Tony Schanuel.(Art Studio)

St. Louis artist Tony Schanuel has fused his background in photography with advanced digital technology to create fine art that transcends both mediums. As a self-employed photographer for the past 20 years, Schanuel has traveled the world, and his exposure to diverse cultural influences are reflected in his current work. He also counts artists Salvador Dali, M.C. Escher, and Claude Monet; psychologist Carl Jung; and mythologist Joseph Campbell among those who have inspired him to explore the world in a unique, engaging way through his artwork.

From a technical perspective, Schanuel brings his knowledge of the darkroom and the photographic medium to the desktop while using various software programs. These include Pixologic's Zbrush for rendering the 3D objects, HSC Software's Live Picture for distorting the image, and Adobe Systems' Photoshop for compositing and finessing the final work.

Schanuel began manipulating photographs using a darkroom process called sandwiching (whereby two or more negatives or transparencies are used to create a single image), and later turned to digital technology. In both instances, the end result is photographic in detail but surreal in appearance. Over the years, his art has evolved with his technical skills, and now while the artist still melds photographic and digital images to produce his pieces, the photos are merely elements, rather than the mainstay, of the works.

An award-winning artist, Schanuel recently had his work selected for exhibit at the Biennale contemporary exhibit in Florence, ...