Sep 01
1

BUSH LIFE: new photographic collection, inspired by the Australian bush

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

The colours, textures and aromas of the Australian bush provide fertile inspiration for a new creative collection simply titled BUSH LIFE.

 

Add an expression of Australian identity to the fabric of your home, by featuring a work from the BUSH LIFE collection as a wall art piece, or your creative kitchen splashback perhaps.

Click through to see the full collection.

 

 

Visual Resource Photography by Michael Collins BUSH LIFE 06

Capturing the colour & mood of the Australian bush in an interpretive, abstract manner. Artwork shown – BUSH LIFE # 6

 

Sep 06
0

NATURES SHAPE Collection 2 – creativity leads to new artworks

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

 

We are often asked, ‘how did you do that?’ and it is difficult to answer how new art travels from an imagining into reality. So rather than trying to give you a nuts and bolts account of the ‘how’ process (which is never the same twice…), we think a far more interesting topic to explore is the nature of creativity itself.

 

Much has been written about creativity, including:

Creativity is the process of bringing something new into being.

Creativity requires passion and commitment.

It brings to our awareness what was previously hidden and points to new life.

From ‘The Courage to Create’, by Rollo May

But enough about what others write or say… here is what we think about creativity.

Creativity is:

Setting forth on a path when you don’t know what the end destination will be. You venture and explore despite the uncertainly. And by embracing the unknown, allowing yourself to be hurled into unchartered waters: original, inventive, surprising and remarkable works are born.

The musings of Toni & Michael Collins

 

That is our experience of creativity. Is it scary? Sometimes. Is it energising? Definitely.

And as a result of putting creativity, exploration and play at the wheel: we proudly present you with a new collection of photographic artworks titled, ‘NATURES SHAPE – Collection 2’.

A small tasting plate is here for you. The feast experience waits – please click through to view the new Collection.

Original Photogrpahic Art by Michael Collins for Visual Resource 15 NATURES SHAPE Collection 2

15 NATURES SHAPE Collection 2 – Original photographic art by Michael Collins. Available exclusively from Visual Resource.

 

Original Photographic Art by Michael Collins for Visual Resource 06 NATURES SHAPE Collection 2

06 NATURES SHAPE Collection 2 – Original photographic art by Michael Collins. Available exclusively from Visual Resource.

 

Original Photographic Art by Michael Collins for Visual Resource 01 NATURES SHAPE Collection 2

01 NATURES SHAPE Collection 2 – Original photographic art by Michael Collins. Available exclusively from Visual Resource.

 

 

 

Aug 02
0

FLORAL THREADS collection of photographic art: in sync with the future ORGANIC MATTER trend

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, News & Events, VR Blog | No Comments

ORGANIC MATTER is one of the trends predicted to influence interior finishes and schemes for 2017, by Lead Futurist – Victoria Redshaw.

 

The Organic Matter trend explores possible creative outcomes of extreme naturalness that is not pruned, coaxed or restrained. It is unrestricted and unencumbered, effectively tipping the balance of control back to Nature.
In this trend, the laws of Nature rule.

Presented by Victoria Redshaw, Lead Futurist of Scarlet Opus (UK)

 

The Floral Threads collection of photographic art by Visual Resource reflects the influence, and captures the inspiration of the Organic Matter trend beautifully.

Created using an extreme macro view of the natural texture and colour given to us by nature: Floral Threads artworks offer no refinements, processing or taming of nature. Instead, nature is unleashed in full, glorious, organic colour and texture.

We hope you enjoy the raw, unstructured wildness the Floral Threads collection has to offer.

 

02 Floral Threads photo art by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

The Floral Threads collection of artworks created by VR is in sync with the future trend Organic Matter, in colour palette & inspiration.

 

What is a Futurist?

Recently at the Décor & Design interiors event held in Melbourne, Victoria Redshaw, the Lead Futurist for trend forecasting agency Scarlet Opus (UK) presented three distinct upcoming trends for 2017 and beyond. Victoria Redshaw’s audience was gifted with the startling end result of the ‘Futurists’ trend forecasting work.

 

Lisa Green, Editor in Chief of ‘Australian House & Garden’ magazine, sheds some light on how the work is done. She wrote in the August 2016 edition of H&G

The world of the trend forecaster is a strange one. Forced to exist in the future, they spend their time gazing into the modern equivalent of a crystal ball, sifting through economic, social, consumer drivers and highly visible industries such as fashion, automotive and technology to predict what consumers will do next.

