A few times a week I open up photoshop just to exercise my skills. As with anything we do it's important to keep at it, practice and play. I love zooming in on details from digital photos of my work. This morning I messed around with type. Isolating portions. Fun. Satisfying. New narrative from old art.
First there was the familiar fairy tale, told by the Brothers Grimm and illustrated by many over the years. Then there was a lovely and haunting depiction by one of my best friends, Judi Riesch. I'm sure you all swooned over her art, especially these pages made for Sarah's Red Journal, published in True Colors.
I found it fascinating to read Judi's text explaining that Lewis Carroll, aka Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, famous for writing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was also a photographer. Judi's Red Riding Hood started with a Carroll photograph. HCIT? I wonder if his model for Alice was friends with Red?
Last week my sweet friend Nancy sent me the recently published Little Red Riding Hood. See HERE. Oooh, that girl *gets* me. Loved the illustrations by Daniel Egneus. I was familiar with his work but was clueless about the book so I love that my friends look out for me. (Thanks Nancy!) Equally cool is the typography….*faints*. Further down you'll see I was inspired and had to whip up some of my own to use on some Ruby Tuesday pages.
I learned that the illustrations from this book are currently on display in New York. Since the the show closes Friday, and they are only open until 5pm, I may not make it. My friend Andrew was going today and will give us the report. Even if I don't make the show at least the discovery of the site led to the link to this, a video of The Making Of. Gah!! HERE.
These are unfinished or maybe they are done. I'll decide later, but I am liking the simplicity of them. No doubt there are more pages to come as I play with my box of gathered materials. I'll see where it goes. I know I will be in Riding Hood mode for a few more Tuesdays because THE MOVIE comes out next Friday!
EDIT: Synchronicity….another of my BFFs posted about the RRH book. Go see Lisa Hoffman's post HERE. I was planning on buying the new book for all my favorite women….dang, looks like Lisa already got herself one.
First there was the familiar fairy tale, told by the Brothers Grimm and illustrated by many over the years. Then there was a lovely and haunting depiction by one of my best friends, Judi Riesch. I'm sure you all swooned over her art, especially these pages made for Sarah's Red Journal, published in True Colors.
I found it fascinating to read Judi's text explaining that Lewis Carroll, aka Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, famous for writing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, was also a photographer. Judi's Red Riding Hood started with a Carroll photograph. HCIT? I wonder if his model for Alice was friends with Red?
Last week my sweet friend Nancy sent me the recently published Little Red Riding Hood. See HERE. Oooh, that girl *gets* me. Loved the illustrations by Daniel Egneus. I was familiar with his work but was clueless about the book so I love that my friends look out for me. (Thanks Nancy!) Equally cool is the typography….*faints*. Further down you'll see I was inspired and had to whip up some of my own to use on some Ruby Tuesday pages.
I learned that the illustrations from this book are currently on display in New York. Since the the show closes Friday, and they are only open until 5pm, I may not make it. My friend Andrew was going today and will give us the report. Even if I don't make the show at least the discovery of the site led to the link to this, a video of The Making Of. Gah!! HERE.
These are unfinished or maybe they are done. I'll decide later, but I am liking the simplicity of them. No doubt there are more pages to come as I play with my box of gathered materials. I'll see where it goes. I know I will be in Riding Hood mode for a few more Tuesdays because THE MOVIE comes out next Friday!
EDIT: Synchronicity….another of my BFFs posted about the RRH book. Go see Lisa Hoffman's post HERE. I was planning on buying the new book for all my favorite women….dang, looks like Lisa already got herself one.
Yesterday at the check out a shiny penny in my coin purse caught my eye. It was then that I discovered a new 'tails' side. In that same purse was a wheat wreath penny as well as several Lincoln Memorials. Not only was it a moment of awareness of the new issue coin, but cool that I had the older one too (1945).
How many pennies have you forked over without looking at them? Did you know there are now seven different backs in circulation? The BiCentennial of Lincoln's birth (2009) brought four special issue tails.
