Autumn & Thanksgiving

Although I really enjoy Autumn, I have a difficult time creating Thanksgiving images. This is when I really depend on free-use images from Dover Publications. In the first selection of work, I used a variety of Dover Publication images then enhanced them using Photoshop CS.

The second set of work displays images from other sources at the top and my own creation of fall leaves at center and bottom. All images are enhanced using Photoshop CS.

Please note that I do not take credit for any images borrowed to create some of my digital art. I only take credit for the enhancements and composition.

A Halloween Jump-Start

"BOO"

I had fun creating my very own font! Not as a "saved" font, mind you, but a hand-drawn font! I only wish I were that talented to make my own fonts! The other three images used in creating "BOO" were from Dover Publications. My thanks go to them for all the free-use images we're all allowed to use. If you're interested in free-use images I would recommend you check out their web site at: www.doverpublications.com
"R I P"
This pumpkin seems just a tad bit worried but I'll let you figure out why on your own.
I have to say that I really enjoyed trying to make a Halloween cat. Perhaps in time I will learn how to paint fur. As an after-thought, I was thinking I should have had the cat looking up toward the bat. At least that is something a cat might be a little interested in, right?

"Trick or Treat"
This creation is one of my favorites. I started drawing costumed kids about three years ago and now this is becoming a collection. I have a few more drawn for next year already. ; )

"EEEK"

This one is for my son. He loves anything crazy and monstrous. One time, we did a shared drawing. I would sketch for a few minutes then pass the sketch book over to him and so forth and so forth. I started by sketching my art box. He then turned that into a monster. Since I wasn't very good at monster drawings, I added just a few more paint objects and let him do the finish work. After all...he is amazing when it comes to monsters. When I finished drawing this one and he liked it I decided I would just have to dedicate "EEEK" to him.

You can view his comic art at: www.kat-nap.com

"RIP", "Trick or Treat", and "EEEK" are my own creations - first sketched then scanned to Photoshop CS for color, filters, effects, enhancements, and fonts.

Sunflower Prints

Sunflower Originals by Joan Marie in Mixed Media and Digital

So here they are! I actually finished 12 although I only needed 9 for the swap. Only original ATC's would be accepted for the swap. I had so much fun working on these that I created three with some added images from Dover Publications.

Those would be the two with the lizard(s) and the Land of Enchantment. The background in Land of Enchantment is from an original watercolor painting I did several years ago and the image with one lizard has my hand-drawn mandala sunflower.

The remaining 9 were hand drawn then painted in watercolor and/or acrylic or digitally colorized in photoshop cs.

As I mentioned in the previous post, these might be the last images I will be able to post for a while. Please know that even if I appear to be absent, I will still be checking in to see how the rest of you are doing and will be viewing all the lovely images from your blogs. : )

I'm slowing down for now

On Wednesday morning I got one of those calls that we all dread. While my father was in an oxygen chamber at a wound clinic, the technician on duty noticed something wrong and immediately removed him from the chamber. My father was having a stroke and thankfully because of response time and immediate action, they got him to the hospital in time to save his life. Four hours later, a new drug was delivered through his IV which again saved his life and stopped the paralysis from being permanent on his left side. Twenty minutes later, he was able to move his hand. From what I was told, it appeared there was a miracle taking place. Forty minutes later, he was being transported to a hospital with a stroke ward. By the next morning he was talking and I could understand every word even with the missing dentures. By that evening, the decision was made to move him from the ICU into a "regular" room. Each day he has shown more improvement then one would think possible. Today, he is able to eat, sit in a chair, play with his new therapy toys, and seems cooperative and happy. Although he is certainly not out of the woods yet, we are all feeling very hopeful and thankful. You know the cliche we are following...Just take one day at a time.
I can't thank everyone enough who send their thoughts and prayers to him and my family! I truly believe in the power of that.
So, as you can imagine, because of what is currently taking place in our lives, this blog will be slowing down for now.
I had just finished my Sunflower ATC's for a swap - unfortunately they won't be able to make it in time - but I will post those in the next blog entry for your viewing.
In the meantime...I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and the week ahead will be fantastic.
Hugs, hugs, hugs to everyone!

