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Wednesday 30 November 2016

Silos

Researching Charles Sheeler was very interesting and I love his artwork of buildings, urban settings, and rural settings. His painting of a Grain Bin on the cover of Fortune magazine was the inspiration for my piece titled "Silos".
I grew up in north central Montana known for its grain crops. We had a wheat farm. The basis of my piece is of a photograph I took of three aging grain silos on our farm. My dad would store his harvested wheat in these grain bins and then wait for a good price in the market place. The large silo on the lower left is of a photograph I took of a very large, rusting silo at a popular home decorating store called Magnolia Farms in Waco, TX. And the large, looming trio of silos in the middle is from a picture my sister took of  grain silos in Wall, South Dakota.
Since Charles Sheeler was also known for his photography, I wanted explore how to digitally enhance my photos. I used various applications to my original photos to intensify color,  highlight shapes and create interest . When I was satisfied with the process, I printed each image onto fabric with my printer. I fused the silos onto the background for a collage effect much like many of  Charles Sheeler works.

I especially love the diversity of the structure of these grain bins/silos and the architectural lines. If you grew up on a grain farm, this picture definitely brings back memories of hard work and rural living.

11 comments:

  1. Great use of your photos giving a wonderful collage of a wheat farm. So typical of an area we have to pass thru getting from the coast to the central hub of SA.

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  2. You have fused your memories, photographs, your talent and Sheeler's graphic portrayals so well to bring it together as a whole, beautiful piece of work. Your quilting lines show off the piece to perfection.

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  3. Wow! Great re-entry into the group! Thanks for your explanation of the process. You have taken his work on to the next level with your interpretation.

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  4. Venetta, welcome back to the group - I have often had you in my thoughts and you have been on my mind every time we have a reveal day I have missed your contributions. So glad to see your work again and have you back with us.

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  5. Hi Venetta. Nice to have you back! And lovely to see you in London.
    I like what you have done with the quilting lines and with the use of your photographs.

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  6. Great choice of fabric for the silos, they look so real.

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  7. Great result, and welcome back! I've always loved grain silos, and your interpretation really works, both as a portrayal of life, and as a homage to Sheeler.

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  8. When I first viewed Sheeler's work I was amazed that someone would find beauty in Industrial buildings, machinery ,silos etc. With the wheatland background in the piece you have made a really lovely piece .
    Sheeler himself would have enjoyed it!

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  9. Venetta, i admire your creative eye - a beautiful and meaningful collection of silos. Inspiring!

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  10. What a stunning return to the fold - it's good that you are able to join us again.
    Your colour palette is stunning - it took me a while to notice that those of the sky/silos in Scheelers work is reflected in the silos/fields of your own. Clever.

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  11. Ta da! Venetta is back. What an entrance. So clever of you to combine his use of photography in your piece, bringing in your own very personal memories and weaving them into such a powerful piece. Great stuff.
    Hilary

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