Peering Out of the Shadows

 
And she said, "How are you Harry?
Haven't we played this scene before?"
I said "It's so good to see you, Sue
Had to play it out just once more."
She said "I've heard you flying high on my radio."
I answered "It's not all it seems."
That's when she laughed and she said, "It's better sometimes
When we don't get to touch our dreams."

That's when I asked her "Where was that actress?"
She said "That was somebody else."
And then I asked her why she "looked so happy now?"
She said ... "I finally like myself ... at last I like myself."

—Harry Chapin, Sequel

Notes from November 13, 2009

    Earlier this week I was drawn to work with my Natasha once again.  Some of you may remember (some definitely do) that Natasha is the dark-eyed Gypsy who took shape in the form of a custom character back in early September.  If she is unfamiliar, you can also see Natasha in the portrait 'Don't Be Afraid of the Shadows'  [link] 'A Whispering on the Shore'  [link]  and 'Say of What You See In the Dark'.  [link]

    What I started out attempting to accomplish this week was create an older Natasha.  How old?.. I did not know; just an elder woman.  After a while I was getting somewhere that felt a little older, until a nudgy persistent tugging on my sleeve guided the creative process in a different direction.

    Although I was not sure exactly where we were going, it felt like a worthwhile impulse.  I decided not to rush the work and set it down, vowing to pick it up again, hopefully later in the week.

    A late afternoon/early evening coffee break today allowed me a space in which to rejoin and complete what had begun earlier in the week.  Once I had finished, what looked back at me from the screen seems to my eyes to be the closest I have yet come to making a photographic portrait in 3D.

    Is this an elder Natasha .. peering out of the shadows?  It looks a little like her .. but then again, it does not.  The years play tricks with faces sometimes .. could be it's her older sister who wanted equal attention? .. or maybe its her mother.  I'm not sure ... not yet.  Perhaps after another session or two it will become clear just who was tugging at my sleeve.  For now, I am just happy she wanted to pose .. whoever she may be.


I wish you the finest of inspirations within your own creative endeavors!

Terry

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PRODUCTION : Character & Scene Set up and Rendered Within Poser
POST : Desaturation, Refined Contrast, Film Grain, DOF, Finishing Enhancements & Framing Within Photoshop
CREDITS : Natasha - Self-crafted Character for Victoria IV  [link]
              Sapphire Fox Hair by Quarker  [link]
VINTAGE : November 2009