Monday, March 16, 2009

Spring Color



"twinchie" (top) and 3X4 (bottom)


These are actual photographs (on photographic paper - not in my photoshop files) that I played with. For both of them, I heavily sanded the edges, gradually lightening up on the pressure as I worked my way to a focal point. Then I applied a beeswax treatment. For the top one I applied beeswax flakes and then heated it up in the toaster oven. I ended up with only a small part of the photograph that was recognizable - the part with the least amount of sanding. The second one I dipped in hot beeswax, which did less to damage the photograph but in some ways is not as interesting. The toaster oven method did emit some interesting smells - probably not that good for my brain - so next time I do it that way, I think I'll move the operation outside.

These are photographs from our yearly tulip festival in Skagit County, Washington. It happens every April and truly is a sight to behold.

20 comments:

Sandy said...

Wow wow wow wow what a spring feeling.
Fantastic pieces. Love them.

Nettie Edwards said...

Gorgeous, happy images!

Anonymous said...

Kimmie, both of the photos are beautiful, each in its own way. I don't use beeswax. I can't find any in the stores. And my dh thinks I might just burn down the house if I tried to use it. But your methods do sound interesting. I actually like the toaster oven photo the best! But I don't think the fumes would be too good for you. ; -)

~*~Patty S said...

Visiting your blog this afternoon really has me in the mood for Spring, both are lovely creations!

Buffy said...

Both of these are beautiful. And they put me in the spring mood.

Robin said...

Thanks for sharing your experiments using beeswax on both of these pics! I am in love with the beautiful rows of tulips.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Would love to see the tulip festival in person!

Anonymous said...

Lovely! Diane

Barbara Hagerty said...

WOW! These photos say "spring" like nothing else! I love them! And I want to go to the tulp festival!!! I thought I would have to go to Europe to see anything like this, and they're in Washington state! AMAZINGLY beautiful!

Francoise MELZANI LAURENTI said...

wow gorgeous and thank you for spring images

Anonymous said...

I have some beeswax, hhmmmmm!!!
Great work - if only my garden would look like that someday!! LOL

Anonymous said...

I have some beeswax, hhmmmmm!!!
Great work - if only my garden would look like that someday!! LOLutbooch

Anonymous said...

Love the tulip twinchie!

Jane said...

I really needed those touches of Spring. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Both are gorgeous

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wonderful, really spring-feeling.

Christy said...

What awesome art. The Tulip Festival sounds like a wonderful trip full of beautiful. ;)

Gaby Bee said...

These photos gives me hope for Spring. Gorgeous!
Gaby

Linda Vincent said...

They are both beautiful but I love the effect you created on the top one. Great use of a toaster!!!
;-)

Annette Q said...

What interesting techniques! I love both images, both have such great qualities and really pretty too!