Curves

The word for today is curves and I love the way this lily naturally curves and bends. This was part of a clump of lilies I spotted on Ocracoke once. I applied some subtle layering with PSE and adjusted the lighting. Enjoy!

Day 3: Camera

I seem to have a thing for cameras. I can remember that when I was about eight I thought I would be a great salesperson and started selling flower seed packets. The only reason I did this was to be able to sell enough to get a Kodak camera. Thanks to my mother and grandmother buying most (all) of the seeds I did get the camera. I wasn't very good but I was prolific. I still have pictures today that I took that hold wonderful memories of people and places. So...thanks Mom and Mema!

Shutter Sisters One Word Project

So I jumped on the bandwagon and am making a real effort to publish a photo a day. The folks at shuttersisters.com are sponsoring Elevate the Everyday with one word prompts for the month of August.
Day 1 - Morning Rituals

Pretty much describes the beginning of everyday for me.

Day 2 - Your favorite space

I love any beach anywhere, but Ocracoke Island may be one of my top five. Here is where I fell in love with my husband and where one can fall in love with the memories of an era from long ago. Ferries are the only way to reach the island outside of private planes. Once there we mostly get around on foot or bicycle. Life slows to a gentle pace.

Summer Memories

This little guy reminds me of one of my favorite places in the world. We once had a basset hound that loved, absolutely loved going to the beach. She would do an all out run when she hit the sand. The only way we could get her back home is to entice her to chase the sandpipers all the way back. Part of my summer vacation has also been spent spending time with my mom. She has suffered a stroke. Most of the time I am with her I wonder where my mother has gone. This is not she. This is not the strong, decisive, shepherdess of four children. She is there though in those long ago memories of a sweet dog chasing birds or forgiven mischief by one or all of her children.

More Beyond Layers

Kim Klassen's class is still rolling along. I have not been keeping totally up to date with weekly photos but enjoyed creating this one. It is always interesting to me how artists can take the same image and do so many different things with it. Kim provided the photo and I added the layers and text. Now that I am in vacation mode I plan to be able to post more...stay tuned.

Red Day

I thought it could not have been more appropriate that today's color is red in our Beyond Layers class. These may be the coolest men ever. I snapped this while attending our city's Fourth Friday Arts event downtown this evening. There were maybe a hundred guys teetering around in heels of all kinds. All of this was to promote the event A Walk in her Shoes....men against sexual violence against women. You go guys!

A Week of Color

While I am a bit behind I am still participating in Kim's Beyond Layers class. It has really opened my eyes to the beauty of the ordinary. Today's color, my favorite, is blue. The perfect peaceful color to end a long Thursday. This was a bit of colorful architecture in Curacao from a December trip.

These deck chairs seemed to take on a life of their own. I like to think they positioned themselves with their face to the sea and enjoying the view.

Creating a Storyboard

A new storyboard in the Beyond Layers with Kim Klassen.kimklassen.com

Toy Camera Workshop

Winter comes and I seem to go into the woodwork. Anyway just wanted to encourage any that might be interested to check out Susan Tuttle's workshop on Toy Camera Digital Workshop. I have taken a class with her before and she is such a generous teacher! Here is one piece I have been working on lately. I think the composition needs tweaking but I like the direction in which it is going.

Photography Learning Curve

At the end of the summer I bought a Canon Rebel T3. Love it. But other than auto I didn't know how to do much else with it. I have shot film with my old reliable Pentax K1000 but that is a different animal. So I got myself over to the local community college and have learned so much about this camera.

Macro mode. 

I thought Georgia O'Keefe would like this.

In this photo we learned how to use a faster shutter speed to create a silhouette. I know, it's not all that stupendous when you are a real photographer but I was quite pleased with myself.

And then I learned how to slow down water...no...wait that was to use a longer shutter speed. Anyway I thought this was way cool. Can't wait to find a waterfall somewhere and try it again.

