Hope for 2014

It's been quite a while since I last posted here. I've been dealing with a lot since my last post.  My father became very ill and was diagnosed with leukemia in August, I received a promotion at work, but with that a lot more responsibility, and in November I spent 10 days in California visiting my parents, then once back home in Minnesota I became very ill and am only now beginning to feel better. There hasn't been a lot of time for creativity or social networking, but hopefully that will change in 2014.  

I hope this year is peaceful, full of love, good health, creativity and the warmth of friendship. 

Peace... 

Don't Want to Say Goodbye

I have physically been pronounced dead twice in my life, once as a child when I drowned, once as a teen when I accidentally overdosed on diet pills.  Death has never frightened me, just made me want to live my life to the fullest while I’m breathing.

This year my dad was diagnosed with leukemia. My father is and always will be my hero. I am the person I am today because of my father.  He has given me wisdom to live by, encouraged me to be strong and independent, been there for me in my most difficult times, helped me to see the beauty inside myself when I couldn't, and cheered me on when I've done well.  He is an amazing man. I know death is one day inevitable, as it is for all of us, but still…I don’t want him to go.

How selfish is that of me?

The blur that was August

Starting in mid July through August, life has been a blur. Starting in July I was working over time both at work and in the house in order to make sure everything was in order before we left for our trip in mid August to California to see our 21 year old son graduate from Marine Corp Recruit Depot. We drove with our oldest son and youngest daughter out on August 12. It took us 2 days to get to San Diego, and it wasn't a bad trip considering we hardly stopped. I think it helps that our children are not "children" anymore, (our oldest son is 24 and our daughter is  17).  I took quite a few pictures on the way out, all from the car window, and most of them turned out really well. However, I am just posting this one here, as it is my favorite.  This was taken in Wyoming.

Time is flying by...

I haven't been around much this past month. I've been busy with work, art classes and preparing for the trip to California. My 21 year old son is graduating from boot camp in San Diego in less than a month and I've  got a lot to do before we leave on the long road trip from Minnesota to San Diego.  I'm looking forward to it, especially seeing my son and I've heard that Marine Corp graduation ceremonies are amazing. I bought a new camera for the trip, and no doubt will be posting many photos in my Facebook account and some on tumblr.

It's time for me to get to work, so I'll leave off with a self portrait I created last week. Just playing around with some word art!

Nature's Fireworks

Please click on each image to enlarge. Photos taken by me around our home.

We didn't get out to see the fireworks this year. My husband had to work late and my daughter (who is almost 18) spent it with her friends, so I had a quiet night at home.  I didn't mind, however. If you look at the sky close enough, you'll see nature's awesome light display almost every day!

Dance With Heart

I created this piece for a challenge at DigitalWhisper, but I love the quote and thought it would fun to post here.  When I was young I loved to dance, but when I was 13 any hopes I had entertained to become a dancer were dashed to pieces when I ripped the ligaments in my left knee during dance class. The recovery was long, and my range of motion has never quite been the same. However, I still dance with my husband or around the house with my kids, and in my heart, I dance among the clouds.

Model in picture is FaeStock at deviantArt.

Book in picture is from MysticMorning at deviantArt

Clouds and cloud brushes by Mystikel at Renderosity

Thanks for looking!

Midsummer's Eve Blog Hop: Day 3

As this is the final day of the Blog Hop, I decided to post 3 pictures. The first was created just for this Blog Hop.  The title of this piece is "Midsummer Night's Magic"

Done in Photoshop CS3. 

Model is Jessica from faestock at deviantArt

Background is by Melkor at Renderosity

Faerie brushes are by RedHeadStock at deviantArt

Fairy dust and star dust brushes by Patlash at Renderosity

The next picture I'm posting was created in March, when it was still snowing and terribly cold here. I was having a hard time dealing with the lack of sun and decided to create something a bit on the "different" side.  The result is this piece, which I think goes well with the challenge.

"The Fawne"

The character of the Fawne was rendered in Daz Studio 4.5 Pro, shadows and lighting  painted in Photoshop CS3, all post work and composition done in Photoshop CS3.

The third piece was created last year, but I felt it would be fitting for this challenge. The little girl is my daughter when she was 3. She used to love to pretend she was a fairy princess, so I created this for her 16th birthday last year. 

"The Fairy Princess"

Background and butterfly created by me using various elements rendered in Daz Studio.

Wings by ButterflyWebGraphics

Please visit the sites on the Blog Hop List to view beautiful artwork by amazing artists!

 Blog Hop List:

http://01digitalwhisper.blogspot.com

http://artistbrendasalzano.blogspot.com

http://csummersdigital.blogspot.com

http://digital-collage.org/

http://missannesvintageart.blogspot.com/

http://moonlightjourney.blogspot.com/

http://rustymermaiddolls.blogspot.ca/

www.treasurebarnblog.blogspot.com

http://whymsicalmusings.blogspot.com

http://wishiniknewhowtoblog.blogspot.ca/

http://wjcsdigitalworld.blogspot.com/

Midsummer's Eve Blog Hop: Day 2

"Dream Girl"

"My soul is in the sky." ~William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream

Credits:

Girl is from E-Vint.com , altered by  me in Photoshop CS3

Cloud Brushes used to form dress and as texture in background by Mystikel at Renderosity

Nebula texture by Designfera at Renderosity

Background flowers by Sveva at Renderosity

Thanks for looking and please visit the blogs listed below for some amazing artwork!

