Breathing New Life into the Past: Restoring 35mm Slides of My Mother’s Artwork
When I started Inkwell Fine Art Prints, I never imagined it would deepen my connection with my mother, Antionette Simmons Hodges, in such a profound way. What began as a mission to share her artwork evolved into a journey of restoring 35mm slides, uncovering stories, and collaborating creatively across countless Facetime calls. It’s been more than a business project—it’s about preserving her legacy, one restored slide at a time.
The Hidden Treasure: Rediscovering the Slides
During a Facetime call, I asked, “Don’t you have slides of your older artwork from the 90s?” Days later, she found them: a collection of 35mm slides tucked away in her apartment. These slides captured her earliest professional works from the late 90s and early 2000s, some published by EthnoGraphics, a stationery company celebrating minority artists. Finding those 35mm slides felt like unearthing buried treasure—a portal to her artistic beginnings.
Original 35mm slides from the late 90s — capturing the start of Antionette Simmons Hodges' professional career.
Original 35mm slides from the late 90s — capturing the start of Antionette Simmons Hodges' professional career.
The Challenge: Restoring 35mm Slides and Reviving Faded Memories
The excitement of discovery shifted to the challenge of restoring 35mm slides untouched for decades. These fragile relics predated high-resolution digital photography, bearing the marks of time:
- Faded colors
- Scratches and dust
- Blurry details
- Low resolution
Restoring 35mm slides wasn’t just about technical fixes—it was about honoring Mom’s original vision. Small prints wouldn’t suffice; these works deserved to be seen full-size, vibrant, and true to her artistry.
The Solution: Using AI and Photoshop for Restoring 35mm Slides
After extensive research, I discovered an AI tool designed specifically for restoring 35mm slides. It cleaned dust, sharpened details, and upscaled images up to 10x without losing quality. From there, each slide underwent meticulous Photoshop retouching—restoring slides by enhancing colors, repairing blemishes, and prepping files at 300dpi for archival printing.
Left: Original scanned slide. Right: Fully restored and enhanced for archival-quality prints.
Collaboration and Approval: Honoring the Artist’s Vision
Every draft of restoring 35mm slides is sent to Mom for review. Her feedback is precise:
- “Skin tones are too red.”
- “Highlights are too bright.”
- “Add more warmth.”
After edits, we review physical proofs over Facetime, ensuring the restored 35mm slides match her intent. Only after her approval do pieces join our collection.
- “Skin tones are too red.”
- “Highlights are too bright.”
- “Add more warmth.”
After edits, we review physical proofs over Facetime, ensuring the restored 35mm slides match her intent. Only after her approval do pieces join our collection.
Why It Matters: Restoring 35mm Slides to Preserve Her Legacy
Restoring 35mm slides transcends revival—it’s about safeguarding her legacy. These slides capture her early career: late-night painting, contests, collaborations, and her rise as a Black woman artist. What began with 15 works now spans 50+ pieces, all thanks to restoring 35mm slides.
In the coming months, we’ll showcase these restored 35mm slides, revealing her evolving style and storytelling. Each piece carries a memory, a story, and a connection to our shared journey.
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Thank you for being part of this adventure — and for helping us breathe new life into the past.
With gratitude,
Jason Hodges
Founder, Inkwell Fine Art Prints
