Making cards and envelopes

Things can be quite easy for those with time and some imagination. But if you're in a hurry you can go to the store and buy things already prepared. If you want the card to be personal you can buy a blank card and write your thoughts. You can also use the program on your computer and create a card. You can purchase card stock and let your imagination go as much as your computer will allow. Making a card is simple. You take a piece of paper and fold it in half. Create a title, decorate, write something nice on the inside and that's all there is. Making an envelope to fit the card can also be easy. Take a piece of paper or two depending on the size of the card. Cut the paper larger than the card so that you can seal the edges. If the card is a quarter fold one piece of paper is all you need. If it is a half fold two pieces will work better. You can use the same color or be creative and use two colors. Let the colors match colors on the card. It's also a good way to recycle paper. You can use paper you've printed something on that didn't print clearly or the print was too light. Switch it upside down or make it the inside of the envelope so no one can read it. You can also create special messages as a surprise if it's a card with a gift. Such as printing a gift cerificate for services you will perform later if the person discovers it. You can agree to fix lunch or take the person to the movies. There are lots of ideas. Just play around with the idea and see what you can come up with. Make sure you glue the paper on three sizes. Leave an opening so you can slide the card in. Then you can seal the forth side, address your envelope, place your stamp on it and print Do not bend and your card is ready to be sent through the mail. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Making birthday award ribbons

I was in one of those dollar stores and someone had picked up a ribbon that said it's my birthday. I talked them out of buying it and I made one for them to wear on their birthday. I'll be making another and perhaps several others to send to female family members to wear. Although the ribbon was made from a large piece of ribbon, I decided to be creative. They are now making foam sheets and foam stick on shapes and decorations. I bought a pack of foam sheets, standard size, 6 sheets in the pack for one dollar. It's much more expensive at Michael's or Hobby Lobby. You can make your award any shape you desire. Once you have cut it, take a hold punch and about 1/4 inch from the top, punch your hold. This is where you'll run the ribbon through once you are finished. Take your foam design and decorate it as you see fit. Be creative, make the birthday person proud to wear your ribbon. There are markers made specifically for foam, but you can also buy transfer letters and stick on items. Now I know some of you are staying it would have been cheaper just to buy the one in the store. That's true, but this makes it more personal and you have material to make several. So, the next time your caught without a birthday gift you'll have them already made. There are stickers available with a birthday motif. The foam sheets come in several colors so you can make it with the birthday persons favorite color or mix it up. The creative process for this project is endless. You can also get smaller packets of foam sheets which can simply be cut in half or in threes depending on the size you wish to make. You can draw your own border or use the stick on type. When I am finished with my ribbon I'll post it here. I have to get started, it needs to be in the mail next week. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

A few visuals

Time for the visuals, a look back at New Orleans. 1)The lakefront airport. the airport used for mostly commuter planes doesn't have anyone in the tower. Funds are short and they sayit isn't necessary.  2) The cable guy, workers work diligently to install cable and landlines for telephones. 3) Clouds and a spec. I think a bug got inside of my camera. 4) A work of art from a friends garden  5) D artist  6)art deco Statues by Enrique Alvarez 7) Jumping for joy or just jumpin' 8) This is what my house looks like now 9) the skeletal remains  10) Luzianne coffee had a mammy  11) D X in NOLA  12) Close up  13) Trash was beginning to be picked up by the city 14) More of the skeletal remains

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is becoming very popular. It's sort of a combination of photo album and keeping a journal. I've been decoratiing my journals for years. Adding all sorts of things to help me remember some great times. I've posted everything from newspaper articles, drawings, napkins, wine bottle labels to photos of stars, family and friends. There are so many possibilities. Scrapbooking or journaling doesn't have to be expensive. You can use items that you have around the house instead of going out and spending money. Recently I took some old photo albums and removed all of the pictures. I'm scanning them into the computer so that I can create discs to give out to family members for the holidays since they lost most or all of their photographs to Katrina. Being the photographer in the family, I've inherited lots of photos from family members that have passed on. So, instead of throwing away the photo album I'm going to glue poems and magazine photos, and mini movie posters. You can do anything you want. Create borders with construction paper or fabric. Most of these items can be found around the house so you don't have to run out and spend money. All you need is some Elmer's glue, scissors, fabric, colored paper, photos or news paper articles, etc. and use your imagination. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Art tip of the day

