Illusion of Beauty

As a photographer I was in my twenties I started out in black and white film with a gentle used Pentax 'K' that my husband's boss had sold me.  I took classes amassing huge amount of college credits in photography.  Over the years I had different cameras.  Going from film to digital.

I now have a Sony A7 which I dearly love, a Samsung 8+ phone that takes super pics, and a Apple X phone which I am slowly learning to like after years of being a NON APPLE person.  In fact I had switch from PC to IMac so my learning curve is in full swing at moment.  But that's another story for another day; today we talking about programs I use to assist me as a photographer.

I call my process "Illusion of Beauty with Photoshop and Filter Forge."

Photoshop Elements 2018 is the tiny version of Adobe's Creative Cloud for working on photos or develop ones own artistic creation.  It allows the artist using the program to expand their creations; this statement is a simplified explanation believe me.

Filter Forge 7.5 is program to work with or stand alone with Photoshop any of the versions.  Filters are what create different effects or layers upon a photo.  I use both Potoshop Elements and Filter Forge.

I don't know many photographers who do not use some form of assistance to enhance their photographs.  Even when I use to develop from film my own photos in a darkroom that there tricks of the trade to enhance a photo.

I like a certain style to my photos.  It is one reason I use the programs I use. My personal taste for a photo is:

 A soften look, more of a painters style using a watercolor effect, 

 a singular item as the focus of interest. 

It's amazing what one can do to a photograph!  When I look at magazines or art book I look to see the "Illusion" as I call it.  Many times it very obvious, other times its so subtle that it's often not found.  Unless a person is told you may miss the "Illusion".

These are my Illusions:  Hope You enjoy!

Lost In Her Own World - Final Edited Photo

Lost in Her Own World - Original Photo I took

Rainy Day in France - Final Edited Photo

Rainy Day in France - Original Photo I took

Yearnings to Travel

Travel yearnings are upon me once more. 

I will be taking off for a year from work to do things that only please me. 

During the summer weekend trips thave been planned.  To visit several cities in Alaska I been dreaming to see: Sitka, Juneau, and then revisit my favorites Homer, Kenai, Talkeetna. 

As I sit and ponder my travels I also plan to visit Iceland, Russia, more of Europe.

I have no clue where I got the travel bug to visit far off places...it doesn't matter, I have a wander lust that must be completed it seems before my time on earth is over - at my age now its paramount I travel and see the wonders of the world.  THEN:

Come September I will be a university student once more. I shall be taking several university courses.  University of Alaska, Anchorage offers a full range of options for my passions: photography, creative writing and pottery. 

The photography course will only heighten my yearnings to be that National Geographic Photographer who snaps a bloom as it slowly opens to the morning rays after the evening dew filled it's thirst upon the ever dried soil.

Or to Capture the mother who yearns to be free from her child and be a child herself once more.

Or perhaps the award winning Botanical shot shall tickle my fancy...

 

Creative Writing is a tool I be using to write a book about my adventures as a Behavioral Specialist working with folks who have various disabilities. The past 7 years working with those who have mental disabilities and mental health issues has given me much thought to my own life and how very lucky I am to experience so much. All too often we forget to take time for ourselves.  Writing gives me a change of scenery and a place to soften the edges of life when those around you are different.

Pottery will be a form to express myself in every day items.  A bowl, a cup and plate. 

My life path varies from most.  Being the odd duck has never stopped me from doing as I wished my motto has always been "I am woman Hear Me Roar". 

I love many and shall continue to love many as I walk among people who also are taking the journey to the end of time and with a passion to guide them.

Photoshop Fun

For the last few months I've been busy working.  Then I've also been playing every chance I had in my free time to play with Photoshop.

I love Photoshop Elements 9.  It's fun and the plug-ins that one can purchase or find free on the internet are a blast also!  Harry's Filters is my favorite, plus a kaleidoscope filter has became my right arm extension of my art.

 
Mr Fishlips tells me with each new creation that he thinks I'm a super artist.  I just laugh and run with his kind words.

A recent trip out to Hatcher's Pass on September 5th left us breathless at the beauty of Alaska.  

Although my guy doesn't like his photo's published I thought you would enjoy this one that I call 'Happy Hands'.  Yep those are his hands that make this kaleidoscope have special meaning to me.

Adventures Ahead

This is my last weekend of total freedom from the working class world.  On Monday I start a new adventure returning to the working world.  

It’s been some time since I was an employee for someone else.  I cannot tell you HOW excited I truly am at this new opportunity!  I have not been this excited in ages and ages!

I’ve sat down writing up my 5 year goals for finances, things that we need to do to our home, our surroundings and also things we want for fun, plus making life easier.

I will be working for Hope Community Resources here in Anchorage.  Hope assists folks with disabilities throughout the state of Alaska.

Many folks wonder why this area for me…no one in my family or circle of friends growing up had anyone in their lives who was disabled.  Out of 8 children I’m the only member of my family who has chosen work in the past and present in this specialized area. 

When ask in my interviews why would I work in this field…my answer was simple: “I believe everyone in life deserves to enjoy it to the best of their abilities and should be encouraged to live a happy life that has meaning to them.  Plus I find working with folks who have disabilities rewarding.  They give something to me as well as I’m giving something to them.”  

Maybe it was because I have the Oldest Sibling syndrome even though I'm the third child of eight – I need to take care of those who are less able to care for themselves.  Maybe it was because as a child I was always dragging home the stray pets and injured animals to take care of.  Whatever it was that made me this way - I’m glad.

