Dancing in the Rain

Raku

2011-11-18T08:15:00.000-05:00

Just bought some beautiful raku lampwork beads on etsy, can't wait to do something with them! I have been seed beading my little heart out, will post on etsy today or tomorrow.
Also have been using products from USArtquest which is located here in Jackson. If you haven't been to their website, lots of fun stuff for us mixed media people to play with!
http://www.usartquest.com/index.php

Happy arting!

Mixed Media Video

2011-10-09T03:49:00.000-04:00

Very interesting artist I found on youtube - she uses spackle and poultry grit for texture. I'm trying out her technique, will post an image when I get done.

An Interview!

2011-10-04T00:18:00.000-04:00

Awonderful interview about my art and etsy store, and even a giveaway!

http://feliciakramer.blogspot.com/2011/10/in-michigan-studio-with-dancing-rain.html

Helpful jewelry tips

2011-10-03T16:37:00.000-04:00

If you have sterling silver that is starting to oxidize, either baking soda or toothpaste on an old toothbrush works really well to remove the darkness.
If I have a chain, I will pour baking soda in my hand, drip a little water to make a paste then run the chain through my hand several times.

To help keep sterling from oxidizing, keep in a plastic bag with a dessicant, such as the little packages that come in shoes. This will help keep moisture away from the jewelry. Just keep it away from little ones! When my son was about two, I caught him about to eat one! At least I hoped he was about to eat one! One call to the poison control center later, I threw every one I had away!

Roasted Tomatoes

2011-10-03T16:29:00.000-04:00

One of my patients shared this with me, it's absolutely delicious and easy to make.

Tomatoes of any variety, quartered ( I used about 10 lbs.)
Peppers of all colors, green,red,yellow,orange
Portebello mushrooms
Minced onion { I used 3 vidalia)
Minced garlic cloves ( I used 5)
Fresh herbs, such as basil,thyme,rosemary, oregano
Any other fresh vegetable you want to throw in ( I added about a bag of baby carrots for some sweetness)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut up all vegies into chunks, mix in a roasting pan with seasonings, drizzle with olive oil.
Roast in a 250* oven for at least 12 hours, I did 15 hours. Stir at least twice.
Will make a very chuncky thick sauce. I used a hand blender to puree a little as the carrots were still a little hard.
Put in freezer bags and enjoy fresh tomato sauce all winter.
Not much work for a lot of flavor!

Thanks A., you know who you are!

Brand Spanking New Free Textures

2011-10-02T12:41:00.000-04:00

Feel free to use these textures however you wish!

Hope Lives, new on etsy

2011-08-23T13:55:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note, just posted this print on etsy. Hope you all like!

Calender Girl

2011-08-17T22:52:00.000-04:00

I've been working on a calender page for the website Digital Whisper. My month is October (my favorite). I decided to do a fairy in a forest with a page for notes next to the art work, also got to decorate the actual calender. Can't wait to see all the gorgeous art there is bound to be in this book!

Here's the note page: model courtesy mizzd-stock at deviantart.

2011-08-06T14:07:00.000-04:00

Here's a simple manipulation I did using 2 of the textures below, just to show you what they can be used for. Enjoy!

Free Textures

2011-08-06T13:14:00.000-04:00

Here are three new textures that you may use however you wish, Hope they are helpful!

New and Improved?!?

2011-08-01T00:17:00.000-04:00

It's been so long since I was on here, it took me all day to make a few changes.
Been really busy since my son graduated, trying to get him ready for school, all the stuff you have to buy...Oh well, I really didn't need a vacay anyway!
I decided to use my facebook icon for my header , it's one of my favorite pieces I've done so far. I love her look of a little mystery!

I will try to be back soon with some free textures and photos to use in your artwork.
Ciao!!!

JOY

2010-12-04T18:15:00.003-05:00

Wishing you all a happy holiday season and a healthy one too! Be back soon with more images and maybe even a recipe or two!

Lisa

Brie

2010-11-06T18:54:00.004-04:00

My lovely daughter with a little texture twist.

I sure have had fun with this tutorial!

The textures are freebies, hope you like!

