffee there was also my treasury called Sugar and Cream on front page early this am. Congrats to all the artists!!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Autochromes photographic history mystery



Here are 2 examples of autochromes. For those lucky enough to have one you will understand a little more of what this explanation of the process means by looking at it up close and seeing the lines that you can only see if looking directly at the 2 sandwiched glass plates.
The first image is mine and was one of a series of 4 that I purchased on Ebay years ago. It is almost impossible to photograph these glass positives as you cannot scan them and you must stand in the shadow outside and shoot the image through the sun so your arm is stretched out into the sun while you sit in shadow. Its not easy... The second image is from my friend in France and it very much shows the different chemical and visual transformations that can take place when the elements work on the emulsion. Here is the somewhat technical description of an autochrome. The size varies but mine are all around 3X4 inches and taped around the edges.
Wikipedia says,"

Autochrome is an additive color 'screen-plate' process: the medium contains a glass plate, overlaying random mosaic of microscopic grains of potato starch, with lampblack filling the space between grains, and an impermeable black-and-white, panchromatic silver halide emulsion. The grains are a mixture of those dyed orange, green and violet, which act as color filters.[3] The plate is processed as a slide — that is, the plate is first developed to a negative image and then reversed to a positive image — and the starch grains remain in alignment with the emulsion after processing in order to allow the colors to be seen properly.

To create the Autochrome plates, a slightly concave glass plate was coated with a mixture of pitch (crude pine sap), and beeswax. The starch grains, graded to between 5 and 10 micrometres in size, were coated on top of the plate. The exact methods by which they were coated still remain unclear, although it is known that approximately four million grains per square inch coated the filter in a single layer. It was later discovered that applying extreme pressure to the plate — around 5,00 kg/cm² — would improve the quality of the image, as the starch grains would be flattened slightly, reducing graininess and transmitting more light to the emulsion. Lampblack was then applied by a machine in order to fill the clear spaces between the grains. After this, the plate was coated with shellac. This served to protect the color mosaic and provided a flat surface for the emulsion, which was spread on the plate once the shellac dried.

The 1906 U.S. patent describes the process more generally: the grains can be orange, violet, and green, or red, yellow, and blue (or "any number of colors"), optionally with black powder filling the gaps.

Autochromes are expensive and hard to find so if you do find one, keep it...

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Pink Tulips by my Blue Door Photo Print


Ok Ok.. I know.. these are spring flowers and this is winter.. but I am guessing even though we have another--yes another sunny day here in Sedona AZ that some of you might be experiencing a bit of rain or dare I say it ..Snow!
Well this is meant to cheer you up and also I am opening a new store on Etsy where I sell whatever I want.. yes that is right.. art, photos, beeswax paintings, prints from art, original watercolors.. whatever I want.. I feel so free now. My original store sells mostly prints from my glass negatives and I wanted to seperate the two stores and have one be for art.. it is called Clancy Paints-thanks for the title from sister Sharon.
Please click on the store now and again to see what I am listing. I appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Hope this pot of tulips cheers you right up or adds just a little brightness to your day!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Still Life-FOTOgraphicART


There is something really appealing to being able to find a scene such as this just sitting there for a photographer to come upon but that could be like finding a needle in a haystack..near impossible. I find this kind of photo set up very appealing and almost like a doll house miniature with everything just the way we would imagine it. It's like a painting done with objects. Many painters did this when cameras first came out to have a reference to their paintings and this harkens back to those days. Life made perfect.. just as we imagine it!
This artist has many different offerings photographically including some nice Amish images worth viewing. I lived with the Amish for 2 years in PA and these are scenes that never change despite our ever changing world around them. This photo Still life so reminds me of my time in Pennsylvania with the Amish where one fall I helped can 45 quarts of tomatoes and my housemate Bonnie insisted on stacking more and more on a shelf I knew would not hold and at one point the shelf broke in the middle of canning and at least 25 quarts exploded glass upon red tomatoes all over our hand hewd thick slab floor! What a mess...Now just a memory.. I buy my tomatoes canned at our local health food store..
Click the title to go see the other wonderful offerings these photographers offer at

