Stealing like an artist

According to Austin Kleon, David Bowie, Jay Z, Goethe, Ecclesiastes 1:9 and a whole host of other artists and creators there are no new ideas - just rehashes influenced by what's already been.

I can live with that - as long as we build on what's gone before and make it better (or just different) by adding our own special ingredients and flavour.

Seth Godin says that to be successful we should connect with one another. So, with both of these trains of thought in mind tunnels, for my blogging endeavour today I am borrowing Seth Godin's post as I rather like it. Here it is in its entirety.

Two kinds of mistakes

1. There is the mistake of overdoing the defence of the status quo, the error of investing too much time and energy in keep things as they are.

2. And then there is the mistake made while inventing the future, the error of small experiments gone bad.

We are almost never hurt by the second kind of mistake and yet we persist in making the first kind, again and again.

He's right is Seth. He's right.

Do what you've always done and get what you've always got.

I like to bend the rules. Experiment, push a few boundaries.

This is what you get when you mix a painting of a girl with a photograph of a chicken. It's also a reminder for us as artists not to be afraid to step out of comfort zones - to mix carrot with chocolate just to see what it tastes like - just because we can... Break the rules! You might just like what you get - I kind of like this! I randomly selected two images from my folders without looking and then mixed them up in Photoshop. Go break some rules my fellow artists!

Why don't you have a go. Come on now - don't be chicken!

I'm also sharing with Take a Word this week where they ask what Art means to us. I thought this post was quite appropriate.

I've got me an iPad3!

Look what I made with my new iPad! I was using a cheap little app called Art Set.

It was great fun, although a little limited in colour and functionality. I used the pencil, pastel and marker pen tools to create this eye. I am so excited by the fact that I can create art anywhere now without having to cart around a huge stack of supplies. I can even wear my best clothes!

I was also pretty excited that I drew this with no reference. I guess I've painted enough eyes to know what one looks like now... I was trying to teach my son the art of looking when it comes to art and seeing and sharing my fascination the intricacies of colour and shade... but he prefers to play with cars or shoot things... Ah well....

Any other iPad artists out there can recommend the best apps? I've heard that Brushes and Procreate are good for beginner digital artists (I found this good reference site here). I could easily become hooked!

Sharing for Sunday Sketches.

Flora of the Foliage

I've been working on Flora on and off for several weeks. On the whole I was happy with her, but felt she was missing a certain je ne sais quoi. I wanted to blend her in with nature and toyed with waxing a layer of pressed leaves and flowers, but I'll be honest... I did try but it just got a bit messy - the leaves just weren't keen on being coated in hot wax - can't say I blame them.

So, I took her outside and slung her in the shrubbery for a photo shoot. This gave way to a few strange looks from my other half questioning what the neighbours might think. They should be used to my antics - after all, it's only a few months ago since I dressed up as Boudicca and staged a Roman battle in the front garden.

I'll admit that this photographic expedition wasn't quite as successful as historical staging - nor nowhere near as much fun.

Flora had to find some decent foliage in PhotoShop - but at least I was using my own photography so it still feels very much my own piece. I think she's waiting in the shadows for the 'people' to go away so she and her fairy friends can come out to play.

She is joining in with Inspiration Avenue's Foliage challenge and then hopping over to Paint Party Friday - busy girl!

A postcard from France

The mood has shifted within the hero of this tale. No more the playful flirt, but perhaps a tired romantic? What mysterious forces are placing the cards within the hands of our two protagonists? Are they merely jet-lagged and short of attention, or is some enchantment pushing them together?

Some digital play for the Postcard challenge this week as X and Y continue their odd relationship... For postcards from the past, deliver yourself to this page.

Tangerine dream

When I was young, my Grandmother would always make us mandarin oranges in jelly for dessert. This has no relevance whatsoever to this artwork, but the sweet taste and soft texture began melting in mouth and penetrating my subconscious right through to my fingertips, so there we have it.

Is this girl dreaming in tangerine? For some reason I feel she is in the South of France in a garden by a wall of honeyed stone covered in waves of soft greenery and vine. She sits at an ancient iron table and nurses a glass of wine while soaking up the last of the sunshine as it readies itself to hide away for another day. The gentle chords from a distant guitar remind her of a lost love...

She is a digital amalgamation of two of my paintings - following my girl theme for Summer of Colour where I have tried to do something a little different with every outing. It hasn't been easy and I got rather cross and cranky this week. Then, when all seemed set for disaster, what happens? I end up with two!

I posted this one yesterday for Sunday Sketches, but the colour orange was clearly still on my mind. I rather like her hair! You can read the story about her here.



