Waterscapes

I wanted to post some images that were considered more photography and paintings, although, lets face it, I can't completely stay away from Photoshop.  I was able to create an Action in Photoshop that included a BuzSim, Topaz adjustment and I used it on several images which I will be posting here on my blog and some on FineArtAmerica.

This image is from a tranquil scene on a lake and I hope that's what it makes people feel when viewing it.  This image is also posted on FineArtAmerica

And lastly, at least for today, this is another tranquil scene from our boat.  Also available for purchase here.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.  As always, any and all comments are welcome.  Take care.

Mr. Schnauzer

Here's another pet portrait from an image I saw on Public Domain Pictures.net. I thought he could use a little color, so I boosted the blues, and used traditional brush work in Corel Painter 11.  As always, I like to use Photoshop for all my adjustments.

Some days, I don't have much to say.  Today is one of those days.  I do hope that everyone is having a glorious day.

Mountain Streams and a Little Dog Too!

This week I've been experimenting with several digital plug-ins in addition to the usual digital paintbrushes that I normally use.  Here are two more images that I've used from the public domain website that I particularly like:  http://www.publicdomainpictures.net.

The first is a sweet little pooch with bows in his hair.  In addition to painting this little dog, I also used a little program called FotoSketcher to give him a watercolor effect.  You can find the original image here.  I also obtained permission from the owner of the image to post this to my Fine Art America site where I hope to benefit animal rescue organizations through the sales of my pet portraits.

The second is a oil painting done solely in Photoshop from an image from the same website.  I used the Art History Brush for this painting, taking several snapshots throughout the process to work from.  You can find the original here.

I hope you enjoy and be sure to leave comments.  I love them.  Also be sure to check out Artists in Blogland here.  If you are artist, this might be the place for you too!

Sweet Colorful Kitty

This is a painting from an image that I found in the public domain at PublicDomainPictures.net  I decided that this cutie needed some added color, so I gave her a boost.  I'm continuing to work with some of the plugins that I referred to in my last post. The majority of the painting was done in Corel Painter, as usual.  To purchase greeting cards or prints your can visit Fine Art America here.   Some of the proceeds from the sale of prints and greeting cards will help benefit animal rescue organizations.

I hope everyone is having a glorious Saturday!

A Painterly Portrait of a Cute Dog and a Cat, too!

I decided that I needed to paint some images with a more painterly approach.  One of my mentors recently did a webinar where she showed us how she approaches a painting while also using several programs/plug-ins in her "Digital Artist Toy Box".  I had most of these programs already, but I did purchase a new one and downloaded a demo version of another.  If interested in her products and workshops, you can find her here.

Another rather fun thing happened recently.  I found an email in my mail box from a writer, Jazz singer and art lover, who writes a weekly blog column and asked if I would like to be interviewed.  Of course, I said yes and that I was very honored to be asked.  You can find that interview here.  Here name is Deborah E and the name of her blog is Scat N Style.

Both of the images used in these paintings are in the public domain and you can find the originals here, and here.

The White Bird from Madiera

For greeting cards and prints please visit FineArtAmerica here.

I had this image from our past vacation down in Florida at Madiera Beach and thought, "I've never painted a bird before."  So here is my attempt at painting a bird.  I can't tell you what kind of bird this is, and I suppose I could look it up.  But, really, do I need to?  I thought it was a pretty bird, so I took a picture of it... so there.  Anyway, we are having the most outstanding weather here right now.  I almost hate saying that because of all the recent devastation from mother nature in other parts of the country.  Here Louisiana was battered yet again and next door, Texas can't buy a rain drop.  Annette, I hope you are doing OK.

I so hope that things will get better for some!

Sweet Anna

Feeling a little melancholy...the weather is rainy and chilly.  A reminder that winter is soon to come.  I shouldn't complain, I know, especially since we could live in New Jersey or Vermont.   The destruction out there is something else.  So, I painted Anna to cheer me up.  Enjoy!

