Ravenpainting

Art House

2011-09-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for this week's Three Muses theme -"Doorway". Part tribute to Frida Kahlo and her love of color and bold expressions- a bit ahead of her time. Peeking from a studio doorway beckoning new creations and inspirations to a new generation of Artists. She always inspires me..... Frida "paper doll" image from ArtChix, doors and grungyart splatters from Tangie Baxter (at Scrapbookgraphics) and other imagery from Holliewoood at Deviantart.

Autumn Faerie

2011-09-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

Ah.....Autumn. Absolutely my favorite season. The rich colors , the late afternoon light, the sense of nature at its peak soothe my soul and for some reason stimulate my creativity. A time of enjoying the harvest and beginning to look inward set the stage for daydreaming and fantasy. Spring and summer are all a bustle and busy with life; where Fall tends to slow down and release. This summer has been crazy for me work wise and personally, and now and I just want to retreat into quieter times and reflection. Autumn is the theme this week at The Three Muses challenge group and I had to play with this whimsical collage. Imagery from Dover books, Rosey Posey and Tangie Baxter at Scrapbookgraphics, Holliewood and Finecrafted Designs at Deviant Art.

Words Of Wisdom

2011-09-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

The theme at the Three Muses this week is "Words". In creating this piece I got to thinking about how important words are. How many times I wish that I had chosen my words more carefully. I wish I could take some back. We are not all sages or wise owls but if only we could speak from our hearts , less from our minds and with more care.
Imagery for this digital collage is from Artchix, Christine Rennee, Tim Holtz art papers and Lorie Davison.

Melancholy

2011-08-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for The Three Muses challenge "Window". As late Summer rolls into Fall a sense of melancholy or longing often takes place. Observing the change of light and seasonal change is a time of daydreams and rememberance of days past. I am already sensing a bit of early Autumn here in California (kind of still waiting for summer in a way) - it has been unseasonally cool. Imagery used in this digital collage is from Dover books, Finecrafted Designs and Holliewood at Deviant Art. Artistic leaf brush from Photoshop.

Oceania

2011-08-09T07:25:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Three Muses Challenge this week "Maps". Thoughts of world travel and the mystery of the unkown has I believe always been a part of Women's dreams and yearnings but was not always available if practical in the past. Ties to family and "duty" came first in many women's lives and their imaginings of experiencing the world were put on hold due to fear and suppression from men. This digital collage speaks to those moments of daydreams and wanderings. Imagery from Dover books, Rosey Posey and Rebecca McMeen at scrapbookgraphics all blended and layered in Photoshop Elements.

Dark Mother

2011-08-07T07:02:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week "Faces". Dark and mysterious , this lovely face from E-vint.com evokes someone from a vintage Gothic novel . Other imagery from Lorie Davison at scrapbookgraphics all blended and layered in Photoshop.

Realm Of Possibilities

2011-07-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week where the theme is "Flight". Dreams do take flight in the realm of possiblities (and a little Photoshop), where all things imaginable can happen! Imagery credits for this digital collage go to Rosey Posey, Christine Rennee, Beth Rimmer and Holliewood at Deviant scrap.com. Dream on!

Archangel

2011-07-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for this week's Theme Thursday challenge "Wings". Background is from a new set of artist papers (Donna Estabrooks) angel image from Dover, and script from Rebecca McMeen all painted and overlayed in photoshop.

Heartland

2011-07-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week "Stars and Stripes".

Don't we all feel a little like the woman in this image sometimes? This wonderul image of Grant Wood's "American Gothic" sums up alot of what many of us feel about promises, expectations and yes, disillusionment. I put a rainbow in the background of this rural scene to represent our dreams, aspirations and hopes of a bright future and greener pastures. These dreams are all possible too with hard work, common sense and stability which this heartland couple represent. We have freedom but nothing comes free. We have to work for it, save and be in the moment but have our thoughts and goals rooted in the future as well. My family were all farmers, common sense kind of people, who laid down roots; uncertain yet determined to make it in this vast country and leave the door open to future prosperity for on-going generations. As we are well into this 4th of July weekend we honor our independence and know that we each have the ability, if we are willing, to obtain our heartland promise.
Imagery from Dover books, Holliewood and Finecrafted designs (Deviantart ).

Cote d' Azure

2011-06-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge where the theme this week is (Beaches). This digital collage is composed of various vintage posters (graphic 45) along with elements from Finecrafted designs, Google and artistic brushes in Photoshop.

Parchment Notes

2011-06-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week where the theme is "Insects". I was playing around with alot of color but decided that I really like the clean black and white study for a sense of detail and field note sketchiness for this digital collage.

Birds Of Paradise

2011-06-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well I had a lot of fun with Toucans and rainforest creatures in these pieces for the Three Muses this week where the theme is "Exotic Birds". I just asked my husband which one he liked best to post and he liked them both so here they are. (He said the top piece would make a great cocktail napkin)- so much for the home critic! Imagery credits go to Beth Rimmer designs and Holliewood at deviant scraps. Tree frog and Toucans were googled. Face image from Dover and background layers of vintage botanica.

Celestial

2011-06-05T08:29:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week where the theme is "Stars". I took the "Heavenly Body" approach with a cosmic star walker amidst the swirl of the comos. Imagery credits go to Dover, Finecrafted Designs, Holliewood and artistic filters and brushes in Photoshop.

