I'm doing okay. I'm just about ready to pack it all in and go to bed. What time is it where you are right now?

1040 am!

10:40 am!

Is that on Wednesday?

On Tuesday. Clock went back an hour and in the states they don't change until the 4th

Okay. Thanks! I'm having a little trouble comprehending the time differences here.

There have been some really neat things happening in posts concerning our regulars on this thread. Some might be about being creative. Others might involve just down to earth, excellent advice. You might want to check them out by viewing the profiles as to questions that have been answered.

It's true about the clock change over here happening on the 4th. My birthday is the 5th. When is your birthday, if you don't mind my asking?

My birthday is Mid July. Which I enjoy because its always nice out!

Are things going better for you in your personal life? I hope that you don't mind me asking. I am just concerned...

Actually I got some pretty bad news at the docs yesterday - which tensifies things between my spouse and I. ahhh! Haha :p

actually i got some pretty bad news at the docs yesterday - which tensifies things between my spouse and i. ahhh! haha :p

I am very sorry to hear that! We don't want bad things to happen to you! Are you going to be okay?

Erica, are you there?

Kind of quiet on this thread right now. But, I am sure that things will pick up here! Some of what we do in the arts is related to the seasons. So, some major holidays are coming up in the near future. That's gives some of us a chance to display what we do artistically during that time.

Hiii - yes Im here... been busy this morning!

Hi, Erica!

Just noticed that you had posted. Was checking email before finally going to bed.

Craig

Hi, firmbeliever!

Do you know anything about ceramics?

Craig

Not really,but could do a search if you need something,
Why do you ask?

Not really,but could do a search if you need something,
why do you ask?

Because there is a person asking about molds for them on the following link. https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/crafts/how-do-make-mold-ceramics-145720.html

I asked a question in a usually manner so that more information would be provided by the poster so that the question might be answered more to their satisfaction. I am having trouble finding specific information. I thought that maybe you might know something about ceramics. Am just networking here to try to help the poster.

Thanks!

Craig

Erica,

Have you sung in any other groups since high school? We have already discussed the fact that you are an alto.

Clough,
Its done, now we just have to hear from the OP, if the links are helpful or not.:)

Clough,
Its done, now we just have to hear from the OP, if the links are helpful or not.:)

Thanks, firm! I knew that I could count on you! We will see what happens. I have thought of getting into ceramics myself. Have great interest in it! Just another avenue for creating things. Involves yet more things to find and prepare. Probably enough on my plate right now as it goes...

I will be posting more images here of things that I have done once my computer is back in my home with the printer so that I can scan things into it.

Am house and dog-sitting right now for some friends. I basically move into their home when I do this.

;)
I think a Full plate is what you have Clough!

;)
I think a Full plate is what you have Clough!

You are correct! I am looking for this thread to be revitalized again in the near future! We can make it happen!

My wife would love to join this thread but has not had the time, plus still unsure about the copy right thing. Although she would love to share what she can do.

Joe

My wife would love to join this thread but has not had the time, plus still unsure about the copy right thing. Although she would love to share what she can do.

Joe

Hi Joe!

I would love to see some of your wife's art work. If you look on post #169 page 17 and Post #251 page 26, you will see where Didi has given terrific instructions on how to place a copyright over the image. The first set of instructions on 17 will work but the second set on page 26 takes you a little further with instructions.

I hope this helps! Looking forward to seeing more art! :)

Hi Joe!

I would love to see some of your wife's art work. If you look on post #169 page 17 and Post #251 page 26, you will see where Didi has given terrific instructions on how to place a copyright over the image. The first set of instructions on 17 will work but the second set on page 26 takes you a little further with instructions.

I hope this helps! Looking forward to seeing more art! :)
'
Thank you I will check these out and get my wife to and hopefully soon she will have some of her stuff up.

Hi there Joe! Loooking forward to more postings from you and your wife. :)

Joe, if Proud wants to email me a couple of photos, I will put the copyrights on them for her. I would LOVE to see her work!

Hugs, Didi

Sean, your work as always is so much deeper than what it seems.

That is why I like Sean's work... it speaks volumes. I wish he could write about how he feels the same way he expresses it in his art. I would buy up every book on the shelves! :)

Hugs, Didi

As you know, I ride motor cycles, fish and hunt, do my art and am just not really into the girly things. I have always been a tomboy and enjoy every minute of it although my sister use to try to change me into being a lady!

