RedDancer-Studio

Art Journal Every Day - First journal spread

I decided to do Julie Fei-Fan Balzar's Art Journal Every Day for a few minutes a day. This spread took several more days than I expected because I didn't do any doodling over Thanksgiving. Last night, I doodled while watching TV and got a tad carried away.

Last day - finished spread - Nov. 27, 2011

Day 3 - next to last day of art journaling

Day 2 of art journal spread

And this is the 1st day of my art journal spread in a small 6x6 handmade book I purchased via Etsy. The pages are 140# watercolor paper.

I cut out an image of magnolias from some wrapping paper for the left side of the spread.For the majority of the edging, the large flower, and the vines, I used Neocolor IIs. I finished up with a silver pen, some Pentel markers, and the wonderful Derwent Inktense color pencils. I didn't know I could use water with them like any other watercolor pencils. Vibrant colors. And the finished spread really is this bright. I think I'll leave more white space on the next spread which I already started.

Apophysis - Fractal software

I just downloaded the newest version of the freeware for Apophysis. No, I can't tell you how it works. Yes, I can tell you that if you like happy accidents, you will get them when creating fractals with the Apophysis free dowload. This fractal was created with a previous version of Apophysis. I ran across the Apophysis file on my computer the other day while looking for images to post here. I loved fractals when I discovered their beauty several years ago and when I had a previous computer. I still love them. The link above also has some great tutorials.

Adobe PhotoShop - Let the games begin

Fourth time is the charm. And Mozilla Firefox for my browser. After three, count them, three, tries using Internet Explorer, I gave up. IE just doesn't like my Typepad blog. I love Typepad and Six Apart Media as a blog host. Go figure.

The background was created by using CitraSolv brushed on an old National Geographic magazine page. The silver teardrop is part of a bracelet I saw for sale at Corporate Hairquarters, voted the Best of Flagstaff/Styling Salons, for several years running. I layered the two images in PhotoShop, and played with levels and transparencies. Then I imported the image into Picnik for the postage stamp frame. Enjoy

    

 

FIRST sales on ETSY for Red Dancer Studio

I will soon launch a Facebook Fan Page for Red Dancer Studio. In the meantime, I wanted to announce that my BFF and business partner, Suzanne Botello, and I, sold our very first digital downloads AND we sold one of our great collage kits. This is what we sold, minus the watermarks on the prints. If you would like to purchase any of our digital downloads or collage kits, please click on any of the titles and/or images. You will be taken to our Etsy shop. We are happy ladies!!!

Harrison Fisher print #4 - sells for $1 each (no s/h)

Harrison Fisher Print #5 - sells for $1 each (no s/h)

Harrison Fisher Print #6 - sells for $1 each (no s/h)

And one of our great collage kits that sell for $15 each + S/H

Anthropologie - another photo

Okay, so I don't post very often. Today, I'm inspired to post SOMETHING, even if from a photo shoot done two weeks ago. If I lived in the same city at this Anthropologie store, I might be there more often. Loved it.

Everything is so lovely. While the clothing is not my style, it seems to be for younger, slimmer people, I love the accessories and home fashions. Their website is also wonderful.

I just added a button on my right sidebar for Art Journal Everyday. Julie Fey-Fan Balzer has a wonderful blog and a great idea of doing at least 10 minutes of art journaling daily. I'm going to give it a try. Once I finish reading emails that I've neglected for 3 days, I'm going to the kitchen table and play for 10 minutes. Next post will have my 10 minutes of art journaling.

 

 

Anthropologie Scottsdale Fashion Square, Arizona, USA

After our KC Willis bookmaking workshop on Saturday, we visited the one and only Anthropologie store in Arizona at Scottsdale Fashion Square. In the process of my recent BLOGGING YOUR WAY ecourse, I discovered that Anthropologie stores allow picture taking. I verified this before I went to the store. When I got to the store, I talked to one of the managers who said it was fine to take pictures. It was a surprise to one of the clerks standing near us so she learned something new. 

I had a blast with my wonderful Canon 50D DSLR and two lenses. I think I spent only 45 minutes shooting pictures but I was engrossed in what I was doing. It's been years and years since I have had such a fun time shooting. In fact, it was probably when I still used my film camera. Digital is way more fun.

And I believe the customer service at Anthropologie is one of the best I've seen. Various clerks would ask if I got the pictures I wanted. It was a great experience.

I imported the photos into Picnik that I mentioned in previous posts. Picnik is free and will do a lot of things. However, I upgraded to the premium for $24.95/year and am way glad I did. I have Adobe PhotoShop CS4 on my computer and this is way easier for collages. I'll keep experimenting in Picnik with other photos.

Fantastic KC Willis workshops

I went to two great KC Willis workshops this weekend. We made a cloth book (no photos yet) and a shrine/altar. Fun time for all of us and KC's husband, Logan, took some pictures for me. For once, I'm in some of the photos. I made this collage in the wonderful Picnik online photo editing program.

WOW! Online photo editing at Picnik

It's easy to play with the online photo editing software at www.picnik.com. Give it a try. This is the first of many collages I plan to make. Loving it, simple loving it.

 

Meet Holly Jeanne of the Letting Life Unfold blog

I discovered a wonderful blog yesterday and wanted to share it with my readers - Letting Life Unfold. Holly is a delightful writer and artist and a member of the same Holly Becker ecourse, BLOGGING YOUR WAY. Since I seem not to be able to narrow down a focus for my blog and my blog followers, I'm going with what I like for now. If I keep moving forward with my blog posts and my photographs, I truly believe I'll find my "niche." Until then, please enjoy the music, oh I mean, the photos and the blog links. Say hi to Holly for me.

El Capital Mexican Restaurant, Flagstaff, AZ

Wowsa! Nikon Coolpix 950 still amazing

Wow! I am ever so grateful that I still have my Nikon Coolpix 950.
And that I have PhotoShop CS4.
And that I'm taking a wonderful ecourse with Holly Becker and Leslie Shrewing, 
BLOGGING YOUR WAY. |
And that we have the great Cedar Closet thrift store in Flagstaff with wonderful volunteer interior designers who let me take pictures.
Welcome to my wonderful world.