Myah and the Lily

Had to take advantage of this sweet little pic of my granddaughter.  She does look sweet here doesn't she?  I did a simple painting this time.  I tried some post processing, but it didn't look right.  Sometimes you should just let things be.

A beautiful day in Minnesota today!

Leo

This is Leo.  Leo hasn't been feeling well lately.  He was just diagnosed with Lyme's Disease and he's also getting up in years--15 years old. He was looking pretty haggard in the image I was working from, so I made sure to restore him to his former glory.  I'm posting three different crops, two of which I did a lot of post processing on...those are posted on FineArtAmerica.  You can order greeting cards and prints HERE.  Anyway, I thought he had such a sweet expression, I just had to paint him.

We are having beautiful weather here in Minnesota, although we will be getting super hot in the next couple of days.  I just can't get over how quickly life is passing by--it's almost scary--and, only 4 more months til Christmas.  Oh My Goodness!  Anyway, I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Lady

This is Lady.  It is thought that Lady is half Doberman and half Grey Hound and is a rescue. Her human mom says this about Lady: "She does not have an aggressive or mean cell in her body. I could take a steak out of her mouth and she would let me. She’s very sensitive and runs and hides if she thinks we’re angry at her or anything else. When she does screw up and she knows it, she will slink over to you and put her head in your lap....her way of apologizing."  

You can purchase greeting cards and prints Here.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit animal rescue organizations.  If you are interested in having your pet portrait done, please send me a digital (jpg) copy of the image at janewoodenhorse@msn.com. I'd love to paint your pet.

The Barn at Afton

I've been itching to paint a landscape and thought I'd go back to the images I took while down in St. Francisville.  This barn is situated on what is left of the Afton Plantation which is now a huge botanical garden.  I remember the day I took this photo...so hot and the humidity was so high.  They were also in a drought even though the flood gates had been opened on the levees, and miles and miles of land and homes were underwater.  Anyway, here is a painted version of the image.

We are having an awesome day today.  I actually have the house open and there is a cool breeze coming in, and I'm off to babysit the grand kids.  I hope you are having a lovely day.

Puginese

Well, I had to paint Winston again, this  time I chose a more neutral palette.  I've been trying to come up with other methods and styles.  I will again be offering greeting cards and reproductions here.  If you would like to see your pet painted, just send me a nice jpg via email. A portion of the proceeds will benefit animal rescue organizations.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

I realized I hadn't painted Myah for awhile, so I nabbed this photo off our daughter's blog from a recent vacation they took.  In addition to rowing, Myah is becoming quite the fisher-woman and a regular water-bug as well.  I thought she looked rather fashionable here with her stylish pink shades and her curls glowing in the sun.  She is and will always be one of my favorite subjects to paint.  So here she is.

Just a reminder that if you would like to have your pet portrait painted, please do send me a cute digital jpg.  Proceeds from the sale will benefit animal rescue organizations and I will also send you a copy of the portrait as well.

Here's hoping everyone is having a awesome day!

Miss Molly

This is Miss Molly.  Miss Molly belongs to a blogger friend who graciously allowed me to paint her precious pup.  I have to admit, however, that she was easy to paint as the image of her was so wonderful to begin with.  Molly's owner, Kate, says that  Molly is almost 7 years old and is a very sweet girl.  "She loves to run and her favorite thing to do is to try to herd us over to her food bowl!" Kate says.  I can just see her trying to do just that.  Don't we have such clever animals?  Anyway, here is Molly's portrait. She's a beauty!

