Homesteading today Calendar

If you love the Countryside, you will love this beautiful Calendar.
Come check it out, at the Homesteading today Web site.
http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=281189

Sleeping Mia WIP ~4

Have done a bit more ink and the undershading of color on Mia's face and ears.

Latest Abstract Art

This is my latest creation. I am slowly learning how to use the many Digital programs I have, to make this kind of Art. Many times I don't know quite how it will look until I render the piece, after spending many hours on it, of course. The digital painting above was made using 3 programs.. Fractal and 3D.

Want to learn the Media Arts and can't afford to go to College?

Then check out these free MIT free Open course college classes.
MTI Open Media Art Course.
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm#MediaArtsandSciences

Beautiful Sunset last night

I made sure to change the settings on my Evolt 510 camera and again I am pleased with the results.
This is the beautiful Sunset I captured last night. Found these cloud formations very interesting, as it looks like someone used a palette knife to smooth the underside flat.

First time I was able to photograph the moon!

Photographing Cats

After changing some of the settings on the camera, I decided to take some photographs of my cats to see if it helped. Worked quite well,, best indoor photos I have been able to take so far.

Olympus 510 camera issues

If you own a 500 or 510 Olympus Evolt camera, there is a high chance that just about every shot you take comes out blurry. You use say a Nikon and this doesn't happen, with the same shot.
Problem is... as I am slowly finding out..you can't run the Evolt 510 on the factory settings and get a good picture.

Now I have only tried this with Action shots in the house with cats but I have high hopes this will work for outside actions shots,,say like running horses.

If you are getting Blurry photos no matter what you do,
Try this....

Nosie Filter- Low
Noise reduction- Off

The Catch...have to change the settings back to this each time you turn the camera on. Not perfect but you should at least get some good shots.

Flash metering issue....

Your flash is taking forever metering in average indoor light or even in good light.

Turn the "AF Illuminator" off.

MENU->[Wrench1]->[AF ILLUMINAT.]->[OFF]

This should get the camera to take the photo a little faster, with out that annoying low-light AF assist pulse.

Will add more tips, as I get more annoyed with this camera, and start pushing buttons.

But if you are shopping for a good camera for Action shots in low light... get a Nikon D300.

Sleeping Mia WIP ~

Finally am able to post an Update on this WIP. Have 3 more layers of ink and watercolor pencil wash in the back ground. Working on the darker stripes on the kitten herself, started with the color on her nose and so on.
More to come~~~

Some more Fractal Abstract

This is what I have been doing when I need to let the paint dry before the next layer, on the traditional type painting I am working on now.

It is more a matter of knowing your math and adding an artistic twist. Lots of fun.

Portrait of a Kitten

This is the photo I am going to paint.

Have so many things I want to paint but another cat portrait won out. Here is a sleepy Mia. I worked on penciling her in, did a bit of ink work but thought I had better Mask her whiskers before I went any farther. Is hard letting the masking dry before I start on the painting again but I will this morning.


The lighting wasn't good for taking pictures but I tried any way. Just started the first part of the background color, is a combo of ink and watercolor and the paper was wetted first and the colors allowed to blend on their own. I will need at least two more layers of color before I have the depth the way I want.

Where I create and the wonderful view of the Hay field and Woodlands beyond.

Ditigal Abstract

The paintings above and below are purely computer generated Digital Art. It is fun and easy to do and am enjoying it a lot. There is no end to what you can create.

Wild Easter~ Abstract

I have been working on this wild and bright colored Abstract for the last week. It is a digital painting, done in Easter colors.

This Years Holiday Painting is finally finished!

This years Holiday painting is finally finished. Mediums I used are, Pen & Ink, Ink and Watercolor pencil washes, painted on Fabriano Artistico Bright White 140lb Hot press watercolor paper.
If you are interested purchasing prints and other items with this painting on them, please check out my online stores.

Mia Christmas painting 10

Nearly finished with the painting,, just a few more hours to go. Decided not to do the rug..felt it would make the painting too busy but have added some highlights to anchor the kitten. Am not 100% happy with the gift boxes but then I had best learn how to wrap the packages a bit more straight.
However,I am happy with the way Mia the kitten is turning out.

Will be very happy when I have finally finished this one!

Flowers from Venus~ Abstract

Now what would flowers from Venus look like? So I endeavored to create a digital painting on what I think flora on Venus might look like. Rather fanciful but it was fun to paint.

Mia Christmas painting 9

Have been spending about 4 hours a day the last few days working on this painting. I break it up in blocks of 1 to 1 1/2 hours at one sitting.
Above is a close up of Mia's face. I have been working with both ink and color, adding more detail.

Started in her bow and doing a lot more ink work in her coat. Adding a bit of watercolor wash where needed.

Tip: Make sure you put fresh water in your container each time you sit down to do another session with your painting. That way you do not end up with a color you do not want.

Mia Christmas painting 8

Working on the packages.
I am one of those visual people.. so I wrapped a package to use as a prop. However,, one has to wrap things evenly, as you can see, I do not. ;O) Just a bit more Character to my painting packages than I had intended. So more work to do on them.

Mia is a kitten we brought home from the local animal shelter. She is fixed and loves to play fetch!