Winesong

2011-05-31T14:34:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Three Muses challenge this week where the theme is The Written Word. The image is from Dover and the written word is inspired by a most beautiful love "Poem" or song from the Old Testament/ Torah. Roses from Holliewood at Deviant art and gradient and soft light filters added for depth and age.

Art and Illumination

2011-05-29T07:38:00.000-07:00

"Wings " is the theme at the Take A Word challenge this week and I was inspired by label art in making this digital collage. I love old Botanica and the art of illuminated lettering (Celtic) in this case and combined the two here. Imagery from Dover ,Graphics 45 and Christine Renee.

The Gift

2011-05-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Collage Obsession challenge "Mermaid". Couldn't help myself from creating a piece with one of my favorite themes. Imagery from Dover, Finecrafted Designs and lots of painting and effects in Photoshop. I learned how to use the Clone Stamp tool in a class that I took recently and it really came into use in this collage. Fun stuff!

Violets are Blue

2011-05-24T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is my digital journal style entry for this week's Three Muses theme which is the color "Blue". A soft, peaceful and sometimes melancholy color I used blue here to evoke a sense of quiet longing and sense of poetic loss. Imagery from Finecrafted designs and Holliewood at Deviant Art, Dover books, and google.

Bee-mused

2011-05-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

Feeling whimsical and in the Zetti mode for this week's theme at Take A Word challenge. I always struggle a bit with Zetti but as I look back on the pieces that I have made they do embody their own style and are consistent in how I interpret them. It is interesting to step outside of yourself and view the collection of art you have made and be objective about it. "Everyone else's" art sometimes seems to look so much better and unique and (why didn't I think of that ?) often comes to mind. I can't think of a better forum than an art blog to really take a look at where you were, where you are now and be inspired to go where you can go in the future. Imagery from Dover, and Rebecca McMeen at scrapbookgraphics.

Haiku

2011-05-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

Gold woman vibrant

in your song of surrender
give nothing away.

Emotions abstract
bending shadows of the heart
threads of silk on fire.

Whispered wings hover
breathless until tomorrow
love's own haiku.

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge where the theme is"Oriental". Geisha images from Dover blended with one of my own backgrounds and other background image from Lorie Davison at scrapbookgraphics.

Beginnings

2011-05-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Theme Thursday challenge "Garden" theme. A little bit of Eden amidst a sphere untouched and new. Imagery from Finecrafted and Holliewood at Deviant Art . Blogger lost my first posting of this so thanks to those of you who commented already!

Street Diva

2011-05-10T09:49:00.001-07:00

Mona is keeping an eye on the neighborhood in this whimsical collage for the The Three Muses this week where the theme is to "Alter Mona". Imagery credits for this urban graffiti piece go to Google, Dover, Christine Renee, Digital Whisper freebie and Rebecca McMeen. Mona Rules!

Rites of May

2011-05-02T08:42:00.001-07:00

May is upon us and she ushers in a season of beauty and appreciation of the sensual and colorful. Beltaine in the celtic tradition welcomed the beginning of summer gaiety and abundance ; the celebration of fertility and a time of coming together to share and enjoy renewal.

The imagery used in this collage comes from Luna Girl ( wonderful vintage image of Cleo de Merode), Lorie Davison, Holliewood at Deviant Art and artist papers blended for the background. I was inspired to create this piece as I flipped over all of my calendars; marvelling at how fast the days goes by and how each day seems so full yet so fleeting....

Postal Notes

2011-04-19T07:51:00.001-07:00

The theme at the Three Muses this week is "Mail Art" one of my favorite themes. This collage is a little bit postcard, a little bit art envelope with imagery from Christine Renee, Rebecca Mc Meen and some digital play with cut outs and postal elements in Photoshop.

Wild Stallion

2011-04-13T14:12:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for this week's Theme Thursday challenge "Animal". Old world imagery and text from wikimedia, art papers and elements from Rosey Posey.

Giselle

2011-04-09T06:47:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Sunday Postcard Art Challenge this week where the theme is "Dance". This beautiful vintage dancer was found on Google and I added soft text, filters and scanned imagery from Graphics 45 and Holliewood at Deviant Scraps for the feel and look of an antique card.

Old Lace

2011-04-05T07:06:00.000-07:00

" Victorian Elegance" is the theme at the Three Muses challenge this week. Old lace and linens and attention to beautiful detail embody the Victorian age for me. When I was younger I used to love to peruse my copies of "Victoria" magazine; lost in the lush and mesmerizing array of abundance and rich decorative ornamentation. I still love the influence but have found it hard to incorporate into my lifestyle now where I enjoy simpler, less distracted surroundings. This collage tries to present elegant imagery but with a clean and more refined beauty. Imagery credits go to e-vint.com, scrapbookgraphics, Holliewood at deviant Scraps and personal floral photos.

Curiosities

2011-03-29T07:58:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Three Muses challenge this week "Steampunkerie". Always a curious theme full of odd mechanical imagery mixed with vintage/oldworld influence, designed to spark the imagination. Credits for this collage go to Sherrie JD & Rosey Posey at Scrapbookgraphics, and Finecrafted Designs & Holliewood at Deviantartscraps.

April's Bloom

2011-03-27T07:07:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for this week's theme at Take a Word challenge "Bloom". This piece just grew and grew with multiple layers of a little steampunk (Rosey Posey) , vintage imagery (Dover) and background from Lorie Davison at deviant art scraps.

