Category: Abstract Photography

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For Purple Mountain Majesties

Above the Fruited Plain – an “America the Beautiful” rendition in Digital Art.

As a foray into abstract digital creations based on some of my existing photographic themes, I offer up the following.

purple mountain majesty
Purple Mountain Majesty

Travel through the mountains of the east coast provides some spectacular images during the transition from light to dark and dark to light, that is dusk to dawn or sunset and sunrise. It is not always possible to be there in person at exactly the right time to capture the scene photographically but it is possible to re-create Mother Nature’s beauty in a digital form.

Colors can be digitally rendered to re-create a scene as it may exist in memory – or in imagination. The shapes themselves can be blended and smoothed to create an “abstraction” of the original

Purple Mountain Majesty Abstraction
Purple Mountain Majesty Abstraction

These scenes do not have an exact, or a real, location because they are digital creations (and might have been done anywhere). However, YOU can decide to place them in the Ozark Mountains, the Smokies, somewhere in the Appalachian Chain or anywhere you envision them to be.

Artificial Intelligence as an aid to creating art…

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the art world is a rapidly growing field. Computers can now be used to create works of art that not only look aesthetically pleasing but also generate meaningful conversations about the nature of human creativity and its relationship with technology. AI has opened up a whole new realm for artists who, until now, relied solely on traditional forms of artistic expression.

Artificial intelligence has allowed us to create some incredible pieces of art. Many of the world’s most celebrated artists are now using AI to explore a variety of styles and techniques in their work. While I am not a “celebrated” artist, I did deem it necessary to explore the opportunities for my own creations. My “Purple Mountains” did originate as one AI-generated piece but they required digital manipulation to get them to appear as I envisioned. I spent as much time in post-production as I do with many images I download from my camera. Maybe more…

These pieces are available as wall art (on a variety of substrates) and/or printed on a selection of home decor items.

Link to: Purple Mountain Majesty

Link to: Purple Mountain Majesty Abstraction

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels

Link to: Artificial Intelligence Gallery

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Pictorem

artificial intelligence art

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City Lights or Neon Streaks

When the darkness of night falls, a stunning sight is often unveiled.

“When the darkness of night falls, a stunning sight is unveiled in cities around the world. The city lights bring to life a magical display of neon streaks against the dark backdrop of a night sky. From towering skyscrapers to smaller city blocks, these lights can create a dazzling spectacle that captivates the eye and awakens the soul. Neon lights have long been associated with bustling nightlife and urban living, becoming an iconic symbol of cities everywhere.”

city lights purple rain of neon streaks
City Lights and Neon Streaks

An unintentional abstract photograph…

Actually, this light display is not as described in the opening paragraph. While that is what can be seen in a large city with a camera on a tripod, this display was shot handheld at a Christmas lights display and created with intentional camera movement.

The result came out surprisingly effective but I was at a loss of ideas for a title. To alleviate that “situation” I turned to Facebook friends for suggestions of a title for this photograph.

Here are several of their title suggestions…

  • Linda – Confetti Lights
  • Susan – Winterfest Fairy Lights
  • Cindy – Sir Lights-a-Lot
  • Nick – Should Auld Acquaintance
  • Christina – December Fireworks
  • Brad – Meteor Gawking on Acid
  • Bob – Luminous Galaxy
  • Paula – Kaleidoscope of Lights
  • Sandi – Neon Nancy
  • Paula – Kaleidoscope
  • Judi – Celebration!
  • Mike – Dispersion
  • Chris – And then, it happened.
  • Mary – Lines of Color
  • Tom – Purple Rain
  • Bob – Colorful Camera Jitters (Close to being a good description)
  • Kathy – Parade of Colors
  • Ric – City Rain
  • Christina – Fireworks in December
  • Doug – Colorful Scribbles
  • Renata – Stars Fell from the Sky
  • Mary – Cosmic Flutter
  • Peggy – Neon Rain
  • Cindy – Crazy Little Thing Called Lights
  • Curtis – Acid Lashes, Trip the Lights Fantastic, Light Motion Dome, Color Amphitheater, Fireworks, Gun Powder Flower, Night Lights, Spectrum Wheel, Array of Lights, Array Awry, Awry Array, Speed oFlight and Chaos in Motion
  • Judy – The Abyss
  • Kathy – Abstract Fire Flies
  • Richard – Speed of Light

Whew, what a list of suggestions. Nearly all of them would fit – at least by my way of thinking. I like to keep it simple but I have not yet uploaded this to my gallery – but I will soon. Then I’ll have to make a choice – or – maybe mash up a simple idea or two. Many thanks go out to those who responded to my simple plea on social media. I appreciate your contributions and are hereby giving mention to all our your input.

To visit my full gallery, click here: BillSwartwoutPhotography.com

Or to visit just the abstract collection, click here: Abstract Collection.

OK – a decision has been reached. As a twist on the popular song “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen – I’m going with “Crazy Little Thing Called Lights.”

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Bill Swartwout Photography on Redbubble

Check out my store on the Redbubble platform for unique items.

Redbubble.com, or for my store Swartwout.Redbubble.com, is now gaining more of my photographs for use on their products. Check it out – and please give the shop a “follow” and a few likes (if you see something you like, that is).

redbubble store header image
This is the current header for my Redbubble Store emphasizing 2023 as #AYearForArt.

From the “About” page on their website: “Redbubble was born in 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. The dream was simple. Give independent artists a meaningful new way to sell their creations. Today, we connect over 700,000 artists and designers across the planet with millions of passionate fans. A brave (and dare we say stylish) new world of self expression.” I am now one of those 700,000+ designers and artists.

Link to: Bill’s Redbubble Store

Here is a sample of a December upload with an unique holiday design on shirts.

crab basket christmas tree on redbubble shirts
Here is how the Crab Basket Christmas Tree Watercolor looks on T-shirts at Redbubble. A wide variety of shirts and sizes are available.

Do artists actually buy art from Redbubble?

Yes they (we) do. Here is an item that arrived as I was creating this post. I needed a small spiral bound notebook to keep near my keyboard and this one caught my eye. It is the creation of a Florida designer known as Pen and Rose Stationers. The item arrived only four days after I placed the order, it was exactly as described, well packaged and is perfect for what I need.

Victorian Starry Night Sky Memoranda Notebook by PenAndRose at redbubble
Victorian Starry Night Sky Memoranda Notebook by PenAndRose at Redbubble.

Here is a related post about: buying one’s own art.