The Last Iris – Woodblock Print

Iris – Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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welcoming summer
with a respectful surrender
spring blooms nap
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Usually, our irises finish blooming before summer officially arrives.  This year, a couple of our iris blooms, similar to the one in the above image, insisted on meeting the summer solstice.  They have since retired for their long nap until next spring.

I have been clearly absent from blogging for a couple of weeks.  An escalated roller coaster ride with my own health issues, as well as spending several days in the hospital with my mother due to a sudden and unexpected surgery left me with no time or energy for much of anything else.  She is now at home with us recuperating from her surgery.  But I’m able to pop in today for a quick post.  Thank you so much for your patience.

I hope the new season is off to a wonderful start for you.

This image of an iris bloom is another photomanipulation I did to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print.  I also learned from fellow bloggers, Francine and Frizz, that the image is also called a “xyloglyph.”

Graceful Peony – Woodblock Print

Single Peony – Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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delicate pink chicks
shielded by caressing arms
silken peony
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This image of a single peony is another photomanipulation I did to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print.

Single peonies are composed of one or more rows of a few broad petals, known as guard petals, which surround a center of pollen-bearing stamens, which in turn surround the pistil.  I believe the name of this peony is Sea Shell.  I like how delicate and silky the petals are, and how the formation of stamens and pistils looks like a birds nest.

Hope your week is off to a splendid start!

Here is the original photo I started with:

Peony, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

My Favorite Daffodil – Woodblock Print

Daffodil Replete Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on photo to enlarge)

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sipping peach cocktails
dreaming among soft sunsets
daffodil garden
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This is a photomanipulation to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print. I last posted one of these styles over a year ago. How time flies!

The image is of a double daffodil variety named Replete, one of my favorite types of daffodils.  They are beautifully shaped blooms that are peach/pink with snow white.  It’s wonderful to be surrounded by these beauties while enjoying a refreshing cocktail!

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

P.S. Here is the photo I started with:

Daffodil Replete, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.
(click on photo to enlarge)

 Linking up with:
MACRO MONDAY
TUESDAY MUSE
NATURE NOTES

O! Challenge: Osaka Castle – Woodblock Print

Osaka Castle – Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (Click on image to enlarge).
Linking up with Texture Tuesday.

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Walls whisper softly
Reconstruction fades voices
of many battles
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When I was working in Osaka, Japan, I toured Osaka Castle (大阪城) just after it’s 1997 major renovation, and took the original photo during that visit.  For the image, I used Photoshop Elements to create another old Japanese woodblock print style, with my own flare.  Also, I added a texture to soften the image.

Here is the photo I started with, which was scanned from a negative:

Osaka Castle, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (Click on image to enlarge).

This post is for the “O” Challenge by Frizztext (“O” is for Osaka)

Other articles about Osaka Castle:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osaka_Castle
• http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_1933.html
• http://www.osakacastle.net/english/history/index.html

J! Challenge: Steller’s Jay as a Japanese Woodblock Print

Steller’s Jay, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (Click on image to enlarge).

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An unclouded pose
Mirrored on artist’s canvas
Meditative smile
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This is another photomanipulation to digitally convert a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print.  The last one I did was posted back in October, and I was tempted to try another one.  The original photo of this Steller’s Jay was taken at Bryce Canyon National Park.  The description of the image is in English and Japanese (along the right side of the image).

I’m posting this photo for the “J” Challenge by Frizztext (“J” is for Jay and Japanese).

Other photomanipulations in the woodblock print style:

• Soul Searching
• Delicate Wings

New Year 2012 Greetings

New Year 2012, a photomanipulation by Fergiemoto on Flickr.  (click on image to enlarge).

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Dragonfly whispers
Softly hug inviting hearts.
Enlightened vision
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I have been creating Japanese New Years postcards called “nengajo” (with my own twist!) for the last few years.  In Japan, these cards are traditionally delivered on January 1st, but there is no mail delivery in the United States on that day, so my cards arrive after the 1st.  This image is my nengajo for 2012.  (See my other blog, Ichigo Ichie, for another of my new year 2012 images and haiku.)

• Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu 明けましておめでとうございます – Happy New Year!
• Nengajo 年賀状 – Japanese New Year’s card
• Etegami 絵手紙 – Japanese word meaning picture letter/message, traditionally done in a postcard size meant to be mailed
• Tonboトンボ – Dragonfly

The dragonfly in the image was one with quite a personality.  It warmed up to me very quickly and was very trusting.  It had no problem letting me touch its wings and body, many times, and even gave me several nice poses for the camera!  I don’t know what the scientific explanation for this behavior is, but it was so refreshing that I had to use one of the photos for my nengajo.  I used Photoshop Elements to give the original photo more of a woodblock print look.

Meaning of dragonfly in Japan:

“In Japanese culture, dragonflies are considered as a symbol of strength, happiness and courage. They are often mentioned in Japanese literature and art, especially haiku…..In Japanese paintings, dragonflies represent new light and joy.  Dragonflies help you see through your illusions and allow your own light to shine in a new vision. They remind us to pay attention to our deeper thoughts and desires…..A dragonfly lives a very short life and it tries to live to the fullest with what it has.”  (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-does-a-dragonfly-symbolize.html)

Have a happy and enlightening new year!

Soul Searching – woodblock print style

Soul Searching, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.
(click on photo to enlarge)

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Sunshine bathed journey

Conversation with the soul

Illuminated balance!

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This photomanipulation was my first attempt at digitally converting a photo into the likeness of an old Japanese woodblock print.  (The original photo was in my first post.)  I wanted to see if I could do it, and this is the closest I got.  I have done others, which are in line to be posted in this blog, and I included a more recent attempt in a previous posting here.  If anyone has attempted this style, I would be interested in seeing it and learning new tips.  I love the woodblock prints created by the Japanese masters and have one hanging in my house.

Delicate Wings – Woodblock Print

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly – Woodblock, a photo by Fergiemoto on Flickr.
(click on photo to enlarge)

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Lovely, striking wings
Proud, graceful patterns share breeze
Blossom welcomes friend!
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This art is a photomanipulation.  It is one of my attempts to convert a photo into the likeness of a Japanese woodblock print.  I like how it turned out!