Just call me Beaker

Oh have I been having fun these past few days. Well, actually it has been quite a week. I've spent daylight hours writing until the keyboard starting bleeding, but come twilight and it's time to paint and, more specifically, experiment.

The Experimental Art course finally started and I came over all scientific. I even put my lab coat on and styled my hair like Beaker. Just as well I don't speak like him or you'd have trouble understanding.

I am actually very excited and all I've been doing is doodling and staining. I do however feel like a proper experimenter. Take yesterday for example, I sprinkled coffee granules on a sheet of paper torn from Country Living and dripped water on it. Not at first glance art. In fact, I had to warn my boyfriend against throwing it out. He wasn't the slightest bit surprised that a soggy sheet from a magazine drying out over a mug was part of one of my projects. Funny that...

I knew I'd do something with it and tonight, while fighting a feeling of restlessness, I scanned it, called over Dr Bunsen Honeydew and experimented. What do you think? Is it art?

Catch the week's experiments in my Flickr pool

And remind yourself just how funny Beaker & Bunsen are... they even get to experiment with coffee too!

Faded

'Tis the last rose of summer left blooming alone; All her lovely companions are faded and gone

St Thomas More

I wondered what to write to accompany this piece of digital art I made for Inspiration Avenue. I feel a bit faded myself truth be told. I've dipped again after a more positive weekend and have spent most of the week in a depressed and tired mope. Artist angst perhaps, or maybe I just need a good rest.

All I can think of to write is to share some coincidence. I created this piece then found the quote to match it. My primary school was named after St Thomas More - Henry VIII's chancellor who was executed for his religious beliefs. While I was at the school we performed a play about the last rose of summer. I was a flower. It was a poem which we acted out and recited. My Grandma liked hearing me read it.

What a weird post.... I think I'm losing it...

Sunshine on a cloudy day

I'm cold. The wind is blowing the cat flap open and a cruel draught is chilling me to the bone. It's grey and cloudy and promises rain (how very kind of it).

I set the creative challenge at Inspiration Avenue this week and, as usually happens when I do this, I get stumped for ideas! OK, well actually I did have rather a good one this week, just not the time to execute. However, I could hardly fail to enter something when I'm hosting now, could I? That's what I call an incentive.

So I hopped on a metaphorical plane back to Valencia and grabbed some sunSHINE and took it and this palm tree for a digital play.

Last night I was at an entertainment venue that provided a different kind of sparkle. I went to a bar made of ice. How 'cool' is that? Even the glasses we sipped our cocktails from were ice. The seats, walls, bar - all frozen. The staff kindly provided hooded capes and gloves with thermal lining to keep the chill out of our bones. It was quite an experience - and the cocktails were rather nice too!

I am soothed

I have been digital collaging, listening to music and sipping a small glass of wine - the last of the weekend bottle (frugal times...) It's got more layers than an ogre (watch Shrek for explanation!), but I love staring into its depths and dreaming.... Don't you just think there's epic story in there? Do you want to turn the pages? Who is the ghostly figure?

Well, this piece started off as an experiment in Black & White for The Three Muses same-titled challenge, but I guess my Muse clearly fancied their Take a Word challenge of Vintage instead! I drained the colour of a flower photograph with the exception of the red dahlia. It was pretty enough, but where was the drama? I put some context in with another of my photographs of Coton Manor House. Kim Klassen supplied a texture (in fact it was this week's freebie, so thanks Kim :) and I added some mystique with some images I bought from Etsy.

I love experimenting in this way. The layers are out of proportion with intent. What lush colour and texture. What story... I could play all day.

Not a leprechaun in sight - updated

I'm not entirely sure I've got the energy to post tonight, but I am missing my blog and my visits to friends around the world. It has been quite a week dear friends - one which has been spent writing, writing, interviewing, writing and more of the same. And what's more, getting paid for it. A busy few days on the work front but I do love a bit of pressure and pulling together a 12 page newspaper in a couple of days sure does hit that nail on the head.

Some slight exhaustion of an evening will explain my prolonged absence - though to be fair, a couple of days is hardly lengthy, but what can I say? I like blogging!

I like making art too and so tonight, for the sake of my sanity, I must dip into my creative juice and see what appears. A challenge always helps with a kick start and so I thought I'd tackle "Do you dream in colour" by Inspiration Avenue. Well, here's an interesting question. I do dream that's for sure! In fact, if I could only remember my nightly adventures long enough to write them down I may become a best-selling fantasy novelist (or put in a straight jacket). This week, I know for sure that there's my dreams are no black and white movie for I distinctly recall a scene in which the protagonists were all exclaiming on the coincidence of all being dressed in green - and the same green at that. There was me, a couple of friends and ... a leprechaun. Well I did warn you!

