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.  

I'm coming down with a case of travel fever.

Yellowstone National Park

     I've been thinking of traveling a lot lately. It's been almost 2 years since my husband and I went on a real vacation and I am now feeling vacation starved. A new adventure, different surroundings, different ways of living and something new to look at. Yep that's it. Something new to look at and explore. An escape of the normal everyday way of life here at home. Not that I don't love it here but I need something to excite me and my curiousity is not letting this rest.
      I'm dreaming of a trip to Antrim Ireland, a trip to the Grand Canyon and then I spotted a picture from Victoria Falls, Africa.  How am I going to decide what to do first? And when? We started looking at campers and was thinking that this might just be a great way to explore the natual beauty of our state and national parks. There is so much to see I'm sure it would take months or even years to see them all.
     Until then, I guess I'll just have to settle for a trip down memory lane with a few wonderful places we've visited.

Mt Denali, Alaska

Queenstown Park, New Zealand

Austailian Hillside

All these places, the wonderful people we met and the extraordinarily beautiful views keep Jer and I searching for more places to visit.

A speedy lesson of light, paint and inspiration

     This past weekend has been a lesson of light and paint. I've been in one of those funky moods where I just couldn't care less about my camera.  I looked at my camera and would think.....why even go out and take pictures.....I already took pictures of tulips and such. Yep...it's another pretty rose. And the weather is not helping either. We've had a very mild winter here in Michigan but it has been a long one. It's the end of April and it still isn't quite warm enough to feel comfortable outside.
     I went shopping the other day looking for drapery fabric and came across some blank canvases. I know what your thinking.......Blank Canvas!!!  No no no.....to much pressure to create.! I would normally shy away from them as well but something in the back of my mind was egging me on...."Are you up for a challenge?" What else you got to do? So I caved and bought a blank canvas.
     When the weekend started I took the challenge. I dug out all my old acrylic paints, an eisle, sponges, brushes, cloths and set up to play. After all these years, I was surprised the paint was still good. Next was the all important question....What do I paint? I pushed that thought from my mind and figured I'd keep an open mind and just go with the flow. I started with the background and one thing happened after another and pretty soon, I had my first painting. Then another. Then another. I was speed painting. Allowing only one hour per canvas. Trying to avoid a lot of detail and concentrating only on color, lighting  and a flowing path. Texture was fun too. I tried using sponges, paper towels and even the most important tool, the finger. I soon needed more canvas because I had found fun.
     Later when I took a break and brought the dogs for a walk, I noticed that I was now looking at the world in a different light. Everything became a painting. How would I paint that tree or that barn? Would I use a flat brush or a sponge. Where is the light coming from? What are the color values? That is when I realised my funk was all gone and I was looking at everything from an artist point of view again. That little bit of painting fun had got me going again.
     Next time you need some inspiration, pick up a paint brush, let go of the end result and just have fun.

   
    

Pull out our brain....

     I've stumbled upon the blog Cupcakes and Cauldrons by Nicole Cody this past week. I'm positive it was not by accident. She has some wonderful things to say so if you get a chance visit her site. It's well worth your time.
    The other day I was reading her blog, Listen with your eyes..... Nicole used Pablo Piccaso's quote, If only we could pull out our brain and use only our eyes, as a way to deal with every day life. This tecnique also comes in handy when you have to deal with someone who is trying to steal your calm.
     When I read it, it transferred right to my artistic mind as something that is a necessity to every artist.  As I go out to photograph my subjects, I need to turn off that part of my brain that wants to tell me what the name of the object is and how it grows or even smells. It reminds me to delight in what has presented itself to me within that moment. Grasp it's beauty and explore it to the max.
     Columbine is one of my favorites in the garden. This particular one reminds me of little lanturns. While some of the wild columbines remind me of dragon heads. They are one of the first perenials to grab my attention in the spring getting me ready for a new season of floral photography.
     What a beautiful elegant beginning.

Columbine.........., this weeks image of the week at www.anartistview.net

How to use Templates

     Templates are a great way to display your images. They can be a border for a single image or a multiple opening template to hold all your favorites in one. The one we are going to use today is my new Easter Template. It can be downloaded free by visiting my website, www.anartistview.net  Scroll down a little on the home page and you'll see the FREE link. Just click on it and you will be prompted to save the zipped file to your computer. If you are using windows, you should have a free zip program to open the file for you. If not, there are several free zip programs you can download and use. If you are having any problems with this email me and I'll send it to you in your email.
     Let's get started. Open your Free Easter Template. I'm using Photoshop cs4 but it will work just the same in Adobe Elements and many other editing programs. Now open two images you want to use for this template. In my layers palette I'm going to make sure the kids photos are behind (or below) the template layer.  Like this.
     Now we'll arrange and resize the images to fit the openings. Using the move tool, move your images to under the opening you want them in. Now use the transform tool to resize them. Control/ T will bring it up.  Remember to hold down the shift and alt keys together when resizing your image so it doesn't get all out of proportion. Let's do a little cropping next to make sure your image doesn't show in the other open window.  Using the rectangular marguee tool, let's select the area just outside the opening.  Next go to Select / Inverse so everything around your image will be selected. Next we'll go to Edit/ cut or easier yet....hold down the control button and press X.
     Resize the other image to fit and make sure you crop this one as well. Lastly be sure to save your work.

     There you have it. Now print and frame.
   Watch for more Free Templates coming soon to An Artist View Photography.