New Digital Montage Workshop Begins in 12 Days!

"Serenity at the Beach" is the theme we have been playing around with for the past week-just having some fun while we wait for the remaining few people to sign up for the workshop. If you haven't signed up yet-there is more information below and a few more spots left We are learning how to create layers of "Story Telling Montages" using blending modes in our software. The lessons are geared for the beginner to intermediate, but you must have some knowledge of how your software works. I have also shared some very basic lessons written in PSE6 with the workshop group, to help them get warmed up for the coming themes. The lessons are written in very basic step by steps, with plenty of photos, charts, color wheel, shared textures and lots of fabulous links for free downloads. Come join us!

This layout combined a texture of some beautiful turquoise peeling paint, with a new layer of baby blue, blended with a fabulous vacation photo of a sandcastle and pavilion. The lettering is from a vintage catalog of boys dress suits, but after changing all the wording around, it's now a poster advertising boys swimming suits, priced below regular London prices. :-D

For more information and to sign up for this 1st workshop in a series of 5-or sign up for all 5-go to: DigitalMontageStudios

New Workshops Being Offered!

Explore Your Digital World through these 5 amazing "Montage" workshops!
July 19-30th-Workshop #1-Blending Texture & Color Layers-Blending/Overlaying for dynamic visual effects.
August 16-27th-Workshop #2-Creating & Using Distressing Tools-Create unique brushes (from found images) and learn how to use various
digital tools to create the illusion of age to your backgrounds & elements.
September 13-24th-Workshop #3-Digital Stenciling Technique-A truly unique way for using Stencils in the virtual world of digital imaging.
The results are stunning! Plus create a variety of digital stamps for your own personal collection.
October 18-29th-Workshop #4-Shadow & Light-Creating depth with Shadows, Bevels and Lighting effects + additional blending techniques.
November 15-24th-Workshop #5-Filters-Styles & Patterns-Filters can change your whole perspective, when you discover what they can do
for your art! Throw in some styles or patterns and your digital world becomes a playground for your art.
For more information, to see samples and to sign up for these great on-line workshops-visit: http://digitalmontagestudio.blogspot.com

New Workshop Being Offered!

Cynthia Powell is contemplating doing another year long workshop based on the art projects we featured in our latest book-Exploring the Latest Trends in Mixed Media Art-Vol. II. If you have purchased this book and would like an invitation to participate in this on-line monthly workshop-please sign up here! This workshop will take place in another yahoo group set up special just for this endeavor. Just like I did for the Mary Todd Beam and Julia Andrus book-workshops! Each month a new art project will be created by the members-each project is unique to the book-but you will be able to put your own spin on things! This workshop will start June 1st-provided I have at least 25 people signed up! I look forward to seeing you there!

You can email me at: sherresartzone@yahoo.com if you are interested.

REMEMBER- I am posting now at my new blog, alteredheartdesigns.blogspot.com!

Creating New Blog

I am going to be creating a new blog called AlteredHeartDesigns at http:/alteredheartdesigns.blogspot.com, and eventually a new website called, alteredheartdesigns.com. I've become one of the exclusive designers for Hands on Digital, where we are creating digital art kits specifically geared to mixed media artists. A new venture for a new year!

Seasoned with Salt

I had this little house laying around so decided to do something with it. I had gotten this photo of the couple at a yard sale, antique store or somewhere like that; they seemed to look at home here!

More Steampunk Jewelry

Having fun palying with salvage yard findings to create Steampunk jewelry.

Steampunk ATP for Arttechniques Group Swap

I haven't soldered this yet, but here is a Steampunk-themed Artist Trading Pin being made for the Yahoo Group Arttechniques Steampunk ATP Swap. I haven't ever soldered before, but hubby has a soldering iron I can use. Love learning new things- a great way to begin a new yar!

NEWS FLASH! VOLUME TWO OF THE LATEST TRENDS IN MIXED MEDIA ART- RECYCLED, REINSPIRED, REINVENTED IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!!!

The second volume in the Latest Trends book series is now available for purchase!! The link at createspace is https://createspace.com/3363714. If I receive enough comments, I may choose a random winner of a copy of the book!

Time Flies...

