Shades -

"Me and My Shadow"
digital collage by Mick Mather

"... I don't need a friend who changes when I change
and who nods when I nod;
my shadow does that much better ..."
- Plutarch

Over sleepy garden walls -

"Tear to the Shadows"
digital collage by Mick Mather

There's a deep, purple funk hanging over my head ... you guessed it, the NY Giants lost to the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday, ending our season and our aspirations for a shot at another Superbowl Ring. Oh well, if I must be stuck in the shadows, a little company would be nice. :)

Illustration Friday: Contained -

"Within Shadows Contained"
digital collage by Mick Mather

The word of the week at Illustration Friday is contained and anyone who's ever been caught out at night when a fog bank rolls in will probably connect with today's post. Just what is our dark lady doing anyway? Beckoning us forth? Warning us away? It's a mystery left for anyone who would like to have a crack at it.

Have you seen? -

"Standing in the Shadows"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Something short and sweet as I scurry about, preparing for the upcoming vacation that I seem to have been going on and on about all month. So far, I have two-thirds of the posts covered for the expected dozen days of down time. Since I'm in the middle of a creative lull this has been a bit difficult at times. Be that as it may, carry on is the theme of the week.

Another new series?

"Ghost #1"
digital collage by Mick Mather

It sure seems like this is the year for a diversity of new and related works. This piece is not the first of what is now officially being referred to as The Ghost Series, but it is the first one posted. In many ways, these images are tied to my monotype prints in that they're faint, ghost-like impressions of a more distinct layer. I use these to lighten or darken a piece and to add texture, patterns or shadows. Long story short, I have a number of such layers that can stand alone and, where appropriate, I'll begin to post them.

Out with the bad air, in with the good -

"Shadows Overtaking Clear Thought"
digital collage by Mick Mather

A recent conversation with an old friend started me thinking about the things that we do, the choices we make and the repercussions of both. On the one hand, it's common, and human, to make mistakes, even a lot of them, as we progress from one station of life to another. It's something else again when the shaded thinking of our subconscious causes the repetition of destructive choices ... and the road to understanding is surely long and winding as well as strewn with fear, doubt and every sort of misstep.

Moody Monday: Beautiful -

"Eye of the Beholder"
$50 Unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

This week's theme at Moody Monday is beautiful. As I was going through my photography files, this one popped up and asked me to look again. As I studied the variation and repetition of forms and shadows it occurred to me that beauty is almost everywhere we look. I believe the title tells the rest of the story here ... enjoy.

Excerpt from The Inventor's Diary: "The Note" -

"A Billet Doux For Her Lovers Greatcoat"
digital collage by Mick Mather

..."I remember watching you fold a small piece of paper. Studious in the effort, keeping each edge trim, every crease clean and smart. Beyond was that old, doddering coat rack, a deep purple shadow of its contents cast upon the wall by cheap incandescents. I returned quickly to my own work, an image of fuzzy edges melding, one into the other, clear in my mind if not in that room. You had left by the time I returned and, donning the last remaining greatcoat, my own, I slipped a hand into the left pocket, finding the note. My heart beat a little faster and a warm flush came over me as I did carefully unfold. Then, that sinking feeling that foolish hearts find forever surprising. The name of the one you confess your love to isn't mine"...