"Imagine".............................

I've been having fun creating some custom brushes in Photoshop Elements tonight. One of the brushes I found is a cool moon brush that I just fell in love with.

I decided to give this piece a little "celestial" feel.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend :)

Love, Marilyn

True Friends...............................

Happy Friday Everyone! I felt the need to post, this morning, as I was awakened by the sound of shovels and snowblowers in my neighborhood! This winter has been a long one and it is just not letting go. I will venture a guess and say we have about 4" of the white stuff accumulated. I just was not going to take a picture of it to share on my Blog; I am done with frost and snow for awhile :)

I spent a little quality time with my son, yesterday; we shared some lunch and thoughts. We got talking about things and the subject of his friends came up. He felt the need to talk about his friend, Shane, who he lost last summer to a tragic accident. I had posted a tribute to Shane in a much earlier post a few months ago.

We all miss Shane; his smile and his personality! He was one of those special people that could make you feel like a million bucks in no time at all. Shane is the one who sparked my fascination and love of crows. Part of Shane's heritage was American Indian and his burial ceremony reflected some of his traditions. One of which involved a crow and this is why I love them, now, as when I see one, I think of Shane and it keeps my memory, of him, alive. I love to think of him, now, without hurting so much and concentrate on the vivid memories I have of him and having the privilege of spending time with him which I did fairly often. I often use crows in my art as it really enables me to still feel connected to Shane in some way. This comforts me and I suggested to my son, perhaps, he find some symbol that he can draw that brings Shane to his mind and use it in his notes to his kids (he teaches school) or emails, etc.

My son was expressing how he, sometimes, feels badly because some of the memories of Shane seem so distant, particulary when they were much younger. I assured him that this is natural and I also suggested he focus more on their friendship that was and still is everlasting.

Shane's birthday was celebrated about a month ago with a bonfire at his house; friends and family all gathered; it was really beautiful and a marvelous tribute.

This discussion, with my son, led me to work on this digital piece this morning. It helped me think of Shane, more, and also in trying to comfort my son. True friends do outlast faded memories!

Have a safe and happy weekend, ahead, everyone and thank you all again for your support and lovely comments that you leave, for me, each and every day.

Love to all....................................Marilyn xxoo

Captured Moments.....................

A little Photoshop fun for you this morning. Here we are beginning another week; I am wishing all of you a safe and happy one!

I believe you are all aware of my love of crows. I can't get enough of them in my art, day, or photos. I had a relatively quiet weekend, including Easter, and I decided to get out on a walk Sunday with my camera. I saw this crow on a neighbor's lawn and decided to quickly get the shot of it. I loved how it came out. I imported the picture into my computer and opened it in Photoshop to alter it a bit. The picture had a lot of dirty snow around it and dry grass so I erased all of that and was left with this beautifully shaped crow! Using some photos that I've had stored, I just had to work on my crow, including him into some layered pieces in Photoshop!

Have a happy day! Love, Marilyn

And.the "Happy Go Lucky" winner is..............................:)

CHERYL ANDERSON from Wisconsin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Cheryl! You have won my "Happy Go Lucky" collage from my Blog give-a-way!!!! Between Blog posts and emails, I had a total of 42 names for the drawing - WOW! I asked my husband to draw the name this morning.

Please email me so I can get your address and I will mail out the collage and easel right away!

Thank you and all for playing.

I will be offering future give-a-ways on my Blog so I hope you'll all continue to visit.

I so appreciate all of your support, lovely comments and taking the time to visit my Blog. I couldn't do what I do without all of you!

Have a safe and happy weekend.............................Love, Marilyn

Digital play and friendly reminder....................:)

Friendly reminder: this Friday, March 21st is the deadline for posting a comment or emailing me regarding my previous post with the collage give-a-way :)

On Saturday, March 22nd I will be announcing the winner on my Blog. I cannot wait to see who wins. I am planning on offering some other give-a-ways, once in awhile, so please continue to visit :)

This is a picture of a digital piece I played with recently. The suttle background (stripes of color) is a picture I took of some wool roving that I had lined up here at home on the floor. I saw all the cool colors and thought it would make for a wonderful background for Photoshop. I used other images that I've had to add to the piece.

I am wishing you all a happy day! Love - Marilyn

"Happy Go Lucky".......Give-a-way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 x 7 Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

"Happy Go Lucky"

I recently completed this collage on canvas. I thought it would be fun to have a raffle and give this collage to the name of anyone who comments on this post or if you are unable to comment, here, you may email me at Artbeliever@gmail.com Please enter in the subject line: "Happy Go Lucky give-a-way"to help me keep track of names for this offering :)

The deadline for your comments or emails is: FRIDAY, MARCH 21ST.

Immediately after the deadline, I will enter all names in a raffle drawing and will post on my Blog the name of the winner.

I am also including a small easel with the collage :) I hope you play and I'm very excited to see who wins the collage!

Thank you for visiting and I wish you all a happy day! Love, Marilyn

"See to Observe"...................

I don't know about you, but I'm getting a little tired of looking at pictures of frost :) I am SO ready for spring! Let's hope it's a good one for all of us.

My husband and I have been sucking up water from our basement, the past two days, due to the heavy rains that we had. We are in for some more rain, this weekend, so we're really hoping we don't get any more flooding!

Not too long ago, I started playing around with scanning my own paintings and then using them for backgrounds in my digital play. I had fun with this one and it's called "See to Observe".

Thanks for visiting, I'm wishing you all a safe and happy weekend!

Love to all..........................................Marilyn

So you think you can dance, Jack Frost?

I know I mentioned, in my previous post, that I would not be posting, here, until next weekend to allow time for sign ups for my Blog challenge (again; see previous post). Speaking of, I have 16 sign-ups, so far, and I am absolutely thrilled with the response! Thank you, to all, who have replied so positively and enthusiastically. I can't wait to see what everyone creates and affirms :) I will send out communication this weekend with updates on details, etc. There's still time for anyone who would like to participate.

I decided to post these pictures, today, of some beautiful artwork that was left on my garage windows last week during our "arctic blast". It's funny; how just emptying the garbage, in my garage, offered me some artistic inspiration. While putting the garbage bag into the trash can, I happened to look up at the windows inside the garage, and the sun was shining through the frosted glass! Jack Frost danced on my windows with his paint brush! I immediately had to run inside, get my camera and take these shots. I thought they were awesome! I intend to use them for backgrounds with Photoshop!

If anyone would like to use any of these pictures, for their art, please feel free. March is upon us, now, and there is hope for spring's arrival in near future. It's been a long winter, here; particularly the month of February with weekly storms, frigid cold and through all my moaning and groaning about it, Jack Frost reminded me of some of the beauty that winter can offer.

I'm wishing everyone a happy day and may it last through the rest of your upcoming week.

Love to all..............................Marilyn