A new direction

Painting in Photoshop class gave me so many ideas about new directions I can explore.

First, I started with the revision of some of my old photomontages.

 Sometimes when you use different blending modes to combine multiple layers the colors get out of control in a “not good” way.  Now, by using the painting techniques (color mixing brushes, art history brushes) I have full control over colors and textures.

Also, when printing a large size print you are limited with the original file resolution. Not anymore, painting over the image allows you to enlarge it up to 500% with no visible pixilation. Here are three of my old photomontages altered by painting in Photoshop and a new one created with the same technique.

"Transit of Venus"

I also have a number of photographs of old abandoned shacks, and I started to think about giving them new life after visiting a photo exhibition “From Russia with love” where I saw a series of photographs of old Russian “dachas”, masterly done but somewhat depressing.  I’m thinking about using the shapes of the shacks and treating them with color. 

Here is a rough example of how I’m going to do this, and I already see how this concept may develop into a more complex work. Cannot wait to get my hands over the Wacom tablet.

Russian diary- Tsarskoe Selo.

One of the places I really wanted to visit while staying in St. Petersburg was Tsarskoe Selo. I spent so much time there with my parents, and after becoming a parent I spent time there with my kids. But this was the first time when I was able to see the Amber room, one of the wonders of Catherine Place.

The palaces and parks at Tsarskoe Selo (Tsar Village) were established as a country retreat by Catherine I, in 1717. Originally a modest two story building, later it was completely redesigned on a scale to rival Versailles. The resultant palace, completed in 1756 is nearly 1 km in circumference, with elaborately decorated facades and interiors which are no less spectacular.

The landscaped gardens, created in the late 18^th century, were the first of their kind in Russia.

During World War II, Tsarskoe Selo suffered extensive damage. 

The view of the Palace after Nazi occupation.

The Amber room was dismantled by Nazis and to date, its fate is unknown. The original Amber room was decorated with amber mosaics panels, surrounded with gilded carving, mirrors, Florentine mosaics and further mosaics of Ural and Caucasus gemstones.

The recreation of Amber room took over 20 years, the restored room is a truly unique monument, and a testament to the painstaking care of the craftsmen who worked on it. Unfortunately photography is not allowed in the room. These, found on Google, give you an idea of its grandeur.

You may see more pictures here.

Happy Birthday America!