Fair Maiden Postcard

2011-03-19T07:27:00.001-07:00

I had some fun with one of my favorite Fair Maiden images from Dover books -(Raphael's Lady with a Unicorn) for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge this week. Back ground from scrapbookgraphics, various artist papers, postal stamps and imagery from Rosey Posey.

Emerald Star

2011-03-13T08:51:00.001-07:00

"Green" is the inspiration for this week's Take A Word challenge. The hills around my home are indeed turning green after tons of rain this winter and it is a welcome sight. Signs of Spring always bring enchantment and faery lore to the surface for me and this collage represents the magical elements in the deep woods and ponds at this time of year.

Natural History

2011-03-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

This is my entry for the Take a Word challenge this week where the theme is "Bird Life". I love pouring through vintage botanical and bird illustrations and decided to create my own collaged "color plate" to represent bird life and habit . Most bird books now are beautifully photographed but I really enjoy vintage Audubon and in this case M. Catesby (1679-1749) paintings with their beautiful stylized detail and color. Other imagery credits for this piece go to , scrapbookgraphics, artist papers from K & Company, vintage stamps and zoological text.

Exotica

2011-02-27T07:07:00.000-08:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge where the theme is "Exotic'. To me exotic is a collaboration of color, pattern, texture and of course flora and fauna. Scenes from far away places that depict a different way of life and people of different cultures and philosophies open our eyes to all that is amazing and inspirational. Imagery credits go to Dover, Christine Rennee and background is my own from vintage botanical prints.

Timescape

2011-02-22T07:40:00.001-08:00

Lately I've been feeling a bit like this fellow with the presence of time and clocks everywhere; reminding me how little I have of it, how fast it is going by and how I am running out of it. Work has been crazy and I've been so busy trying to get all of my tax work done. Ugh!

I know time is what we perceive and in essence there IS time for everything, but where I get into trouble is balancing time with the things I want to do (make art) and the things I don't want to do (bookwork and property management). So I put down the spreadsheets and made this piece for the challenge at the Three Muses this week where the theme is Time and how we would like to express it.

Imagery credits go to Graphics 45, Holliewood at deviant artscraps, Tim Holtz artist papers.

First Blush

2011-02-16T13:30:00.000-08:00

I bud forth delights like the vine,
my blossoms become fruit, fair and rich.
I am the mother of fair love, and of fear,
and of knowledge, and of holy hope.
In me is all grace of the way and of the truth,
in me is all hope of life and of virtue.

Come to me, you yearning ones, and be filled,
for my speech is sweeter than honey,
my inheritance better than honey and the honeycomb.
........Ecclesiastes 24:23-31

This is my entry for this week's Take A Word challenge where the theme is "Romance". Ah what a romantic week this has been in blogland! Lots of pink, lots of hearts, lots of poetry. Hope this can last all year!
Imagery credits go to Dover, Google images, Finecrafted designs, Holliewood at Deviantartscraps and my own digital background papers.

Two Hearts

2011-02-12T05:51:00.000-08:00

This is my entry for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge where the theme is 'Hearts" and appropriately so for Valentine's Day. Imagery is from Dover, Holliewood at Deviantartscraps, postal clippings and heart doilies all blended and layered in Photoshop.

Twilight Tales

2011-02-06T11:09:00.000-08:00

This is my entry for this week's Take a Word challenge "Blackbird". My bird of choice is the Crow- cousin to Raven and quite the storyteller and trickster. Crow is often a dream symbol both day and night for me, and represents the guardian of the threshold of passing from the old to the new; bringing change but teaching us to not take the change so seriously as to miss its lessons. Imagery from Finecrafted designs, the vintage moth, and Digital whisper.

Love Poems and New Blog

2011-02-04T09:12:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the new 100 Themes Challenge at digital-whisper blog! I have created a new blog 100 themes art journal to feature the digital work that is inspired by the different themes given to be completed over the course of this year. We may complete the challenges in any order. This is for theme #2 "Love". I thought with Valentines' coming this would be quite appropriate. Imagery from (Dover), assorted art papers and elements from (Finecrafted) digital designs.

Gypsy Flower

2011-01-30T11:59:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the Take a Word challenge this week where the theme is "Vintage". I created the above collage from my collection of vintage images (this one from Magic Moonlight) overlayed onto a digital fabric background (from scrapbookgraphics). I added botanical imagery and script and then printed the collage from Photoshop out onto organza fabric (fabric-backed printer sheets from Jacquard). This gave me inspiration for a new Journal which I have entitled "Pilgrimage". I hope to fill its pages with other collage and mixed paper and fabric ephemera all using vintage photography as a base for story and inspiration. The journal I found a few years ago at Cost Plus and I gave it a bit of a tea-stained wash and then added leather, dried flowers, beads and silver embellishments.

Freya's Return

2011-01-28T09:24:00.001-08:00

In Fall Freya left us
travelling southward.
Now she returns again,
bringing soft words.

Out of her golden hair
spring flowers fall
tumbling like melodies,
sounding the call.
------Scandinavian song

After a couple of beautiful sunny days here I am beginning to feel the whispers of Spring emerging. This is that turning point in mid-winter when we are getting a little tired of the dark, the cold, the gray. This is when we need to listen and look for small signs of the muse awakening. If you stay open to the sights and sounds around you ; you will find her. Follow her when you do!

Quiescent

2011-01-25T08:37:00.001-08:00

In continuing in the botanical mode I played around last night with a beautiful vintage image here from E-vint.com and overlayed some personal floral photos to create this collage. Reducing the opacity and blending the imagery added a lot of depth and a painterly texture to the original photo.