Heh-heh! My sister is the lady (in fact, we call her the Queen). My parents sent me to ballet classes when I was young but instead I became deeply involved in acrobatics, jazz, baton and tap - later gymnastics in high school. Finally, in desperation they tried modelling. I HATED it!!

I wonder if that's why I left home so young? Hahaha! Oh, well, I am really happy being ME, and a few weeks ago my sister actually said "See! That's what I admire so much about you! I wish I could be more like that!" I almost passed out!

Hahaha!

Oh, I'm almost caught up now! Soon... very soon! :D

Hugs, Didi

Heh-heh! My sister is the lady (in fact, we call her the Queen). My parents sent me to ballet classes when I was young but instead I became deeply involved in acrobatics, jazz, baton and tap - later gymnastics in high school. Finally, in desperation they tried modelling. I HATED it!!!!!

I wonder if that's why I left home so young?? Hahaha! Oh, well, I am really happy being ME, and a few weeks ago my sister actually said "See! That's what I admire so much about you! I wish I could be more like that!" I almost passed out!

Hahaha!

Oh, I'm almost caught up now! Soon... very soon! :D

Hugs, Didi

Need I say more Soul Sister?? LOL Talk about paralles. (Well, I didn't model and my parent's gave up probably by the time I was two. I broke both bones in my left arm by doing a cart wheel off a fire hydrant. LOL At age two, I climbed out on the barn loft and my little feet fit just perfect on the 2x4 and my fingers held tightly between the boards. I was half way across the barn when my mother pulled me off. My sister and brother and friends were doing that then getting a rope and flying through the air. Looked like fun to me! LOL

Glad you are almost caught up. You have been missed! :)

Hi everyone! I wanted to post a couple more photos that I took awhile back. As with most of my photos, they look far better when they aren't reduced, but even with the .jpg'y look, I think they reasonably show what I was going for.

The first photo is a photo of the Elora Gorge that I took in October 2005, I think. The second is in my side field after an ice storm. I loved the way the sun created the coloured balls like Christmas ornaments.

Again, I apologize for the size of the photos.

Hugs, Didi

Oh, Jan... I love your stories! Did I ever tell you that I hung from my fingertips from a third floor balcony when I was about 2?? Or that I got stuck in mud up to my armpits on my way to school one day and they had to pull me out by tying a rope around me and pull me out with a truck? My parents had their hands full with me!

Hugs, Didi

Hi everyone! I wanted to post a couple more photos that I took awhile back. As with most of my photos, they look far better when they aren't reduced, but even with the .jpg'y look, I think they reasonably show what I was going for.

The first photo is a photo of the Elora Gorge that I took in October 2005, I think. The second is in my side field after an ice storm. I loved the way the sun created the coloured balls like Christmas ornaments.

Again, I apologize for the size of the photos.

Hugs, Didi

Didi, these photos are amazing! Do you do more photography, paintings, writing, crafts, or one of your many other talents?

Didi, these photos are amazing! Do you do more photography, paintings, writing, crafts, or one of your many other talents?

It would be good to know what her emphasis is. It might be manyfold, like some of us, though. I don't really have any one art that is totally my passion.

I do a hundred things! Hahaha! I used to write all the time: poetry; newspaper articles; short stories; editorials; unpublished novels even! In fact, when I went to college one of my peers and I co-authored a research paper/booklet on how to start your own social service agency and it was put in the college library as reference material. :)

After Terry died I became unable to form any decent thought processes. I have always done arts and crafts, refinished furniture, sewing (clothes, curtains & crafts), played guitar, etc. but when I moved to the place I live now I really didn't have much room, plus I was still in that 'dark' place that I fell into after he died. Nothing really interested me - I buried myself in my computer. Then I began building websites and started creating graphics. Just before I moved here I painted my first painting. That was the one I called 'Solitude' - the one with the sunset in the background. I have only painted the 3 oils that I have posted here. I enjoy it, but, honestly, I find it difficult to motivate myself to start because I detest clean up! Again, I really don't have a good place to paint, either. I also started woodburning, but I haven't found the box that my tool is packed in yet!

After I moved here I bought a decent digital camera. Nothing great, but for me, a huge expense and something way better than I had ever owned. I started taking photos of the fields, my dog, my daughter, the trees, local rivers and ponds, my pets, etc. and I realized that I was beginning to actually see colour again! I think when Terry became ill I started seeing everything in grey tones.

