Peggy Nugent
July 2026 - Surrounded by Art
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
The originals here are all iPhone pictures. The first one was taken as a live/long exposure shot. I then used one frame of the live shot as a layer to mask in the young woman. The lower right corner had no detail and a large dark area and so was distracting, so I added the second live/long exposure shot. I adjusted shadows and bright areas, then added the art in Linear Light mode at 14%. The top of the frame was too bright, so I made a stamp copy, rotated it 180 degrees, and masked it in at low opacity.
7 comments posted
Hi Peggy, I think that the lovely image works on so many levels: the brush stroke texture gives the impression that one is looking at a painting inside a painting. There is the palpable loneliness of the young woman in the middle of the crowd that should be sharing the same experience. Is she looking at another painting on the opposite wall, contemplating something she has seen, or just in her thoughts, or bored, or waiting for her phone to ring? I think that every element and the colors and composition come together to strengthen the story. Posted: 07/08/2026 13:53:11
Thank you, Kirsti! Posted: 07/08/2026 18:45:21
Hi Peggy,
What a wonderful image you have created, full of narrative and beautiful colours and textures. I really like the way everything works together and how you have blended all the elements to create such a beautiful composition. The girl stands out beautifully in the middle of the crowd, immediately drawing my attention to her while the surrounding details help to tell the story. A lovely piece of creative work. Posted: 07/14/2026 10:50:27
What a wonderful image you have created, full of narrative and beautiful colours and textures. I really like the way everything works together and how you have blended all the elements to create such a beautiful composition. The girl stands out beautifully in the middle of the crowd, immediately drawing my attention to her while the surrounding details help to tell the story. A lovely piece of creative work. Posted: 07/14/2026 10:50:27
Thank you, Maria! Posted: 07/16/2026 20:01:34
Peggy, A very powerful and lovely image. I love how you've made the young woman the art in this image. Your handling of textures is always an inspiration for me. Your restraint in how you selectively handle different areas with respect to brightness, color and texture is masterfully handled. Posted: 07/15/2026 21:29:38
Thank you, Brad! Posted: 07/16/2026 20:02:21
I think the ultimate compliment is Brad's being inspired by your blending. My first thought was how well your working with blending has come together here. I don't like to create or look for stories in an artist's work. Dali's "Persistence of Memory" is the prime example of my feelings about stories. He doesn't have one. The woman in focus catches the eye of the viewer and won't let go! It doesn't matter if she just found out she's pregnant with an unwanted child, is trying to decide whether or not to tell her parents she's gay, or is lost in thought about (fill in the blank). She is the most powerful figure I believe I've seen in your work. It's a pleasure to see the fruits of your blending labors achieve such a wonderful image. This is an inspiration for the rest of us who are chasing that holy grail of creativity to keep at it. Posted: 07/19/2026 18:16:08