Radiant Arts | Doug Cristafir

Gallery One
PhotoPaintings

Gallery Two
Panoramic PhotoPaintings

Gallery Three
Black & White

Gallery Four
Photography

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All prints in Gallery One and Two are PhotoPaintings and are in Limited Editions of Five with Two Artist Proofs also available (unless otherwise stated). Galleries Three and Four are mostly photographs although some have been altered and combined with more than one image.

Originally I was painting for over 12 years using an airbrush and acrylic paints to depict abstract landscapes using an organic process with salt, textures and shapes. After creating and selling over 500 artworks it was time to pause and move into other areas. For over 15 years of playing with computer software to artistically alter photos, I began to integrate painting images with photographs.

This blending of photo and painted images lead me to invent a new collage form I call PhotoPainting. I photograph landscapes then combine them with photographed painted paper, plexiglass, or other surfaces to merge into completely new forms and landscapes. My images are not landscapes that I have simply pushed a computer key and manipulated to the finish. These mountains, ridges, forests and vistas are created fresh from my heart to celebrate the energy of creation. You are viewing natural wonders that exist no where else.

Some of my earlier attempts (a number of the black and whites) are closer to photographs that were combined with some added pencil work. However, all of the PhotoPaintings, in color, are blended with photographed paintings and created through hours of playful work. If you have questions about any artwork in particular, please feel free to contact me.

Art Terms

Giclee - commonly pronounced "zhee-clay," is an name for the process of making fine art prints from a digital source using high quality ink-jet printing and paper. The French word "giclée" is a feminine noun that means a spray or a spurt of liquid.
Giclee information.

Limited Edition - Producing a set number of a particular image. The lower the total amount of prints the greater the value of each individual piece. The concept originally refers to traditional printmaking techiques where only so many prints could be produced before the quality diminished. I use limited editions to keep to number of specific images small so that patrons have a more unique work.

Open Edition - Prints that have no set number of prints available. They are unlimited in the number.

Artist Proof - The first print of a limited edition series. The artist inspects the print to determine changes in color or content before printing the rest of the edition.

Acid Free - Usually referring to paper and framing materials that have a neutral ph and will not yellow the artwork over time.

PhotoPaintings are a concept I developed that combines my 20 years as a painter with my love for Photography. I merge layers of photographed painted images and textures with pieces of landscape photos in the computer and then play for hours creating a synergy of forms and feelings.

Printing Inks
K4 Ultrachrome Pigment Archival Inks from MIS inks are used which have an archival life of anywhere from 100 years for color and 200 years for black and white prints. This means they will not fade during this time frame and last even longer if not displayed in direct sunlight.

Paper
The images are printed on Breathing Color Elegance Velvet textured paper for the limited editions and Epson Enhanced Matte paper for the open edition prints. Original artworks are printed on Arches Watercolor paper. All papers are ph neutral acid-free.

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