Date Joined: 8 August 2002 Hello My name is Daniel O'Byrne, ÂÂ
The belief that a good photograph is the result of a good camera places the importance upon the equipment rather than upon the photographer. It emphasizes the machine rather than the man, the tool rather than the artist, the technology rather than the artistic intent. It is as if Monet had been told that the reason why his paintings were so beautiful was because he had such good paintbrushes. Or as if Paul Bocuse’s culinary excellence was explained away by his use of superlative pots and pans. Or again if Yo-Yo Ma had been informed that his Stradivarius was solely responsible for the stunning quality of his music.ÂÂ
One can be inspired and have an idea, be very creative in making this idea into a work of art, have developed the required level of craftsmanship, without the outcome of one’s efforts being motivated by the desire to follow a vision for one’s entire body of work. Vision is an overriding envelope that encompasses both inspiration and creativity. It is a blanket that covers the entire artist’s work, a blanket that often comes later in the life of an artist, after one has perfected one’s art and moved beyond the commonplace outcome that most artists have to go through. For this reason I placed vision as the third step of this process. I placed it there not because it comes necessarily at the end of the process but because in life it is often something that artists discover later on.
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Certainly, a master needs a masterful instrument, be it a camera, paintbrushes, pots and pans or a violin, as in my examples, or other tool, since this list can be expanded to include many other professions. But to say that the quality of the art is caused solely by the quality of the instrument is to miss the point altogether about the importance of the artist. It is missing the point about the human factor, about the man or the woman that actually made use of this instrument. After all, art is made by artists and not by tools. Tools are inanimate objects that need someone to set them in motion. And to set a tool in motion so that art is created through the use of this tool, an artist is needed.
I am now retired from working as a Mental Health professional having worked in the Royal Air Force and National Health Service, giving me more time to persue my photography and artwork. I am a Semi Professional Photoghrapher. Here you will find a collection of my photographs and a selection of Digital Art, Traditional Painting and Sketches that I have also used the digital medium to enhance. Please feel free to pass on any comments. My Camera Gear
http://www.renderosity.com/news.php?viewStory=13527 Here you can find my personal website: DIGITALARTZONE Contact me: E-Mail Artwork for sale: My work Tips and tricks: Nature and wildlife Photography Tips and tricks: Bird Photography
Comments (61)
bijouchat
this is absolutely fabulous!! reminds me of Emmett Kelly... a wonderful hobo clown study.
ascrazy
Wonderful work! Excellent expression & colour!!!
racin-jason
What a gorgeous image - full of nostalgia, grab your heart memory, and a thought-provoking tribute to a nearly disappearing era. As I don't know who your partner is, all I can say is together, you have created a wonderful piece of imagery that touches the viewer in a way few others do. I too remember the greatest of all pantomime clowns that this instantly reminds me of - the great Red Skelton. Congratulations on a work that is sure to touch many a heart - most excellent!
kansas
Danny, this is a "classic" piece of artwork. Don't know what else to say--truly excellent.
Xlars
I agree with the above said - again I am very impressed by the range of artistic expressions you master. This is excellent work!
nenina
ohhh myyyy!!!! this is GORGEOUS!!!! :) so deep feeling... his sadness... wow!!! very expressive and well done!
SirJohn
Top notch work my friend. Great stuff!
alvinylaya
OMG! This is more than excellent. Art at its best! I've commented a little late so just pretend I said all those comments before mine and put it to my name =). This picture is flawless!
keeba17
incredible, truly wonderful, the expression on the face is absolutely perfect
jyriviuhko
Beautiful work.. U make a excellent team U and yor partner!
Masema
Classic piece Danny. Not much more to say than what's already been said...'cept that I love it.
madame
I am almost ashamed not to have seen a so beautiful work earlier. It's a fabulous artwork, bravo !
linkinpark
One of the most amazing portraits I have seen...fantastic,you can feel emotions and feelings in him!!!AMAZING WORK!
HobbyHopper
Fantastic work. Facial expression is nice.
ElPollo
absolute outstanding for the craftmasship and good for the composition. really nice work!
zatman
Wonderfully done quite outstanding work
Charmz
Pastels? I have long had an affinity for the sad clown. This is a beautiful rendition!
rohi
First time I see this image Danny, I think its great and I am sorry I missed this one when it has been published - anyway, I give it an EXCELLENT and my vote !
shemosus
an awesome piece of art
andreleonard
nice work it's good to see some natural media work on the site especially figurative.As someone who's spent most of his life working in ols watercolour and pastel I salute you.
Elantriell
Excellent work!
NURBS55
Great work!Excellent.Very impressive.
wildfire2003
He looks like Emmitt Kelly Jr., a man I have loved for most of my life. Just beautiful!
kenmo
Impressive work -- VOTE
mabel45
stunnng the fine linework and the sketching strokes are superb great expression and pose excellent vote
vlaaitje
The sadnes behind this mask, Is the sadnes what I feel now.....splendid artwork....one of your best touching art I ever saw from you
logiloglu
wow, i have no words so wonderful and expressive artwork,Danny. vote !!!!!!!!!! #:O) !!!!!!
SNAKEY
This is brilliant work mate. It must have been stimulating to work on this subject. :O))
CarlosM
No words! Really: no words. Splendid. Thank you for share it.
fblnet
Wonderful and fantastic work... bravo!!