Victoria Redshaw’s report brings together the collective mutterings of scouts the world over, grouping like-finds into categories then filtering them further to arrive at broad-brush ‘movements’ that are then boiled down into subsets of social movements / consumer sentiments and further distilled into colour palettes for 2017 & 2018.

After reading this insight into the Futurists process, I continue to be intrigued by the work of Lead Futurist Victoria Redshaw and her UK agency Scarlet Opus. I understand there is extensive research and rigour that goes into the development of the trends predicted.

The trends ring true to me and I look forward to seeing the predicted influences in colour and materials start to filter through people’s projects. If (for example) the Organic Matter trend strikes a chord with you, perhaps a piece from the VR Floral Threads collection will make an excellent addition to your kitchen, or an artwork for the wall.

View the full collection for inspiration of the extreme naturalness kind.

03 Floral Threads photo art by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

Nature untamed in full, glorious, organic colour & texture – that is what ‘Floral Threads’ has to offer.

 

May 06
0

Melbourne in Monochrome

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

Photography by Michael Collins captures the urban pulse of Melbourne.

 

And while our city is a thriving, contemporary, metropolis: the images seen in black & white add a timeless quality also. What a wonderful combination!

 

The ever-popular Melbourne Monochrome Collection has been updated with 13 new works.  

 

As creators of the photographic artworks presented within the VR Galleries, we can customise the works to black & white, or by adding a hint of warm sepia tone, for example. So please keep in mind as you peruse the Galleries: any image you like originally seen in colour, can be converted to black & white. This keeps your options wide open.

 

The photo artworks offered by VR can provide the perfect compliment to your kitchen or bathroom as a printed VR Art Glass splashback, or wall art in your living areas.

 

To leave you with an inspired quote to take with you as you look at some inspiring images:

 

“I’ve been forty years discovering that the queen of all colours is black.”   Henri Matisse

 

Hold on to that thought, as you view the selection of works presented below, showing you the full format of each composition. Then click through to see the full Melbourne Monochrome Collection.

 

Pictured above, the classic Pellegrini’s, titled ‘03 Melbourne Mono’, a personal favorite.

 

22 melbourne mono photographic image by Michael Collins for Visual Resource. Black & White Photography.

’22 Melbourne Mono’ a new addition to the ever-popular Melbourne Monochrome Collection of photographic art by Michael Collins.

 

07 melbourne mono photographic image by Michael Collins for Visual Resource. Black & White Photography

’07 Melbourne Mono’. An earlier work in the collection.

 

18 melbourne mono photographic image by Michael Collins for Visual Resource. Black & White Photography

’18 Melbourne Mono’. Photo artworks by VR can provide the perfect compliment to your kitchen or bathroom as a printed VR Art Glass splashback.

 

21 melbourne mono photographic image by Michael Collins for Visual Resource. Black & White Photography

’21 Melbourne Mono’. Photography by Michael Collins captures the urban pulse of Melbourne.

Apr 20
1

New Collection Released : Melbourne 4

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

A great writer will craft words capable of transporting the reader to a new place, time or understanding.  Equally, a skilled photographer will see an image – where others will not.

The photographer captures a scene in the most engaging way, using vision to see what the image could be, long before holding the viewfinder up to his eye. There is no ‘chance’ or fluking it involved. Instead, each image is considered and achieved through a robust combination of skill and creativity.

That’s how the new Melbourne collection # 4 came about. Michael exploring a city he loves, while putting his creativity and photographic craft to task.

To see the full body of work, please view the collection Melbourne 4.

All works created by photographer Michael Collins.

All works available exclusively from Visual Resource.

 

06 Melbourne Collection 4 photo art Melbourne Skyline by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

#06, Melbourne Collection 4.

 

19 Melbourne Collection 4 photo art Melbourne Skyline by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

#19, Melbourne Collection 4.

 

01 Melbourne Collection 4 photo art Melbourne Skyline by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

#01, Melbourne Collection 4.

 

20 Melbourne Collection 4 photo art Melbourne Skyline by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

#20, Melbourne Collection 4.

 

Photographer Michael Collins Self Portrait Creating Melbourne Skyline Night Shots

Photographer Michael Collins at work. A rare self-portrait by the man who would rather be behind the camera than in front of it.

Apr 15
0

LIQUID SCULPTURES: New Collections Announced

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

Photographer Michael Collins has created a series of original works titled LIQUID SCULPTURES.

Each artwork is created in camera, as opposed to a digital construction, making the collections even more impressive.

The works provide the perfect balance of dynamic forces frozen in time. Demanding of the creator, both vision and patience.

