Sunday, October 30, 2011

Angel Cadence


In 2008, after a life and death struggle with MRSA, my family gave me a camera and a photoshop program.  I found I had been given a special aptitude for catching recognisable shapes in the clouds.  Then, using Photoshop, I would enhance what I saw, so others could see it too.

The angel above is one of my very first cloud paintings.  At that time, I used the mouse as my paint brush.  Today I use a Bamboo tablet--which is much easier!
Here you see the angel as I first saw her hanging over the alley outside our kitchen door.  There's no doubt this is an angel!

Have a lovely Sunday!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Lady Montana


I adore the photography of Tammie Lee.  Each time I visit her blog, her incredible portrayal of Montana fills my eyes.  I am in awe of her macro photography of tiny ice crystals.  The way she is able to capture color glowing through rippling creek waters is fascinating. The photos she catches of sky, mountains and trees are indescribably beautiful--as lovely as their photographer.  Tammie Lee IS Montana to me.

To see Tammie's amazing photography, visit Spirithelpers.  To see her beautiful artwork, visit Beauty Flows.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #51

I apologize for not getting FATuesday up last week.  We had returned from a long trip away--and I was still suffering from a mild concussion.   Thanks for your understanding and have a GREAT week! 

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, to showcase inspiring Artists and to provide a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, cooking, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. 
The list goes on and on. 
 
Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 
To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 
I hope you will join in the fun.


I discovered my inspiring Friend, Sandrine Curtiss through Facebook artist Amber Day.  Sandrine's work with black paper has been incredibly inspirational to me.  She is a mostly self-taught artist, inspired by her older sister, to draw portraits with graphite pencils.  In 2006, she started selling her artwork on Ebay.  Her work is not only exquisite, but she is a delightful lady with a wonderfully down-to-earth sense of humor.

On Youtube, Sandrine responds, "All you need to do is practice, practice etc.. I know it sounds cliche, but there's really no other way. I didn't go to school for it and I haven't really been drawing animals for that long but since I started, I haven't stopped and I have greatly improved. Like they say, practice makes perfect."
You can find her artwork on facebook at Sandrine's Gallery.  She also has a website, Sandrine Curtiss.  Happily, you can buy her enchanting artwork on ebid at Sandrines Gallery Originals and Prints. You can also see her art on Youtube at Sandrine's Gallery.

This is another one of a kind creation by Clytie, Queen of Hearts.  My younger sister inspires me more than she knows.  I am amazed at the scope of her talents.  She is not only a wonderful artist, but she is an extraordinary photographer and a wonderful poet.  Her writing always causes me to think and to ponder--and she makes me laugh!  Sissy's many insights and frequent moments of humor are wonderful and rare--like a lovely vintage card one might spot in a second hand store--little bits of treasure which delight the soul.

Of her artwork Clytie writes, “I don’t do art, art does itself.  My fingers just move, independent of my mind--I don’t think about it.  I’m always shocked when something turns out right and looks pretty!”

To see more of Clytie's artistic endeavors, visit Random He’Art’work.  To enjoy Sissy's fabulous sense of humor, visit her photography art blog, Random Trash.  To see her incredible heart photography visit Random Hearts.  To walk with Clytie through the woods of our childhood, visit Random Nature.  To read about Sissy's fantastic finds (she has an eye for finding lost things), visit Random Finds.  To discover mouth-watering found recipes visit Random Recipes.


Connie D'Angelo DiMichele has her roots in Montreal, Canada.  This gifted woman obviously loves to create.  She uses a myriad of art mediums--drawing,  painting, sketching, sculpting, photography to express the music of art in her soul.  Looking at her blog and the pieces she’s displayed, I can understand why she says she is happiest when she’s using her creative side!

Connie writes, “…I tend to sculpt my feelings right into my piece, and been told many of times that every piece I've created cries out a story.  Every piece I create comes deep from my mind, and soul. I have grown as an artist but continue to grow and learn more, with each and every sculpture that I make. All my PIECES are a One of a Kind.” 

To see more of this astonishing artist's exquisite work, visit StudioCDlite.  Happily, you can also purchase her artwork through this website.  

