Wars of Our Past, Made Present

ABOUT: Using my grandfather's air force and military photos this series is both a reflection, appreciation, and tribute to our past. On a background base of sanded spray paint and acrylic, there are sections of a coding book highlighting the evolution of ciphers, cracking the Enigma, and Alan Turing's machine that aided in the end of WW2. On top of this collage is my unique photo transfer and acrylic paint method.

MEDIUM: Mixed Media (Book (Simon Singh - “The Code Book”, to be specific), acrylic paint, ink, spray paint, then ink, acrylic and oil paint on glassine paper)

HOW IT'S MADE: Starting on reclaimed wood hand cut to size, these pieces receive a rusty spray paint treatment, covered with linseed oil, then thin layers of water gesso are coated on top to create a "separation" old wash effect. This is thoroughly dried and treated with mediums to allow the gesso to adhere to the backgrounds. Once dried, pages of book entries on code breaking are strategically collaged in a sparing fashion to not take away from the imagery. Then, images are manipulated in GIMP and contrast set high. Instead of full photo transfer, a partial transfer is completed on glassine paper, followed with hand painted acrylic.

The glassine paper is then sealed and set in my unique translucency treatment on the background. Once thoroughly dried, these pieces are each sealed with a matte varnish, and then a custom hand cut frame is added to the back of the piece.