Collections by Carol/ summervp

Collections by Carol/ summervp
a/k/a Prints As Art

Thursday, December 12, 2013

How to Arrange Artwork in an Artful Way





As I was searching Craft Sites and following up on Blogs I noticed this article written by Becky Harris, "How to Arrange Artwork in an Artful Way ".  She uses images as a great visual tool for pointing out just how creative we can be in attempting to update our art and collections displays.  Since Collections by Carol and Cards As Art creates the perfect opportunity to swap my art out each Season, I  always like to look for new ways to display my eclectic style, as well as help my clients find new ways to display their items as well.  As you can see,  I've also included a couple of images from my own home this Christmas to show you how I've implemented a couple of these ideas. 

Here's a rundown on several of the display styles of her featured eclectic group of designers that she  put together.  I attached a name to each of the styles I recognized. I encourage you to click on through to the original article and pics of the examples listed below. 

1.    Single Floating Shelf
2.    Multiple Picture Rails
3.    Mixed Media Wall
4.    Puzzle Wall - Matching size by height and width to pull together
5.    Black and White
6.    Eclectic - Matched by colors and shapes
7.    What's Different and Whats the Same - Combination
8.    Treating Collectables as Objects of Art
9.    Tonal - Similar framing, matting and printing (sepia)
10.  Create a Shape:  Square, Rectangle, Circle
11.  Create a Grid
12.  Create a Fabric Canvas Grouping
13.  White on White in Floating Glass
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/809/list/How-to-Arrange-Artwork-in-an-Artful-Way



What are the groupings from the article that you like best,  and why?
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Thursday, October 3, 2013

"Mettre un oiseau sur elle" in other words... "Put a Bird On It"


                      "Mettre un oiseau sur elle"  in other words... "Put a Bird On It"


Recently, I took the dive into a local "Call to Artists" project for auction, offered through Creative Studios in Sturgeon Bay courtesy Erika Block.  I took on the project with the thought process of a challenge.  Erika chose TEN artists, sent them TEN items (to use for inspiration), and in TEN days we were supposed to create a piece of art for auction at Creative Studios.  What interested me the most is there was only ONE RULE:  There are no rules.  My head had been reeling and spinning with ideas. What I could do to piece together a project in a relatively short period of time that would also reflect my artistic style and my business.  When I finally got the TEN pieces to use for inspiration for the project....I could not put them down.  Literally, I could NOT set the project aside, for even more timely matters, things I really needed to get done. 

TEN was here!  And the excitement and anticipation had not prepared me for what was no less than an obsession to complete the piece.  I turned over each article I received, one by one. I looked at each object and thought....what size could the art end up to be, what colors should I choose, what would I use, what would I reject.  Of the TEN elements I received how would put it together....and still be true to me.  Then it dawned on me.  "Cards As Art"!  

Several of the elements had French text printed on them, there was a brushed silver Flor de lis and there was a small bird print that just spoke to me.  And then in the back of my mind something I heard a couple of months ago, something that stuck with me and something I've quoted a couple of times since sprang to mind.  Something I even said to my best friend that same morning:  "Put a Bird On It!"

Well here it is!  I made it in the true essence of my art form....I made it following the same principle and idea as "Cards As Art".  I matted  the piece in one of the recycled paper cards that are able to slide into a standard 5x7 frame.  I found a recycled 5x7 silver frame from my stash and Ta-da!  It was finished.  I sat back in awe and took a breath....which I'd been holding since I started.  And then the strangest familiar feeling took over.  I felt loss....it was over, complete, it was on its way out the door.  It is the same feeling you get each time you see your adult children and the separation you feel when they leave.  I have to turn that feeling back into on of jubilation.  So....I  did what I do, I picked up my camera, took a quick snapshot of the piece and sat down to write this blog entry.  I wanted to share my latest artistic experience with....elation, celebration and and exclamation......"Put a Bird On It"
is the translated title of the piece which is aptly named:  "Mettre un oiseau sur elle" in honor of all the French pieces that were included in the challenge.
I had so much fun with this challenge.  Hope you enjoy the art and the story.  And if interested stay tuned for an announcement about the auction which is forthcoming. 
Talk to you all later and for now......"Put a Bird On It"!

Carol Toepke
Photographer/Owner
Collections by Carol & Cards As Art
https://www.facebook.com/CardsAsArt
https://www.facebook.com/CollectionsbyCarol
http://www.collectionsbycarol.com
http://collectionsbycarol.blogspot.com
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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Is Your Camera Really Important?

Is Your Camera Really Important?

As a photographer and artist I get asked this all the time?  I had one guy say to me..."sure you can take nice images...you have a fancy camera!"
  I have a Sony A33.  Which by no means is a bad camera, but it isn't one of the cameras that everyone touts is the best camera for shooting anything or everything I shoot.  And I do shoot across the gamut from macros to landscapes, wildlife to portraits, still life to events and festivals; and I need to adjust to every environment.  I'm the one that needs to adjust to the situation or the lighting or the subject matter.  And yes lenses, filters and camera do make a difference but they are not the most important element in the formula for a great image.  As a photographer I need to know not only how to adjust to my subject matter and the environment I'm shooting, but also I need to know how to download my images,  save them, back them up, chose the ones I judge as good enough to make the cut to post process.  And choosing a form of  post processing, because of the digital age, can be very technical, daunting, and time consuming.  Then I need to get my images "out there".  They need to be available.  They need to be seen.  They need viewers and followers.  My images are not just "a picture" or a "photo" they are hand picked, lovingly processed and shared with my followers and clients and chosen with a particular purpose in mind.  Yes, my camera recorded what I wanted it to.  But,  I'm the person behind the lens. I'm the person who created the image you see before you. So finally, is my camera important?  My camera is only as important as any other tool I use to create my art.  It was Ansel Adams, who famously said “You don’t take a photograph, you make it”.




