Tuesday, November 3, 2009

November 3, 2009


Maybe the next year could revolve around Dexter the Art Cat and his experiences in the art world.

5 comments:

Jackie said...

Is this Dexter again, peering toward all of us? The bodies of the larger cats lead directly to his little face. And really, his face and tat faucet (or handle) are the only things in focus. Again we have a frame above and below Dexter as well as to the left. Interesting that he is in shadow and still the focal point. That happens with some frequency yet I still think the focal point needs to be in spotlights! The towels are in the only light and they're unimportant except as a beacon to point us to Dexter. Regarding color, there are bits of D's color scattered around the composition. Thank you!

Linda Vandiver said...

I can hardly believe a year is almost over. I have enjoyed each and every photograph. What an inspiration! Seeing has improved and so have my photographs and art quilts.

Sally G. Knight said...

I love the idea of a year of Dexter the Art Cat and his adventures. I STILL want to know more about the kitty in your profile picture. What a doll! Thanks for nearly a year of great photos. We've learned with you. Sally at makingstuffmakingalife.blogspot.com

Jennifer said...

I too love the idea of Dexter the Art Cat! What fun that would be. Thank you for the year of photos and seeing life thru your eyes.

Sondra said...

What could be better than water out of the faucet??? Love these guys......thanks for sharing, Jane.
Sondra

November 20, 2008

November 20, 2008

November 20, 2008

How does color set a mood? The soft gray and white of the carpet, the cat Marshall, and the sunlit window contribute to to the sense of calm repose. What does blue mean to you or me? We all have symbolic associations for colors; some based on personal experience and some instilled culturally. 

The cobalt blue of the vase provides a point and counterpoint to the composition, in addition to providing elements that balance.
Keeping the cat in the lower third of the composition weights the image and is another visual door into the picture world.

November 19, 2008

November 19, 2008

November 19, 2008

This picture tells several stories. It references the human desire to order the world around us - the lettering on the wall establishes the alley as a No Parking zone, and the broken glass-  jutting out at the top - is another message of fear and frailty. Whoever lives behind this wall wants to be left alone.

But there is beauty in the contrast of the rough brick surface and the smooth translucency of the broken glass bottles. A contrast of textures makes for an interesting composition. And the abstract nature of the printed letters against the structure of the bricks would be worth emulating in another sort of composition.

There is as much beauty in decay as there is in a bouquet of fresh flowers. And aren't decay and fresh growth just two different spots on the same continuum?



November 18, 2008

November 18, 2008

November 18, 2008

The Hydrangeas offer a lesson in the effective use of color. The pale blue and lavender are roughly the same value, so they balance each other beautifully. I am challenged to mimic that combination of analogous colors on silk Habotai!

This photograph would be considered beautiful even without the red-orange and yellow flowers at the bottom. But the addition of the complements to the blue and purple creates a focal point and generates some nice contrast because of the complementary pairing. And imagine how different this composition would be, were the red-orange and yellow at the top instead of at the bottom. The current placement adds important visual weight.

November 17, 2008

November 17, 2008

November 16, 2008

November 16, 2008
Being and Non-being

Substance and Light

November 16, 2008

We join spokes together in a wheel,
but it is the center hole
that makes the wagon move.

We shape clay into a pot,
but it is the emptiness inside 
that holds whatever we want.

We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the space inside
that holds whatever we want.

We work with being,
but non-being is what we use.

Tao te Ching; Verse 11
Stephen Mitchell translation