I’m a painter not a photographer. However, the camera along with image processing and manipulation are tools that comprise sort of a digital sketch pad for planning what ends up as paint on canvas. I use my iPhone exclusively because it is the camera that I always have with me. Recently I decided to learn a little about astrophotography as perhaps another tool to add to the digital toolbox. I’m not sure if it will ever affect my paintings directly, but I thought it might be a fun thing to try. It was.
The above photo of the Milky Way was taken just off highway 16 about three miles northwest of the Rumsey Gap while looking to the southwest. Figuring out when and where to shoot meant learning a new and somewhat complex app called PhotoPills. I’ve just scratched the surface of what the app will do. Figuring out how to get the iPhone to take a usable picture was another journey. Geeky details are available upon request. I’ll have the above photo and a few more samples at my ARTHOUSE studio for Sac Open Studios and 2nd Saturday this coming weekend Sept. 14 (10am~8pm) & 15 (10am~5pm). Come take a look.
Back In the Studio
I finished a painting that was developed from a photograph taken on a recent trip to Alaska and shown in last month’s blog/newsletter. That trip has inspired planning a journey next spring to hopefully look at the Aurora Borealis from some islands off the coast of Norway. Details to follow….
The painting from Mosquito Cove Alaska progressed something like this –
The Department of Shameless Self-promotion
I’m pleased that my painting was awarded first place in the landscape division. It will be auctioned off on Friday, September 27at 7:30pm. You can watch the auction live on @kviepbs or online at kvie.org/artauction. Your bids will help support KVIE, our local PBS station. #PBSKVIEArtAuction.
I’ve also donated a piece to the Pence Gallery in Davis for their 2024 Art Auction. Here’s a link to info about their auction, bit.ly/penceartauction . Click on the ‘Auction Catalog’ button at the top of the page and scroll down to the bottom to see my work.
