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!



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.





Finding Fine Art in Spring

This year on Etsy, I was accepted into a new team... Finding Fine Art. It's a terrific group of fine artists who sell original work and who work together in a variety of ways to support each other.

Here is what this team is all about: The Finding Fine Art team was created to provide a unique shopping experience for fine art collectors seeking original art on Etsy. Members of the team are visual artists with outstanding, gallery quality original artwork, a high level of professionalism and presentation, and a positive standing in the Etsy community. Buyers are encouraged to look through our members list to discover new artists or search the tag “findingfineart” on Etsy for a dazzling, virtual gallery experience.

I spent some time looking through the amazing art this team has created and decided to feature some work here... with a theme of spring, of course, in honor of the first day of spring. I considered subject, color, and title, and came up with this mix of abstract and realism, watercolors, oils, and acrylics. Follow the link to see the work up close in the artist's Etsy shop.

Wild Garden by JessicaTorrant
Renovation by heronkate

Ladies in Spring Rain by karensfineart

Spring Fantasy by watermediaworks

Happily Ever After by aliherrmann

Spring Scene by PrankePaintings

Signs of Spring by MDaisleyMoffitt

Little Chick by WaterInMyPaint
Stay tuned for more fine art... and until then, enjoy the new life growing all around us, and kiss the ones you love.

A Day of Remembrance, Treasuries of Resolutions

Over the past couple of weeks, I have created treasuries on Etsy to illustrate the New Year's "resolutions" that I included in a blog post at the beginning of this year. And it seems appropriate, here on Martin Luther King, Jr Day, to post them all here.

Let Us Fill the World with Color and Cheer...

features sourlemontree, rawletterartpress, bbusbyarts, opendoorstudio, thegardenshed, ArtMind, jennreese7, studio1980, GlazedOver, LoveArtStudios, ginnyhuber, RoughMagicCreations, WoodenNickelsJewelry, caelum, Sigmosaics, and AdroitJeweler

Let Us Dream Big Dreams...

features Raceytay, FairestLJ, arianemariane, MichelleVerbeeck, SunMune, LittleGreenRoom, vadjutka, GlazedOver, urbanwalls, staroftheeast, shawnaerback, visionquest, LaTouchables, brizel4TheAnimals, silkstory, and littleputbooks

Let Us Sing Joyfully...

features ThePaperTray, gildinglilies, KathrynRiechert, haberheartworktoo, maiaart, bridgemanstudios, thepapermooonstudio, elizalenore, twirliewhirlies, nickandnessieshome, NatureIsArt, tilesmile, magymai711, melbean, ekdGoodies, and studiostebbylee

Let Us Walk Gently on the Earth...

features Uzura, ShySiren, theaterclouds, seasondelights, stonestudios, zJayne, lancasterart, RubyChicOriginals, RobinMariaPedrero, magdalinen, SpaGoddess, maternalNEST, dpholkdesigns, seaoats, FleurDetaillee, and LoveForEarth

Let Us Be Graceful and Grace-filled in our Journeys...

features littlebugjewelry, LGraceOriginals, malam, staroftheeast, veroque, justmare, aliherrmann, Raceytay, 5gardenias, SewnNatural, philosophyofnature, JCSpock, waterrose, karineleger2, jacinta11, and BungalowBathBody

Let Us Imagine Peace, Freedom, and Laughter...

features purushapeople, thecoloursoflife, TrashandTrinkets, MarianneLoMonaco, syringaspring, loveartworks, naokosstoop, DesignedToCharm, ImageNationphoto, itswrittenonthewall, suzannaanna, KilnGoddess, aerochow, mFryerDesigns, SentimentRedesigned, and localcolorist

Let Us Treasure Our Friendships...

features bluethreadsmelody, polarity, marieflyfly, maclancy, steinschmuckdesign, andreatdesigns, allartsy, f2images, SewnNatural, zirkulas, VickiWadeFineArt, OliveandRuby, artish, AugustMoonArt, justmare, and Aimeshad

Let Us Make Time for Reflection...

features moonseats, crumblescookies, bysweetmom, Xenotees, thewheatfield, rubymountaindyeworks, JewelryByTomomi, janeheller, fromArtisanHands, DeBaunFineCeramics, prettypennydesigns, KozelArtReview, donnageissler, creatocrat, margotbianca, and CloverHollow

And Above All, Let Us Love...

features PunkinSeedProductions, latenightdrawings, hideminy, Xenotees, hildes, ekdgoodies, persimmonsgal, mbartstudios, MursBlanc, SmilingGirlStudio, riricreations, TheLovelyLetter, DeadSerious2010, barnowlprimitives, Heartistics, and EmpireCityStudios

Thanks for visiting, and I hope you enjoyed these Etsians' creative works. Until next time, give a hug, share a smile, and love the ones who walk into your path.