I pay more attention to the postage stamp special releases than I do coins and bills. I remember coming across the new design for the $20. I was like, "what? when did that happen?" The large face and added graphics and color was jarring at first, looking more like foreign currency than U.S. Have you ever visited a U.S. Mint? We went to the one in Philadelphia a few years ago was a wonderful experience. Loved seeing the pennies being pressed. Loved seeing the oversized original engraving sculptures of the images as well as the sketches. Love American History.
Yesterday at the check out a shiny penny in my coin purse caught my eye. It was then that I discovered a new 'tails' side. In that same purse was a wheat wreath penny as well as several Lincoln Memorials. Not only was it a moment of awareness of the new issue coin, but cool that I had the older one too (1945).
How many pennies have you forked over without looking at them? Did you know there are now seven different backs in circulation? The BiCentennial of Lincoln's birth (2009) brought four special issue tails.
I pay more attention to the postage stamp special releases than I do coins and bills. I remember coming across the new design for the $20. I was like, "what? when did that happen?" The large face and added graphics and color was jarring at first, looking more like foreign currency than U.S. Have you ever visited a U.S. Mint? We went to the one in Philadelphia a few years ago was a wonderful experience. Loved seeing the pennies being pressed. Loved seeing the oversized original engraving sculptures of the images as well as the sketches. Love American History.
I just got my copy of the new Somerset Apprentice – great stuff! My sweet friend Linda Warlyn is featured, and you can find me in there too. It's been a couple years since I've written an article. I will have two more coming later this year in Somerset Studio and Art Journaling, then I will fade back into the shadows again.
Here is a sneak peek of my Table Scraps journal I'm sending off. Very hard to part with…had such a blast finishing it up. It was one of those projects you start and then you get distracted by something else. Felt good to give it the attention I had planned, using only materials that were on my work table (or nearby on the floor!) Feels like I'm always chasing some kind of deadline. Call me 11th hour girl. I like elevens.
And my latest favorite thing is hummus with Focaccia Sticks. In a pinch I'll be happy with celery for dipping but those sticks….swoon! Got the recipe online somewhere. Have a great weekend. It was 68* degrees here today….love THAT.
I just got my copy of the new Somerset Apprentice – great stuff! My sweet friend Linda Warlyn is featured, and you can find me in there too. It's been a couple years since I've written an article. I will have two more coming later this year in Somerset Studio and Art Journaling, then I will fade back into the shadows again.
Here is a sneak peek of my Table Scraps journal I'm sending off. Very hard to part with…had such a blast finishing it up. It was one of those projects you start and then you get distracted by something else. Felt good to give it the attention I had planned, using only materials that were on my work table (or nearby on the floor!) Feels like I'm always chasing some kind of deadline. Call me 11th hour girl. I like elevens.
And my latest favorite thing is hummus with Focaccia Sticks. In a pinch I'll be happy with celery for dipping but those sticks….swoon! Got the recipe online somewhere. Have a great weekend. It was 68* degrees here today….love THAT.
I have been collecting quotes for a hand-out and these rose to the surface. Other's thoughts on talent….which got me onto more subjects – being inquisitive, having interests….which reminded me of my fave: be curious.
I have been collecting quotes for a hand-out and these rose to the surface. Other's thoughts on talent….which got me onto more subjects – being inquisitive, having interests….which reminded me of my fave: be curious.
Do you get the Painter's Key newletter by Robert Genn? If not, visit here. He shares his observations and insights as an artist. A recent favorite is THIS ONE. He addresses the concern that some teachers may feel, that by sharing what they know the field becomes more competitive. One might think that if you impart too much you are empowering those that might outshine you. I disagree.
A good teacher will inform and encourage, so you learn some new skills, and draw on your strengths to determine your own style without imitating theirs. Like the quote Robert shared from Thomas Jefferson, lighting your candle off someone elses doesn't eliminate the original flame. In fact, the world becomes brighter.
Have you ever been at an event, like maybe in church, when a room is transformed from darkness into a warm glow as participants each light their candle from just one? It is glorious. THAT is a perfect visual for sharing your light, your love, your talent, your enthusiasm. I say spread it.