"The Seeker"

Below is my fifth and newest piece that I have completed for my Metamorphosis series, titled The Seeker. As you can tell, I'm seeking, (no pun intended) new and interesting techniques for collaging the insects featured in this series. 

(Click below to view larger scale)

The Seeker

16in. x 20in. photo collage

Subjects : Silky Owl Butterfly

Model : Self

I'm not sure if people will have an issue with the butterflies not being placed 100% symmetrically in the piece, but I can assure you that it was an intentional decision on my part. The asymmetry of the wings adds to the illusion that the eyes are individually, "peeking out" from behind one another. Although The Seeker has a similar look to The Observer, there are several differences between the two pieces. Instead of using the tiling effect like I used in The Observer, The Seeker consists of 14 butterfly wing cut-outs that were printed and layered together in a variety of different sizes and values. To give the illusion of shadow and depth, the smaller and darker cut-outs were layered in the back. 

And I apologize that this is yet another B&W collage for this series, (whoopsies)...I'm aware that I said the next collage for Metamorphosis would be done in color, (and I had every intention to make it in color originally) but when the photographs of the butterflies were printed the yellow pigment of the "eyes" on the wings were far more distracting then I had anticipated. In my opinion, the saturated color actually took away from the piece...so I chose to execute it in B&W and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. 

My next piece for Metamorphosis will definitely be in color, (please someone hold me to that!)

"Apply" + "Perish"

As you can tell from the images below, I have taken a temporary break from making new pieces for my Metamorphosis series and have continued working on collages for Simulations. I blame the abrupt switch between series due to a major "creative block" and the fact that I have had these two pieces conceptualized for quite some time now. Both images (see below) are self portraits:

(Click below to view larger scale)

Apply - photo collage 12" x 12"

To say that "Apply" was difficult to assemble would be an enormous understatement! Each branch was cut out and glued individually and due to the fact that I was working in a smaller scale, it was an absolute nightmare to assemble together...Having said that, I am relieved that I decided to stick through the challenges of this piece given the final result is exactly what I had envisioned.

Perish - photo collage 11" x 17"

The rock, (or "cave") cut-outs in the collage above were photographed at the Vaquez Rocks Natural Area Park. In previous collages (e. g. "Rupture", "Rupture 02") I manipulated the prints of the rocks to appear as though they were protruding out of the model. In "Perish" it was important that the transition between the skin and rocks appeared much smoother. My intensions were to create the illusion that the body of the subject was decaying, hence the title. 

Stay tuned for a website update this month...(fingers crossed!)

"The Brute" + GALLERAY

Happy 2013! I hope everyone is embracing the new year with open arms...I know I am! And what better way for me to kick off the new year then with a new collage for my Metamorphosis series. See the fourth completed piece below:

(Click below to view larger scale)

The Brute

16in. x 20in. photo collage

Subject : Rhinoceros Beetle

Model : Tristan

Working with the Rhino Beetle had its challenges, but overall I'm pleased with the final result.  Much like the scorpion I used for "The Antagonist", the shiny black surface of the insect was somewhat tricky to photograph. I believe the contrasting textures of the two subjects helps produce a more intriguing image. In addition, the durability of this bug made it significantly easier to move and handle...which was most appreciated by me.

I believe working with larger scale images is particularly important for this series. You can appreciate all the fine details of the insects like all the itty bitty hairs, scratches and imperfections when they are printed significantly larger than they appear in person. If you can't tell from the image above, I used the "tiling effect" again for this particular collage. I'm thinking the next piece will definitely (maybe..) be executed in color...considering my last 3 were in B&W.

In other news, I was ecstatic to be selected as a featured artist on the online gallery site, Galleray. This site has a plethora of amazing fine artists and photographers to browse through, (although I believe you have to sign up an account in order to view the artist's work). As of now, I only have images from my Simulations series featured on Galleray. Here is a screenshot of my artist's page below:

Images © Alexandra Bellissimo 2013.

"The Illusionist"

Below is my newest collage that I have completed for my Metamorphosis series, titled The Illusionist. The Illusionist is my third finished piece of the series, and my second image executed in black and white.

(Click below to view larger scale)

The Illusionist

16in. x 20in. photo collage

Subjects : Common Tiger Butterflies

Model : Self

This is my first collage of the series where I specifically chose to use multiple insects in one image. There are a total of 4 Common Tiger Butterflies used to make up the entire "suit" around the female. I wanted this collage to appear more graphic and less literal than the previous two pieces. As you can tell from the dimensions above, this is currently my biggest piece to date (thanks to my gorgeous new Epson, I can print up to 17in x 22in!). I even attached a photo below to give a better idea of the scale of the image.

Images © Alexandra Bellissimo 2012.

"The Antagonist"

I have completed my second piece for my Metamorphosis series, titled The Antagonist. (To view the first piece from this series titled The Observer, please click here.) As you can see below, this is my surreal interpretation of a half male/half scorpion hybrid.

(Click below to view larger scale)

The Antagonist

12in. x 16in. photo collage

Subject : Scorpion

Model : Max

I chose to work in black and white because I wanted to accentuate the sleek and glossy surface of the scorpion. I felt this use of B&W would help visually enhance the transition between the male figure and scorpion. When it came to the shooting portion of this collage, I was surprised by how difficult it was to execute. I knew the shiny surface of the insect would bring on challenges when it came to lighting it, but I was not expecting the scorpion to be so damn fragile. During the shoot, I started experimenting by placing the scorpion at various angles...until it literally started coming apart limb by limb. First a "claw" fell off...then the other...Luckily for me, I was fortunate enough to get the shots that I needed for this specific concept before I had to discard it. To give you a visual reference, here is the poor little guy below:

Images © Alexandra Bellissimo 2012.

New Series - "Metamorphosis"!

I am beyond thrilled to share the very first collage I have completed for my new series titled, Metamorphosis. The image below is titled, The Observer. 

(Click the image below to view larger scale)

The Observer

12in. x 16in. photo collage

Subject : Owl Butterfly

Model : Self 

For the next several months I will be experimenting with merging the human form with a variety of unique looking insects ranging from butterflies, to beetles, to scorpions. All insects used in the Metamorphosis series are taxidermy insects that I have photographed myself. No outside stock images were used or manipulated. The detail shot below may give the viewer a better visual for the use of the "tiling effect" utilized in the collage. 

Images © Alexandra Bellissimo 2012.

"Simulations" Show!

Thank you everyone who made it out to my opening reception for my, "Simulations" show on Saturday (the 8th)! For those who were unable to make the opening night, the show will continue to run from now until October 27th at the Kopeikin Gallery in Culver City.

Also a huge thank you to Paul Kopeikin, Andy Freeberg,  FramePros (for making my custom frames look amazing), Cartwheel, Art Fumes, Los Angeles, I'm Yours, and everyone else who helped spread the word about my show! And of course a tremendous thank you to all my friends and family for their constant (and much needed) love and support.

Below are some photos taken during the opening reception: