Josh Cole: Photography Lab

“Cerule Letter”
Saints Series
2009

Just a couple sketches of what’s brewing in my head for the next “Saints” pieces.

I’ve recently started a new collection called “Saints” where various social and behavioral issues/disorders are interpreted through a group of atypical saints.  Below are the first two pieces from the ongoing series.  They’ll be showing at the upcoming photography show, “FOCUS”.  This whole process has been an incredible lesson/experience in pre-planning, wardrobe and shoveling 400lbs of dirt and sand.

“Resolution”

16″ x 25.5″ (40.64cm x 64.77cm)
Edition of 7, Museum Framing

“Rising Tide”

16″ x 25.5″ (40.64cm x 64.77cm)
Signed & Numbered edition of 7, Museum Framing

IT IS COMPLETE!  As of today, “Rising Tide” has found completion bringing it to the “ready for printing and framing” stage.  I’m really looking  forward to that part of the process as it’ll get me out from in front of the computer for a time.  But before I get on with that task it’s time to write the final work in progress post. In the case you haven’t had a chance to check out the first 3 parts, I have linked to them below.

Part I
Part II
Part III

In part three I left off after adding a few shadows along with some reflections in the water.  Just as one would approach a painting, it’s now time for me to start detailing the piece to further the story.  This required a bit of retouch and some time “painting” in some new elements.  First up was dealing with some clothing issues.  The dress that was used in the ‘girl’ character was a bit large for the model in the arms thus creating some folds and wrinkles that were not jiving with what I had in mind.  As I would if this were a painting, and I created a fold or wrinkle I didn’t like, I would move the paint around a bit, add a little and end up with what feels right.  Same thing here (Fig.1, top).

Figure 1 - Blood & Toys

After that’s complete it’s time to move to the ‘boy’ character.  Now, the issue I run into here is that the model playing the part of all three characters is the same woman.  Therein lies the rub.  I needed one to be male so it was time to shave a bit off the chest (fig.1, bottom).  This should leave me with a bit more of a male look, while still holding the look of the model.

Now it’s time for additional story elements.  First up we need to throw a little blood (fig.2, top) into the ’saints’ hand.  Next up I wanted to add some tracks behind the toy (fig.2, bottom).  And I finished it up with ’saints’ halo.

Figure 2 - Iron & Flatten

Well, actually, I didn’t stop there.  There a bit more touch up and a couple elements added but not pictured here.  But I’m keeping those reserved for the show.  Gotta keep something a secret, right?  Sorry.

Don’t forget to come out to the show if you happen to live in Philly, or traveling that part of the country on March 6th. It’s taking place at the T&P Fine Art Gallery.  Hope to see you there.