Artwork – Page 7 – Bill Swartwout Photography

February 4, 2022February 3, 2022

Defining One’s Muse for Creating Art

If I do have a muse it is in the form of Mother Nature.

Starting as a child of 11, when my parents gave me a home darkroom kit, I spent most of my time shooting and printing captures of Mother Nature’s creations around where we lived. That has continued throughout my life.

My photography is defined in the way I capture light and shadow and endeavor to do so in the way those elements are created in natural scenes, be they landscapes or seascapes, night or day.

Fenwick Island Dunes and Waves and Sea and Sand in the Afternoon Sun

I could not say why I “create as I do” but I know that if something out there catches my eye, I will go and take a look. Someplace in my mind I like to think that my photography attempts to capture some of the beauty seen in nature. No matter what medium or the camera used, I have tried to capture the essence of what is seen in nature through the camera. Being able to do so allows me to enjoy every shoot and, as a result, my camera becomes an extension of my eyes.

It is true that the architectural endeavors of mankind are also creative and beautiful and at night they may need artificial light (man-made) to be seen. However, during the day it is Mother Nature that brings out the designs, forms and textures of that architectural “masterpiece.”

Historic Waccamaw River Bridge in Black and White — Mother Nature sets the stage for the creations of man, the bridge and the pier are surrounded by the texture, light and shading that sets this scene apart from normal – especially in a black and white presentation.

My goal or wish, through my photography and writing, is to share with you the view of Nature that I have come to know over the last half century. Just as a painter strives to find unique ways in capturing and creating images, I too am always searching for a variety of creative outlets in photography and, occasionally, in writing.

Photography with its many disciplines is vast, it has been said that there are as many definitions as photographers. My photographs may not be for everyone, but if someone wants to see my work I invite them to do so at:

Link to: My Full Gallery at Pictorem

Link to: My Ocean City Gallery at Pictorem

Link to: My Full Gallery at Fine Art America

Link: Fenwick Island Dunes and Waves Panorama

Link: Waccamaw River Memorial Bridge at Conway in Black and White

The world is full of photographers, the ubiquitous cell phone camera has made sure of that, and anyone can look at the creations of others and say to themselves, “I could do that.” But do they (or we) really have the “eye” to see it? The creative eye that takes something out of nothing and creates a work of art? What does one need to do in order to create art? I have been striving to answer that answer for a very, very long time.

What I am seeking is what my Muse gives me when I visit her throughout the wonder of Creation’s pathways. What is within me seeks expression in the form of capturing a feeling or mood which often resides in the compositions that appear before me. For me it starts with an idea and evolves into the moment of commitment to an image. That is what I endeavor to share with my viewers and buyers.

Camera Screen with a Scene of the Indian River Bridge at Sunset

February 1, 2022January 31, 2022

Spiral Pattern Abstract Created from a Real Photograph

The colors just seemed to work for a new art creation in blue and black.

A spiral pattern created from an actual night photograph of Fire Control Tower #3 at Tower Beach Park of the Delaware Seashore State Park System. When it comes to abstract art I am more about colors and patterns than anything else. I have always liked blue – nearly all shades – and it goes well with black. So I created this abstract by swirling a “real” photograph that was primarily the shades of cobalt blue you see here along with a nearly all-black background. The colors caught my eye and I thought – just let me swirl these around a bit.

Galaxy Collective Spiral Abstract in Blue and Black

Here is the original photo…I simply thought the colors “worked” for the new rendition. FCT #3 is currently being restored as a museum piece and is lighted at night by cobalt blue spotlights. The tower was originally photographed by me, Bill Swartwout, in a swirling rain. The cobalt blue swirl was, hence, derived from the original image keeping only the blue of the tower and the black of the sky. A collection of lights swirling against a black void is, of course, a galaxy collective and, in this instance, in cobalt blue. A galaxy is made up of stars so the star accent was added for a touch or realism. Right?

While the tower is no longer recognizable in the least, the colors are pretty much intact and make a distinctive design when “swirled” in my image editing software.

Fire Control Towner #3 Night with Blue Lighting

It is rather obvious from where the abstract was developed once you see the colors of the original photograph. Hey, wouldn’t that (the abstract) make a challenging jigsaw puzzle?

Chose a link below to see the full image for each photograph above. You can see it on various substrates for wall art and also as a variety of home decor items.

Link: Galaxy Collective in Cobalt Blue with Star

Link: Fire Control Tower 3 in Cobalt Blue

Link to: Bill’s full Gallery at Fine Art America

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Pictorem

Fire Control Tower #3 is bathed in cobalt blue light on a rainy night in coastal Delaware. Fire Control Tower #3 is located at the Tower Beach Facility in one of the the Delaware Seashore State Parks. This tower, along with Tower #4 in the same state park, and several others along the Delaware Coast provided targeting information for the big guns at Fort Miles, several miles to the north.

Fort Miles and the World War II Fire Control Towers of the Delaware coast were an early example of, what we call today, Homeland Security. Fort Miles and the FCTs were built to protect the Delaware Bay from invasion by enemy ships. They proved to be an excellent deterrent because fire was never directed on an enemy vessel throughout the war.

January 26, 2022January 24, 2022

Fried Bologna Sammy in Myrtle Beach

If you like fried bologna you’ve got to try the sandwich at Duffy’s B&G.

On our most recent trip to Myrtle Beach we visited one of our “must” places on the first night – Duffy’s Bar and Grill at The Bowery, 9th Ave and the Boardwalk. While Duffy’s is known for having outstanding burgers (that’ll be another story), I found solace and a great sammy in “Tammy’s Grilled Bologna Sandwich.”

Fried Bologna Sandwich at Duffy's and The Bowery — Fried Bologna Sandwich at Duffy’s and The Bowery

I suppose it’s a recipe created by Tammy – or it may be a menu item named after a customer or a celebrity (I’ll have to ask next time). They (back in the kitchen) take a thick chunk of bologna and grill it, as they say, to perfection. Then it is flash fried for a delectable crispness and serve it up on lightly toasted white bread slathered with mayo with lettuce and tomato. The kitchen staff must take pride in their work because it truly is a work of art. That’s why I included this photo in my “Food As Art” Collection in my online gallery. Oh, yeah, I washed that sammy down with a couple Bowery Beers, their own brew, that’s not far off from a “Bud” – but tastes a good bit better.

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and SkyWheel from the 14th Street Pier

So, if you get the munchies when visiting Myrtle Beach the Bowery’s version of a classic Bar and Grill is Duffy’s. It’s easy to find – a few blocks south of the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel and half way down the block from the Boardwalk. It actually fronts on the “empty” space that, years ago, was the Myrtle Beach Pavilion, where the lights went out in 2006.

Yes, believe it or not, this “Food as Art” image is available in my on-line gallery. Click the links below to see more.

Link: Fried Bologna Sammy in Myrtle Beach

Link: Myrtle Beach Oceanfront from the 17th Street Pier

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine Art America