Michael Ticcino: Photo-Surreal Series

Tendrils of Time

This Section of the Road Proved Most Difficult for Franco

Michael Ticcino of Audubon, Pennsylvania has always worked as a commercial artist. As he has gotten older he decided to start working on some of his own work. He does surreal digital artwork, while also working on more realistic digital art of Valley Forge, PA. Taccino says, “My art has always been commercial, as I have been in Advertising my entire career. Now, as I mature, I feel the need to create for myself. I use a camera as one vehicle and a computer as another. The process varies. Sometimes it begins and ends with the camera and other times the camera is only the first step. I tend to think of the process as making an image or impression rather than photography. Although I love my camera it’s just a means to an end.”

Most of Ticcino’s artwork does not come from a purpose in mind. It stem from something he sees, and will see where the image takes him from there. He keeps his mind blank to let it be influenced by what he sees. If the image does not workout he puts it aside to look at later. Unfortunately, Ticcino does not travel much so uses some licensed images from other artists. The  artwork is done in black and white “because colour is not necessary in order for these pieces to be rewarding to me.” For these pieces the titles are very important. Taccino says, “The titles are very important because they complete the visual.  They are a large part of the viewing experience.  The image should never be displayed without its title.”

I am drawn to the drama of Taccino’s images. They are masterfully done to force the viewer to look exactly where the artist wants you to look. In This Section of the Road Proved Most Difficult for Franco I am forced to look at the back of the old man’s head and then directly above to the square in the sky. The funny thing is that my entire series will have squares in the sky, being sucked backward to show what could happen. Perhaps, that is why I really admire this piece. It is an interesting composition, with an even more interesting title. Tendrils of Time shows how a house has roots. A family lays down roots in a house, and it becomes a parts of them. I think it is amazingly beautiful, almost poetic.