If you would like to have your pet portrait painted, please send a jpg image to me at janewoodenhorse@msn.com.  Proceeds from any sales will benefit animal adoption/rescue organizations.  I will also send you copy of the painting as a thank you for allowing me to use your image.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Ciara's Last Day of Soccer

So, we finally made it to Ciara's soccer game. Good too, because it was her last.  I brought my camera with my telephoto lens and set up down near the goal.  The mosquitoes found me promptly...millions of them.  So, in the midst of all this I see her traveling toward me, I put the camera to my eye and start shooting, my setting on continuous. And then my battery died after 12 shots.  But...I think I got the shot even though I had to remove a player that was covering half her body.  So here it is.

I  hop everyone has a wonderful day!

Winston

This is Winston.  Winston belongs to my son, Eric, and his wife, Anne.   Winston is a mixed breed--Pug and Pekinese--or Puginese for short.  He's still a puppy and according to Anne, is still quite exhausting.  I think he's just cute, cute, cute. 

You can purchase prints or greeting cards HERE.  As with my other animal paintings, proceeds will benefit animal rescue organizations.

I hope everyone has an awesome weekend.  Happy Saturday!

Oscar

This is Oscar.  Oscar belongs to a former neighbor whom we miss very much.  Oscar has been known to dress up for Halloween as The Oscar Meyer Wiener.  Oscar is a Toy Dachshund and so, so, cute. 

You can order prints or greeting cards HERE.  Proceeds from sales will benefit Animal Rescue Organizations.  If you would like to have your pet portrait painted with proceeds benefiting rescue  organizations, please send me digital jpg's of your pet at janewoodenhorse@msn.com .  Please include information about your pet also.

I hope everyone has an awesome day!

Baby Anna Renee

Introducing Anna Renee, our newest grandchild.  She's about 4 weeks old now and I'm looking forward to painting more of her.  By the way, she's our fourth grandchild.  Her mother took this image along with several of her big brother, and I thought this painting is representative of how we see her mostly...sleeping.  So, here we go...Anna Renee...Love that name!

I hope everyone is having an awesome day!  We are having a great weather day-low humidity.YEA!

Cody Girl

This is Cody Girl who belongs to my blogger friend, Kimmie.  Kimmie is the owner and administrator of Digital Whisper where challenges are posted in several different groups each week.  You can find a button for Digital Whisper on the right, if interested.  We have a great time over there and learn a lot, too!

As with the other canine paintings, you can order greeting cards and prints from Fine Art America.  And part of the proceeds will benefit animal rescue organizations.

I hope everyone is having an awesome day.  We had torrential rains earlier today...lot's of thunder, but it did cool things down a bit.

Rosebud

This is Rosebud. Blogger friend Haley sent me this photo of her mother's Boston Terrier Mix.  Rosebud was adopted from the Lynchburg, VA Humane Society.  When I began to paint her, I just felt her to be full of color.  I love that one ear is standing up and the other is flopped over.  So cute.  As with my other pup paintings, this one is also available on Fine Art America.  You may purchase Greeting Cards and reproductions HERE.  A portion of the proceeds will  benefit Animal Welfare Organizations.

I am still looking for great pet images to paint...and not just dogs.  I'll paint cats, kitties, birds, really anything.  Please feel free to send me you pet pics or other cute animal pics.  My email address is janewoodenhorse@msn.com

I hope everyone is having a great day.

Zoe and Pauli

This is Zoe and Pauli. They were both adopted mutts--Zoe from a Humane Society in Virginia and Pauli from the Animal Protection League in Cleveland, OH.  They belong to Haley, who heard that I was looking for pet photos to paint. I'm so happy at how they turned out.  As with Liza Jane from my earlier post, I will be posting this on Fine Art America, with some of the proceeds going to support Animal Welfare Organizations.  You can purchase greeting cards and reproductions HERE

And, if you have some cute photos of your pets and would like to see them painted, please send them to me at janewoodenhorse@msn.com

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful day!

