Betty Rocks

Welcome back to The Expressionist Magazine

I love jewelry.  Okay, it’s more like a small addiction.  I’m not talking rehab by any means, but I have sort of gotten carried away over the years.  My chests and boxes have, well, overfloweth.  I have all types of jewelry.  Some are jingly-jangly and sparkly, while others are classically feminine and demure.  I guess I have a special adornment for every dazzling night out, and a trinket for every carefree afternoon.  Despite my three large jewelry boxes, I am always on the lookout for a new and exciting piece.  As a woman, can you ever have too many of any one fashionable item, specifically jewelry?  So, when I found out about Anne Groff’s collection, Betty Rocks, I knew I couldn’t wait to check it out.

Groff, a New Hampshire native, has a passion for creating jewelry, especially when it comes to stringing and knotting beads.  To be able to take a loose strand of beads and turn them into something beautiful and unique is a gift that this jewelry artist surely possesses.

Groff says she got started with the art  just after high school when she went on a family vacation with her at-the-time boyfriend.  His brother-in-law was in the jewelry business and was considered a “rockhound,” someone who enjoys collecting rocks and/or mineral specimens from their natural environment.  At this time, the brother-in-law had with him a collection of semi-precious beads and asked Groff if she wanted to make jewelry.  Being that Groff considers herself to be crafty and has always been willing to try new things, she jumped at the opportunity to learn the skill.  After being taught, Groff realized how much she enjoyed it and thus began her love for designing natural gemstone jewelry. Designs by You was later created and Groff and her ex’s brother-in-law started doing home parties.  ”He’d supply the beads, we would show people how to lay out a design and then the people would put the beads on a wire and I would finish the pieces with a clasp, ” explains Groff.  Even though her relationship with the boyfriend didn’t last, her passion for jewelry making has endured.

In 1991, Groff landed a job at the largest jewelry store in New England, where she worked in the semi-precious stone department selling fine jewelry.  She says she still had an eagerness for making jewelry, in addition to her just selling it. Groff was happy to learn a technique from the company’s pearl stringer.  In 1994, after the birth of her first child, Groff started stringing for the company she was with, and also for another local jeweler.  She stayed with that company and still strings for those jewelers, as well as many others.

When Groff first started professionally stringing, she started a company of her own called Pearlstrings.  To string means to indivually hand tie a knot for each bead.  With Pearlstrings, Groff has done custom and stock work, stringing strands of pearls for jewelers in New England and many other states along the East Coast.  Pearlstrings services include jewelry redesign, restringing, service contracts and customized designs.

Then, in 2008, Groff took jewelry making to another level.  She had fallen in love and wanted those closest to her to know.  So, one night as Groff recalls, she went out to dinner with her family and friends and introduced them to her significant other.  With a strikingly beautiful aquamarine stone necklace, much larger than her typical pieces, Groff excitedly showed off her newest creation.  A one-of-a-kind showstopper, full of delicious color, the necklace was naturally well received.  When Groff asked her loved ones what they thought of the necklace, a very famous cartoon character came to mind- Betty Rubble.  ”I thought that was funny, growing up with the Flinstones,” chuckled Groff.  The jewelry artist felt the name, Betty, to be fitting in more ways than one.  Groff always loved the name, because for her, what comes to mind is a pretty, fresh and natural girl.  Someone who is down-to-earth and fun.  In addition, Betty was her grandmother’s nickname, and Groff was given her name as a middle name.  It was while Groff was in high school that her grandmother passed away from cancer.  Holding a dear place in her heart for her grandmother, the name Betty became even more special to Groff.  ”I then thought of the other Bettys in my life and they all give me such joy, and they all rock! ” lovingly confides the artist.  ”Betty is all woman and so it stuck and I loved it!”

The Betty Rocks collection consists of large, bold statement, beaded jewelry.  Natural and earthy semi-precious stones, individually hand-knotted on matching silk threads fastened with a sterling silver toggle clasp.  The individual beads vary in character, making each piece special.  Groff adds that the classic styling makes her creations perfect for wearing daily for any occasion.

When it comes to semi-precious stones, one must understand they each come with their own unique properties.  For example, some stones promote confidence and clarity, while others promise to enhance psychic ability or encourage relaxation.  ”There are natural energies that come from gemstones and the people who wear them will absorb that energy.  ”I think that is pretty cool,” states Groff.

When asked about the inspiration behind her work, Groff explains that it comes from her background of pearl stringing and her love of natural gemstones.  ”A friend of mine came to me with a large strand of nugget style chalcedony and asked me to knot them.  Usually I have seen large beads as accent pieces to a necklace, not as a whole strand.  I strung it and loved it, and I was totally hooked from there,” Groff remembers fondly.

With all of Groff’s amazing creations and her brilliant choice of stones, I couldn’t help but ask her if she had a favorite. “That is like picking a favorite child,” laughs the talented jewelry maker.  ”I really do love them all!”  However, if Groff did have to choose, she would lean towards labradorite, which is a deeply rich, gray stone with an opalescent iridescence.  She further describes labradorite as a unique stone that many are not familiar with.

The Betty Rocks collection is so beautiful and wearable, it’s no wonder its getting attention and from pretty well-known folks.  ”I had a wonderful opportunity to meet Mrs. {Barbara} Bush.  I did a fitting for her for a necklace that Mr. Bush had gotten for her birthday and I brought with me some pieces of my Betty Rocks collection and she loved it!  Instead of pearls, she might go for Betty Rocks now,” proudly states Groff.

The artist says that her Betty Rocks collection is for the bold and fearless woman who isn’t afraid to make a statement, and it is also for the classy, elegant woman who continues to bring a classic element to the world.  ”I want to see my jewelry on musicians such as Taylor Swift, television personalities such as Betty White (another great Betty!) and people of influence such as Barbara Bush.  It’s for the fashionistas across the country, and for the women who never feel completely dressed without a finishing piece of jewelry.

Groff continues on to say that her dream would be to have Betty Rocks in fine retail establishments all across the nation, places such as Barney’s and Neiman Marcus.  Seeing her collection in top fashion magazines, museums, hotels and on websites is a huge goal that Groff hopes to one day fulfill.