Theme Thursday Challenge - Purple

Although this is not one of my newest creations, I still love how it turned out and it's Purple! I haven't worked with purple recently so I will try to create another image for this challenge - if I can find the time.
Please check out other purple creations at: http://themethursday.wordpress.com/

We Love Digital Art Challenge - Friendship

I'm a simple person who likes clean lines with a refined look so I prefer the above version - however it is good to go out of one's comfort zone from time to time so I added a printed background for those who like a slightly busier look. Either way, I had a delightful time creating these for the We Love Digital Art Group - Homepage Challenge.

The center image was provided by Dover Publications. The background is from a scrap of fabric. All the enhancements were completed in Photoshop CS.

In Loving Memory

Doodles entered this world with a club foot, bent tip of the tail, bent ear, and no meow and we instantly fell in love with him. Add his masked-look face to the adorability factor and you have one very special cat. His hind feet were the size of rabbit feet which made him clumsy at first though he grew into those quickly. He was always the "protector" from the time he opened his eyes and we could all sense that he had an old soul. Doodles had three brothers and two sisters - Halsten, Kibbles, Minky, Cali, and Minnie. Here they are with their Mother, Cerra - you'll find Doodles in the middle of the pack.

From left to right: Minnie, Minky, Doodles, Halsten, Kibbles, and Cami

That was all of 17 years ago. How time flies. Over the years, Doodles was loved by all who came in contact with him. He was just that kind of cat. We were so blessed to have him in our life - a part of our family.

There was a time several years ago where we thought we had lost him forever. He rarely stayed out all night so when he didn't show up for a few nights, we started to assume the worst. Ten days later, I received a call from my neighbor who wanted to know if we were missing a cat. When I replied "YES!" she informed me that she thought she knew where he was. Apparently, on one of his neighborly visits, he decided to enter their trailer. The neighbors had no idea he was in their trailer when they shut the door, moved it to the race track camping area, and left. Little to say, after 10 days with little water and food, he was very happy to be rescued and he never strolled into their trailer again.
You know, they say a cat has nine lives. I wonder... if they don't use up nine lives in their current life... do they get to come back and have extra do-overs.? If they get to come back, I sure hope he finds his way back to us. We would cherish another 17 years with him!

Sigh... a person can dream!

On August 4th, Doodles was laid to rest at 3:45PM. He will be missed by all ... Especially missed by us.

Artarazzi Challenge #34 - Flickr Collage Images (by Takeabreak)

"Autumn's Pride"

Wow! What a great bird image to work with. I love birds and could watch them for hours. Yes, I even love seagulls and bluejays! (Not sure if I like the crows and vultures although they are great for use in Halloween cards!) Our summer heat wave was really getting to me this past week so I really enjoyed working with Autumn colors today! Thanks Bev for giving us such a great image to work with in this week's challenge! Your creation is fabulous for sure! : )

You can view others images at: http://www.artarazzi.blogspot.com/

Artarazzi Challenge #33 - Background

"Butterfly Geisha's"

What a lovely background for the 33rd Challenge! It worked out so well for an Asian theme, don't you think? I really had fun creating this one. You can view more challenge images at:

http://www.artarazzi.blogspot.com

So Artful Challenge - Owl

"This Old Barn Owl"
"This Old Barn Owl" Elements Page
I fought the heat off today with the help of a fan so I could create this old barn owl image.
Sorry I've been so absent to challenges, June, but this heat wave isn't compatible with my computer...nor with me! I hope this makes up for it slightly.
You can see more owl creations at: http://www.artfreebies.blogspot.com/

Artarazzi Challenge #32 - Sake

"Asian Delight"

My entry for the Artarazzi Challenge #32

I didn't think I would have the time to create an entry but it honestly just fell into place today.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it. It was very relaxing...which is just what I needed! My "Thanks" goes to Susan for the quite unique background (stacked Sake packages) and Dover Publications for a secondary village background and floral screen border. You can see more challenge creations at http://artarazzi.blogspot.com/

Hope you all have a marvelous weekend!