Selected pieces deliver bold combinations of colour and form, while others are more demure, offering subtle design and colour. Consistent for all LIQUID SCULPTURE works however: the boundary between colour and form is suitably blurred.

There is a lot to love about these new abstract photographic artworks. Please decide what you think by taking a peek at the new LIQUID SCULPTURES Collection # 1 and Collection # 2.

Conceived and created by photographer Michael Collins.

Available exclusively from Visual Resource.

Pictured here, a selection of works from COLLECTION 2 – LIQUID SCULPTURES

Liquid Sculpture collec 2 art 05 created by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

05 Liquid Sculpture – Collection 2. Each artwork is created in camera, as opposed to a digital construction.

 

Liquid Sculpture collec 2 art 10 created by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

10 Liquid Sculpture – Collection 2.

 

Liquid Sculpture collec 2 art 04 created by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

04 Liquid Sculpture – Collection 2. Abstract photo art created by Michael Collins.

 

Pictured here, a selection of works from COLLECTION 1 – LIQUID SCULPTURES.

To see the full collections, please visit the Abstract Gallery.

 

Liquid Sculpture collec 1 art 20 created by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

20 Liquid Sculpture – Collection 1.

 

Liquid Sculpture collec 1 art 11 created by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

11 Liquid Sculpture – Collection 1.

 

Liquid Sculpture collec 1 art 05 created by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

05 Liquid Sculpture – Collection 1.

 

 

Nov 18
0

Announcing a new Collection of VR photo artworks – PODS

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

“In the purest sense, pattern, like colour, is a way of delighting the eye.

 

Pattern is powerful and transformative, adding rhythm and movement to the sensory experience of colour and texture. It can be rather stately and measured, suggestive of order and repose; flowing and branching, leading the eye onward; or lively and dancing, almost in a musical sense. Whichever is the case, there is something both joyful and infectious about it.”

A quote by Orla Kiely, from her book titled ‘Pattern’.

VR PODS 02 Photo Artwork by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

02 PODS. Inspired by the patterns inherent in nature.

 

The patterns inherent in nature provide the rhythm and movement Orla Kiely so eloquently presents.

 

Mesmerised by patterns found in nature, the PODS Collection was created when photographer Michael Collins explored and transformed one of nature’s designs, into something delicate and playful.

The creativity does not stop there. The colour choice for each PODS artwork is infinitely variable. Your PODS image can be customised with colours to reflect your style.

 

Pattern is part of the design of life surrounding us. All we need to do now is open our eyes, notice and enjoy it.

VR PODS 06 Photo Artwork by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

06 PODS. The colour choice for each PODS artwork is infinitely variable. Have your PODS design customised with colours to reflect your style.

 

VR PODS 01 Photo Artwork by Michael Collins for Visual Resource

01 PODS. Created when photographer Michael Collins explored & transformed one of nature’s designs.

 

Oct 28
0

VR Artworks can be subtle, delicate & quiet

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

The creation of a new series of photo artwork is underway.

 

The exquisite organic form of the flower is a delight.

The whiteness of the image evokes impressions of purity, simplicity and perfection.

Photo artworks created by Michael Collins are ideal for wall art, or a sophisticated addition to your kitchen as an Art Glass splashback.

The new ‘White on White’ Collection will be released soon, with just a sneak preview for you today.

 

Sep 16
0

New Original Works by Michael Collins: BLOOMING BANQUET

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

A sumptuous feast for the eyes, the new Blooming Banquet Collection of photo art has been cultivated for beauty and rarity.

 

The Collection will be carefully managed with limited edition release.  Each artwork will be printed five times only, making these works as precious and rare as a warm Spring day.

A limited print run has incredible significance for art.  With five only of each artwork to be printed – you can be certain the work of art in your home will be an original.

 

VR Art Glass BLOOMING BANQUET 01 Kitchen Splashback Limited Edition Art

Limited Edition Collection BLOOMING BANQUET. Each artwork will be printed five times only. Pictured here ’01 Blooming Banquet’ – VR Art Glass Splashback.

 

View the full Collection of works – Blooming Banquet. 

Blooming Banquet - Limited Edition Photo Art by Michael Collins Images 18 and 11

Top – Blooming Banquet # 18. Bottom – Blooming Banquet # 11

 

BLOOMING BANQUET - Limited Edition Photo Art by Michael Collins Images 03 and 09

Top – Blooming Banquet # 03. Bottom – Blooming Banquet # 09

 

Aug 25
0

SHADOW PLAY & LEAVES – New Collections of Photo Art Inspired by Mother Nature

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

Mother Nature as an influence is a bottomless resource – she just gives and gives and gives.