Click the title to go to

FOTOgraphicART on Etsy!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

The Peachy Flower by Suehelen


I love dahlias and this one is no exception. The artist Suehelen has a talent and a vision that we all can appreciate. Her Etsy store is a serene spot you can wander through with her vision and tone making you feel completely at ease and relaxed. This subtle image has detail and wonderful color and many of her images are ones I have favored to use as treasuries when the color time is ready.. I hope you will visit her store and by clicking on the title you will be taken to her store.
Here is what Suehelen has as a profile in her store:
My name is Suehelen and my favorite hobby is photography. Flowers are my subject of choice and I especially love those with the dew of morning or just after a gentle rain.

I was asked how I came up with my shop name - A Gift of Grace. Well, the answer is threefold.

1) Grace is my middle name. I think 'A Gift of Grace' sounds better than 'A Gift of Suehelen'. What do you think?

2) Grace was my Mom's first name and she was the one that brought hobbies and crafting into my life. Thanks Mom!

3) I believe that everything I have is a gift of grace from God. This includes the enjoyment of photography.
I think this sums up her beautiful vision and I hope to see photos from her on and on!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Keeping Busy by Joanna


This photo has a bee--doing its thing--keeping busy, oblivious to any and all fulfilling its nature to collect and return to the hive for its queen. A willing participant in this endeavor is the flower as she offers up her nectar for this wonderful nature's dance. My symbol is the bee as I consider that insect the most industrious and wonderful creature on the planet. Without it we would not have honey, flowers or many fruits. This photo was taken by a lady named Joanna and her work is so in tune with nature and my vision that I am proud to introduce her on this blog. All of her work has a natural feel to it, no garish color--just wonderful soft ethereal hues. Please check out her store for more!
There is another photo similar that is entitled "looking up", and I was torn between that one and this one because today I feel that things are truly looking up after the election last night. I was joyful and proud and most of all renewed with hope--hope for our future, something I didn't have 2 days ago but now, that slim thread exists for us all in the hope of a new leader, one who might turn the tide and put us back on a course to love and to a more natural state of existing with the world. I know, I know..tall order... But I can dream can't I? And with that dream along with millions of others maybe our hopes and prayers can be answered as a collective will... we will all wait to see.
Here is Joanna's bio.. I HOPE you go see her photos, they are so nice!!!
"Ever since the first camera I got to hold in my hands I thought about it as a magic device.
It still is for me. The ability to freeze a moment. Chance to capture something that is so many times so close, but so often unnoticed.

The choice of photographic subject is infrequently set up. More often I just go with my camera and stop when I have noticed something that is attracting my attention. I like to take a stroll through the neighborhood and find interesting flowers, plants, forms and shapes in gardens I am passing by.

It all started so simply- the art of taking pictures of flowers. Since than I have discovered different photographic techniques, many options that the equipment can offer and so many ways of transforming original file into the final image that shows exactly what I was trying to point to in the first place. Very often I use specific color scheme to place stress on the part that I would like to show the most. The nature itself is the most inspiring to me. I like to take a look at things I can find around me and show it with stress on different that usual part. I like to experiment with colors, trying various approaches. My favorite tones are brown, green, grey and those most of the time found in my work."

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Leaves and Acorns Child's Wool Hat by Bridget Clancy


I was the first person to leave the Sedona Voting Place this morning-the sun was not out and the splattering of little clouds were just starting to be visible. Pink and yellow came into view and as I got into my car the air was crisp and cool. I felt I had been part of something bigger than anyone on the planet.. American pride and responsibility. This is of course leading to the image above .. for on these cold mornings what do we need?...a creation by Bridget Clancy on Etsy!

Bridget works as a delivery nurse, tends to 2 small children and keeps her house working like a top! In her "spare" time she has been busy like an elf.. creating upcycled winter hats for these soon to be very cold mornings, for children, out of the greatest sweaters making one of a kind original hats and other items to keep kids and dogs warm.. yes, she also makes little cute coats and sweaters for dogs.. the little ones.