Challenge Image for We_Love_Digital_Art

"In the Sea Bubble"

The last two days have been pretty hot so I won't be working on my blog or images until it cools down again. I wanted to at least get this current image uploaded before I gave up from the heat. I thought a water image might help to cool me down but alas - it didn't.
I hope you all are having a fantastic weekend! Hugs to everyone!

Dragonfly Gypsy

Two images combine into one for the last two So Artful Saturday challenges. You can see what others created with the last two challenges at: http://artfreebies.blogspot.com/

Once you go to the link, just click on the image in the top right corner.

This one is for you, Heather! Never stop dreaming big!

July Mind Wide Open Challenge - Contentment

Here is my entry for the Mind Wide Open challenge for July. I really needed the art therapy and this was an intuitive piece. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it. What a restful afternoon it was! You can see more entries at: http://www.mind-wideopen.blogspot.com/
And here is my element page of what I used to create this entry. : )
Happy 4th of July!

Current So Artful Challenge - Background

Here is the latest and most current challenge image for the So Artful Challenge. I'm also showing you the elements page so you can actually see just a few of the layers I used in creating this new image. And of course, if you would like to take a look at more challenge images, you just go to:

http://artfreebies.blogspot.com/
Hope you all have a terrific weekend! : )

So Artful Challenge - Zodiac

I know I'm really late entering this one but I finally finished it! And again...I think it is better late then never! Hope you enjoy the two entries as much as I enjoyed creating them! You can see more entries at: http://artfreebies.blogspot.com/

So Artful Challenge

I suppose it's better late then never! Here's my entry into the So Artful Challenge - A rendition of an Aries postage stamp. I really wish I had more time to devote to challenges but lately I'm lucky to get this far with one. You can see more astrology/horoscope images at:

http://artfreebies.blogspot.com/

Thanks for looking!

How to get through hot days...

Uffda! It is so rare to have a heat wave this early but that is what happened here this past week. It was so hot that I couldn't even work at my computer! The computer even hated the heat and tried to continuely cool itself off with the fan running constantly. "She" only cooperated fully when I had my fan on her as well! Ha! I say "She" because of over-heating! It appeared she was having hot flashes! LOL
So what do you do to survive a heat wave? Of course at the top of the list...Drink lots of fluids. Keep curtains closed where it's sunny and open curtains/windows in the shaded areas. Turn the fans on high. Do as little as possible. Get plenty of rest. (Yeah, like that's going to happen!) Ok, so that is pretty standard information. But what about cooking? Of course there is the barbecue outside...but then you have to be out in the heat. My trick is to cook in the late evening/early morning. Great idea if your brain is still functioning! Not a good idea if you're starting at 4 AM! I have to say first...that I've never done anything as stupid as this EVER before in my life. I decided to boil enough eggs for either egg salad or potato salad. I put five eggs in a non stick pot (which I never use for boiling eggs) of water and turned on the stove burner. I do remember checking them about half way through the cooking process. ; )
Ok, so you probably have an idea already that something is going to happen that shouldn't have. Yep, I went to bed totally forgetting about the eggs. Little to say, I had quite an egg mess to clean up later. I'm surprised the "shot" didn't wake me. When eggs explode, they apparently sound like a gun shot going off! When eggs explode they go fifty directions! I'm still cleaning exploded egg mess in my kitchen! Now that is a big uffda! The good news is that I can finally laugh at what happened. After all, I didn't find it humorous one bit when I first found out what I had done!
So alrighty now! I'm not going to give up this easy, right? I decided last night to start earlier even if it was still hot in the house. No! I didn't have a problem this time around! : ) This time I boiled pasta and as you all probably know...that doesn't take as long to cook. I actually finished a Greek pasta salad in record time. I only "cheat" by using a Greek Feta dressing. Anyway, I was just thinking that I haven't shared a recipe in such a long time, now would be a good time to share some summer recipes...but first, here's what you can prep in advance when the house is cooler.
Boiled eggs, potatoes, pasta - can be refrigerated for a few days
Baked ham - can be frozen for later
Browned taco meat, ground lamb, ground turkey, etc. - can be frozen for later
*It's always a good idea to stalk up on condiments, onions, dressings, pasta, potatoes, cabbage, etc. before a heat wave.
So, on with the recipes...