Looks like I do have the energy to post tonight after all... But what about the artwork... Hold on, I'll be right back..

OK, I present a green picture! Amazing what you can do in Photoshop in next to no time. Seven layers and lots of manipulation - starting with a photograph I had taken, mixed with a Kim Klassen free texture and some lovely digital collage material I bought from Etsy.

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For those of you who would love to get started in Photoshop Elements, I've just read that Kim Klassen is offering a free mini ecourse for beginners starting Monday. Details here.

And if you want more detail, there's a full course by Kim here.

Old fashioned communication

MSN is terribly old-fashioned these days - or so I was told by a trendy 17-year-old. Apparently those who are 'with it' (clearly not me) use Facebook chat these days. Well, I do stand corrected - though truth be told, I haven't used it myself for ages, though that's mainly because I prefer the even more old-fashioned tools like the telephone, face-to-face conversation, and that new-fangled email thingiemebub.
Anyway, speaking of fashion, this pearl of wisdom I might point out came from a young man wearing a pair of jeans that only came half way up his underpants. I mean, how can you possibly take anyone seriously who spends so much time grooming his hair yet walks around looking like he's lost his elastic from his bottom half?

It's a rum old world, make no mistake, but I should thank him for gifting me this pearl of an idea for The Three Muses' challenge this week - 'Old Fashioned'. Just check out that ancient screenshot of ye olde MSN we used to communicate with each other in the olden days... A little digital fun for you!

If you go down in the woods today

... you wouldn't be able to see these for the fog truth be told.

A little digital fun with one of my photographs. Are these toadstools or mushrooms? Delicacy or deadly? I'm not about to risk finding out! Anyway, the fairies would get miffed if I took their umbrellas for they are not fond of the damp drizzle of November, so nature kindly provided these umbrella stands scattered around the woodlands for their use.

I'm sure I saw one perched on top of one just before I hit the shutter button, but with a twinkle of fairy dust she was gone.

Do you believe in fairies? Or am I just away with them?

Hot wheels

Before cars were invented, what did little boys play with? Did they have specially adapted carts with added horse power? Were there flames painted down the sides? Did the wheels sparkle? Can a carriage and four perform the same level of stunts?

It must have been a dull old world...

An abstract homage to Hot Wheels for The Three Muses 'automobile' challenge. Photographs of some seriously cool cars layered up in Photoshop with a texture I made by taking a pic of my dirty car and a stamped block by KPertiet.

I took the photos of the toys sitting on the roof of my Ford Focus to capture a nice bit of reflection and add that certain je ne sais quoi. One of the neighbours saw me and then pretended he hadn't noticed such bizarre behaviour... I'm surprised they're not used to it by now.

Vrooom vrooom.....

How do I wish to grow older?

Why, disgracefully of course. I've been far too conformist all these years. I shall most definitely be 'wearing purple' and cultivating eccentrities in grubby corners of my home that don't see a duster because I am too busy painting and writing strange stories and romantic romps. I shall dance around supermarkets and sing in the bank.

I'll probably have paint stains on my fingers and bits of paper sticking to the back of my clothing. I'll totter around in high heels and evening dresses whenever I feel like it and roll in the grass. My make up and hair will depict my mood. I think I'll get hair extensions and wear flowers tucked behind my ears. I'll jingle and shine when I walk as all my jewellery dances along with me and catches the light.

I'll the be crazy relative that the young uns like to visit because there's always something interesting to find in my house - whether it's a fanciful tale, an intriguing guest or something sticking out of a drawer that sparkles and shines in the sunlight.

I'll be forever dashing off on adventures with my loved ones. Together we will be explorers of the world, gathering treasures and stories to share.

Growing older will be a pleasure. Starting with today when I promise I shall dance around the supermarket (wearing purple) while I pick out the ingredients for our evening meal. No time like the present I say!

Cast your growth wishes with Jamie Ridler and the gang over at the Wishcasting site.

Picture is just some eye candy I made from one of my summer photos - as it's purple I thought it was sort of appropriate. It would look lovely in my hair don't you think?

Art Every Day - Day 10

The birds

The storm raged, the wind howled and the rain came down in torrents. The worlds shifted out of alignment that night as the black bird made his way from one to another...

 Forcing myself to create for Art Every Day month is a wonderful experience. I end each day with 'something' and often surprise myself. I love this piece. I realised I hadn't even thought about the Three Muses Blackbird challenge this week, so sat down and opened my mind. Leah's simple silhouette drawings sprang to mind and reminded that I didn't have to go complicated, that illusion was often far more powerful.

