Mark your calendars!  I'm pleased to be one of many artists participating in the Annual Good Shepherd Art Studio Art Show and Sale. 

I've got new software and I'm ready to play.  Today I'm rediscovering Photoshop Elements and the fun of digital journaling.  Elements 12 has many changes from version 8 and some new features too.  A little more play and then I'm going to get to work on a few big photo projects I've been planning for awhile.

It's been a cold, cloudy and now rainy day.  Great day for a walk by the Bow River with the dog and my camera. Despite the bad weather there was lots to photograph.  This little beauty didn't require any fixing with Photoshop but that doesn't mean I won't play with a few effects and add a few graphics in some upcoming projects.

WooHoo!  North Light Books is publishing another ZenDoodle book in late 2014.  I've had three of my doodles chosen to be included in this book.  I'm very excited to have this opportunity to share my doodles and info about how I doodle.  The first ZenDoodle book titled, Tons of Doodles is a wonderful book which shows how many artists take a few tangles and patterns and create fabulous doodle works of art.  My doodles and paperwork have been forwarded to North Light in Ohio and now all that's left for me to do is be patient until the book comes out - just in time for Christmas.

Now I'm Done....or Maybe Not

Sometimes you think you are finished working on a particular piece.  Step back or leave it be for a few days.  Or take the piece to a different room or studio.  Even photographing the piece and looking at it again may change your mind.  Looking at the piece with 'different eyes' lets you see what is right, what is wrong or what is missing.  That's what happened with this piece that I thought I was finished.  A few changes and additions make me like this piece even more!

Not finished yet.....

Stand Tall  12x12 mixed media collage

Feels Like Spring in the Studio

It certainly feels like Spring is on the way.  Temperatures have climbed above 0C for the past few days & the snow is melting.  It's still too early for things to be sprouting outside but the nice weather has inspired me to 'sprout' a few canvasses.  This collage technique with doodles is lots of fun. 

Black and Blue

I've always been a doodler. The Zentangle phenomena got me started with viewing my doodles as pieces of art in their own right.  The opportunity to have one of my earlier doodles published in Northlight's Zendoodles - Tons of Tangles book in 2013 has re-ignited my passion for doodling.  My style has changed and evolved over the years and currently features traditional doodles in the forefront with tangling and patterns as fillers.   I've started to add colour and use the doodle in mixed media projects using acrylics, watercolours, Copics, gel transfers, fabrics and more.  Black and white will always be my favourite but I'm enjoying playing with black and blue.

Black and Blue - June & Sept. 2013