Anyhow, the more colour that I saw, the more photos I wanted to take. I really love photography. I dream of taking a course in wildlife/nature photography one day and getting a really good camera. I would love to go to Kenya on a photography safari one day. It's my longest term impossible desire. :D

I am just beginning to write again, but in all honesty, I am very scattered still. I am working on a non-fiction book, well, actually, it is pretty much complete. I do need to find an agent though, as I have absolutely no idea what to do next. I think it will sell well, though, and is one that many people need to read.

I am now in the process of going through a lot of 'stuff' that I have been storing in the one heated room in the basement so that I can start doing crafts again. I do grapevine wreaths, floral hats for people's outside doors, gift baskets (especially for Christmas), ornaments, and many floral crafts. I garden, and most of the flowers I use for floral crafts come from my garden. I also make pot pourri, soap and scented milk baths or bath oils. I get bored easily, so I try lots of things. I have literally hundreds of craft books/magazines for ideas. I really want to get back to doing more crafts again.

Interestingly enough, I am very good at Halloween makeup and that sort of thing as well. I have taken a clowning class and appeared on the local cable TV channel and in the newspaper for it. I also took *ahem* belly dance classes. :) I have taught dog obedience, children's tap dancing, makeup classes to teenaged girls (strange for a tomboy who rarely wears makeup, huh?) and dog grooming too.

There I go... another book! Hahaha!

Thank you for your comments on my photos. I would really like to see what I could do with some good equipment!

Hugs, Didi

It would be good to know what her emphasis is. It might be manyfold, like some of us, though. I don't really have any one art that is totally my passion.

My emphasis is on living! :P That's the ultimate art form!

Hugs, Didi

The drawing I am posting is called "Florida-Get-Away". It took I believe 47 hours to complete. I have to check my log but too late to do so tonight. I am doing another piece for the same person of another structure. I had never drawn a palm tree before and the drive way was half concrete and half crushed shell. The photo I was given to work from was not complete. One end of the house was not showing. Everything in this actual house is white, carpets, furniture, etc. I doubt you can see all the detail. I resized it to smaller than allowed. If it is grainy, I will probably remove it and repost.

The drawing I am posting is called "Florida-Get-Away". It took I believe 47 hours to complete. I have to check my log but too late to do so tonight. I am doing another piece for the same person of another structure. I had never drawn a palm tree before and the drive way was half concrete and half crushed shell. The photo I was given to work from was not complete. One end of the house was not showing. Everything in this actual house is white, carpets, furniture, etc. I doubt you can see all the detail. I resized it to smaller than allowed. If it is grainy, I will probably remove it and repost.

That's a black & white photogragh, right? Looks too good to be a drawing! :D






Just kidding..!

Absolutely incredible, Jan! Do you use a ruler to get your lines so straight?? I can tell that this is incredibly detailed. Your palm trees turned out great! Oh, I wish I had your talent! I can see what I want to do in my head... but I just do not have the skill (and probably the patience) to create them.

Hugs, Didi

I do a hundred things! Hahaha! I used to write all the time: poetry; newspaper articles; short stories; editorials; unpublished novels even! In fact, when I went to college one of my peers and I co-authored a research paper/booklet on how to start your own social service agency and it was put in the college library as reference material. :)
There I go... another book! Hahaha!

Thank you for your comments on my photos. I would really like to see what I could do with some good equipment!

Hugs, Didi

There you go again, inspiring me! I am just in awe of your abilities, gifts and drive to have a full life. Thank you Didi for sharing some things that I am sure were difficult to share.

Have you worked in acrylics? Clean up is a breeze! Drying time is fast yet stays moist long enough to blend. If you work fast, it is that much the better but still is a great medium if you don't work fast. There is a solution you can add to slow the drying time if needed. Knowing you, I am sure you have used Acrylics and I am just rattling on.

I would love to read a few excerpts from your writings either on the public forum or via e-mail anytime you would have time to share.

I am so glad you are once again seeing in color.

That's a black & white photogragh, right? Looks too good to be a drawing! :D






Just kidding.....!!!!!

Funny guy, you are!! LOL :p

Absolutely incredible, Jan! Do you use a ruler to get your lines so straight??? I can tell that this is incredibly detailed. Your palm trees turned out great! Oh, I wish I had your talent! I can see what I want to do in my head... but I just do not have the skill (and probably the patience) to create them.