If you're not really a collector, then art doesn't have to cost a lot of money. You just have to know what you like, where to put it and how to mat and frame a picture. Let's start with an image. It can be a family photo, picture of flowers or something you saw in a magazine that caught your eye. It can even be images from an old calender. Once you have selected an image, look at the colors in the room and the colors in the photograph. Are there any similar colors. Is there a particular color that stands out more than another? If you see a color that stands out, then get your mat to match that color. First you have to measure your image. If the image is 8 x 10, then you want to get a mat that is 11 x 14 with an opening of 8 x 10. In fact you can make the picture appear larger as long as the opening is for an 8 x 10 image or the appropriate image selected. Next is selecting a frame. If you have wood furniture you may want to get the frame that matches the woodwork of the furniture. If the walls are white you may want to get a frame that won't blend in. Select a nice sturdy frame. You can find a nice wood frame at Big Lots, Michael's even Wal Mart to fit your budget. You can even check out garage sales and spend a few minutes enhancing the frame. You can even add your own hooks or wire to support the frame. It's all quite simple and only takes a few minutes once you have everything that you need. Start off with a small image, maybe a 3 x 5 photo and put it in a 5 x 7 frame with a 4 x 6 matting that has a 3 x 5 opening. The total price of the frame and mat can be anywhere from $2.00 to $10.00 or more depending on the frame. Create your project and enjoy. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. I'll display some images soon.

Creating art requires inspiration

Sometimes in order to create art we need some sort of inspiration. It can be anything depending on what type of art we are trying to create. The sound of birds chirping can be inspiration for a poem or a song. The rays of the sun can create a color scheme for a picture or pattern. Looking at other art can also inspire one to create something of their own. I look at my photographs often and get inspiration to take that photograph and create something new. Today I'm being inspired by new items that are available to create with and the images that I received through the mail today. A catalog from the Seattle film festival and my Versace Book, Rock and Roll Royalty. They are both great inspirations for me to create something colorful, artistic, fresh and personal. I hope you can find some inspiration. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Let's talk art

It takes time to think of new ways to create art. I always want to be innovative and give a different take on something that may or may not be new. Artists think alike and so they tend to do some of the same things. Of course I’m sure you see art and you ask yourself, how was it created? What was the technique or what was the artist thinking? These are all valid questions, but the answers sometimes take time. There are many people who feel they are not creative. They feel if they can’t draw a line or make a sketch then they can’t create art. Art comes in many forms. From decorating a home, to decorating a room or lawn. Decorating a box or creating a wall hanging. These are all forms of creative expression. That’s what art is. It’s expression. A way of communicating who you are without using words. So lets start with something simple. Decorating a photo box. You can buy these plain show box like boxes. They are acid free and will keep your photos looking just like they did when you first took them. If you should notice that your photographs are turning brown, it means they are not in acid free sheets. Now that most people are going digital, take and scan those old photographs that may or may not be in albums. Create discs and give them to family and friends. It’s a good way to relax and go down memory lane at the same time. You’ll feel so good about sharing these moments again with someone that may need a laugh or smile. Take the empty box, and take your photos that you won’t put into books. Cut them into different shapes and glue them to the box. If you don’t want to cut the photos, then copy them or scan and print and you can cut the copies creating various designs. Take your favorite photo and copy it several times and create a collage of the same image in 3 D or using part of the photo on one side and another on the other and the full photo in the center. It’s your creation so you can do whatever you like. That’s the beauty of art. You can also do the same thing buy purchasing a picture frame, new or used it doesn’t matter. Cut your pictures and lay them out and then put the frame together and you have a great collage of memories. How big or small depends on you and the photos that you wish to use. Being a photographer I have thousands of photographs. I use them in varying degrees to create art on many levels. There isn’t anything I don’t use to display my photos. When a wall clock goes out I use it as a frame. I believe in recycling. It’s unusual and it keeps people guessing. So get in that closet and pull out all those family photos and create something new. You can also make cards using photos of family members. People get a kick of things you create yourself. It’s all about presentation. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. I’ll try not to stay away so long. LOL.

Take a peek

Images, images, images.