Pasta Greek Salad

1 pkg. pasta - cooked (I prefer spirals, shells, or wheels)
1 med onion - finely chopped
1/4 C. green olives - pitted and chopped in large pieces
1/4 C. kalamata olives - pitted and chopped in large pieces
16 oz. or more of feta cheese
1/2 C. sliced quartered English cucumber
6-12 marinated artichoke hearts - chopped
Approximately 1/2 bottle of Seeds of Change Greek Feta Dressing
1/4-1/2 C. mayonaise
Cracked pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients thoroughly and chill for about 2-3 hours.

If you would like to make your own Greek dressing (Tzatziki Sauce) that is as follows:

1 cucumber - finely chopped
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup sour cream
2-6 cloves of minced garlic
1/2 - 1 tsp. dill weed
1 small onion - grated (optional)
cracked black pepper (optional)

This recipe above is the one I created after having my first Gyro. The traditional Tzatziki sauce is the following recipe.

1 cucumber
1 cup yogurt
1 cup sour cream
2 spoons garlic powder
1 spoons oregano
1 spoons mint
1 pinch dill (optional)
2 T olive oil

For the summer months I would buy ground lamb for the gyros. You can purchase flat bread - pita bread in most stores now or I suppose you could make your own. For gyros, just layer browned lamb, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese, and tzatzika sauce on flat bread and fold in half. Serve with Greek pasta salad on the side.

If you would prefer a standard Greek salad you would just chop up a tomatoe, slice an English cucumber, crumble feta cheese, and chop/slice an onion. Top with tzatzika sauce or Greek feta vinaigrette.

So, there you have it. These are great during the hot weather. Don't forget the lemonade and ice tea! : )

Art Creations Friday Challenge - background

I thought it would be fun to work with this background in transparency. Actually, it was quite by accident that it happened but once it began, I couldn't leave it alone until it was finished.

You can see more images using the background at:

http://artcreationsfriday.blogspot.com/

So Artful Challenge - Fish

I know I've shown this watercolor image before but this was my first try at creating a photoshop cut-out matt and since I haven't finished my new fishie images -I thought this was better than nothing for the So Artful challenge on fish. I will try to finish at least one new one before the challenge is over June! No promises but try I will. Now then, I'm not quite sure how to get this to you, June, but again...try I will! : ) Oh, and I'm not quite sure how to link others to your site now that it's different. I guess I need some help!
Teaser...Hee hee hee...Would you like a little preview of the image(s) I'm working on? Perhaps I'll upload that to the next blog entry? ; ) Are we having fun yet? Everyone repeat after me...You bet!!! Ha!

Gothic Arches challenge - Garden Sprite

"Thinking of You"
"Thinking of You" in silouette

Garden Sprite Elements

You can view more Garden Sprites at:

http://gothicarches.ning.com/

Thanks for the fun challenge! I really enjoyed creating this one!

Elements/Images from the Artarazzi challenge

I really like the idea of journaling image elements...so much so that I am doing that now as well.
As you can see, this is the elements page for the most current Artarazzi Challenge.

