Wallflower Images

THIS BLOG HAS MOVED

2011-08-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

After much consideration I have decided to create an entirely new blog. All the content from this blog has been moved over there as well as my blog members. So, if you were already subscribed here you will not need to subscribe again to the new blog.

I WILL NO LONGER BE POSTING TO THIS BLOG so please join me at http://dreamtreehill.com/

I have a lot fun things planned for the future!!

Hope to see you there!!

My Favorites

2011-05-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

Whenever I get overwhelmed with life and just need to take a break I'll sit back and watch a slideshow of all my favorite images from my incredibly talented Flickr friends. It always makes me feel better, so I thought I'd share them with you (just in case you could use a break too). :)

Enjoy!

You Say It's Your Birthday?!?

2011-05-04T16:02:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY DEVIANT SCRAP!!

see my Flickr page for full credits

What an incredible first year it's been!! I am so proud and honored to be part of such an amazing and supportive community and to have the opportunity to play with some of the most creative artists and designers in the industry.

Case in point: check out this fun video by DeviantScrap designer, Marta van Eck:

This post is a few days late but it's not too late for you to head over to the DeviantScrap Forum and join the party. There are a ton of challenges and prizes to be won. You won't want to miss it!

While you're there don't forget to grab the latest edition of The Deviant Muse!

Farewell To Innocence

2011-03-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

As my children continue to grow and face new challenges I find myself missing the preschool years. Things were so much simpler then. I wish I could just keep them in a safe little bubble forever but I know I can't and that they need to learn and grow and make their own mistakes.

Kitsch, the new kit by Holliewood Studios, reminded me of my own childhood and gave me the perfect tools to illustrate that change between childhood and young adulthood.

The image below features my daughter, who I purposefully placed off to the side, because anyone who knows her will tell you that she is a free spirit and isn't about to follow a path laid out by someone else.

Am I the only one who thinks this whole parenthood thing is a lot harder than they let on?

Phat Lewt

2011-03-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

So... I just got back from my first Gem Faire. I was expecting to pay less than I would in a retail store or even online but holy cow!! If there is a show coming to a town anywhere near you I highly recommend you check it out. They had some very pretty finished jewelry as well.

Below you can see some of the strands that I picked up to use in my future projects. I can't wait to get started! :-)

The Build Zone

2011-03-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

One of the many things keeping me busy these days is Deryn Mentock's Build Zone class. The first time I saw her work I fell instantly in love with it. It has a rustic, vintage, handmade, spiritual, mixed media charm that makes you say, "Wow!"

At least that's what it did to me. So, when I found out she was going to start offering online classes I jumped at the chance to take my jewelry making skills to the next level.

The Build Zone is all about the basics. So far, I've learned how to put a patina on silver and copper wire with both Liver of Sulphur and fire. I've learned how to wire wrap beads in a way that's less formal and stuffy and more artistic and expressive. I've learned how to make jump rings, twist wire, create links, make handmade clasps and re-use vintage clasps and elements. I've also learned how to use various hammers to both harden and decorate wire. I've learned design principals. I've learned how to use a torch!!

Needless to say, I'm having SO much fun!

Below are a few pictures of my first completed necklace. It is made with sterling silver wire, aquamarine and amethyst beads and in the center: moss quartz. I chose this particular stone because at its heart is a tiny crystal castle filled with magic... at least that's what I like to believe. :-)

The Attic

2011-03-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

When I was kid I always wished I had an old magical attic to escape to.

Please see my Flickr page for credits

March Cover Girl

2011-03-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

I'm honored to be the Featured Cover Artist in this month's Deviant Muse E-Zine! Download your free copy HERE and then sign up for the DeviantScrap Newsletter so you won't miss another issue. There are so many wonderful articles, coupons and freebies inside you'll be on creativity overload! This month's issue focuses on my favorite genre: Steampunk!! :-D

Work In Progress

2011-02-20T22:13:00.000-08:00

Wow, so far February has been a bit of a whirlwind. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. Along with opening my shop I have several other exciting projects in the works that I will be able to share with you soon. I know, I'm such a tease.