Not only is Groff a highly skilled jewelry artist, she also projects a very genuine heart and soul.  ”I am always willing to help out a cause in any way I can,” states the New Hamphsire resident.  Groff takes much pride in volunteering in her community and gives to various charities.  Specifically, the artist has done bike tours to support Multiple Sclerosis, and recently was asked to donate a Betty Rocks piece for an ovarian cancer benefit in September.  ”I am going to create something special for that one,” says Groff with great honor.

After talking to the New Englander and perusing her online collection of beautifully colored semi-precious stone creations, I have become a true fan.  Groff’s Betty Rocks collection is for every kind of woman, regardless of age, race and style.  Her designs are all one-of-a-kind and are as classic as a black dress.  There is no doubt in this writer’s mind that Groff will go far with Betty Rocks.

And for those of you paranormal enthusiasts out there, if Groff’s name sounds familiar, well, it probably is.  After all, the artist is the aunt of Nick Groff of Ghost Adventures, which airs on the Travel Channel.  When it comes to her nephew’s success, Groff gushes about how great of a job he is doing with the hit show.  ”I am very proud of him.”   And, according to Nick, it is only fair to say, the feeling is most definitely mutual.

Website Information and E-mail addresses:

www.PearlstringsNH.com

Anne@PearlstringsNH.com

Facebook page for Betty Rocks:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Betty-Rocks/398488846411?ref=sgm

To purchase Betty Rocks online:

www.LNT.com (Linen’s ‘N Things)-just put in Betty Rocks into the search engine

Retailers in New Hampshire and Maine sell Betty Rocks, and soon-to-be, Massachusetts and New York

In New Hampshire, find Betty Rocks at:

Fresh on Main Street in Nashua, www.freshofnashua.com

A&E Jewelers at Pennechuck Square in Merrimack, www.aediamond.com

Roxie’s Fashion at Salzberg Square in Amherst, www.roxiesfashions.com

Wholly Tara on Main Street in Ashland, www.whollytara.com

Puttin’ on the Glitz on State Street in Portsmouth, www.puttinontheglitznh.com

J.M. Princewell at On the Oval in Milford and Maine, mail@jmprincewell.com

Coastal Jewelers in Kennebunkport, www.coastaljewelers.com

Extra Information:

Linens ‘N Things-on this site Groff sells the bulk of her designs, but she also has exclusive pieces that are sold in the above listed boutiques and jewelry stores

Groff belongs to the MJSA-Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (through LinkedIn)

On Groff’s Pearlstrings site:  She is planning to update the site so you will be able to see the entire Betty Rocks collection, not just a few select pieces.  Groff welcomes anyone’s suggestions, comments and questions.

If you would like to have a piece of jewelry done by Groff, she can string necklaces, bracelets and earrings.  She offers two types or styles of earrings which both come in sterling silver – long drop or lever back style drop dangle earrings.

The Essence of Eviecats

Sarah Phillips, aka Eviecats, has been drawing since she was just old enough to hold a pencil.  She was born with a love for art; after all, it runs in her family with both sets of her grandparents being strongly involved in the field.  Now, in her late 20s, Phillips is a skilled artist who describes her illustrations as “down to earth, light and full of animals.”  Phillips states that she has always had a great love for animals, with a profound passion for producing them on paper.  The talented artist also describes her work as retaining a sketchy, cartoon-like quality, which is quite popular in art right now.

And when it comes to a choice of mediums, Phillips says she likes a variety.  ”I feel a true artist tries all mediums to have a well- rounded understanding of tools and options.”  Recently, Phillips’ favorites to dabble in have been a mixed media of texturized watercolor paints, colored pencils, acrylic and goucache paints.  The artist adds that her favorite paper to use are bristol brand card stocks, which were first introduced to her in college.  And when it comes to drawing instruments such as pencils and brushes, Phillips points out she chooses reforested wood pencils and non-fur paint brushes over the supposed “high quality” alternatives.  ”To me, a slight quality difference isn’t worth compromising my personal standards,” explains the artist.

Phillips is formally art trained, and has attended Figure Drawing and Anatomy courses, along with Painting, Drawing, Design, Structural Design and Sculpture.  Phillips’ Digital Painting, which takes place in Photoshop CS4, is the only area where she is “self taught.”  The artist’s training hasn’t been without a few snags along the way.  ”The running joke with me and my immediate family is that I am aspiring to make back the money I spent on college.  I attended two years toward a Fine Arts degree at Meremec College in St. Louis, Missouri before moving to Florida and finding out, to great dismay, that community colleges prefer you to take all “speciality courses” at their schools, so I would have to start over.  I’m not sure I will ever finish my degree, but what I do enjoy is staying fresh and updated on art classes and taking one at a time, for the companionship and critiquing element that often keeps one “squared.”

Born Sarah Kluegel in St. Louis, Missouri, the artist now resides in West Palm Beach with her husband, four cats and hound dog.  When not busy creating, Phillips enjoys time reading, gaming with her husband, and helping out with animals in the community.  She particularly loves spending time at the local zoo, where she can devote an entire day to sketching, and looking for unique photo opportunities.

Phillips doesn’t just express her love for animals in her paintings and illustrations, but does so also through literature. Currently, Phillips is composing a graphic novel titled, PAINTED.  ”It is the story of an African Serval named Sanura, which is Swahili for kitten.  Sanura is adopted by a pack of African wild dogs, or ‘painted dogs.’  Painted dogs are one of the most endangered and exploited species in the world today, with as few as 3,500 animals remaining in the wild,” explains Phillips.  ”My goal for the comic novel is to bring awareness and adoration for this species.  People love wolves, and these guys are the African wolf!  I hope to get published in the next year, but in the meantime, I am sharing it with the Deviantart* community, as they are an endless wealth of inspiration and support.”

In addition to Phillips’ book, she is also excited about her mixed media piece titled, “Sea Jewel,” which was chosen as one of the illustrations for the ALF Gulf Oil Spill Calendar Fund.  Having art picked for the calendar is a tremendous honor, and Phillips couldn’t be happier.  ”I am quite proud of ‘Sea Jewel’,” states the artist.

