Chapel of the Dragonfly by F.A. Moore
Digital Fine Art by F. A. Moore, Sep 27 2010
Medium: mixed – scanned photography (portrait of artist), digital painting under and over digital paintings of photo references, and manipulated images.
Style: Surreal, Art Nouveau influence
Dimensions: 5000 × 5000 pixels @280ppi
Software: Painter 4, PSE 6
I’ve worked on this piece for some time, previously with another model, in another position. It sat for months. Finally, during the build-up to SoJie 7, I was inspired to work on it again, not quite starting over, but hesitantly adding my own image in here.
The dragonfly seems to be whispering something to me, as its hands are near my lips. The swarm of dragonflies seem to be invested in the scene somehow. Their repetition is a design idiom borrowed from surrealism, especially as it’s applied in digital art, where a repeated object is used to emphasize the message.
In this case, I’m not sure what the message is. Since the dragonfly symbolizes both change, and the subconscious mind and dreamworld, itself, I haven’t yet determined its deeper meaning. Maybe your thoughts will reveal it to me.
The dragonfly chapel is submerged. Water is symbolic of the spirit, and is where dragonflies live.
Special thanks to stock providers for images that were manipulated or referenced and integrated into the composition:
Cathedral– uttermost, Forest– wyldraven, Dragonfly– idnurse41, Water– b-squared stock
FEATURES
2011-08-22 “RedBubble Home Page”:
2010-09-28 Chapel of the Dragonfly in Surrealism
Comments
PLEASE VIEW LARGER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR VIEWS, FEEDBACK, SHARED THOUGHTS, AND FAVS.
—FRANNIE
Great self portrait!
I like how the images do not compete with each other, and instead work together.
Hi, Corri. Well I didn’t take this image of me. It’s an one from my old (okay, ancient) modeling portfolio. I used it to make it more personal, rather than using another model. But I could have easily done that too. Thanks!
– F.A. Moore
I love how there’s so many different color layers of light shining through!:)
Very unique and stunning Frannie, perfect for stained glass! ;)
Ming thank you. I like the same thing about it. It does seem somewhat like stained glass. Thanks so much, Ming! :)
– F.A. Moore
Sorry, I don’t see the dragonfly as the main subject here. For me, this image is about someone’s deepest thoughts and feelings. Someone searching for truth and hope and certainty. Someone that had to submerged her/his own chapel in order to find the necessary peace to meditate about what really matters. For me, the dragonfly is just an ally in this intimate search. He knows things…
Wow, Danillo, I think you have landed on what it’s about. Beautiful stated, too. Thank you so much.
– F.A. Moore
I’ve altered the description to reflect not the dragonfy’s story, but the subject’s. Thanks for the nudge in that direction. :)
– F.A. Moore
Beautiful work, Frannie….. I love reading your story and how you make these come to life. Also enjoy seeing the various elements you use to create your imagery. (I think you were a model in a former life!)
Wendi, thank you for being here and for a beautiful comment. (I was for a time, then in my mid twenties turned to promoting them and actors to larger venues.)
– F.A. Moore
well the image is different to what I have seen in the past, I think you used color burn,it looks good. I was reading over the comments, and I think I would go along with what Danilo had to say. But I also think you tried to fit to much into one small space.
Indeed the dark body of water, flipped vertically, so the water was at the top was used as a color burn. Liked the darkening frame effect. lol. I’ve never been accused of minimalism. Thanks for the note.
– F.A. Moore
it is like a dream state…who is the dreamer and who is being dreamed? it feels like it could also be how an insect would see…so ephemeral, beautiful light.
Ah, good questions, Donna. Thanks for the thoughts. :)
– F.A. Moore
excellent!
Helene, thank you, and thanks for the feature in “Surrealism”. I’m stoked about that.
– F.A. Moore
Beautiful work, indeed, Frannie :))
Hey there, Colleen!! Thank you so much.
– F.A. Moore
Gorgeous creation Frannie. A wonderful piece to study.
Thank you, Bunny. :)
– F.A. Moore