Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Altered Imagery

I recently completed an online workshop on altered digital imagery. The workshop class I took was from Susan Tuttle. I learned how to use the tools, layers and filters in Photo Shop Elements.
The above image is one of my early (beginning) images. I know I have a long way to go now, and it will take much more experimenting, playing and trying all these new tools over and over again.
I highly recommend Susan's online workshops because I am a complete computer novice and I learned a great deal in her 4 week course.

Susan Tuttle offers a number of online workshops dealing with altered digital imagery. Her workshops include tutorial videos, print outs with step by step instructions, images to download for projects, and feedback to questions if needed. You can find more information about her upcoming workshops this fall here and she will be adding a brand new class to her list of workshops she offers.

You can find more of Susan's digital imagery at her website here and at her blog here.


Dorothy Simpson Krause is a painter, collage artist, book and print maker. She incorporates digital mixed media into her art. She is the author of many books, including the above book BOOK+ART: Handcrafting Artists' Books. She is also the co-author of DIGITAL ART STUDIO: Techniques for Combining Inkjet Printing with Traditional Art Materials. You can find more of her digital imagery (like the 2 below images) as well as links and information on how to purchase her books at her website here.


Smith Eliot had an unorthodox upbringing, raised by hippie parents in an old school bus, living a gypsy life as a young child. She received her MFA and currently teaches art at her local college. I first saw her digital imagery at a large art fair several years ago. Her imagery is haunting, mystical, and very memorable. You can find more of her beautiful imagery at her website here. Be sure to read some of her artist statements. Below is a sampling.



Those who will not slip beneath
the still surface on the well of grief
Turning down through its black water
to the place we cannot breath
Will never know the source from
which we drink--
The secret water cold and clear.
----- David Whyte

39 comments:

zendotstudio said...

Thanks for sharing these altered image samples and the workshop you took. I did a 2 day altered image workshop last month (on-site rather than on line) and there is so much fun and potential to explore. Great inspiring reminder of the fun of working back and forth from digital to hand made.

merci33 said...

These are great resources. I use Photoshop Elements and it makes me dizzy to think of all the ways it could be used that I know nothing about...bravo that you took that 'next step'...I find your early attempt lovely.

The poem and the imagery, as always, provide a lift out of the every day into world filtered through your most sensitive of artist' eyes/ears/heart/soul.

ArtPropelled said...

Something I would love to learn one day. Your early image is so you .... filled with peace, just like your blog. I'm enjoying scrolling through your sidebar again too, admiring your collages.

Ian Foster said...

Congratulations on your altered digital image, I am sure you will enjoy working with PS, nearly anything is achievable with this software.

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Wonderful images and thanks for all the links to click for more exploration....always inspiring posts......

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing such great artists in this post. Photoshop is a whole world unto itself. I think you could experiment with it forever and find new things.
Looking forward to more digital collage from you. xox Corrine

Naquillity said...

your altered photo above is great. i've tried only one so far. i'd like to experiment more with that as well. it really takes the artist to a different level. and Smith Eliot's work is profound. it really makes one see her conveyed story. David's poem is very fitting to that last image of Eliot's. Susan's next workshop sounds great. I might have to consider taking it. hope all is well. have a great day.

Gaby Bee said...

This is what I would love to learn one day. But I think my English is not good enough for an online workshop. I'm sure I would miss the point.
I'm looking forward to seeing more
digital art work from you!
Gaby xo

Missouri Bend Paper Works said...

Your workshop sounds wonderful and like a good way for those of us who are novices to delve into digital creativity! I have the Dorothy Krause Simpson book and it's wonderful! Thanks for these other links as well...lots of inspiration!

annell4 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
annell4 said...

Again your post gives me lots to see, investigate, think about. Thank you so much, for this thoughtful post!

Artist's books are so wonderful, I think I might be wanting to turn more in that direction. It's such a personal thing for an artist to do.

CERULEAN said...

Inspiring post as always. By chance yesterday I experimented with PS (see my blog). It's a great tool for artists and has endless possibilities.

Eva said...

Donna, I just bought Dorothy's book as I've been working on artist's books and I love her work. I've used Photoshop and PS Elemnts for years and must warn you digital imagery is very addictive :O) Looking forward to seeing more of your creations.

Cynthia Monica said...

Donna, what a wonderful digital image you created...another path for your expression and beautifully done at that. Thanks for blogging about such great artists and for pointing out workshops...I will have to check them out.

