Category: Jigsaw Puzzles

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Spiral Pattern Abstract Created from a Real Photograph

The colors just seemed to work for a new art creation in blue and black.

A spiral pattern created from an actual night photograph of Fire Control Tower #3 at Tower Beach Park of the Delaware Seashore State Park System. When it comes to abstract art I am more about colors and patterns than anything else. I have always liked blue – nearly all shades – and it goes well with black. So I created this abstract by swirling a “real” photograph that was primarily the shades of cobalt blue you see here along with a nearly all-black background. The colors caught my eye and I thought – just let me swirl these around a bit.

Galaxy Collective Spiral Abstract in Blue and Black
Galaxy Collective Spiral Abstract in Blue and Black

Here is the original photo…I simply thought the colors “worked” for the new rendition. FCT #3 is currently being restored as a museum piece and is lighted at night by cobalt blue spotlights. The tower was originally photographed by me, Bill Swartwout, in a swirling rain. The cobalt blue swirl was, hence, derived from the original image keeping only the blue of the tower and the black of the sky. A collection of lights swirling against a black void is, of course, a galaxy collective and, in this instance, in cobalt blue. A galaxy is made up of stars so the star accent was added for a touch or realism. Right?

While the tower is no longer recognizable in the least, the colors are pretty much intact and make a distinctive design when “swirled” in my image editing software.

Fire Control Towner #3 Night with Blue Lighting
Fire Control Towner #3 Night with Blue Lighting

It is rather obvious from where the abstract was developed once you see the colors of the original photograph. Hey, wouldn’t that (the abstract) make a challenging jigsaw puzzle?

Chose a link below to see the full image for each photograph above. You can see it on various substrates for wall art and also as a variety of home decor items.

Link: Galaxy Collective in Cobalt Blue with Star

Link: Fire Control Tower 3 in Cobalt Blue

Link to: Bill’s full Gallery at Fine Art America

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Pictorem

Fire Control Tower #3 is bathed in cobalt blue light on a rainy night in coastal Delaware. Fire Control Tower #3 is located at the Tower Beach Facility in one of the the Delaware Seashore State Parks. This tower, along with Tower #4 in the same state park, and several others along the Delaware Coast provided targeting information for the big guns at Fort Miles, several miles to the north.

Fort Miles and the World War II Fire Control Towers of the Delaware coast were an early example of, what we call today, Homeland Security. Fort Miles and the FCTs were built to protect the Delaware Bay from invasion by enemy ships. They proved to be an excellent deterrent because fire was never directed on an enemy vessel throughout the war.

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I Never Met a Potato I Didn’t Like

My guilty pleasure is a bucket of fries on the boardwalk.

Yes, I’ll admit it. However, there are a lot worse foods to be in love with than a potato. French fries are not only American, but worldwide. Who does not like French fries? I have tried listening to stories of people who do not like French fries. I did not find anyone. Right?

A Bucket of Fries on the Boardwalk – just for you!

Very short story: Standing knee-deep in the Atlantic Ocean, our daughter, who loved to surf even as a three year old, demanded we get some French Fries. My son and I looked at her in disbelief. “Right now? There’s no way”, I told her. No one else was around; we were so far down the beach it was almost deserted, but still… they were French Fries .”Let’s go Daddy! Come on!” she pleaded. And then the smell hit us – freshly cooked French Fries only a few hundred yards away. Just imagine being there and having that olfactory awakening.

Here’s just another thought about lusting after some hot French Fries…

Remember, French Fries do not judge YOU – so you should not be one to judge them. Right?

Jigsaw Puzzle of French Fries Not Judging You
A Bucket of Boardwalk-style French Fries as a Jigsaw Puzzle.

Our French Fries photographs are food-grade (just kidding) and printed on archival photographic paper. You might consider framing – it’s durable, protects the image from scratches and moisture, and gives a rich, professional look to the prints. Mat and frame choices can be made to suit that perfect spot in your home or office.

Links to these two images for wall art (prints, framed or on canvas) and for home decor items. How’ about a throw pillow or a coffee mug? Or maybe even a beach towel?

Boardwalk French Fries Throw Pillow

Link: French Fries on the Boards Print

Link: Fries Do Not Judge You Print

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine Art America

Link to: Bill’s Ocean City Gallery at Pictorem (w/ Free Shipping)

I remember a quote by Dolly Parton (if I’ve got it correct): Potato, potato, potato, I never met a spud I didn’t like.” I see nothing wrong with that. How about you? In moderation, of course. Yeah, right!

If you have a place at the beach.

Relax in your vacation unit and enjoy how you have chosen to decorate it. Our wall art prints and home decor items add a touch of color, style and life to dull walls (or cover up unsightly marks). Home decor items such as pillows, mugs or towels will help you surprise guests at your place or simply add a personal touch of glamour to your favorite place.

In Summary

I will admit, I am addicted to potatoes. I will eat them as French fries, as potato wedges, as potato chips , as mashed potatoes, baked potatoes or you name it – I love them. Especially French Fries on the Boardwalk. In Ocean City, MD that means either Thrasher’s French Fries or Boardwalk Fries. Yum.

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I Use Zazzle for Calendars

My photographs appear on Calendars, Jigsaw Puzzles, Ornaments, Prints and more at Zazzle.

Yes, people still buy and use calendars and the first day of a new year is an appropriate time to bring this up. Just this morning, New Years Day, I received an email inquiry from a fellow artist at Fine Art America (FAA) inquiring about where I have my calendars produced. There have been quite a few discussions on the FAA Forum about the possibility of offering calendars there. For a number of reasons I doubt that will happen. Below is the gist of my answer…

My 2022 Assateague Pony Calendar Offering

I am certainly willing to share information with fellow artists about calendars. I use Zazzle, another quality POD (Print On Demand company) that make about a gazillion products. I sell calendars, ornaments, jigsaw puzzles, calendars and (yes) even some prints there. I no longer promote the puzzles at Zazzle because I prefer the ones offered at FAA. However, I had started offering puzzles and calendars with Zazzle six years ago and they still sell – a lot. I suppose that is because they have been in their internal search for so long and, because of that, Zazzle actually promotes them with Google ads. The same with the calendars they offer – calendars with my photographs, that is.

Zazzle provides the template but the whole system is not very intuitive – It takes a good while to get used to it. But they also have a very active forum – for info, advice, help, etc. There are a few FAA members also active at Zazzle.

Here is a link to my Assateague Pony Calendar: https://www.zazzle.com/z/301dowpa

Here is a link to the much of what I currently have at Zazzle: https://www.zazzle.com/mbr/238675969062853179/stores

Try a search for – Assateague Pony Calendar – on google and see if you can understand why I sell a lot at Zazzle. The wild horses of Assateague Island are quite popular.

Regards,

Bill

BTW – here is the text of the original email inquiry. I actually receive frequent questions similar to this…

Hi Bill,
I read your response to the discussion thread on calendars. Wondering if you would please share the company you used to do this with? And if they supplied a template or if you had to create with a particular software or app, which one?
Thanks & Happy New Year!