But it’s the picture taking that is making me crazy/frustrated. The only way I can see these colors is to turn the surface of the object at a certain angle. The lens can’t be parallel with the surface or it casts a shadow on the image. The resulting picture is sharp in the middle, but very fuzzy top and bottom.

Any clues how I can get more of the image in focus? I’ve tried smaller aperture and that hasn’t helped. I’m using my 18-55mm lens with 10X magnifier screwed on the front. The camera is 6 inches or closer to the object.

Or you could just tell me you like the shallow depth of field… that it doesn’t bother you at all!

I can create that in 5 minutes or less using MS Publisher. I know it is also possible in Photoshop and I’ve probably even done it there. But here’s the question: will the end product be that much better that I should bother to learn it in Photoshop?

(I will learn it. Eventually. Just feeling lazy today.)

Perhaps because I have dappled with wool and beads myself, I was particularly taken by a series of round needle-felted and beaded objects that looked like cell parts I remember labeling in biology a long time ago.

Other pieces in the exhibit reminded me of the work of friends and acquaintances:
The stitching and paint on printed pages reminded me of Deb’s pages.

The beaded works that seemed to take their form from the insides of cells reminded me of Courtney’s paintings.

There were photographs of constructed “costumes” (which I didn’t get pictures of) that reminded me of Jodi Staniunas Hopper’s work from Women Create.  The uniforms and dress that were embellished with embroidery reminded me of the Judith Olson Gregory exhibit that was in this very gallery a while back.  The crocheted hospital gown reminded me of Mark Newport‘s superhero costumes.  The theme itself took me back to Deborah Orloff’s series of hospital images.

There is nothing new under the sun. – Ecclesiastes 1:9

I am nervous to google and find out how many others have already employed my latest “original” idea.

None of this is to diminish the creativity of the artists.  The works themselves are deeply personal – an expression of a truly original process.  The resulting product speaks to us because we have had another deeply personal experience that is similar enough that it helps us understand the context of this new work, and perhaps it gives us a little insight into the artist who made it.

Oak Leaf

SWAN 2013 Opens March 9th

Jamestown, NY

The annual observation of Support Women Artists Now begins in Jamestown in March.

SWAN 2013, an art show, opens Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 3rd On 3rd Gallery in Jamestown, NY. The exhibition features new photographs and art from Jennifer Randall, Angela Caley, Debra Eck, Jennifer Schlick, and Ashley Ordines. The reception begins at 6pm. A $5 charge covers gallery fees, food and beverages. Patrons under the age of 18 are admitted free. The show will be open to the public through April 5.

Dandelion, by Jennifer Schlick

Jennifer Randall and Ashley Ordines, both photographers, have displayed previously in Cold Snap 2. Painter Angela Caley was featured in Art Exchange and This Must Be the Place at 3rd On 3rd Gallery. She also showed at Dykeman-Young Art Gallery last December.

Debra Eck and Jennifer Schlick are the artists behind last year’s Women Create, which celebrated Support Women Artists Now through a juried exhibition. Women Create is the most attended exhibition of 3rd On 3rd Gallery’s history, with close to 200 reception guests and over 500 patrons visiting in total. Debra Eck specializes in paper and installation art, while Jennifer Schlick is a photographer.

Room for Utopia – by Debra Eck (photo by Ryan L. Johnson

Other events in Jamestown will promote Support Women Artists Now throughout March and April. Girls Rock 6, a live music concert on Friday March 29, will begin at 10pm at Mojo’s Music Bar. Area musicians, singers and songwriters performing are Kat Elfman, Lori Burke, Amanda Barton, Marla Harris, Gina Vecchio and organizer, Cindy Haight. An end of the show jam session will bring Natalie Langworthy and Sara Rafaloski onstage.

On Saturday April 20, Infinity Visual and Performing Arts will host an art market featuring the work of female artists and artisans. A lunchtime lecture about the history of women artists will be held across the street at the Reg Studio Theater. Throughout the day, 3rd On 3rd Gallery will remain open for Audrey Dowling’s art show, Comfort Zones. More details will be released at www.infinityperformingarts.org.

For details on all of these events, visit www.artscouncil.com.

WomenArts is a worldwide community of artists and allies that works for empowerment, opportunity, and visibility for women artists. They provide a variety of free online networking, fundraising and advocacy services, and organize Support Women Artists Now Day (SWAN Day), an annual international holiday celebrating women’s creativity in all its forms. They believe in the power of women artists to create, connect, and change the world.

3rd On 3rd Gallery shows are made possible by Arts Council For Chautauqua County and Active Artists Alliance, with support from a Visual Arts Grant through New York State Council On The Arts.

3rd on 3rd Gallery is located at 116 East Third Street on the third floor of the Arts Council building. Gallery hours are 10am until 4pm, Mondays through Fridays. Private viewings may be scheduled by calling 716-664-2465, extension 227. The Gallery will be closed on Good Friday.

Torn. Tattered. But still hanging on!

It wasn’t exactly the kind of inspiration I was looking for.  But it’s what the universe presented to me.  And it leaves me wondering:  how do we achieve for ourselves the results of her gift, without having to endure the gift itself?  Why can’t we live our lives like that every single day?  Why does it take something like this to put things into perspective?