Monday, November 19, 2012

Oh! To Be Free!

1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . KICK!

Little boys and elephants have much in common. They love spending time with 'their people'. And they have an overwhelming urge to roam as far and as fast as their feet will take them. But despite their best efforts, they often crash chaotically wherever they go.
I suppose the world would be a much more orderly place if they were easy to contain.
 
But then I wonder, why would you want to?

 
 
 
Double points for anyone who can tell me in which book "1...2...3...KICK!" appears.


 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Let's See What's Caught?


To Market ©2012
 
 
Oh!
In case
some of you
hadn't noticed
the TNT Market
is now open to the
worldwide public.
Just a few things out
and ready to buy now
that you might find
very interesting.
I'll let you know
when I put out
something new
just for you.
 All of that to
say, feel free
to stop by
 and take a
look at the
fresh catch
of the month.
The web can be confusing.
It is actually quite easy to find.
Thanks!
TNT Market
Market
 


 
 


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Picture of Hard Work

 
 
A few weeks ago I baked a delicous lemon chicken. It was the sort of meal that makes one feel like a bonafide foodie with complete bragging rights. Framing the shot to perfection on my kitchen counter seemed a fitting salute to a wonderful creation.
 
Moments later I set the table for one and began to do a bit of work. That's when I saw another sight. The pristine moment before any plate is touched in its vacuous simplicity is good in its own right. However, do we ever stop to notice the beauty of the moments of creation or when we enjoy the product of our labor? These are usually messy, cluttered and chaotic, but they have a particular glory in an unsung magic through things so common that they are almost always missed.
*Photo on the screen of my laptop by Shelley Bridgers

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Men, Women . . . and Other?

 
This is the sign for the elevator at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA. When I first saw it I was impressed by a sign that actually showed someone in a wheelchair using the elevator. Afterall, those who are bound to a wheelchair are those who need an elevator, right? If you can walk you have the luxury of using the stairs. So it has always seemed silly to me to have a sign showing two able bodied people riding in the elevator.

Then I looked again and wondered, "Does this sign segregate?" Does it make the person in a wheelchair niether male nor female, just an 'other'?

Monday, October 29, 2012

Warm Doughnuts

There are certain universals within every culture. A few of them are love, joy, a deep desire for peace, the search for honesty, a need for mutual respect,

...and doughnuts.

On Labor Day I had the pleasure of meeting four men who work with my brother-in-law. They are from Hyderabad and he has enjoyed introducing them to various things in American culture. At the close of this particular day we stopped at Krispy Kreme.

Needless to say they were enthralled by warm doughnuts.

Sometimes we become foolish and believe that those "other than us"
are too different to approach, let alone befriend. 

Customs may be dynamic,
but love, life and hope is constant.



Monday, August 13, 2012

Bloom where you're planted!

One of my closest friends says, "Well you bloom where you're planted!" But what happens when the plant decides to uproot and go elsewhere?

It has been an incredible 45 days! July rushed by like a thief on the run and August is looking rather guilty. The forth of July brought a new place to live. And in mid July I returned to Washington DC for another conference with the OIF. I also spent a few days with a very dear friend of mine and her two baby girls. After weeks of unpacking, and wondering why I didn't give away much of what I moved to the Salvation Army, I can finally say I am a resident of Colorado.

Now I suppose it is time to bloom?

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

In June


Then the rains come
First over the mountains
Far
Away they swept the day
Winds of so much
Fury
Then calm reaching
Windows down
All the world tossing
This is much
Love
While others call "chaos"
Land open, never
Empty
Here I'll stay forever
Sands thrown
By wind, by water
Gives strength
To memories
Built on a place much loved

Friday, May 18, 2012

It's time for a break

Raising children is difficult. Anyone that has done so or is attempting to do so, will tell you that is an understatement! A dear friend of mine has two very busy boys. This is a blessed moment of quiet for all three of them.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Dinosaurs in the Yard

My nephew is turning 4 in a few days. Last summer he watched his older brother ride my grandfather's horse around the yard. He sees dinosaurs playing everywhere he goes. This altered cyanotype illustrates the wild dreams and thoughts of a little boy.