Hugs, Didi


Thank you Didi. It does show up grainy because of resizing I guess? Yes, I use a ruler when I do structures. I use to really want to stay away from drawing structures yet that is what I get the most commissions to do.

Absolutely incredible, Jan! Do you use a ruler to get your lines so straight??? I can tell that this is incredibly detailed. Your palm trees turned out great! Oh, I wish I had your talent! I can see what I want to do in my head... but I just do not have the skill (and probably the patience) to create them.

Hugs, Didi

The only time I am able to have patience is when I am doing a pencil drawing. When I paint, no patience at all! :o

Funny guy, you are!!! LOL :p


Well, it does look good enough to be a photograph! :)

Well, it's 3:31 am here, so I'm off to dreamland. Night all. Sometimes I wish we were all sitting around a great big round table doing this!

Warm hugs, Didi

Well, it does look good enough to be a photograph!! :)

You are being toooooooooooooo kind Craig! BUT, I appreciate your compliment. I am always open for those. :p

Just to get into the loop here again, I do have another image that I am going to post.

Well, it's 3:31 am here, so I'm off to dreamland. Night all. Sometimes I wish we were all sitting around a great big round table doing this!

Warm hugs, Didi


Good night Didi! Sweet rest to you! Wish we were all together also! Until later then! Jan

Well, it's 3:31 am here, so I'm off to dreamland. Night all. Sometimes I wish we were all sitting around a great big round table doing this!

Warm hugs, Didi

Maybe someday, that might be possible. You just never know! :)

Just to get into the loop here again, I do have another image that I am going to post.


When?? I am ready for it! :)

We were going down a main street tonight in our town and I am talking about businesses on both sides, business offices, restaurants, etc.. A four point buck ran in front of our car. Our car is in pieces. Totaled we think. What a night.

Craig, I am going to try to crash out a bit here but hope when I get up in the morning, I see a post with an image from you. Don't disappoint us! Okay?

Night night to you! Sweet sleep! Until tomorrow! Jan

We were going down a main street tonight in our town and I am talking about businesses on both sides, business offices, restaurants, etc.. A four point buck ran in front of our car. Our car is in pieces. Totaled we think. What a night.


WHAT?! Foget about my picture that I was going to post! Are you okay?

Image is coming then. Nothing to really brag about, except it does involve part of the art in which I am involved.

This is what it's like when you put new key bushings in the keys of a piano. The keys in which the key bushings are being istalled, are on one of my grand pianos in my living room. My tuba is underneath the piano.

Craig, I am going to try to crash out a bit here but hope when I get up in the morning, I see a post with an image from you. Don't disappoint us! Okay?

Night night to you! Sweet sleep! Until tomorrow! Jan

Goodnight to both of you, Jan and Christine! There will be more images coming from me, once I take my computer back home so that I can use the scanner.

I don't know how to get an image on here much bigger than the one that I have just posted. Am looking for advice. Do I need to change the format! Am using IrfanView, which is a free image editor. Thanks!

This is what it's like when you put new key bushings in the keys of a piano. The keys in which the key bushings are being istalled, are on one of my grand pianos in my living room. My tuba is underneath the piano.

Talk about lost... I would never find my way through all of that! A person just doesn't realize what intricate parts and so much is in a piano. I am intrigued and loved the image. I can't settle down to go to bed so was happy to get back on here and see your post. Just wish it was larger as well as the other image you posted earlier. Maybe later?? I just can't see enough detail. I wouldn't understand it anyway but I am one to get right in there and want to see it all and try to understand it anyway! :)

I have been going to enlarge the image of me next to the instrument on the other page. Just need to get around to it. Too much going on right now for me. This weekend and beginning of next week are going to be a real trial! Thanks for your comments, Jan!

I don't know how to get an image on here much bigger than the one that I have just posted. Am looking for advice. Do I need to change the format! Am using IrfanView, which is a free image editor. Thanks!

I use Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8. Go to file, open and choose image. Then go to "Image" and the drop down box gives you "Resize". I have resized some to 250 some to 450 the last image of the Florida house to 650. I am going to try to resize to 750 and attach on here to see if it is more clear that way. There is one program on my computer I will check tomorrow. It may be one that you have already. Anyway, that is my 3 cents worth. I am not familiar with IrfanView. I will get back with you tomorrow on the other programs I am familiar with. That be okay? You will probably have tons of professional answers before I get up in the morning... all the better so we can see those images a little larger. :p

Craig, as you can see, resizing my image did not help this. It is quite clear and crisp on my computer screen but not when I attach it. I won't remove because it does show more detail I think.