I'm certainly no stranger to being busy. Back when I was working for someone else I was busy all the time. The big difference is that now I'm busy doing things that I love. I find myself wishing I had more hours in the day to get the things done that I want to do. Not things that I "have" to do but things that I "want" to do. Sure, there are still things that I "have" to do like cleaning the house but my job is no longer Work. My job is Fun. How cool is that? :-)

I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at one of the fun things I've been working on: mounted prints! I wanted to offer mounted prints from the very beginning but I wasn't wild about the mounting options available from the professional labs and I didn't want to hold up the shop opening any longer. I wanted something that had more of a handcrafted feel to it and it would need to be ready to hang, right out of the box.

I recently came across a solution that I'm really excited about. In the near future, I will be offering prints that are hand mounted on cradled Claybord. I love this stuff! Not only is it archival and acid free, it won't warp and it's made in the USA from wood from sustainable forests. It can also be hung right out of the box or framed in an open face frame. I'll be hand painting the sides, mounting the image, applying several layers of gel medium for texture and then sealing it with varnish.

Here, let me show you some pictures! The one on the bottom gives you an idea of the texture but they will, of course, all be slightly different. I hope you love them as much as I do! :-)

Open For Business!!

2011-02-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

Finally! After months of planning and testing and researching and procrastination my Etsy store is finally open!! I'm kind of excited and full of nervous energy right now. Can you tell?

I'm starting with a relatively small selection but will be adding more soon. I still have a lot to learn and would love any advice from those of you who have been doing this for awhile.

Speaking of business, I have a new section in my blog list that contains some really inspiring websites about running an art business and living up to your full potential. Check them out if you have some time!

I'd also like to thank you all again for inspiring and encouraging me all this time. I couldn't have done this without you!

XOXO

I Did It!!

2011-01-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

I completed my very first ever art journal page! This was the first week of Tangie Baxter's Art Journal Caravan and one of our prompts was to pick one word to define our upcoming year. I chose the word "Believe".

Originally, I was planning to do this by hand. I had my nice Moleskin journal all ready and the pieces were cut out but then I decided it was going to take too long because I had to wait for paint to dry and I really wanted to get it done before the next assignment is given tomorrow. So, I decided to do it digitally instead. I still plan to make a handmade version as well so I guess you could say this is my rough draft.

The funny thing is that this ended up taking probably the same amount of time because I spent forever messing around with photoshop brushes so I could get the look I wanted. I was trying to make it look as authentic as possible without using a premade paper. I wanted it to look painted. I was only partially successful. I managed to get the first layer down and looking pretty good but then anything I put on top looked weird. I think I just need to spend a day really playing with all the brushes and figuring out what they do.

So, one layer of paint is mine and the rest is from several kits by Holliewood Studios. Hollie's papers rock! I hope I'll be able make something like them someday.

My goal with this page was to remind myself to think positively and not worry so much. I don't know about you, but I occasionally get bogged down by all those negative voices in my head. Ok, ok, actually it happens a lot, especially now that I'm starting a new chapter in my life. Just between you and me... it can be a little scary.

Believing Is Seeing

I believe...

I will be successful

It's ok to make mistakes

There is nothing to be afraid of

I am good enough

I deserve to be happy

I will make my dreams come true

I can do it

Anything is possible

Believe in Magic

Believe in yourself

She stood on the edge... and she unfurled her wings

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T23:33:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that it has only been a year since I made my very first blog post. What a year it's been, creatively speaking. It was a year of change and growth and challenges but what I treasure the most are the friendships I've made along the way. I would like to thank you all for reading my ramblings and taking the time to comment. It has meant more to me than I can put into words. Thank you!!

I have many exciting things planned for 2011. You have probably already noticed the change in my blog design. It was prompted by the launch of my brand new website. Yay! I'd love it if you'd take a look and let me know what you think. Just click the "website" button at the top of my blog.

I will also be opening up my first Etsy store in the next few weeks. I'll keep you posted! :-D

And, I've decided to jump on Tangie Baxter's Art Journal Caravan. I've never done any art journaling before so it's a little scary but I'm up for the challenge. I think it will be good for me.

Whew, it's going to be a busy year!

Please see my Flickr page for credits

What Is Old Is New Again

2010-12-21T21:55:00.000-08:00

Hi! Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. I'm sorry for being away for so long but this time of year is always really tough on me and I've had to take some time to regroup and find my center again. Now that things are settling down I'm feeling much better and I've missed you guys. :-) Thanks for hanging in there with me.