According to Phillips, she has more dreams waiting to be fulfilled.  ”I want to one day be published in a book.  I am very interested in illustrative work, as well as writing my own stories.  I might find a nice niche’ within children’s books,” says Phillips.  ”Another dream of mine is to help animals with my work, which I am already doing.  I donate every year to the Big Cat Rescue Furball in Tampa, and more recently, to the Oil Spill Calendar.”

Phillips’ pieces are nothing short of amazing.  There is no doubt that she is a gifted and wonderfully creative artist; therefore, it is easy to see why her work is so well received.  Certainly her fans have their favorite pieces, but what about the artist herself?  ”I try not to choose favorites; in fact, I am often my hardest critic,” confides Phillips.  ”However, I am personally fond of my ‘Cuttlefish’ digital piece.  It was enlightening to work on an animal lacking the typical mammalian cuddly qualities many expect from my work.”  Another popular item for Phillips is the artist trading card, or Aceo (Art card, Editions, and Originals).  The Aceo is a movement within the artist community that uses cards the size of baseball cards to do “art trades.”  ”I sell many Aceo’s because they are small and an affordable way of owning something by your favorite artist,” explains Phillips.

When speaking to the South Florida artist, there was one question I couldn’t help but ask.  Why the name Eviecats?  ”I wish I had an epic tale to weave about my screen name, but sadly, it’s pretty straight forward,” says Phillips.  ”My middle name is Eve, and I have known many Sarahs throughout school and work, so I sometimes go by Evie instead. Occasionally, people would call me “kitty,” because of my love for animals, especially cats.  So, ‘Eviecats’ was born!” Phillips says the nickname has worked out well and survived her last name changing with marriage.

Throughout the many years of creating art, Phillips steady and endless source of inspiration and encouragement has come by way of her grandparents.  It is obvious that strong family bonds are significant to the artist.  Not only is Phillips talented, but she has a big heart.  This is an important quality when it comes to being an artist.  With love and caring comes great passion and expression.  Phillips shows her beautiful soul in all of her outstanding and original pieces.  ”I am motivated by the unending road of improvement spread out before me,” states Phillips.  ”While it is true there is very little left in the world that hasn’t been done, it is immeasurably fun and empowering to create illustrations and expressive pieces that really represent your inner most thoughts and self to the rest of the world.  My wish is to share my unique view and appreciation of what I find beautiful with everyone.”

*To view Sarah Phillips’ work, go to Eviecats.deviantart.com.  Phillips says this is her favorite online art gallery because it is international, and is for all skill levels, groups and genres of art.  The site includes Phillips’ most updated and complete art collection, as well as her commission information.

To view Phillips’ journal, and to buy a piece from the Eviecat collection, go to http://eviecats.deviantart.com/journal/32529673/

Dreams, Nightmares, Fears and Fantasy Collection – Can You Face’em

When you think of Stephen King, you’d probably say he’s one of the world’s all time greatest horror authors.  You may also think after reading his novels that he must be demented in some way to be able to come up with such horrific ideas; no sane human could ever think of stuff like that.  Not true, many sane people suffer from hauntings unlike your typical paranormal like encounters; they instead are haunted in their dreams.  Their dreams turn into nightmares and fears where they can’t wake up from them and are forced to endure the horror that eludes them in the light.

Some of those people block out and forget the entire dream; they don’t want to remember it so they stuff it back into the archives of their mind never to be touched again.  Others, like Stephen King, face their fears and nightmares head on and have found a way to profit from them, while chilling others to the bone.  That is the case for Jason Dowd, the founder of Dowd Studios and artist in the new series “Dreams, Nightmares, Fears and Fantasy.”

Ever since he was a boy, Jason has been tormented in the night with night terrors.  He recalls dreams where he’s free falling through the sky, looking down at the solid mass that will surely take his life when he hits; but he never hit, instead he woke up before touchdown.  He also recalls one of the longest running nightmares that still haunts him today. It’s where he wakes up in a coffin, mistaken as dead; he smells death and sees the solitude of the metal box he lays in.  The horrific sound of the earth being thrown in, covering the coffin and the final pitch dark and forever silence that he is forced to live until the remaining oxygen is depleted.

He also recalls some of his biggest fears, which are spiders and clowns.  He states clowns are just evil; they are dirty and look like a dead corpse that put on some makeup to make their pasty skin look worse than it already is.  After seeing the movie, It, he became fully convinced that these fun-loving, carefree hobos are really a disguise for the evil that lies beneath the layered thick paint.  The yellow jaundiced eyes that glow when provoked, and teeth that turn razor sharp to take your soul.  Yes, that is what he thinks of clowns, and he has no problem stating that fact.  Then there are spiders, and who isn’t scared of them.  They are eight legged, multi-eyed little nasties whose whole purpose in life is to freak you out.

So what do these fears and nightmares mean?  Why are we telling you this?  Quite simply, one day after telling a story, one of the listeners asked Jason, “What the hell goes on in your head?”  Jason has always said he wouldn’t wish his mind on anyone, especially someone he loved; but that one question did spark a interest, an idea if you will.  He decided words weren’t powerful enough to express the horror of those nightmares, the sense of fear when he sees the very things that scare him the most.  The comfort with some of the greatest dreams he’s ever dreamed.  So he decided to create his own art series depicting his dreams, nightmares, and fears, and for fun, he threw in his twisted views on fantasy creatures and fairy tales.

In less than one month of planning and shooting, with the help of some very beautiful and talented models willing to step foot into the artist’s mind and face the very objects he fears most, Jason gave birth to this series, “Dreams, Nightmares, Fears and Fantasy” and was able to achieve his vision and confront his own fears.

The collection is guaranteed to shock, horrify, gross out and disgust you.  It will surely inspire and capture your heart and emotions and it will make you see the world through the eyes of Jason himself.  He’s fully aware some of the pictures will invoke some controversy, but he says it’s “no holds barred, anything goes.”  Despite some of the more disturbing pictures, you will probably notice that they are still beautiful and will capture your eye despite the graphic nature of the piece.