Lisa

fun tutorial

2010-11-04T21:07:00.002-04:00

I found this on flickr, but the tutorial is on youtube: Gavin Hooey - reflective ball.

I used all my own textures, I think it would be cool with vacation photos, or other subject matter. I may try one with flowers. Leave me a comment if you would like more info!

Venice

2010-11-01T20:30:00.000-04:00

All Photos ~Rita G.

Hope Remains

2010-10-29T06:49:00.002-04:00

Newest piece. I listed this on deviantart as a print, but I might put it on etsy instead, any thoughts or comments are appreciated!

Undertaker's Apprentice

2010-10-23T22:22:00.004-04:00

Another challenge piece, just in time for Halloween. Sorry it's been so long, Ian turned 18 this week. I can't believe he's(I'm)that old!!!!

New one and freebies!

2010-10-16T17:42:00.002-04:00

Here's a new challenge piece, I love the colors. They have been beautiful here in Michigan this year!

Freebie Friday!

2010-10-08T14:26:00.002-04:00

Free textures, use however you wish. If you download, please leave a comment : )

One of my favorites so far,Paris Bound

2010-10-05T06:32:00.002-04:00

Thanks for looking!
Lisa

Abstract

2010-10-03T02:23:00.002-04:00

Color challenge from digital whisper. It's amazing what photoshop can do! It's an awesome program. Rita, if you're reading this, remember chocolate, smooth dark or milk. Not demanding am I? Have a great weekend!

Drinking again?

2010-10-01T05:24:00.003-04:00

I seem to be on a drinking theme! This one is for a challenge on flickr, for ghostworks.
This group features the texture artistry of Jerry Jones, whom you can see his badge on the side of my blog(shadowhouse).
He offers his textures for free, I use them quite frequently.

Have a great Friday!

Does anyone have anything to drink?

2010-09-25T23:12:00.002-04:00

Sorry it's been so long! It's marching band season, and we have been really busy.

I've also been working on a series of dog collages that will be on etsy soon.

This collage is for the StockYard challege on Flickr. I had fun with some new photoshop brushes I found on Brusheezy, it's a great site with a lot of freebies!

Hope you enjoy!

Lisa

Dusk Light

2010-09-11T09:26:00.002-04:00

Ghost works challenge on flickr, using textures from shadowhousecreations. His bagde is on the side of my blog, if you haven't visited his website, it's well worth it. The man is a genius of texture and light. Here's my take.

Anatomy

2010-09-09T05:49:00.002-04:00

Did this for a texure challenge. I love how it turned out. Hope you do too! Credits on my flickr page(dancingraindesigns)

Home

2010-09-05T14:00:00.001-04:00

A collage of the juxtaposition that is Michigan. Beauty and Industry go hand in hand.

Lisa

2010-09-03T21:58:00.002-04:00

Another challenge. Credits are on my flickr account -dancingraindesigns.
I love the dark challenges the best, they really make me think about what to do and how to do it.
Went school clothes shopping today, boy, am I beat!
Happy Labor day weekend!

burning and dodging

2010-08-28T08:47:00.003-04:00

Another challenge, one on how to use the burn and dodge tools on photoshop. I like how mine turned out, of course the model is gorgeous, that helps!(credits on my flickr page)

S is for Scotland

2010-08-21T21:35:00.003-04:00

"Saturday night's alright for fighting..." My new image is for a challenge at the flickr group

B square. Letters of the alphabet made into images. I, of course, did Scotland. I miss it. It's been almost 30 years since I was there as an exchange student. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. I still feel that way.

Freebie Friday!

2010-08-20T13:34:00.003-04:00

Here are some new textures I have made, feel free to use them in your artwork, personal or commercial. Hope you enjoy!

Lisa

Equal

2010-08-15T16:07:00.003-04:00

StockYard challenge on Flickr.

Model thanks to dunikowski

images from publicdomain.net and wiki commons

Light Horse

2010-08-14T23:59:00.002-04:00

Challenge for the Stockyard group on Flickr. Beautiful horse to work with.

Mike and Ian return from a long weekend in Louisville tomorrow, the house has seemed so empty with just Brie and I.

Happy Sunday!