Liza Jane Waiting For Her Brothers

This is Liza Jane.  Liza Jane belongs to my new blog friend Becky and her family of humans.  This is the first pet portrait that I have listed on Fine Art America where those who desire can purchase prints, canvases and greeting cards, while some of the proceeds from the sales of the paintings' benefit Animal Welfare such as the Animal Humane Society.  Here is the link: Greeting Cards/Reproductions

I will always be looking for new pets to paint; dogs, cats, birds, so please send your jpg's to my email address at janewoodenhorse@msn.com.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Sweet Sammy

I've been so full of nostalgia lately, painting Eric from an old photo, and now a painting of Sammy, our pup from years ago.  We didn't have Sammy for very long as he got sick and died, but we remember him fondly and we remember him often.  This painting was from a snap taken shortly after he got sick.

If you have a digital jpg of a pet, I'm looking for new images to practice with, and to possibly sell as greeting cards in the future.  Proceeds from sales will benefit animal welfare organizations.

Have a wonderful day!   To purchase Greeting Cards/Reproductions  A portion of the proceeds will benefit animal welfare organizaitons.

My Son.....23 Years Ago

I don't know why, but I decided to go through my photo albums of when my son was a youngster.  I remembered this photo immediately.  It was taken down in Sanibel where we went for Spring vacation every year.  Taking these vacations will be forever etched in my mind because Eric loved being down there so much.  He especially liked swimming in the "blue pool".  Anyway, I decided to scan this 4 x 6 photo in, enlarged it, enhanced in photoshop and then painted in Corel Painter.  He was such a sweet, happy kid.  While painting this, I was remembering all the fun times we had when he was a kid.

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.

Papou and Granddaughter

We recently went to the amusement park at the Mall of America with our daughter and her family... and actually remembered to bring our little point and shoot.  This is one of the pics I took of the hubs and our granddaughter, Mari.  The hubs, of course, said:  Couldn't you get rid of my double chin?  I told him that digital painters aren't allowed to do plastic surgery.  He did like the painting, though.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Baby Golfer

The other day I followed the hubs to the driving range to meet our son and grandson to practice hitting golf balls.  Of course, I thought to bring the camera and was able to take several pictures of our baby golfer.  By the way, he just turned two!  I can't believe how he's able to stay focused! In addition to golfing, he has a great throwing arm.  He's amazing, and sweet too!  Love him!

A Flower in Your Hair

Sweet baby girl and her Mom.  So photogenic and easy to paint.  I hope she never tires of Grandma Jane constantly taking photos.  Love you, Mari.

This is a painting done for a challenge at Digital Whisper.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Butler Greenwood Plantation

Today's painting is from an image I took while down at the workshop in Louisiana.  I actually combined two images for this painting.  In keeping with what we learned at the workshop, I used the Sargent brush to add paint and then blended the whole painting with this brush, as well.  I next went through three stages of muck ups using Scott's Sargent Brush, Den's Funky Chunky, Sharon's Dry Edge and a several other messy brushes, and eventually did an emerge to bring back some of the painting.  Finally, I made adjustments and blended several of the different layers together using different composites. 

It seems like ages ago since I went to this workshop, but it's only been about a month.  This is the plantation we stayed at which the heir and owner developed into a bed and breakfast.  Together with the cook's cottage she built several other cottages that serve to house those who are staying with her.  My cottage was called the Tree House.

Another tidbit of information is that the owner, Anne Butler, was shot five times by her husband about ten years ago and he then stood over her for several hours waiting for her to die.  She didn't, of course, and he was eventually convicted and sent to prison where he died of natural causes.  Another interesting fact is that for several years, he had been the Warden of Angola Prison.

Anne butler has written a book, which I purchased while down there, called "Weep For The Living" which details her ordeal and what she has had to go through to survive her injuries.  Anyway, this painting is from images taken right outside the front of the main house.  The style of painting we learned lends itself to the plantation's surroundings, I think.  Anyway, thought you might be interested in a little history.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Mother and The Queen for the Day

Continuing with the Father's Day paintings, I just realized that I had forgot to post this one.  This is our daughter Dena and, of course, The Queen for the Day.  Honestly, I didn't take a bad photo that day...now that's a first.