Creating art

You ever wonder what to do with those photos that don't make your photo albums? You know which ones I'm talking about. You have a finger tip or the back of someone's head. Perhaps the picture holds a memory, but you don't want to put it in the big album for everyone to see. Since I keep all of my photos, I started buying minature photo albums. They are a work of art in themselves. I start by creating a cover if one isn't to my liking. Next I get the photos that I want to put inside of the album. Usually they will hold about 24 photos. The difficult task is cutting the photo procisely to fit inside of the pages. This is also known as cropping. When you crop a photo you want to make sure you do it to capture what you are trying to say. Of course it's your art so you can do it to what makes you feel good. You can do a book of abstract images, people, flowers, you name it. Art is whatever you make it. You display it and people will talk about it. Art is meant to create something within a person when they look at it. Sometimes it brings a smile to a person's face and other times it makes them angry. As long as the artist can get the person viewing the art to show emotion, the work of art is complete. That's my philosophy. I usually buy matching books so they can be displayed on opposite sides of the room, mantel or table. Each book stands on it's on as far as the contents. Give it a try and see what you can come up. You can even cut your photos in different designs, creating a theme within a theme. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

More visuals

Let's do some visuals.  1) It's a mosquito, they are in NOLA now. Huge creatures. I found out that they eat the small mosquitos, so they don't suck on human flesh. That's good to know. Otherwise, I'd really want to stay inside. 2) This is a painting that I managed to save from the mold from someone's home. I can do some touch ups and reprint it on canvas and then reframe it. 3) After seeing this picture, I thought of the scene from Halloween when Lori Strode looks out of her bedroom window and thinks she see Michael Myers in the neighbors yard. I was actually doing laundry and had the camera set. LOL. 4) Laundry  5) Beast of vines 6) Check out the new haircut. It's actually more Xtreme now. I'm actually sporting a mohawk. I keep it tame in the hood. Don't want to scare the neighbors. LOL. 7) Nature is really beautiful 8) X  9) Speaks for itself  10) Numbers  11) Skyline  12) Memories 13) Clean up  14) Houses were beginning to burn in NOLA 15) A picture speaks thousands of words and it raises questions  16) This is where it all began. When I was taken from my house in the boat by the coast guard, I was brought to the entrance ramp of I -610 heading east. Thanks for stopping by; open your mind.

Images tell a story

Photo images not only capture a moment in time, they tell a story. With digital photography we can add, enhance and create art on top of art. The images you are about to see were taken with the Casio EX S500 Exilim digital camera. I’m still learning things about the camera. I’m a on hands kinda guy. Everything I do is self taught. I’m always trying something new and taking risks. It’s the beauty of being an artist. Enjoy, thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

1) Snap my picture  2) The Crowd  3) And the parade passes by  4) It's hard for a pimp 5) Float from Zulu  6) Chillin' along the route  7) Minature superhero  8) This is Mardi Gras  9) Mini Wonder Woman  10) A sense of humor  11) Only in Nu Awlins  12) It speaks for itself

Taking pictures, capturing moments

When we take pictures, no matter what level we are on, we capture a moment in time. Even if it is considered art, it is there to be cherished, admired. Upon my return to NOLA I gave one of my cousins some photos because they had lost those memories in Katrina. I'll soon begin putting together CDs of photos of various trips and family events we all shared together. The thing about being a photographer is that you tend to be the resident photographer for your family. Even when they don't come to you for business. LOL. Here are a few images I took on my recent visit back to the city.

1) The interior of the living room 2) One wall when we first started moving in  3) The toilet  4) Shower stall 5) Reflection of the artist  6) The cold shoulder 7) Walk this way  8) Happy Mardi Gras 9) Horse and pig 10) I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Trying to be creative

I've not started on my paintings, but I am doing some sketches and working on photos. Here are a few to hold you over.

Simple works of art

Many people don't think they are artistic. They associate art with drawing or painting. Decorating is as much an art as gardening and landscaping. It takes a certain something, something. Since the Mardi Gras season is upon those in New Orleans. I thought I'd share some secrets on what to do with those Mardi Gras trinkets. Some people leave up their Christmas trees and decorate them for every holiday. I've on occasion have decorated my christmas tree with white beads as garland. I also take the beads and instead of buying colored marbles or foam. I place beads inside a vase and then arrange artificial flowers. If the vase is clear then choose beads of the same color scheme as the room or use clear or white beads. I also have two large jars, one filled with purple, green and gold beads, the colors of Mardi Gras and the other filled with Dabloons from various Krewes. There you have it, another way to be creative and not spend a lot of money. The beads are free, you can get a vase for under $5.00 and a bushel of flowers for .88 cents at Wal Mart or Big Lots. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Getting models

