I intended to write a blog post tonight, but got distracted by Facebook. I tuned into the Open Group at Bedlam Farm (a Facebook community) and saw Beth Heffern's challenge to do some interactive photo editing. I haven't had time to work on any photo collages lately and I was intrigued by Beth's photo as well as her idea to have members of the forum edit the picture of the Knickerbocker Staircase in their own way in order to learn from each other. By the time I took on the challenge, members had done some incredible editing, warming the shot, transforming it to black and white and creating some intriguing abstracts as well as stories to accompany them. I started the above collage and have a lot more to do to it before I call it complete, but unfortunately it's time for bed and I have to get up early to work on my Obamacare article. I'm happy with the beginning, however. The child on the staircase is named Sadie. I captured her photo at the Bedlam Farm Open House the other day and asked her mom's permission to use her photo in a collage. I have some others I will be using in the future, but when I first saw the staircase I pictured a child sitting on it. She and the cats, I imagine, are being inquisitive, listening to voices nearby. The other girl is my niece Catherine. I am considering lightening her hair in the picture to more closely match Sadie's. We'll see. I haven't quite worked out the whole story yet. I added broken glass on the staircase and I am imagining an argument that the child is overhearing. I am pleased with the dimensionality of the piece, the way Catherine is running toward something and the play of light. I'm trying to decide where to add hand-drawn elements and if I will add a further border or any embroidery. We'll see. I may even take things away. It's just a start...
I'm interested in what the picture is saying to you so far...