Art Donation for the local Animal Shelter

"The Scholar", print came in yesterday. This is the one I am giving to the local animal shelter for their Annual Raffle/Auction. Brought it over to the shelter when it opened this morning. Am crossing my fingers on this one, that it will bring in a goodly amount of funs for the shelter.

The painting is of Nari, who we brought home from that same shelter.

If you are interested in going to this function or helping, check out... "Wizard of Paws"

http://www.columbiahumane.org/auction2008.html

Compassion, Courage and Friendship

This posting was for one boards I am on but I decided to post it here too, musings as it is.

While all this political up heavel was and is happening, tempers flaring, words being said, the hate and aggression, on a couple of Forums I am on and I am sure else where. ..........

This is what I was and am part of, am humbled by.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM8JOlLvx8M

To help, to offer Compassion, Kindness and Hope, where there seems to be so little these days.

I am donating my Art to causes that need help, I have to buy my own Art to give. Including the one for Chances Miniature horse Rescue, it should bring more than it is. The lack of bids has me shamed, as it is the only piece not getting bids. The only place my Art has not helped.

I have been giving food to the shelters, to the local Elders and help when and where I can even though I physically find it hard. I will not let my inability to walk far or well stop me.
Donating funds for family Housing, for the familys with a loved one with Cancer. So they can be near their child, spouce, sister/brother or other family member during treatment.

My husband only has a contract job and we should be saving every penny but instead I am helping how and where I can.

So what are "You" doing that is positive? What hope and kindness have you done lately?

Want a good gift, showing hope, courage and kindness...
(I recieve no dividens for this book)

http://www.redbubble.com/store/compassion-publication

Mums

Flowers of Autumn and a Bee enjoying them.

Mia Christmas painting 7

Working on her front left leg and shoulder. Under color to one of her back legs. Added a bit more color here and there. Painting the under color of the gift boxes... they will not be quite those colors when finished. Some shading and so on. Very slowly making progress.

Chances Miniature Horse Fund Raiser

Photo is of my miniature Maggie,, who is very lucky to have a good home with my family but there are many out there that are not so lucky.

I do not normally post these kinds of things but I feel it is important to help this wonderful group Raise money, so they can continue to help, Miniature horses in need.
Here is the Link to their Auction.... please go look and hopefully bid!
http://www.lblastchanceauction.com/cgi-bin/auction/catlisting?cmd=do_cat_listing&searchstring=&categoryID=136

If you would like to learn more about Chances Miniature horse rescue... here is their site.
http://www.chancesminihorserescue.org/

The Beauty of Roses

It was a bright sunny day when I took these Rose photographs. Not usually the best light but the Roses seemed to photograph beautifully despite the sunny weather and time of the year.

Mia Christmas painting 6

So I put my head phones on this morning, turned the music on and went to work. Came up for air an hour later because the music had stopped and could not believe I worked an whole hour just on her eyes.
Also added a bit of color to her face and ribbon. Hour and a half, is just about what my body can handle at any one sitting.

Don't normally post Close ups but I decided to this time, that way you can see how her eyes are coming along.

Mia Christmas painting

I finally found some time to work on my Christmas painting for this year. I really need to get working on this if I want it done before the middle of Nov.
Here you can see I worked a little more ink on the kitten and sketched in the presents behind her.
Doing the base watercolor wash for a couple of the gifts,added some color to the ribbon around her neck.

Cat portraits low light

I am still learning to take good photos in low light with my Evolt 510 camera. This camera does have its draw backs in capturing indoor or low light shots well. Known fact now..of course "after" I bought this camera.

These photos are no where near as good as what I can shoot in bright light but not too bad with the kind of lighting I had to work with.

Note to self... better Flash needed , until I can afford a Nikon D300.

Christmas gifts at Cafe Press~

My online Cafe Press shop has a lot of wonderful items for Christmas. Here is a small sample.

An Icelandic horse Travel mug with a Holiday Theme.

http://www.cafepress.com/artbyshari.313917269

Christmas Tree ornament, Icelandic horse style.

http://www.cafepress.com/artbyshari.313917280


The Yule Jenny Donkey Ornament~
http://www.cafepress.com/artbyshari.313827225

There are many wonderful things to look at, so please, feel free to browse my online stores.

Handspun yarn

Am sure many of you do not realize that I also hand spin 2 ply yarn when I have the time. I have been spinning neigh on 10+ years now.
I have a double treadle Majacraft Saxony, which I just love.

This is some of the imported Gotland fleece I have on my wheel. This is finished yarn being made into a skein.
Normally I just spin local fleece but in the Gotland case, it was a very rare treat indeed to have the privilege to make this into yarn.

This sweater was made of local Coopworth fleece, that I handspun into yarn. My great Aunt Norah then made it into a beautiful sweater for me.

I still have roving left over from my flock of sheep I raised. Most of it being Brecknock Hill Cheviot and Black Welsh Mountain. To have a softer handle to this fleece I added equal parts of Llama fleece from a local Llama breeder.

Also have more Coopworth and Blueface Leicester Roving both coming from local NW sheep breeders.

I do offer hand spun 2 ply yarn for sale at times.

Example..
Blue Faced Leiciester~Eru in color, Very soft 5oz- 2 balls to make up total weight, 2ply white, $15.00 very soft.
Black Welsh Mountain ~ 4oz- skein, 2ply dark brown/black $15.00 Course