Photo Manipulation done right

I just bumped into an artist with the coolest ideas on photo manipulation, her name is Flora Borsi. This post is about models looking like the paintings. I love it!

Click the image to go to her awesome blog.

Also, this is my E.C. I mentioned yesterday. A face only a mother could love haha

 

Makes me feel like doing the chicken dance ...

Music and useful links

I love music! Sometimes I find one song that captures my attention for weeks and this is one of them:



While you listen to Kimbra, I also wanted to talk about what seems to be a constant interest in creative people: The copyrights and the expiration dates. On art, not on milk :oP
If you like to use vintage ephemera, or reproduce the old masters, you will be happy to read than anything made before January 1923 is public domain (unless a legal right is still being updated and kept current), but basically you are free to use the image.
In the case of the challenge I'm currently working on, Modigliani, his work is borderline that time. That means you won't be braking any law if you paint and sell your work even if you made it so close to the original that is hard to tell which is which ;o)
I am far from that case hehehe but nevertheless being the year of creation 1917 or so... I could list it with no problem. Read more about it :

http://inventors.about.com/od/copyrights/a/expiration.htm
Also here: http://www.publicdomainsherpa.com/copyright-expiration.html
And a bit more HERE about the use of the copyright sign.

I am mentioning it, because of some comments discussed previously and that link was not quite explanatory. These are a bit more clear.

There are some artist that do not like the copyright, and feel ok to have their work used or copied by others. (Just saw a video in youtube about it)
It has happened to me 3 times through the years and I did not like it. First I felt puzzled, then I felt cranky. They didn't even take the time to copy the painting by painting it but simply took the image and used it with no credit. (Well, one gave semi-credit but never asked to use it; it was an accident I bumped into it)

That's it for now. I am listing in my Etsy shop today so I better get to it!
I will be back with more art tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by ♥

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Cleaning, reorganizing (again!) and letting go

You would think that by having the kids (and their errands) out of school, one would have more time to do art. But is not the case. Never is. My schedule (and household) is messed up, crazy and upside down. I know I am not the only one so guess find comfort in numbers right?  I like to box, to put behind doors and inside drawers etc all the stuff in neat little groups.
Well, everything is poured everywhere. 3 people against me LOL (I won't even mention the pets. They are a whole other post altogether....)

So, in my effort to be able to control chaos and claim back some territory, have been reorganizing at least MY stuff. Well, I already went through their closets to donate all the clothing and gadgets they are not able or willing to use again. ☺

Now, slowly, I am listing crafty goodies HERE starting all at 99 cents. Call it separation anxiety, but I just can't go and take artsy/craftsy items in a box to be left abandoned at the donation center. I have to see that it goes to someone that really wants it and ship it to them. ♥

You can expect to see paper goods, cloth, yarn, polymer, wood, even fur and feathers! Heck I'm ready to put the dog and the cat there too LOL
I will list older work as well, so keep an eye and wish me luck!

Last night we were still at 93F / 33C hot weather at 9 PM, goodness gracious. How's your summer going so far?

Wasn't it just yesterday...?

I took my baby daughter to register for a summer class in high school. Feels to me it should be kindergarten! Even if she now is taller than me, it just doesn't feel right that she will start high school... Too soon! Too fast! Some one please, pass me the salts!

Well, I will skip the fainting to say thanks to my buddy Karen Anne! She will have Sasha with her soon. I am so happy it goes to her home!  The angel and the adobe house are still up for grabs HERE

I have some ACEO in the making, but somehow my muse lost her GPS again so here I am simply waiting for her to arrive to her destination.  I blame it on Panzón. He is enjoying his summer a bit too much.

 Another paparazzi interrupting my nap...

How is your summer so far?

Last days of summer vacation

The past week went in a rush like in a blur.  We have been doing tons of things, being the last week of vacation, then the first week of back to school. I started this post several times and it never got published so here I am, editing it one more time now that I have internet service again... I won't even go into the broken pipe in the front yard or any of the variety of household situations.... all I say is, I'm back and I want cake!! :oP

Talking about cake, today, 16 years ago, I became a mother for the first time, to a cute and noisy baby, who has turned into a tall young man, with a wonderful heart. And, who is going to share his cake with me if I stop talking about him...  He's still noisy :o)

And in other news, we are being part of a challenge! Please vote for Andie and her art HERE she has 3 ACEO cards in there.
These are some of the paintings  I've been working on:

OK, time to hit the publish button!

Not the only one

As I was doing my blog visits last night, I bumped into Barton Originals post about how she's been feeling frustrated about not being able to start her work, and she had many comments by different people, regarding pretty much about a general feeling of the same "thing".

I wonder if it is in the heat, stars, constellations  or something, as I was having the same kind of funk not too long ago.  For now, I am going to do what Gary Reef says: Stop thinking and start doing.

Yeah! Where are those brushes and paint!?


~*~
Updated few hours later:

"You are the right person, this is the right time, you've paid your dues, you're thinking the right thoughts, you're doing the right things, and this very moment, you are exactly where you're supposed to be... poised for the happiest time of your life."

