No glass - no glare!

The mounting options available from Stan Ragets Fine Arts do not feature glass cover. The canvas, satin cloth, and fine art paper have a matte (non-reflecting) surface. Without reflections and glare the images have a wonderful presence, like looking out an open window. Why not use non-reflective glass? It is expensive and hard to ship. It also desaturates color, lightens blacks and blurs the image. The protective coating takes the place of glass by absorbing UV light and by resisting abrasion. A coating is applied to give that extra "pop" with brighter colors and deeper blacks, but with less glare than glass. All materials used are 100% acid free and of the highest quality.

Dry mounting

The first step in most of the mountings is to dry mount the image to sturdy 1/4" MightyCore foam board made from smooth acid-free paper, a moisture barrier and an inert core.  This makes a bond that is permanent although reversible with 200^oF heat.  The mounted image with coating will not warp even when submerged in water. For most mountings, a wire loop on the back is provided for easy hanging.

 

 

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Gallery Wrap Elite                               

The image wraps around the sides of the box. This has the same look as an oil painting on canvas stretched on a wood frame; however, the foam board supports the canvas better and protects it from the back side, supporting the entire work of art. All materials are archival quality. No wood stretchers are used. Humidity will not effect the artwork, nor will it cause it to warp.

 

 

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Box Mount                                          

The image is mounted to the front side of a box made with black MightyCore foam board. The acid-free paper surface of the black foam board shows on the sides. The Box Mount is similar to the Gallery Wrap, but with black borders on the sides.

 

 

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Art Roll On Satin Cloth                             

Art Roll images can be mounted on your wall or hung like a banner. They are available on satin cloth only. The art roll can be hung in a window for a fabulous back-light effect. Satin cloth is coated to provide water resistance for outdoor installation. They roll up for shipping, transporting and storage.

White, black or beige rods are attached to the either top and bottom or the right and left sides of the image. The plastic rods are about 1/2 inch in diameter and come with 3M Command adhesive strips on the back for mounting on the wall without damaging paint on removal.

• A fish-line loop is attached to each bar for alternative hanging methods.

• A black plug is inserted into the ends of each rod.

• For mounting on your wall, simply remove the protective paper from the back of the adhesive strips and press them against the wall. Cut off the fish-line loops. The image can be removed from the wall without damage.

• Alternatively, use the fish-line loops and upholstery nails provided to stretch the image and hold it flat.

 

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Metal Frame                                    

The mounted image is set into the front of an aluminum section frame. There is a small space between the edge of the image and the frame giving it the name "floating frame". The aluminum moulding used is Nielsen Bainbridge 117. Currently only “glossy” and “matte” black frames are available. Metal framing is an additional $35 charge.

 

 

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Floating Mount                                  

The image is mounted to black MightyCore board which is suspended out from the wall by a hidden black box on the back. The box keeps the image flat. For images on paper the black core of the foam board is visible around the edge. For canvas or satin cloth the image wraps around the sides.

 

 

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Flat Mount                                          

The image is mounted to black MightyCore board and trimmed to the edge of the image or image border. If the image is on fine art paper the black core of the foam board is visible around the edge. Canvas or satin cloth is wrapped around the sides of the board. This mounting is useful for self-standing displays, picture walls, floating mount, and ready-to-frame options. The flat mount can be easily framed.

 

 

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Wood Frame                             

A custom solid hardwood frame is constructed and the mounted image is set into the front of it. There is a small space between the edge of the image and the frame, thus the name "floating frame”. The frames are hand-crafted from air-dried solid hardwood: black walnut, oak, or cherry. The frames are 1 inch wide by 1.5 inches deep and are sealed with Danish oil. Wood framing is an additional $100 charge.

Above: Wood Frame Cherry

Above: Wood Frame Oak

Above: Wood Frame Black Walnut

 

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Unmounted (Rolled)

Unmounted artwork is available. It ships rolled in a tube.

