The Printmaker

Amy, the printmaker, and the print that Amy, the printmaker, made.

Living Color

Sold my house and am looking back at some of its details. In particular, the way natural light and incandescent light combine to create living color.

One Object; Two Images

It's winter here in St. Louis, which means it's cold and ugly outside, and gets dark early – all good reasons not to feel inspired or creative. Instead I brought my energies indoors and looked for subjects to shoot in the comfort of my warm home. These shots became the Recent Work series that I've been posting for the past few weeks.
     The most recent of the recent images began with a Pottery Barn vase and resulted in the following two interpretations.

First, the vase was shot in front of a studio light to create a high contrast silhouette, using its sinewy shape as the focus of the composition. My intention was to crop out the light box and leave a bright white background with a nearly black shape floating in the center of the photo. However, what I liked more, was the thick black borders of the full frame image with the background being softened by the ragged edge of the light box and the way it framed the hard edges of the vase.

For the second shot, I recalled a college professor's lecture about painting in chiaroscuro – letting things emerge from total darkness into the light. I quickly found the right balance of a simply beautiful shape coming into view from the blackness. While it was a pleasant image, I felt it needed some random scrape of color and movement to contrast with the perfect symmetry of the vase. I tossed in an extension chord and worked the shape until I found the right line to complement the circles.
     In these lighting conditions, the white chord took on a greenish cast – something I did not predict but nevertheless felt was the key element to making this composition work for me.
     (And this is why I'm not a commercial photographer. The client would have argued endlessly that their white chord should be white, when it's obvious to me that it should be anything BUT white.)

Just for Fun - Part Four

I see the stern jaw of an animal rearing up and preparing to attack.
     What do you see?

Recent Work - 2011.12 Part 5

Abstract 19
2011
© Larry Torno

Next to Rechanneling Morris Louis (shown 12-11-11), today's post, Abstract 19, is my favorite recent photo because it came out of nowhere. It started with an object I found that I kept shooting until it fell into a composition that really worked for me.
     Like a lot of my photos, I never know what to expect until I see something that sparks an idea and gets me excited. The energy, movement and unpredictability in this image is what I'm always looking for.

Recent Work - 2011.12 Part 4

I Remember Franz Kline
2011
© Larry Torno

I'm a very visual person and love it when I create an image that evokes a memory.
     During my college years, I would flip endlessly through art books hoping to glean some inspiration that would make me cover a canvas with bold gestural strokes and genius compositions.
     It never happened, but all these years later I find that I can create a photograph, stand back to examine it, and recall with discovery that I remember Franz Kline.

My previous three posts from Recent Work: 2011.12.

Recent Work - 2011.12 Part 3

Abstract 73
2011
© Larry Torno

Part 3 of the Recent Work series is titled Abstract 73. It was shot on the same day as the two previous posts and also as next week's Part 4 post.
     I've had good response to these abstract photographs, with the most frequent comment being "What is it?" Some people have figured them out and others prefer not to know.
     With that in mind, I submit the following description of today's post - "It's very timely."

     If you really must know more, drop me an email at larry@berkeleydesignllc.com and I'll fill you in. Otherwise, enjoy the photo and the holidays.

Parts 1 & 2 of the series.

Recent Work - 2011.12 Part 2

Abstract 47
2011
© Larry Torno

Abstract 47 is the next image in a series of recent work.
     I keep looking through the lens of my camera, finding new visions to share with anyone willing to expand their visual sensitivities.

Last week, I posted Rechanneling Morris Louis.

Recent Work - 2011.12 Part 1

Rechanneling Morris Louis
2011
© Larry Torno

Rechanneling Morris Louis is the first in a series of recent images that were spawned by a curator's comment; "You're still shooting abstracts aren't you?"
     It sounded more like a directive than a question. And it hinted at a suggestive compliment, albeit a subtle one.
     Let's face it. As artists, we all want comprehension by our audience of our ideas, our attempts, our creations. We strive for the moment when someone shares our vision and nods validation.

SOLD - Thank You

Close Encounter - recently sold and on its way to California. Thank you Seth.

Curated - Part Four

It's the return of Barbie. First with an appearance in the June 15, 2011 issue of the LA Times, then with select images from the exhibition, When Is A Doll Not A Doll?, and lastly with 2 new images never shown before. (click on any image for a larger view)