INSIDE SOLO, vol 13
_{Friday October 9, 2009}

<<CLICK FOR PDF DOWNLOAD

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^{Tension by Jotham Kit Guintos}

INSIDE COVER STORY by the Editor, F.A. Moore

Jotham Kit Guintos has a way of distilling titles down to the essence of his artwork. Tension, a self-portrait, is one of those. The digital masterpiece shows the brotherly battle of being— to do or not, to go or not, to act or not, to seek divine guidance, or stick with a human-hatched plan. And then there are nuances to consider. Guintos wraps us in his chain, each side hanging on to what binds him. We feel sinew against sinew, and the elbow’s crunch as it presses hard against the wet green granite surface, digging in for the match of brawn and wits. But moreover, the symbolic color of the shirt and countenance of each reveals an inner secret. In the white is the prayerful man, reaching deep for strength; in the black, the determined one, jaw muscles tensed in resolute willfulness. As a former “master” arm wrestler, I will hint that the strong overhand hold of the “light” and the now-backward-bending wrist of the “dark” indicates who will probably win this match. Caught just in the moment. Jotham Kit Guintos is in Solo Exhibition all this coming week, October 12 – 18th. Join us in the forum for his artist reception.

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INSIDE SOLO CREDITS
Editor in Chief: F.A. Moore

Feature Writer: Richard Sunderland

Feature Writer: Joanne Bradley

Feature Writer: Mel Davies

SUMMARY Today’s issue highlights the upcoming Solo Exhibition of Jotham Kit Guintos, a.k.a. navybrat; touts special features of Solo members by Red Bubble, notes more gallery shows, new groups, and challenges, and features eight (8) additional exciting artists of Solo Exhibition, including 3 mini-features. Jotham’s Solo Exhibition starts on Monday, with an open-forum reception all day Monday! We have an exciting all-digital exhibition month in October! Call to Artists, Resources and Tutorials, and Article Reprint downloads sections complete the issue.

This issue is available in full in downloadable PDF version. The PDF version can be viewed in freely available viewers, and is full of artists’ and titled works’ hot links back to RB web pages. Article reprints are also PDF.

Please drop a notice for group challenges, personal exhibitions, book covers, wins, etc. to Inside Solo – news desk, so that I may include them as news in the next issue. Enjoy this thirteenth weekly issue of Inside Solo!

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ART NEWS

Saturday Only! Zionsville, Indiana Green Eyes by A. Jill Gaebel A. Jill Gaebel in the Zionsville Autumn Artscape Zionsville, Indiana, U.S.A. Jill will have a couple dozen original acrylic artworks, including Green Eyes, in the festival.

Other Member Exhibits
| | Marg Thomson in the Civic Centre Art Space City of Casey Council Offices in Magid Drive at Narre Warren, Victoria, Australia, above. (photo courtesy of Marg Thomson) |
| | Daniel Barrie – Red Door Creative, 937b Old Northern Rd, Dural, Australia, Oct 9 – Nov 30 |
| | Scott Naismith – Ian Kenny Gallery, 172 Quarry St, Hamilton/Glasgow, Scotland – Oct 2 – 31 |
| | Jedika – Coffee & Art Cafe in Bulli, New South Wales, Australia – Sept 11 – Oct 31 |
| | Jeff Stroud in the Artist at Work: A Fall Celebration of the Arts of Salem County at Beans Coffee, Woodstown, New Jersey, U.S.A. |

Kudos

Jeff Stroud interviewed in Gaia Community arts group

Karin Taylor is one of four winners for a signed copy of Stefan Sagmeister’s book “Made You Look” from the Happy Challenge. All the winners will be animated for inclusion in Stean Sagmeister’s Happy film. Affirmation by Karin Taylor Karin Taylor

Red Bubble Home Pages
^{Congratulations to Members:}
| Jean M. Laffitau – Red Bubble Home Page 2009-Oct-4 |   |
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^{Possession by Jean M. Laffitau} |
| MoonSpiral – Red Bubble Home Page 2009-Oct-5 |   |
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^{Sophia by MoonSpiral} |
| Phil Deaves – Red Bubble Home Page 2009-Oct-7 |   |
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^{greyscale chairs by Phil Deaves} |
| Jeff Clark – Red Bubble Home Page 2009-Oct-8 |   |
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^{Loudness by Jeff Clark} |

