And the lessons continue...  one course after another and what joy that all the little grey cells seem to be functioning the way they should!

I want to note here that some of the original photos were not taken by me, they were attached to e-mails I received without their origins mentioned. I do not want to step on anybody's copy rights. It seems that it should be o.k. since I am not selling anything, just showing, although the work I do can be commissioned. So here are the latest Art Photos.

 This old Castle sits in the Austrian mountains.
The seagull, of course,was not part of the original. Part of the fun is blending in little surprises, like the ospray in the photo below.

No sailing into the sunset, instead drifting toward the full moon.

Sumter Landing looks a little different here, the huge moon was added to the sketch.

That will be all for today, off to have more fun with some old photos. Part of the fun is that a snap shot with parts not wanted or obscure can still be turned into a beautiful Art Photo. Keep your memories alive.

I framed some of these photos and that has to come to a stop because there is no more room on the walls; I'd have to add to the house, that means more to clean, less time to have fun.....ergo,
no more framing going on. 

Our fur babies

Atlas

Time flies by and we sometimes forget that their life span is a lot shorter than ours.
When they have to leave us the pain is fierce and lasts for years and we miss them so badly.
They are never forgotten and remain in our hearts.

Nutmeg

Storm

Friends lost their fur baby a few days ago and we know how much that hurts and how long it takes to stop expecting that special welcome you get when you come through the door even if you'v only been gone for a minute.

This beautiful pup was our loss a couple of years ago and we all still miss him a lot. Every one of our pets has something unique that cannot be replaced. Steimy taught Nutmeg and Atlas how to pee properly. Nutmeg still lifts her leg occasionally despite being a girl.

There just is nothing like the love you receive from a pet.

After a long break in posting anything I'm finally getting around to it. I took several courses in digital art, learning how to blend, make and use textures, make custom shadow and digital brushes. Much fun and still on-going. So far the little grey cells did not get a chance to dry up or shrink. 



 Little Atlas is always waiting at the window until his humans are at home. Then he turns into a ferocious guard dog and announces everything that moves out there.

Lots of texture layers have been added to this blossom with foot prints on the petals.

 The background on this is an Elephant Ear leaf with raindrops on it.

Amazing what one little spot of afternoon sun
can create.

I really liked this old weaving loom in someone's little chamber.I don't think I would enjoy finding my work right next to my bed. Somehow it gives me visions of working till you fall asleep. I love to weave but, unfortunately, I don't have a loom. That is just as well because over the years I have had too many hobbies which required a lot of tools and materials and there simply would not be any room for another hobby.

The last 2 courses were such fun, I decided to take another one.
This one is less on scrapping but more on art prints oriented.

I'm not really a fan of way out dark
grunge but I still like to learn some of the techniques.

 Lots of texture layers and some
critters and a flower blended into
this frozen scene.

 Vanished - as if blown off the
islands and only silent reminders
standing tall.
They always make me wonder why one of these dudes has the big rock on his head. Did the others not get one or did they fall off?

Our little boardwalk at Lake Sumter
Landing. The evening photo, now a sketch, also received textures and one of my tangle creations, a star fish.
These are all techniques from the new course.
It is still quite warm here, during the day we still reach the low 80ºF
but evenings and early mornings are very nice now.

 Just finished another course in Photo Art Blending.

 I simply admire the grey cells that thought up all these functions and the people who not only know how to use them, but also figure out different  combinations. Luckily there are those who will share their wisdom and teach. 

I found this brave little Vinca growing where there was no visible soil, just concrete. Good to keep in mind for the times when things seem impossible to endure.

This Coleus blossom was rather on the big side, never saw one like it before. The green leaves behind it actually belong  to the Amaryllus that bloomed in spring. Somehow the Coleus managed to pop up between.

I love how blending in textures and gradients can change a photo to look like a painting.

This photo remained untouched but a couple of frames adds some interest to the layout.














The Discovery was transported to its final resting place, what a sight
that was.













Somewhere in Italy, a butcher shop.

The Tetons a little bit enhanced. What a beautiful
state Wyoming is.





Travertine Terrace   

 

This photo of part of the Zion Natl. Park just called for a some changes.









Night, creatures and a little ground fog
and there you have the perfect place for a Halloween party.

Storm Clouds

 My blending classes are finished and now I'm having a great time playing with all sorts of photos.

Rooftops of Gubbio, Italy

Adding multiple textures, changing
hues and adding a few surprises
will change a simple photo into a
work of art.

Add caption

 Only textures were blended in and the color was altered, but it changed the mood of the photo completely. It lets you feel some of the
mystery of this ancient place.

More tangles

There is nothing so exciting as learning something

new. I'm having such a fun time tangling away.
Now I'm thinking about Christmas tangles for some nice cards.

My dear friend traveled to Mongolia, got up right at the crack of dawn to take pictures of the sun rising over the Gobi Desert.
Looks like a big red marble until some clouds seem to flatten it a little.

Time to post a few more Zentangle drawings. Still practicing but also learning more. It is a really fun activity and all you need is paper and a micro pen. 

 I like the tangle frame just have to find the right kind of picture to use with it. In the meantime I enrolled in another class learning how to do some really neat blending work with Photoshop Elements. Can't wait for another new lesson tomorrow.
I wonder if there might be some bored folks out there wanting to clean my house and a few other tasks for me while I'm so very busy blending and tangling.  Chances are I better get myself into the right gear and hop to it. Actually, my right index finger could use a long rest before it might just fall off, (ugh).

Yikes, double photo!

Oh boy, I just realized that I posted the wrong Crape Myrtle photo and now it is in there twice. So how about some lawn decorations that pop up all over the place with all the rain we've been getting. Wish they were edible.

After the 4th of July

The 4th of July was a quiet kind of a holiday in our house, for a change.With our daily thunderstorms trying for a grilled traditional menu is a "hope for the best" plan. Hotdogs don't take long but if you're thinking of nice ribs, that might just remain a thought only. 

The layout was made with a free kit by BoBoBernie. I love the altered art elements.

My Crape Myrtle finally is in full bloom. From farther away it looks like a lilac bush, but up close there is a huge difference. All those tiny blossoms are amazing.

I found something new to try out, Zentangle. This was my first try and it was pitiful enough, not really knowing what and how and the wrong pen. It is a lot of fun though and I thought maybe I can use it for my cards.

Needs a lot more practice but in the meantime it is relaxing and fun.

Not sure if this is a sign that I'm getting better at this or not. This time not months or even weeks passed by for a few words and another layout. My best guess would be that it is too darn hot to venture outside which gives me more time for inside activities.

Leaving a store by way of the back door I noticed this little wallflower (and a weed) growing from a tiny hole in the concrete. I could not discover any soil but obviously the little Vinca
found a way to reach it.

After my Crape Myrtle was cut way down earlier this year and there was nothing to see but some bare branches sticking up, it is now in full bloom.

There is an entire clan of Mourning doves living, nesting and multiplying in some of my plants. That was o.k. by me but then they decided that my porch was actually much more fun, so much shade, and they held their meetings all over the rockers, floor and whatever else could be used for perching.

Unfortunately they are quite messy and left poop all over everything. After washing the cushion covers and scrubbing everything else I really did not want them to move back. Not knowing what would discourage them I thought maybe something that not only moved, but also sparkled.
I glued 2 old CD's together so the shiny side faced out and then attached fishing line and hung them from the porch roof.
So far, so good, I noticed that even in the dark the showed up, reflecting the lamp when the light breeze kept moving them. So far no feathered guests, just hope remains a poop-free zone, LOL.