 
I found Bernie Krausse, quite by accident as I was browsing for photos of the Pacific Northwest.  Located in Mazama, Washington State, Bernie's photos are awe-inspiring. I love the Northwest, and to find such an incredibly talented photographer such as Bernie, who obviously loves this part of the world as I do, is inspiring!

Bernie writes of the above photo, “Know what you are looking for and set yourself free to find it.”  Wise advice to be sure.

To see more of Bernie Krausse's marvelous photography, visit Northwest Natural Moments.


I found this mysterious artist through Etsy.  I adore the whimsical characters this artist creates.  She uses a variety of art mediums to create her fascinating pieces. Though she works mostly with fabrics, the above sampling is what her creative mind did with an ink blot!

I was unable to discover this lovely artist’s name, but of herself she writes, “Somewhere in Deepest Darkest Devon a strange woman lives surrounded by piles of felt, thread, material, paper and paint. Not knowing how else to dig herself out, she fashions these raw materials into plushies, brooches, dolls, paintings and textile pieces. One day she will be free - but only if she stops buying more stuff!!! Welcome to my world!  I am a mixed media artist living in South Devon UK. I love making and creating and sharing my creations (somebody stop me!!! muawhahahaha!!)”  She sounds like a really fun person.

To see more of this artist's work, visit her Etsy Shop, Kool Kooky Kreatures.  Happily, you can purchase her artwork from her shop!


If you'd like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:
*Blog the art you'd like to share.
* Don't forget to leave a link on Linky tools.
* Visit other artists who have left their links.
* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.
(We artists need to encourage each other!)
* Add a link to FATuesday in your blog entry.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Mountain Song - Sunday Scans


"For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,
But my loving kindness will not be removed from you,
And my covenant of peace will not be shaken,"
Says the Lord God who has compassion upon you.
~Isaiah 54:10

This Mountain Song was inspired by our recent trip through the Great Columbia Gorge and the photo of a dear young man.  Have a lovely day, everyone!

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your artwork, old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun! 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Dance of Hearts - Guest Heart Thursday

I was thinking about my sweet Sis Clytie last night, realized it was nearly Thursday and doodled this little Dance of Hearts.  I am fascinated with Art Nouveau--as you can see some of that style is incorporated here.

Of course I have hidden hearts all throughout the drawing!  How many can you find?

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #50

This is my 50th FATuesday Artist Spotlight!  I'm so excited -- I can't believe we've actually hit the Fiftieth blog entry mark!  Thank you dear artists and friends for your support!  ~ Beth

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, to showcase inspiring Artists and to provide a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, cooking, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. 
The list goes on and on. 
 
Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 
To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 
I hope you will join in the fun.

I've been acquainted with Lynn Risor's extraordinary artwork for over ten years now.  I first saw one of her charming rock paintings in Gig Harber, Washington.  I never forgot her name and always looked for her work.  I finally found her on DA, an online art page!  Lynn is not only an incredibly talented artist, but she is dear and sweet person in real life.  I am honored to call this incredible artist, my Friend.

Lynn writes of herself, "I am what I am! A child of God, daughter, sister, niece, mother, grand mother, friend, probably foe, sinner saved by grace, artist, and lover of life! I paint happy pictures often depicting furries, or feline, but prefer to remain separate from my art, to be seen as who I am - ME!"

To see more of Lynn's stunning artwork visit her on facebook at L. Risor Artist.  Her online gallery can be found at L. Risor.  Happily, she does work on commission and you can buy many of the pieces she shows online. 


I was so happy to find this wonderfully eclectic artist.  Hannah Redden's gracious artwork is lovely.  The way she sees her world and interacts with various mediums to create such unique pieces, inspires my soul. 

Hannah writes, "I'm working on a collection along the lines of 'Royal Oak' or something royalesque, I'm not quite sure of the exact name but I really like the theme.  I've been working with water colour and pen & ink, I recently got Photo Shop for my laptop so will soon be transferring my designs into screen images and repeat designs ready to be transferred into textile images.  I'm so excited!” 