Yes voting is important, but keeping your kids and dogs warm this winter will also be important and if you want to share in the environmental movement to re-use and re-new in style.. then Bridget Clancy's Etsy store is where you should go!
Please click on the title to take you to her store. .. and please vote.. it's your duty and privledge!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Last two Treasuries made FP



These are the last two treasuries that made FP. The one on top was on last night about midnight. The blue one is dated. I am thrilled but yet somehow every time I make FP I am sleeping.. oh well some folks were not asleep and saw and commented.. I guess its all luck and timing... I am happy anyway and wanted to share the good news.. Don't give up on treasuries...go to flickr and see all the treasuries from the past and you will get a good idea of what goes on fp. Good luck to us all in our continuing quest for FP.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Twirly Bird Print by Allen Design Studio


Here is one of my favorite images on Etsy right now created by AllenDesignsStudio. I love the face on the ladybird and the movement created by the design.. I hope she makes more images like this as I absolutely love it! I have it bookmarked for a future treasury and also love the colors she uses.. Here is a little blurb from her bio on etsy:"I love the imperfect, slightly eccentric, witty quality of the world around me. My hope is that my art will never become so serious that I betray the uniqueness of this life that inspires me. Often if something seems too perfect in my art, I will skew it towards the unrealistic to capture the essence of a whim."
Please click on the title to take you to her store and see all her other wonderful pieces of whimsical and wonderful art!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Art Doll Peace Dove by Sheila Clancy


I love dolls! I had a wonderful madame alexander when I got my tonsils out and that was it.. I loved to dress them and play with them and take them everywhere as if they were my child. Of course when I grew up and had children, 2 girls I got the oldest Sara, a madame alexander doll and she named it "Babe" and it was loved until she looked terrible. Now the second daughter, Rita would have very little to do with dolls until she was 10 and got her first American girl doll with a little mini violin and stand. The accessories were what she loved most, all the miniature things. I think the nicest dolls are the dolls that Sheila Clancy makes, the kind that are soft and can be set on the bed or carried around. They are so beautiful and such a piece of art! The little details are really amazing. I have one of her dolls and I wish I had more! Please click on her title to go to her Etsy store and see her wonderful bags and another doll! I hope she makes more of these dolls because Christmas and Hanukkah are coming!!

Friday, October 31, 2008

bird's eye view


it is hard to see but this was the last treasury that ended early this morning... the theme was of course from a bird's eye view, and the houses and trees below... I love the view... if only I could fly!

Trick or Treat Black Cat Ttv photograph by James Spicer


HAppy Halloween! Ok I admit it.. I keep going back to this fellow's etsy site and looking at his photos. I love the feel and the subject matter and especially feel myself transforming into Robert Duvall's twilight zone episode where he keeps going back to the museum because they have a doll house on display, and there is a woman inside the doll house he likes and he keeps imagining he will go into the house and be small and live with her. Well. I am not going to slip through this dimension into the one that James SPicer's photos are in but while I am looking at them I often feel I could. Please visit his Etsy store and see more... I featured one of his photos in a treasury this week and hope you all get to see it before it disapppears.. I think its one of my best.
Here is how James describes his photos: "Original photograph by James Spicer. This is from my TTV (Through the Viewfinder) series which gives the photograph a soft, dusty, vintage feel. The flecks, scratches, and black border add to the charm."
here's the treasury.. quick before its too late... I will make a post of it on this blog later today.. but it will be smaller... http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=30599
go and click and leave a comment! thanks and have a wonderful boo tiful scary halloween!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