Artarazzi Challenge from Daisy - #24

The Artarazzi Challenge Image above screamed out in need of repair to me so I created a series of images with the center focus being "In Need of Repair".

This image is of an oil rig and the damage it received during a hurricane. It is indeed in need of repair! The force of mother nature can be quite unforgiving!

Here, a crew of engineers were surveying the damage to an old ship. Once again, indeed in need of repair. I wonder what it will take to make her sea-worthy again?

Too heavy a lumber load, this ship will soon need repair also - as long as it doesn't sink first!

The photograph was provided by: www.dieselduck.ca and I located it on a public domain website.

Thanks goes to Daisy for this difficult and challenging background.

To see more images from this challenge, please check out:

http://artarazzi.blogspot.com/

Curves and Swirls for We Love Digital Art

I designed this image for a challenge in the we_love_digital_art group. It was great getting back to my spirit-driven art therapy! There is vibration in this image that brings me peace and seems to center me. I hope you enjoy this image and that it brings you peace and contentment.

Namaste

Here's the News - Moo's are Here!

"Sealed with a Kiss"

"Smooching"

"Lip Locking Good"

You can view more "Kissing" Moo's at:

http://makeamooortwo.wordpress.com/

Art Creations Friday - Background Image 2

Alright...now you can decide for yourself which one you like better.

I absolutely love, love, love this background we were so generously given to use!

This background has so much depth and character which makes it so wonderful to work with!

I could keep creating for months.

Those of you who know me well know that I love textures for the same reason I love cloud watching. You can always find something in them.

I discovered many new and fun creatures in this background that I hope to play with a bit later. ; ) Did any of you see them too?

Well, I hope everyone has a simply wonderful and imaginative weekend!

Thanks for looking! : )

Art Creations Friday - Background Theme

"Become One"

I know you must be thinking..."Where's that background"? Well, it's there but has multiple... and I truely mean multiple layers under, over, and in it! Uffda! You see, I had this great idea when I first looked at the background only sometimes great ideas are difficult to achieve. But wait...I may have another idea to show off the background a bit more. Ok, so it's back to photoshop but that's ok since I haven't had enough time lately to play anyway. : )

In the meantime, please enjoy the other images entered at:

http://artcreationsfriday.blogspot.com/

Hopefully I'll be back before the deadline but if not - this is the image I have to contribute. ; )

Sunday Postcard Art Challenge - Black and White

Several images from Dover Publications were used for this black and white composition along with an Asian font called Bonzai and the kanji font called JayCons.

"Ants in Space"
These cute little ants were provided by Dover Publications free samples at:
www.doverpublications.com
I created the background using Art Rage then I exported that to Photoshop CS where I created all the other enhancements - the custom shape tool, modify/border/pattern, and the garamond font. The final image became an "out there" styled cartoon postcard.
I love the black and white theme! It's great for tonal value practice.
Thanks for viewing and I hope you all have a great week!
You can view more black and white images at:
http://sundaypostcardart.wordpress.com/

A Day Out With My Friend

Early spring and the daffodils are in full bloom!

They make such a lovely landscape!

You can see them for miles!

My friend took this wonderful old barn picture from the car while I was driving!

And we ended the Day at the Bay!

You have to love color to live in the Northwest! Every shade of green you can think of is present along with the beautiful blues of the sky and the bay. Of course there's a little dirt and driftwood for you earth-tone folks! Daffodils are abundant at the beginning of spring followed by the quilting effect of multi-colored tulips from thousands of acres that top off the tulip festival. Today was the last day of the festival and unfortunately I didn't have time to snap pictures of the zillions of tulips. I thought you might just enjoy sharing a day out with my friend and I.

Sunday Postcard Art - Butterflies

"Butterfly Legend"
"Butterfly Harmony"

You can view more "butterfly" images at:
http://sundaypostcardart.wordpress.com/