To see more of Hanna's amazing artwork and read more about her fascinating adventures in the art world, visit Hannah Redden Print and Textile Artist.  

inhaling
autumn's soft breeze
she
became a new season
~ Tammie Lee

Isn't this lovely?  There is a soft beauty which flows from Tammie's graceful artwork which fills one's heart with wonder.  The words she writes to accompany her art and photography often touch my heart in a way I can't explain.
 

The way Tammie presents Montana's glorious mountains, rivers, flora and fauna is truly inspired.  She has a special gift to see her world in a way most people don't.  She is a dear friend and a great inspiration to me personally.

Tammie writes,  “Hello, my name is Tammie. I am a nature photographer and writer of poetry. I live in a wee cabin surrounded by woods, meadows and wildlife. Friends and family are dear to me. Days are filled with creative projects of many sorts.” 

To see more of this enchanting artist's work, visit Beauty Flows.  Her extraordinary photography can be found at Spirit Helpers.  Happily, you can also acquire Tammie's splendid photography through her Etsy shop, Montana Nature Photography



I am not sure how we first became acquainted, but I adore Karen!  Karen Xavier's pictured recipes are irresistible!   My mouth waters every time she posts one of them on her blog.  I am sure the fabulous aroma permeates the internet -- right onto my computer.  MMmmMmm!  But she is not only an extraordinary cook, she is also a marvelous photographer! 

I love to peruse her blog, which chronicles her life and adventures in South India.  As you can see by the photo above, she finds some fascinating subjects.

Karen writes, “I had a great childhood, grew up with twin brothers & a younger sister, (so you can imagine how a house with four kids is like) there was always the sound of things breaking, mom shouting, we kids fighting, laughing or crying... t'was chaos but it was a fun kinda chaos. Now all of us manage to get together once a year during the most wonderful season, Christmas. This is the month I live for... I also live for chocolates, ice cream, the rain, the ocean, the smell of something baking, music, memories, laughter, books, and a whole lot more.”  I enjoyed Karen's description of her growing up years!  I grew up in the same kind of wonderfully chaotic family. 

To check out Karen's scrumptious recipes and photography visit her blog, Contemplations and Ruminations.  To read more about her fascinating life in South India, visit Karen Xavier’s Photography, a Picture isWorth a Thousand Words…


Kelly Medford is new to me.  I was charmed and inspired by her astonishing oil paintings.  I have only done one oil in my life--now that I see Kelly's striking paintings, I feel like trying oils again.  Her style is so distinctive -- I love her use of color and the way she creates movement in her astonishing paintings.  

Of the painting above, Kelly writes, “I've started but never finished many a painting here of the same clump of cypress trees. In the past each time I started a painting here it either got too complicated trying to look up and deal with the drawing of all those branches, the light and shadow and then all that straggly Spanish moss hanging everywhere, so I never finished a painting here until today. This time I told myself  I was going to pick one tree and see it through. I got into painting this tree and wanted to see it through to the end.”

To see more of this remarkable artist's inspiring work, visit Adventures in Painting.  


If you'd like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:
*Blog the art you'd like to share.
* Don't forget to leave a link on Linky tools.
* Visit other artists who have left their links.
* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.
(We artists need to encourage each other!)
* Add a link to FATuesday in your blog entry.


Thursday, October 6, 2011

Faery in Rose - Guest Heart Thursday

Here she is, nestled in one of the last roses of Fall, before it's petals give way to frost and colorful leaves.  I would like to take a nap in that soft rose, too.  Yes, there are several hearts to be found in this picture--can you find them?

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

FATuesday Artist Spotlight #49

I apologize for my absence these past two weeks.  We have had a few family crisis to deal with, along with a really bad cold!  Have a lovely week, everyone and thank you for your patience.  - Beth

I created Featured Art Tuesday Artist Spotlight, to showcase inspiring Artists and to provide a forum for all Artists to share their work with one another -- this includes every type of medium, sculpture, beading, watercolour, restoring vintage cars, pen and ink, oils, gardening, interior decorating, photography and crafts, including drama, writing and poetry. The list goes on and on. 
 
Each one of us is creative in one way, or another -- FATuesday Artist Spotlight celebrates the creativity found in every person. 