When taking pictures we go from inanimated objects to those with movement. Insects, pets and people. You can go out and just snap pictures of people walking by or you can get them to actually pose for you. The latter isn't as easy as it sounds. There are some people who enjoy having their picture taken, but these may not be the people you're interested in photographing. I'm always looking for the shy person. The person with that hidden beauty. Someone who is ready to explode on film and aren't aware of the energy they produce. It takes time. I think it's one of the reasons why I like photographing my friends. It develops like a relationship. You have to put that person at ease and then the magic can begin. You can start with your friends and then gradually approach those that you find interesting and see where things lead. For me it's all part of the process. Select the subject, get them to agree to pose and then get them to unleash their fantasy or yours. LOL. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Antz

AntZ, a film with a double title. It could have been called Ant Z, since Zee appears to be the main ant. Let’s start from the beginning. This is my second time watching this film which I had doubts about before seeing it the first time. I am not a fan of Woody Allen. He’s an annoying, neurotic little man. The only film I had ever seen to completion was everything you always wanted to know about sex, but… nothing else seemed to appeal to me, but since I like animation. Anyway, there I was watching this film and getting a dose of Woody Allen and enjoying it. Now I didn’t run out and get a bunch of Woody Allen films, but I had opened myself up to the idea of giving his films a try. So I watched Annie Hall just three years ago for the first time. I think I watched another film, but the title escapes me. I’ll have to refer back to my journal if I can. Antz is about the underdog, becoming the hero. And most of the time it happens by accident. Perhaps Nagin will become the hero in the aftermath of Katrina since he is now the underdog. If you love animation or Woody Allen, you are going to enjoy this film. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Tonight’s feature is Sinbad, the legend of the seven seas.

A good time to take pictures

Make a note that the best time to take pictures is the next day after a good rain. Everything will show it's true colors. Immediately after a rain if the sun comes out you can catch rainbows. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

I couldn't believe it

 I was in a craft store and what did I see? A kit to decorate glass jars. Why didn’t I think of that? Well I did, but it’s not on the market? As I’ve mentioned before, artists think alike. Oh well, that’s life. I’ll have to think of something else. Today let’s create a calendar. Something personal. There are many programs to help you get this project off the ground. If you don’t have a computer then you can try it this way. If you have access to a copy machine, take a sheet of paper and draw 31 squares. They can all be the same size or you can make them smaller for the weekend days and if a month doesn’t have 31 days, you have a square to jot down notes. This will become your master sheet. Xerox 12 copies, one for each month. You can become creative by selecting photos or images to Xerox on the opposite side if you wish to make a wall calendar. If you wish to make sheets for your appointment book then you just modify the squares to accommodate your needs. Just use your imagination. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Being creative with stickers

Creative jars. I purchased some sticker paper from Wal Mart. I then run it through my copy machine printing images onto it. Then I cut the images out. I take jars and cans that I’ve used and decorate them with the stickers. It adds a personal touch and it makes great gifts. It only takes a few minutes once you’ve selected your images. You print them out in whatever program your using. I use the windows program and print my art as if I’m printing wallet size photos. The size of your sticker will depend on the object in which you plan to cover. I’ve created covers for my journals, cards and just things for the children to play with. Makes them feel special when they have stickers with their faces on it or their names. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. I’ll try to write creative art tips more often. I just needed to figure out something to write about. You would think an artist wouldn’t be at a lost for words. LOL.

Let's create art

I made a mistake yesterday. I was supposed to talk about how to make book marks and instead went on about a collage of photos. Today’s lesson - Bookmarks. For those of you that read or know someone that likes to read, bookmarks come in many different forms. Some are humorous and sometimes we make them ourselves with a post it note or a slip of paper. I prefer using post cards to mark my place. You can create bookmarks from many items even photographs. Take a favorite photo and scan it into your computer or just copy it on a piece of paper. Take a piece of construction paper and cut it a half inch larger than the photo at the top. Take a single hole punch and punch a hole in the construction paper. Glue the photo in place and then take a piece of colorful string and tie it through the hole so it can be draped over the page where you stopped reading. When I’m reading I like to read a chapter or two a night. So I’ll place a mark at the beginning of the chapter and one at the end so I’ll know that I’m getting close to the end of the chapter. I can also decide if I have time to read more than one or two chapters before bed. Once you’ve created your book mark, you can make more and get creative with them. Laminate them, use your favorite quotes. Put a different picture on the opposite side. When it comes to art, the possibilities are endless. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

The image of the M&M's was used as a bookmark. Of course I can't sell the image because it's copyrighted, but I am just showing you what can be done with things you like or that you know family and friends like. Use your imagination, the work will be so much more appreciated because it's personal. It can also be used over and over again. You can even laminated them to give a three dimensional effect. Work with your favorite designs, colors, and characters.

