I was thinking an origami-looking city on the cover. Maybe to even look like Minneapolis for example? I want this one to be black and white, but color in the windows of the city. The last thing I was thinking was to have the shadow of a hand over the city like it’s trying to touch it.
-Ben’s description of his cover concept
Ben Westlie, is a wonderful human being, one of my closest friends and a very talented emerging poet. His second chapbook was recently accepted by his publisher. I had the pleasure designing the cover for his first book. And he has once again asked me to develop several potential cover images for his second book, entitled Extraordinary Construction.
Concept image 1: In process 1Concept image 1: In process 2Concept image 1: In process 3Extraordinary Construction • Mixed media collage concept image 1 • Carly Swenson • 2012
For this work, I wasn’t sure how to create an origami type look to the cityscape. I used different black and white patterned papers cut both in angles and vertically to suggest folded lines. I don’t think the process was particularly successful in creating an origami appearance. However, I do think it worked aesthetically in the composition.
I did create a couple other collage images based on the concept. Now back to work to create another image based on this theme for consideration of both Ben and his publishers.
Carly Swenson is an intuitive painter originally from northern Montana. She spent more than a decade working primarily as a mixed media artist before shifting to acrylics. Swenson received a BFA in Visual Arts with an Art History Minor from Bemidji State University. During and after university, she traveled and lived abroad, this included studying in China, traveling throughout Europe and living both in England and the Azores.Swenson’s work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions throughout the US and internationally. Her freelance writing and mixed media journals have been published in nationally distributed art magazines. She has facilitated art workshops for various age groups. Swenson’s work is also included in the permanent art collections of Angra do Heroismo Museum and Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN). Currently, she lives in St. Paul, MN with a smart little dog and a weird little cat. They’re nice.
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All images (artwork and photography) protected by copyright and belong to Carly Swenson, unless otherwise noted. Any images not owned by Carly Swenson have been used with the consent of the copyright holder. Please do not reuse/publish/edit/copy/etc. any images from this blog without consent of the copyright holder. Thank you for your understanding and respect of artistic integrity.
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4 Replies to “extraordinary construction: concept image one”
Carly Swenson • Intuitive Artist 
I dont know why but I really love your first and second stages a lot each time! :)
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wow!! really amazing! I love them
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Thank you so very much, it was a fun idea to play with.
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