Illustration Friday: Alphabet -

"Alphabet"
digitally manipulated photograph & digital drawing by Mick Mather

This is just so strange. A terrific theme at Illustration Friday - alphabet - came out today. I really thought this one would give me a dozen choices and what happens? Not a single, good idea came to mind. Sure, sure, I'm happy enough with this particular piece but I was hoping for something a lot better. It may yet come to me and if it does I'll post it. Right now, a good belt of cheap bourbon ought to do the honors as regards ushering in the Labor Day Weekend.

Thursday Challenge: Yellow -

"Yellow"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

This has been a crazy week and a particularly long day with one more between me and the weekend. So, with this relatively simple theme at Thursday Challenge this week - yellow - I believe I'll leave you to it. Me? It's time for a few glasses of wine and some Irish Whiskey! :)

NEW from The Reinventing the Wheel Series: Still talking about paintings -

"Reinventing the Wheel IV"
$50 Unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital study by Mick Mather

I happened to be looking through digital files of my old paintings over the last few days and, no pun intended, the wheels began to turn again. With this series in particular and in general as regards actually searching for studio space, paint, brushes and a surface that may or may not end up being canvas. As mentioned a few times previously these pieces are intended to be large scale - in the case of tonight's post, 4' X 4' - and perhaps in this square format as an inside joke. While I still have my work cut out for me and as I continue to draw and sketch ideas, creating a study for each piece will quite likely be the marketing vehicle for the actual work once I begin. Keep your checkbooks handy boys and girls!

A house for HPY -

"Chez HPY"
tempera-on-paper by Mick Mather

I've been thinking a lot about the request that HPY made at her blog last week. The original post begot two lovely drawings, the first by Isopeikko and the other by Susupetal. Above is small painting I did a few years ago that seems to fit the bill here. As I recall, there's been some mention and a little conversation about keeping things affordable. So, here you go HPY! It's what we call a fixer-upper over here. :D

Moody Monday: Immature -

"Selfportrait of the Artist, Immature at A Slumber Party"
digital collage by Mick Mather

As tonight's post title suggests, the theme at Moody Monday this week is immature. It wasn't too long ago that the conversation around the water cooler at the office centered around those carefree days when it was quite appropriate to go though your day, not just in your jammies, but in those particularly comfortable, flannel onesies. Well, I simply couldn't resist this opportunity to add a pair here while creating a new image for The Selfportrait Series at the same time. Mommy! I want waffles for brea'fast! :)

Something's come up! Must dash! -

"Blowing Kisses #5"
digital collage by Mick Mather

- image created with typoGenerator -

"I blew her a kiss. She blew a kiss back. I still dream about it."
- a flicktion by Mick Mather

Better documentation -

"They Loved Jazz and Champagne"
digital photograph of original tempera-on-paper by Mick Mather

When I say better documentation way up above I'm actually not talking about the piece as it exists here. It has its own charm of course, having been straightened, sharpened and smallered to fit my usual working frame...but, I really need to scan it properly once the buyer steps forward to claim it. The actual painting is a bit larger and quite a lot of detail has gone missing. I'll post this again when that day comes. For now, something easy for me to post and for you to enjoy I hope.

Illustration Friday: Visitors -

"Visitors"
digital collage by Mick Mather

The title of tonight's post is also this week's theme at Illustration Friday. This image has been languishing in another file called Sighting at the Summit and was part of The Maps Series. As I drifted through the stacks of unfinished work it occurred to me that this would fit in quite well here, and, it is done!

