Images added to Flickr

It's now officially open to the public! I hope you'll check it out. I still have images to upload but this was all I could handle for one evening. As always, feedback is welcome. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/evergreenjo/sets/

Warp speed to the Wild Side

Wow! Did I let myself go for a wild ride or what? Ha! This image was totally right brained. I just allowed the image and background to guide me. If I had really thought it out, it would have looked like the flying heart that I originally started out with. You can still make out the flying heart but now I see a wild cat. Once I saw that, I couldn't go back and see it the other way. I see a wild cat of very old wisdom...as they say "Beyond it's time". Almost in an etheral way (something outside the physical realm). This image is definitely not something I would think of creating. I mean, really, I have a great imagination but not of this nature. This was the type of experience that you just hear yourself say "Wow!" repeatly or "Cool!" during the process. So much fun! That is what makes Photoshop CS so fantastic. You just never know what the final results will be sometimes. Hope you enjoy this image as much as I have creating it.

Although I can't find the artist that created the original heart with wings tattoo, I can tell you it was an i-stock photo. I found it while searching for copyright free Valentine hearts. There wasn't a copyright on it and it said this may be subject to copyright. If the copyright isn't on the image, I don't know where you would find it or the original artist. In my searches, I have found that most artist's that don't want you to use their work will use a watermark, a block from downloading, or writing across the image. Does anyone want to add a comment on copyright prodical? I would love to learn more about the issues of copyright. And please make it fact-based. Thanks! Please remember that most of the artist that use images found on the web are usually modifying them significantly or enhancing them. Most do NOT want to insult the original artist in any way or infringe upon copyright laws.

I was having a discussion this afternoon about companies who have been known to sue over copyright infringements. It became clear that in days gone by, if someone were to wear a t-shirt (for example... let's say a cola logo product), it meant that the company gave you that. They realized what great advertisement that was. Today, those same companies want us to pay to advertise for them. I guess it wasn't enough to just advertise for them for free. Just think about that for one second. Yes, let it sink in. We actually bought into the idea that wearing product placement on our clothing was cool. Talk about your name brand shopping! :)

Now do any of you have comments to share? ;)

Zetti Valentine in digital art form

For all you Zettiology fans, here's one for you. I was really hoping to find time to create Valentine Zetti's for a swap but couldn't find that time until now and even this one is a recycled one from Christmas. Made from stamps you can find at: http://www.teeshamoore.com/zettiology What a great site! I would highly recommend you checking it out! Of course, the rest of the creation is thanks to Photoshop CS.

Hmmm...digital art! I'm wondering why it is difficult for some to recognize that as a true art form. Is photography not a true art form? Well, of course it is so why not computerized art. This, like any other art form takes the will to learn...one baby step at a time and I might add, several years to acquire a half-way decent understanding of the procedures and tools. I really think the artists that "dis" this are the ones who don't have a clue to what it's all about. Oh, if they could only see what we see. It's like having a complete studio at your fingertips but with less space and mess to clean up. You have to love that! I do! Having said that, I still love to get messy with my paints, glues, and embellishments from time to time. I just don't have the space to commit myself to only that. And besides that...I'd be missing out on all the fun in my computer programs. Ok, so now you all know how hooked I am - yes, an addict I am. Now it's your turn. Leave a comment and voice your opinion on digital art. I would love to know what others think.

My Angel, My Valentine

This Valentine was created in Photoshop CS using multiple layers, the gradient tool, blending tool, and layer styles. This makes the 8th in the series for 2009.

Although I do sketches of my own, this is not one of mine. I borrowed the stamp of "Beauty" for this image. Sorry, I'm not sure who manufactures that stamp but I hope you enjoy her as much as I do. Oh, by the way, in case you're interested in the stamp, the lady silouette didn't have wings. If any of you know who the stamp manufacturer is, could you please leave that information in the comment section? Thanks.

The most difficult in digital art is text - at least for me it is.

Searching for just the right font isn't always easy. I settled for the one you see

although it isn't what I hoped for. I wanted the font that was used for the

"Valentine" text. Maybe I should have stayed with New Times Roman.

As far as the message, I was originally thinking:

Beautiful Flowers $49.99

Box of Chocolates $19.99

You Priceless

Perhaps I will create another Valentine just for that. ;)

My Love, My Valentine

Number 6 Valentine for 2009. Although the image is not mine to claim, the writing is. Just another type of challenge I really enjoy. Please feel free to leave a comment or writing of your own for the image. I would love to see what others come up with.

Love is for the birds

Back to the Valentines now. I believe this is Valentine #5. This is from a sketch which then was scanned and sent to photoshop cs. Started in '08, it is now finished for '09.

Southwest Chicken Corn Soup/Chowder

Winter in the SW - photography by Joan Marie 2004

I learned many things in the SW including how to cook with the flavors of the SW.

It is, to this day, one of my favorite foods to cook.

Today I created a new soup/chowder from the cooking lessons of the SW.

It sure was great on a cold winter's day!