Megan Morton from her book ‘Home Love’

Drawing upon the guiding hand of Mother Nature, Michael has created two new Collections with beautiful botanical references and the play of light at the inspirational heart of the works.

With compositions featuring elegant simplicity and a glorious contre-jour effect achieved by the photographic technique of having the sun (or other light source) behind the subject. The lighting effect hides details, creates silhouettes and presents a stunning contrast between the delicate natural subject – and the crisp, clean, white background.

Leaves Collection of Photo Art by Michael Collins for VISUAL RESOURCE B

Botanical references and a creative contre-jour lighting effect combine for elegantly simple designs. Top ‘11 Leaves’, Bottom ‘13 Leaves’.

 

Shadow Play Collection of Photo Art by Michael Collins for VISUAL RESOURCE C

Photo artwork from the new SHADOW PLAY Collection. Top ’06 Shadow Play’, Bottom ’04 Shadow Play’.

 

Shadow Play Collection of Photo Art by Michael Collins for VISUAL RESOURCE D

With compositions featuring elegant simplicity and a glorious contre-jour effect – French for ‘against the light’. Top ’02 Shadow Play’, Bottom ’03 Shadow Play’.

 

View the full LEAVES Collection, within the Abstract Gallery.

View the full SHADOW PLAY Collection, within the Abstract Gallery.

 

May 20
0

New Original Photo Artwork Collection from Michael Collins: SEASONS – AUTUMN

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

As I write… I am home looking out the window at the trees preparing for winter. Just the remnants of autumn leaves remain, with bare branches starting to poke through.

I love autumn and would say it is my favourite Season. I think autumn is Mother Nature’s way of encouraging us to be braver with colour. She gives a living example of many colours working together, and they are vibrant, spirited colours too. (There is no ‘white on white’ in sight!)

Her motivation? I like to think Mother Nature is casually inviting us to draw inspiration from the multitude of joyful and vivacious colours autumn puts on display.    

Photographer Michael Collins recently captured the essence and beauty of autumn in a new Collection. A hint of the Collection is here for you to see. For more… please take a wander through the full Seasons – Autumn Collection of works, seen within the Classic Gallery. Enjoy!

02 Seasons-Autumn VR Photo Art by Michael Collins

New works by Photographer Michael Collins: 02 Seasons-Autumn

 

03 Seasons-Autumn VR Photo Art by Michael Collins

New works by Photographer Michael Collins: 03 Seasons-Autumn

11 Seasons-Autumn VR Photo Art by Michael Collins

New works by Photographer Michael Collins: 11 Seasons-Autumn

13 Seasons-Autumn VR Photo Art by Michael Collins

New works by Photographer Michael Collins: 13 Seasons-Autumn

 

Apr 28
0

DANDELIONS : new collection of photographic artworks from Visual Resource

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections | No Comments

While the Dandelion is ungraciously considered a weed within the plant world, I prefer the description, ‘a Prince in paupers clothing.’

From a photographic point of view, the common Dandelion is a worthy and generous subject.  The delicate, wispy, organic form of the Seed Head is full of repetitive patterns.  The sum of these intricate parts is mesmerising, soothing and simply beautiful.

And now… I may just let the images do the rest of the talking – they really do speak for themselves.

View the entire new Delicate Dandelions Collection – within the Abstract Gallery.

02 Dandelion VR Visual Resource Photographic Art

From the new Delicate Dandelions Collection of works within the Abstract Gallery.

 

04 Dandelion VR Art Glass Photographic Art

From the new Delicate Dandelions Collection of works within the Abstract Gallery.

 

 

May 30
0

New Art Collections by Michael Collins. A visual hit. A feast for the eyes

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

Three exciting and diverse Collections are now available to be viewed within the  Abstract Gallery.

SOLARISED COLLECTION

Now for that ‘visual hit and feast for the eyes’ we mentioned… The new Solarised Collection demands that the viewer take notice!

Featuring a colour palette spanning cool turquoise, aqua and green, through to warm earthen inspired tones.  With such diversity of colour and pattern, the Collection makes a bold and unpredictable statement.

Works from the Solarised Collection will provide a true feature to compliment a fresh, modern space.  (Caution: Solarised is a Collection for the brave of heart.)

03-Solarised-printed-glass-splashback-VR-art-glass

A feast for the eyes.
Artwork 03 Solarised – Inspired by warm earthen tones.

 

NATURES TEXTURE COLLECTION

A collection that looks to the natural world for fertile inspiration.

The impressive bark of our native trees became the subject of exploration for the new Natures Texture Collection.  With such unique colours and textures, the designs inherent in the bark are nothing short of intriguing.

