Digitally Altered Portraits by Tawny Chatmon

Maryland-based artist Tawny Chatmon combines traditional portraiture with digital collage, layering elements of antique patterns, vintage botanicals, and wildlife illustrations onto images of her children and other relatives. Once printed, Chatmon often revisits the digital textures she has superimposed, physically adding layers of gold ornamental elements or paint.

“My camera remains my primary tool of communication, while my constant exploration of diverse ways of expression moves me to add several different layers using a variety of mediums,” explains Chatmon to Colossal, “After a portrait session is complete, I typically digitally manipulate my portraits and unite them with other photographic components to achieve a work that is a new expression—often lending to them the eyes of someone their elder and more wise, and almost always exaggerating their hair.”

Her children not only serve as her models, but also her greatest source of inspiration while making work. Chatmon further explains that the layered portraits are driven by her “desire to contribute something important to a world I want my children to thrive in.” The artist’s work will be on display as part of The Art of Blackness Exhibition in Chicago, which opens at Block 37 on October 1, 2018. You can see more of her work on her website and Instagram. (via Beautiful Bizarre Magazine)