Flora and Fauna

2011-01-23T06:50:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week where the theme is "Botanical". I created the background to this piece from vintage botanical clippings and text from the Hortus Eystettensis. I cropped, colored and layered flower faeries and frog from a beautiful new set of artist papers from Graphics 45 to create a fun enchanted garden setting. Soft and pin light filters were added in Photoshop.

Inner Landscape

2011-01-18T09:15:00.001-08:00

The theme at The Three Muses this week (Artist Of Choice) is a theme I could go on all year for inspiration - my list is endless! But time after time I come back to Frida Kahlo; her story expressed through her art encompassing both the beauty and darkness of her days. As a (woman) artist she broke through barriers largely dominated by men and was not afraid to tell her story through often shocking and somewhat morbid themes- but she did so with honesty and heart. I admire her ability to show the darker side (something I need to work on in my art) without fear of criticism or rejection. I also find it fascinating that a large amount of her paintings are self portraits- perhaps her searching the inner landscape for both her beauty and shortcomings. Truly an eye-opening artist. This piece is a collage of images from (google, Holliewood at deviant art and Frida's journal clippings.

Ode To Spring

2011-01-16T07:58:00.001-08:00

We have had a couple of lovely sunny days here and I found myself longing for Spring! This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week where the theme is "Butterflies". I used a lovely image from Dover and altered her with the Fresco filter for a painterly look. I digitally colored her eyes, florals and skin tones. Butterflies are from Holliewood at Deviantart.

Birds Of A Feather

2011-01-11T08:01:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the Three Muses challenge this week "Nature's Creatures". I created the digital background out of several layers of blended artist papers (Mara Johnson- Creative imaginations) and imagery from Holliewood at deviantartscraps. Soft light filters and digital painting in Photoshop. Too fun!

Beauty

2011-01-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

The Beauty
you craved in
things was
always my
face seen
through a veil.

Turn Around.

See now where
Beauty comes
from.
....Rumi

A powerful word Beauty. Its definition is of course different for everyone. Artists share their visions. Nature stuns us. A kind word or gesture completes us. It's all in how we perceive Beauty that matters and gives the word its meaning. Beauty likes to hide and we need to seek it out. All of our senses detect beauty and are often left abandoned in its wake. As they say ,try to find a little beauty each day- that's my goal for this year.
This is my entry for the Take A Word Challenge this week. Imagery credits go to Dover, Holliewood at Deviantart scraps, assorted artist papers.

Imaginarium

2011-01-05T14:35:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I celebrated my 56th birthday! It was a beautiful clear day and I got to spend it creating some art, taking a walk with the dog and a lovely dinner out with Hubby in the evening. A perfect day. I treated myself to a new digital kit from Finecrafted at the Deviantart Store and made this digital collage. Quite a watery wonderland for a Capricorn (earth sign) but had fun with the new imagery.

The Zetti Garden

2011-01-01T19:07:00.001-08:00

I wanted to start off the New Year in full color and fantasy ( despite the dreadful winter weather we are having of late). Stuck inside all day but had fun with this "Zetti" piece for the upcoming Take A Word Challenge. Zetti style is always a challenge for me but I do enjoy it and try to let go a bit. One of the many things that I would like to try to do more of this year is to really branch out into some new directions in digital art and revisit some old (sewing and journal work) art room projects as well. The artroom projects take longer but are satisfying in a very tactile way and I like getting my hands messy a bit!

The imagery credits for this piece go to Dover books, graphic 45 art papers and Holliewood at deviant art . Artistic filters and digital painting in Photoshop.

The Sea Waltz

2010-12-27T18:51:00.001-08:00

Well after a fun but exhausting Christmas weekend I wanted to have some fun with a bit of a whimsical fantasy piece. The wonderful vintage Ballerina is from e-vint .com and other digital elements from Holliewood at deviantartscraps.
It was a great Holiday -I got an iPad and played with that most of Christmas day, and a few days before I had about thirty guests over for a fun Open House- I cooked for three days straight but it was good! My son and his girlfriend came over and we got to meet the rest of her family! It was a great time with friends, family and good cheer.
I am looking forward to a quiet and reflective New Year; time to get in touch with all that has happened this past year, time to be grateful for all of the good things and time to dream of new creative adventures for the future.

Morningstar

2010-12-21T08:27:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the Three Muses Challenge this week "Tidings of Comfort and Joy".

The Christmas story for me is one of birth, new life and all that new life promises. When we look at a newborn we see all that can be achieved; peace, non-judgement, love and a soul that is untarnished- that is open to all possibilities. As adults we need to remember that we all have the capacity to be that way again.

Imagery credits go to Down Under Studios, Dover books copy free imagery, and wikimedia all blended and painted in Photoshop.

A warm thanks to all who have visited my blog this past year and your very generous comments- you all keep me inspired with your beautiful art and words. May Peace be with you this special season and best wishes for a prosperous (and wildly creative) New Year!

Solstice Celebration

2010-12-18T08:37:00.000-08:00

Hail, lovely sun!
Praise you for rising!
Yesterday we shivered in darkness
while you were trapped in the mountains.
Now you rise light as a silver bird.
Always rise like this, goddess,
always come back to us like this,
bringing us health and safety,
bringing the game to our arrows,
and fish to our hooks.
Journey now in peace,
go around the earth in safety,
travel in joy, O goddess!
-Finnish Kalevala

There are many things to celebrate at this time of year and the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21st this year) reminds us that the returning of the Sun and the slow increase in light brings us promise of new growth and life. As we build hearth fires, light candles or string lights on a Christmas tree we are honoring the old traditions of welcoming the light back, to bring us warmth and productivity in the new year.

