Saturday, February 28, 2009

Africa




These pictures are from my first trip to Africa in 2006, which included the countries of South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. Never before had I envisioned nature in this pure form. Wild but glorious; unimaginable, even after viewing "Planet Earth".

Monday, February 16, 2009

Arthur Avenue_Little Italy of the Bronx



Located near the Bronx Botanical Gardens and Bronx Zoo, Arthur Avenue is a real feast for the eyes and stomach. The markets and resturaunts are world class, but the people are the real magic! Visit and help keep this neighborhood alive. More to follow.


In this tough economy, prices cannot be beat and for a higher quality as well. Plan a trip soon.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

After the Storm

Some images from my book, "After the Storm".
©2008 J Monteferrante











Cape Ann, Massachus...

By Judith Monteferrante




Saturday, February 14, 2009

New Work




©2009 J Monteferrante
Some new work I am exploring; thinking about Global Warming and the fragility of the world. Meshing with my Blue Nudes.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Blue Nudes


This is a new series I am working on. Let me know what you think. I am looking at the imperfections in all of us that do not detract from the elegance of the human body in the glowing light of our creation: out of the sea and sky.

Nature and Its Symbols

I have been exploring the concept of nature and its symbols and how this impacts on us in modern times. "Nature and Its Symbols" published as a translation by the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles in 2004 is a great book that will identify the wonderment and symbolic meaning of the various parts of a still life. A painting or photograph of a still life can hide a rich language; one that is not as appreciated in this modern era. The mystery of this hidden language is that it was subtle and magical. NOT in your face. How do we restore the mystery and wonderment in art?? What do you think??

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Alison Nicholls:African Wildlife Art





Alison Nicholls is a wonderful artist working in watercolor. She paints african wildlife, expecially the painted dog. She produces a terrific newsletter as well. Congratulations on being elected into the Explorers Club! Look at her website for some inspiration. http://www.nichollswildlifeart.com/

Learning Lightroom and Photoshop Suite

J Monteferrante ©2009

Matt Kloskowski publishes a Blog for Adobe on Lightroom Killer Tips with downloadable presets that I find often interesting to try out. Here's the Link: http://www.lightroomkillertips.com/2009/presets-high-key-effect/http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42028
Also, look into Kelbytraining on line for a yearly subscription to on-demand training. A great help at:http://www.kelbytraining.com/http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42028 . Katrin Eisman is even one of the instructors! WOW. It covers landscape photography, HDR, lighting as well as Photoshop Creative Suite and even portrait retouching! Very helpful and available all the time. I learned to use the pen tool on this picture to add the angel. Model was Jasmine and this picture was taken during a Joe McNally Lighting workshop recently. Have to keep learning! Have fun .

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Art and Photography Blogs

If new to blogging, here are some lists of blogs and feeds to review:thttp://blog.epicedits.com/2007/11/07/87-great-photography-blogs-and-feeds/and http://lucian.uchicago.edu/blogs/vrc/2008/02/06/top-20-or-so-art-blogs/. Another very complete list is:http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/links/blogs.html. Please have fun and explore. Sign up for Direct web or news feeds if interested. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_feed. Share new ones with us.

News about Judith Monteferrante



Happy to report that my work entited "Look of Innocence" framed 19x23" photography injet print was selected for the Winter Members' Show: Passages at the Copley Society of Art, Newbury Street, Boston, MA. Opening Reception Thursday, February 5th form 5:30-7:30. The show runs from February 6th through March 1st. The piece has been SOLD even before the show has opened, but will remain for the duration of the show. The print still available (edition size 25). http://www.copleysociety.org/exhibitions/current/upper.html

Swansong

The phrase "swan song" is a reference to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just before it dies, when it sings one beautiful song.By extension, swan song has become an idiom referring to a final theatrical or dramatic appearance, or any final work or accomplishment.



I am starting this blog as a jumping off point to stimulate a dialogue with successful people changing careers or finding a new creative one that utilizes more of the the right brain (after a job loss due to today's economy or just retiring from a long term career). An interesting article in WIRED talks about the new Conceptual Age: ruled by artistry, empathy, and emotion. The left-brain thinking of the Information Age, leading to the excesses and mismanagement of wall street and the loss of trust, doesn't work anymore. The scales are tilting in favor of right brain-style thinking. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.02/brain.html.

Now is the time to re invent yourself. Use your right brain and be creative. Photography, Painting, Watercolor, poetry...... Learn to look at art with new eyes; the windows to our mind. Look forward to your comments.