making art work for you

Digital Image Customization at Third & Wall

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At Third & Wall Art Group we work with some of the most exceptional artists in the industry. They are market-savvy, prolific, and total pros at creating upscale contemporary artworks that reflect color and decor trends.

However, those trends tend to morph and shift as they cycle throughout the industry. The result is that sometimes a customer may love an image for their project, but its colors may not reflect the unique needs of their design project. As a member of the Production Department at 3&W, I and my fellow digital color specialists spend a lot of time immersed in Photoshop, digitally changing colors and customizing art to meet precise specifications.OMAR-147_ForBlog

Our customers are like snowflakes – each one is unique, with diverse ways of communicating their digital alteration needs. One customer may simply provide a general vision, like “I’d like the greens to be more sage green, not so Kermit the Frog green”; others may send us a JPEG they want us to match; some will specify Pantone numbers or commercial paint swatches; and others will send fabric swatches and ask us to change elements of the image to precisely match their décor schemes.

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Sometimes a project requires a suite of three images, but only two images exist – so rather than wait several weeks for the busy artist to paint a third image, like pulling a rabbit out of a hat we digitally create a third image out of thin air (ta da!).

Other client requests have included altering nude figures to be more modest (I’ll leave that to your imagination); making figures less “frumpy”; removing road signs or telephone wires from landscape photographs; removing birds from tree branches; restoring damaged vintage photography; moving elements of paintings around to create different compositions; changing the height of horizon lines – the list goes on. And just when we think we’ve done it all, our customers are always coming up with intriguing new customizations to challenge our skills and Photoshop know-how!

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In most cases, there’s almost nothing our fabulous Production Department can’t match or alter. However, there are a couple of things to remember when requesting image customization:

1) Customization Isn’t Free: Digital image customization is a highly-skilled and specialized service, so there is a nominal fee for digital work. For more information check with your 3&W Account Manager.

2) Avoid Extreme Light to Dark/Dark to Light Changes: It is very difficult to digitally change a very light or white image area to very dark or black; and vice versa.

3) Be Conscious of Original Size When Enlarging: Enlarging a small image (or a small piece of crop from an image) can result in fuzziness, unintentional gigantic brushstrokes or canvas texture, and even the dreaded pixelation – so be sure to check the original size of your image before asking for an enlargement. If the original is 12×12” and you want it to be 60×60”, odds are it’s not going to have the clarity you want, no matter how carefully it is enlarged. And always request a test strip if you are requesting a big enlargement.

4) All Monitors Show Color Differently: Remember that every computer monitor shows color differently – so if you are requesting us to match colors in a JPEG you sent us, we will match what OUR monitors show us, which is not necessarily what your monitors are showing you. If color is extremely important, please specify a pantone or commercial paint chip color, or send us a physical color reference.

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And now…bring on the challenges! Let’s customize!

– Patti Mann, Digital Color Artist, Third & Wall Production Team

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The Amazing Sarah Stockstill

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SarahStockstillRAWMy love for Sarah Stockstill’s work began very shortly after I started to work for Third and Wall Art Group. I was still in training and had the opportunity to visit her in her studio as she was just starting a new piece. I had seen her work before in print form, which I really liked, but it wasn’t until I sat there in complete awe of her and her talent that I really did just fall in love.

She greeted me with a hug and a huge smile that just lit up the room. There is something so sweet and genuine about her, I felt at ease immediately. I had years of experience on the retail end dealing with published pieces, but I was a complete newbie when it came to the original art market. This was my first exposure to how an artist takes a blank canvas and starts to create.

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“Lyric in Gesture”

"Sonata II"

“Sonata II”

With fluid motions and various tools she combined colors in a way that to me seemed completely effortless. She layered and pulled paint over the canvas, then stepped back, tilted her head to both sides and continued. I was watching the colors she was using and thought “Mmmmm, that’s an interesting combination” – and just like that, the colors blended together, light variations of colors and the HUGE once-blank canvas evolved into a stunning abstract original.

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“Aquitaine II”

I couldn’t help but smile during the entire process that I was fortunate enough to witness first hand. I am not an artist by any means but I have been in the industry long enough to know when there is an artist who is truly remarkable and unique. To me, that is Sarah Stockstill.

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My very own Sarah Stockstill original!

Recently I fell in love with one of her pieces, an abstract figure, and am happy to say thanks to the gracious gesture of one of our other amazing artists, Liz Jardine, it is hanging in my living room and I get to smile now every day because of the piece, and Sarah’s incredible talent.

– Melissa Hesse, Third & Wall Account ManagerMelissa_bw

 

 

 

 

Keith Morgan, Photographer

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I just spent a few days backpacking in the North Cascade Mountains in Washington state. And for me, my favorite part is always the incredible vistas. Maybe it’s because I’m a visual person; I just can’t get enough of the breathtaking landscape surrounding us. Photographer Keith Morgan is a local Seattleite who also enjoys being in the outdoors, so I always get very excited to see his latest photography.

These are some of my favorites.

No wonder so many of our clients use Keith’s imagery for their healthcare projects. There is something so soothing and healing in viewing nature.

~ by Aimee Clarke, Creative Director

Keith’s gorgeous images can be viewed in the Print-On-Demand section of our website. This area of our website is password-protected. If you do not have a log-in to our website, contact us to find out if you qualify! [contact-form subject='[Third %26amp; Wall news | inspiration’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Featured Artist: Lisa Ridgers

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Artist Lisa Ridgers

Artist Lisa Ridgers

We see the paintings and we know the artist’s name, but we don’t know anything else about the person who created the art, how she works, or how she is inspired. We recently caught up with Lisa Ridgers in her studio to find out from the top-selling artist herself – how does she create all those gorgeous paintings?

What do you first do when you get to the studio in the morning?

Usually I crank some tunes and jiggle around a little bit to get warmed up, inspired and loosen my muscles

How many paintings do you work on at a time?

It varies but normally two or three.

Do you have a dream project that you would like to work on?

Yes, I would LOOOOVE to work on a piece for P!NK. Sounds a bit weird, I know, but I really admire her talent and her authenticity, the lady rocks!

RidgersStudio2If you could paint with anyone, who would it be?

Well, if I had powers of resurrection, definitely JMW Turner. One more just to be greedy……I would also love to paint with Sarah Stockstill, her work has always inspired me.

Is there an idea you would like to explore?

Yes, I currently am intrigued by all the digital work that artists are now doing and would like to learn some new skills, incorporating something along those lines into my work.

What is your favorite time of day to paint?

Morning……my brain fritzes out in the afternoons.

Do you ever get “stuck” on a piece? If so, what do you do?RidgersStudio

Yes, I sometimes used to fight pieces to the death but now I take a different approach. I turn them around and they face the wall until I am ready to work on that piece again…some sit for weeks at a time.

What is up next on your easel?

I am playing around with a new “urban” look but have to work out some kinks yet…should be a fun day 🙂

Lisa Ridger’s original works, posters and print-on-demand imagery are available from Third & Wall Art Group.

Summer Fun!

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I’m so excited about these new images from Liz Jardine. Don’t they just scream summer!? I love the silhouetted rides against the woodgrain-inspired background. Dreaming of fun-filled days running from ride to ride, stopping for ice cream, elephant ears, and corn dogs along the way.

~ Aimee Clarke, Creative Director