Right now the collection contains: Sugar Plum Fairies, Woodland Fairies, Gothic Little Red Riding Hood, Angel vs. Demon, Isolated and Insane, Trapped, But Not Dead, Remember When, Death To Yesterday, and Please Help Me.

“Trapped But Not Dead” is the reenactment of his nightmare of being buried alive.  The coffin used is a real vintage child’s coffin, and a real mortician gave the makeup tips to him.  “Details make the picture; it’s what helps to create the emotion and ambiance of the piece.  When I shoot these, I strive for authenticity.”

“Death To Yesterday” and “Angel vs. Demon” are darker pictures that still inspire.  For instance, the “Demon vs. Angel” series is a collection of twelve pieces that tell a story of the battle between good and evil.  In the end, good triumphs and peace will live again.  “Death To Yesterday” is the artist’s way of saying, don’t cry over the past, you can’t change it and you can’t live in it.  It’s there so you don’t repeat your mistakes and will be there to make you smile in the future.  These were both actual pleasant dreams Jason has had throughout the years.

Despite the month long shooting spree, Jason was asked to show this collection in Hong Kong come August at “THAT GALLERY,” a new art gallery that shows art from artists from around the world.  “It’s an honor and a dream come true to be asked to be a part of this show,” Jason states. “All I ever wanted was to be in a gallery somewhere. I figured it would be here first, but heck, I’ll take Hong Kong!”

The series has received rave reviews and comments, and I see it going very far.  Soon, Dowd Studios hopes to be able to place the pieces up for sale in small print and collectors’ limited editions in the studios online store.  He also hopes to be able to do some live shows around the country.

To see the collection, go to www.dowdstudios.com and click the gallery link.  If you are a Facebook user, follow him and his art there at www.facebook.com/pages/Dowd-Studios/371707221418

R.L. Blair: The Art of Wood Carving

For some, it may be hard to imagine life without cable television, Playstations, and the Internet.  R.L. Blair never knew of these luxuries as a child growing up on a farm in Washington.  At the age of twelve, Blair found something great to occupy his time with and it had nothing to do with video games or remote controls.  Blair had discovered whittling wood with a knife.  He began carving creations that could be found on any boy’s wish list.  Sling shots, toy guns, and bows and arrows were favorites of Blair’s to make.  Eventually the novice carver moved on to bigger and better projects.  Shortly before Blair’s high school graduation he carved the mascot, a totem pole.

Today, Blair’s beautiful and original artwork is known all around the world.  In fact, it is estimated that more than 30 million people view the talented carver’s creations each year.  Many of those people see Blair’s work while on vacation, perhaps without even realizing it.  After all, he is the premier wood carving artist for Disney and has been doing so since the mid-1980s.  Blair’s work can be seen at all of the Disney owned theme parks.  In addition to the six major theme parks, Blair’s sculptures are displayed all around the country at restaurants and in private collections.

The wood carver, who resides in Oceano, California, is famous for creating contemporary fine art sculptures, wood carvings and statues which include figurative and animal designs, marine life and carved wood wall works for both the home and garden.  Blair’s sculptures are beautifully detailed, each one uniquely carved with great skill.  There is the proud eagle, handsome and strong, with outstretched wings.  A mermaid with her long hair flowing in unseen waters. And then there are the whimsical, silly faces carved in eternal laughter.   But none of Blair’s sculptures are more popular than his wooden bears.  These life sized carved creations are done in caricature style, giving these typically grizzly and menacing beasts a much softer, cuddlier side.  With these kinds of sculptures and wood art, it is no wonder Blair has made such a name for himself as an artist, earning much respect and admiration with each new creation.

An artist in other mediums such as paintings, steel, glass and stone, Blair says wood is his favorite.  ”I like to carve because I can create a tangible object.  It is something I made with my hands and will hopefully enhance your surroundings and have some affect on the viewer,” states Blair.  The artist also reveals how much he loves wood for the warmth of the patina and the unique character found in each piece.  ”It {wood} was once a living thing and is becoming rare, so this is how it can be preserved,” explains Blair.  For many years Blair studied wildlife and describes himself as an avid nature lover; therefore, he feels strongly about being able to carve anatomically correct pieces. However, one of Blair’s favorite wood designs exposes his sillier, more carefree style.  ”I like the whimsical, “goofy off-the-wall stuff,” states Blair.

And when Blair is ready to carve a masterpiece, where does he find his canvas?  Blair says he uses salvaged and recycled logs, mostly from fallen coastal redwood trees cut over 100 years ago and left on the ground, still lying in the forests.  Trees like this are no longer harvested, but many were cut in the 19th Century.  Today, redwood harvesting is closely managed to insure the future of forests and their environment.

And how exactly does Blair carve these fallen redwoods?  He uses chainsaws, various power tools, carving knives and a mallet and chisel.  Blair carves the wood with one tool at a time, working his way from the top to the bottom.  The artist explains that each tool adds increasing degrees of detail to the wood.  When finished with one tool, Blair will then move on to a new and different tool which helps to give even more detailing til the product is finished.  The process may seem simple enough, but the fact of the matter is, very few artists have the skill to do what Blair can do with carving wood. He is a master; self-taught and doing what he loves for 35 years now.

R.L. Blair’s wood creations are full of whimsy, originality and pure magic.  These pieces are a definite must-have for the person who already has everything, but could always use that extra special something.

If you are looking for that extra special something, contact R.L. Blair at 512-820-1409 or by his email address: rl.blair@yahoo.com.  His hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can view some of Blair’s work on his website which can be found at www.rlblair.com.  Blair is available to do commissions and special requests.

Blair was also recently featured in the book, Art of Chainsaw Carving, published by Fox Chapel.

Mother Nature’s Art

Art is more than just paint on canvas, or pen on paper; art transcends the realm of the canvas and appears right before your very face, seldom seen because we take it for granted.  The art I am talking about was not created by a mortal human being, but by the hands of the lovely Mother Nature.  Mother Nature’s majestic art is prevalent all year long, but in the fall she paints a spectacular picture on display for a short time only.