I'd like to share with you something fun I've been working on today. A few weeks ago my trusted old printer finally gave up the ghost and after a lot of research I finally have a shiny new Canon Pixma MG8120. If you're looking for a high quality mid-priced multifunction printer/copier/scanner I highly recomend it.

One of the things that really sold me on this particular printer was its ability to scan negatives and slides. You see, before I started doing digital art I studied photography. This was way back in the days of film and I have boxes of negatives and slides that have been gathering dust for, oh, about 20 years now. Today I started scanning.

What is so exciting for me is that now, with the help of my computer, I can take some of the negatives that I had previously rejected because of bad lighting or bad backgrounds and give them new life. Take this image for example:
This is a shot I took of my brother about 18 years ago. The image on the left is straight out of the scanner. I loved this portrait for its composition and especially for his expression but it is full of technical errors. Besides being old and discolored, his face is way too dark and could that sky be any more boring? I don't think so. I won't even mention the giant piece of wood jabbing him in the head. But, hey, I was still learning so I made a mental note to work on my lighting skills and pay more attention to the background in the future and I threw it in the reject pile and moved on.

But now that I have new skills (and a new film scanner) I have finally been able to create the image the way I had imagined it all those years ago. I love you Photoshop!! :-)

A big Thank You to lrargerich @ Flickr for the sky

Ode To A Muse

2010-11-15T10:10:00.000-08:00

I am beyond excited to tell you about the new kit, Ode To A Muse, by Holliewood Studios and Finecrafted Designs! Two of my favorite designers have joined forces to pay homage to one of my idols, and theirs, Maggie Taylor.

If you are not already familiar with Maggie's work you can take a look at her website here. Her images are poetic, surreal and astonishingly beautiful.

Thank you Hollie and Evelyn!! I had so much fun playing with this kit!!

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-31T09:59:00.000-07:00

Please see my Flickr page for credits

It's That Time Of The Year

2010-10-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

There are some people who LIVE for Christmas. Me? I live for Halloween. I know, what a surprise.

I have been so excited working with all the new kits coming out of DeviantScrap in celebration of this most wonderful holiday. If you love Halloween as much as I do, take a few minutes and check out Welcome To My Nightmare and Haute Halloween by Holliewood Studios, Good Evening by Finecrafted Designs, and One Ghostly Night and Halloween Word Art by TotallyWild Dezinez.

Here are a few images that I've been working on. As usual, please see my Flickr page for full credits.

Archangel

2010-09-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just need a little eye candy. ;-)

Please see my Flickr page for credits

Heritage Photos

2010-09-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

I love creating images with vintage photos. There's just something magical about them that you don't find in contemporary photography.

A few years ago, I inherited a group of old family photos from my Grandmother, some dating back to the late 1800s. I look through them every now and again and then I put them back in their box, but recently I've decided that they need to come out and see the light of day. So, my scanner got a workout and then they went back into their box safe and sound. Don't you just love technology?

In this first image, I used a photo of my Great-Grandfather (he's the one in the middle) and his siblings from the early 1900s and I placed them on one of the new Dramatic Backgrounds by Holliewood Studios.

Please see my Flickr page for full credits

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure how I'm related to this woman but I love her. She has such a great smile and looks like someone who loves adventure and doesn't care about the rules. I thought this old photochrome image from the Library of Congress fit her perfectly. Now that I think about it, it's possible that she's one of the little girls in the image above.

Please see my Flickr page for full credits

I love that I'm able to honor their memory by letting them live again in art. I plan on creating quite a few more of these so stay tuned! :-D

Scrapbooking

2010-09-01T21:29:00.000-07:00

Like a lot of expectant mothers, when I first found out I was going to have a child I suddenly became very excited about learning how to scrapbook. This was long before digital scrapbooking was the norm. That's what "good" Mom's did. It wasn't enough to just take pictures and throw them in an album. You HAD to make cute pages with coordinating papers and doodads and whatnots, right? So I bought some books and even went to a scrapbooking party and bought papers and rubber stamps and ink and everything. I was ready. Just bring on this baby!

Well, then I had a baby.

Long story short: I never did open those packs of paper or assemble those rubber stamps.

Now, 9+ years and two kids later, I find myself surrounded by scrappers. How funny is that? Actually, I think it's pretty cool. I am so inspired by the incredible art I see every day in the DeviantScrap gallery. I feel like I have a second chance to start documenting the experiences of my children in a more artful way.