At the moment, the Hubs and I are up near Nisswa on Gull Lake...something we do for his birthday/Fourth of July celebration.  We stay at a place called the Quarterdeck and love it.  We just got in from a morning of boating on this large lake.  Mark threw in a line, but sadly, no catch.  I was able to take quite a few pics, however, I've not processed them yet.  Will hopefully post some paintings from this mornings images in a day or so.  Til then, I hope everyone is have a glorious day.

Queen for a Day.....Every Day

Our Queen for the day, Myah, had the best time swimming on Father's Day.  She was dressed in the cutest pink swim suit with a tutu attached.  She also sported her crown towel for drying off.  She has become such a poser for the camera....knows just how to be cute.  Doesn't mind the camera at all.  Yesterday, she caught me taking pictures of her sister, so she quickly got in front of the camera and started hamming it up...Not to be outdone by sister.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Father's Day At the Pool

My painting today is of my son-in-law and his daughter, the image taken on Father's Day.  This little girl loves the water as does her sister.  I was able to take several pictures and so will have a lot to work with.  We lucked out this father's day afternoon, as we have had such an unusually cool and rainy summer.  And, I have to be honest, I'm ready for some heat...very depressing in some respects.

Anyway, on a positive note, we are expecting our 4th grandchild any minute now.  So excited...a little girl to be named Anna.

One Year Old

Yesterday, we spent the day celebrating my granddaughter's first birthday.  I figure I took about 150 photos.  I came home, put my SD card into my computer and opened all the photos in Adobe Photoshop Bridge.  I then set about tweaking the images, the end result to burn them all on a CD and give them to our daughter.  Anyway, after editing about 7 photos, I got tired and figured I'd finish the next day.  So....I removed the SD card, put it back in my camera and formatted the card (deleted).  And guess what!  I forgot to save the images to my computer! So I lost all but about 7 images! Arghhhhhhhhhhhh!

This is one of the images I saved and it will go in Mari's Time capsule to be opened when she is 18.  It's not the painting I wanted to have put in the capsule, but it will have to do.

So...there you have it!  I hope everyone had a glorious weekend.

The Boat House

This is the second landscape painting from our venturing trip around Lake Minnetonka in our boat on Sunday.  What wasn't mentioned was that the day was picture perfect...mid 80's temperature, slight breeze and lot's of beautiful sunshine and blue sky.  We do so love our boat-an 18 1/2 foot sport fish, which means it can convert back and forth from a fishing boat to a leisure/ski boat.

We had a wonderful day...I hope you are having one as well.

The Gazebo

As often as possible, the Hubs and I put our boat in at Lake Minnetonka, a lake a few minutes from our home.  One of my favorite things to do is to boat around this lake with all its bays and dream about winning the lottery so that we could afford to have a house on it.  A house, mind you, that we could have all our children and grandchildren come on weekends and enjoy with us.  Hmmmmmmm.  A girl can dream can't she?  Anyway, we had one of our little excursions on Sunday.  I brought my camera and while I was taking pictures, the Hubs would throw in a line in the hopes of getting a bite.  Unfortunately, Mark was not successful.  However, I was able to take quite a few pics.  Here is one developed into a painting.  This was a little gazebo on the point of one of the exclusive properties on this lake.

Please enjoy and I love to hear comments.  Have a wonderful day!

Susan

This is Susan.  Susan was my workshop partner and stand-in model for picture taking.  As with the last painting, I've used the techniques learned in the workshop.  Because of the wonderful cloning brushes in Painter, I was again able to clone in elements from other photos taken, such as the beautiful pink flowers.

Anyway, we've just put in a new air conditioner--and a good thing too.  We are expecting 90 degree weather here.  We seem to have missed spring altogether.  I know I shouldn't complain, but there you have it.

Here's hoping that you are having a wonderful day!