May everyone find their own way to celebrate and light the world!

This is my entry for the 4x4Friday challenge and the TAW challenge.
Imagery credits go to Downunderstudios, e-vint.com and personal photos.

Joyeux Noel

2010-12-14T13:16:00.001-08:00

A little digital fun with postal stamps, artist papers and Photoshop.

Imaginings

2010-12-12T09:11:00.001-08:00

The world of imagination belongs to children. Not that adulthood strips us of our imaginings but it is hard to recreate the wondrous world of innocent, pure fantasy that occurs in childhood. There is no inner critic, no voice of reason and responsibility to tell us to get back to reality. I love to observe my husband's nieces and nephews lost in their blissful world of fantasy.

"Childhood " is the theme this week at Take A Word challenge and through my "playtime" with digital art came this piece representing the world of imaginary friends and doorways to other places and adventures.
Imagery credits go to Dover, Holliewood at Deviantartscraps and wikimedia.

Native Song

2010-12-11T06:35:00.000-08:00

This is my digital postcard for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge "Robins". I recently was looking at new calendars in the bookstore and saw one that really impressed me entitled "Inuit Art". I was attracted to the use of black, white and a touch of orange-red that seem to prevail in most of the scenes from nature and myth, and so used that idea in creating this piece.

Imagery credits go to assorted artist papers, Downunder Studios and wikimedia. The postal stamps are from my collection.

Aurora

2010-12-09T16:16:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the Theme Thursday challenge "Winged People". Imagery credits go to Deviant art scraps (Hollliewood) and (Joelle at Downunder Studios).

Crimson Flower

2010-12-07T08:11:00.001-08:00

I had some fun blending and mixing floral imagery here for the Three Muses challenge "Flowers" this week. Main image from Vintage-blog along with botanical prints, script and digital painting filters in Photoshop. Digital blending allows for such great depth and gradation of color and the ability to reduce opacity allows images to merge and become one which I really enjoy doing.

Winter Post

2010-12-05T08:26:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for this week's Take A Word challenge "Mail Art". Imagery credits go to Luna Girl (Fairy Tale Images) and deviant art scraps (Holliewood). Clip art postal script added.

I love the fantasy aspect of the Winter Solstice/Holiday season. Most of my decorations are filled with winter fairies, snowy villages and wilderness critters mixed in with natural greenery, winter branches and berries. Despite all of the massive commercialism in the stores I do still enjoy creating a little magic this time of year and remembering the winter tales I learned as a child . This piece tries to capture the wonder of the winter Goddess and her guides on a cold starry night.

Requiem

2010-11-28T18:46:00.001-08:00

I wanted to work with some really rich deep colors here. The roses are photos from my yard overlayed (opacity reduced) onto a beautiful image from Dover copy free images. Latin illumination from Dover also added.

After the long Thanksgiving weekend (I'm still washing dishes!) I am turning my thoughts toward the Holidays now. I am not an overly religious person but I find myself drawn to the more spiritual nature in art and imagery and love to work with these kinds of images to create a mood and a feeling rather than something commercial or trendy. Certain images just jump out at me and I have to work with them; create something new with them, something that touches and expresses a deep part of me. Perhaps a part that is longing to be exposed but is reluctant. Art is the inner voice.

Winter's Journey

2010-11-26T19:50:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the 4x4 Friday challenge where the theme is "snow" this week. Imagery credits go to Holliewood at deviantart scraps, Dover books, and wikimedia ( for snowflakes). Soft and gradient filters used for effects.

It is getting cold outside, I'm bundling up and have built some hearth fires recently. We don't get much snow here on the California coast, mainly rain. But Mount Tamalpais (our sacred mountain) here does gets dusted from time to time bringing great beauty. I am ready to welcome winter now; to go inside, to dream, to prepare for the turning of the wheel again. A time to reflect on the passed year and prepare for a time of stillness. A time to enter Winter's journey.

Far, Far Away

2010-11-24T14:12:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the Digital Whisper Group challenge (Castle in the Sky). I overlayed the beautiful image from Kimmie over a background from Z-tampf and the wonderful image of the young girl from Magic Moonlight Free images . With her head in the clouds she dreams of far away enchanted places!

Folklore

2010-11-21T13:42:00.000-08:00

I ran across this wonderful image of Rip Van Winkle over at Marsha's (Tumblefish Studio freebie) and thought it would be perfect for this week's Take A Word challenge "Men". An old American folklore tale of time travel in a sense where on old man falls into a long slumber only to awaken to a new time; his family and friends gone and having to deal with all things new and unfamiliar. I overlayed some old calendars to represent the passage of time. Background from Scrapbookgraphics (Tempest). Soft and gradient light filters used for ageing in Photoshop.

I want to thank everyone who visited me on my last post about my Mother's passing away a few days ago. Your kind comments are a true comfort and help me feel connected. My mind is racing a bit, filled with memory and now with Thanksgiving approaching, family events are all the more meaningful. I am doing a big family meal this year and although (my) family members will not be present, my Husband's wonderful family will be here to carry on the light and sharing of past, present and future gatherings of laughter and Thankfulness.