I chose to jump at that opportunity with the latest releases by TotallyWild Dezinez. The following images incorporate Masks #1, Fabric Blend Paper Pack, Little School Clusters and Funky Frames as well as elements from the following kits by Holliewood Studios: Toy Box, A Rose is a Rose, Wild Kingdom: Butterflies and The Collector.

I few weeks ago, while I was cleaning my garage, I came across the box with those old scrapbook papers and rubber stamps. They're going to be perfect for the art journaling projects I'm working on now. Everything happens for a reason, right? :-)

Busy Busy

2010-08-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

Wow! There are so many new things over at DeviantScrap that I have been swamped the last few weeks with CT work. I had six pieces due this week alone. I'm not complaining, mind you. In my previous life I would have been stressed out about having to get some giant spreadsheet done or balance the books or something. Oh no, I'm not complaining in the least! "Awww poor Amy is forced to make art with incredible resources, awww." ROFL!!

Instead of dumping everything out all at once I've decided to sprinkle my posts throughout the next few days.

I'm going to start with the new mini-kit by Holliewood Studios: Niches. In this piece, The Farmer, I've chosen to focus on the tree but there is also a house, a bird and a male and female head. Check them out, they're really fun!

Please see my Flickr page for full credits

There's a New Designer in Town!

2010-08-25T20:02:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have noticed that I'm sporting a brand new blinkie in my side bar. That's because one of my favorite Creative Teammates has decided to throw her hat into the designing ring and I could not be more excited! Introducing: Finecrafted Designs!!

What a debut she's made with her kit, Good For What Ails You. If you're looking for vintage medical items and ephemera this is the place to find it. There is also an ATC add-on and a really cool FREEBIE!!! That's right, a Freebie, so you can see for yourself how great these images are. Of course, you can find them all at DeviantScrap.

Please see my Flickr page for full credits

A Rose Is A Rose

2010-08-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with the new kit, A Rose Is A Rose, by Holliewood Studios. It's full of gorgeous gardens, flowers, and animals. Head over to DeviantScrap and check it out!

Please see my Flickr page for full credits

Treasure

2010-08-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

While on our recent trip to visit family in Seattle, my Father-In-Law let it be known that there was treasure in his garage. That's right, treasure. I knew that he had been a teacher of visual arts for many many years but what I didn't know is that when his school district closed down the letterpress printing program he was able to rescue the print blocks and now had them stashed away in his garage.

Then he took me to see them. My jaw hit the floor. In a dusty corner lay hundreds of metal and wood print blocks. You know how in the movies, whenever they open a treasure chest, a light magically appears from the depths of the chest? It was like that. Really. Ok, not really, but they were pretty cool!

As I wiped the drool from my chin I heard him say, "If you can use them in your art you're welcome to have them." Wow! I felt like I'd just won the lottery. Really. Ok, not really, but I was pretty excited!

I took a few pictures to show you some of them. :-)

Thank you, Mike!! You're the best!!

My Very First Calendar!

2010-08-02T23:09:00.000-07:00

Kate, from The Kathryn Wheel, has been sponsoring a monthly Art Journal Calendar Challenge all year and after months of being blown away by everyone's submissions I finally decided to join the fun. I know it's a little late in the year but better late than never, right?

Below is my very first calendar created using collage images from Tumble Fish Studio. Even though the kids will be going back to school in a couple of weeks, August still means "summer vacation" to me and Marsha's vintage beach images are absolutely perfect.

If you are unfamiliar with Art Journal Calendars take a look at The Kathryn Wheel to see Kate's completed July calendar as well as her August calendar. While you're there check out the rest of her incredible art. She's one of my favorite artists and a huge inspiration to me.

This project was a lot of fun and I can't wait to make my next one!

The Tween Years

2010-07-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

The tween years can be a confusing time for girls. They want to be grown up so badly but at the same time they're still just little girls. My daughter will be turning nine in a couple of months and I really wanted to capture an image of this internal conflict. I shot the image below while on the beach during our recent trip up to Seattle, WA.

The background texture is from Jerry Jones at Shadowhouse Creations and the fabulous brushes are from TotallyWild Dezinez at DeviantScrap. The thing I love about these brushes is that they not only come as separate .abr files but they also come as .png clusters. This means that you can use them as standard brushes and add your own colors and create your own layers or you can use them as standard pre-made image layers. This image was created using the On The Wall Cluster Brushes and the Butterfly Cluster Brushes.