Hope the weekend and the first of the week go well for you! Until later then!

The only image programs that I have on my computer are free ones. I'm not sure that I can do the same things that the rest of you do with yours. But, maybe there is a way. I am also wondering if some of the resizing might have to do with the color content of the images if what I have posted can't be any larger than it is? Don't know.

Are you putting the images in your post as an attachment, or as something else? The images that I have thus far posted have all been attachments.

WHAT????!!!! Foget about my picture that I was going to post! Are you okay?

A little shaken up and sore but fine. Thank you for your concern! Just can't gear down to go to bed! I will be fine though... I am one tough kid! LOL ;)

I use Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8. Go to file, open and choose image. Then go to "Image" and the drop down box gives you "Resize". I have resized some to 250 some to 450 the last image of the Florida house to 650. I am going to try to resize to 750 and attach on here to see if it is more clear that way. There is one program on my computer I will check tomorrow. It may be one that you have already. Anyway, that is my 3 cents worth. I am not familiar with IrfanView. I will get back with you tomorrow on the other programs I am familiar with. That be okay? You will probably have tons of professional answers before I get up in the morning...........all the better so we can see those images a little larger. :p

It still looks like a black & white photograph, Jan! Sorry! Did you steal it from another website? :D

The only image programs that I have on my computer are free ones. I'm not sure that I can do the same things that the rest of you do with yours. But, maybe there is a way. I am also wondering if some of the resizing might have to do with the color content of the images if what I have posted can't be any larger than it is? Don't know.

Are you putting the images in your post as an attachment, or as something else? The images that I have thus far posted have all been attachments.

I do put the images as attachments. I think I can find a program tomorrow that you may have on your computer.

I am no expert but I don't believe you would be restricted to size because of color. You can size up to 750 pixels but no larger when you go to the advanced or additional options. I posted the Ostrich Egg (quite early on) from a photograph and it didn't limit me.

We will find answers one way or another for you! Others out there will probably have you fixed up before I wake up! LOL

A little shaken up and sore but fine. Thank you for your concern! Just can't gear down to go to bed! I will be fine though....I am one tough kid! LOL ;)

I know that you are tough! You wouldn't be able to do your art the way that you do, unless you were tough! Some of what I play on the piano is Liszt - the harder works. I like to do the hardest pieces. It is a challenge for me. I don't quit and I won't stop. Some of the pieces that I play have taken me over two years to perfect to some degree. Even then, it will take me many more years to say that I have really completed them. Some of the pieces, when I heard them on recordings, I had to listen to five or six times to get a grasp that I even liked them. They are that deep. When I play them for an audience, I explain these things to them so that they might also get an idea as to what it takes to understand the pieces.

It still looks like a black & white photograph, Jan! Sorry! Did you steal it from another website? :D

LOL Yeah, yeah, yeah, I am one big plagiarizer!! That's me. LOL I will try at some point to post the actual photo I worked from and the drawings of some work. That might be interesting. I may do it of "Chris's Understanding".

I do put the images as attachments. I think I can find a program tomorrow that you may have on your computer.

I am no expert but I don't believe you would be restricted to size because of color. You can size up to 750 pixels but no larger when you go to the advanced or additional options. I posted the Ostrich Egg (quite early on) from a photograph and it didn't limit me.

We will find answers one way or another for ya! Others out there will probably have you fixed up before I wake up! LOL


Thanks, Jan!

I don't understand pixels as compared to kilobytes. Or, am I using the wrong terminology here? Don't really know.

LOL Yeah, yeah, yeah, I am one big plagiarizer!!! That's me. LOL I will try at some point to post the actual photo I worked from and the drawings of some work. That might be interesting. I may do it of "Chris's Understanding".

A comparison would be good! But, I am sure that your drawing is much more warm than any photograph could be!

I know that you are tough! You wouldn't be able to do your art the way that you do, unless you were tough! Some of what I play on the piano is Liszt - the harder works. I like to do the hardest pieces. It is a challenge for me. I don't quit and I won't stop. Some of the pieces that I play have taken me over two years to perfect to some degree. Even then, it will take me many more years to say that I have really completed them. Some of the pieces, when I heard them on recordings, I had to listen to five or six times to get a grasp that I even liked them. They are that deep. When I play them for an audience, I explain these things to them so that they might also get an idea as to what it takes to understand the pieces.

