My niece has taken to Narnia lately. I was looking for Narnia-related gifts for her birthday and came across some lovely artwork, and it occurred to me that I could probably create something for her.
Creating The Image
I started with the portrait, and combed through images I had of her from last winter.
Next, I searched through my collection of winter images. I love it when I can drive around with a cup of coffee, photographing after a snowfall. And I love how I can keep returning to older images and use them in new ways. For the background, I combined two different winter images.
Now I needed a lamp post. I don’t have any images of my own, and I always prefer to use what I create myself. For the first time in my work, I considered using AI to make what I needed. This is just evidence of how these tools are becoming so integrated into our lives. I reminded myself of what I would have done before this was even an option. Then I purchased some watercolor lamp post artwork through Etsy.
Using several different iPad apps to combine them all into the final image. I finished by layering in one of my paint textures.
Thoughts after creating
The variety in tones across my winter images stood out to me. This requires re-editing the original photos each time I use them for a new piece, to make them more cohesive as a group. In this way, it’s clear that no image is ever truly complete or finished. Always a work in progress, filled with unexplored potential.
And I hope she likes this one.