A Princess in a World of Dragons

2010-07-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't participated in very many art challenges, mainly because I haven't been able to find the time, but when I saw the theme for this month's challenge at Creative Souls I just couldn't resist.

I'd like to thank candiesforeveryone @ DeviantArt for the fabulous vintage model, playingwithbrushes @ Flickr for the gorgeous texture, Holliewood Studios for the crown and trees, and last but not least, shoofly-stock @ DeviantArt for the amazing little dragons.

Lady of Shallot

2010-07-14T22:12:00.000-07:00

Please see my Flickr page for credits

My New Studio!

2010-07-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

After weeks of dealing with scammers and flakes on craigslist we were finally able to sell our extra couch to a really nice person. Why is this important you ask? Because, selling that couch opened up a huge amount of space in our house and allowed me to finally create my own art studio/office. I'm so excited!! I would like to thank my wonderful husband for agreeing that having a dining room was less important. Besides, it's summer, we can eat outside, right?

Without further ado, here it is! It's a little sparse and way too clean and organized but a few months of playing with paint should cure that.

I love that I get to be surrounded by some of my favorite things and I'll get to keep adding more as time goes on. My computer desk was handmade by my grandfather in his woodshop class back in the 30s and I used to do my homework on it when I lived with my grandparents during my 7th grade year. Sitting on top of my monitor is a little iron fairy. She helps me to see the magic. Above the desk is a panoramic photo of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. The Palace of Fine Arts, rebuilt and renovated many times, is the only thing still standing today. In the corner is an antique dress form that I found on Ebay many years ago. We call her "Betty". My art table is our former dining room table and it has a leaf that flips up if I need more workspace. Above the table is artwork created by my daughter. It will be a revolving gallery as we continue to create new pieces. And up in the right corner is a weathered sign that says "Follow Your Dreams".

Thank you to all the people who have encouraged me to follow mine.

Stark!

2010-07-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

It's time to unleash your inner surrealist! Stark by Holliewood Studios gives you all the tools you need. Just add imagination!

The Little Mermaid

2010-07-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

JW Waterhouse has been my favorite artist for as long as I can remember appreciating art. I love being able to give his wonderful creations new life.

Please see my Flickr page for credits

Home

2010-06-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I come across an image that really touches me. I fell immediately in love with the couple from Tumble Fish Studio's new element pack: Miscellany. The way they were holding hands was so sweet and charming they seemed like two parts of one being.

Marsha (Tumble Fish Studio) has some of the most unique vintage images and ephemera that I have ever seen. If you aren't familiar with her element packs please head on over to DeviantScrap.com and take a look at her stunning collection.

Please see my Flickr page for full credits

My Shining Star

2010-06-29T22:46:00.000-07:00

I really like art mixed with words but it has always been challenging for me because I can never seem to find the right thing to say. So, when Marsha from Tumble Fish Studio released her latest element packs I was really excited because I had recently found a quote that I loved from Storypeople and I knew just what I wanted to do with it.

I don't know about you, but personally, I find raising children to be a bit of a challenge as well. We get so bogged down in the day to day "parenting" that sometimes the important messages get lost.

In "My Shining Star" I used the following element packs fromTumble Fish Studio @ DeviantScrap: Twinkle Toes, Big Whimsy, Angels and Froo Froo. Thank you Marsha!!

The Little Princess

2010-06-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

Reading is one of my favorite things to do. When I was young it was my primary means of escape. As you might have guessed my genre of choice is Fantasy. Who'd have thought? lol!

In "The Little Princess" it was my goal to show how reading can make other worlds come alive around you.

Please see My Flickr Page for credits

Void

2010-06-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

"Oh, Mother Night! Fold your dark arms about me. Protect me in your black embrace."

-- Darkness, Legend (1985)

I love the night. I love the way it transforms the mundane world. I love the way darkness and light work together to hide the ugliness and highlight the beauty. I love the silence and the mystery.

Void, the new kit from Holliewood Studios, was such a pleasure to play with. It's all about the darkness and beauty of the night. Below are my first two images. Please see my Flickr page for full credits.