Lisa

Slumber

2010-08-13T16:01:00.002-04:00

Done for Flickr The Stockyard challenge - Texture

Cameron

2010-08-12T16:07:00.001-04:00

My brother is an aerial photographer. I took 2 of his prints and morphed them with a portrait of him.

Thanks Rita!

2010-08-09T23:05:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Rita, I have new texture pictures that I have already made use of!

Feel free to use the grey tex picture if you like. The other one is Macinac Island, Michigan

one of the jewels of our state.

Lisa

Gypsy Gazing

2010-08-08T23:20:00.002-04:00

Digital Challenge from digital whisper. The image was a golden ball with reflection being the theme. I thought a gypsy seemed just the thing.

Model - falln -stock-deviantart,tree and bubble texture-morguefile,background -me from various photos, brush from obsidian dawn.

hope you enjoy!!

Lisa

Dreaming of the Fair

2010-08-07T09:39:00.002-04:00

Here's another of Doris McTeigue
thanks to btm2222 at flickr.
She was a lovely girl and I hope to use
more images of her in my artwork.

Soul Windows

2010-08-05T04:10:00.002-04:00

Time for another challenge at digital whisper. I love to do these, they really stretch my imagination.

Lisa

Goth Revival

2010-08-01T13:42:00.004-04:00

Here's another goth picture. Model from MiraNox at deviant art - bricks from holliwood - deviantscraps. Brushes from brushking.

Gothic Cathedral

2010-07-30T23:00:00.002-04:00

model image, MiraNox - deviantart,cathedral - flickr,flower - personal photo, brushes avi rhapsody and lost

Roots Challenge

2010-07-30T15:06:00.003-04:00

Yet another dark challenge from digital whisper. I am learning so much from doing these challenges.

got to see my BIG brother this week, he's 6'2' to my 5'3. His website is fantastic for photography lovers.

camerondavidson.com

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

2010-07-25T21:54:00.002-04:00

Today, I went outside my comfort zone of cool colors and decided to go bold! This is what I came up with.

I love this type of collage where there are so many things to look at.

No storms today, mowed the 2 feet tall grass! I hate when I hit dog toys with the mower, of course they are all over the yard. My dogs spoiled? Whatever gave you that idea?

Lisa

2010-07-24T21:55:00.002-04:00

This is my first attempt at a .png file. Not sure how it will turn out. Images from deviantart, brushes from deviantart and obsidiandawn.com

Lisa

Pride

2010-07-24T07:06:00.004-04:00

This is for a challenge at digital whisper blogspot with peacocks being the theme. I found my images at wiki commons,morguefile, and flickr and the brush by obsidiandawn.com.

Today is a day for doing inside things as we have been deluged by thunderstorms and buckets of rain. We really needed the rain, but not all at once!

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

Flower Girl

2010-07-19T00:27:00.003-04:00

Flower girl challenge for digital whisper. I used a brush from night - fate stock from deviantart.

The flower girl image comes from Mrs. Inman(flickr). The rest is mine.

LISA

Moondance

2010-07-17T13:20:00.004-04:00

Challenge for digital whisper, I may have to print and keep this one! Please leave a comment if you like this one!

LISA

First Day

2010-07-16T10:35:00.003-04:00

I was taking texture pictures in the front yard when a dragonfly landed on my topiary. I was standing right next to it and got some fantastic photos. I guess I've never looked at a dragonfly that close! Here's what I did with one of the pictures.

ange et demon

2010-07-15T22:17:00.002-04:00

It's time for another challenge from digital whisper, this one was an angel. I had a hard time with subject matter for this challenge. I finally found an image of satan from "Paradise Lost" by John Milton. So here is my take on angels and demons.

Playing

2010-07-11T09:38:00.003-04:00

I took a photo and worked on it in corel-really cool!

2010-07-11T00:25:00.002-04:00

First collage with Corel Painter, the images are from Puerto Rico.

Free Background

2010-07-10T06:53:00.002-04:00

Here's another background. This one almost looks like an abstract. I love the colors. Enjoy!

Lisa

Elvis Challenge

2010-07-08T22:51:00.004-04:00

We had to use an image of Elvis and one of his quotes. I immediatly thought of pink cadillacs and blue suede shoes, so I sort of put them together. This is what I came up with.