Thursday Challenge: Hot -

"Hot"
digital collage by Mick Mather

"Norma was hot. This created plenty of tension at the backyard barbecue when DonnaSue arrived. Bedecked in a doubled strand of white pearls and a checkered cocktail outfit, she was even hotter." - a flicktion by Mick Mather

The truth behind The Green Door -

"The Green Door"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

I've been taking my share of photographs where the subject is a door, a doorway or an entry of some sort. While working on this one an old, old hit song - circa 1956 - began to crawl out of ... :O ... the closet! It was a rock-a-billy song that went to #1 in the US by Jim Lowe while concurrently climbing to #2 in the British Charts by Frankie Vaughan. Another Brit, Shakin' Stevens, covered the song during the rock-a-billy revival of the late 70's and early 80's, keeping it on Top of the Pops for more than 4 weeks! Not unlike the ever controversially misunderstood lyrics to The Kingsmen's version of "Louie, Louie", this song has harbored its secret for decades. It's an interesting read even if you're not into the music. Hey! Kiki! You out there? :D

a NEW Series? Maybe -

"Fatal Crash #1"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital collage by Mick Mather

Tonight's post is an artistic expression of a tragedy. Without going into any great detail, it's one of those all-too-typical accidents on an interstate highway where people are hurt and killed. In this instance two lives were lost and, as I say, it's a tragedy...I don't know what else there is to say that hasn't been dogged like a bone by the media. Out of great strife and turmoil, however, we're often presented with something that gets us past such a horrific event - for me, it was the total immersion in the creative process that resulted in this piece. Even so, before I began writing even this little bit, my intention was to talk more about the beginnings of a NEW series of works that use actual cut and torn bits of newspaper articles that are scanned and digitally rearranged. Suddenly, I can't seem to go that extra distance. Since I have another version of this piece - I'll show it sometime soon - I believe I'll take this up again at that point in time. For now? I don't know, there's a lot going on here that even I don't expect to understand anytime soon, if ever.

NEW from The Making Faces Series -

"The Confessional"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital collage by Mick Mather

From something simple to something much more complex. In execution, concept and the variety of meaning that each of you may bring to this piece. As I was leisurely strolling through old files this afternoon an old piece that needed a new direction caught my attention. This happens to me from time to time and what we're really talking about here is going that extra mile before giving up on a work completely. As I began fiddling yet again, this popped out, reminding me of nothing so much as a confessional. If you happen to be Catholic, do assist me with three "Hail Marys"?

Keeping it simple -

"The Contemplative"
digital collage by Mick Mather

My usual method of working consists of multiple layers and images. Deconstruction, digital ripping, repainting, filtering and other manipulations that take hours, sometimes days or weeks, to complete. Even with this piece, such was the case for the first 60 minutes. Then, with recent visits to a few of my new favorite artist bloggers - Harlequin, Daniel Cimadevilla and Trijnie Mohlmann - I thought about something simple, direct and loose. This digital sketch is the result and it's good to slow down the maddening pace now and again, innit?

Voyager, Dr. Carl Sagan and SNL -

"Send More Chuck Berry"

digital collage by Mick Mather
- images generated by typoGenerator -

First, let's talk about widgets. There are lots of amazing little software programs being created by some very clever open source code writers and developers. What you see in tonight's post is the result of one of my new favorites (thanks Susupetal - I found typoGenerator at your place initially). There are dozens of others that I'm sure many of you will find appealing and I may have to add a category to my sidebar for those I know about and like best. Warning, some of these cool doodads are in beta states that may cause your computer to crash so be forewarned - I don't plan to recommend any that have made mine crash however. So, what to do with these shiny, new toys? Play with them of course. What happens at typoGenerator is that you get a little box where you put in a word or a phrase. Press the generate button and soon you have a nifty poster made up of random text, your specific text and random images ... as should be obvious by now, "Send More Chuck Berry" is the phrase that I chose after a bit of thinking that included Voyager, Dr. Sagan and a skit from the original cast of Saturday Night Live. There's a terrific blog post about it by Connie Sunday if you want more info. Another visual example of what one might do? Ron Huxley has altered some business cards that look terrific! While it's unclear that he's used typoGenerator, the appearance is decidedly similar. See them at his flickr site, here. As I discover more fun widgets, I'll keep you posted.