Blog Hop List:

http://01digitalwhisper.blogspot.com

http://artistbrendasalzano.blogspot.com

http://csummersdigital.blogspot.com

http://digital-collage.org/

http://missannesvintageart.blogspot.com/

http://moonlightjourney.blogspot.com/

http://rustymermaiddolls.blogspot.ca/

www.treasurebarnblog.blogspot.com

http://whymsicalmusings.blogspot.com

http://wishiniknewhowtoblog.blogspot.ca/

http://wjcsdigitalworld.blogspot.com/

Midsummer's Eve Blog Hop: Day 1

"Dreaming of Romance on a Mid Summer Night"

Credits:
Vintage woman: Unforgettable Beauties From E-Vint.Com
Window Frame: AbsurdWordPreferred at deviantArt
People dancing in the clouds created by me in Daz Studio 4.6 Pro
Shooting Star brush by Falln-Stock at deviantArt
Star brushes by Keren-R at deviantArt
Moon brush by Patlash at Renderosity
Cloud brush by Mystikel at Renderosity

Blog Hop List:

http://01digitalwhisper.blogspot.com

http://artistbrendasalzano.blogspot.com

http://csummersdigital.blogspot.com

http://digital-collage.org/

http://missannesvintageart.blogspot.com/

http://moonlightjourney.blogspot.com/

http://rustymermaiddolls.blogspot.ca/

www.treasurebarnblog.blogspot.com

http://whymsicalmusings.blogspot.com

http://wishiniknewhowtoblog.blogspot.ca/

http://wjcsdigitalworld.blogspot.com/

Have fun hopping!

Path to the lake

A quick digital painting I did from a picture that I took of a pathway that leads down to a lake by our home. Used Painter Essentials 4 to paint. Please click on the image to enlarge.

I love summer...The long days, the warm nights, and just the sheer beauty of a summer day. This year I'm savoring every moment, as the summer came late and winter comes far too quick here.  While winter has it's own beauty, it doesn't hold a candle to the summer.

Heaven let your Light shine down...

It's been a bit of a crazy year for my family, but prayer has gotten me through it all.

The model for this piece was purchased at E-Vint.com, the background is a freebie by Rysling at Renderosity.

Stop and smell the flowers...

Oh to be a fairy lounging in the flowers...

Girl is from E-Vint.com, recolored by me to fit with the scene. Butterfly wing brushes were created by me. Background a mixture of three different backgrounds by Sveva purchased at Renderosity.

A bittersweet day

My son is shipping out to boot camp in San Diego tomorrow. He has enlisted in the US Marine's and will be in basic training for the next 3 months. He is excited to get started on this new journey in his life...I am excited for him , though as I write this I am tearing up. I will miss him terribly, but I am at peace with his decision because I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he is in God's hands.  My father is a Navy man (retired), one brother is also in the Navy (retired) and my oldest brother was a Marine (now deceased, natural causes).  I am proud that my son wants to serve his country in this way, and when graduation day comes in August, there will be  no mom who is more proud of her son than I.

 I created the below page for my son, Bryan. I know the road ahead will be difficult, but I have no doubt that he will do exceedingly well. This page reflects him now, before becoming a Marine, with the words that drew him to the Marine's over the other branches of the military..."Honor, Courage, Commitment".

Elements used to create this page are from Day of Independence kit by Rucola Designs found at DeviantScrap

Just Dance

Created this for a Steampunk challenge at Digital Whisper. Based on the saying "Dance like no one is watching"

Resources: Mizzd-Stock at deviantArt is the model, background from Eena's Creations Circus Adventures kit, balloon and tent from Beth Rimmer, girl in flying basket rendered by me in Daz Studio 4.5 Pro for this piece.

Odd ball

Enough said :)

Used images from the Freestyle kit by Fine Crafted Designs sold at DeviantScrap.

In a spiral

Keeping my head up despite all my worries!

Background and broken glass overlay are from the Shadowland kit by Altered Emporium, Woman is from Women From the Past: A worried mind mini kit by Clementine Designs, both found at DeviantScrap.   Word art my own creation.

The Choice

It's been a long, dark winter for me. I've gone though a lot of depression and felt very barren inside. I realize it's my choice as to whether I stay in this state or not. Do I choose to become cynical and stay in a dark place? Or do I choose to hold onto my faith and walk in the light, ultimately finding peace?

I choose to go through that door of faith, and not let this dark world swallow me whole.

Reference notes for picture: Elements used from the Altered Reality kit by Holliewood Studio and Your Inner Voice kit by Fine Crafted Designs, both found at Deviantscrap.

Art Journal

Art journaling is a new concept to me. I'm not sure I'm doing it right, but then again, when it comes to art, what is right and what is wrong?  This journal I've started as a sort of art journal, to chronicle my life this year in images I've created using digital art programs such as Photoshop CS3, Paint Shop Pro X5, Painter 11 and Daz Studio 4.5 Pro.

Digital kit used in creating the above piece is from Holliewood Studio, Art Journaling 2 kit, sold at DeviantScrap.