To join us for FATuesday, link up at the bottom of the page. 
I hope you will join in the fun. 


I have known Casi since she was a tiny girl.  An accomplished young artist in many mediums, Casi and her fellow artisans have been trained to create these exquisitely crafted glass earrings.  Designed by AnneMarie Hoffman, they come in a variety of pretty colors and are incredibly graceful and eye-catching.  When one holds a pair of these original creations in one's own hands, the warmth and beauty of the glass is indescribable.  There is a kind of lovely magic here which inspires me.

Casi and her fellow artists "..are dedicated to making this world a more beautiful place, one pair of earrings at a time. All of our raw glass is manufactured within a 15 mile radius of our studio and all of our jewelry is produced in our Portland studio by extremely skilled hands.

To see more of these unusual treasures, visit Glass Heart Studio  You can also find them on Facebook at Glass Heart Studio


I found Lillie Marie's blog quite by accident.  This gifted artisan creates unusual jewelry which reflects her great love for our Creator.  Her charming pieces fill both the eyes and the heart.  She inspires me to stretch beyond what I think I can do.  

Lillie thoughtfully writes, “I am so thankful that my body and mind are both able to do all the things required to do on Mondays,  I could be minus my eyesight, where I couldn't see my home that needs so much done or without proper use of my limbs, I could be an invalid, being unable to do anything without help,  There are so many women in the world whether sick and/or disabled mentally or physically that would love to be able to enjoy Mondays by having all these things to do.” 

To see more wonderful jewelry designs visit Lillie Marie Design Jewelry.  To find her blog, click Lillie Marie's Design Jewelry Blog.



Chuck Neighbors has been an inspiration to my husband and me for many years.  The first drama I saw him perform was powerful and changed my life forever.  This wonderful local actor has been a huge encouragement to us and to many other dramatists.  He has been generous with his time and advice.  His dramas are truly stunning and his acting is superb.

Chuck writes, Shakespeare knew the power of the play to capture a conscience and even after four hundred years, things haven’t changed much. Today, as it has been for centuries, it is the play, the movie, the story that entertains us, giving expression to our thoughts and feelings, and yes, capturing our conscience. Sometimes the story sends a message of hope and redemption to our troubled world–too often it does not.”

Happily, you can book one of Chuck's powerful dramatic productions by contacting him on Facebook at Master’s Image Productions.  More information can be gleaned at Chuck Neighbors Master's Image Productions.  


 I found Julia Ruffles through some of my artist friends on  Facebook.  What an incredible artist.  I am enamored with the detail in her work.  As a watercolourist she is inspiring.  Her love for animals bursts through her work--shines through the speaking eyes of her wild animal friends.  The only word I could use to describe this talented artist's work is fabulous.  

Julia reflectively writes, “The painting process requires a great deal of patience, with countless watercolour marks built up using many differing colours and brushstrokes...Watercolour as a medium (for painting) has a great strength yet subtle vulnerability that allows the delicacy of life to be portrayed...”

To see more wildlife art by this wonderful artist visit Wildlife Watercolour and Graphite Artwork by Julia Ruffles.  You can also contact her on Facebook at Julia RufflesWildlife Art.


I have always loved tatting.  For those of you have never heard of it, tatting is an ancient way of making intricate lace using knots and shuttles.  I was delighted to find Pamela Quevedo's daintily tatted fashion items -- What an uncommon art form!  When I found her beautifully unique creations, I felt inspired to get back into tatting again.  Thank you Pamela!

Pamela writes, “My goal with my tatting is to not only to make it wearable, but interesting & fashion forward. I am inspired by everything from vintage patterns to haute couture. My style leans toward the dark, gothic, steampunk and Neo Victorian…”

To see more of these rare, delicate beauties, visit Totus Mel Tats. Happily, you can also purchase these amazing creations as well!

If you'd like to take part in FATuesday Artist Spotlight:
*Blog the art you'd like to share.
* Don't forget to leave a link on Linky tools.
* Visit other artists who have left their links.
* Leave a comment when you visit each artist's page.
(We artists need to encourage each other!)
* Add a link to FATuesday in your blog entry.