 

 

 

Fractals are created from mathematical formulas. They are shapes or sets characterized by self affinity (small portions of the image resemble the overall shape) and an infinite amount of detail at every scale. Examples of fractals include pineapples, pine cones, snowflakes, and the human cardiovascular system. The possibilities in the world of fractal art are literally infinite. To better understand what fractal art is, we need to look at what it is not.

Fractal Art Is Not...

• something that anyone with a computer can do. Anyone can pick up a brush and paint. However, not just anyone can be a Salvador Dali or Pablo Picasso. Anyone can mold with clay. Again, not just anyone can be a Michelangelo or Auguste Rodin. Yes, anyone with a computer can learn to use a program to generate fractals, but not just anyone will excel at creating fractal art.
• computerized art, in the sense that the computer is doing all the work. While it is true that the work is executed on the computer, it is done at the artist's direction. Without input from the artist, there would be no art.
  random, in the sense of lacking rules. Fractal art is not simply pushing buttons and turning knobs. It is an art that can be learned and skillfully executed based on the rules of mathematics.
• random, in the sense of unpredictable. Like any new pursuit, fractal art will have aspects that are unknown to the novice, but familiar to the master. With experience, experimentation, and education the techniques of fractal art can be learned. Just as in endeavors such as painting or chess, the essentials are quickly grasped but can take a lifetime to fully understand and utilize.

Fractal Art Is...

• creative. The artist begins with a "blank canvas" and must bring together the same basic elements of color, composition, balance, line, etc. used by the traditional visual artist. The work can be representational, abstract, or nonrepresentational as the artist desires.
• expressive. Fractal artists are equipped with all the essential tools of the traditional artist. Just as a painter uses colors, a photographer uses light, and a dancer uses movement, fractal artists are capable of using their medium as a similarly expressive medium.
• requiring of input, effort, and intelligence. Calculation formulas, mappings, coloring schemes, palettes, positioning, parameters, and more must all be taken into consideration by the fractal artist. Each and every element can and will be adjusted and aligned in the effort to find the right combination. This process may be repeated for hours, days or weeks before the work is completed. The artist must know how to use each of the elements individually and then together in order to create an image. This understanding requires intelligence and thoughtfulness from the artist.

I have a background in computer programming and seek to blend the technical and artistic sides of fractals together. My work encompasses a wide range of both 2 and 3 dimensional realms. In time, I hope to make fractal artwork a household name.

Over the years, I have developed several original fractal styles. As current technology continues to change, I constantly push forward to discover and develop new styles and techniques. My artwork involves custom parameters programmed specifically by me. Due to the use of a random chaos engine, some of the fractals are so unique that they can only be produced one time. It would be impossible to reproduce them exactly.

My artwork has been shown in several galleries throughout the USA. My art is also featured in jewelry in New Zealand and Australia. In addition to these facets, I now have several pieces of art on the extraordinary guitars of Ed Roman.

I have a large share in the online fractal community, working to enhance others' talent and appreciation of this beautiful art form. I continue to provide both training and tutorials to many who wish to learn the art.

Awards:

• Next Big Idea: Special Merit Recognition (3rd Place) for Visual Interest & Impact September 2011
• Light Space Time Gallery: Special Recognition July, October, November 2011
• 2011 Art Buzz 1st Place

Gallery Representation and Shows:

• Hammond, LA - Billboards: March 05 - April 2012
• Los Angeles Center For Digital Art (LACDA): December 8-30 2011
• Center of Music and Art: March, September, October 2011
• INPROCESS - Toledo OH: April 2011 - Present
• Light Space & Time: Online Gallery: July - August 2011
• Upfront Exhibition: Port Jervis, NY: April - August 2011
• Mac Worthington Gallery of Contemporary Art: May - June 2011, September & October 2010

Installations

• PONGS Germany

Artist Statement

Art is something that I've always enjoyed; not just the creative process, but also viewing the final results. I strive to create artwork that you can “get lost in”, pieces that can be viewed over and over again, always finding something new. I want to create engaging artwork that pulls you into the image.

My computer programming background allows me to design my own custom parameters that give me a unique edge among fractal artists. I constantly strive to push the limits of current technology and am always learning as new developments take place. As technology grows, so do I as an artist.