The first challenge begins with the title itself. Layered Visions is an open invitation to explore what layering means to you, visually, conceptually, and emotionally. It can take many forms, from constructed worlds and fragmented realities to quiet atmospheres or bold, expressive compositions. Think in layers, not only in technique, but in meaning. What is revealed, what is hidden, and what is brought together.
Layered Visions — Closing Reflections
From a wide range of submissions, a selection of works has been carefully chosen for their strength in composition, cohesion, and creative layering.
As the first Layered Visions challenge, this open theme invited artists to explore the possibilities of digital montage and collage, bringing together elements, textures, and narrative into unified visual compositions.
Particular attention has been given to works that demonstrate clarity, balance, and a thoughtful integration of elements.
These selected pieces represent a strong foundation for the series, establishing a visual language built on depth, intention, and layered storytelling.
LAYERED VISIONS GALLERY
Artworks by artists appear in order of submission
With thanks and appreciation to the artists featured in this gallery: Rosa Perry, Lou Ann Donahue, Margaret Weir, Ashby Presley, Penny De Jong, Clifton Lee Baker, Ingrid Pomeroy, Cheryl Parris, Pamela Walder, Jean Hutter, Chris Harris, Kristin Couch, Karen Sorrells, Brenda Clarke, Ann Lavin, Robz Lipner, Diane Eastham, Henk van Weert, Karla Bernstein, Evelyn Fanton-Elwan, Doreen Faiello-Burnett, Prue Wrigt, Peggy Dailey Gatto, Keith Hawley, Shelley Benjamin, Larry Buckley, Cathy Labudak, Marie Farmer, Mark Lutnes, Tsutomu Araki, Sandra Dann, Marius Els
Held in Memory
by Rosa Perry
Description: A fleeting moment in wartime, carried in memory forever.
A Face In The Window
by Lou Ann Donahue
Credits: Hiraeth Macabre (Caroline Julia Moore) and A Whimsical Adventure.
Love Struck
by Margaret Weir
Credits: foxeysquirrel’s fs-forgery-postage, fs-splatter-brushes, and fs-friends kits.
A Vintage Photo Collage
by Ashby Presley
Credits: Created using Textures & Elements from Kaizen Artists: Art House Whimsey, Anna Aspnes, Jen Maddox, Caroline Julia Moore & Jai Johnson.
Ignatius Impala by Appointment Only
by Penny de Jong
Credits: Most elements by Marius Els.
Silently Laughing
by Clifton Lee Baker
Credits: Anna Aspnes Designs and elements and backgrounds by Art House Whimsy.
When We Converge
by Cheryl Parris
Description: "When We Converge" explores the quiet intersections of lives moving through shared spaces. Even in solitude, there is a sense of unseen connection. A reminder that no one truly walks alone.
The Art of Repetition
by Pamela Walder
Credits: I used elements by Fusion Dream Print, Holliewood Studios [retired] and Lorie Davison.
Spiders And Lace
by Jean Hutter
Credits: The lace image was from Art House Whimsy.
Joy
by Chris Harris
Credits: Girl by Art House Whimsy.
Description: There was nothing as joyful as dancing in a warm spring shower when I was young and a delightful deja vous moment with my young children.
Whispers of Identity
by Kristin Couch
Credits: A fragmented portrait shaped by texture, gesture, and silence. Bold lines suggest fleeting figures, while layered collage fades into abstraction—exploring identity as fluid, shifting between presence and disappearance.
The Awakening
by Karen Sorrells
Credits: Ameria Design Studio.
As the last leaves falls
by Brenda Clarke
Credits - Adobe Stock Images, Depositphotos, Nucly & Jerry Jones.
Surrounded by her Memories
by Ann Lavin
Description: Our memories can be sad, happy and deeply moving. This artwork consists of layers representing many memories that we hold.
Credits - Fragmented Stories by Marius Els
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
by Robz Lipner
Description: The past walks with us, but it doesn’t hold us still. Honouring yesterday. Standing in today. Stepping into tomorrow.
Credits: FusionDreamPrint.
Tryst in the Arbour
by Diane Eastham
Credits: Macabre Mystique and Marius Els
Looking Away
by Henk van Weert
Description: I often begin with a portrait I’ve taken myself, building the scene outward in layers from that starting point—many of them captured during Elfia, a festival I return to twice a year for inspiration. Looking Away grew from one of those moments, with the figure becoming a quiet anchor within a constructed layered interior space.
Credits: Viva Fragments, Arock, Bernie Tuffs, Tin Type
And Yet She Still Rises…
by Karla Bernstein
Description: Part of a series on the resilience of women despite societal degradation throughout history.
Once a Star
by Evelyn Fanton-Elwan
City in Chaos
by Doreen Faiello-Burnett
Description: Urban societies, once harmonious, are fast becoming emotional noise, and memories slip into infinity.
Credits: Marius Els, Rebecca Mc Meen, Anna Aspnes
Snow Princess
by Prue Wright
Credits: Art House Whimsey, personal collection
Easter Bonnet
by Peggy Dailey Gatto
Faces
by Keith Hawley
Credits: Ameria Design Studio and various textures from personal collection.
Pastoral Secrets
by Shelley Benjamin
Description: Nature, stillness and meditation are the main themes of this image. While it appears to radiate peace, there is also tension in the blindfolded woman. What is actually being thought or seen behind the covering?
Congruous
by Larry Buckley
Description: Lines, circles and shapes in an abstract form.
Credits: Foxeysquirrel background Textures, Jai Johnson Textures, Marius Els Elements.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
by Tsutomu Araki
Description: The sound of the bell settles in my heart once again today. And so, I live this day.
Beneath the Surface
by Marius Els
Description: This portrait explores layering both visually and emotionally. I used a build-up of textures, marks, and fragments, suggesting something beyond the visible surface. It reflects my interest in how an image can hold multiple layers of meaning, not just in technique, but in presentation and feeling.
Conceived and curated by Marius Els
mariuselsphotoartistry.com
mariuselsphotoartistry.com
For those that are not familiar with photoshop and image artistry, I highly recommend Sebastian Michaels' PhotoShop Mastery Course. It's a great way to learn photoshop and to learn how to express yourself through this digital art form.
artwork by Billa Bozem
