Jan Handman
October 2026 - Macabre
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
The original is a photo of my mother several years ago. She went through some challenging times with her mental health at one point, and I created Original 2 during that time in order to deal with my own feelings about what was happening. I used mostly iColorama on my ipad to arrive at that version. When I was looking through old files and saw it, I thought maybe it would work to create something for Halloween. I added the tree branches and crow, along with a vignette. I like the fact that the face is distorted in both versions, but I wonder if the final one has too much
other stuff going on for the viewer to be able to discern a face. What do you think?
5 comments posted
Jan, this is truly a work of art! I found myself wondering how you got that boxed off effect in the original image? I really like it.
I don't think there is too much going on to see the face. However, I would like to see the face more clearly.Perhaps if you slightly increased the size of the dark eyes, it would grab the viewers attention to the face faster. Posted: 10/03/2026 03:39:57
I don't think there is too much going on to see the face. However, I would like to see the face more clearly.Perhaps if you slightly increased the size of the dark eyes, it would grab the viewers attention to the face faster. Posted: 10/03/2026 03:39:57
Thanks Georgianne. Are you referring to the tile effect in Original 2? All processing was done in iColorama (iPad app) up to that point. I don't have a record of what I did because I usually just fiddle around and try lots of different things until I get something I like. But I'm pretty sure that the squares were generated within the "Tile" menu of iColorama. Posted: 10/03/2026 22:11:45
This is extremely interesting to look at Jan. The distortion, textures, and box-like patterns gives a sort of tension to this image. Adding the branches and raven creates a story of a mysterious person possibly casting a spell OR trying to escape from a force holding her back. This provides a vehicle for one's imagination to run wild. I really like this. Posted: 10/04/2026 16:24:26
Thanks very much Denise! Posted: 10/10/2026 20:44:30
Jan, I can see the face, even without going to the originals. Interesting idea. Posted: 10/08/2026 01:53:50