Let's discuss art

In the world of art, just about anything can be made creative. From a simple box to a tin can. From a newspaper to a candy wrapper. I’ll share with you some creative tips on creating with those items you find around the house. How to mix them with photographs to create all sorts of things. We all have a creative spot, we just have to learn how to use it.

Artography is a combination of art and photography. I will take photograhs and use them to create other forms of art with everyday items. You ever wonder what to do with that plastic container you get when you buy CDs in bulk? Why not create a collage that can sit on a table. Take a strip of colorful paper, preferably and solid color, but you can string together one or two strips the width of the container and the length so that it will take to go completely around the inside. Once you have measured it, find photos of groups or individuals that you would like to display. You can xerox them or you can use the original photo. It adds a 3 D effect when you cut it out. Cut the image as close as possible and then clue it onto the colored strip. You can layer the photos, create new groupings or add caption bubbles. It's your creationg, do what you feel expresses you. It will be a great conversation piece. It can be handled and you don't have to worry about the photos being damaged. You just wipe the smudges from the container. It's really simple and you can do this in about an hour once you have all the supplies you need. The possibilities are endless depending on how creative you are. Here are some preliminary sketches I've been working on. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

Let's discuss art

Before I get into posting any art this year, I'm going to discuss the appreciation of art. Art can be found in some of the most unusual places. You just have to know what to look for and what it is that you like. I know some people that like flowers. I myself like looking at the clouds and their formations. I like capturing images inside of other images. Let me explain. One Mardi Gras I was photographing the marching bands in the line up section of the Endymion parade. There was a military drill team and their helmets shined like mirrors. I took a picture of the helmet and got an image that captured something else going on in the area. You can do this with trucks, rear view mirrors, and motorcycles. Use your imagination. Look at other artitsts and then make it your own. Salvador Dali, Anne Geddes, Ansel Adams, Annie Leibowitz, Andy Warhol, Rondu, Georgia O'Keefe, Robert Mapplethorpe, Gordon Parks and many others have all been inspiration to me for various reasons. Annie Leibowitz because she was self taught and others for just being cutting edge. I'm still discovering photographers and artists of the old school that I had never heard of. I look at their work and see similarities of what I've done. Yet if someone would have seen my work they would have made a comparison. What can I say? Artists do think alike. When I used to work full time, I'd spend time doing what I called 15 minutes of art. I'd create a small sketch and then enlarge it on the copy machine. I do all sorts of things with it and it only took 15 minutes to create. It's funny how my mind works. I can do such great detailed drawings in minature form, but I have a problem with large paintings. My paintings are usually abstract when they become large than 4 x 6. I want to do a couple of paintings while I'm here in Austin. I need to get some canvas and create. I've let an opportunity pass because I didn't prepare myself. I don't know if it's fear or if I really don't want to promote my art that way. I like doing things differently. The idea of having a gallery where artists like myself can display their work is still something I wish to pursue. I would love to create a performance space slash gallery. LOL. I'm serious. I was on my way to doing that before Katrina. We'll see what happens down the line. I want to create my own disc of art that people can use for what every purpose. I'll put 100 images on a disc and sell it for $1.00.It's digital, don't cost a thing. If I sell 10 discs I've made my money back on the discs. Anything over that is profit. That's the problem with most art, it is so over priced. Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind. Go out and share some art.

Some friends were missed

I'll be back soon presenting art from my photography, drawings, paintings and sketches. I will begin dedicating my entries to people that were and still are a part of my life. I was just thinking, there are a few people that I considered friends that I never had the pleasure of photographing. I didn't even get to photograph them candidly. Even now there are a few people in my life that I have yet to have a photograph to remember them by. Most of my friends always say the same thing. I don't take good pictures. Then I respond, but you haven't had me take the picture. Most women just automatically think I want to photograph them nude. That would be nice, but I'm an artist and I like being tasteful. I like leaving things to the imagination. I enjoy bringing out the inner person. Their fantasies, who they are, what they enjoy doing. Children of course are the best subjects when you can catch them. I prefer not to pose a child. Catch them in a setting while they are moving. You can zoom in close or you can make adjustments on your computer. Technology allows us so much creative space. I'm hoping soon to get me a digital SLR from Pentax. It works with the regular SLR so I won't have to buy new lenses. Thanks for stopping by, stop back often for tips and tricks for getting started or perfecting your craft. Keep an open mind. Art is meant to be shared. Maybe not with everyone, but go ahead, share it for those that want to experience it.