Linda Handel Graffiti Photo Art: The excitement of impermanence

Graffiti is often seen as a nuisance, an eyesore that mars the appearance of public spaces. But to artist Linda Handel, graffiti is a source of inspiration and excitement. For her, each new piece of graffiti represents an opportunity for discovery and exploration. Linda will be displaying her graffiti photography at Tigard Art Week at the store Ultra Botanicals. These 12 large-size prints on aluminum capture the vibrancy and energy of graffiti art. They also highlight the ephemeral nature of this type of art, which is often seen as transitory and temporary. Linda’s photos offer a unique perspective on the beauty and power of graffiti.

Introduce Linda Handel and her graffiti photography

Linda Handel spent her career as a cognitive behavioral therapist. Now retired, she is a Cognitive Behavioral Photographer with a passion for graffiti. Linda is the mom of the founding member of our Tigard Ukulele Group (Joshua), and is an active ukulele-playing member.

Handel has a passion for documenting graffiti! The walls, signatures, works and tags all inspire her in some fashion. Discovering a new piece of art is exciting. It piques her interest to discover who created the work and when it was completed. How long will it be there, and how did they get there? There’s an air of excitement and adventure when it comes to the impermanence of graffiti.

Sublimation

Sublimation printing is a relatively new, cutting-edge technology for generating images. Sublimation is the process of transforming from a solid to a gas, then back to a solid in order to bypass the liquid state. The design is initially produced on transfer paper and then applied to aluminum that has been pretreated (other substrates such as tile, glass, acrylic and more can be used as well). The aluminum is placed on top of a heat press where it is heated to 400 degrees. At this temperature, the solid ink turns into gas and permeates the surface of the metal. When it cools, it becomes a part of the metal and produces a durable, vibrant image.

The aluminum and transfer paper are placed into a custom heat press that has been heated to temperatures exceeding 380 degrees Fahrenheit. The dyes from the transfer paper turn into a gas, are pressed into the surface of the metal, and solidify into the treated aluminum while being subjected to extreme heat and pressure. When the dyes cool, they become permanently incorporated into the finish of the metal, producing a durable and vibrant image.

The resulting prints are archival, waterproof, and scratch-resistant. They will not fade or discolor over time.

Linda’s process for creating her graffiti photography prints

First, Linda finds an inspiring piece of graffiti. She then photographs it with a high-quality camera. After that, she edits the photo to bring out the colors and details of the graffiti. Finally, she prints the photo on aluminum using sublimation printing.

The result is a vibrant, durable print that captures the energy and beauty of graffiti art.

Tigard Art Week

The Tigard ArtWeek Festival May 16-22 is an annual multi-faceted event that includes art exhibits, artist demonstrations, live music and performances by local musicians and artists, as well as snacks and children’s hands-on activities. The variety of artists represented includes both professionals and amateurs from various mediums and levels of experience.

Linda’s work will be on display during Tigard Art Week. She has 12 large-size prints of her photos on aluminum at Ultra on Main Street. Her work is from Portland, Boston, New York City, Providence, Rhode Island and even Vernonia.

Ultra Botanicals

12271 SW Main Street Tigard Oregon 97223

Meet the artists: Friday May 20, 3-7 pm

Conclusion

Each photo captures the vibrancy and energy of the graffiti art or street scapes. They also highlight the transitory and ephemeral nature of this type of art. Linda’s photos offer a unique perspective on the beauty and power of graffiti.

Handel’s experience as a cognitive behavioral therapist has informed her photography. She brings an understanding of human behavior and emotions to her work. This helps her to capture the feeling and mood of the graffiti, as well as the energy and movement of the colors.

Linda’s photos are a celebration of graffiti art. They highlight the beauty, power, and energy of this type of art. They also capture the ephemeral nature of graffiti and the sense of excitement that comes with discovering it.