I love Mother Nature’s fall art; growing up in Connecticut I got the privilege to see it year after year.  What amazes me so is there is such beauty in death because as the leaves slowly die and fall off the trees, they turn a magnificent array of earthly tones: brown, orange, yellow and red; soon to die and fall to the earth to create another picturesque scene.  The scene I am talking about comes on many calendars. You know the pumpkin patches with the piles of leaves next to them or maybe a child popping their head out of that pile.  The colonial stone walls with dead leaves laying in piles waiting to be picked up by the town leaf sucker, with magnificent toned trees and soft blue skies painting a picture of peaceful serenity.

For those that like more landscape type pictures of Mother Nature, take the rolling hills of the northern states. They are donned with yellow, orange, red and brown leaves filling the gaps of the eyes’ perspective, with maybe a patch of grass visible showing a bale of hay or maybe a rickety old fence. There might even be a classic church with a huge white steeple penetrating the horizon of the trees.

Do you like still life?  Well, Mother Nature has something for you, too.  There is nothing more picturesque then a pumpkin and a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables surrounding it, you know: apples, gourds, carrots, and other fruits of the fall sitting on an old wooden porch where rocking chairs blow in the breeze.  How about the stone mailbox with its red flag up, leaves all around it and a silhouette of a scarecrow looming in the background.

Yes, Mother Nature can create paintings in nature that can suit any art lover’s fancy; but you can’t buy her art, that’s the only downfall.  Mother Nature isn’t like most artists; she wants you to take her art with you by taking pictures of it, and reproducing her work with your brush and canvas.  See, Mother Nature doesn’t need your money, she gets paid when you sit in awe over her work and smile when you realize how good it is.  She gets paid when you say, wow, what an amazing scene. I am so glad to be alive to see something like this.  That, my friend, is worth a million dollars to her; that just bought you a print of her work.

What’s sad is most of us are too busy to take for granted the art around us. We complain about the cold or the weather in general to the point we don’t appreciate the amazing splendor you have in your own back yard.  I, too, took it for granted till I moved to Florida and realized that the leaves don’t change color here; there are no more leaf piles, there is no change of seasons.  Mother Nature’s work here is always on display and it,s always one theme.  Don’t get me wrong, her southern style of art is just as magnificent, except we don’t have limited time exhibits that we can enjoy like our northern brothers and sisters do.

The whole purpose of this article is to help you appreciate the work that Mother Nature dishes out to you, take it in and enjoy it. You don’t always need changing colors to open your eyes to your artistic surroundings; you should see the beauty in our world every time you walk out the door.  It is nice to see something different, and that’s why cars and planes and other forms of transportation make it convenient to go see some of her other works of art on display throughout this great world.  We also hope that you realize that art is more than just paint on canvas; art is in the living world. Humans and animals are art just as much as our surroundings.  Don’t take it for granted and look to the beauty inside. Fall is Mother Nature’s wake up call not to take her work for granted.

Stereograms 10% Art, 90% Magic

By Gary W. Priester

I first became interested-no, make that obsessed-with stereograms in the mid-90s when the Magic Eye books and posters were all the rage. Stereograms are images that at first appear to be just a random pattern, but when you view them correctly, a 3D image appears. At the time I discovered these magical images, an article appeared in Publish Magazine explaining how these images were made. The author lived in the San Francisco Bay area as I did. I contacted him and said I would pay for a few hours of his time if he would show me how the images were made. He agreed. It was one of the best investments I have ever made. The author knew only enough to write the article and create a few very simple stereograms, but his sparse knowledge was just enough to launch my career.

Soon I was creating my own 3D stereogram images. I designed a website to display my creations. A Japanese publisher who was launching a stereogram magazine saw my images and asked me to contribute. I have been one of two contributors for nine years. The TJ MOOK series is up to issue 16 and the series has sold over four million copies. My co-contributor and I have co-authored two books of stereograms. We like to think that we have significantly raised the bar since the old Magic Eye days.

How Stereograms Work

A classic hidden image stereogram is created from two images: a “depth image” that the stereogram software uses to build the hidden image, and a repeating wallpaper-like pattern. The pattern repeats several times, the amount of repeats varies but is usually more than five times. The stereogram software makes subtle shifts in the pattern in each panel that are not apparent to the viewer. When the stereogram image is viewed correctly, the brain picks up these subtle shifts that occur from panel to panel and concocts the 3D image. The art is creating a panel with a random pattern to conceal the pattern shifts. Shifts in the wrong pattern will stand out like a hog on a sofa, so a good random pattern is essential.

The depth image is a grayscale image with 255 shades of gray that the software uses to determine depth. The same type of depth image is also used when creating a 3D model in a 3D modeling program. White comes forward the most, while black represents the most distant part of the image. There are also the remaining shades of gray that represent the layers of depth in between.

Most stereogram artists use a 3D modeling program to create their depth images. I have never gotten on that well with 3D modeling applications, so I create my own images in a vector drawing program. The drawing process is very different from conventional drawing. For example, if you were going to draw a ball, you would start with a circle. Then you would add some shading and maybe a highlight, a shadow too. These are all visual cues that the ball is round.

But when you draw a sphere for a depth image, you don’t have the luxury of a shadow or highlights or other visual cues. You construct the ball from the back to the front using shades of gray. In essence, you slice the sphere into many individual slices with a subtle change of value with each slice. This is the basic concept for creating all depth images.

The stereogram creation software uses these layers to compute the depth of the hidden image. Objects that are further away from the viewer are spaced farther apart. Objects that are closer to the viewer are spaced closer together. These modifications are made to each repeating panel. Your eye and your brain see these shifts in the pattern and together create the illusion of depth.

You don’t need special software to create a 3D effect however. You can do it with simple spacing. Objects should be evenly spaced, but each row of objects can be spaced closer together or further apart to create the illusion of depth when viewed as a stereogram.

How to Look at a Stereogram

People frequently tell me that they have never been able to see stereograms. They explain how hard they try. They just never have been able to see the hidden images. Some people even imply that the whole thing is a hoax, that there is no hidden image and people who claim to see the hidden images are just faking it. The only legitimate excuse I heard was from a person who only had one eye!