One of your gifts is to be clear, concise, and thorough in your giving of information. You have a way of getting people excited about what you are excited about. I would like to hear a tape of you playing sometime or see a video clip. I have an idea, you put so much of yourself into your music that you become the music. Thank you for sharing this part of you with all of us on the forum. Tomorrow, well, today actually, LOL, the people reading the posts will be happy to know more of what you do and how much heart you put into it.

Thanks, Jan!

I don't understand pixels as compared to kilobytes. Or, am I using the wrong terminology here? Don't really know.

Images are measured in pixels and inches.

When you post an image: Example:

Width 750 Pixels - this is equivalent to 3.750 inches in print size. (on this particular image)
Height 536 Pixels - this is equivalent to 2.680 inches in print size. (on this particular image)

There are variables I believe but this gives some clairty perhaps!? :)

One of your gifts is to be clear, concise, and thorough in your giving of information. You have a way of getting people excited about what you are excited about. I would like to hear a tape of you playing sometime or see a video clip. I have an idea, you put so much of yourself into your music that you become the music. Thank you for sharing this part of you with all of us on the forum. Tomorrow, well, today actually, LOL, the people reading the posts will be happy to know more of what you do and how much heart you put into it.


Aw, that was very sweet of you Jan! Thank you! We are two birds of a feather that flock together! There are very few differences in us concerning art and caring about others. Beyond that, it becomes difficult to explain the similarities because they are so complex. It's like trying to define love. It's too difficult. In order to understand what we are talking about, a person really has to be there. In my own wording, "People don't know what they're missing, 'cause they haven't been there yet."

I basically asked permission to come on this thread initially. I felt left out. But, what I do is as much an art as what everyone else does here.

We are all one, here!

You do know that you will hear me "live" at some point in the future? It will be easy to do... :)

Jan,
I hope you are all right..

Aw, that was very sweet of you Jan! Thank you! We are two birds of a feather that flock together! There are very few differences in us concerning art and caring about others. Beyond that, it becomes difficult to explain the similarities because they are so complex. It's like trying to define love. It's too difficult. In order to understand what we are talking about, a person really has to be there. In my own wording, "People don't know what they're missing, 'cause they haven't been there yet."

I basically asked permission to come on this thread initially. I felt left out. But, what I do is as much an art as what everyone else does here.

We are all one, here!

You do know that you will here me "live" at some point in the future? It will be easy to do.... :)

I think there have been so many people asking for you to post images and articles because they do recognize you as an artist of high quality.

I don't quite understand the last sentence. Did I miss something?? When can I hear you "live"?? Please fill me in Craig.

I am sorry to have to close here. I have really enjoyed our visit about the arts and people who become their art by being so immersed in it. It is as you say, we are all one here, and that means we are one in unity one with another but also one with our art I think. I hope you have a great night Craig and I look forward to more in depth visits with you and others about the passion we have for art and each other! Good night and Sweet Dreams!

I think there have been so many people asking for you to post images and articles because they do recognize you as an artist of high quality.

I don't quite understand the last sentence. Did I miss something??? When can I hear you "live"??? Please fill me in Craig.

I am sorry to have to close here. I have really enjoyed our visit about the arts and people who become their art by being so immersed in it. It is as you say, we are all one here, and that means we are one in unity one with another but also one with our art I think. I hope you have a great night Craig and I look forward to more in depth visits with you and others about the passion we have for art and each other! Good night and Sweet Dreams!


We have already spoken on the phone, Jan. It would be easy for me to play something for you over the phone. The pianos are right there!

I do wish you a goodnight and I also look forward to the in-depth discussions concerning the things that are our arts as well as our passions that we have for each other.

If grammadidi thought that she was about caught up, then she is in for a big surprise! :D

Jan,
I hope you are alright..

Hey there FB!
Thank you! It was just a crazy night and got banged around a bit. Basically just jarred so to speak. Glad the deer did not come through the windshield. It did come up and come toward it but by a miracle, it went straight back down rather than what usually happens. Thank you for your concern.