New Groups worth a look
| | SLOVAKIA | Everything about Slovakia |
| | Creative souls | by invitation to showcase unique creative works |
| | Visions of Italy | Scapes and historic places of Italy |
| | Brass Instruments | Photographs Brass Instruments |
| | Hats and Hat Boxes | Hats on head, in hand, or in home |

Challenges

1. About Time Somewhere In Time
2. ART ACTION UNION – CREATIVE ACTIVISM BEWARE OF ACTIVIST ART: THE DEMORALISATION OF ETHICAL ART ON THE INTERNET
3. Beige is death! F&% Challenge
4. Digital Art Compilations WRITERS AND ARTISTS TOGETHER
5. Digital Brushstrokes I dream in Colour
6. Fantasy Fine Art Composites Pain
7. Feminine Intent Eastern Feminine
8. Inspired Art ! Inspired Art ~ Illustrate A Song
9. PixElations – The Art of Photoshop Faces
10. Sleeping Creatures Sleeping Reptiles and Amphibians
11. Surrealism Heaven and Hell
12. THE DIVINE FEMININE WE NEED A NEW FEATURE BANNER!
    Deadlines in less than 24 hours – check these before submitting!:
13. Textures Unlimited Self Portrait Challenge

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SOLO NEWS

Monday and all next week!

Jotham Kit Guintos The name commands respect, even if you don’t know the person who wears it as a badge of honor. With digital art, you are either playing or a “player”. The “players” stand up to be counted. They forge a path with confidence, and break rules only to create new ones.

Jotham is such a serious player in the realm of digital art— a digital master, who rules his color palette, photography, composition, and content with a consistent hand. The process is so seamless that, with Jotham’s art, one doesn’t immediately sense where reality stops and imagination begins.

Solo Exhibition is proud to feature images of twelve (12) of Jotham Kit Guintos’ digital artworks, Monday through Sunday of October 12th – 18th, 2009, on Red Bubble. http://www.redbubble.com/groups/solo-exhibition.

An open house reception for the artist will be held on Monday, the 12th; where more of Jotham’s works can be viewed. It’s open for viewing to the public and open for comments to members of Solo Exhibition.

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Solo Announcements

1. Committees. Please read this announcement and request for help. Thank you! This is important to me.
2. Solo Exhibitions are scheduled through Bubblemail. 2010 shows will be scheduled soon.
3. Host, get your name in for January’s, GROUP HOSTS celebration month. I will solo as many group hosts as possible. You’ll get plenty of publicity, early. Sign up now for this FUN EVENT! _{Note, only opened to hosts who joined solo in July and August.}
4. Please welcome back Richard Sunderland, Mel Davies, and Joanne Bradley as Feature Writers this issue!
5. The Magazines are now in pdf format (available since vol 10). Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free reader for PDF files. The links are posted at the end of the RB version of the magazine! Soon I may have to forsake the RB version. Formatting two versions for the same content is very, very time consuming. Let me know if you have a problem with that or with reading or downloading PDF, please.

Solo Exhibition Upcoming Artist Shows:
| Oct 12-18 | | NavyBrat | Digital Art |
| Oct 19-25 | | DivineDayDreams
Alkmaar, Netherlands| Digital Art |
| Oct 26-Nov 1 | | RavenSoul
Oklahoma, U.S.A.| Digital Art |

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FEATURES

Artists and Artworks of Note

Jotham Kit Guintos ‘s Eden, below, depicts the paradise the artist envisions for his dear love, Grace, and himself. Taking in the work’s immaculate smoothness and airy light, you sense something else at work here besides the inspiration of love. It’s there— the counterpoint of potential loss. The two were facing the treatments for Grace’s breast cancer.

Jotham’s poem accompanies the art. It begins: “Grace and I murmurs, songs, love notes and a sigh living, breathing, and growing stronger, welding our souls together— perhaps forever” Jotham reports that Grace is responding well to treatment. The comments on Eden’s description page are a testament to the many prayers and positive thoughts sent Jotham and Grace’s way. I hope you are inspired to make a special place for them in yours. by F.A. Moore

Eden by Jotham Kit Guintos Digital Fine Art

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Illusions / Part1 by Mariska Szollosi Digital Fine Art, Photoshop CS4 by F.A. Moore

Illusions / Part1, a large-format digital work by Mariska Szollosi, London, England, is a transitional piece, remarkable for its iridescent, nearly monochromatic color scheme and classical figures. I wonder if the two with red scarves are soul mates in different times or heavenly bodies. Szollosi’s degree in clothing and textile design is often evidenced in her work, like “Illusions…”, where I am reminded of a resist technique for textile printing. Mariska’s beautiful handling of color, texture, and design, plus her emotive content, make her one to watch.

