Altering Reality

I've spent some time over the past several weeks working with some photographs, altering them so that they often look nothing like the photograph I actually took.  Here is the first photo I worked with... it's one that I took a couple years ago and saved because I knew I would eventually do something with it.

I did some experimentation in my photo program and a design program, and then simply worked with a variety of changes and layers to create the new altered look.  These changes took hours of sitting in front of the computer, sometimes deleting what I'd done, sometimes starting over, but always working and working to get the right look that I wanted. When I felt pretty good about how things were looking, of course I saved my files and began listing them in my Kneedeeporiginals on Etsy shop.  Here are a couple of the altered photos I made from this original shadow photograph... which is me, by the way, taking a picture of my shadow.

 



Here are some other photos and their alterations.

This coathanger with waterdrops became a Raven and Heart photograph.

And then it became these birds...

This photo was taken at Chateau Morrisette Winery... chinese lanterns under their big outdoor tent.  I turned it into something entirely different.



And this flower petal, in a heart shape, fell to the ground and became yet one more bird image.

You can find all these images and more in my Etsy shop by following this link.  Until next time, make the most of your reality and if you can, find ways to make it better!



Come September

Lucy, our Redhead.

It's late August and the hot summer is waning, and we are patiently awaiting our first eggs from our hens.  Each day we check, but no sightings thus far.  We were told that September would be the magic month, and we're counting on it.  John tells the chickens they need to earn their keep, at this point.  They are spoiled rotten, with special treats in the morning and in the evening. These tidbits include of variety of items... blueberries, pasta, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, cooked beans of the green and black varieties, and other such sundry foods... whatever is "leftover" in the fridge or whatever has been a part of our dinner. Each evening we sit with our girls in the garden while they stretch their legs, running around after bugs and flapping their wings.  It's a good time to relax, enjoy a glass of wine, catch our breath, water the remaining tomatoes, peppers, and okra, and simply just be.

Our four girls on the loose, Lucy, Ethel, Alice and Flo.

Life has been good this summer, and the chickens have been amusing, offering much entertainment for us.  So I decided that this blog post, my first in about a month (!), will celebrate these wonderful critters.  

I found some really cool things on Etsy to share with you.

One of my most favorite pieces of chicken art... Chicken Lover by chickory

 A sweet little vintage chicken basket sold by simplychi

Rooster shirt for kids (though I might want one!) by happyfamily

 

Fun little earrings by lizzglizz

Chicken sisters from recycled sweaters by 4EweDesigns

Rooster by hartart13

A wonderfully cheerful vintage box sold by VintageStarrBeads

 

Welcome sign by cottageartshop

Chicken pendant and necklace by HeatherKent

 Lovely rustic yet chic pillow by Samantha2818

Aged garden art by mountainiron

Chickens in wood by bestlovedchild

 And a funky chicken with tattoos by corelladesign 

 Until next time, keep smiling, keep singing, and run barefoot in the grass, y'all!

summer days, dog days, cooling in the shade days

These late July days have brought some major heat and humidity all across the country.  Some days I find it hard to do anything but stay inside and be still.  The older I get, the less I can take of these high temperatures.  But some good comes of it, and Lord knows I ain't complaining because I love the summer with its sun and light and long days, and I am NO hurry to get through with this season.  So this afternoon, I made this fun little treasury on Etsy as a way to cool my heels while waiting for the evening to descend when I'll go out and let the chickens roam in the garden and sip on a cool glass of white wine.

I've been painting several times a week, and this morning I worked on this painting, Moo Cow, which I've listed in my Etsy shop.  You can find it here.

It's a 9 x 12 watercolor on Kilimanjaro 140 lb cold press, acid free watercolor paper.  It was inspired by a trip we took yesterday to our favorite nearby winery, Chateau Morissette, up near Floyd, Virginia and just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  There were several fields of cows grazing and lolling about in the heat.  Ever since I was a little girl, that has been one of my favorite sights... it makes me feel relaxed and peaceful.  Of course, the wine helped too!  Those little specks in the background of this photos are cows.

Here are a few other souls who were feeling a little relaxed yesterday afternoon.  This cat came to visit our patio table and she took a nap at my feet.  Quite endearing!

 A dear friend of mine who was our designated driver but who had fun anyways!

 His lovely wife.  They recently celebrated an anniversary, as did we, so Cheers!

And my handsome husband who definitely is a laid-back kind of guy.

I'll leave you with a few more sights from yesterday afternoon.  Enjoy, and raise your glass in celebration of summer and love and friends and all things good!



New Watercolors... Finally!

I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact that it's already mid-summer!  What a busy one it's been!  Between the garden and the chickens and music and bands and gigs and a solo art show in a mountain town and generally just enjoying the sunshine and warmth, I have found ways to avoid my paintbrushes.  But sometimes it's good for me to take a break and step away from the studio.  When I come back to it, I'm inspired and ready to get to work.

Here are some of the new watercolors I've been working on.  If there's a link attached, it means, of course, that they've been listed for sale.

Season of the Butterflies, a 9 x 12.

Crow Over Banner Elk, 9 x 12.



Music of the Sun, 9 x 12.

Banner Elk Morning, 6 x 10.

Stormy Sea, 8 x 10.



Dream, 6 x 6.

Wren at Morning, 5 x 7.

Chickens in the Corn, on 6 x 6 paper with white edges.

Says Who? 4  x 6 in frame.

Sunrise Over the Lake, 4 x 6.

There's no doubt about it... the summertime colors have inspired me!  Until next time, keep on the sunny side and live in the sunshine.





Around the House

Visual artistic endeavors have been minimal of late for a few reasons: 1) I've had some shoulder issues and have been trying to let that heal and using my arm for painting and scrimshaw doesn't allow for healing; 2) I've been spending more time on music and have been practicing with three bands, all quite different; 3) it's summertime and that means I've been spending lots of time outdoors in the garden and with the chickens; and finally 4) I have a solo exhibit in Banner Elk that I'll be hanging on June 25 with a reception that evening, so I've been preparing for that.  Preparations have included creating promo materials as well as a slide show presentation, which will include some of my music.

In light of that month-long exhibit and show, I'll be closing my Etsy shop for several weeks... so if you're interested in anything, now's the time to buy... before it all gets carted further up into the mountains of North Carolina.

While my other activities have kept me busy, it's hard not to work visually, so that means I've been taking photographs of things around the house and in the yard. Because I feel that I gain insight into others by how they decorate and what they collect, what kinds of things fill their homes, I decided I'd give you a little view of what you might see if you stepped into my home.  And yes, there's dust.

Kitchen Windowsill... wine cork from Bully Hill Vineyards in New York

Coffee Time

Glass Objects in Dining Area Window

Lizard (a gift from a wonderful friend) and The Boss

Clay Lizard and Leaf in the Kitchen/Dining Area

Ummm.... Kitchen Sink 

Mike Mussina (my daughter's), Bottles Awaiting Hanging in the Bottle Tree, and a Lizard Plate (another gift)

More Windowsill Objects with a Flower Made by My Son

On the Back Porch, where we spend most of our down town in the summer, Potted Flowers

And One of Many Rock Cairns



In the Living Area, Chinese Lanterns

I'll continue to share bits and pieces of my home in the next post.  Until then, enjoy life in the summertime, kiss the ones you love, and share a smile with a stranger.