White and Red Pomegranates-Encaustic Beeswax Painting


This is an encaustic painting that is 8.5X11 and was done with a plate of fresh pomegranates sitting in front of me. I taught myself how to paint encaustic after a visit down to San Jose Del Cabo one year to see my daughter and grandkids. Next to my daughter's restaurant Fandango was a wonderful little art gallery that carried just the latest and greatest artwork fresh from Los Angeles and one of the artists she carried was an encaustic painter that did realism. Most artist do not do realistic encaustic as it is very time consuming but I knew what I wanted to create the minute I smelled that wonderful melting beeswax for the first time and it was not abstract art... that is not to say that I don't love abstract for what it is but for me it's always been about realism and the photographic medium and most my art except for my illustration has stayed along those lines.. This was particularly difficult because the red kept melting into the lighter tones.. but I faced the challenge and eventually figured a way around it.
I love to drink and eat the pomegranate but beware of the deadly stain it leaves. I bet women of old used the juice of pom to tint their lips and cheeks... maybe.
I think this time of year is when the pomegranates start to hit the stores and we can decorate and eat them and admire them for their beauty as well... this red fruit is a many splendid thing!!

Halloween Black Cat Fake Cupcakes Faux Food Decorations


Ok its almost halloween and as we get closer the word SWEET and CANDY is always being floated around as well as black cat and pumpkins and cider and candied apples..
These wonderful faux food cupcakes look good enough to eat. I admit.. I have always had a slightly perverse attaraction to fake food. I remember walking through downtown Portland about 25 years ago with my camera looking for interesting things to snap and I stopped in front of a Sushi restaurant that's front window was completely filled with faux sushi and other wonderful items all made from molded plastic. I think we have come a long way in the faux food biz. This person who makes her most wonderful faux food not only has the nicest looking fakes but also knows how to photograph them to make them almost... good enough to eat!
Click the photo to go to her Etsy website to see her other wonders. And to all who are getting into the mood for the scaries coming this week... have a boo!tiful time!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

front page early this morning!!


How exciting to have a front page again... I think it was nice but some folks on the admin have fun switching the items around.. I will never understand that.. it is supposed to be our creation.. but perhaps something sold! let's hope so!! congrats to all!
Here is a link to the current treasury I have: Indian Princess

Monday, October 27, 2008

Specimen 8. Dragonfly/Octopus on the Ingoldsby Legends


This original silkscreen is one of many fanciful if not slightly surreal images made by a store/company called wondercabinet on Etsy. I find myself drawn back again and again to look at the pieces as it isn't just the images that I enjoy but the combinations of the ink on the paper over the book pages. I could see myself wallpapering an entire room with these images and never tiring of it. I don't suppose Jules Verne would disapprove in the least.
After spending the last 4 days with my daughter Rita trying to figure out the silkscreen photo process using photo emulsion from 5 years ago left in a 200 degree garage for 4 years and then getting a sunlight -then black light- and now at the late hour she has washed the old unusable emulsion off the screen and is painting in the resist by hand so that all her cross country team will be able to wear the t-shirts she designed -this weekend for the regional meet. They argued over the slogan for 3 days- and now with a finalized slogan the black light our last attempt...didn't work- and of course in this one horse town there is no one to do silkscreen for any price! not that I could pay any price.
So I have a certain new found appreciation and continued love of silkscreen, not my first, or even recent artform conquered.. but guaranteed to be tried in the future..
Please click on the dragonfly octopus to be taken to the wondercabinet store and treat yourself to a menu of wonderful delights...
her bio from her etsy profile:
If it involves cutting, pasting, painting, collecting, organizing, hoarding, glueing, arranging, obsessing, tasting, listening, pilfering, filling, pouring, resisting,
protesting, tearing, sewing, pretending, peeking, hiding, or constructing altered realities, I'm into it.
I am an artist living and working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I do a lot of sculpture and installation work, and I make prints, drawings and paintings in between the sculpture exhibition deadlines.

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I am a mother of 2 wonderful girls, grandmother of 4, don't worry you will see photos of them one day! I live in Sedona Arizona, a beautiful place, lots of sun and blue blue skies! I listen to politics and my favorite radio channel is Cinemix. I am the oldest of 11 , I love my kids, my parents and my siblings and my friends!!

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