Photoeclectia.
Strange and unusual name, but what does it mean?
Eclectic
is defined as "composed of elements drawn from various sources."
As an amateur photographer with limited time to devote to her chosen
art form, Maureen Costantino's portfolio has grown out of her travels
and everyday experiences and catching opportunity whenever and wherever
possible. Every trip out of the home, as well as the home itself, is
the stage for the next interesting photograph. Every subject is potentially
an interesting and aesthetically pleasing image. If there is a theme
in Ms. Costantino's work, it is the shapes, colors, and patterns that
are so abundant in nature, as well as in the more populated environments.
You will find a variety of landscapes, flowers, and animals in her work.
You will visit Canada in travelscapes, and experience the scenery and
moods of coastal North Carolina in waterscapes. You will zoom in on
macro life in the plant world. You will see interesting patterns, shapes, and abstractions in nature. Some photographs have been digitally altered to create unique works of art (see digitalscapes).
Photoeclectia
is a celebration of our eclectic worlda feast for the eyes, a
balm for the soul. Hence Photoeclectia, Photographs for the Soul.
Ms.
Costantino has been interested in photography as an art form since her
days as a studio art student at the State University of New York. A
writer by profession and mother of two, Ms. Costantino took a "leave
of absence" from exhibiting her work for a number of years to devote
time to her career and family, but re-emerged several years ago with
a new portfolio and a strong interest in digital photography in addition
to the more traditional printed format.
Manipulation
of images in the darkroom has always held a special fascination for
Ms. Costantino, and she has readily adopted the digital darkroom as
a continuation of the photographic process after the creation of the
negative or slide. All of the photographs you see at the Photoeclectia
site are scanned electronically and digitally enhanced in Adobe Photoshop
to maximize effect.
A
member of the League
of Reston Artists in Northern Virginia, Ms. Costantino participates
in several shows during the year, including local exhibits and photo
competitions, such as the annual Labor Day art show at Glen Echo Park in Maryland,
and the U.S. Geological Survey annual photo show. The photos exhibited
at this site include past winners from these events. Ms. Costantino
has done especially well in the USGS competitions over the past couple
of years, and her prize-winning works have traveled with the other chosen
works for nationwide viewing. In addition, one of her photos, Buddha Head was one of nine photographs chosen for display as part of an exhibit on the Power of Plants, jointly sponsored by the U.S. Botanical Garden in Washington, DC and the Chicago Botanical Garden.
The
Photoeclectia online art gallery presents Ms. Costantino's current selection
of electronic photographs, any of which can be printed and matted for
framing.
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