NEW from The Memory Series -

"Memory of Sandra #2"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I'm still feeling under the weather and am fortunate to have been able to spend some time today getting this post up. As the work developed I remember thinking, "Sandra? This sure reminds me of you." What? Have I dropped this one into the memory series? Well, yes, as it happens, I've done exactly that...this is now one of those left turns where criteria changes seem to have slipped in unannounced. In this particular case, from memories that are decades old to one that is probably only a few years old. Oh well, my head is beginning to hurt with the possibilities. I need a nap.

Illustration Friday: Quiet -

"Quiet Al Fresco"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

It's a bit amazing that this week's theme at Illustration Friday, "quiet", defines my mood this evening. Out of the blue this afternoon, a sniffle implanted itself and it's getting worse. I can't believe it, but it appears that I'm about to be ill with that unbearable, nagging cold that keeps going around for the third time since May. Anyway, quiet is all I want right now...I'm off to bed.

Eavesdropping -

"An Unwelcome Intrusion"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I was working on this piece for another project when it took a left turn on me. I'm glad that it did because it dragged me back to a more involved skirmish of cutting & pasting. As sometimes happens, the work is satisfactory if not completely satisfying; and, oh well, I can't be ecstatic over every piece when you get right down to it. Neither should I hide away images that fall into this somewhat strange category, purely of my own making, as regards how excited I am over a work. Come to that, there's more going on for me here but I'm having a difficult time putting it into words. Go figure!

Trick of memory -

"Memory of Gigi"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Once again, an image has taken on a life of it's own during the creative process. As I was fine tuning the final layers of this piece, it struck me that this looks uncannily like my paternal grandmother. I have a photograph of her - sitting on the steps leading up to her apartment - surrounded by my brother and me, and this is how I remember her. That said, were I to hunt through the family photo archive, I'm fairly certain that I'd be proven wrong. For what it's worth, then, I believe I'll leave this one alone for a while. :)

Moody Monday: Live -

"Live"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

There are a good number of meanings placed upon the word "live", this week's posted theme at Moody Monday. I rather enjoyed the one relating to reporting and the newspapers where the written word not yet set into type is called "live copy". I can only wonder about those souls that have not yet had their names set into the book of life. Ahhhh, purgatory and judgement day; something to think about, innit?

Inspiration Challenge: Delicious Wine -

"Selfportrait of the Artist as Your Wine Steward"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Two days in a row that I've entertained myself to no end! I had a blast adding this piece to The Selfportrait Series before uploading it to the most fabulous Odilia Liuzzi's meme site, Inspiration Challenge. Now, before I dash off to see how the Gi'nts are doing, may I suggest a bottle of Noceto Sangiovese at just a tad above room temperature? As you wish, sir.

Old school -

"Pop Art Girl"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I gave myself a bit of a chuckle when naming tonight's post. First of all, this image is "relatively" old for me and done in a style that I would surely refer to as old school. Too, the 1960's Pop Art movement has been on my mind quite a bit this summer and has inserted itself into more than one conversation about art during that same period - yup, old school, again! So, while not a belly buster, it was at least a comical double endtendre of references for me. Anyway, I'd love to see this piece as a large mural or on a billboard...the farther away you get from this, the more your eye will show you the hidden figure.

Illustration Friday: Phobia -

"Selfportrait of the Artist as an Arachniphobe"
digital collage by Mick Mather

This week's theme at Illustration Friday is "phobia". The note from my mommy should explain everything. Hey! Is it safe to come out now? Did you git that bug, mom? Huh? Mom? Hey! Is anybody out there? Is that spider gone? Fluff? Whatta ya mean it was only a little piece of fluff? It was NOT! Hello?

Thursday Challenge: Occupation -

"Her Presence, Like an Occupation"
digital collage by Mick Mather
Excerpt from The Inventor's Diary: "Just Can't Shake It"

"...not knowing how it happened is little comfort. I suffer at every turn. Sleep is fitful at best. Daydreams are poorly focused and fruitless. You've invaded my mind and soul, your very presence, now, as unwelcome as an invader occupying anothers territory. The worst of it is my total willingness, once upon a time, to cede my own freedom in a misguided effort to peacefully coexist. Shattered am I now, lost and without hope..."

One foot out the door -

"Accessories for a Pastel Sweater"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I only have a few minutes with all of you (again!) this evening. I've got one foot out the door and won't be back for a while. This image has always nagged at me for a better finish than I originally had, so I began reworking it this afternoon. I like it much better now but still not completely satisfied. It's quite likely that I'll go for yet another version of it some stormy afternoon. We'll chat about that later.

Smilin' Jack -

"Black Satin Dress"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Tonight's image is just the sort of, 'scuse my political incorec'ness, a Dame one might find on the arm of Smilin' Jack in the middle of some adventure. Seductive, slinky, stylish and the epitome of swank! Dudes! Get your martini on!

Still trying to catch up -

"Sitting in an Uncomfortable Chair"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Every time I think that the workload at my office is about to settle out and give me a bit of breathing room, something comes up. So, do forgive another hit & run post this evening...I'm just plain beat to the socks. Take a deep breath, boy! Exhale! Mmmmm, that's better.

Inspiration Challenge: Violet Visions -

"Violet Vision #1"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Another intriguing theme from Odilia Liuzzi's Inspiration Challenge. I have to admit that I went right for the photo file of flowers before taking a left turn into the post you see here now. As I was finishing up, the idea that this could become a new series struck a chord...time will tell.