Hopefully I'll be able to photograph some artwork and show you before long. I've been taking Katie Kendrick's class "Layered Impressions". It has been such a wonderful class even though I am WAY behind. A lot of wonderful information and she is such a generous teacher.

Texture Tuesday Textures

I think I have a new addiction. I love, love, love creating images with all these textures, layers and cool photoshop brushes. Kim Klassen is so generous sharing her textures. In fact she is about to have another class on creating textures. Check it out if you think you would like to experiment a bit.

Finding Grace and Joy

this has been a week of mixed blessings. my great aunt passed away at the age of 90. she lived life to the fullest and was still going strong when she celebrated her birthday a few weeks ago. she was who i want to be. a gracious, southern lady whose wish for everyone was to be kind to one another. while there is sadness among family here, i know there is such rejoicing in heaven among the family waiting there.

on the other hand my husband and i made a quick trip to the outer banks for a blessing of peace and rest before going back to teaching next week. I have many photos to share but the words i saw on the back of a truck today are what i will intend to make my mantra for years to come. a simple bumper sticker with

powerful words.

i'd also add don't postpone love, laughter, hugs, kindness or graciousness

life is too short to postpone anything.

Nothing Says Summer Like...

Fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. 

Slice these up with some sweet onions, douse with a bit of olive oil and a bigger dash of red wine vinegar,salt and pepper. Heavenly. 

Or that doesn't suit your Southern soul spread a layer of mayo on white bread then add a thick slice or two of tomato, salt and pepper. This particular feast got me through many a painting classes in grad school. 

We've been trying to grow some tomatoes this year and we have some fine looking vines...but no 'maters.

These delicious specimens came from the farmer's market. I just might need to make another trip back there this week. Besides it's time to pick up some peaches 'cause I'm thinking homemade peach ice cream in the near future.

Comment Posting Problems

I've heard from a few people that they are not able to post any comments on my blog. If you don't mind, please post just a word or two for me to see if I have fixed the problem. Thanks so much.

Photoshop Love

This month I began an online class, Photoshop Essentials, with Kim Klassen. She makes everything so clear. Great videos. I have played around with my PSE software for over a year not realizing all the potential. I would definitely recommend taking a class with Kim. In fact she is beginning a new "Skinny Mini" free class soon so check it out. While you are there also sign up for her Texture Tuesdays. Each week she creates a texture to share which you can  download. Just one example of why I love the mixed media art community... so willing to share. Here's one photo I've been working on from the class.

The other is the same photo from the post "Two Tents" that I took in Ocracoke, NC. It has had a bit of manipulation plus a texture added. I am loving the idea of playing with images digitally and then using them in paintings and mixed media. Does anyone else do this?

A Paper Fashionista

Ok, I know this has nothing to do with art or art making. Well I might be able to segue from the paper dress fad of the 60's( sort of artsy) to the paper dress of June 23rd. I'll bet some of you can relate.

When school is over for the summer I usually begin my vacation making the rounds of various doctor offices. It is usually easier to get appointments at times other than after three o'clock. So my exam for a physical was on the date book for yesterday.

First I felt like I was taking a standardized test when I get there. They hand me three pages of information to fill out which is exactly the same as the information they already have but this time I get to BUBBLE IN the answers. So all that training in test administration was very valuable after all.

Next I'm sent to have the weight and height check. I have been trying to lose weight so that was down, blood pressure was down too, but I have also shrunk a half inch which I was not as happy about. Maybe she measured wrong. Then the nurse hands me the CUP. Wouldn't you know though that while trying to open that little handy wipe thingy, I drop it. In the toilet. So to heck with it. I did what I had to do and moved on.

This is where I become a fashionista. There on the examining table is a lovely, white, just for me....paper top and big paper towel. I know now how the tube inside the roll of paper towels feels. After wrapping myself up in all of this paper loveliness I looked like a giant roll of Bounty. Who the heck designs these things???  Can't we at least have a snap in the front of the "blouse"? Why not put elastic along the top of the giant towel? If it were designed to be open in the back at least one could get up for another magazine without having to readjust once you're back on the table. Perhaps this is where the new health care plan should begin. One more thing....it was freezing in there so I don't think this was any luxurious double ply outfit. At least there was a good outcome...seems I'm quite healthy.