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MINI-FEATURE

John Spies, Mae Hong Son, Thailand, is an Australian, living in Thailand for 30 years. It is from the remote north-western mountain region that he photographs the engaging “hill tribes” people— the opium growers of the Golden Triangle. The cock hunter, shown right, a case in point, immediately charms us by the warm invite in the cock hunter’s eyes and the shy smile upon his lips. John has taken a candid portrait of a man as provider, who, despite the relaxed stance, exudes pride in his trade. We cannot overlook that John Spies’ body of work is important social commentary; or that the hunter-gatherer has a long history in the annals of humankind. In this photo we can see what a Red Lahu hunter needs in the pursuit of his game: the traditional basket that carries his decoy, his shotgun, and an over-the-shoulder carryall for additional tools. This humble man’s occupation takes us back to a time when people had to rely on their skill and dexterity to secure their livelihood and ensure their survival.

The cock hunter by John Spies Photographic Film

Woman at the window by John Spies

John Spies brings the villagers to our attention, with intimate glimpses of their culture, tradition and lifestyle. Many of the photos that he posts on Redbubble are from his archives and were shot in the 1980’s using film. With Woman at the window, shown left, John perfectly framed this Palaung woman in her window. The weathered wood, with a slight purplish cast, acts as a great contrast to the elderly woman’s colourful and elaborate garb. Her intense gaze is focused entirely on the photographer and implies a natural curiosity and determination to understand the changing world around her. Her hands, and the lines and wrinkles on her face, tell us about a lifetime of hard work. This matriarch in her “Sunday finery” is a natural beauty. Her remarkable healthy bearing and awareness, at an advanced age, is strong evidence that the “hill tribes’ people have a high regard for people as they age.

In Baby Carrier, right, we observe this little guy snuggled against the warmth of his mother’s back. For thousands of years women from all over the world have carried their babies in just such a manner. John has focused our attention on the infant, and controlled the exposure of his shot in order to showcase the intricate beadwork and festive colors of the Mien mother’s craftsmanship. Mien women, who migrated over centuries from China, are masters of cross-stitch embroidery, as evidenced here. The baby is alert and inquisitive as he peers into the lens. John has captured wonderful catch lights in his eyes! It is apparent from this photo that the “hill tribes” people of Thailand cherish their young ones as well as their old. by Joanne Bradley, Feature Writer

Baby Carrier by John Spies Photographic Film

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Man’s Best Friend by Julie King Digital collage/composite

Julie King created Man’s Best Friend, shown left, for dog lovers. One can imagine this from the Dog’s perspective and feel its emptiness. As a big animal lover having a special bond with my own pets, my emotions were stirred by this clever artwork. The composition of these two overlaid images draws your eye in a full circle from the dog; up the larger cross; down to the man’s face, which is clearly defined against the background tombstone; down to the smaller cross; and then bounces your vision back to the dog. The inclusion of the smaller cross within the image heightens the feeling of a partnership between these two souls. by Mel Davies, Feature Writer

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The Goddess by Rainer Kozik, Labrador Gold Coast, Australia, is based on “Bastet”, an ancient solar and war goddess, worshipped at least since the Second Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. Bastet holds vigil over all the land. When she was changed from the lion protector of Lower Egypt to the cat goddess, she was also changed to the goddess of the moon by the Greeks, who occupied Egypt at the end of its ancient civilization. ref Wikipedia A Pearl-laden blue moon is suspended in Kozik’s work, the cat goddess on a fantastic throne— an almost anthropomorphic rock protrusion from the desert; her seat like grandly carved Lapis, inlaid with Rubies and Topaz, against a graduated sky.

