Random Photo #30

"At Your Service" - International Society of Experimental Artists 2015

I was very pleased to have a piece accepted into the 2015 International Society of Experimental Artists show, being held this year at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City, Michigan.

And, as this is my third acceptance, I've earned signature status!

My piece is titled "At Your Service". It was created for submission to the annual Manoogian museum here on Mackinac the year that the theme was People of Mackinac, but alas it was rejected for that show.

My art has many influences, but a very frequent influence is my participation in living history and the necessary research for that participation. "At Your Service" was directly inspired by a book I read called Working Stiffs: Occupational Portraits in the Age of Tintypes by Michael L. Carlebach.

I was familiar with occupational images, but had never given them a great deal of thought. The advent of inexpensive photography methods allowed working men (and women) to document their lives and their pride in their skills, often while holding the tools of their trade.. Previously, only the wealthy could document their lives via portraiture, but the new technology made it possible for a much larger portion of society.

I decided I wanted to celebrate the people of Mackinac Island who truly make this place function: the laborers.

My piece began by photographing a variety of people: a street sweeper, a plumber, a maid, a chef, a nurse, a farrier, a bike mechanic, a porter, and, yes, a fudge maker. Each is holding the tools of their trade. I used these photos to create 21st century versions of tintypes via the use of the computer - converting them to black and white and reversing the images, just as happened with the original tintypes. I asked my models to be very solemn and straightforward, just like the 19th century sitters.

 

These images were than transferred on to sheets of tin roof flashing.

Each image was mounted on an antique piece of a silver-plate tea service, which was very intentionally left tarnished; just as the concept of "service" is rather tarnished these days.

The piece is intended to hang on the wall, causing you to look the workers right in the eye.

These are the people who keep Mackinac going and it would not exist without them, please spare them some thought the next time you visit.

The show will be hanging until November 29th, if you will be in the Traverse City region, please do consider visiting.

Random Photo #28

Interpreting the Images of the Past

Those of us interested in studying and interpreting the mid-19th century have a distinct advantage over those who focus on earlier eras: the advent of photography.

It cannot be overstated what a vast amount of information photos from the past have to share with us, but as with any resource, we need to be cautious in our assumptions.

A couple of vastly different interpretations could be made of the above image, is it an abolitionist lady making a statement? Or a southern matron illustrating a very different viewpoint?


Actually neither is correct:

Period photography can play some unintentional tricks (although the concept of "retouching" photos existed, even then), especially in regards to how certain colors photograph. Note the appearance of the bright yellow trim in the tintype - it looks black. Virginia Mescher has posted a very good article regarding the phenomenon here.

Note too the complexion differences, one lady having a naturally ruddy tone, the other more olive and photographing dramatically differently too!

I was very impressed with the work of the tintypists, Whalen and Shimmin - they spent a great deal of time on proper poses and lighting and the results were impressive. They also experiment with some modern style use of the medium, which were equally impressive.

Tri-Level

"Tri-Level" is my entry for the November Art Bead Scene challenge.... and it most definitely was a challenge!

Here's the inspiration image:

It's "Three Worlds", 1955 by M C Escher; "Three Worlds" depicts a large pool or lake during the autumn or winter months, the title referring to the three visible perspectives in the picture: the surface of the water on which leaves float, the world above the surface, observable by the water's reflection of the forest, and the world below the surface, observable in the large fish swimming just below the water's surface.

For me, the biggest challenge this month was the lack of color, for me, neutrals are just a necessary evil that I need to use to make my beloved colors pop.

I used three of my own images that fit the theme, taken as part of a photography challenge years ago, to create three pendents. I transferred portions of the images onto silk fabric, attached the fabric to thin metal and then finished the edges with beaded bezels, all in shades of grey and black.

I decided to join the pendents into one, large, over-sized pendent and mounted it on a simple Italian mesh base.

This is very different from my usual approach, very modern and stark, but I'm very pleased with the pendent technique - I'm sure I'll be using it more in the future.

Available for purchase here.

"Maple Sugar" - A Mixed Media Necklace

I've been revisiting a technique I've used in the past - mixed media pendents.

This photograph is my starting point:

It's Sugar Loaf, one of the many geological curiosities here on Mackinac Island. It stands 75' tall and in the fall is surrounded by a patchwork of bright maples and the greens of pine and cedar. The best view is from Point Lookout, which gives a panorama of the woods with the lake in the background.

I transferred the photo onto silk and then embellished the details with embroidery in silk and cotton and, of coarse, beads!

