Travel Muses

In the last couple of years traveling has become a form of self-entertainment

2012 Visited Ireland with my mother.

2013 San Francisco.

2014 San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angles - Disney World and Universal Studios - fun with my sister and her grandkids.

2015 I by  self drove Hwy 1 on the Coast of California in January which I managed to break my foot but didn't stop me from dancing in San Diego.  Flew to St. Louis to see family, and then in August went I took Mom to Las Vegas.

2016 I went to Europe for 3 glorious weeks.  England, France, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Greece, Israel, and Finland. 

Most the trips were alone which is awesome because I can do whatever I want, when I want, and how I want LOL.  I am rather selfish I have discovered on places I am willing to visit with others.

As an older single woman I'm always ask Do you feel Safe?  Don't you miss having company?

I always feel safe no matter where I am at.  I do research prior to leaving and always am aware of my surroundings. And I don't take items along on trips to call attention to self.  I am usually carrying my backpack, don't carry lots of cash, don't wear name brands, and jewelry is left at safe deposit box in Anchorage. I stay at Hotels after I have read reviews to see if any issues or problems and also use AirBnB. Research is being open to trusting your gut.  Ask othes if they have been there, when and what they did. 

As to having companions - family trips fill those needs right now.  Perhaps in the future I 'll meet a man who have the same passions I do for travel and we can see the world together.  But I love traveling alone.  Honestly.  I love to wake early, dress and walk all day exploring wherever I am visiting. Eat when I am hungry and the best I don't need to ask another if they are ready to do another day of what I do.

Europe was awesome for this.  Walking gives you a whole another outlook on life from a different view.  Its up close and personal.  Plus it makes me talk to others, learn about the area first hand.  And time stands still as I photograph a doorway leading to unknown territories:  letting my imagination run wild.

I learned to enjoy being alone one must be brave enough to talk to others and even if we don't speak the same language.  One of my fondest memories of Europe is when I flew to Greece with a woman from the Netherlands who spoke very little English sitting next to me but we talk for an hour about grandchildren.  She was going to see her daughter who was expecting her second child any day.  We both laughed, talked and had a great exchange of women bonding over the love of babies.

In Paris a waiter was upset I sat in the smoking / drink area only and I only wanted lunch... I love eating out & I am not shy about eating alone LOL... he tried to ignore me but the couple sitting at another table told him in French that I wanted to order a meal not just a drink.  I laughed along with this couple at the waiters error it made my lunch so much more enjoyable. I did learn food and drink is common bonding no matter where one is - a common theme throughout all my travels. 

No matter when I have gone people have been so kind, plus helpful when I would ask for assistance.

A smile goes a mile when traveling alone!

Scrapbook Designer Papers

I've been dreaming once again.  A simple dream over and over.  

A few months ago I stated many of my photos had turned into works that would be fun to use other than as photos!  

That they would be fun designer scrapbooking papers.

So how does one contact the various companies that sell to the public scrapbooking papers?  I have oodles and oodles of designs that I believe would sell extremely well in that market area.

 

Land of Bunnies and Chocolate Eggs

                                                       

With Easter just around the bend in the calendar the above version of a Kaleidoscope is the perfect background for making fun greeting cards!

                  Time Marching Forward & Back

Perfect for SteamPunk artists!  I see all kinds of objects being added on a mixed media scrapbook page!

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.

Quick Change Artist

Today's post is just a photo taken and then changed into several different pieces as an experiment to create a new look each time I changed one item on the photo that was before it.

 

 

 

                                                                               

Pine Cones

Because of their widespread occurrence, conifer cones have been a traditional part of the arts and crafts of cultures where conifers are common. Examples of their use includes seasonal wreaths and decorations, fire starters, bird feeders, toys, etc.

As a child we made the Peanut Butter bird feeders.  I have made my own wreaths.  I have use pine cones as fire starters.  I have use them as Christmas tree ornaments.  For a long time just had a basket full sitting in living room adding a lovely fragrance.

In my yard I have several ancient Pine trees dropping pine cones over the lower third of my yard.  The neighborhood squirrels squabble over these morsels for storage during the summer for their winter feed.

Wiki has a great page for information and photos

of various pine cones species. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conifer_cone

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.

  

 

 

Creative Writing

Today I celebrated my birthday.   I took a break for working on photos.  A most pleasant day began with many birthday wishes from family and friends, and many more once my Facebook page was loaded on my computers screen.

 

A day that I celebrate by always calling my mother; thanking her for having me on this day.  It belongs only to me.   I don’t share it with any other family member, although two other siblings where born on the 17^th of February and July.

Throughout the day my thoughts were of that pesky Artists Statement that I’ve been working on for a few days.  Being one who can write a book when she sits down; this elusive statement needs chopping big time.  Also needs to be refined quite a bit. 

I’m told an artist’s statement is important so that folks understand why an artist creates things as they do, will promote interest in your art, and will give insight to the core of yourself.

Heck I don’t even have a clue to the type of art I do.  I know the main category is Fine Art Photography; sub categories such as: Botanical, some architecture, and a few portraits.    

How does one say I take a photo, then just break all the rules and mess it up some more with the help of Photoshop; with color changes, additions of patterns, allowing it to become another subject all together until it’s recognized as something else.  

Is my work abstract, surreal, modern, outsider, pop, or classical?  

 Do I even want to be locked into a category?

I know it is evolving so quickly at this point in time I’m not sure what to call many of the newer creations.  I create art first for my entertainment and then to see the reactions of those who view my work and I want them to enjoy the subject as much as I do.  I want to raise eyebrows without someone going into shock.

To me bright colors popping off the paper to excite the viewer along with the subject compelling interest and desire are some of my goals.  Are the goals attainable?

I think I need a nap all this questioning wears one out rather quickly.  And my time is up...