Most people who cannot see a stereogram are just not looking at the image correctly. Here’s what I mean. When we read or look at a photograph, our eyes, slightly crossed, focus directly on the page. This is perfect for reading or viewing a picture, but totally wrong for viewing a stereogram. When you look at a stereogram, your eyes are actually focused behind the image. Instead of your eyes being slightly crossed, your eyes are both looking straight ahead. You are using your near distance vision and not your reading vision. This type of viewing is counter to our normal instincts, so I suspect the primary cause for not being able to view a stereogram, is the viewer is focusing on the page.

Here is a simple technique that works for most stereogram-challenged persons. Get real close to the image so your nose is almost touching it. Let your eyes go blurry. At this distance they will blur anyway. Now, very slowly move away from the image, or move the image away from you while trying not to focus on the image. Relax your eyes and try to focus behind the image. Do this very slowly and with any luck you should start to get some feeling of depth. The important thing is to relax your eyes and to not try too hard. It is not a contest after all. Do this several times if at first you don’t succeed. The feeling of magic you get when you first see the image is well worth the effort. And for what it’s worth, after you have seen your first magical image, the next one will be easier to see.

For more information on how stereograms work and to see more images, visit http://www.custom-sterograms.com

To see more stereogram images visit my Stereogram Gallery at Graphics.com and the http://www.eyetricks.com/3dstereo.htm My books: Eye Tricks – Incredible 3D Stereograms, Arcturus Publishing, London, and Hidden Treasures 3D Stereograms, Sterling Publishing, New York are available from most on-line book sellers. Our third book, EYE BALL is still looking for a publisher.

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You probably did this when you were a child. Place your index fingers together, then looking straight ahead, slowly pull your fingers apart. As you do this, a floating sausage like shape will appear. This is the same viewing method you use when viewing a stereogram.

When you read a book or look at a magazine, your eyes are slightly crossed and focused on the page. When you view a stereogram, your vision is parallel and your focus is behind the image. As with the floating sausage created when you draw your fingers apart, your eyes and brain create an extra image, which creates the illusion of 3D depth.

A random pattern is best for disguising the subtle and not so subtle shifts the software makes to each panel. The stereogram with the very orderly pattern of plusses graphically illustrates the shifts in the repeating pattern. When designing a stereogram, I try for a complex random pattern, such as the stones, in which the pattern shifts are not as obvious. Both hidden images are the same 3D sphere.

Compass A combination of three types of stereograms: hidden image, floating image (the compasses), and mapped texture (the white outlines).

Coins A combination of hidden image and mapped texture stereograms.

Abert Entity A custom stereogram created for a new advertising agency. The floating logos on the top of the image are the agency’s actual logo, which also represents the hidden image. This is a combination of floating, mapped texture, and hidden image stereograms.

The Art Of The Jack-O-Lantern

Growing up in Connecticut, one of the things I loved most about the fall, was Halloween, not just because I was born the next day so I got candy, then cake and presents, but because of the errie feeling New England gave around this time of year.  One of my favorite fall traditions was carving the Jack-O-Lantern.

My father, mother and brother would all go to the local farmer’s stand and pick out our favorite pumpkin.  Pumpkins grew wild up there so that wasn’t too hard to find.  We would bear the cold fall air that would nip at your nose, to get that right gourd for us to carve.  After our purchase, we would bring it home and carve them up using our “pumpkin cutters.”  After we made our masterpieces just right, we would sit them outside on our stoop, put fallen leaves around them, with some Indian Corn, light them up and stare at them for hours.  Those were the days… but then I wonder, where did this custom start?  Why do we do such a thing?  I mean it had to come from somewhere right.

History:

The origin of the Jack-O-Lantern started because of an Irish myth about a guy they call “Stingy Jack.”

Legend has it that Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him one day, but like his name “Stingy” he had no intention of paying for the drinks.  Jack would try to weasle his way out of it, so he convinced the Devil to turn into a coin so he could pay for the drinks, then turn back and the drinks wold be free.  The Devil obliged being slick and nasty himself; but once he turned into a coin, Stingy Jack decided to keep the money.  He put the devil in his pocked next to a silver coin, so the devil could not return to his real form.  Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and should he die, the Devil would not claim his soul.

However, the next year when the Devil was allowed to bother him, they met up again.  This time Jack asked the Devil to climb a tree and pick a piece of fruit.  The Devil obliged, and climbed the tree, immediately Jack carved a cross in the tree so the Devil could not get down till he promised not to bother Jack for 10 more years.

Finally Jack passed away, and met God for judgement.  God refused to let such an unsavory figure into Heaven, and banished him to Hell.  The Devil, upset at the trick Jack played on him, refused to let him into Hell.  As legend has it, the Devil gave him a burning lump of coal and set him on his way to walk aimlessly into the dark night.  Jack put the coal into a carved out turnip and roamed the earth ever since.

In Scotland and Ireland people made their own versions of Jack’s lantern, by carving scary faces into potatos and turnips to scare off Stingy Jack and other evil spirits, by placing them in the windows.  This tradition made its way to America where pumpkins were native, and we soon found Pumpkins make the perfect Jack-O-Lantern.

The Art

The art of Jack-O-Lantern carving has seriously evolved over the years.  What started out as simple triangle or circle eyes, with triangle nose and jagged pointy teeth in a mouth has started to evolve into some masterpieces like flying witches, and elaborate Victorian houses with ghosts eminating out the doors.

The skill is tough to master, it involves peeling the skin away and making deeper slices to make a lighter or darker impression.  You almost need to carve it like a stencil to give that amazing effect.  Since these are completely closed, and usually don’t have any carving through the pumpkin wall, they tend to last longer than the average Jack-O-Lantern.

Today you can go to any Walmart or K Mart and pick up some stencils that include some tools that will allow you to make some interesting pieces.  I find it more artistic and challenging to try to make the pumpkin from scratch.

Pumpkin CareAround Florida here I have found that once you cut the Jack-O-Lantern, they don’t last long.  The humidity causes it to rot fast.  So here are some tips to making your Jack-O-Lantern last longer.