01-Natures-Texture-printed-glass-splashback-VR-art-glass

Natures Texture Collection – a series of works that look to the natural world for fertile inspiration.
Artwork 01 Natures Texture.

05-Natures-Texture-printed-glass-splashback-VR-art-glass

Artwork 05 Natures Texture.
The impressive bark of our native trees became the subject of exploration for the new Natures Texture Collection.

 

WATERCOLOUR COLLECTION

Continuing to draw from Mother Nature’s abundant designs, the new Watercolour Collection evokes feelings of calm while charming the viewer with a rainbow of vibrant colours.  

14-Watercolour-printed-glass-splashback-VR-art-glass

Artwork 14 Watercolour
The new Watercolour Collection evokes feelings of calm while charming the viewer with a rainbow of vibrant colour.

06-Watercolour-printed-glass-splashback-VR-art-glass

Artwork 06 Watercolour
The Watercolour Collection draws from Mother Nature’s abundant beauty.

 

01-Watercolour-printed-glass-splashback-VR-art-glass

Artwork 01 Watercolour
From the new Watercolour Collection – a series of works where colour sings.

 

Mar 17
0

‘Imagination-Emotion’ – a stunning new Collection of works created by French Artiste Marie-Ancolie Romanet

Posted by Toni Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments

The photo art of Marie-Ancolie Romanet is best described as ‘Visual Poetry’: creations as unique and delicate as the subjects themselves. 

Visual Resource is proud to announce a creative partnership with French Artiste Marie-Ancolie Romanet.  A Collection of Romanet’s works will be released at the Home Show in April and can now be previewed on the VR Abstract Gallery.  The works provide mesmerising visions for wall art, or custom VR Art Glass® pieces. 

A fellow photographer once said of Romanet’s work, “You will not see anything similar in National Geographic, travel books or stock libraries… her work, it comes from the soul. “

The photo art creations by Romanet have adorned the covers of magazines in France and the USA, graced the packaging of premium chocolates and Romanet was recently awarded her Associateship of the Royal Photographic Society (UK). 

Despite the accolades and recognition from her photographic peers – Romanet remains refreshingly modest about her visual poetry, saying, “I do not like copying.  As a unique person I produce unique images.  I photograph what catches my eye in a precise second, in my home or my garden.  They are ‘soul photographs’.”     

When capturing ‘Wild is the Wind’, Romanet recalls the moment: “Wild is the Wind’ is made with the sky, the hedges and flowers of our garden.  The seed of the dandelion was a ‘prisoner’ of a broken spider web, and it was dancing in the morning breeze.  I went mad capturing the moment but it was such a great opportunity!  A few minutes after I took the photo…the seed had taken off. “

It is with such elegance, truth and simplicity that Romanet’s visual poetry is born.    

wild-is-the-wind-wild-is-the-world by Marie-Ancolie Romanet

“Wild is the Wind’ is made with the sky, the hedges and flowers of our garden.
The seed of the dandelion was a ‘prisoner’ of a broken spider web, and it was dancing in the morning breeze’.
Marie-Ancolie

Princess-From-the-cold by Marie-Ancolie Romanet

‘Princess From The Cold’
The works by Marie-Ancolie Romanet provide mesmerising visions for wall art, or custom VR Art Glass® pieces.

 

TourbillonValse by Marie-Ancolie Romanet

‘Tourbillon Valse’
“I try to look closely at the beauty which is surrounding us everywhere.” Marie-Ancolie.

Nov 14
0

Announcing a new collection of artworks – ‘Colour Flow’

Posted by Michael Collins | Collections, VR Blog | No Comments
Visual-Resource-Colour-Flow-8

Colour Flow # 8

 

A collection of photographic artworks created using the technique known as ‘Painting with Light’.

‘Painting with Light’ – the creative process

The works created by Michael Collins present a vibrant celebration of colour and form.

Achieved using the photographic medium to paint images – using an exploration of three elements simultaneously: colour, movement and light.

Each image is created in camera, with a single exposure.

This is an important point.  The images are not created on a computer.  The creation of the image happens during a single in camera exposure.  The design and colour harmony of each image is considered and created – during the moment of capture.

About this Collection – ‘Colour Flow’

Inspired by the warm colours of a summer sunset.

Each image is achieved by the choice of colours and their careful placement within the composition.  The inspiration was to replicate the feel of rolling hills disappearing in the late afternoon light.

 

Visual-Resource-Colour-Flow-11
Colour Flow # 11

 

Visual-Resource-Colour-Flow-19

Colour Flow # 19