Joyful Purpose

pages from my horse journal

 

A Light Bulb Went Off ...

Browsing through Barnes and Noble this afternoon I came across this book.  It was in the bargain aisle and indeed it was a deal.  A beautiful picture book on my favorite subject ~ horses

It is a large book with lovely photography.  As I looked at it a little light bulb went off.  So paid my 7 dollars and change and went home and began on my new project.  Here is a peek at the beginning.

 

Mad Skills

Ah, the wonder of photo editing ~ some argue that digital photography and its post production editing process i.e. photoshop, etc is cheating.  However, in my opinion it is just like working in the darkroom.  I rarely printed a pic straight from the camera - I cropped, used different papers, burned and dodged in the darkroom to make the image better.  Now we just do it on the computer with less toxic results.  This is one of my favorite things to do.  Take a photo and fool with it - make it more interesting. 


 








Want to learn some mad skills? 

Join me May 2 Sat. at Zinnia in South Pasadena.

Advanced Digital Pix:*
A photography and Mac computer Workshop

May 2nd      11:am - 5:pm        $70.m      *Mac computer and digital camera required
This class is an opportunity to explore the different facets of digital photography and Mac computer programs including photobooth, iphoto, as well as Photo Shop Elements and Photoshop.  You will learn fast and easy techniques to enhance your photos.  The class will explore various ways to take better digital photos and how to use various computer programs to make them more dynamic.
This is a HANDS ON class!  We will be shooting pics and doing computer post production.

Additional Materials:
Tripod (if you have one)
Photoshop or Photoshop Elements
Several small objects that you would like to photograph and are significant to you.

Please visit my website for a look at my work www.sweetsistergina.typepad.com
Email me with any questions – armfield@att.net

Article Published - Finding Your Own voice

My first article has been published in the new edition of Somerset Studio!

Check it out!

Recycled Remnant Redo

Yes, I am on a kick - a sewing jag if you will.  I have been recycling old stuff into new stuff!  Remember the many many pillows?  This time it is a bag for me - yes, you heard me, I made something specifically for myself!  Now basically I consider myself a painter at heart so when I sew it is not technically kosher mind you - a true seamstress would be horrified to be sure - I love to mix colors and textures and come up with something fun.

Pockets on the outside and cool vintage buttons from a foray with Judi to a fab shop called ETC. in South Pasadena.

embroidered edging

and more pockets inside and fyi the lining is old curtain fabric that has hung on my windows for the past twelve years ;)

A Glimpse into a Nest

This is my dear Judi's Nest, Home, Abode or as I refer to it my respite.  Every part of her lovely old home, and I say old because it is over 100 yrs , is lovingly touched with her spirit.  Just walking up the stairs makes me peaceful.  Artistic touches are everywhere and even though I know it well I always see something new every  time I am there.

And this is a peek into her studio - yes, you have died and gone to heaven - its the old kitchen that she has converted fabulously into her studio - I think I could put a bed in the corner and never leave actually - if you can't ever find me one day you should probably start looking there ;)

She collects old wooden pieces to put all her art stuff in

and uh, many acorns

Don't you just want to go and run away there?

A Compassionate Pair

I painted these two companion pieces to support

Free Arts for Abused Children's Art Sale
in honor of April being Child Abuse Prevention Month


These can be yours
and all the monies go to Free Arts Programs
so that children who would otherwise not be exposed to the healing powers of art- CAN.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

just think
 you can spend your money wisely
  get some great art,
 get a tax write off,
and most importantly heal a child through art!

Kick Start your Art

Sign Up Today and Join me for a Fabulous Class to Kick Start Your Summer!


Finding Your Creative Voice: The Many Faces of Self
June 27-28, 2009
Carol Parks Studios in North Hollywood Ca

This class is constructed for you to learn how to access that unique voice within yourself so that you can express your creative spirit in an introspective and honest way while learning a plethora of computer, photographic, and drawing skills.

This class will explore the use of computer self-portraiture, paint, pastel and pen techniques to create a journal that will excavate our creative voice.

I will provide the computers and printer so that we will be able to learn a variety of techniques using iphoto, photoshop and photobooth to capture our image in a unique way. We will then print out these and use them to create meaningful journal pages. You will learn quick and easy background pages and several fast journal-binding techniques.

The ideas taught in this class will provide a springboard for you to use as an inspiration for all of your work.

  

Spring into some Color

What does one do when feeling a little blue and needing a pick me up and some meditative work ... 

Pillow Redo of Course!

Step One: Find old and sick of pillows around the house
Step Two: Slice open said pillows and pull out stuffing
Step Three:  Use scrap fabric laying around in studio to make new pillow slips.
Step Four: Stuff with previous fluff
Step Five: Place strategically around house and smile with pride ;)