Remembrance

2010-11-19T18:50:00.000-08:00

Little did I know that when I was creating this collage two days ago that my Mother quietly had passed away. She has been ill and it was not unexpected, but wow feelings (good and bad) do flood in and leave you a bit numb. I wanted to created some great collage using old photos of her and me when I was little but frankly it was just too hard. I thought that this beautiful image just about says it all and I overlayed a little of my Mom's handwriting from the back of some old photos.
I think it will take some time to sort out my feelings. I will try to remember the good things ,the good times and the things we had in common and the things we didn't have in common sure made life interesting!

Tender Gardener

2010-11-17T07:52:00.000-08:00

Tender gardener
Nightblooming jasmine music
fills your heart with song.

This is my entry for the Collage Obsession challenge "Tenderness" and the Theme Thursday challenge this week "Faces".
Imagery credits go to e-vint.com, vintage botanical clippings and scrapbookgraphics all blended in PSE.

Luna Pearl

2010-11-14T08:34:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week where the chosen word is "Moon".

I have always been a follower of the moon's phases and cycles. The progression of the waxing and waning; coming full circle and then to start over again gives a lovely rhythm to our days. Nature makes sense to me. There is a definitive connection to how our natural world works in relation to our inner lives. Amidst the profusion of high technology and broad communications we still are driven by the inner clock, the seasons, the pull of the moon and it's phases whether we recognize it or not.

Credits for this digital collage go to Dover, Holliewood at deviantartscraps, and wikimedia. All imagery blended and artistic filters added in Photoshop.

The River Guardian

2010-11-11T15:07:00.001-08:00

This is my entry for the Take A Word challenge this week where the theme is "Angel" . I've been away for five days enjoying a little trip to San Antonio Texas while my husband was at a conference (I got to play and sightsee). A beautiful river walk and true Texas hospitality made for a lovely short trip! Credits for this digital collage are imagery from Dover books, scrapbookgraphics and a beautiful dandelion photo from Digital-Whisper blog all blended and colored in Photoshop.

Hats and Crowns Postcard

2010-11-06T07:48:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge this week to make a postcard with "Hats and Crowns". I love this medieval image from Dover books and overlayed it on a rubberstamped artist paper background. I scanned in into the computer , added postal stamps and digitally colored with artistic filters.

Ondine

2010-11-04T05:09:00.000-07:00

This piece was inspired by an Irish film I recently saw by the same name. Ondine is a water nymph or elemental who if comes onto land and marries risks losing her immortality but of course finds true love in return. The image credits for this piece are from Dover and scrapbookgraphics blended and layered in Photoshop.

Dream Theatre

2010-11-02T07:29:00.001-07:00

This is my digital entry for The Three Muses challenge where the theme this week is "Showtime". Using images from Vintage-blog and deviantartscraps (Holliewood) I envisioned a Modern dancer in the spotlight.

All Hallow's Eve

2010-10-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

There is an undeniable sense of magic and turning of the wheel at this time of the year whether you embrace Samhain (Hallowe'en , All Hallow's Eve) or not. The brilliant moon, the owls in flight, the shadows of the landscape all lend towards turning inward , for transparency for walking between the worlds. If we pay attention to what nature is telling us; slow down, listen and observe... magic is ours.

Credits for this collage are images from Luna Girl, Holliewood at Deviantartscraps and Digital Whisper.

Invocation

2010-10-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Digital Whisper challenge "Cauldron". We were given this cauldron image ( which I have altered in color, scale and added digital brushes for effects). The woman is from Dover , background is from Collage Obsession and added script from Dover. Gradient filters were used for the overall shadows and color blending. The original painting by (John Singer Sargent) shows this woman in meditation with an incense burner, but I also saw her intent and concentration and felt as if she could be summoning the spirit of the cauldron.

Immortal Bloom

2010-10-23T07:12:00.001-07:00

Where roses would not dare to go,
What heart would risk the way-
And so I send my crimson scouts
to sound the enemy.
Emily Dickinson

This is my entry for the Digital-Whisper blog challenge where we were given the rose image to work with. Credits also to deviantartscraps (Holliewood) and scripted artist papers.

Winter's Tale

2010-10-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Theme Thursday challenge "Winter". Simple, stark and silent. The beauty of a winter Barn owl who flies silently in search of prey. My local Barn owls along with the Great Horned owls are busy now at night around my property; a flash of white and a chorus of hooting signal the cooler nights and the coming of Winter. Imagery from Wikimedia, scrapbookgraphics, Dover and deviantartscraps (Holliewood).

In Faeriewood

2010-10-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Three Muses Challenge "Things With Wings". I have been putting alot of wings on things lately and why not a little more- especially deep in the faerie wood. Old images from wikimedia and vintage-blog, background and vintage frames from scrapbookgraphics. Wings from deviantartscraps (Poet Keepsakes) and digital-whisper image. All blended and painted in photoshop.

The Bridesmaids

2010-10-14T13:43:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Collage Obsession challenge . We were given this wonderful photo of all the young ladies in their corsets and I thought of a group of bridesmaids getting ready for the big day. I didn't want to alter the photo as it is so charming of the group so I used digital artistic filters to paint with and added a background of roses from my own photos, chandeliers (deivantart) and clip art of a vintage marriage license.

