Eastside Art Project

Getting ready for Wednesday's art project.  It's my turn to host the group of talented artists known as Eastside Art Group.  We meet once a month and this month  we will be making Christmas ornaments.....decorating clear glass baubles.

These are a few I did in 2008

I wanted to refresh my skill?? So I worked on these this past week.

I really like the look of the swirled mica and glitter together, and the green one was simply Pledge Floor Care dribbled inside and then inserted glitter.  It came out great!  Here are a couple websites if you're thinking of doing something with the  clear glass ornaments (you can get them at Michael's).

http://theornamentgirl.com/blog/ornament-patterns-tutorials-and-diys/

and

http://www.softexpressions.com/software/paint/PolishedPgB.php

These are both fairly informative.  Have fun with these.  They are a nice addition to the standard decor and easy to make.

Go take on the day!

~ Give ~

Fall Arrival

I have much to be thankful for.  Fall has finally arrived in Southern California.  Whew!! We had the hottest summer on record.  For those of us who live at the beach (and don't have A/C) it is more than welcome.   It was actually under 70 degrees yesterday. 

It's so easy to get ready for Thanksgiving..... a few branches, some candles and fall colors.  I found this adorable sequined pumpkin at Pier 1.

Branches are from Michaels. 

 Candles are from everywhere.
Here's wishing you and yours a full of wonder Thanksgiving!!

Orchid and Rose

A couple edits to ease myself back into Lightroom and PS.   I feel really rusty, so I'm just diving in.

First the orchids...

I used a LR preset called Old Polar to bring out more color in the foreground and keep the background soft and hazy. 

Next the rose....

This image seemed to imply sophistication with the black linen.   I chose the Park Lane font for its sophisticated look.  I used Kim's Dark Mood preset.

~ Give ~

Lightroom Fun

When I have an image like this, I'm tempted to delete it immediately.  However, I'm learning to hang on and use images like this for lessons.  In this image I focused on the berries in the glass.

It's Week 34 in Kim's Be Still class.  Though I did not use the prompt of spoons yet, I watched her video and decided to use this "throw away" image to edit.  I first changed white balance and increased clarity.  I've not used some of the specific tools in Lightroom, so following her instructions I adjusted hue in Hue Saturation Luminance panel to give the berries a little more purple.  It's a minor adjustment but I was happy to learn how it works.  I also cropped to get in closer.  Since some of the panels in Lightroom seem a bit daunting, it's nice to have her instruction.  Finished edit below.

Its' so worth taking Kim's classes as I've learned so much.  I started with her when I knew very little of Photoshop, and I've grown along with her.   She is amazing in her knowledge and her ability to impart her knowledge online.

Consider taking an online class if you have interests in art, photography, Photoshop, Lightroom.  You will be so glad you did.

~ Give ~

"New" Old Stepladder

While "junking" with Erin at the flea market, I found this marvelous stepladder (heart skipping a beat). 

 Actually I found two ladders....the first was red.  I had been looking for the perfect ladder for several months and decided I'd just have to paint this red one.  Then just as we were taking one last lap, I saw this one and I fell in love!  The steps fold out (in) just like a ladder I had as a child.  It has obviously had a lot of use with its paint spatters.  I can't decide if I want to paint it white or leave as is.  It has a lot of character this way.  I was lamenting the fact that I didn't need both ladders as I'm really limited for space.  Besides what would hubby say?  Why was I bringing two stepladders home??  Erin was a sweetheart and bought the red one from me.  She has lots of primary colors, as you can see, in her garden.

My project this week was to learn more about my Canon camera.  I watched some YouTube videos and finally learned how to "back button focus".  And......my camera has a touch screen which makes it really easy.  I just touch where I want to focus.  I also wanted to experiment with creating more light using the camera since most of my house is lacking in it.  I changed exposures while working in live view.   I used my louvred closet doors as a backdrop which helped.  I also changed lenses from my 50mm 1/4 to my 18 - 200 mm.  What a difference.  Because my shooting areas are so tight I needed to have a wider angle view.

