New ideas are generated when a large amount of information enters the brain and is distilled. Naturally, the quantity of input affects the quality of the output. This basic law of the information world also applies to art: The more images assimilated, the better. When these images combine and reach critical mass, something new is born that is more powerful than its individual elements.

Image-processing applications such as Adobe Photoshop used on desktop computers, can bring about the creation of numerous new images in a very short time. They give artists incalculable freedom not found in traditional media such as paper and canvas, helping them add different special effects to images, combine multiple images, and even bring old images back to vibrant life. The advent of Specular Collage, with its ability to handle large numbers of images simultaneously, sparked a revolution in image processing.

The creative processes of 14 modem American Macintosh artists are recorded in this book. It shows the master techniques they apply using Collage, Photoshop, Painter and other graphics programs and demonstrates exactly how they veered off into unknown visual territory to create new images. All of the interviews and descriptions were conducted and written by Russell Sparkman, a computer artist, instructor and writer on computer imaging techniques who has worked in both Japan and the United States.

This narrative provides insight into the methods and shortcuts of 14 premier artists. For readers unfamiliar with Collage, or who have not had enough time to master all of the program's functions, the best starting point is the 10-page section entitled "Basic Collage," in which Sparkman explains the program's fundamentals using his own original artwork. Also included is an update on Collage 2.0.1, describing the powerful new performance characteristics Collage now offers, such as support for Power Macintosh and the CMYK format, Photoshop 3.0 compatibility, and shadow and feather palettes. This Collage update is located at the back of the book.

The Gallery pages represent the second most significant element, presenting a collection of artwork by the 14 artists featured. This extensive, full-color gallery showcases the work of the artists and provides creative and incentive ideas for the experienced and novice artist alike.

This book was a collaborative effort involving Japanese and American graphic design industry professionals. Three of us— art director Kazumoto Yokouchi of Axxi; writer Russell Sparkman; and myself as editor— were joined later by Chris Rutter, the project coordinator. We began making calls on the artists early last spring, and in three weeks covered six cities on both coasts of the American continent. We will never forget the natural collage of fresh spring greenery we saw as we drove our rental car through Amherst, Seattle, Philadelphia. San Francisco, San Diego, and Newburyport, nor the singular workplaces of the artists we visited there.

I would like to express my appreciation to Mr. Adam Lavine, president of Specular International and his employees; Mr. Shigeru Kawamata, vice president of MU, Inc., who gave us his kind support throughout the project; and Mr. Toshiro Kuze of Graphic-Sha Publishing, who kindly assented to distribute this book. Finally, I wish to thank the 14 artists whose works and methods appear herein for their full and unstinting cooperation.

Spring 1995
Ichiro Hirose, Editor