Now if I just hear that I will be one of those selected to be receiving a Rasmuson Foundation art grant award – my life goals for this year would be 100% complete and totally awesome!

Challenge of Color

As February slowly wines down from the excitement of Valentine’s Day, I find that a need to create new work is a must or otherwise I do believe I could just become a slug until summer arrives.  

It’s comfortable just daydreaming though.   

Sitting in my robe till noon was almost pleasant.  I felt guilty at 12:20pm the other day when just picking my nose, dusting the floor with my 20yr old bunny slippers which haven’t been washed since getting them off Ebay, on my fifth pot of coffee, and staring at the black spider on the wall make me want to pound my head on the desk like a two year old having a tantrum -> this is my sweeties version to hear him tell it.  I don’t pick my nose, never own bunny slippers, the robe is his, I swear it was only the 4th cup of coffee-It's too expensive to drink more than one pot a day, that spider I killed last month and most days I’m dressed by 11am!  But he is right I do throw tantrums except I've learned not to bang head anywhere cause it causes one to go blind (something like playing with yourself but no fur grows there)!

So I decided HEY SELF time for a Challenge. 

Never one to let a good thought get lost ~ you’re invited to do the challenge also!  I double dog dare you to do this challenge!

The Challenge is to work with a color for so many days.  I thought 30 days would be great but since I’m also easily distracted and living in a small city (Anchorage doesn’t even have a Sonic, or Red Lobster, or Olive Garden so YA we are small). 

The challenge is for 15 days.  On your mark get set GO!

Challenge #1 is the color RED –

 February 15 to March 1

Anything goes…just create and have fun!  Create something each day that has Red as the focus of your creation.

***If anyone wishes to share their creations I will happily showcase those artists during the challenges here on my blog (just leave a comment or send me a message on Facebook, or convo me in any of my shops - I triple dog dare my fellow artists and crafters to Please Please do this - it will be fun!!)

Feb. 15 - photo no. 1

Copyright Law

Today I want to mention a law that is very important to anyone who creates an image.  By creating this item it’s an expression of you; so therefore you have a right to this item being covered by the copyright law.

A Federal law:***Copyright of all images stated by the laws of the United States (January 1,1978 Title 17, U.S. Code and further in Section 106 of the Copyright Act) T...here is a fine for this copyright infringement per image involved and another fine per image to the person/and or business that reproduces, copies, or prepares derivative works for another person. "No images on this site are to be reproduced or copied in any way. Infringement will be prosecuted in an Alaskan court of law".

I create photos which I call art.  They are covered by law just for the mere fact I created them as an expression of myself.  All my online shops mention coverage of the copyright laws to all my products.  

A watermark ‘AS2Designs’ is on each of my photos that I put online so anyone looking knows this is copyrighted. 

I charge a price for my art.  I expect a payment for my art if you wish to display it anywhere in your home, office, school, or mode of transportation.  This also means your computer, your cell phone and any other device that is connected so that you can download a copyright item or place onto these devices.

Most folks are not aware of copyright laws.  Nor do they understand the law and how it pertains to art.  And gasp big time - many do not care about the law.

I will tell you dear readers this – the times are changing - folks who create items are tired of those stating they are not aware of the law, and especially about those who do not care about the copyright law and Artist are fighting back very strongly against those who just help themselves to our creations.

Permission is needed if you wish to put one of my photos on your blog either just for displaying or discussing the photo.  Permission is needed if you want to share it on a social network (example I’m on Facebook but you are on Myspace and want to show your friends my photo there)…written permission covers both you and the artist Do It the Right Way!  

All art must also define (acknowledge) who the artist is if displayed.  A good example would be ‘Blue Moon over Anchorage’ by AS2Designs you would list next to photo or under it so that all who look know who actually created the piece.  It’s even better to say: with permission by artist AS2Designs ‘Blue Moon over Anchorage’, that eliminates any doubt to viewers.

My advice is simple: 

Do Not download photos for your personal use as a wallpaper or anything else on your computer it’s a Super Big No No!  And do not download to use to create another piece of art!! 

Pay for the item is the correct and moral thing to do.  Remember you were raised better than to steal and be labeled a thief. 

Do it the right way instead of the wrong way so that you never have to worry about being contacted by a lawyer, charged as a criminal, and paying huge fines.

When Chickens are blue

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are days just a corner of my life is complete.

There are days I sorta feel like a chicken waiting for my eggs to hatch.

There are days I feel as if I'm running in circles standing still.  

Some days I write a poem.

Most days I take a photo.

Today I'm just me being silly.

Sketchbook Challenge

In my post on Saturday I had decided to tag along on the sketchbook challenge even if I don't draw a straight line or a circle very well.

January's challenge is what we (our self) consider 'Highly Prized'. That is a broad spectrum.  

So I drew a few things that mean the most to me to start and then as the month progresses I will take each of those items and expand.  That's the plan at the moment for me. 

 

The items I highly prized are:

things I love with  my heart 

- time

-  car 

- camera 

-  art 

-and yes it even includes

my kitchen aid stand mixer for cooking

I'm going to play and explore each area not only with free hand drawing but with any and all options available to me such as using my Rubber stamps, my photographs, my oils or acrylics, 

Color Me Bright

As mentioned in other posts Color is one of my driving forces.  The brighter and wilder the color the more Fishlips is attracted to them.  My take on using colors:

Pastel colors are soft, used to subdue the subject.

Bright colors shimmer, used to bring the subject to attention.

The following three photos are different perspectives of the same photo altered in a wild abandonment of having fun and discovering the different effects I can apply using Photoshop.