Today's Ah Ha

So for a while now I've been wrestling with what to do that would create a one of a kind product. Now as a matter of background, in my deep dark past I did years of craft shows, selling my photographs and one of a kind hand tinted photographs. As my business grew I gave up craft shows - probably 10 years ago. Many may remember seeing me at the Moscow Fair for the 9 years I displayed there. Anyway, last June when Carbondale had their Art Walk, my friend Donna (owner of Art Strands Jewelry and Gifts) basically shamed me into displaying my work on the sidewalk outside her store for the evening. Heck, that's not what I've done for years. My work is stored in totes in the studio basement...why now. Well, I displayed only my hand tinted work. Funny how thing happen. I did some demos of tinting - like I did back in the day. Then as people admired my work I found myself using the dialog of days gone by..."these are hand printed by me in my darkroom and hand tinted using brush and dyes.." BAM there it was. Hand printed....hand tinted... Wow, hadn't thought of that in years. I was actually asked if I'd be interested in exhibiting in a gallery!!! That was the bolt of lightning that I needed. Sort of.

Well, since then I've learned to oil paint too. My goal was to offer oil painted portraits as a one of a kind portrait product to my families but having some issues getting exactly what I wanted. THEN this morning...I was looking at a newsletter from a mentor and an image I saw rekindled something inside me that reminded me that   1. I love, love, love hand tinting. 2. I'm not as good at painting and don't want to rely on a computer for a truly artistic product. 3. With my hand tinting experience and newly formed oil painting techniques - oil based, hand tinted portraits are what I'm meant to do as a one of a kind product. Gee, why didn't I see this all along? I've posted some photos here showing well, not the most ideal prints for tinting but I was totally in my element creating them. I tried one at my desk at the studio - not the ideal lighting. Where did I end up working? Well, my old darkroom-turned-art room! The place where I have spent 20 years creating either by light or safelight. It's not a darkroom anymore, but I'm working on that.

What's next? Well, some trial and error with particular labs to find the perfect paper to create the perfect final piece. The plan is these one of a kind pieces will be available 16x20 and up, matted and framed. My goal is to be able to offer this by April. What do you think?

My working oil tinting pallat 

 the couple different portraits I sampled. The large one is actually printed a little too dark for proper tinting but I had to try!



This cute little guy...the small print is tinted, the larger one is an original. This doesn't do it justice. I'm so pumped and feel the artistry just flowing! More test prints to be uploaded tomorrow!!