What a great idea!

Good Morning!

So I've been thinking.

Oh, come on now, quit shaking your head and rolling those eyes for just a second and let me explain.

This really is a good idea! Really!

I want to start a newsletter. That's right, just a small email newsletter that I could send out maybe just once a month giving you an insiders look at what is going on at An Artist View Photography. 

But here's where I need your help. I really need your help picking out some topics. That way I'll be sure to address some of the things you want to read about. After all, I could only hope that it would become something you would look forward to receiving and enjoy reading.

Would you like topics on photography, photoshop, demonstrations on how I go about creating an image? How about using background textures with your photographs? Then, there are those wonderful little fairies and the process of digitally creating them. And don't forget about Second Glances, I love find them! 

Please help by leaving a message below as to what topics you like most and I'll be sure to try and fit them all in. And don't forget to sign up for the newsletter. I've placed a link on every page this is posted on. I've even updated the website to include it right on the homepage. 

Thank you!

Ann

www.anartistview.net

The best days of the gardens

     As soon as the weather began to warm up this past spring I hurried out to the back yard anxiously awaiting for life to unearth itself in the gardens. This spring was awfully late and terribly wet so tending the plants and cultivating the ground was nearly impossible with the limited time between rain falls and the endless supply of mosquitoes. It seemed like nature was winning at this annual game of weed picking. Leaving me with sore hands and an sore back. This past month I nearly gave up and when I held the handle bar of that new lawn mower and all its cutting power, I would often think.....I'm done!  Just mow the darn thing over and forget about it. Gardening is ridiculous! Nature will always win.
      I didn't mow them over, I just threw down my tools and went inside vowing to change the landscaping to something more user friendly. Then in the morning, I look out again and sure enough there it is, the beauty of all those flowers dabbled in the morning sun, calling me to go out and enjoy them. And so I go, out to with my coffee cup and sure enough, I start to pick a few weeds then a few more.
     I'm a sucker for those flowers and I think they know it, for as soon as think I'm done with this game, something else blooms and the cycle begins again.

With coffee cup in hand, it's time to take that morning stroll.
Ann

www.AnArtistView.net
Fine Art Photography

The Winds of Change

     Remember Mary Poppins? A spoon full of sugar? They always make me smile. And then I wonder how many other stories have impacted my life. Just last night as I was thinking of all the new and exciting things that I want to do with An Artist’s View, I naturally just blurted out, ” The winds are changing”. Now I’m sure that is not exactly what the guys on the roof were saying but it didn’t stop my imagination from picturing them on the roof watching to see what was coming their way.

I personally relate more to Alice in Wonderland, myself. “Why sometimes, I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” Always imaging, always playing. I swear I learned all of life’s lessons within those few short innocent years of childhood. Lessons that will forever be repeated throughout the rest of my life. And now that I cascade through the creative journey, weaving the web of the series, Adventures Through the Enchanted Door, I try keeping this in mind. As I write these stories for my grandchildren I often wonder what will be trapped and repeated throughout their lives. I can only hope it’s a good thing.

Update on Hideaway Hilda.  Well….editing is taking a little longer than I had planned. Another proof book delivered yesterday and another proof book will be ordered again today as just one little letter didn’t show up where it belonged. And so the story goes….

Also I will be adding a opt in on my web page for collecting emails so I will be able to connect a little closer to those who wish to receive emails with specials and inside glimpses on the behind the scenes of An Artist’s View. Free giveaways, private lessons and all sorts of other things that will not be available on any of my blogs.

I’ve got my hands a little full with juggling the marketing right now, so stay tuned for more for the best is yet to come.

“I knew who I was this morning, but I’ve changed a few times since then.”

Ann

http://www.anartistview.net

Hollyhocks

Hollyhocks. They are so large and intrusive in my gardens but I can't help but love seeing them.  Every year they seem to pop up anywhere they choose and stand their ground no matter how hard I try to control them.

Here is today's creation using one image, multiple duplicated layers, a few textures and patterns.

Now....back to the weeding

Ann

www.anartistview.net

2013th Journey

     So far this year has been so incredible with everything that is going on. My art career is really taking a front seat and I'm loving it. I've been concentrating on my new book "Adventures Through the Enchanted Door" for the past year and it is just taking over my life.
     It started out as a game I played with the grandkids when I created some very simple clay figurines of fairies and placed them in an aquarium in the living room. (Fish were too smelly) I told the kids they were garden fairies and that it was way to cold for them to stay outside all winter so I had brought them inside to stay with me. They were also told that they couldn't touch them and they only moved when you weren't looking. Consequently when the kids would leave the room, they would mysteriously leave the aquarium and fly around the house. The kids would then have to find them and bring them back to their little home.
     Then the kids started asking questions so I figured it would be best if I just wrote a book. Sometimes.......I guess if I had thought about that more thoroughly for 5 minutes I would have had some reservations but I seem to be the one who just jumps right into things and worries about the rest as I go. It has taken me 9 months to finish the book and a few more to get myself into the marketing.
     As an artist....I'm not to sure about the marketing thing. I guess I'll be figuring that out as I go along. Only thing is.....I found out that you can't just write one book and say "that's good" you need to have at least 3 before the ball starts rolling and then the income from it will pay off. So here we go again. Book 2 of the adventure has already begun...."Hideaway Hawkins" will take me until next spring to finish since I'm also doing the illustrations which is the biggest part of the book.
    In the mean time...I started doing some acrylic painting and am having a ball with it.

     So if you don't hear from me .......don't worry.....I'm in my studio working away on the next big adventure or lost in the fun of painting.

Be sure to visit me on facebook   An Artist View Photography for updates, book signing dates and art show schedules.

Thanks
Ann
www.anartistview.net

 

Adventures Through The Enchanted Door

     Here is a sneak peak of my upcoming children's book, Adventures Through The Enchanted Door, that is due out this summer.

Written and illustrated by Ann Lauwers of An Artist View Photography.
Visit www.AnArtistView.net or my facebook page for further details.

The Colors of Michigan

     Why are we so attracted to the colors of fall? Is it the daily array of changing colors? The amazing oranges, reds and deep greens? The leaves, grasses and flowers all take on these suttle rich tones. I absolutely love the calming effects it brings. The long shadows the low sun creates and even the early morning frost on the grass. I excited to see the bright colors of the spring blossoms and the beauty of all the flowers during the summer, but when fall comes around, I seem to be ready for the gentle quietness. I'm ready for the slowing down of the gardens chores and the long winter break to enjoy doing my winter art projects in the studio.
     We are at our peak of color here in Michigan so be sure to get out there and enjoy it while you can as it will only last for just a few precious weeks.