Shadow Shot Sunday : Tree+?

Hi there.

I would like your input on today's shadow shots.

At first glance these two photos look the same...BUT if you're very observant (and I know you are), you'll notice the tree is in the center in the first photo and a bit on the right in the second photo.  I usually try to go by the rule of thirds in my photos, which tells you NOT to put the main subject dead center... BUT once in a while I like a photo better with the subject in the center, not on the side.  Like in these photos.  I like the centered one better, but I was going to ignore that and post the other one because "the rule... don't ignore the rule!"
 I think sometimes we need to break the rules.




















I would really like your opinion. Which do you prefer out of these two photos?  Sorry to make you work on a Sunday ;-)  but I appreciate your input.  Thank you!!

For more shadow shots or to join in with your own shadows, go on over to Hey Harriet's for Shadow Shot Sunday!

Look At The Painting I Won!!

Yahoo!!!  I love this painting soooo much!!!

A while back I entered an amazing giveaway over at The Secret Hermit and ended up winning first prize!!!    I got to choose between one of Micki's lovely paintings in her Etsy Shop, or having one custom made!!  How generous is she?!!  After taking forever to make a choice, because there are several paintings of hers that I wanted, I finally decided on having one custom made.  I wanted a happy little artist girlie to hang in my studio.  She did such an amazing job of cutting through all the details that I gave her and making exactly what I wanted and more!!  I love love love this painting!!!  

If you haven't already see her blog and Etsy shop go now!!!  (the links are above)

 Thank you Micki!!!  You rock!!!

Shadow Shot Sunday : Lettuce

Hi there!

This gorgeous, yummy lettuce is... uh scratch that... WAS from our garden.  Tasty stuff.  There's nothing like fresh veggies picked right before dinner.  

 So... lettuce cut out this chit chat and head on over to  Hey Harriets for Shadow Shot Sunday.  

Sorry... I tried hard to control myself by NOT using any lettucy puns, but I just couldn't help myself.  

Ok, I didn't try THAT hard, hee hee.

Orange Post : Koi Carp

Ok,  I guess I didn't make the lil' sneak peek hard enough for you smarties... most of you knew it was a Koi fish (and to the nut who said "or an under-ripe tomato that looks like a Koi", I just went to your blog and now I understand, LOL!)  So here's one big cyber pat for all of you who guessed right  ** PAT  PAT**  Thanks for playing along.  It was fun!!  I think I'll do that again, but maybe make it more of a challenge next time!

This was inspired by a few photos I took of  Koi Carp in the pond at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.  I started off with a 9x12 inch canvas.  I printed out three separate photographs of mine onto regular computer paper and glued them down onto the canvas.  Then I used Heavy Gel Medium to create lots of "yummy yummy texture", to quote Jenny and Shelley (thanks ladies!).

Once that dried I added layer after layer after layer of paints and glazes.  Then a few more layers.  To finish it off I popped out  a few details on the fish with permanent pen.

These are the photos that I used in this mixed media painting.  The first ones are of the Fashion Island Koi.  The last photo is of our very cool chandelier in our bedroom.  I took the photo looking straight up at the light.  I like that you can't really tell what it is!

So here is my Orange Post for The Summer of Color.  I was SO excited to read that there will be a Summer of Color 2 next year, Yay!!  Hopefully next summer I won't be a week behind in all the posts,  LOL, but this was so much fun!  I now have some cool artwork that wouldn't have existed if it weren't for this challenge and the wonderful  Kristin!!

Sneak Peek of Orange Post

Hi.  I couldn't wait.  I had to sneak you guys a lil' peek at my latest creation.  I made it for my Orange post for The Summer of Color and I am loving it.  I need take to some better photos of it during daylight hours to properly share it with you, but I'm not sure if I'll get home in time tomorrow.   So I had to at least give you a little taste of what's to come in the next couple of days.  This is a very close up detail shot.  Can anyone guess what the main subject is?  If anyone guesses correctly I'll uh.... umm.... I'll give you a nice cyber pat on the back!

Shadow Shot Sunday : Church

Here is my shadow shot for this week.

 This photo was taken of a church in uptown Whittier, Ca.  I was driving by and noticed the strong shadows being cast on the church by the tree.  So of course I had to turn the car around and park, and take a few photos.  Do you blame me?

To see more shadow shots, or join in with your own, pop on over to Hey Harriet for Shadow Shot Sunday.

Lovely Lavender

Last week's color (yes I'm behind!) for The Summer of Color was purple.   I needed to make a thank you card.  So what do you think happened?  Yup, I made a purple thank you card.  Actually we'll call it lavender, since that's the shade that I used and the plant that was part of my inspiration. 

I took this photo (below) last year up in Oregon in my sister's front yard.  I love the image and have been wanting to use it for something, so this was the perfect time.

I started by collaging pieces of paper onto a card, then painted over them to make a nice background.  I transferred the image onto the card by experimenting with Transfer Artist Paper (TAP).   I then layered on more paint and added a few embellishments.  

There's just something soothing about lavender, isn't there?  Even when you can't smell it.  Hmm.. maybe I should scent the card.

Nah...probably not.

With each of my Summer of Color posts I've tried to add a few extra photos that feature the color of the week .

So... here's a couple more photos that were also taken up in Oregon.

I love anything "thistle-y"

Lavender field against a white barn... heavenly.

And while digging through my photos I came across this painting that I had in an old post, that I did for another color challenge.  This was the first time I used the color lavender in my art and loved it. 

 That's why I love doing these challenges.  It makes you step out of your box and try out a new color or technique that you might not normally use.  So a big THANK YOU goes out to my friend Kristin for taking the time and energy to do this for us!!  There's still time to join us and maybe even win a prize from Kristin!  This weeks color is Orange... I'm excited about this one!!

So...what are you doing to challenge yourself?