Stillness

Kim Klassen's "Be Still 52" is just starting, and I'm reflecting on stillness, quiet, breathing, meditation.  Periodically I sit and just breathe to get centered.  I've always loved Buddhas.  I think it's the stillness I sense.  I have one in my garden…

 I did most of my editing in Lightroom before I took it into PS. I used one layer of Kim's "Autumn Burst" at 83% hard light and added text.

This Buddha sat in my mother's garden for many years and now he has adorned my garden for 18 years plus.  He seems content to sit quietly.  He certainly brings serenity to the garden.

Other Buddhas I love…..

~ Give ~ 

Cardboard Journal Workshop

Yesterday was my day to host the workshop for our Eastside Art Group.  There are eight of us, each with differing artistic talents.  Eight beautiful souls participating in a monthly project.  I can't remember how we met individually.  I do know I met Jacki first.  I think she invited me to come to Linda's annual holiday boutique where she was selling some of her art.  The others were there.  Linda suggested that we get a group together and do 
monthly art projects.  The rest is history.  
A few months ago I was searching for some inspiration for my project.  I didn't have to go very far.  I found it on Michelle Ward's blog.  I was so excited to do this project as I knew each and every lady in our group would make journals in their own style.  I knew Erin's journal would be flowers and rain boots…..

and

I knew Jacki's would have a paper collage face in it…..and here's the beginning of a face.

I knew she would use interesting papers because that's what she does.  She's a paper collage artist and collects anything paper.  She has quite a stash.  She had to leave early today so this will not give you the "finished product", but you get the idea….

I expected Linda's to be eclectic and unique.

Libby's would be free and easy just so like her!

Diane's would be really colorful and fun!

Norma's was a surprise.  Usually she does projects as a gift for her granddaughter.  But hers ended up a representation of a "getaway" for her.

and mine (still unfinished) - I loved Michelle's black and kraft theme, so I went with that.  It was fun collecting stuff that fit that theme.

A big thank you to Michelle for the idea and instructions.

~Give ~

A Rose for Valentine's Day

My lesson in S2F was to make a diptych with colored background. I added Kim's texture "Gracie" for the background color.

I'm submitting it for Texture Tuesday as well.

I've enjoyed Kim's S2F (Start to Finish) so much.  I still have a couple weeks to finish.  Meanwhile I'll be starting her Be Still 52 class.  

Digital Fun

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I've posted.  Certainly not intentional.  Life just got in the way.

My low back has been giving me fits - arthritis says the doc.  Whatever, it was so painful to sit up in bed to get up in the morning I just dreaded it.  It has improved vastly and I'm starting physical therapy this upcoming week.   I sort of lost my muse during this time of physical stress plus the holidays, plus blah, blah, blah.  You know…..

I finally got back on the computer a couple days ago.  Tip toeing through some of my favorite blogs, I found this tip on Michelle Ward's site.  Layer one image over another (in this case I layered one painted background over a painting).  Select the eraser tool and pick a brush.  Use it as you would a regular brush.  It will erase the top layer in the shape of the brush.  I love it….so simple but has unlimited possibilities.

More playing around….

Then consider using a regular brush over the "eraser" images. The pink below is the regular brush.

Play with this and see what possibilities you can dream up.

~ Give ~