The Goddess by Rainer Kozik

Water Castle by Rainer Kozik

Rainer, a painter for as long as he can remember, is currently illustrating 3 books. His favorite medium may be acrylic, although it’s not always stated on the work. In fact, his paintings are so perfectly executed, one might think they are digital. Water Castle, seen left, shows the Moorish influence of the old castles in Bavaria where the artist grew up. Rainer Kozik’s paintings are indeed fantasies deserving of a storybook or two or three. by F.A. Moore

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MINI-FEATURE

Imprints on Gold Surface by Lynda Stevens

Lynda Stevens, a.k.a. nexus7, Budapest, Hungary, is a textural, mixed-media collage phenomenon. Her pieces range from wax and fabric remnants, to metal flakes, glass/mirror fragments, enamel paint and acrylic, even the windscreens from cars. Lynda says, “For me, the whole process of being artistically creative represents an inner process of transmutation; and each piece is often reworked several times before I am happy with it.” Imprints on Gold Surface, seen left, has an organic presence that pulses, resonating across the picture plane. As you are sucked into the organic matter, the calligraphic runes and patterns emerge like ancient cuniform on religious tablets. The other strong patterns and repeat textural planes might indicate an Austro-Hungarian connection to Gustav Klimt.

The metamorphic transformation of mind over matter and Lynda’s complex collaged images, is perhaps captured in Demolitions. Coventry, England is a city reborn out of the rubble of war. I see in Demolitions, shown right, decay and corruption of the super state, crumbling and rebirth; or the failure of society designers to meet the needs of communities, to construct for longevity. In Lynda’s work, every compositional device is a clear thought— a metaphor for our time. Going, going…gone by Lynda Stevens Mixed-Media abstract piece on Board using metal foil, wax and fabric remnants Recycle, re-use, re-invent, putting order into chaos—easy for a sublime manipulator. The intimacy of Lynda’s work, the scale of her mixed media pieces can give us a false impression, abstract thoughts on a grand scale. Then again, some are small intimate, delicate, carefully refined pieces that show a deft personal touch. by Richard Sunderland, Feature Writer

Demolitions by Lynda Stevens Mixed-Media Piece on Board

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Shine Your Light on my Curse by Jeff Clark Digital darkroom, Photoshop Elements by F.A. Moore

Alone in his digital darkroom with Photoshop Elements, a pile of his own photos, and a keen sense of drama, Jeff Clark of Alexandria, Virginia, produced this haunting image of an angel, perhaps a fallen angel in church. Jeff captures the viewer’s imagination as we peer through the dark to interpret for ourselves the meaning of the title, Shine Your Light on my Curse. Who is this cursed one? Our curiosity pulls us into the dark scene, even though we know we shouldn’t be there. (Or should we?)

Out Of The West by Linda Gregory

My first impression of Out Of The West by Linda Gregory was that this was a painting. The photographer has applied a subtle textural treatment to help define the ‘weathered and leathered’ look of this photograph. Linda was keenly aware of her focus with this image; so has used the entire frame to acquire as much detail, rather than cropping the picture afterward. The wonderful natural grain and textures are emphasized with her treatment; while rich, earthy, warm hues are well balanced by the cool teal background. I personally love this image. I can smell the leather, the hot dust and sweat. I can feel the horse beneath me and the rope in my hands. by Mel Davies, Feature Writer

MINI-FEATURE

Nurhilal Harsa, Izmir, Turkey, is an international artist, who will participate in the Salon Exhibition at Grand Palais- Paris in 2009, and participated at the Caelum Gallery- New York, U.S.A. in 2008.

Discovering the virtuoso piece, Sunset, allowed the landscape painter in me to dream. In Sunset, shown right, there clearly is the beauty of the sun meeting horizon. Air and clouds are transfixed in homage. Such an understanding of colour and light must be a Mediterranean skill rivaled by only a few. Nurhilal layers the paint brilliantly; its translucent quality is exquisite— the colour stays pure and tonally correct. Underpinning the expressive brushstroke is the sophisticate use of colour to impart depth and a sense of spatial vastness. A clever, low horizon brings the eye down to kiss the earth.

Sunset by Nurhilal Harsa landscape, oil on canvas

Last Farewell by Nurhilal Harsa landscape, oil on canvas

Under close inspection, Nurhilal’s paintings reveal their landscape origins. In Last Farewell, shown left, the personal touch, the mark of the brush, the honesty is clearly and carefully presented for scrutiny. If Nurhilal had connections with the UK, we would be making obvious links to our legacy and tradition in landscape painting. But here we have a landscape painter of the modern era— one who has imparted her very soul into each piece and is clearly intent on giving us her own vision of the beauty of her time and place.

