The Red Kite
by Marianne Campolongo
Title
The Red Kite
Artist
Marianne Campolongo
Medium
Photograph - Fine Art Photograph
Description
The Red Kite ( Lost Childhood ). A bright red kite caught in the branches of a tree with a modern textured feel. Taken in San Diego, California, USA just after sunrise with Mission Bay in the background, in autumn. Whimsical home decor.
On the morning of my birthday a few years ago, I was lucky to be in San Diego. I got up just after sunrise on a beautiful autumn morning and took a walk along this park by the beach to take some early morning photographs. I didn't see this kite on my initial walk but when I turned around and was nearly back at the hotel I saw it and couldn't resist. Although it was caught in the tree, its cheery red color made me smile. I like this photograph because I think it both reflects the happiness I felt finding the kite that day (and being able to spend my birthday in California, a place I love) as well as the poignancy that birthday held for me, realizing my own child was now grown up (she was 18 and a sophomore in college) and the sadness I felt for whoever lost it and for the tiny young tree that seems as though it is almost struggling to grow, hence the dual titles - happy: The Red Kite and serious: Lost Childhood. I like the duality.
I have the photograph hanging in my living room, the only work of mine that hangs on the main floor of my house. I had it printed here using the Somerset paper and framed in a gold gilt frame (J7). When she was home for Christmas, my daughter remarked that it is her favorite of all my photographs.
I've used textures I designed combining photos of walls from an abandoned building in Pennsylvania and paint peeling off a wall in Tallin, Estonia. I went through many iterations of the work using textures and various blending modes, but after making test prints, I just was not happy, so I put it aside for several weeks and then worked on it some more. It was really a labor of love, and ultimately I ended up with a photograph that had the feeling that I wanted. It has been one of my most popular images.
Other than prints and cards, the only product I have put it on is yoga mats because I love the idea of standing on one to do tree pose. The thought makes me smile as much as that kite did!
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Uploaded
May 11th, 2013
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Comments (197)
Debby Pueschel
Hmmmm, you must have taken a picture when I was flying my kites! A wonderful capture of the kite! FLTw
Marianne Campolongo
Thanks so much for the recent features in The Road to Self Promotion, Images that Excite You and 10 Plus!