"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: 

"SIMULATIONS" Show at the Kopeikin Gallery! +Art Fumes Feature!

I'm so thrilled to finally spread the word about my first show!...You will be able to see a collection of my original collages showcased at the Kopeikin Gallery this September! The show will run from September 8th through October 27th. You can click on the link below for more information on the gallery, and of course I will post further details closer to September.

More fantastic news...I was featured on ArtFumes.com! Art Fumes is an amazing blog I stumbled across somewhat recently that I would highly suggest you check out the blog for plenty of inspiring art/photography/etc.

"Appendage" + "Inhibit"

I hope everyone is doing well now that we have moved into June. I am pleased to say that there will be a site update coming up in the near future so I will make sure to keep everyone posted. I have to admit that the month of May was not as productive as I would have liked...but given certain circumstances, I wasn't able to finish as many collages as I would have liked. Nonetheless, I did complete the following two collages recently.

Appendage - photo collage 12" x 12"

When it came to making "Appendage" I was pleasantly surprised that it came together as well as it did. The real challenge of the piece was using Photoshop to seamlessly retouch my arm out before I printed the image and started physically collaging it together. When I look at the piece I feel as though the branch (in place of the arm) looks somewhat robotic...? Does anyone else agree?

Inhibit - photo collage 16.5" x 12"

I found "Inhibit" to be far more challenging to piece together than "Appendage" given that I've had difficulty working with cactus plants in the past. Their forms have so many ridges and curves that it adds a lot of extra shadows and depth, making them extremely difficult to merge onto the smooth surface of the human form. However, I am glad I decided not to scrap the piece altogether because I am very pleased with the results.