Photo or Painting?

I have heard that question about my prints a number of times. My artwork starts out as a photograph that I have taken and then is digitally altered to resemble a number of artistic methods and styles such as sketches and paintings from classic to pop art to abstract. The end result is photographic art that can confuse the mind and leave you wondering if it is a photo or a painting or even, how could that have started out as a photo in the first place?

Other styles of art that can confuse the mind are hyperrealism and photorealism. I am always amazed at painters that produce a work of art that looks like a photo. I recently came across one such painter, Jason de Graff. Some people refer to his works as hyperrealism and some as photorealism; I say they are totally amazing. Some of his work would make you swear that you were looking at a photo whereas some have just a bit of another quality to leave you scratching your head and trying to decide, without really being able to pin down exactly what makes you question whether it is a photo or a painting.

I have included an image of one of my photographic art pieces as well as an image of one of Jason’s paintings. Can you guess which is which? When you think you know, click on an image and you will be taken to the artist’s gallery.

How did you do? I’d like to encourage you to browse both galleries to see other examples of hyperrealism/photorealism and photographic art.

EDC Opens New Online Shop

On a tip from a fellow online merchant I recently found an intriguing new online sales venue. After looking through the site, I decided that it has potential, so I opened a new shop. The look and feel is much different from my other shops, EDCCollective and EclecticSkeptic, on Etsy. I'd love to hear what you think of the site in general and my shop specifically if you get a chance to check them out.

I currently plan to stock this shop with my photographic art images, as unmatted prints in a variety of sizes as well as in free standing frames, on bookmarks, on note cards and on clocks. I will also be adding my gardening related booklet and information sheets that are described in my garden coach profile.

Note: The site that I opened a new shop at was sold in 2011 and changed how it did business, so I no longer have this third shop. If you are interested in my garden resource booklet or information sheets, please contact me.

Photo Art Bookmarks

I’m sure you have torn off pieces of paper to mark your place in a book or magazine. I have. I have also had them fall out and litter the ground thereby losing my place. If this has happened to you, you need something better suited to the task. I have a more permanent solution for you, photo art bookmarks.

I am excited about my new offering. These bookmarks are thin enough to be kind to your book while saving your place, yet substantial enough to make it easy to turn to your marked page. Not only are they functional, but they are small pieces of art. I have adapted some of my altered photo wall art offerings and note card designs as well as creating photo art designs just for the bookmarks. The back of each bookmark includes a short saying.

Bring a little art into your life or give these mini art bookmarks as gifts. They come in two sizes. It is only September, however many people are already thinking about Christmas and these bookmarks would make great stocking stuffers.