Facelift

2010-06-20T02:18:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to redesign my blog for awhile now and I finally found the time to do it. All of the figures around the edge relate to my artwork. I went through several versions before I settled on one I liked and who knows, it may change again.

I would like to thank the following people for their images: Holliewood Studios @ DeviantScrap, Tumblefish Studio @ DeviantScrap, Studio Maya @ Scrapbookgraphics, Christina Renee, Obsidian Dawn and from Flickr: JoesSistah, paperscraps, carbonated, Suzee Que and Essence of a Dream.

Oh! And take a look at that dinosaur blinkie on the right that Clementine created. How cool is that?!?

The Time Keeper

2010-06-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

Somerset

2010-06-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing about Somerset Studio for awhile now. Usually it's in reference to someone saying "free images from Somerset Studio" or "I was just published in Somerset Studio". So, while I was at the mall the other day I stopped into Borders to see if they had any of the many Somerset publications. I was really excited when I saw almost an entire section full of Somerset! I picked up Somerset Studio, Somerset Digital Studio, and Somerset Apprentice.

Then I started flipping through the pages.

I was blown away by the talented artists featured in each one. The coolest thing was that every few pages I'd find myself saying "I know that person!" It was like an Artists Yearbook filled with my friends from Flickr, Deviant Scrap, and Creative Souls! Plus, they were all talking about how they created their art. Talk about inspiration overload!

I've been toying with the idea of trying mixed media art and actually getting my hands dirty but I've been a little intimidated because I have no idea how to start. That's why I was really happy to find Somerset Apprentice because it's all about step-by-step tutorials and techniques.

So, my next step is to set up an area in my house dedicated to art. I'm really excited to get started!

I'm going to stop babbling now and go drown myself in these magazines. Then it's off to the art supply store!!

In the meantime, I'd like to share a new image called "The Architect" that I recently created using the new City Limits and Juicy Grids kits from Tumble Fish Studio. I love these kits!!

As always please see my Flickr page for full credits

Hollie Has Done It Again!!

2010-05-30T21:38:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of things I like about being on the Holliewood Studios Creative Team but the best thing is being surrounded by amazingly talented women including one of the best designers out there, Hollie Haradon. Believe me when I tell you that I wait with eager anticipation for each new kit that Hollie releases because every one of them is stunning. Stunning! Her latest offering is no exception: Teddy Bear Tea Party

Here are a couple of images that I created with this kit but if you really want to see talent head on over to DeviantScrap and take a look in the gallery!

Hope II

2010-05-23T23:01:00.000-07:00

This image is my re-imagining of Hope by George Frederick Watts.

This is one of the earliest of the great morality pictures by which Watts earned his fame. Describing these, he said, "All my pictures in the Tate Gallery are symbolical and for all time. Their symbolism is, however, more suggestive than worked out in detail." He goes on: "I want to make people think. My intention has not been so much to paint pictures that will charm the eye as to suggest great thoughts that will appeal to the imagination and the heart, and kindle all that is best and noblest in humanity."

"Hope" illustrates the power of these pictures to make peole think. The blinded figure, seated on the sphere with her broken lyre, is bending her ear to catch what music she may from the last remaining string. She cannot see the star shining above her; one by one the sweet notes of music have been taken from her, but still she sits, bowed but not broken, plucking with tender fingers whatever melody she may from the last string of those that gave her the full harmonies of beauty. She has no vision either of the star above or of the world of darkness and gloom below. Her attitude of dejection almost rejects the conventional idea that there is happiness to be found when everything seems lost, but the picture suggests the larger hope of the world that there is peace and light above the turmoil and sorrow of the earth.

From the book "Famous Paintings" printed in 1913.

Fear

2010-05-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we are so busy trying to protect ourselves that we shut out the world and miss the magic.

Tumble Fish Studio

2010-05-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

I have also had the honor of being asked to be on the Creative Team for Tumble Fish Studio. Marsha from Tumble Fish Studio is one of my very favorite artists and a wonderful person to work with. I've been cyber stalking her for awhile now but she doesn't know that. Oops! Did I say that out loud? hehe

You can find her artwork on her fabulous blog here: http://tumblefishstudio.blogspot.com/ and she now has amazing element kits that can be purchased at DeviantScrap.

Here are a couple of images that I've created with her kits:

DeviantScrap!

2010-04-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's been awhile since I've posted anything. Bad blogger, bad! lol!

