Project 52 week 2

I am trying to keep up to date with the 3 on-line classes I currently taking.
I completed week 2 of Project 52. I'm pleased with the journal page. I always seem to struggle with the printing but this time it came together without any problems. Part of the reason was drawing the lines to print on, then I wrote out the quote in pencil first before using ink . The lesson is up for week 3 but I haven't been able to find a magazine picture that will work yet. I had a big clean up a few weeks ago and recycled the old magazines I had round. Isn't that always the way, Murphy's Law, throw it out, and then you will need it!
Photoshop Essentials class with Kim Klassen is terrific and I look forward to each new video lesson. And today Maggie Holmes class starts off week 1 of 6 weeks. I'm going to have to be very disciplined to complete all of my assignments and get the most I can out of the classes. I am really enjoying the challenge.
And writing about challenges, it was my Australian friend Heather's turn to chose our month challenge exchange. February's exchange will be a mini book. I've been looking through Mixed Media Explorations by Beryl Taylor for inspiration. I won't say any more about it, I want it to be a surprise when it arrives in the post for Heather. I completed January's challenge and will post photo's of it once it arrives in Australia.

Zentangels

I first learned about Zentangels this past summer. If you have not come across this art form before and are wondering what it is, the definition is "a method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns".

Here are three that I have created over the last few weeks. I usually draw the designs while watching the telly in the evening, finding it very relaxing.
I like to use Pigma & Sharpie pens for the patterns and then soft pencils

for depth and shading. There are no rules for drawing Zentanges, there are no ups or downs in the patterns and are totally free form and spontaneous.

If you would like to learn more about Zentangels the web site is www.zentangles.com .

Moon Dreamer

Having some time the other day between appointments I stopped into Indigo Book Store, got myself a cup of tea a comfy chair and picked up the magazine Somerset digital studio to read. I was entranced by some of the work shown and the digital kits used. When I arrived back home I purchased a digital kit designed by Nicole Young called Little Moon Dreamer and produced the layout above. The little boy in the photo was my son at age 5 and the quote comes from Mary Applebaum who had a layout in the magazine using the same kit.

AVATAR

Following my buddy Cynthia's example I created a avatar to be posted on Deviant Scraps. No workshop to show me how, I just sat down in front of my computer opened Photoshop and started. All those lessons I've been taking have payed off, I was able to complete the avatar all by myself, wahoo! I decided not to worry about symbolism just have some fun. The only bit of symbolism I did add was a calender of my birthday month as it was the year I was born.

Evocative

After some hesitation I signed up for a class at Deviant Scraps , Art Journal Project 52 with my two friends Cynthia and Lorraine . We met when while taking Remains of the Day class with Mary Ann Moss last winter. Project 52 will be a video a week to make one journal page. I decided to take the class in the hopes that it will start me art journaling on a regular bases. The reason for my hesitation is that I have committed myself to quite a bit over the next few months.
My page for the first week is based on a quote that my son introduced me to from Hegel, a German Philosopher. I find the quote very evocative, The Owl of Minerva takes flight only when the shades of night are falling. Doesn't that stir the imagination?
I'm pleased with how the page turned out except for the placement of the words. It was a good learning experience and I'm looking forward to this weeks video.

The camera and I

The city is covered in lovely white fluffy snow today. A surprise for me to wake up to, I don't remember getting any warning from the weatherman on this one. It was a perfect day for a walk with my camera. Posted are two of the many photos taken today.

Both of these photos had textures from Kim Klassen's Photoshop Recipe Book added to them.

This layout is the result of my latest lessons using Photoshop Elements.

Working in Photoshop is like magic to me. I am always amazed with what can be created with the taping of a keyboard.

A Year in Review

My friend Cynthia gave me this idea of writing a year in review. Looking back 2010 was a busy year, lots of traveling, putting a new kitchen in at the cottage, starting learning how to use Photoshop, and life in general.

January 2010 was my birthday month.
My little granddaughters at almost 3 were able to help decorate the cake



February was my first trip of the year, a visit to LA. The photo below was taken at the Getty Museum. Fantastic architecture!

Another first for me was starting to keep a travel journal which was inspired by a class I took with Mary Ann Moss called Remains of the Day.

April was a challenge issued by Ali Edwards to take photo's every day for a week and keep a journal during that time. That exercise started my desire to learn how to use Photoshop. April also included a trip to New York City to attend the funeral of my dear Aunt Bella who died after reaching the age of 102.

May was a trip to Nashville and Memphis.

June saw us back in town and working in the garden.

July another trip to LA including Quilt Festival and a class with Judith Montano.

July and August was back and forth to the cottage with family visiting.

The summer was hijacked for us by trying to get a kitchen renovation done while living at the cottage.

Before: circa 1953

After: 2010

October saw us take our first cruise. We sailed on the Princess Ruby with stops in the eastern Caribbean. The big surprise was how much we enjoyed cruising.

November was back to LA for another wonderful visit. The photo below was taken at LACMA's exhibition of clothing through the ages.

December was the magic of Christmas through the eyes of 31/2 year olds.

And now to wish all of you a healthy and peaceful New Year.