Freedom Challenge from Digital Whisper

2010-07-06T01:06:00.003-04:00

Lisa

Pegasus

2010-07-05T01:18:00.000-04:00

La Perla

2010-07-04T22:04:00.003-04:00

She looks so french, this lovely nude woman .

I think this is one of my favorites so far.

Fireworks are going off over the lake, the dogs are cowering behind my chair. They hate the noise. I have to work tomorrow, lots of teeth, so little time.

Au Revoir for now

Lisa

More Texture! More Texture!

2010-07-04T11:13:00.002-04:00

Here are some texture pictures you may use however you would like. Enjoy!

Lisa

Doris

2010-07-03T19:12:00.003-04:00

I was looking for photos to use on flickr and found some of the most beautiful young girl. Her name was Doris. Her grandson graciously gave me permission to use her image. I'm really happy how it turned out.

She looks like the kind of person I would have liked to know.

Pals

2010-07-03T08:28:00.003-04:00

I love these colors! I found the girl image at magic moonlight studios and knew I would do something with it! Off to make more!

Spooky!

2010-07-02T21:55:00.006-04:00

I just entered a challenge at digital whispers. The image was of doll heads and had to be dark...I call this "Doll Vine"

I hope it's sufficiently spooky!

Have a great holiday weekend!

Lisa

2010-06-27T21:52:00.002-04:00

Sunday today, not much going on but storms aplenty. Nice day to play with art.

I found this lovely vintage print of a dancer and decided to mix her up a little.

I love the colors green and purple together. It seems like spring, so fresh.

Hope you enjoy it also.

Warehouse #5

2010-06-26T09:14:00.003-04:00

Aren't these boys adorable? They look so serious getting their portrait taken. You don't find photos like this anymore.
Mike's off to the drag races at Norwalk today, so I'm free to do whatever. Which means I'll be putzing all day!
I'll try to come up with more backgrounds for you to use. If you have any requests leave me a comment or email.
Have a great Day!

Lisa

Thanks Mrs. Inman

2010-06-26T00:53:00.005-04:00

I have found a wonderful resource for images on flickr. So, thanks to Mrs. Inman's generosity, I made a new piece we'll call Dreaming of Venice. Planted a new tree in the front yard, eastern redbud. Also went all around looking for texture pictures for my art. I found a lot at an old train yard. Lots of rusty pipes and stuff. Here's a picture of texture you can use however you would like.

Enjoy!

2010-06-22T23:14:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to see how the first background I did would turn out as a print. I quite like it! The little girl is adorable. I'll post more backgrounds soon, enjoy!

Lisa

Another Background for your crafting pleasure

2010-06-21T23:06:00.006-04:00

Here's another freebie background for you to use however you would like. I love to make these. I will post another digital art piece soon, and maybe some jewelry or a tutorial, or a picture of my dogs... So many pictures, so little time. I'm back to work full time after being off for 8 weeks after elbow surgery. Boy, it's hard to get back into the swing of cooking, laundry, etc...

Oh, if only I had a maid. But wait, I have two teenagers at home! That has to be at least as good. Pop goes my bubble!

Enjoy your day!

Lisa

A Freebie!

2010-06-20T23:31:00.004-04:00

Here is a free background for atcs or aceos. It was composed of many of my own photos. Feel free to use it however you wish, a link back would be great!
If you've never gotten a picture before, just right-click on the image then "save picture as" to save to your computer. You can double click on the image to make it larger.

2010-06-20T05:20:00.003-04:00

Here's one I call Hats. Self explanatory!

Lisa

The art in me...

2010-06-20T03:39:00.002-04:00

I've finally done what I always wanted to do. I'm making art. Thanks to Gail at Creative
workshops and her classes, I have been in a frenzy of finding images and taking lots of photos
to mix, match ,mess up and have lots of fun with. This is one of my pieces, with the obvious theme of Rome.
I also love to collage with photos of vintage women,(they are so dramatic!). My husband keeps
shouting out themes for me to try. I'll post more as the time goes on.
Well it's 3:46a.m., I think I'll try to sleep now.
Thanks for visiting!