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Poof!

9/27/2010

2 Comments

 
Picture
Carolyn Wagner, Poof!
12 x 12
unglazed porcelain, smalti, vitreous, stained glass, tempered glass, mirrored glass, coral
©2010

I have finally finished Poof!,  my entry for Ciel Gallery's upcoming exhibition, Mosaic Vision,  http://cielcharlotte.com/section/164080_Upcoming_Exhibitions.html .   I re-worked this piece too many times to count, ripping up tile, trying to fine-tune various aspects.  My inspiration came from some coral pieces that I've had lying/laying (shameful that I'll never get that one right) around my studio for a few years.  They have always reminded me of dandelions, so I decided to finally attempt to articulate the image I've had in my head.  The finished piece does convey what was in my head, but I'm unsure whether the  photo above translates the subtleties of my mosaic.  And just in case I haven't  conveyed what I intended to...
What we have here is a monochromatic image of a child blowing a dandelion.  I purposefully played with the andamento on the child's profile and cheek, and used a more linear opus for the black background. I just happened to have some tempered glass that had shattered in kindof an upward pattern, which I felt could be  "breathy". I debated about colored grout for the breath to set it apart from the background, but decided one's breath has no color. So, neither does the breath in my mosaic. The white seed specks blown loose by the breath transform into gold.  "W hy?" you may ask.  Because they can. 
Below is an accompanying poem that does give additional insight into the image.  I apologize for my tone in this post, it is purely one of frustration, nothing else.  At some point, I'll try to get a better photo with more detail after cleanup and post in the gallery section of this site.  So, do you think an artwork is unsuccessful if you have to go into great detail to "explain" it?
Poof!
Make a wish
And then watch it float away
Will it be forgotten?
Or come true today?

Will it navigate life’s currents
Appearances more random,
Illuminated rarely
Then vanish like a phantom?

Ooh, it’s come in for a landing
To try to take ahold.
Better grab it now
For in my mind it’s gold.
                                                                      Carolyn Wagner
                                                                             ©2009
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Good Morning!

9/24/2010

1 Comment

 
Hmmm...It’s Friday. What word meets my own self-imposed, required rule of alliteration for titles?  "Friday ________"  or "________Fridays"...What to use? What to use?  Okay, I don't mean to offend, but I’m going to have to just jump right in (see earlier post) and use a word, which I rarely use:  Fabulous!   Fabulous Friday.  There.  Catchy, huh? Eh...It'll do for now. 
Title needed because despite the personal, social, political, or financial woes whirling around my perimeter (though I, myself, am fine), on this Friday, I declare a commitment to find the positive.  The FABulous. It’s out there.  I make myself look for it, and usually, I find it.  To honor this commitment, this blog will have weekly Fabulous Fridays:  a salute to the good, the fab, and the lovely.  This salute may manifest itself in the form of photos, art (mine or someone else’s), or prose.  Below are two photos to get me started.  One was taken on my walk earlier this week, and the other was taken about six weeks ago.  This may qualify as cheating a little bit for this first Fabulous Friday post, but I was under a deadline, (again, self-imposed). I'll try to do better next week and reference something fabulous, truly from that  day. (Though, forgive me, if I cheat again).   
Picture
Neither of these photos were taken with a fancy camera, or altered in Photoshop.  The one above was taken with my Droid cell phone, (which proves to me every day that I am a technological idiot, though I do love the phone), and the photo below is a Fuji Fine Pix point and shoot. Photography is not my passion, mosaic art is, but I do still enjoy my attempts at trying to get a good photo.  My point is, don’t use the excuse that you don’t have the equipment or time or talent to do this.  These photos may not be award-winners in professional circles, but I love them.  And they prove to me that there there is beauty in this world, my world, every day.  I’m challenging you to go out and find at least one thing that is worthy of your own Fabulous Friday. Write about it, take a photo of it, use it for inspiration, or just share it with someone.  You’ll feel better.  Have a FABulous Friday!
Picture
1 Comment

Jumpin' in...

9/11/2010

2 Comments

 
Picture
Carolyn Wagner, The Edge
18 x 12
smalti, vitreous, porcelain, shell
©2009

So, here I go.  Finally, just jumping in the waters without a clue as to how to swim.  The photo of my artwork  above, and the poem that follows, both appropriately titled The Edge, reference this hesitation.  Yes, it's nice to just dip your toes as I always have done.  One can feel refreshed, by simply staying at the waters edge, but you sure can miss a lot in life by always erring on the side of caution.  (Thank you, Florrie).  I wanted to do a  piece that reflected the environment in which I live, (albeit pre-BP spill).  This one also happens to reflect how I live--cautiously.  I'm not saying it's a fault, but I sure would like to lighten up a bit.  I'm still trying to work out kinks with font size, selection, color, etc. within this new world of blogging.  So, please, just bear with me as I fumble through.  And send me a note if something isn't loading or working properly.  Oh, great.  No spell check?

The Edge
I’ll just stay on the edge.

Looking for flotsam
Hidden among the daily ripples of life.
Ripples uneven, yet rhythmic.
Strangely calming.

One big delightful wave could erase them all,
Displacing the wrinkles
With more smoothing, soothing waters.
Or engulfing,
With more hurling, swirling, exciting turbulence.

But I know veiled currents lurk,
Dancing in tandem,
Poised for their cue to suck out courage,
And spit back timidity.

I’ll just stay on the edge.
Again…
                                                      ©2009 Carolyn Wagner




 


 

                                

 





 



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    Carolyn Wagner

    This blog is mostly about my artwork, or inspiration for my artwork.  You may find details about a current work in progress, or a finished piece.  Sometimes, you may only find a photo that I've taken, or something else I feel the need to share.   It just may take me awhile to find my blog voice and share my mostly misunderstood attempt at wit with you.  Or not.  Hope you find something worthwhile.  Please feel free to have a look around my website as well.

    The artist retains sole copyright to her contributions to this website. All photographs, artwork, and poetry belong to Carolyn Wagner and may not be reproduced without permission from the author.   I may allow the use of, or reference to my work, just check with me first, please.  If you are unsure of legal usage, please review R.I.G.H.T.S
    . on copywrite for artists.  ©Copyright 2014 by Carolyn B. Wagner.

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