Southwest Chicken Corn Soup/Chowder

1 small sweet onion – finely minced
½ large leek – finely minced
1 med-hot jalapeno – finely minced
poultry seasoning
black pepper
salt
chili pepper flakes
garlic powder
cumin
chili powder
1 ½ lbs. Chicken tenderloin – chopped into bite-size pieces
2-4 T olive oil
2 T butter
3 large potatoes – diced
32 oz chicken broth
2 cups water
1-2 cups frozen corn
2 cans cream corn

Heat 1 T olive oil in Dutch oven – add minced onion, leek, and jalapeno. Cook until tender. Add 2 T. butter and stir.
In separate fry pan, add 1 T olive oil, chicken, salt, pepper, chili flakes, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder and cook until chicken turns white.
Add potatoes and shredded carrots to Dutch oven and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add to that - the chicken, frozen corn, chicken broth, and water and bring to boil. Turn heat down to medium and cover for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are done. Add cream corn and stir.
At this point, you can add more seasonings, salt, or pepper to your taste. This is the soup version. To turn into chowder, add milk, cream, or half and half and heat – don’t boil.

Enjoy!

Now for a little nostalgia, my 4th Valentine of 2009.

This one's for that special someone that I'm missing very much.

Third Valentine for 2009

Does someone own the key to your heart?

Here's your opportunity to share a story, write a story, write a poem, or perhaps a haiku.

You can share it in the comment section for everyone to read. :)

Valentine ATC greeting card

This is Valentine ATC #2. I cannot take the credit for creating the image - it's not mine but I did enhance both cards in photoshop cs. I just thought it was a cute idea to make it into a gift card with a coupon insert. Another idea would be to use the rose card as a placecard. Perhaps you would like to add the ATC card to a floral arrangement or use it in the middle of a cake.

This may just give you a new idea for creating your own image to use as a mini card or coupon. :)

Feel free to let me know what you think.

First Valentine ATC for 2009

For all you purple lovers, this one's for you! I hope this is just one of many more to come.

I guess time will tell on how many Valentine ATC's will make it to the finish line. I sure

would love to complete a few Valentine Zetti ATC's even though they won't be finished in

time for the swap. Feedback is welcome if you'd care to post a comment. :)

Small images

The Valentine images can be viewed larger by clicking on them.
When finished viewing, you can return to the blog page by clicking on the back button.

Please have patience with me as I learn this new format. ;) Thanks!

Valentine ATC's

Once again, I'm behind on new images. I will try to get new Valentine Cards finished before V-day and will post when ready. It's certainly not for lack of ideas - I have plenty of those! It's just finding the time to play in photoshop, paint, or draw. I'm sure most of you can relate to that!

ATC recipe card

In photoshop, I layered the foreground onto the background

and lightened the background using a blending tool.

Then I added the recipe text, flatten the image, and saved to my file.

During the winter months we like to cook lots of soup, chowder, and stews.

I seem to use the same base for most milk based soups and chowders.

Here are a couple you might want to try.

Base:

2-6 T butter

2-6 T flour

1 medium onion - diced very tiny

2-3 stalks of celery - diced very tiny (optional)

2 cloves garlic - minced (optional)

1-2 jalapeno - diced very tiny (optional)

8-10 potatoes - peeled and diced

potatoe stock from boiled potatoes

Boil potatoes in stock pot for approximately 20 minutes.

Drain and reserve potato stock in bowl.

In stock pot, add the butter and onions and saute until onions are clear.

Add enough flour to form a rue (paste)

Add the potato stock slowly, stirring constantly.

When it thickens, add other ingredients.

********

For clam chowder, you need to add the diced celery to the onion saute'

Add 2-3 cans of clams - finely minced

1/2 bottle of clam nectar

1/2 tsp parsley

1/8 tsp dill

1/8 tsp marjoram

1/8 tsp mace

dash of cayenne (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Add enough milk to cover all ingredients and/or thin

This is a great recipe to add sour cream or bacon to as well.

********

For SW Scallop Ham Soup, you need to add the jalapeno and garlic to the onion saute'

Add 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup light cream,

and 2 cups diced cooked ham

Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne

Add enough milk to thin to a soup consistency

These are recipes I created while playing top chef in my kitchen! ;)

I hope you'll give them a try and let me know what you think.

Missing the SW green chili

Hi ya'll! If there is one thing I miss about the SW, it's the chili pepper!

Although we can purchase jalapeno peppers, that's just not the same as Hatch chili. Even frozen Beuno green chili would be great if I could only find that.

Since I am a part of a few ATC groups, I decided to share a few recipes ATC style.

But first I have to thank the photographers who share their work via the internet.

In this case I can't thank them by name since there was no information about them.

(Thank you anonymous photographers)

The next blog entry will show you the steps I used in creating one of the ATC recipe cards.

Simply Amazing

Thanks to friends who have directed me here...I have finally arrived.
Please be patient though...I have much to learn. ;)
I hope to have images and blogs to share with you very soon.