Caterina Giglio said...

the peaceful work and the whyte poem are all so beautiful! thank you for these. and Eliots work is amazing...

Unknown said...

Some gorgeous and moving images here. I will have to come back later and check out the links. Thanks for a lovely post.

Unknown said...

Very nice post! Your digital image is great and I love David Whyte's poetry. (Was glad to see him here.) Thanks for sharing new links.

Sea Angels said...

Hi Donna
there is nothing more satisfying than doing a different workshop and gaining skills that you can make your own.
Hugs Lynn xxx

sukipoet said...

sounds like a great workshop. I love the look of digital imagery and have tried at times to incorporate ink jet images but I fail again and again and also dont have the mechanical patience to keep trying. But, I will check out these links. Thanks for the David Whyte poem. He's a favorite of mine and I used to have a tape of him reading which I recorded from a radio program.

sukipoet said...

I skimmed The Dammash Project. I believe an artist on the east coast did an installation of flowers in a mental hospital. Something like that. I cant remember the details. Haunting.

sukipoet said...

ps the Dammash project was on Smith Eliot's site.

mano said...

the images of Smith Eliot are so mystical and strange - they have so much individuality and charm. thank your for sharing this!

Harnett-Hargrove said...

Thanks for all the introductions. I always seem to need the extra time to come visit you so I can make all the jumps! -J

Coffee Messiah said...

Nicely done.....I'm finding cut and paste drawing me back, which I've hoped to lead me into more altered types of work.

Not familiar with the other books but do have Book And Art.

Like your new header!

Cheers!

Seth said...

Thanks for sharing these links and beautiful images. I am very familiar with Susan's work and I have (and love) Dorothy's book. But Smith is new to me and I am off to check out the link.

Sharmon Davidson said...

I love Susan's work and have been thinking about taking one of her classes; thanks for the info. Your first attempt looks beautiful!

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Thank you so much for sharing your workshop results as well as sharing this wonderful world of online digital art instuction. It's beyond amazing what can be created from this source...and little or no clean up.

rivergardenstudio said...

Ahhh, I love to see your new piece and that you are experimenting with photoshop. And all the images here are lovely, especially to me the autumn piece... sending wishes for a beautiful September week to you on your mountainside over the water. roxanne

Anonymous said...

great resources for those new to digital art! as a graphic designer for almost two decades, i can tell that these are fantastic tutorials and classes. i think your first example is lovely indeed!!

mansuetude said...

Photoshop is profoundly incredible

Have had long philosophical conversations about what it does, as a tool to ply open merge "reality"

Will check out the links. Looks fascinating. Thanks for David Whyte ... I got to see him read once. It was wonderful to recall. Thank you.

nancy neva gagliano said...

where have i been? oh! yes, getting to know my new iMac world!! this post is in sync with my exhilaration right at this moment....and susan's class online will be perfect...i just left info to be notified of the next one...and i just posted my very first playing on my own image on my site.
the "secret water cold and clear" that you share with us is beyond words of gratitude...
AND great composition in the collage posted for the 12th annual...!thanks, donna

Anonymous said...

Very nice work you've done with Photoshop Elements, it's a whole new world isn't it. I love Book+Art, what a great inspiring book...great post Donna.
XOXOrly

Sandra said...

This really sounds like an interesting workshop. And thanks for sharing the info.
I know you'll manage to work with this technique! Just as you do in your lovely collage. It will only take practise.

Laura said...

so many goodies to explore here Donna! thank you so much :)

sophie munns said...

Wonderful to see all these links and looking forward to viewing more of your photo-shopped works Donna.
Have never thought of on-line learning...but it must work well especially when the computer is the base of learning.
So much to investigate here... thank you!
Sophie

studioJudith said...

Thanks for Susan's link ... . I've just started playing with some digital collage and frankly,I'm shocked that I enjoy it so much!
I'm the girl who always needed lots of texture and layers .. . but, love what I've been creating with the
digital layering of vintage photos and geometric elements.
Always such a pleasure to visit
your world -

judith

trudi said...

Dorothy SK is one of my favorites - she is a master at digital. I also enjoyed your thoughts about being in the present moment. Mindfulness. Love visiting your blog Donna. Hope you are well.

Mihaela Nica said...

beautiful !!!

Leovi said...

Very interesting, as all of your blog post. In my work I do not make any alteration, all the effects I think at the time of execution and the shot closes the work. But I'm not against using other changes, because everyone has their own way of expressing and can be as creative and valid as any other. Greetings.