The past text, shared by Zelodious.. thanks!

Summer days...

I don't know about your part of the world, but here, the summer starts early, fast and hot. And unless you are in the south of the world, you are probably enjoying some hot weather as well. The only part I don't enjoy is when the electric bill gets here... ouch! Electricity in California is very expensive, at least in my county.

Well anyway, I have been keeping the kids busy, and slowly but surely working on my artsy craftsy projects.
For my "Touring baby" I have visiting my friend Rhonda's baby, isn't she cute?

I will give her some hair and a cute dress (same fabric as her shorts), then ship her to Idaho, an she will keep her travels all the way back to NC. Check the Babies Blog HERE

Also, let me tell you: My Frida doll was included in a very pretty treasury! HERE 
Made by whisperings13 in Etsy, thank you! That made me very happy :o}

I have a cute picture to share too. Former enemies, now nap partners, Panzón and Scruffie:

And before I go, don't forget to sign up for my ACEO Giveaway!

The pitter patter of little feet part 2

Remember the preview a few days ago? It is a fun project for polymer babies and we have a blog too.

So here comes a baby from California on the way to Idaho! I have to say, sending a baby in parts is strange! I didn't have the heart to take a picture of the parts alone LoL
But for our project here, where each participant works on each step of the production, it is easier for the one that will paint the baby to get the parts separately.
Doesn't it almost look like a finished baby on  the blankie?  :o)

So well, here is my baby ready to be worked on. From Idaho, to Michigan, then North Carolina, Georgia and finally back home!
If you want to visit the blog, this is the link: http://touringbabies.blogspot.com


See how she look NOW!

Don't forget to leave a comment! I'd love to hear from everyone, thanks!

Did you know?

Some time ago I found this nifty site, with a "best days to list" calendar. I am not sure if it really helps but HERE it is. I think there is always a good day if the right buyer/collector finds you.
In any case, I am listing often both in ebay and etsy and I am thrilled to have sales. Thank you very much to the buyers, the new and the repeated collectors.

Janine's giveaway! Plus some awesome words

Hey, I want to win that pretty giveaway Janine is having! I posted on twitter too, but whatever you do, don't stand in my way ok?? MiNe!!LoL :oP

...Now, I want to share with you an awesome words from Gary Reef I read this morning:

Sustaining Passion
I think the biggest key to success as an artist is learning to sustain your passion.
It is really difficult to juggle life as well as having an art career because usually
the art career gives way. So the question is, can you have both? Can you be a
successful artist whilst holding the family and all of those responsibilities together?

Well the answer is YES, but it does take some time management skills, but even more
importantly it takes really WANTING it. Nothing ever comes easy, and those who say so,
live in big fat fairy land.

The key is all about sustaining that passion you have, to focus every spare moment on
creating and getting it out there for the world to see. ‘Think less do more’ is
a mantra I say constantly because thinking about it won’t make it happen!
Those people who make it HAPPEN might not necessarily be the best artists, but they have that
passion and nonstop drive to succeed. So if you’re really passionate about art
and I mean REALLY passionate, then you will succeed because the universe (call
it God) opens doors for those who are really dedicated. Because I really
believe that if you follow your passion and your heart doors open up to support
that. BUT...


We are constantly tested to see how passionate we really are. You know when that
gallery knocks you back because you don’t have an art degree, or you’re the only
member of the art society who does abstract work or you live in a small country
town in the middle of Hicksville or you don’t get selected to exhibit...look at
it all as a test!

Many people will give up and I will be the first to admit I have
been so disheartened on occasions like that, but don’t take the easy road.
Success doesn’t happen overnight, it takes lots of hard work and many
rejections...keep burning that passion like a candle. Keep it alive, protect it
and you will find that eventually you will see results.
Stay strong, determined and focused and never give up!"

................Wow! wasn't that inspiring??? :oD


And to close this post: say goodbye to fumes... say goodbye to cleaning your paint brushes!!
And I'm afraid, you'll say also good bye to a large chunk of money with this AWESOME Paint Program!

Enjoy!

Wisemen cake, or the 3 Kings cake

One of the traditions I liked the most growing up, was having the traditional Rosca de Reyes, (King's cake) celebrated on the 6t of January. (Not to mention the toy in my shoes!)
It is a mildly sweet bread, with crystallized fruit on top and a hidden plastic baby Jesus. I guess there's many different recipes for it, so you have to check what's in there to see if you're going to like it.
We have moved to many cities so every time was a new experience.
Some time ago we bought one that looked nice, but tasted like paper and baguette bread LoL Other times we just don't buy any because they look pitiful or kind of burnt, or dried out.... pretty much kills the craving for cake LoL

Oh! I found a blog dedicated to cake wrecks and I wanted to share:
CAKE WRECKS ...so funny!!

I guess the solution would be for me to learn to make one, but I rather buy one and help the bakers economy. You have not heard of them getting any bailouts have you? :oP Not to mention I don't want to end up in that blog as a cake wrecker! LoL

So here's a slice for you: (oh! you got the hidden baby! lucky you!)