I used Kim's Sunday preset on left image, Quiet Dreams on right image and no preset on center image.  

Have a great week.  I'll be working on lighting and exposure for the next photo sessions.

~ Give ~

Just Another Face

#18 of my 100 faces.  I like to paint a background in my journal and then draw over that.   Can't tell you how many times I forget eyelids, and this is one of those times.  Would we look silly without eye lids?  I think so.  Or maybe we would just look Asian....nothing wrong with that.

Well, there's a slight hint of eyelid here,  but......

Have a great day!

~ Give ~

Do You Have My Muse?

I've lost my muse.  I'm really not motivated to do any photography at the moment except with the iPhone.

I'm not inspired to paint either although I sat myself down and did this little lady.  I already had the background.  I drew the face with Stabilo All black pencil and then went back and painted in her face.

I think she's a fashion model.  She has that gaunt look.   Only 82 faces left to draw.  I think I'm supposed to do one every day though.....not once a month!  LOL

I could blame it on the weather....it's been so hot and humid, and with no A/C I just wilt.  I find myself wanting to go vegetate in the library just to get cool.

Did you have a marvelous week?  I hope so.  Maybe I'll get inspired soon. 

~ Give ~

A Walk in My Back Yard Garden

I hope I haven't disappointed my readers.  I've been out of circulation for a few weeks.

I've actually been off trying to get acquainted with Instagram (I know..... I'm a late bloomer).  I've also tried to be a little more active on Facebook, or at least looking at everyone else's posts to the Studio Online group.  I've been learning to really use my phone for images and editing those images.  I'm getting better.

I've contemplated closing my blog because it seems people are more active on IG and FB.  But.....after reading Carol Hart's post regarding same, I decided to keep it going for a bit longer.  I started it as a sort of diary/journal of my art work.  So really, it was primarily for me to keep tabs on my progression. 

 I discovered that what I love about blogging (aside from seeing my progression) is the personal connection with fellow artists.  Facebook and Instagram just don't do that in the same way.

Today I'm sharing a walk around my back yard garden.  These images were taken on my iPhone.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

~ Give ~

  

Berry Love

As members of Kim's Studio Online group, we are given prompts to play with.  A most recent prompt was "berries".

If you're a photographer, I'm sure you've had a few shoots, especially still lifes, that have given you less than exciting results.  I have done three different shoots for the "berries" prompt.  So frustrating, I wasn't even going to post my photos.  However I decided to post as every shoot is a learning experience.  These are the best of 80 shots on different days.  I used Kim's "Prairies" preset for this one.

Below I used her "Raw" preset.  I like the wide aperture setting on this one as it blurs the background.

I was determined to use my vintage table cloth for this shoot.  It was a bit of a challenge to keep the overall image clean and uncluttered looking.  I used Topaz Simplify for the painterly look  of the two images below.

Finally, my Canva layout.  Still learning how to use their labels.

Have a great week everyone!

~ Give ~

Wednesday Photo Shoot

 Seems Texture Tuesday is on hiatus.  But, I've been more involved with Lightroom anyway and Texture Tuesday was all about layering textures over photos.  These days we can get gorgeous looks with presets in LR.  Sad to lose TT though.

We have one tomato plant in a pot that overwintered.  Our nighttime winter temps in So. Calif. have only dipped below 60 degrees maybe in Dec or Jan. this year.  We have an overabundance of tomatoes - bright, juicy, flavorful and  so much better than store purchased tomatoes.  They were part of my shoot this week.

I also shot some photos of this teacup and chocolate.

For some interest I clipped a rosebud and some thyme from the garden.  I now have the thyme hanging upside down to dry.....didn't want to throw it away and didn't need it in the dish I cooked.  This china was my mother's.  I think it was the first china she purchased after she married or maybe it was her wedding china. It's Syracuse china and actually says "Made in America".  How old is that???

Hope all you lovelies are having a great week.  If you're a photographer, try putting a little Lightroom love in your life.

~ Give ~