Sleepy day at the end of Summer -

"Withering of the Gold"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Excerpt from The Inventor's Diary: "A Late Summer's Dream" -

"...we walk my grandmother's old wheat fields on a sundrenched, but windy day. As the shining, golden colors of the harvest begin to tarnish I turn to look at you. Every curve of your body, every ruffled drape of your sleeveless blouse tells me that my fortune is made from visions like these. I sigh, one of deep happiness born of contentment, and consider taking your hand - a mistake I'll never make again. A sad theme this, breaking into my reverie like a thief about to abscond with my worldly posessions, leaving me alone with this recurring dream and my memories of you..."

Illustration Friday: Change -

"Hot Flash"
digital collage by Mick Mather

'Tis the change of life that struck me with this week's theme at Illustration Friday. Since I'm on my way to Oswego, New York to see one of our best local bands, The Gonstermachers, this post will be, of necessity, short. Go to their download page and have listen to "The Night Sam Cooke Died (Good Hard Kiss)". Sure, sure, tell me all about it in the morning! :D

Thursday Challenge: Home -

"Home is Where the Heart Is"
digital collage by Mick Mather
Excerpt from The Inventor's Diary: "Where Love Goes" -

"...I'll always think of it as our park. I hope you remember, from time to time, how much I love sitting there on pleasant days. It still holds a sense of warmth and safety for me, it still tells me wonderful lies about your guarded heart. In the big scheme of things it's as close to home as I've ever come because, as even fools understand so well, home is where the heart is..."

If looks could kill -

"A Sidelong Glance"
digital collage by Mick Mather

There's something about the way this image came out that struck me. Is the look mischievous? Wary? Concerned? Irksome? Controlled and constructed? Misinformed? It could go on and on I suppose and the mystery of it, lending itself to so many interpretations, is most intriguing to me. Rave on!

Recovering slowly - or: "Little By Little" -

"Warmth of a Faint Smile"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Excerpt from The Inventor's Diary: "I wanted to call" -

"...I've said it before, every time something interesting happens I reach for the telephone to call you, to tell you all about it, perchance to laugh together again, even if just for a little while, like we used to. I was actually dialing the number when I realized that you're just not there. You're distance has turned to absence, your absence has turned to neglect, your neglect has broken my heart, yet again. Even so, I recall the warmth in the faintest of your smiles, a trap set for the younger, foolish me, an enticement to breathe life into fading embers. Just as I'm about to give sway to my foolish dream the end of my uphill climb appears, close at hand. I was humming that old song as the receiver rattled back into its cradle. "Little by little, I'm losing my love for you..."

Moody Monday: Absent -

"Selfportrait of the Artist (Not Pictured)"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I'm recovering slowly from the 3 days of Outdoor Festival work I went on and on about last week. Friday raised a fine set of blisters, Saturday added blisters to those blisters and, by Sunday, I was barely able to walk at all. Today it's much better. One of the reasons may have been the excited buzz I received working on this week's theme - absent - over at Moody Monday. I always get a huge charge out of working on The Selfportrait Series and I seem to be on a roll with it. Here's another one for ya!

Thursday Challenge: School -

"Selfportrait of the Artist as a School Bus Driver"
digital collage by Mick Mather

This image was a real blast for me to work on. Kudo's to Dale Hudjic over at Thursday Challenge for having another theme that lent itself so well to my Selfportrait Series. That said, it's really time for me to continue on the days mission - getting liquored up for the next two days at Irish Fest. It's more than likely that you won't see another post from me until Sunday or Monday. 'Til then, ta!

She walked right in, she walked right out -

"Radiating Hope"
digital collage by Mick Mather

The title of tonight's post is one of my all time favorite lyric lines. In many ways, it also quite fits a few of the relationships with some of the beautiful, wonderful women who've flashed in and out of my life. If you've been paying attention (not at all required by the way) it also fits the tenor of this busy week I'm having. Must dash!

Counting down to a lost weekend -

"Portrait of an Immature Rose"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I suppose my constant mention of having to work all this weekend is becoming a bit of a whine. Sorry....sorry too about another hit & run post. I've had this one in the archives since early in the year and finally have the chance to haul it out and hang it up. Enjoy!

It's "Labor Day" for goodness sakes! Why are you working? -

"Red Haired Girl"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

Okay, okay, so I haven't taken my own tsk! tsk! tsk! seriously enough. Well, kind'a - sort'a - maybe...tonight's post is another hit & run as I prepare for the week ahead. What better way to do it than by giving my very good friend, Ann, a shot at her 15 minutes of fame. Just reward for all of your hard work lo' these last few years. T'anks, a'you! :)

Inspiration Challenge: The Doll Soul -

"The Doll Soul"

photgraph by Mick Mather

The Newest theme over at Odilia Liuzzi's Inspiration Challenge just popped in at her web site. I had to scratch my head a bit and was halfway to my camera to take a few shots when I realized that I had this image in the files. As is my wont, a bit of my usual fuss 'n muss with filters and such were investigated but, in the end, the straight photo won out. When it comes to the "soul" of a doll, I rather preferred one of the manipulated images. If things go as I expect, it may get posted at a time when I'll be needing a few quick posts. Next week I work the last outdoor festival of this season...my poor, poor feet!

Just hanging around -

"Contemplating Shifting Patterns of the Sun"
digital collage by Mick Mather

It's a cool, rainy Saturday afternoon and I'm just kina hangin' around. Come to that, I feel a nice, long nap coming on. Not to worry. Since no good deed goes unpunished, I'll be paying this downtime back in spades next weekend at the 7th Annual Syracuse Irish Festival. Y'all come!

Illustration Friday: Safe -

"Selfportrait of the Artist Safe After Extreme Sports"
digital collage by Mick Mather

As most of us know, thumbs up is often a sign from daredevils, stunt men and athletes that, when the going gets tough, tells us that everything went okay. What better way to contemplate this week's Illustration Friday theme of safe. I'm off for an evening of doin' nuthin'...so, have fun, kids! :D