On Cloud Nine
© Anita Jesse
© Anita Jesse
"On Cloud Nine" is currently displayed as a 12x18 MetalPrint on an 18x24 coffee brown suede leather-covered back. This piece is available at Gallery 'N Gifts, Tehachapi, CA. Prints are available in various sizes.
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When I was selecting work for our December, First Friday, I knew that I had to complete this piece. I don't want to admit how many times I had scrapped it and started over. For me, this one was elusive. I had taken quite a shine to this horse and the final image had to be just right. Otherwise, I knew that I would scrap it again.
Finally, I put all my preconceptions aside and spent some quiet time with the original image. I had gotten tangled up in trying to make it right. Instead of hoping I could produce something that would measure up to how much I liked the horse, I took time to reconnect with the sight of him prancing with head and tail high; the sounds he made—hoofs pounding and snorting at imaginary demons; spooking at nothing more than the breeze; the dust he stirred up with his dance; the ripple of the muscles under his golden coat. I let myself fall in love again with all that attracted me to this animal, in the first place.
Finally, I began to find my way to something that pleased me—something that brought back to me those impressions made on that beautiful spring day. We ended up On Cloud Nine.
All that I can say is ... another winner! Beautiful, Anita - it really brings out the horse's beauty!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paul. I appreciate your response to this one.
DeleteAnita, this is a truly beautiful image, so joyful and alive even I fall in love. Fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ove. That's a wonderful compliment. I wanted you to see what I saw and you make me feel great about it.
DeleteAs usual, you have a knack for picking/creating a great background for your images. Clearly, you spent a good amount of time thinking about it. Do you use canned textures (like you might get from Perfect Photo) or do you create your own? I plan to use this technique a bit more frequently in my images - it's more difficult than people realize (I think) to pick the right texture for an image...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anita! Another beautiful piece!
Thank you for the compliment, John. I think the verb we are looking for to describe my approach, is "obsess". :-)
DeleteI began using free textures that I found on the web, but soon became restless. I'm sure there is a canned texture out there that would work equally well, but I seem doomed to do everything from scratch. It is part of the satisfaction for me. Also, in creating my own textures, I learn a great deal and stumble on things I like. Most often I can't predict whether I will like a texture. I just have to give it a try.
I am jealous of anyone who is good at immediately spotting the ideal texture for creating the desired effect for a particular image.
I would encourage you to play with this. I think the technique would work well with your images. When I first began experimenting, I downloaded some from Shadow House Creations. Start soon and we can trade some ideas for shortcuts on creating our textures.
I also want to thank you for giving me an idea for another blog post!
Wow! This is awesome, Anita. Not only is the image powerful but so are your words. I think this image probably is powerful even in its raw format. You are gifted and hope you continue to nurture that gift. Wow!
ReplyDeleteGee, Monte, thanks! I think I will take a break and savor this. Maybe I can tackle a new piece today, after all. Thanks.
DeleteWhat a great description Anita to go with a beautiful image. Your love for these beautiful animals is quite obvious in your work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark. Some people outgrow their fascination with horses. Some of us never get over it. I am pleased to hear that the love comes through.
DeleteAnother gorgeous image and excellent use of textures. The sheer number of available textures is amazing and picking the right one for your subject can be very difficult. It needs to match the mood you intend of the photograph is a failure. I like the idea of making your own as well. I made some from closeups of Emo's fur. He didn't mind at all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ken, for the comment. I am glad you like this one. And leave it to you to solve my puzzle. You probably have put your finger on the reason I use my own textures. That way I have a much smaller list to choose from. I wish I were faster at choosing the best ones up front.
DeleteHmmm. Emo's fur. Wonder if Galen would be willing to sacrifice for the cause. I will check. Fortunately for me, I won't have to go through an agent.
Anita, you nailed this one once again!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Steve. Much appreciated.
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