1. Draw the face of your Jack-O-Lantern with marker, and leave it as long as you can till Halloween, if you buy your pumpkin way in advance.  This will keep it from rotting, but you can sport the face.  When it gets within 2 or 3 days before Halloween, you can carve the pumpkin.
2. If you plan on making a more elaborate pumpkin, I suggest not carving it until 2 days before.
3. When you gut the pumpkin, make sure there is no innerds left in there.  Those are very moist and slimy and cause for quick molding and rotting.  Clean it as good as you can, and wipe out any moisture.
4. When the pumpkin is not lit, keep a box of Baking Soda inside or Damp Rid to help eliminate mositure that causes rotting.
5. Dispose of your pumpkin promptly if it starts to mold, and right after Halloween.  Animals can eat it and become very sick, plus mold and rotting fruit/vegetables around you is not healthy either.  You will attract flies, maggots, and gnats.  If your pumpkin is completely rotten, throw it in a compost pile, or bag it with a trash bag and tie it off so the gasses don’t escape.

Museum Of Mourning Photography

Photography started off as a very popular means to capture a moment when it was introduced in the early 1800s.  Because of photography, we have a plethora of documentation regarding our greatest struggle- the Civil War, plus the western movement. This would encompass all the railroads and monuments as they looked before modifications.  We have photos of past ancestors,  and pictures of our current families.  Photography played a big part in capturing the moments.

Photography, however, was a trade and wasn’t cheap so photos, though abundant, were still scarce for portraiture.  Being a photographer myself, I am fascinated with the skills these tradesmen had to learn such as taking photos without flash, on archiac equipment.  I often browse the Internet looking for great old shots, and I study these old portraits and appreciate the beauty and time it took to capture the images.  In doing so, I ran across something that intrigued me.  In Google Images, stood a picture of a man laying erect on a wall in his coffin.  How could I not click on that and view it?

What I came across was a website for mourning photography, but there was more.  There is an actual museum in the Illinois area owned by Anthony Vizzari.  His museum is absoulutely fascinating.  It opens up a concept photography was used for that many wouldn’t even consider.

Anthony stumbled across these mourning photos when visiting a flea market.  He told me he found a box of old photos which had many variety of subjects inside.  He purchased the box of photos for $30.00, which today is a steal.  When he got home, he took a good look at the box and found it had a mourning photo inside.  Like me, he was intrigued and started a collection of these photos.

Today, the museum has around 1200 pieces portraying a variety of mourning concepts.  In addition, there are about 300 non- photographic mourning pieces such as lockets and cards, making the collection diverse and interesting.  The museum is open for the public, but remains at a private residence so you must make an appointment to see the collection.

MoMP’s Digital Archive Project was created to help educate the public on the practice of memorial photography, both past and present. This free archive is intended to aid collectors, historians and anthropologists with their research on the subject. Included in the archive are images from public and private collections throughout the world.  At this time no such free public database dedicated to memorial photography exists.

The collection is definitely worth seeing. It will give you a new appreciation for the generally unknown, and make you realize it’s not morbid at all; in fact, it’s quite peaceful.  When I see these pictures, I see people resting… knowing they don’t hurt anymore, they aren’t hungry anymore, and they are free!

One of the prominent pieces you’ll see in the collection is a book from a pre-teen, who passed away in the early 1900s.  The book contains records of her life, and her death photo.  It also includes a sympathy card to the parents and a lock of her hair from the funeral home.

The reason behind mourning photos is quite abundant.  People have their reasoning for it; my family did it too with the death of their first daughter in 1920.  Despite the various reasons, two seem to come to mind more often than others.  One reason is to help soothe the soul over their loss.  These photos were a form of closure for the departed’s loved ones.  Also, like I said before, photos back in the day were very expensive; many people didn’t get a photo of their loved one in life and this was their last chance.  This was particularly true for children.  I have seen more children photos than adults.  Some are posed with their other sisters and brothers for a group shot, the only one that will ever be.

This practice goes back before photography came about, and still goes on today.  It just made it more real with the invention of the camera.  Mourning photography comes in different expressions too, says Anthony.  Some don’t contain a body at all, instead the widow of the loved one would photograph herself in a black dress, showing her loss.  Some are quaint expressions showing nothing more than a wreath of flowers, maybe with an empty coffin or no coffin at all, giving the impression someone died.

If you never have seen these type of photos, don’t feel bad.  They are out there but not plentiful in the marketplace.  Anthony says that like anything there needs to be a market for something.  Many of the photos you see are older because the family is gone, and nobody wants the photos so they end up in estate sales.  Some exist but the family hands them down through generations, and still keeps them dear to their hearts, even if they never met them in person.  Some of the newer photos are still with the family, because many still know the relative depicted in the photo so it means more.  As the years go on you may see the photos from the 1940s to today start to emerge in the marketplace.  However, if someone knows what they have with mourning photos, the price is almost doubled.

For now, just enjoy Anthony’s collection online or visit him in his studio.  There is no charge to view the pieces, and he is glad to give insight to his collection.  Right now, only a few photos are online from his collection, however, he tries to get it updated as much as possible.

Mourning photography is definitely misunderstood, and I guarantee you will see why when you view his amazing collection at The Museum of Mourning Photography.  Also, check out his main web site that gives you access to his other wonderful photography collection.

Social Network Your Art

In today’s economy getting the word out about your work and music can be tough.  Television, radio and newspaper ads can be extremely expensive, and to tell the truth with the abundance of ads in a paper, it can be easily over looked.  Television and radio ads can go under the radar just as easily.  Most people, when a commercial comes on during a TV show, get up to find a snack or use the restroom, and with the radio, the listener tends to surf for another song.  So what do you do?  If you’re an artist or musician it’s kind of funny to see an ad on the television, although it makes more sense for a musician when a CD is released. The best form of advertising is by word of mouth, but if nobody knows about you, the point is mute.

Instead, musicians and artists are finding the 21st century technology very handy in marketing and advertising their merchandise and the best part, most of it’s free.  With the creation of the Internet, social networking sites have seen a boom in online networking and marketing that costs no more than a few hours of your time a day- a price tag many artists and musicians will gladly pay for a good fan.  These networks allow the musician or artist to actually communicate, network and socialize with fans, businesses and other prominent people across the world without ever leaving their humble abode.  Literally you could be talking with the CEO of a major corporation in your underwear. Imagine slamming that deal of a lifetime while sipping coffee, with teeth and hair unbrushed in your bathrobe!