I took my imagination into the elements (the photoshop kind) and let rip with a few secret ingredients.

OK, perhaps not so secret. Shall I share? First up a background I've painted, sprayed, dripped and dabbed with acrylics and inks (intended for a later mermaid painting) and then wonderful play with brushes! Yes, brushes! The bird, moon and tempestuous sea were all imported brushes. Clever eh? Then I applied a few textures and masks et voila!

How lucky we modern artists are. Who would have thought what a wonderful outlet to creativity our computers would become?

Look.... a ghost bird too.... spooky! Same background - just changed the colour. Mask applied from Designerdigitals.com.

I love Photoshop!

Autumn approaches

It's the first of September - already there's a nip in the air and spiders are out to catch me with their silken threads. I've missed my friends at the Three Muses so was most desperate to join in this week with their nature challenge.

I've made some digital art with lots of layers, filters and a touch of magic. The file is high res, so if you would like to download it as a background to your own creations then do feel free. The flower photography was my own, the rust texture over the top came free from Night Fate Stock (sorry, I can't find the link).

Don't you think that autumn's colours are compensation for the ending of summer?

Dripping into Photoshop

Hot on the heels of my previous post, written while once more in a mood that belongs more to a bear with a sore head, I return fresh from a bout of restorative creativity.

I have been pondering what to create all week for the IA Water challenge. I had high hopes for an abstract acrylic, but the week is running away with me and I have many plans yet to fulfill, so I turned instead to my stash of 'not quite sure what to do with this' creations and my old and trusty friend Photoshop.

Last week I painted a watery moon at sunset, but it was a very half-hearted attempt that never amounted to much. This week however, it was viewed in a new light - the beginnings of an idea began to unfurl. Into the scanner went the moon where she reappeared magically in Photoshop. Now to play... A spot of duplication and she was now reflecting perfectly in a sea sparkling with moon dust. Was this enough? Well, no. How about some play with the ocean ripple filter... And what about a bit of blending? Very nice I'm sure but lacking a focal point.

Hold on, can you hear singing? The sirens are calling. I landed one of my friendly creations and she dripped her way onto the screen. Can you see her appearing through the phosphoresce?

Peacock blue

I painted this a while ago after I purchased my wonderful peacock handbag. I'm sure I blogged about it, but can't remember sharing this picture. I wanted to meld girl with bird and attempt to capture some of nature's deepest colours and shimmering highlights.

I always felt this picture wasn't quite finished though and meant to return and add an embellishment or ten but you know how it is, you move onto the next one and the next...

Tonight however, my peacock lady has been given the opportunity to spread her tail feathers once again and show off a little (artistic licence naturally required since we all know that its the male peacock with the fancy feathers!).

I'm playing with the Digital Whisper artists again this week and using the peacock images provided to layer up and blend. Look at those amazing colours, textures and shapes. Isn't nature just the most wonderfully inventive artist - with the richest palette imaginable?

I feel I finally did my peacock girl justice. I think I like the close up dark one best. She seems to be hiding some mysterious secrets don't you think?

Watching paint dry

I'm working on a new piece and while I was waiting for the layer of paint to dry I thought I'd blog hop. Of course, I could have cleaned the bathroom or made sandwiches for the morning, but where's the creative inspiration in that might I ask!

First hop had me hooked. Lori at Ravenpainting (if you've never been to her virtual gallery, it is seriously worth a look). As I balanced on one leg I was transfixed by a most angelic scene. She took part in the Digital Whisper challenge to take an already beautiful angel picture and go create some more...

So I hopped on the other leg over to Digital Whisper and gathered the angel into my arms. A little play in Photoshop and here she is looking like she has been through a bit of a Renaissance (she was rather Pre-Raphaelite when I started). Bet you didn't know that Michaelangelo was hiding in Photoshop did you? I pressed the Help key and suddenly there he was, paint splatters all over his robes and a very old looking bottle of wine in his hand. We shared a glass then set to work...

Got to dash, my paint's still not dry so there's still time for another blog hop - especially as this leg is getting tired now...

Wishes

A puff of air

Whispered words

Dancing breezes

Carry wishes on fairy wings

Be careful how you wish...

My entry for Inspiration Avenue's Wish challenge. I took this photo on holiday and couldn't wait to come home and play in Photoshop. This week's challenge was just the catalyst to make me do just that! Nothing too technical - mainly colour saturation and a few adjustment filters.

My wishes? Well, that would be telling!