Photography , Photo Shop and a "Collage of MoonStone Beach "

Hello friends, I have quite a few photographs to prepare for you from our trip over to Moonstone Beach in Cambria, CA. I wanted to share a few I have ready in a collage. I am busy trying to dip my toes in the water of Photo Shop and master some of the adjustments, soon textures and layering that the program can offer anyone who takes photos. Here are some examples of what I have been practicing on.

From The Darkness There Comes A Light

The first one is done with a pin light adjustment on text 

This one is with text faded, Sammie liked it better. It doesn't detract from the image, but its harder to read. Sammie says she can read it just find. Do you have you contacts in? Hmm, you can choose which one you like better. I wonder if there is something in between? lol As you see its a matter of knowing / or in my case playing until you find what works or a combination of both. The quote I wrote to go with an image I took from our beach trip and I learned how to add on a layer of text. I wrote another quote to go with it too, but I'll share it on another day.

Beauty in Living Color

Then I also learned how to crop, re size and again add text with fade.  These are my first two images I altered with Photo Shop while experimenting with what I am learning. So if you find me a little busy the next week or two this is why. I am learning how to make my images better and add some creativity to them at the same time. I love being able to enhance an image. There is a lot to remember as the Photo Shop offers so much, but if I gain the slightest bit more knowledge I will be thankful and who couldn't use a little more eye candy?  I only have a trial Photo Shop that goes with the class, but I hope to get a newer version someday.

Have you tried Photo Shop? What Photo Programs do use use? What are your favorite free programs?

Happy Valentines Day

Hope you are enjoying your Valentines Day! Here is an image of a rock we found in the shape of a heart on the beach yesterday. Honestly is was one of those perfect afternoons. We had been working around the house all weekend. Sammie and I have been wanting to go to the beach for some time and when hearing the rain was coming back for a full week we decided to squeeze it in! Leon could of worked in the yard all day, granted there is a lot still to do but we are so thankful to have had the chance to go out to the coast. It was like an early Valentines to us. A lovely drive, coffee in the beach town of Cambria and then walking on the beach and watching the sun set. When we were there we spotted seals in the water, surfers, helped a crab back to the water, walked while collecting shells and stones. After the sunset we drove home and I made dinner. I can't wait to share some more of the photographs we took. I love the beach!

Moonstone Beach & Sammie enjoying the ocean

Free Journal Prompt "Aura"

An aura is a field of subtle, luminous radiation surrounding a person or object.

I created a journal page after thinking about my youngest daughter and how she is as a person and seeing what her aura radiates. She is not very girl y, always when she was little was in pretty dresses yet played in the garden collecting bugs and digging. Now she wears jeans and tee shirts and is kind of a tom boy. As she grows I she her personality and who she is developing and when I look at her her aura is pink. Her aura is pink due to the fact that she radiates compassion, love and the sweetness of a child growing into a caring person. She is wise beyond her years and shows in many ways. So this journal page isn't about looking like her but the feeling I get when I am looking at her aura.

 Maybe her aura has many meanings. So I set out to learn a little more when I came across this explaining some of the Aura Color meanings. You have to scroll down landing page for the meanings but they are written out very well if you are interested in reading about it drop by here for Aura Color Meanings. If you are interested in learning more there are many readings on it on the web.

Here is an article of how to see Auras the article also explains the color meanings again with a body chart.
Have you ever been interested in auras? Do you notice that many religious images that have been painted have had auras in them?  


Journal Prompt: Aura

Quote: The Aura given out of the person or object is just as much of them as their flesh. Lucian Freud 


Food For Thought:

"Furry" Friend and Studio Cat

This is our family kitty Jade and a portrait I took of her last year.

She likes to help me craft.

How much did you say you need?

OK got it, let me hold it for you while you cut it.

We did a great scrapbook page.

Whew I am ready for a nap now!

Ready for action again says our furry friend Jade. I hope you had fun meeting her.

Furry friend, Family Pet, Studio Cat

This week I have played along with Inspiration Avenue's prompt Furry. So I thought you might like to meet Jade aka my studio cat, but don't tell Sammie that! Really Jade thinks Sammie is her mom and when she gets home from school I have to loan her out. Jade is so attached to her that she cries when she goes to play with her friends. She is a sweet heart. I never thought I would like an indoor cat. I had had farm cats way back when we lived out of town. But she has really grown to make us rethink what a cat and furry creature can mean to someone. Maybe I will take the time to paint her some day or have my brother who does animal portraits do one for me. He is an amazing artist, but that is a post for another day! PS. If you didn't know it I share my crafts on my other blog Msartist Sew Crafty.blogspot
Do you have any pets? How much joy do they bring you? Have you ever done an animal portrait?

Dreams Nurtured Grow "Before & After

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You might remember me sharing the beginnings of this painting in a previous post.

Here is another of the work in progress~

Here is Dreams Nurtured Grow, done. I have to take it outside to get a photograph where the sides aren't cut off there is more detailing on the left side that you can't see in this image.
On the bottom of the painting it says, She planted the seeds of her dreams. For me I love her hair as if the wind is blowing it ~ I think I lost a little of that in the final painting though with the flower added in. I truly enjoyed using all the bright colors on this painting. It is acrylic on canvas. So today it is back to the drawing board and as the affirmation says below I will be dreaming with powerful intention and see where it leads me.
What dreams are you nurturing? Are you starting to see them grow?

Here are a few affirmations I came across via Johnathon Lockwood :
 I Dream with Powerful Intention.
I Visualize my Intention.
I Am Open to Inspiration.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams~ Eleanore Roosevelt

Spring Is Music To My Heart

I was delighted to see daffodils in our garden next to the walk way starting to burst with blooms! Spring is almost upon us! The nights still very cold in the low 30's but warming up to the 70's honestly I am loving it. Feeling the warm sun shining through the windows in the morning as it starts to warm. Then in the afternoon warm enough to read in the sun~ I will savor spring as it opens up its doors and its fragrance bursts in from the smells of flowers like jasmine. I long to see it's colors run ramp-id from blooms such as roses, iris and butterfly bush....The soft winds blowing and to feel the delights of grass between your toes and sun upon your skin, that glistening sparkle. Spring just brings music to my heart~ Can't you just feel spring around the corner? If it isn't near you now in your area may it come soon! Above are two photographs from the early morning & a mixed media heart I made. I have been doing some Valentine crafting.
What brings music to your heart? Are you anxious for spring? I would love to know~

No matter how long the winter spring is sure to follow~ Proverb

Free Journal Prompt "Faith"

*click to enlarge

This journal page was created on a day I was thinking of where I want to be artistically, spiritually.... and how many times I have heard if you ask the universe or God through prayer that that you will receive the answers. By definition:  Faith, a belief that is not based on truth. Sincerity of intentions. The Hebrew word means essentially steadfastness. As signifying man's attitude towards God it means trustfulness. 

This weeks journal prompt is to do a page based on Faith. What it means to you, what you are asking for in your life. In my journal page the girl I drew represents me. I am open to receive the answers, my arms are open ready to receive answers in any way they come to me. I feel my connection to my belief's best when I am outdoors in nature, so she on a hill top. What instills faith in you? Have you read any good books on the subject of faith? I would love to know~

Journal Prompt: Faith. What it means to you and your thoughts about faith. A drawing representing: Asking and having faith to wait to receive the answers.Or page as simple as writing quotes about faith~

Quotes:

Reason is our soul's left hand, Faith her right. ~John Donne

Faith is reason grown courageous. ~ Sherwood Eddy

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ~Helen Keller

 Favorite Supplies: