What is this?
It's the September Project: one digital collage/new media art/blend/whatever you want to call it/them/blarg per day in certain Septembers. Which Septembers in particular? I have no idea, honestly. Whenever it feels right.
Why do you do it?
To this day, I'm not wholly sure. Because I feel like I should? Because I like to express myself very cryptically through art? Maybe both those reasons and then some. Who knows. It's art, darling.
Why September?
Because it's spring? Because it's my favourite month? Maybe just because it sounds a little cool.
What do you call these pieces?
In the fandom that taught me how to make them, they were called "blends" -- I'm not sure if that crossed over to other fandoms, or is the name for art made solely with PhotoShop, or what. Very technically I supposed they're "digital new media" artworks.
What do you use to make them?
PhotoShop CS6 pretty much solely. The images used are mostly a combination of my own photography and several free stock photo sites, most notably Pixabay, Pexels, and Unsplash. I hope to have a detailed credits page up and working very soon, but given the age of some of the older pieces, certain websites might have just vanished into the Wired ether.
Are these made using AI?
No. I am a firm believer that generative AI does not have any place in human creativity. Every piece has been edited, cut apart, and/or put together by yours truly using whatever few PhotoShop manipulation skills I have. I don't use AI-generated images in the pieces either, as far as I can tell (not everybody marks their free stock as AI if it's been made by such, unfortunately -- I wish they would).
Can I display any of these images on my site?
Yes, provided you do not edit them and provide credit that includes a link back to my portfolio.
Can you explain the meaning behind each piece?
No; that feels like intruding into the viewer's space and that's not something I'm comfortable doing. How you interpret these is up to you, and those interpretations are all valid. ♥ I don't ever want to be that one arrogant ass who pompously informs you that Word of God said that X song has Y meaning and thus your meaning found is pathetic, you know?
Is there an actual meaning behind these?
Yes. Both mine and your own. Like I said, it's art, darling!
Will there be another upcoming gallery?
I don't know! That's half the fun of it, in my opinion.
How can I contact you?
Via email is your best bet. I try to respond ASAP, but give me a few days' grace, please ♥.
How can I support your work?
Via Ko-fi!