Nurhilal Harsa’s Quietness is a symphony for everyone— the melody of brush strokes play with the contrasting colours to calm and contain its energies within the picture plane. If “Quietness” could be achieved…? by Richard Sunderland, Feature Writer

Quietness by Nurhilal Harsa landscape, oil on canvas

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TIPS, RESOURCES, AND TUTORIALS

Tutorials by Red Bubble Artists
My Painted with Light Technique Explained by Peter Zentjens
Porcelain Skin Effect in Photoshop by Julie Langford
Add Buttons To Your Profile Page by Patricia Montgomery
How to enhance your profile by Karin Taylor
Masking, it’s more than black and white – Photoshop Tutorial by Alison Johnston
Showcase Your Art in a Virtual Room by F.A. Moore (YouTube)

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Inside Solo is a weekly magazine for members of Solo Exhibition group of Red Bubble. It features news, artworks, and information of interests to members, and is copyright 2009, F.A. Moore-Corpier. The creators of the artworks shown are the sole copyright holders of the respective artworks, which are used here by permission.

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MAGAZINE DOWNLOADS

Inside Solo, Vol 10 – pdf (3.4 MB) w/Amanda Rae

Inside Solo, Vol 11 – pdf (2.9 MB) w/Ruth Palmer

Inside Solo, Vol 12 – pdf (16.1 MB) w/Hilary Morden (darkvampire)

Inside Solo, Vol 13 – pdf (3.6 MB) w/Jotham Kit Guintos (navybrat)

Article Reprints – pdf of the Featured Artists articles in vol 13 (for the writers and featured artists):

1. Jotham Kit Guintos – Cover by F.A. Moore, photography by Jotham Kit Guintos
2. Jotham Kit Guintos – Inside Cover Story by F.A. Moore
3. Jotham Kit Guintos by F.A. Moore
4. Jotham Kit Guintos – promo
5. Mariska Szollosi by F.A. Moore
6. John Spies by Joanne Bradley
7. Julie King by Mel Davies
8. Rainer Kozik by F.A. Moore
9. Lynda Stevens by Richard Sunderland
10. Jeff Clark by F.A. Moore
11. Linda Gregory by Mel Davies
12. Nurhilal Harsa by Richard Sunderland

Thank you so much for featuring my work , I am most than honoured!! :0) xx
Great issue, Fran! Good choices, enjoyed all of that and really interesting reading a bit about the artists :-)) So sweet you call me Mariska Szollosi hee hee

Thank you very much for the mini-feature of my “Out of the West,” Frannie. It was one of my first attempts at using texture layers and definitely one of my most successful. Thank you, Mel Davies, for the wonderful write-up! Every issue of Inside Solo just amazes me with the information and introduction to artists I might not see in my own groups. Thank you, Frannie!

I’m totally in awe of the work you do for the `Solo group Frannie, I would definitely go with the pdf format, it is building what you want for the future. I think having the feedback and comments page is still valuable for you and us writers, it will also keep Inside Solo in tune with the readership.

This is so beautifully done and formatted. Every time you do one of these, I am totally blown away. Spectacular work!

Thanks so much for the feature! It’s an honor and a thrill to be in the same issue as my friend NB and all the other talented artist!

great works!!

@Jotham, our special man of the hour needs the first reply. Super, I’m so happy that you’re happy. It was fun working with you on this issue. And now you see why I could not have done it without you! Fantastic art and artist and person. (A few of those article reprints are updated, like the JothamKGuintos_reprint is now 3 pages rather than 1; probably want to re-download at least that one.) Looking forward to your show!

@Robin, your questions. 1) If preview is viewing in your browser, like in Safari, then it will only show you the FIRST PAGE. You have to SAVE to your Desktop. THEN open in Preview and Preview will show the whole thing. If you surf with Firefox, Firefox might be set to download it to your desktop from the get-go. 2) The size is listed in parentheses, near the end of the linked name, for the full issues. This one is 3.6 MB. Small. Yet, it’s 28 pages of pictures!

And Julie, congratulations. Mel chose one of my favorites, although I have many. For us dog lovers, who have a familiar connection with our pet, you hit the spot. And you have one for cats too!

For those stumped by my response to Robin. Preview is a program on the Mac that reads images and PDF files. But it’s quirky when used as the browser default to read PDF’s. It only will show you the first page of the pdf file, in the browser window; and you cannot navigate through the rest. Frustrating, until you finally figure out, hey, just download (Save to desktop), then view with Preview. That works! :D

wow this is so awesome! So much wonderful art!

Thanks, Frannie!
I did let Firefox download the other one, didn’t know if there was a away to view via preview without the download….

Safari makes me twitch.

@Ravensoul! Greetings, thanks for stopping by! PDF has 2 extra-special pages!