Well, I'm here to make up for it by telling you what I've been up to for the last few months. Yay! :-)

I've had the honor of being asked by Hollie Haradon to be part of the Holliewood Studios Creative Team and, along with several other wonderful and incredibly talented artists, help her start her new venture: DeviantScrap.com!

DeviantScrap is a place where scrapbook, mixed media and digital artists can all come together to share, learn from and inspire one another. No judgement, just creativity. I've been blown away by the talent I've seen here. Check it out! DeviantScrap.com

On top of that, I'm heading up the DeviantScrap Flickr Group. So, if you're on Flickr, stop by, join the group and start posting images. All types of art are welcome. The only requirement is that you use at least one element from a digital scrapbook kit to create your image.

Here are some of the images that I've created for Hollie's Creative Team. To see more please visit my gallery at DeviantScrap.com or Flickr

The Summoning

2010-02-23T16:53:00.001-08:00

Motherhood

2010-02-23T16:51:00.000-08:00

Steampunk

2010-02-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

I've always loved Steampunk. There's something about Victorian fashion mixed with "low-tech" technology and alternate fantasy future that is just so... cool. Here are a few pieces I put together in honor of the genre.

I Believe in Fairies

2010-02-13T21:51:00.001-08:00

I Believe in Fairies, originally uploaded by Amy Knutkowski.

Creativity

2010-02-07T23:42:00.001-08:00

, originally uploaded by Amy Knutkowski.

Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility.
---Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Princess Fia

2010-01-31T20:45:00.001-08:00

, originally uploaded by Amy Knutkowski.

Luna

2010-01-29T15:28:00.001-08:00

, originally uploaded by Amy Knutkowski.

I'm Having Way Too Much Fun With These

2010-01-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

A Whole New Direction

2010-01-18T23:39:00.000-08:00

Until now, I have focused mainly on children's portraiture. There's nothing wrong with that. Kids are cute and they're fun to take pictures of. Then I joined Flickr.

It started innocently enough. I only joined because I wanted to enter a contest on The Pioneer Woman Blog. So, I uploaded one picture. But then, my page felt empty so I uploaded a few more. Not very many, mind you. I mean, I wasn't going to "join" Flickr. Flickr is just for people to upload their snapshots to show their friends and family. Right? Right?

Then I started to explore.

I found some amazing resources for downloading textures to add to my photos. Check out pareeerica, rubyblossom, and skeletalmess, to name only a few. Then I joined a few groups and my horizons opened even more.

What I have discovered since then is that Flickr isn't just for people to upload their snapshots. It's full of some absolutely incredible artists. Who knew?!?

Now I'm inspired all over again. The way I look at art and photography is changing and it's kind of exciting. Here are a few new things I'm working on. Take a look at my Flickr page to see where all the source images came from. I'm eternally grateful for the generosity of the artists on Flickr.

As I discover artists that I like I'm posting links to their blogs or websites here. Check them out if you have the time.

What Inspires You?

2010-01-07T22:01:00.000-08:00

You never know when creative inspiration is going to hit. I've tried looking for it but I don't think it's something you can get by force of will. You'll just be minding your own business one day and then BAM! there it is.

I'm constantly amazed at the things that inspire me. For instance, I fell in love with an outfit that I found at Target of all places. It was the kind of outfit I would wear if I was really cool and I desperately wish that I was. Luckily, I have a daughter who is really cool and I can live vicariously through her. I knew the minute I saw it that she'd be in front of my camera as soon as I got home.

What inspires you?

I'm such a NOOB

2010-01-07T21:38:00.000-08:00

So. I have spent the last few days, since joining the blogosphere, trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing. While I've had some success finding tutorials that have helped me give my blog a little face lift and add a widget or two I've realized that I have so much more to learn. On one hand, I love learning new things, but on the other, it can be a little overwhelming. I think I'm up for the challenge though.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

I have declared 2010 to be a year of change. This year I will be leaving my safe spot against the wall and getting out on the dance floor. This blog is my first step.

I never thought in a million years I'd have a blog. I'm an introvert. I don't like to talk about myself. I don't like the spotlight. It hurts my eyes. And yet, here I am.

Luckily, I won't be talking about myself very often because this is a photography blog. My goal is to share some of my photographs as well as some of the cool stuff I've learned along the way.

Welcome to my blog!