I love junk . . .

And here's my latest in a series of "junk journals"' made from cardboard food and drink packaging. 

The Writing on the Wall . . .

There are several notes to myself taped to my studio walls.  Most recently, "Become a Student of the Art You Love", followed by a quote by Hannelore Baron:   ". . . there was a long time when I wasn't completely satisfied with what I was doing . . . not that I didn't think each collage was good, but they didn't have a message . . . finally, when I felt I had the message, then I thought, okay, now." 

Inspiration as I make my way through the world of collage.  And in the spirit of such inspiration, I have created another message for my walls, this one made from an excercise in Marie Otero's class, Digital Magic.  This simple text collage actually involved the use of numerous texture layers and clipping masks, various fonts and multiple layers in Photoshop Elements.  I can't believe I'm actually doing this!  I don't know if I'll really make a collage a day, but I'm determined to take some action everyday to discovering my own unique collage "voice".

For more about Hannelore Baron, click here.  And I hope that others who read this post will share their own methods of inspiration and motivation.   Now, back to work . . .

A New Beginning . . .

Today is the day! I have toyed with the idea of creating a blog for over a year now. Enough waiting for the right moment . . . time to take the plunge.

I think a major impetus for getting over the hump has been a fabulous class I have been taking on-line with Marie Otero in digital mixed media. At long last, I am beginning to create using the tools I have worked so hard to master in the Adobe Photoshop Elements program. You can read all about her here.  I will be sharing my digital mixed media creations in the days to come.

The big event in my life right now is that I have recently upgraded from a Kodak Z612 to a Canon Rebel T1i. I have had it for barely a month and am finally getting over being intimidated by it. It is a beautiful camera, a joy to use, and it will take me a lifetime to learn to use it and do it justice. But that's exactly what I plan to do!

So I am beginning my first post with a picture I took yesterday with my wonderful new camera. After a rather long hot, dry spell, we have had two lovely days of rain here in Middle Tennessee. In the morning while things were still fresh and the temperatures reasonably cool, I took some pictures of my flower pots that are scattered about in my gardens. Everything was looking so refreshed by the rains and the leaves on the begonias were glistening in the sun. A perfect photo opt for an image of a new beginning. Life is good.