Taking time to remember...

Memorial Day 2011

Taken at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
I used the texture Stained Linen by Kim Klassen (see her
Texture Tuesday icon to the lower right).

Portals...

Portals are often viewed as gateways, doors or entrances.  A portal could also be a vehicle or form of transportation...a plane or train.  This month at Scrapbookgraphics, Tangie Baxter has challenged the Caravaners to create portals.

For this challenge, I've decided to emphasize art and artists who inspire me; those individuals or works of art that transport me to another time or place...or take me deep into my imagination.  These artists are my portals.

This is the first of my Portals.  I was greatly inspired by the work of Douglas Alves.

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And this is the second Portal I have created.  I became intrigued with this style of Lady after reading and viewing the Autumn 2010 Somerset Digital Studio. Angi Sullins & Silas Toball in addition to Aimee Stewart were inspirations for this piece.

Credits

Playing, playing, playing...

with textures and adjustment layers.  Okay, consumed, consumed, consumed is more like it!!!

Used Kim Klassen's Trust

Oops, I did not record what texture I used on
this one.  Trust me, it was by Kim Klassen though.

After creating the lamp above, my imagination got the
best of me as I wondered what would happen if a fairy
flew up the lamp...click here for credits.

I have a thing...

for graveyards, cemeteries and angles.  These were taken in Saint Clairsville Union Cemetery April of this year.

I was very excited to capture lens flare in this photo.
Whether this is a desirable artifact or not, I like it.

This angle has an uncanny resemblance
to my Auntie Melissa.

This little fella looks so sad.

Its been awhile...

since I've upload some naked, unaltered photographs.  It has not been from lack of taking pictures, its just that I have not had enough time to upload.  Well, now I'm slowly getting caught up.

Here are a set of pictures taken at my Mom and Dad's house in Ohio.  These are from my April trip of this year.  These first two are pictures of a gorgeous cherry tree that bumps up to the back of their house.

Mom has such photogenic plants and succulents.  These next pictures are some of Mom's babies.

My sketches...

are primitive; but, I share them anyways.  It will be interesting to see how I grow and develop the skill of drawing...a skill I've been wanting to learn for some time now.

I've found a new tool to help me...SketchBook Pro for iPad!  I am very excited at this find as I LOVE digital art...and I want more than anything to learn how to draw digitally!

Sock
Pencil and Paper

I made the socks for Bessie.  They were scanned in then recolored in
Photoshop.  For additional credits, see here.

Cups and Saucers
Pencil and Paper

Pencil and Paper
Based on artwork by Jessica Rose

An Art Journal page highlighting my primitive sketches :)
Click here for credits.

I know I have a long way to go to be good at drawing!  But I am excited and giddy (like a little kid at Christmas time) to finally get started!

I'm not...

much of a cook or baker.  If its easy, quick and out of a box, thats what I typically do.  But I've been wanting to cook and to bake.  And lucky for me, I've found some inspiration at Honey and Jam Recipes and Photos.  Here is a no-kneed bread recipe I followed:

about 10 mins into the oven

ready to come out

This bread is delightfully chewy with a tough crust...kinda like what you'd get at a fancy restaurant for dipping into oil.  I'm happy!

I've joined...

The Photoshop Test Kitchen hosted by Kim Klassen (you can find her link below...Texture Tuesdays).  This group membership is loaded with  texture goodies and photoshop videos.  Here are two creations I've made this weekend using her textures and following her videos.

 

No matter how much I think I know about Photoshop, it amazes me each time I watch a PS video and learn a new little secret or hint.

I am honored...

to grace the cover of The Deviant Muse this month.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVIANT SCRAP!

Come check out your free Deviant Muse here!

There are lots of fun games, challenges and freebies @ Deviantville in honor of their 1st Birthday!  Come dress up Bessie the Cow!  Or make a silly, party avatar!

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