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...and, here's another little fun something that the Way Fabulous Susupetal uncovered. While I'm not looking for a date, their little quiz is a hoot:

57%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² - Dating Site

Illustration Friday: Captain -

"She, My Captain"
digital collage by Mick Mather

"One future, foretold atop shimmering waves at anchorage, set the defiant one adrift. One bottle of water, one of powder, one small arm and shot...marroon'd!" - a flicktion by Mick Mather - posted at Illustration Friday

Thursday Challenge: Young -

"Green Apples"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

"The immature fruit hangs low, over banks and canal, within equal reach of the footman, the boatman and thee. Fine as they seem - for the mule, the crow or the bee - they're much too young for me." - a flicktion by Mick Mather

I'm still away -

"Awning With Green and White Stripes"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

Another hit and run post while I enjoy a few days out-of-town and a day trip here and there. As the lyrics in my sidebar from Ben Taylor suggest, you'll be fine without me.

I'm not really here...we'll chat later -

"Smilin' Jack Uses Every Inch of the Runway"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital collage by Mick Mather

As the title suggests, I'm not really here at the moment. If all is right, I'm halfway to The Adirondacks by now. This being one of the expected hit 'n run posts I spoke of the other day, there's only one thing for me to say: "So sorry, must dash!"

Moody Monday: Newfangled -

"Newfangled"
digital collage by Mick Mather
- from original photographs by Mary R. Vogt - listed at Morgue File -

"Charley was amazed at the newfangled invention that, once strung along a series of fence posts, actually kept the cattle pretty well contained. Getting the cantakerous stuff unraveled? That was a whole 'nother story!" - a flicktion by Mick Mather

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday -

"Grapes - Artistamp (Block-of-Six)"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital design by Mick Mather

Although I've not bothered to mention it, I've been on vacation for the last 10 days. I spent that time loafing, reading, eating, napping, visiting relatives and friends while putting in minimal hours here at the secret visual laboratory. Next week I begin traveling a little bit and will be away, off and on, for the next eight days. That said, I'm not yet certain how my posting schedule is likely to go and, as we have here today, some post and run days will be the norm. Come to this image, it's a piece created for an old mailart call known as "The Exquisite Squares Project" from almost a decade back if my calculations are correct. The original square was done completely in MS Paint on my old Zenith Data Systems computer running Windows 3.1 - not long ago that square was turned into this artistamp. Now, it seems to be time for that nap! :D

A somewhat hasty experiment -

"Ayres Rock: A Dream Walk"

digitally manipulated monotype & satellite image

I've had a number of monotypes in my files for years now. Experiments for the most part where, after many layers of paint were built up, I drew into those muddy layers with a toothpick before it was completely dry. The result was interesting to me but I could never quite get my head around any further concept with this particular piece. The other day I happened upon a photograph of Ayres Rock - Uluru as the Australian Aborigines call it - and something clicked. I began to manipulate the scanned monotype while considering how to juxtapose a real image of the ancient rock formation. As I say in the introduction, this was an experiment, quickly tossed together. What can I say? I like it.

Illustration Friday: Emergency -

"Emergency"
digital collage by Mick Mather

"Helen looked fabulous in the feathered hat, a fact tainted by the nutty wallpaper whose patterns matched her silhouette exactly." - a flicktion by Mick Mather

Thursday Challenge: Skill -

"Skill"
digital collage by Mick Mather

What a perfect opportunity I have to debunk a myth with this week's Thursday Challenge theme, skill. The untruth? That artists are imbued with their talent from somewhere else - usually that means from "on high". In reality, art is a skill like any other learned behavior that can be taught, practiced and accomplished. To me and a few of my close friends who are also artists, the God-given talent is what we call "fire in the belly". That fire is nothing more than the powerful desire to pursue a goal until achieved. The dichotomy of such achievement, for the individual artist, is that no matter how accomplished, the work is still not good enough. So, we continue to struggle with our creations, with our level of skill, with our tools and with our desire to express our own vision. At the end of the day, if we have a moment of satisfaction, that's enough. Sort of. :)

Images of a forgotten girl -

"The Navy Jacket"
digital collage by Mick Mather

No, the introduction above doesn't refer to a new series of work per se. It is one of my holding files where groups of similar work reside. Something about this piece reminds me of my good friend, Melissa Morgan, whom I've talked about here before, recently in fact. Sometimes a pose, physical demeanor, shadows and light suggest certain people to me and that's what happened here. By the time I was finished in the secret visual laboratory here she was, seemingly pensive and oblivious, wearing a smashing pair of sling back, wedge sandals ... shoes that the real 'Lissa probably doesn't have in her closet.