I am entering this piece into the Theme Thursday challenge as well for the color Pink and Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Flights of Fancy

2010-10-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

One of the challenges at Digital Whisper is to create a piece that is in the style of a wonderful artist (Maggie Taylor). This is my entry entitled "Baa Baa Black Sheep". A bit nursery rhyme a bit midwest fancy. Most of Taylor's work is vintage mixed with fanciful and somewhat surreal art elements. Credits for this piece go to deviantartscraps, wikimedia and Dover with Photoshop brushes and soft light effects

Vintage Beauty

2010-10-12T07:18:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Three Muses Challenge where "Vintage" is the theme. Credits go to Scrapbookgraphics , e-vint.com. , deviantart and Christine Renee (glass negative). All images layered and opacity reduced in Photoshop. Soft and gradient light filters.

Liquidamber

2010-10-09T17:28:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Digital Whisper blog challenge where we were given a beautiful leaf image to use. I tried a number of different collages but this piece came together best in the spirit of the wonderful Autumn weather we are having here in California. Other credits go to scrapbookgraphics, vintage blog and torn bits of Asian inspired fabric scanned.

The Haunting

2010-10-08T15:34:00.001-07:00

In late July we took a road trip to Portland Oregon and on our way back we stopped in Eureka, California where one of the most beautiful old "Queen Anne" style Victorian houses still stands ( Carson Mansion) . Whenever I take photos of old houses I always get an eerie feeling that spirits might appear at the windows-reaching out from the past with their stories to tell, longing to move on. I used my photo of the mansion in this piece along with imagery from e-vint.com. and digital elements from deviantartscraps to create a haunting collage . The broken glass negative is from Christine Renee.

Dark Dreaming

2010-10-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

I have had some fun creating these dark pieces from a new digital kit from Deviantartscraps (Welcome to my Nightmare). The top piece is called "DragonSlayer" and the lower piece is called "Dark Dreaming". I have also used some imagery from Dover and added gradient light and shadow filters in Photoshop. The Dragonslayer piece I am entering into the Theme Thursday challenge "Red and Black".

Sacred Song

2010-10-05T07:43:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for The Three Muses challenge where "Music" is the theme this week. I have always interpreted music through dance whether it was Ballet, Belly, Jazz or ethnic movement. I never had the patience to learn an instrument but spent many years in dance interpreting the flow and rhythms of music through body expression. Ruth St. Dennis (pictured above) was a pioneer in the interpretive, ethnic dance movement which to this day I love, and brought a new awareness combining dance from around the world with classic lines to create visually stunning art . Background and overlays from scrapbookgraphics, main image and tambourine from wikimedia. Layers mixed with multiply and gradient filters added.

Swan Song

2010-10-01T08:01:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Collage Obsession challenge "Pink". I layered a beautiful photo of Anna Pavlova (Wikimedia) over a background from deviantartscraps and added Fresco and screen filters for the look of an impressionist painting. I added scraps from sheet music and soft light filters.

Dark Sister

2010-09-29T15:50:00.001-07:00

It was very synchronous that I was working on this piece when Theme Thursday put out a challenge for "Dark or Gothic" this week so this will be my entry. Image is from e-vint, background and birds from deviantartscraps, roses from personal photos and script from Magic Moonlight. The lightening is from Wikimedia . Inverted and multiply filters added along with art brushes in Phtoshop.

Queen Bee

2010-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Three Muses challenge this week where the theme is 'Victorian'. Who better to represent this period than Queen Victoria herself with a little enchantment added to her regal pose. Image from Wikimedia, background and film clipping from deviantartscraps and Scrapbookgraphics (Ztampf), bees from Dover. Opacity reduced with soft light and multiply filters added in Photoshop.

I'm excited because with this post I finally figured out how to increase the size of my photos in my posts. For me I went to edit posts and simply clicked on the photo and some little sizers popped up and you just increase the length or width as you want. There is also a new post editor that is available and I will probably switch to that soon as well to figure out how to get rid of the border . (It has a new feature on increasing size). Anyway I'm sure most people knew this already (I'm a computer dummy) but for those who don't just give it a try. It's cool.

The Gallery

2010-09-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Mixed Media Monday challenge where the open theme this week is simply "Art". I made this digital gallery from images from the "stark" kit from Deviantscraps and used my own artwork to place in the gallery (with exception of the torso scuplture). The 'painting' on the background wall is a digital collage I made a while back and the stained glass window is a window I have hanging in my home that I made about 10 years ago. The Frida sketch on the easel is also a digital collage from my blog and the dream catcher I made a long time ago. Totally fun to make and learned alot about using the perspective/skew tool in Photoshop.

Fowl Play

2010-09-25T06:09:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge where the theme is "Autumn Glory". I used seasonal artist papers for the background , torn decorative napkins (scanned in) , clip-art postage stamps and pheasants from Dover "wings" book. All blended, layered and color filtered in Photoshop.

Fractal

2010-09-24T10:30:00.001-07:00

This is a rather dark piece for me. I was experimenting oddly enough with a new digital kit I got this morning where the images are all white (Stark from Holliewood at Deviantscraps) and I ended up creating a collage in a totally darker mode. It definately has weight, a feeling of isolation and decay but a spirit of hope nonetheless through the beauty of the angel and signs of life represented by the tree.

Watercolors

2010-09-23T06:19:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Digital-Whisper challenge. We were given the image of the waterlilies and I blended a photo from Vintage blog and in fact another image (peacocks) from an earlier Digital Whisper challenge to come together in a colorful collage. I altered the colors using soft, pin light and multiple filters in Photoshop.