And this is what I see in my kitchen window to make winter go by easier: beautiful azaleas! This is the first time they make it, but I don't dare to plant them outside. 3 have dried up back there already, the air is just too hot in the summer.

Elf boy on the run

Remember my WIP of a little elf? He's all done and ready to run. I named him Whitte Gaelach, which means White moon. The 5 day listing here HERE and I am very happy the way he turned out. He has the cutest little freckles but I'm not sure they show well in the pictures.
I wanted to make his story with a video, but knowing me, it will take me another 2 months to finish that the way I like it, and another one to edit the video... so, I will skip that for now LOL

The people from AMA are running a cool Halloween challenge but I didn't start on time so I will miss it. I will post the winner soon.
The winner of the past Classic Fairy tales challenge, was Sandra Arteaga with a beautiful Snow White. Congrats!

Valeria ballerina and her friend Bunny

Valeria Ballerina can barely walk, but she loves dancing and playing with her white bunny...





She is listed on ebay

Now, for some people sewing is a relaxing easy hobby. For me? it's a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine. I love fabric, and I know a couple of things about patterns, but for tiny size dolls, gosh! I have a stressing time to try new things! :oP I was all happy to make a legless baby onesie.... well, after 3 days I gave up, and it ended up being a pretty cute set of.... long pants pajamas! LOL

Frida doll

I listed Frida on Etsy HERE And I have more pics of her:




Wish me luck!

Oh!! I went to she bookstore yesterday and of course I went straight to check the doll magazines just to find in Art Doll Quarterly: Mealy Monster Land's dolls in there I was so excited to see her there!! I saw Deirdra Doan's dolls from Jane DesRosier's class too! great art dolls! :oD

Tutorials, and a lazy saturday...

The first week of school always makes me feel lost... all the running so early in the mornings then the quiet stillness of the house. Even the cat had a time for a nap. Oh, never mind, he always has time for a nap! :o)

So today it's our first Saturday and I have a bunch of DOLL tutorial links to post.
Some are in a different language but very easy to follow by the pictures:

A very cute Polymer Dragonfly from Tundra Thuyak

Beautiful Matrioshka doll buttons First, Second, Third steps, by Galago.

Video on sculpting a baby's head by Cheimarie.

Another sculpting video toddler doll by Christy J.

How to make doll diapers by Skip to my low, which by the way is full of great projects!

This one is for painting a face by Celycom, very interesting info, for any kind of sculpting.

Fabric mermaid Art Doll by Shell-Shell with extra link on more no-sew dolls.

Well, I hope you have a nice lazy weekend!

Doors and Moon

I wanted to share you a cool posting I found about doors. I LOVE doors! For a long time I collected door pictures. I would go on a trip and find some door to photograph. I don't know exactly why I find doors so awesome... they tell a story, they welcome you, that's the first and last thing people see when they are home. Just like people, each door has it's personality! LOOK HERE and enjoy.

Now, for the moon part of this posting:
We are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the man walking on the moon, (or did he...?) and here's a picture I took this past 4th of July. I like taking moon pictures :o)



*This post was originally part of another post but edited later on.

Tips Tuts and Links

Here are some blog tips in case you have not heard of them before:

*Add the "follow me" option module if you don't have it already, so people can link to you.
*Type commas in the Interests part of your profile, so people can find you by clicking on those same words, if they share same interests.
*Add the "keyword" module to your layout, so readers can find your past postings by subject easier.

Now, a cool link on how to make a neat little TOADSTOOL

And.... a little how-to make a simple light box, to photograph small art indoors:

The other side of the world... to me.

I have to tell you, my faith full three readers, about a new discovery I made.

You know I love ACEOs, and I love blogs.... so to meet a blogger that makes ACEOs is a great thing, but when the artist lives in an exotic far away place, it always deserves a special mention.

Please visit SUTTILAK's blog and look at all the art he has there. Not only the paintings, but the links to his music! Oh gosh I LOVE that video I don't remember the name of the instrument, but it's awesome!! So relaxing.... great job there!

Now I'll go back to my little spot under 20 the covers and coats... I am cold! Is it February already?? Not yet?? OK... I'll wait a bit longer, like the groundhog. :oP

Here's a picture of a hippie looking fairy with her new wings:

Thanksgiving and thank goodness for links

Here's a very pretty collection of leaves my daugther and I picked on one of our walks, hope you like them. I love the fall colors. So deep and dramatic!

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! We had a great time, and got to thank twice, since we went to visit family on Saturday and did almost the whole thing all over again. Except I did not over ate. That's just once a year and I was still paying for it lol :oP

Now, I am one that always keeps an eye on artsy and craftsy sites, and I found some very interesting things... Here are the links and please let me know what you think!

1- This is not new, but it's worth mentioning it. It's ALL ACEOs

2- Neat little place Doll Pile (growing fast!) for DOLLS

3-One site that allows you to use/link your etsy store ART FIRE you can list and buy ACEOs, sculpts, etc...more than art.

4- And..... one cool eye TUTORIAL by Rivkah Mizrahi.
I just love her dolls!