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Monday, April 8, 2013

What Motivates Someone to Buy Photography?



In reading an article posted on Linkedin under Photography News by Peter Johnson, I in turn am asking my friends and clients the same question...

What Motivates Someone to Buy Photography?

I'm curious to know how we might rethink the way photography is perceived and transacted as a collectable art form. Sure, you buy art because you like it. Or, if you're buying at the top of the pyramid - for investment. But for those of us who simply appreciate art and collect it for the personal enjoyment that it brings - what is the motivator, the call to action? The image, the photographer, the story, price, size, edition size, print size are all variables, that for the most part, don't exist in other forms of contemporary art. And because photography is a reproducible art form, does that mean that collectors interpret the value differently? Would I be more likely to buy someone's work because they were involved with a non-profit that I liked, or helped kids or because I want to be a part of a community of other people that buy their work?   What you think?  What would make you buy a photograph over any other type of 2 dimensional art?

Link can be found at:  http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=223458326&gid=3503915&commentID=125542645&goback=.amf_3503915_84655800&trk=NUS_DISC_Q-subject#commentID_125542645

Feel free to post your comments here or on my Facebook Page:

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Tuesday, April 2, 2013

What Inspires You?




I've been asked "What Inspires You".  I guess to be honest, I'd have to say:  the day and the opportunity.  I get up and it's beautiful outside: I go out and shoot.  I get up and the weather is not so good:  I  post process the images I shot yesterday.  I get up and I have 9 errands to run that day:  I grab my list and my camera (because you never know when the opportunity will arise) and I head out the door crossing things off the list as a go. 

What inspires me is that you never know what the day holds in store for you unless you seize the day. I believe opportunity creates action and inversely, action creates opportunity.  If I don't act; I simply don't create.  So I just get out there and....do it!

In addition, this past year has taught me not to question or to negate a photo shoot opportunity based simply on whether I think someone will like the art I produce..or that they will buy it.  I simply produce the art and let others decide if they like it or not. I like it, I like the process of what I do, I refuse to get hung up on whether someone else likes it or will buy it.

I found this great quote by a very controversial yet successful artist:

     " Don't just think about making art...get it done.  Let everyone else decide if its good or bad,
       whether they love it or hate it.  While deciding, make even more art."
                                                                                                        -Andy Warhol-

And like Warhol...I'm too busy creating to worry about my 15 minutes of fame...I might miss something.


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Monday, April 1, 2013

How to Buy Art

How to Buy Art - Tom Delvan
 
You know how it is when your sitting in a waiting room just passing the time flipping through the magazines strewn all over the tables. Well this past month I came across an article from one of my favorite magazines "Real Simple" where Designer and Art Buyer, Tom Delvan shares his advice on how to buy affordable art and make it look like a million bucks.  Since creating and making affordable art is my business I'l like to share Tom's pointers on "How to Buy Art". 
 
 I'd love to hear your view and opinions about the article.




 
 
 
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Do You View "Photography As Art"?

I just finished reading an article that proposed the following question:  Do you view Photography as Art?

I'm curious to know how we might rethink the way photography is perceived and transacted as a collectable art form. Sure, you buy art because you like it. Or, if you're buying at the top of the pyramid - for investment. But for those of us who simply appreciate art and collect it for the personal enjoyment that it brings - what is the motivator, the call to action? The image, the photographer, the story, price, size, edition size, print size are all variables, that for the most part, doesn't exist in other forms of contemporary art. And because photography is a reproducible art form, does that mean that collectors interpret the value differently?

What do you think?


To Follow Blog or What I'm Working On:

Follow Photo Contests:
http://www.capturewisconsin.com/users/caroltoepke
http://www.capturedoorcounty.com/users/caroltoepke
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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Exhibit at Evergreen

“Seasonal Collections”
Solo Artist exhibit featuring the digital photography of Carol Toepke

Saturday, March 2, 4 - 6 p.m.
Evergreen Creekview Café
Experience the artist’s passion through her camera lens as she captures images in the multidimensional, seasonally-driven state of Wisconsin.

Artist’s presentation at 5:00 p.m.
Hors 'd oeuvres by the Evergreen culinary team

The public is invited to visit the current exhibit at Evergreen through May.

For more information, contact Exhibits at Evergreen Director Kendra Hinzmann, (920) 427-2047 or ercexhibits@hotmail.com

Art Appreciation
Exhibits at Evergreen, an ever-changing fine arts venue

Enjoy local talent on display at Evergreen!

Exhibits at Evergreen displays a different Wisconsin artist's work each quarter. An opening night reception kicks off each exhibit with a presentation by the artist and a creative selection of hors d'oeuvres prepared by Evergreen's chef. The reception is held in conjunction with the Oshkosh Gallery Walk on the first Saturday evening of the month.

The public is welcome to attend the opening receptions and to view the exhibits at any time. Exhibits at Evergreen is located on either side of the Creekview Cafe, along the walk-ways to Creekview North and Creekview South. Park in the south lot on Eagle Street and use the main Creekview entry for convenient access.
Current Exhibit - Opening Reception
Please join us!

PDF Map: http://www.evergreenoshkosh.com/assets/files/Documents Evergreen_FactSheetMap_FNL.pdfhttp://www.evergreenoshkosh.com/main/activities-amenities-services/amenities/exhibits-at-evergreen

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