 A simple Italian mesh chain is the perfect answer to making this piece functional.

Available for purchase here.

Taking to the Water - Part 4

Original bathing costumes from the mid-19th century are vanishingly rare, but I did manage to find a few!

The example above is said to date to the 1850's and there certainly is a resemblance to the fashion plate from 1858 I posted previously.

Here's a couple from the 1870's; I especially like the Greek key trim on the second.

In some locations, suits could be rented - the photo below was taken at Coney Island, supposedly in 1865. Look at the right side of the sign "Fancy Flannel Bathing Suits". 

Peter Tilyou and family moved to Coney Island in 1865 to establish the Surf House, a hotel and restaurant which sold Bavarian Lager for five cents. Tilyou treated those, who rented a bathing suit for 25 cents, a free bowl of homemade clam chowder on the theory was that those that were hungry would spend more money for food at his restaurant. He built bath houses nearby for those who wished to change from their city clothes into fancy full length flannel bathing suits. "Signs on the beach warned "Bathers Without Full Suits Positively Prohibited by Law."

I love this tinplate image, but it really makes me wonder - did these ladies choose to make matching suits or are they rentals?

Here's a CDV image - I was surprised at how short a skirt the lady on the left is wearing. The lady on the right almost appears to be wearing an outfit that was remade from an old dress, much like can be done when  making a wrapper. Her trousers might have been made by cleverly piecing fabric salvaged by both shortening the skirt and removing a removing a breadth of fabric.

The question of attire for the gentlemen attending our bathing party has been an issue:

The commonly held reenactor notion, that men always swam in the nude is NOT an option and my research is showing that it's not necessarily always correct - I have found both descriptions and images of bathing suits for men.

Here's a suit documented to 1860: 

And you've got to love this image - isn't he cute! 

Here's an 1870 advertisement (and compare the lady in the center to the original 1870 suit above)

 These gentlemen apparently shopped at Lord & Taylor's!

Salt water bathing was a rather novel idea in the late 1860's and 1870's.  Those that came to the beach were apprehensive of even sticking their toe into the sea for there were those that warned that sea bathing might "leach away the essential salts of the body." They turned to a noted physician named Dr. Durant for reassurance. He advised that "the bathing dress should be made of woolen fabric...as it retains the heat of the body and therefore prevents a too rapid evaporation. Maroon and blue are the proper colors as they resist the corrosive and bleaching effects of salt water. Some authorities recommended twilled flannel, in browns, blues and grays, and stressed the desirability of broad-rimmed hats to fend off the sun and wind, as well as shoes to guard against the nipping of crabs.

2012 Conference Highlights - Displays of Originals

The originals - I suspect this may be THE highlight of the Ladies and Gentlemen of the 1860's conference for many attendees. Literally hundreds of items will be displayed over the course of the weekend, as they change each day. Photography is most definitely allowed - I took over a thousand images - and the owners of the items are always happy to point out unexpected details or move an item to reveal more information.

This presented a bit of a challenge for me - how to pick what images to share, as posting all of them just isn't feasible. So I decided  to take a "Costume in Detail" approach, just sharing bits of many garments in a collage format.

We start with accessories:

Next is millinery:

And finally, fabrics and trims:

Pretty incredible eye candy, yes?

Remember, this is just a small fraction of what was on display.

When I'm asked, "Is conference really worth it?", I tend to be almost over-enthusiastic, because I truly believe it's worth every penny and every inconvenience involved. The opportunities to learn, to share, to shop and simply interact with other individuals who are committed to "getting it right" are priceless.

We'll be there in 2013 - and we'll be presenters!

Grand Traverse Light

It's always a beautiful drive from Traverse City up to Northport, traveling along the lake and through the orchards and vineyards. But in the fall, it's exceptionally lovely, a kaleidoscope of brilliant color.

Out on the very tip of the peninsula is the Grand Traverse Light House, built in 1858. The building is open to the public, as it is no longer an active light, having been replaced by an automated tower on the grounds.

The views from the point are endless, in both directions.

But I had the most fun taking the photos of the milkweed pods, which have split and are spreading their fluffy seed upon the winds.

Aren't they beautiful?

It's Just Perfect

our current weather, that is - brilliant blue skies, comfortable days, crisp nights and the result is COLOR!

A view from above...

and below.

In large groups....

and singles.

This is my favorite time of year - the stunning scene all around me, the crunch of leaves underfoot, snuggling into sweaters and that indefinable smell of the fallen leaves, there's just nothing better!