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.