Happy Weekend!

Two Tents

I was listening to someone talk about contentment. There are two kinds of tents, they say, contentment and discontent. Discontent is not necessarily bad. There are some things we should be discontent with such as injustice or racial prejudice for example. So this got me thinking. What is contentment for me? I truly do not believe it is about things. Although I am as guilty as anyone that has way more art supplies than I need. For me it is being out in nature, being with family and friends and creating my art. 

What makes you content?

Spring Fades and Summer Beckons

What happened to a week of spring break? Time is flying. I think I often get so busy with the general busyness of life I don't slow down to enjoy it like I should. I did spend some time at the beach with my parents over Easter which was nice since we had not been together for a while. As much as I want to see them more often, the more difficult it is to be really with them. Every little thing becomes a big thing. I am impatient. They are impatient. When did things change? They are so different from the way I have always known them. They have always been active and on the go. They are in their eighties now and slowing down a lot. I think I have just finally slammed into a wall called "Age and the Passage of Time". Will I need to parent them? How? So many questions. I am so thankful though to have my brothers, husband and other family for support. I know that even when life can be trying I am blessed.

 My husband has been taking lots of nature photos lately. I think he has a real eye for photography. Spring has been beautiful, my favorite time of year. We have had some nasty weather in my part of NC. One school in our county was destroyed in a tornado. However it has been awesome to see the community come together and help out where there is a need.

I did get to spend a couple of days at Art and Soul in Hampton, Va. Two of my classes were with Susan Lenart Kazmer who is wildly creative and has enough energy to get anyone inspired. I really enjoyed working on jewelry pieces that were outside of my usual design realm. My friend, Donna, and I go every  few years or so. It's a good venue and always fun to see and be around other artful souls.

Okay Murphy, say goodnight. 

     

Post Artfest

Ahh...what a way to vacation. Several days to just create art, be with like minded people, and not to have any laundry or dust bunnies calling your name. I returned from artfest last week all excited to share what I did and ready to spend every spare minute painting or creating jewelry. It did not take long to be back into the ebb and flow of everyday life here. BUT, I have done some, actually more art work within the week than I usually do. All of my classes were wonderful. I thought each time I learned something I would think "just this is worth coming all the way here." Misty Mawn taught us to make some funky paintings but I think I learned mostly to loosen up and play with the lines and paint. Just to let it flow naturally.

I took a second class with Nina Bagley. What a sweet soul. It was wonderful to be in another class with her. She is so patient and willing to explain techniques over and over until you understand. The class was called the Necklace of Affirmations. How wonderful to know that when I need it I have only to read through these affirmations each day to remind myself of who I am and what I am about.

I have also admired Lynne Perella's work for a long time so I signed up for her "Foreign Intrigue" class as my third class. I have a few of the stamps she has designed and have always liked the way she uses bold colors and unique collage compositions. She is a great teacher that inspired a lot of confidence in what I am doing and affirmed that maybe continuing with my painting and mixed media art work is the way to go for me. Thanks to all of those that were there to teach and so graciously share their knowledge. I'll put up some photos of artfest soon.

Hurry Scurry

I have almost....yes almost finished my trades for ArtFest. I am getting awfully excited and I have been thinking about being there for months. Now to help host a baby shower, finish Bible study, make lesson plans for the sub next week, and pack! Packing should be no problem as packing my art supplies takes priority. I figure a pair of jeans and a couple sweaters...what else could I really need to wear? We'll see. I always over pack. If any sees me in the Seattle airport, I'll be the one with paint oozing out of my suitcase and bits of fluttering ephemera will be in a scattered in a trail where ever I go. I'm sure I'll have lots to tell when I return and loads of pictures.