This month is flying by! I have been busy caring for my daughter with the two broken elbows when her hubby is at work. I am also trying to learn web design with my DreamWeaver program. Kind of like learning a foreign language! I haven't posted any new art since I haven't had time to create any. I finally updated my blog banner for December; only took me until the 17th of the month!
The third proof for our book should arrive any day and then (I hope!) be available for purchase. Check amazon.com and createspace.com/3363714. I will announce when it is finally ready and may offer a give-away in January!
May everyone have a blessed Christmas and a healthy and art-filled new year!

Published in Somerset Studio's Gallery- new issue!

I found out I was published today in the new issue (winter 2010) of Somerset Studio's Gallery magazine. Page 139, a black-and-white Stampbord hanging mailed in months ago. Woo hoo!
On a surreal note, my daughter broke both elbows ice skating last night. Casts from shoulder to fingertips on BOTH arms. My poor sweetie!

Holiday Musings

How is it the holidays arrive faster every year? Time seems to be whizzing by! Cindy and I were able to order the second proof for our upcoming book (pictured below). that has taken so many full days to correct and put together- creating a book is very challenging to say the least!
Now that the pressure of the new book is off, I am now putting together a class for our women's fellowship group where we will create art journals on the topic of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Organizing my neglected art and sewing rooms is also high on the agenda. Christmas is at my house this year, so the rooms need to be somewhat presentable. "A working artist is a messy artist" is my motto, unfortunately!
Wishing everyone a blessed and truly thank-filled Thanksgiving!

NEW BOOK SOON TO BE RELEASED!

Here is a sneak peek at our new book cover. We are in the final editing process and the book will be available in a few weeks! Just in time for Christmas!

Back From Vacation and other notes

Just returned from our vacation and getting ready for a Winery Art Show at Gary Farrell Winery with Susan Chong (check out photos at www.artfulmama.blogspot.com). I will post some of our pictures- the weather was great at Yosemite and the coast!
I received the first proof of our second volume of The Latest Trends series! Have to fix a few things, but this book should be ready after the next proof (keeping my fingers crossed!)
Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful fall of 2009!

Autumn in Digital for Arttechniques October MAT

Susan has been posting some photos to alter and play around with for our October MAT (Monthly Art Technique) for the Yahoo art group, Arttechniques. I loved this painting of this woman, so chose to play around with her in Photoshop. Thanks to Scrapper's Guide (www.scrappersguide.com) for the fun digital graphic goodies!

Back to business!

Here is my offering for this year's Harvest fair. I have to turn it in tomorrow for judging. I used a plaster-over-burlap background (on a canvas support). Lots of glazes, handpainted tissue with a hand-carved stamp and a purchased stamp. Other goodies also.
I am working on some paintings for a winery show for November that will be held at Gary Farrell's winery. Susan Chong asked me to join her in the show.
Recuperating from shoulder surgery three weeks ago; swinging my golf club and doing PT!

Another Pin

I started this as my swap pin then wasn't sure if I really had an idea or not. I finished this in the evening. another famous painting makes up the eye; I am drawn to keyholes and eyes, although I would find it totally creepy to have one staring at me!

FAll ATP for Arttechniques Swap

Here is my pin for the arttechniques Fall ATP (Artist Trading Pin) swap. Can anyone tell me which famous painting the face image is from?

I used trinkets from the Tim Holtz Ideaology line to create the pin.

JEWELRY BEYOND TIME NOW AVAILABLE!!

Our book Jewelry Beyond Time is now available for purchase! You can buy it from createspace.com or from Amazon.com. The site on createspace is: https://createspace.com/3363721. For a short time you can get a $5 discount with this code on createspace: 95PJX7CX.
Lots of great jewelry projects!

Chance to Play

I got to play a bit this afternoon with some brushes from annikavanholdt.com. Really different and fun to play around with.

Musings

Have been busy with the layouts for the second volume of the Latest Trends in Mixed Media Arts book series. What with sore ribs and a sore shoulder, I haven't had a lot of art time lately. what I am looking forward to experimenting with are metal pieces from TenTwo Studios, amd metal etching from Stephanie Lee's book, Semiprecious Salvage. It is amazing how pain drains you of all extra energy and inspiration. I will be having shoulder surgery September 3, and I hope that will take care of the problem and I can get back to the active life I so enjoy. Hope you are all enjoying your summer!