photoshop

i recently had an amazing opportunity to take a photoshop class

from my friend Marie Otero

i've always admired Marie's work and was honored

to spend 5 days creating with her
i had a wonderful time, learned lots and created some wonderful pieces.
i promised myself that i would spend half an hour a day working on photoshop,

which is a long time for me to sit in one place.

i've been playing with Elements 2 and now i have 5,

and just started last year working in layers

it's been a long process, i'm such a visual person

and had a hard time learning from a book

sitting next to Marie, learning step by step

really jump started me into the next phase!

she really understood how my brain worked and made it so easy!!!!!!

i've been practicing all my lessons but haven't created anything worth showing,

so I've posted a few pieces I did at Marie's.
between our lessons we got our hands wet working on backgrounds,

it was a nice break from sitting.

i created several backgrounds using old paper, tape, gesso, inks and paint.
after printing out my digital collages, i transferred them onto the background

and created some interesting pieces.

thanks again to Marie,

you are a generous, patient and kind person and
i'm glad you are my friend!

rainy days!

it's hard to believe that with the record breaking snow we had
just a few weeks ago that we needed rain
i spent all weekend in the garden, cleaning out one of my beds
and the ground was dry
i took out all the plants, tilled the soil, got rid of the weeds,
split everything and planted again
i'm glad its raining, i needed the break!

i'm having a plant sale on May 25th in my backyard
and wasn't sure i would have enough to sell
but after finishing one bed i have over 50 splits potted
that's just on sixth of my backyard and i haven't even looked at the front!
i'm glad i have a month to get ready.

my garden is one of my creative outlets
i love the whole process of cultivating, nurturing, waiting and
the anticipation of what will pop up next
it's taken 9 years to finally get a chance to sit and enjoy my garden
i even got to to take several naps last year
i so look forward to this summer.

Nancy

too busy!

the day just flew by
worked 8am to noon
went to an art supply garage sale hosted by my friend Carmi,
found lots of bargains, great finds
came home and worked in the garden splitting plants until 5pm
washed up and went for dinner and a country drive
and just got home to realize i ready for bed!
so today's art is just a quick throw together
of a background i made a few weeks ago
and a picture of a tree taken in arizona last summer
i need to get some rest for another day in the garden!
i love the spring!
Nancy

going on the record

at the beginning of the year i made a list of things to do , goals, projects etc.
i listed all the usually stuff like- get taxes done, painting the bathroom,

and sewing a duvet set for the guest bedroom

number one on the list was

"work less, do more art"
spend more time on the computer learning photoshop,

carry my camera everywhere and have a day of art,

every month, be it collage, painting or just experimenting with whatever technique

i saw in Somerset Studio or Cloth, Paper, Scissors.
i wanted to start a blog so i could have a place to display my work

and hold my self accountable!
i sometimes get lazy and before you know it

i haven't worked on anything for weeks or even months

so i will go on record to say that from now on

i will be creative as much as possible and post at least 3 times a week

i'm not much of a writer but hopefully that will evolve too!
Today's photo was taken on a trip last year to California,

at alcatraz.

i thought if was appropriate for today!
nancy

getting started

this has been along time coming

i've always wanted to challenge myself

by creating a blog and sharing my thoughts and photos

I have evolved over the years,

and this I hope will help me get to my next level!

this could not have been started without the help
of my friend and computer guru, Lennie
through her guidance and patience
i am now on my way to reaching
my next goal in my evolution!

thanks for stopping by, nancy