Sunday, December 25, 2016

christmas day 2016


libations!!'
yellowtail merlot and fireball whiskey. [ not together]


presents!!!

smiles!!!

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

rain falls in my thoughts today...;
a rare reflection; not quite dark, 
but shrouded



Monday, August 15, 2016

book review; Understanding Exposure


Understanding Exposure, by Brian Peterson, is just what I needed to get a grip on understanding the many important things about exposure; typically called The Exposure Triangle (apeture, speed, and ISO).
The book is filled with good photographs that give examples of how a picture can change when these settings are changed.  That was a good teaching tool.
As a beginner, all this information can be a bit overwhelming, but with a lot of practice (i.e. picture taking), and this tool in my pocket, I'm sure my photography will improve little by little over the years.
There is a good section in the book that explains some special techniques, using polarizing filters and graduated neutral density filters. 
There is also a comprehensive section on using different types of flash in your photography.
I'm sure I will refer to this book many times, and am glad to have it among my reference books on photography.

For more information, click this link:  More Info
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

caroline's birthday extravaganza

some photos from caroline's birthday bash

annette and donna


donna and susan

donna, annette, charlie and basha

birthday girl, caroline

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

book review:Wonderland

9780399578465 (450×450)

This book,Wonderland;a coloring book inspired by alice's adventures,by Amily Shen is just beautiful. The illustrations are whimsical and great fun to color. the pages are bright and the perfect weight for use with markers as well as pencils. Even the dust jacket can be colored.

i can't say enough great things about this book.  my only criticism  is the omission of a major Wonderland character , the caterpillar.  Aside from that, Wonderland is a very fun coloring book.

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books, for the purpose of this review.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

coney island paintings

 madam zola
acrylic on board
 old steeplechase
watercolor on paper
 cyclone
acrylic on canvas
 you must be this high to ride
mixed media on canvas
the old parachute jump
ink on paper

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Book Review:Paris Street Style

9781101907382 (445×450)what can one say about a coloring book? this is an elite coloring book, as fun as it is charming.From it's gorgeous cover of gold on brown, Paris Street Style ,  a coloring book by zoe de las casas, is pure entertainment.. the book is an elegant size with the feel of a journal. complete with a bookmark and elastic band to keep it closed. once open, the pages are covered with whimsical drawings, detailed enough to be interesting but not so detailed as to make your eyes hurt. the fashions are diverse and beg for color!!

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Modern Printmaking A guide to traditional and digital techniques

This book, Modern Printmaking: A guide to traditional and digital techniques by Sylvie Covey is a comprehensive study and history of printmaking.The book is well presented, with easy to read ,informative text and many beautiful illustrations of the many different methods of printmaking. The book is printed on heavy weight, glossy paper, which compliments the prints.
I was a little disappointed that there was only one chapter focusing on  digital printmaking techniques which is my main interest. but all in all , this book is informative and beautiful.  I would recommend it to anyone interested in printmaking.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of this review.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Book Review, "Pop Painting"

9781607748076 (125×147)
I knew nothing about this artist, camilla d'errico or the genre of "pop surrealism" when i began this book, "pop painting".  This is  a beautiful book, filled with dozens of full color illustrations which take the reader thru the artist's entire process.from concept to finished painting.Along with step by step instructions, camilla d'errico includes chapters on tools, techniques and how to take your work from hobby status, to presenting a portfolio to galleries...valuable information for any artist. There is also a section of how to deal with rejection which artists of all genres face...and is all too often unaddressed.
While it turns out that this is not a style of painting I particularly enjoy, i was very impressed with the quality of the work
I received this book from Blogging for Books.,


Sunday, January 17, 2016

batiks on silk

the goddess smiles/ an early batik