NEW from the Making Faces Series -

"Dona Cochiti"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital collage by Mick Mather

Not a lot to say beyond the fact that I'm ensconced in the secret visual laboratory having fun. I revisited one of the holding files for this series of work this morning and discovered that I have two images that can be used. I'll save the other for a time when I need to post and run but, suffice it to say, it looks quite different, having the appearance of a rather graphic, charcoal study.

Moody Monday: Irritable -

"Irritable"

digital collage by Mick Mather

As I sat pondering this week's theme - irritable - at Moody Monday this was the first idea that came to mind. As I went surfing for shirts on hangers, up popped this wonderful old illustration from Edna Ferber's novel, "Personality Plus". The quote and the image were simply perfect! I added a rather contemporary-looking, faux advertisement featuring a sport shirt on a hanger and ... voila! Irritable personified. :D

Everyone loves a puppet show, yes? -

"A Day After Punch Left Judy"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Before I get too long winded, you can see an alternate version of this piece here, at No Matter What Shape - The Archive, one of my other blogs. There was something about the nose in the piece that made me think of both Punch and Judy. Even as I was doing the final save as in the holding file my hand was already poised to go further. As I mention from time to time, I have this new plug-in that is great fun to mess around with. Given the progress made with my ability to make that software editor do what I want it to, well, let me just say that I'm having one of those warm, fuzzy feelings when it all works out. Anyway, I do like this version a lot too. The segmented, compartmentalized compositional elements give it the feel, if not the exact look, of a puppet theater.

NEW from The Nightmare Series -

"Strange Perceptions From the Opium Den"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital collage by Mick Mather

I continue to play around with a concept hinted at in Wednesday's post. The image there, "Squinting into the Wind", now resides in The Nightmare Series along with today's post while I continue to ponder the new body of work. The trouble is that the imagery fits comfortably within a pair of existing groups, the above mentioned and The Making Faces Series, so I guess my real dilemma is answering the question: "Does it need its own room?" In time it actually may but for now, it's a group of files whose name will remain a closely guarded secret a little bit longer.

Illustration Friday: Missing -

"Selfportrait of the Artist Waiting for the Tooth Fairy"
digital collage by Mick Mather

We have an image serving double duty this afternoon since the theme at Illustration Friday, missing, sent me all the way over to the Selfportrait Series to search for a concept. Hence, we have me standing agape seeking to flag down that Flittering Fay with the moneybag. What? I have to be asleep first! Okay, but I wanna see a silver dollar on the night table in the morning!

Thursday Challenge: Toys -

"Toy Box"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

This week Thursday Challenge sent me on a treasure hunt. As soon as I saw the theme, toys, along with the many sub-themes that Dale Hudjik always offers, I thought of my old collection of toys and cereal box prizes and went searching for it. Come to think of it, not much has changed when it comes to the purchase of breakfast cereal - if the prize is cool who cares what the cereal tastes like! :D

Stumbling into the truth -

"Squinting Into the Wind"
$50 unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digital collage by Mick Mather

I settled into the secret visual laboratory today with the purpose of playing around. I'm glad I did after coming up with tonight's post following a good, long session. I have two other images in various stages that could easily go into one of my existing Series ... on the other hand, I've already opened a file for a brand new series called Faces in the Crowd, and it really belongs there for the moment. As I make headway with a few of the new plug-ins a new excitement seems to be building in relationship to this particular work. A lot more effort and few long yards to go before I'll make this new body of work official. Stay tuned!