Equinox

2010-09-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Today marks the turning of the wheel again as we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere. I love this season and fully embrace its colors, its giving away of summer and transitioning into the winter and darker more introspective times. I am far more creative with art, cooking, and decorating at this season as it all seems to come together- the harvesting and settling in - it feels natural. We don't have the full on blaze of colors yet here in California so this piece highlights the late summer into fall blush shades. This is a hybrid journal page mixed with digital elements to represent the dance and amusements of the new cycle. Time to go for a walk in the woods and fire up the crock pot!

Portrait

2010-09-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

This is my digital portrait for the Collage Obsession challenge this week. Main image provided by the challenge group, flowers from personal photos, (Metal Momma ) elements from Deviantscraps and easel from wikimedia. All images overlayed and blended with soft artistic filters in Photoshop.

Shades of Gray

2010-09-18T07:50:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Shades of Gray challenge over at Tumblefish Studios celebration this week. I have enjoyed working in the grayscale modes (color is my usual driving force) but have learned some valuable perspective about shadow, subject, lighting and tone which take a front seat with the absence of color. Images from Dover books, wikimedia, artist papers and Holliewood at Deviantscraps all blended in photoshop grayscale.

The Lightkeeper

2010-09-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Digital Whisper challenge where we were given this image of a light house and again the grayscale base was used here as I saw a very moody, dark kind of expression surrounding this image. We have a number of dramatic lighthouses here on the Pacific West Coast and I have visited many of them. They are usually shrouded in fog and mist and are generally a little cold and ominous even though their purpose is to bring light and direction to ships at sea. I overlayed the given image onto a photo I took of cliffs, sea caves and fog in Mendocino County and added the Fresco, solarize and soft light filters for a painterly and stormy look. The seagull is from wikimedia and the postcard stamp represents perhaps letters to a lonely lightkeeper at his post.

Sea Star

2010-09-16T09:27:00.001-07:00

I have been experimenting in Grayscale a little bit and although this is not devoid of color I like the subtle effects. Your eyes are drawn to shadow and contrast a lot more when working without a lot of color. I find that you have to ponder on the subject imagery more and fill in the blanks with imagination. Collage Noir!

Rio Grande

2010-09-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Collage Obsession challenge where we were given this wonderful old cowboy image to play with. The background and old text is from scrapbookgraphics, coyote and wagon wheel from wikimedia and artistic filters added for a worn and rustic look.

The Witching Hour

2010-09-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

I spent a little time cleaning my art room this weekend and was inspired to get into a little hand crafting with what was laying around. I made this newsprint paper doll ( after seeing a photo of an inspirational piece in Somerset Workshop) which was buried under stacks of paper! I cut out the doll's body and face ( from Dover books) crumpled newspaper for her dress, added black roses and straw marigolds and cut out boots, hat and star embellishments from Halloween inspired artist paper. The little broom was an ornament of mine and placed her on some fun artist paper . This is my entry for the Three Muses this week where the theme is " The Printed Word".

Steam Maiden

2010-09-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is my steam punk maiden and her bird. Little "bits and pieces" of steampunk images and 4 layers of background come together for this piece. The little bird is an image from Dover whose headgear is from srcapbookgraphics and his wings are made from scanned butterfly hinges that I own- not easy to scan hardware! Other layers from deviantart, artist papers blended in Photoshop. This is my entry for the 4x4friday challenge.

Florentine

2010-09-08T16:07:00.001-07:00

I couldn't resist doing another Autumn piece (alas the end of my Tuscan Summer series) for the Theme Thursday challenge this week. Image from Dover , vintage botanica, photo from wikimedia, doorway from deviantart. It certainly feels like Autumn here at home today so this is my art offering to celebrate the coming seasonal change. Now off to rake some leaves!

Street Of Dreams

2010-09-05T06:36:00.001-07:00

This is my entry for the Digital -Whisper challenge where we were given the image of the alleyway in Barcelona. I split the image to give added depth to the street scene and added a theatre character from deviantscraps (Holliewood) to give a feeling of behind the scenes in the alley. I added script, architectural details and soft light filters to create a bit of a dreamscape.

Pomona's Garden

2010-09-04T06:46:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for the Sunday Postcard Art challenge "Fruit".The apple and the pomegranate along with their blossoms are represented here. Both fruits are symbolic of fertility and abundance and the image represents Pomona the Goddess of Fruit. Vintage botanical prints, image from Deviantscraps, postage clip-art and gradient and soft light filters use in Photoshop Elements 7.

Gold Leaf

2010-09-01T21:42:00.001-07:00

At Theme Thursday the challenge was to create art within a square. I had alot of fun making this digital collage using some new images from Deviantscraps.com (Holliewood and SherriJD). Necklace from wikimedia , bees from Dover books and the little gold leaves around her head are a Photoshop brush.

True Nature

2010-08-31T07:35:00.001-07:00

The Three Muses challenged us to look at "Nature" this week and in this piece I decided to reflect upon the feminine essence of nature (Mother Nature) or the feminine face of God. I'm not an overly 'religious' person but like to think of myself as a 'spiritual' person- one who likes to embrace the deeper meanings of life, perhaps the magical /more natural essence of life and its cycles . Certainly true nature is balanced by the masculine more aggressive/ active part of the equation but it is the nuturing side that speaks to me right now. Imagery credits go to scrapbookgraphics, wikimedia, Dover books.