In a slump

In a slump, and not lovin' the slump I'm in ...

For some reason, I am not motivated to do much more than read and nap. I did manage to create this for my digital art wall. 8x8. having it printed at Shutterfly. Wish I was going back to Paris. 

Capturing

Just playing...

beauty surrounds us

I found this quote while surfing this morning. Thank you, Donna Goar, for the inspiration to play with photoshop and a photo. Happy Friday!

2018 Art

2018 was filled with moving and adjusting to my new art space; not filled with a doing a lot of art. I began to knit again, finding a passion of long ago. I found a project online (WarmUpAmerica) and decided to make an afghan. I made 40+ squares, in different patterns but don't enjoy the "fixing up" of weaving in strands of yarn, etc. That project is waiting for inspiration. My granddaughter asked me to make her a blanket; she selected the yarn. It turned out lovely, and was a lot of fun.

Then I heard of an organization that sends scarves to overseas military. Operation Gratitude. So I made a bunch of scarves in different patterns. I've finished 9 ... when I reach a dozen, I'll send them off.

I backed off from digital memory keeping and art. Just couldn't find the inspiration. Here are a few pieces I completed:

I started a new art form ... stitched meditations. The process of collaging different fabrics, hand stitching and beading is very calming, soothing. Just what I needed for this transition year. I created a little book.

But the most fun I've had in a long time is weaving with my new toy. I bought a kids loom, figuring if I liked weaving I can always upgrade to a better one.

Well, I absolutely have fallen in love with this art form. Here are my first three pieces:

#1. Trying it out.

I made this one for my granddaughter, using some of the yarn from her blanket.

#3. Weaving with yarn and sari silk, embellished with beads

Looking back, I guess I did create a lot. Looking ahead, I'm trying to determine what kinds of projects I want to pursue. There is so much I could do ... where will my passion be this year?

Art therapy

Sometimes I get frustrated when things don't go as planned. Today, I turned to digi art as therapy.

Starting with this painting from several years ago ...

I ended up with this ...

2 Doves, digital

I titled it 2 Doves because the paint blob reminds me of dove parents who are seen frequently on my back wall, looking for a nesting place. Yes, this is great therapy!

Dreaming of Paris

Paris is my favorite city. I've been there numerous times, 5 times with George. I look forward to returning, when I feel strong enough to face those memories, and create new ones.

Happy Monday

I'm finished with my teaching for the year! 

So, instead of grading papers on a Monday morning, I'm making art.

art therapy continues

Art continues to be the best therapy for "what ails you". Almost as good as chocolate and wine :-).

Happy Friday

Happy Friday

playing with gradients

I saw this tutorial at the Daily Digi and had to play. Using the Photoshop Elements gradient tool and levels adjustments, you can create all kinds of artsy fun.

This one was a composite of the four above with two filters added: posterize and watercolor.

A different kind of sunflower;  photo digi manipulation

A fun way to avoid grading papers! When I turn in my grades ... I'll be free!

Linking to Mosaic Monday. Have a good week. 

in the garden

I love creating digital art with photos of flowers ... if you are a follower, you already know that. Here is one from earlier this year. It was a page in my photo book called Flower Power (you can click on the link to see more). 

Linking to Mosaic Monday

Have a great week!

Flower Power: An Art Book

I've become obsessed with photo books. My latest creation is called "Flower Power". Its being printed through Shutterfly. Here's a sample of the pages.

Each page was created digitally using Photoshop Elements, personal photos and commercially available digital supplies. I love flowers. I love taking photos of flowers. And I love creating art with those photos. I can't wait to see the printed book!

March Madness

My idea of March Madness ...

March Madness, photos and digital collage

beach in february

It's hot here ... I'd prefer cool rainy days. 

abandoned; photos, digital collage

 the photo collage above has a technical issue - can you see it?

 I hope you are enjoying your day.

orchids and photoshop

Happy November!

which do you prefer?

End of September

Here are two more digi art pieces ...

Roses in September, digi photo and collage

Texture, digi photo and collage

Still enjoying creating these. They will get printed in a photo book at the end of the year. September is coming to a close and hopefully will take the hot weather with it. I'm ready for that autumnal crispy air!

My journey on the digi art trail

OK, so I've become an official "hoarder" of digital supplies. Just as I have acquired lots of "real" paints and papers and fabric and beads and embellishments, I've also acquired a LOT of digital materials. Unlike "real" stuff that can get "used up", digi stuff never does. No, it actually grows, multiplies. One piece of paper can yield numerous results, Change color, warp it, distort it, doodle on it, blend it, filter it ... endless possibilities.

 add doodles to this one piece of paper and you'll get more possibilities ...

 Take one painted paper ...

scan it in and play with it ...

endless possibilities!

Then there are buttons and paper flowers ... the "real" ones get used up (if we actually use them rather than hoard them). The digital one just keep on giving ...

It's an amazing way of arting. Yes, I do enjoy making digi art. A lot. And I get pleasure looking at the printed piece. But not as much pleasure as looking at my "real" art. No texture. No stitching. No beading or buttons or stuff to touch. Being a visual/tactile person, there is only so much pleasure I can get from the printed products.

So I cannot give up "real" art, working with "real" supplies - paint, paper, fabric, beads, stitching, buttons, epherema.

The most pleasure is the digi scrapping. Artsy documentation of life. I've never been a scrapbooker in the traditional sense. My scrappy journals have served to satisfy my desire to capture and record life and do so in a funky style. Even with digi scrapping, I find the artsy pieces so much more interesting than the traditional pieces. More fun to create. More interesting to view.

"traditional" scrapbook page

artsy scrapbook page

The other area that has attracted me is art journaling. I've never quite found a style that speaks to me. But I do find myself able to relay thoughts or feelings through this medium.

digital painting and collaged clip art

This has been and remains a very interesting journey. Each day I play with my digi supplies. I don't do that with my "real" ones that have to be gotten out, used and put away. Each day I learn something new, which for a technique junkie, is highly motivating and satisfying. Definitely keeps me on the trail.

still hot here ...

and I'm still playing with photoshop ...

city love, digital photo manipulation and art

shall we dance, photo and digital art

what lies ahead, digital art journal page (without journaling)

I hope my postings inspire you to go make art!

digi art

The angels trumpet flowers are in full bloom, creating a perfect start for a digi collage.

Angel Trumpet Sings, digital collage and altered photo

Here's a junque journal that I made with "stuff" ... no journaling, just stuff. A delight to flip through as it is very textural and there are "surprises on each page".

I hope you (those who peek here) are having a great Saturday!

Still on a digital kick

still on a digital kick ... playing around on a Saturday morning.

"Dance Above"
Background is "torn" pieces from a painted envelope, collaged to a black "substrate". Black splotches are added with a brush. I'm inspired by Frida because she created regardless of her physical and emotional pain ... she kept on making art.

"Yellow Roses on Black and White Doodle"
The doodle is a scan from my art journal, digitized in photoshop elements. The roses are from my yard, multiplied to create a sense of colorful abundance.

"Beauty in Nature"
The background is scanned from an art journal of a few years back. The hydrangea is from my yard. I love how I can add text on a path!

"Emergence"
Same background as one above  digitized (original flower shows on this one). Sometimes I feel like I go into a creative abyss, and when I emerge there is hope of moving forward with my art.

Happy Saturday.