Shifting Gears And Growing

Over the past year, I have neglected this blog in favor of honing my artistic eye and photographic skill set on Google Plus.

I have even created a new blog page that chronicles the journey of all my past and future projects; you can follow my journeys at the following sites:

Facebook Page

http://juxtapixelsphotography.com/

http://plus.google.com//106324582128454068388/posts

http://twitter.com/juxtapixelsfoto

http://pinterest.com/juxtapixelsfoto/

http://juxtapixelsphotography.smugmug.com/ (Prints for Purchase)

http://www.redbubble.com/people/juxtapixels/ (Artwork for Purchase) *NEW*

If you were a fan of my past works, be sure to check out all the new stuff from 2012 or follow me and my work on other social networking sites!

A New Year And Honing A New Craft

Wow, a whole lot of stuff has happened since the last time I posted, that is for sure.  First, it is a new year; hello 2012.  In addition, I received a new (fancy DSLR) camera for Christmas, and I picked up a 366 photography project (366 since it is a leap year and all). 

In addition to picking up the one photography project, I am also participating and curating my own photography theme.  It has made me more serious (in the most light-hearted hobby-type way) about growing and learning and getting better with self-portraiture.

At the end of last year, I put together my 10 best photos, all of which were taken after I had begun to hone the little point and shoot skills more seriously.  Yet, I can see my level improving even more since then.

Here are links to the 10 best shots here:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/106324582128454068388/albums/5692068864384327537

Here is a link to an album from a more recent set: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/106324582128454068388/albums/5741327968061342977

Marks and Scars

Recently, over last few months, I began to work on a project of self discovery with my G+ community.  The project is called the Selfy Sunday Project, which runs bi-weekly and helps to pull the photogs from behind the camera and step into the spotlight.  last week was my most bold piece of expression.  Becoming "okay" with one's self is not always easy, but with a crew like that, it is tough to feel down about anything.

I know my painting has taken a backseat (not for another decade, though) to my newer interests, but I still want to keep this blog rolling for anything artistic; may it be images of photographs, paintings, drawings, or even digital design.

From the Selfy Sunday Project, I give you "Marks and Scars":



We all carry marks or scars that form us into the creatures we will be until we draw our last breath. Some carry the scars of an immortal and unstoppable youth, careers and choices, or the marks of motherhood and self sacrifice. Though we hold strong, choose never to settle, and always accepting of who we are, we will never reach a perfection beyond what we project out to the world. In doing so, you can achieve a beauty undeniable and beyond that of the flesh. - Shantha Marie Fountain

The next piece is that of a displaced overlay portrait of my munchkin:

I hope you have a lovely day!

From the Vault | A Study of Poses

I was once quite fascinated with poses from classic and new wave oil painting.  More specifically, women posing in graceful and powerful and calming ways.  I was really just tinkering with my camera at the time, but I was able to dress them up and I felt they would be a nice addition for sharing.

For an idea on what I was thinking at the time I made these, you have to refer to these images on the web:

Link 1: http://www.thecitrusreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/demon1.jpg

Link 2: http://photos3.fotosearch.com/bthumb/PHT/PHT082/PAA082000053.jpg

Link 3: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mZtT2snNBZc/TcMVmppm8RI/AAAAAAAAANU/pl5TuGR6JFg/s320/eros.jpg

Link 4: http://www.francoisboucher.org/A-girl,-bust-length,-her-head-tilted-to-the-left.jpg

Link 5: http://static.royalacademy.org.uk/images/width320/key-68-12337.jpg

I wanted to blend photographed selfies with paintings. Not just blend, but kind of merge some of my favorite poses from paintings with my amateur photography and PS skills to see what I got.

Well, a year ago (or so), I had these:

To further the "Selfie" self reflection, I created an homage to the movement of Superflat made famous by Takashi Murakami.  In addition, I also have a #SelfieSunday posting from last week:

Well, that is it for now, but I am hoping to get more great shots while off on my long weekend road trip with the boyfriend! =)

Some Projects and Tinkerings

I have been going pretty strong with some things in my spare time.  Not with the brush, mind you, but with my camera, manipulation software, and with the pencil.

I finally got the turpentine and a few new canvas to work with, but this installment has tattoo concept designs and some altered photos from my experimental photo album.  Here they are:

At the start...

Goldfish added..began the face...

Hair and lotus added...

Face added, beginning hair...

Additional image of the one above...

Completed for now...(aka work in progress)

Warming_Peace

My first take on Delirium...

With more color added...

Using my Prismacolor pencils...

It was done-ish for now (I did color the butterfly, but not on this pic).

Fresh from a work-out =P

Lessons Not Regrets

Distorted Flora

Purple Phase

 That's what I have for now.  Hopefully, I can get into some paints before I grab the boyfriend from a few states away... =)

Illuminated Labyrinth

Since I haven't had time to paint lately, and I have had my hands full with my munchkin, I have been tinkering with my pictures instead.  This is the latest two:

Illuminated Labyrinth

Low-Res All-Stars

Partial Reline

I realized, once I began re-working the lines, that I had run out of turpentine, so I decided to go out and get more tomorrow. However, I did complete the lines.  Here they are:

Once I get my turpentine, I will pick up again tomorrow.