To add the dinosaurs to this cyanotype print I used vinegar, strong coffee and water to paint loose watery shapes. Each liquid affects the color of the print differently. Water simply clears away the emulsion to show the  paper undernieth. Vinegar reacts with the emulsion and leaves an intense blue trail. Coffee colors both paper and chemistry a nice vandyke brown. All of these are very uncontrolled since the liquids spread creating sharp shapes because the paper is dry when it is worked. Another great complication is the fact that you must work in near darkness. It makes it almost impossible to see your strokes as you work. This results in random shapes which only mimic what you had in mind. If you are open to a little visual chaos, this is an interesting twist on the cyanotype. I made the dinosaurs more defined by adding details using colored pencils.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Good Ol' Web Design!

I admit right here and now, I am not a website designer. I was never trained in web design and that is why I love sites like Google and Lynda. There are hundreds of sites out there that offer free and instant web design. But then there are some of us that are too stubborn to accept their help! After much cursing, ranting, and asking "but why can't I make that doo-dad float in a counterclockwise fashion right there?" my website is very similar to what I would like it to be. My point being, with persistance you can come pretty close to your wildest dreams! So bite off more than you can chew today and see if it tastes any good!
Hopefully my website gives everyone out there an idea of what it is I spend my days, and sometimes nights, doing. Is it worth it? If you enjoy the images, I think so. If you want to know my photographic and web techniques I am more than happy to share.


Have a great day!
Tess

****BEGIN SELFLESS PROMOTION NOW: All images on tntimages.us are for sale. Just click on the penny in the bottom left of the portfolio frame (or just to the right of the twin lens). If you are having trouble viewing the images remember that you will need Flash for the site.****

Friday, April 27, 2012

Why don't you just KickStart something?

Last night I had dinner at a friend's house. As we talked PBS was on in the background. They featured a website with an amazing function. It connects artists to financial backers in a way that is reminiscent of the days when artists and entertainers would perform before royal courts in hopes to gain their patronage. Kickstarter.com is much the same, except that instead of a royal court, artists are making their appeals to a global audience. The concept is exciting! I too may be appearing on the site soon. Trust me when I say you will be wasting several hours on this site. Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Let's try Inkodye!

This morning I spent some shared studio time with my good friend, Musetta Aponte (www.musettaaponte.blogspot.com), when I came across a revolutionary new product called Inkodye. After watching a few videos from the company's creators I proptly bought small bottles of all three colors. Don't worry my friends, I will share the results with you when I have a few examples. Need more info? Try www.lumi.co

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

TNT Images' Etsy store has offically opened!

Sure, it only has one item, now, but soon it will be filled with one of a kind hand made items. What sort of items you ask? Just wait and see my friends!

You can find my Etsy site here on the side bar under "One of a Kind Works".
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Monday, February 27, 2012

Emulsion Transfers - Almost ready!

Hi everybody!
One of my favorite photographic techniques is the emulsion transfer. I am working with the new Fuji FP-100 film. I can't say that I don't like it, but it is vastly different from Polaroid's 669 in the way of feel and texture. It still has the nice silken look of the old 669, but it is stronger and acts more like cellophane rather than say gooey tissue paper. That means less tearing (in fact almost no tearing) but terrible adhesion. I had forgotten the latter little fact and soaked my paper ahead of time and now the paper has as much curl as the transfers. Next time perhaps I can remember that these need glued on after they have dried. We'll see . . . . Here is an example of my afternoon's work from last Thursday. You may notice the image lifting off of the paper in some areas. Again, this is due to poor adhesion. But I think that is a happy accident. What do you think?

                     I will have a set of transfers for sale through Etsy sometime this week or next week. Never fear, I'll let you know when that happens.

The River 2012©

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Guess who has a shiney new website!

I do! It took two months, 75.35 cups of coffee, hours of googling, video watching on youtube and Lynda as well as many MANY shouts of frustration to the beast that is complete tech. confusion, but I have finally done it! You all now have the opportunity to see my latest work as well as some of my good 'ol favorites. Everything on the site is for sale. If you are interested, click on the penny when you reach the site. I always love to hear from all of you. Let me know how things are in your world. Also, if you have any troubles with my site, let me know here or via email. In case you have forgotten, my site is found at www.tntimages.us

Hope you have a great day!
Tess

The beast that is tech. confusion . . . .
Or at least what I presume it looks like.
(Incidentally, I have a new pen tablet.)