Social network sites like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have played a major part of the “modern” artists success. MySpace and Facebook allow the artist another “web presence” so to say, giving them powerful tools like a blog, and friend capability and really another website to market themselves.  The cost is free, the only downfall to that is the occasional spam e- mail.  MySpace is a little bit more liberal, allowing you to create a specific design to give you that signature style, whereas Facebook is more contemporary and conservative, with each site looking the same.  Then Twitter comes in allowing you to make direct to the point statements about your work, or whatever you have to say.  It teaches you how to get to the point so you don’t beat around the bush.  Facebook also allows Twitter to update your “friend status,” which is helpful for the busy artist; you update it once on Twitter and it updates Facebook as well.

These sites have literally millions of subscribers to the network, so the possibility of exposure is limitless, although it does depend on the time and energy you spend making it happen.  We all know results vary on the effort you put into something; little effort gets little results.  These sites are also great because they are indexed in Google, so it allows searchers a possibility to find you in another place if your personal website doesn’t have high rankings (which may not be any fault of your own).  In short, if they find your MySpace before they find your website, the MySpace should have a link back to your website, and vice versa.

Social networking sites are also a great way to target the younger generation.  Have you ever seen a teenager not glued to their phone or computer chatting away on these sites?  It’s amazing they get their homework done at all.  If you are looking to target a younger generation, then this is the place to search.  The average age group on these type of sites is 13 to 27.  That age group makes up the majority of consumer spending on music and many types of art and clothing. From experience, I have noticed people actually ask me if I have a site on MySpace or Facebook because they want another friend; they didn’t care if I had a website or not.

The absolute best part about these sites… they are free!  They also allow you to advertise on them, giving you even more chances for exposure to your profile or website.  This magazine actually used MySpaces ad site, with great results.  We had 800 hits for $35.00, and managed to get three new artists out of it for a story.  That isn’t bad at all if you ask me.

The key, when using these sites successfully, is to: 1. Make sure there are links to all your sites on each of these sites (excluding Twitter because it allows only one URL).  2. Update them frequently.  3. Be honest.  4. Make sure you have the same information on each of these sites as you would on your .com as best as you can.

If you follow those simple steps, you can network with ease and maybe find your next client at the click of a button!  Though we must stress, this may not work for everyone, and it’s not an overnight guarantee for success, it does take a lot of time and effort. However, if you are committed, then it will pay off in the end.

Fly Like An Eagle – John Audubon

Bird watching has always been a hobby or activity humans have partaken in since the earliest of times, to sit back and enjoy natures wonders and beauty and also to relax from the everyday stress.  Birds are one animal that has no boundaries; for instance they can walk on land, swim and fly.  Birds are not bound to the limits we as humans have put on ourselves, unjustly; they are free to fly and explore the world from above.  When birds fly, they look down and see land and mountains and water; they don’t see state lines.  That’s something we as humans have tried to replicate and why we find the grace and beauty of a bird so mezmerizing and relaxing. 

For one man, this thinking turned out to be something he never dreamed of and would never see the full results of his labor; but his work lives on today and stands as the most revered art of birds in catalog form ever. 

John Audubon

In April 1785, a man born of French-American blood would forever change birding as we know it, his work would set the world standard of birding and the art of aviary drawings.  That man is none other than John James Audubon.

Like most people in the early 1780s he grew up in a humble environment, his father was a French naval officer and privateer, his mom, a chambermaid from Louisiana.  He was born in St. Domigue, Haiti, which is now known as Les Cayes.  He was an illegitimate child of his father, which upon the death of his mom, his father took John and his sister back to France after being imprisoned by the British during the American Revolution.

In 1789, Jean adopted John and named him Jean-Jacques Fougère Audubon.  In 1803 at the age of 18, Jean-Jacques boarded an immigrant ship to the new United States Of America, and changed his name to John.  Despite the new life he would have, his father sent him here to avoid the Napoleonic Wars, and obtained a false passport to get him here.  Upon arrival in New York, John caught yellow fever and was quarrantined.  His start in America was already on a bad foot, but John would make wine out of the grapes he was given.

John moved to his father’s sugar plantation just a few miles of Valley Forge, which he considered paradise.  It was there that he honed in the love he had for hunting, fishing and birds.   He set out to study birds in more detail, and use his artistic genius to capture a more realistic portrayal of these species he studies, than other artists have in the past. 

The Legacy

John was a master artist, he would set out across the United States studying birds in their natural habitat. 

He would carry around this portfolio which contained his amazing photos.  He would then name and catalog each species in this sketch pad.  His portraits of these species were amazingly lifelike and portrayed the life and unconfined spirit of each bird.

His work captivated people for years to come, they grew more and more interested in birds, and bird watching.  His prints were not worth much financially while he was alive, but in death, his prints became very valuable.  Today his art can be seen in reference books, museums, on decorative plates and kitchenware, and many other places.  If you happen to have an original drawing, you are sitting on a small fortune.

John’s drawings inspired so many people that the National Audubon Society was created in hopes to protect our natural wildlife from birds all the way across the board.  They wanted to preserve the habitat to look just like his drawings and keep this great planet the same way it was then, for generations to come.

The Audubon Society today has become more of an environmental activist group, fighting to keep our forests, preserve the wildlife and speak on behalf of the habitat which can’t speak for itself.  They have chapters in every single state of the country, and some world wide.  It’s a wonderful organization with tons of bird watching and naturists from around the world, with one common interest, the love of nature.

If you would like to see some of John Audubon’s work, you can, just go to the National Audubon Society’s web site www.audubon.org/nas and there you will find a link to John’s amazing life like catalog of his work.

John Audubon died in 1851 but even 158 years later his work is still one of the most talked about in history. John’s art which inspires grew into an empire that still portrays his ideals and values keeping him alive today in spirit. When ever you see a bird or nature, there you will find John Audubon.

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