From flame(leaf) to fire(wheel), followed by a (silver)puff to put out the flames
I recently began a collaboration with my friend Nikki Smith, an artist who lives in College Station. In her latest project, she’s taking inspiration from some photographs of mine and working her digital magic on them to create something strikingly different. Just last night the first and quite varied fruits of this project appeared, so I thought I’d show you the pair of results.
In the first case, the original was the photograph of a firewheel that appeared here in the early days of this blog, and which I’ve copied below. If you’d like, take a moment and see if you can imagine what an electrified transformation might look like, then click the photograph to see the change.
In the second case, the original showed a seedhead of silverpuff, below, which you can similarly click to see the transformation Nikki worked on it. Even though the two original photographs have similar compositions, the transformed views don’t resemble each other.
Happy imagining and viewing.
© 2013 Steven Schwartzman












Wow! Those are spectacular, especially the first.
We set out on a hike this morning. It was 14˚ and sunny and bright. There was about 2″ of snow on the ground. We are expecting 4-8″ more tomorrow. During the hike we saw some blackbear tracks. They weren’t fresh. But reminded us to pay attention and not surprise them.
Jim in IA
December 13, 2013 at 5:14 PM
Yes, that first is fiercely fiery, a blast of electric elation.
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Great fun 🙂
Sarah Longes - Mirador Design
December 13, 2013 at 5:37 PM
Fee, fi, fo… fun!
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2013 at 6:57 PM
Mmm… I quite like the electric firewheel, although I’d like it better without the background. Interesting concept though.
Heyjude
December 13, 2013 at 7:55 PM
Thanks for giving your opinion, Jude, especially because this is a new venture.
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2013 at 7:59 PM
They are very beautiful! I love her interpretations.
The Creative Cat
December 13, 2013 at 11:28 PM
Can we say that they’re the cat’s meow?
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2013 at 7:58 AM
I love her take on the Silverpuff! Beautiful.
Lynda
December 13, 2013 at 11:51 PM
Thanks for letting us know, Lynda.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2013 at 7:59 AM
So pretty. I like the transformed silverpuff best.
Emily Heath
December 14, 2013 at 12:49 AM
Based on the evidence so far, I’m getting the impression that this follows gender lines, with females favoring the silverpuff and males the firewheel.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2013 at 8:22 AM
I think that’s a photo of my cousin there. . Haha!
Midwestern Plant Girl
December 14, 2013 at 7:36 AM
I hesitate to ask which one is your cousin, and whether he/she would be happy to hear you say that.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2013 at 8:25 AM
Thank you, Jim, Sarah and Heyjude! This artwork was very fun to create and I’m glad for your feedback. 🙂 Thanks especially to you, Steve, for collaborating with me on this project. Your wildflower portraits are works of art in their own right, too. They each seem to have their own personality, leading to very different artistic interpretations.
Nikki Smith
December 14, 2013 at 7:55 AM
Thanks so much, Nikki, for this departure. It’s clear that people are impressed with your transformations.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Thanks, Lynda, Emily and Plant Girl! I’m happy that my artwork appeals to you. I’m having fun with this series! (Yes, it does look like your “cousin” Plant Girl!) 😉
Nikki Smith
December 14, 2013 at 8:05 AM
And thanks for replying to people’s comments. Maybe one of these days you’ll get a look at the real Plant Girl’s cousin to see what you make of the resemblance.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2013 at 8:29 AM
Such a fascinating contradiction! Love it….
FeyGirl
December 16, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Happy contradiction to you, Fey Girl.
Steve Schwartzman
December 16, 2013 at 9:56 AM
What a wonderful collaboration, and so much fun for us as viewers!
Susan Scheid
December 17, 2013 at 7:09 PM
Thanks for letting us know, Susan.
Steve Schwartzman
December 17, 2013 at 9:58 PM