I will bid you a good day and will try to make myself go on to bed now! With good friends like you and Craig and Didi tonight, it has helped settle me a bit and get my mind on good and positive thoughts! Thank you to each of you! Much love is felt for all of you! I know that may sound strange since we are each just typing to one another on a computer but I do feel so connected to each of you and appreciate you all so much!
Love, Jan

We have already spoken on the phone, Jan. It would be easy for me to play something for you over the phone. The pianos are right there!

I do wish you a goodnight and I also look forward to the in-depth discussions concerning the things that are our arts as well as our passions that we have for each other.

If grammadidi thought that she was about caught up, then she is in for a big surprise! :D

Good night special friend. You are completely correct. I will hear you play soon!

Didi, you better read fast! LOL

Night night!

Good night, friend!

That is why I like Sean's work... it speaks volumes. I wish he could write about how he feels the same way he expresses it in his art. I would buy up every book on the shelves! :)

Hugs, Didi
Awwww thank you didi :)
I wish I could write like that too hehe
How is everyone?
Jrebel, that house drawing is fantastic
And clough, did you say "it is one of my grand pianos"
You have more than one grand piano? I'm insanely jealous lolz, I wish I had a piano
I want to learn piano, but I have been told that it is incredibly hard, and pianos take up a lot of space and aren't cheap
Am currently learning guitar (at the moment I'm learning to play a song for the first time :))
The song is time of your life by greenday (awesome song, real easy to play too :))
Can't wait to see more art:)
In art at the moment we are getting to the end of the design stage of our final studeo for the year, and soon we will start making polystyrene sculptures influenced by jean dubuffet :)
Can't wait to use that hot wire cutter it looks like so much fun, you have to be perfectly still while cutting because it cuts polystyrene so effortlessy, that it can cut into the polystyrene just from your hand shaking, without any effort from you lolz

awwww thankyou didi :)
i wish i could write like that too hehe
jrebel, that house drawing is fantastic
and clough, did you say "it is one of my grand pianos"
cant wait to use that hot wire cutter it looks like so much fun, you have to be perfectly still while cutting coz it cuts polystyrene so effortlessy, that it can cut into the polystyrene just from your hand shaking, without any effort from you lolz

There you are Cal! :) Missed you a few times I have been on the thread! The hot wire cutter sounds a little bit scary to me! Be safe with it! The Mama side of me coming out! LOL I won't be on here much over the weekend but will try to at least view the posts. I will check back in Sunday evening or Monday! Glad you enjoyed the drawing of the house. It was a challenge! Looking forward to more posts by you. One question>>> You say "Design stage of our final studio for the year". You have made that reference before. I may just be really out of it but when you say final stuido, would you mind to educate me on what that means please??? I thank you much!

Okay
In year 11 art class we do one studio each term of the year
This year we did a drawing one, a photography one, a printmaking one, and now a sculpture one.
The studio has to be influenced by a famous artist of some kind, and has to fit the mediums/theme set to us.
We have to do design development (sketches,drawings, designs, famous artist inspired stuff, etc) in a visual diary to show how we got to our final design.
Then we have to make the studio.
It can be very high stress sometimes, especially since we have to do art history essays and research as well, and have exams coming up, leaving us with very little time to do a lot of work (thats why I'm dropping down to art and design next year which is similar but without essays/art history to ease the pressure so I can just worry about doing studios/visual diary)
Though despite the stress, it is a lot of fun, just difficult to get it all done in time lolz
And about the hot wire cutter, it doesn't seem dangerous
All it is is a bit of wire suspended between 2 prongs on like a gun thingo which passes like 2 volts of electricity through the wire, making it cut the polystyrene lolz
More worried about accidentally cutting the studio wrong than cutting my fingers lolz
Keep up the good art, I mite show some pics of my studio as I am making it later lolz :)

Thank you for sharing that. So, a studio is basically then a project if I am understanding your post correctly. I am a bit fuzzy headed this evening. Forgive if I don't seem to get it as I should. :)

Cal, I really look forward to you posting your art work. I wish we could get more people posting and talking about their work. I guess I am just so needy right now to have fellow artists to visit with. I only have two friends who are at all active in art and or crafts. One is taking classes in the language of Cherokee (Native language of the Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma) and learning to make pottery the way the Cherokees did it eons ago. I love her pottery. She has dug her own clay, worked the clay, refined it, make her pottery, fired it, showed it in art shows locally. But she is not into much of the other arts and doesn't really have the soul of an artist. She and I have been bf's since 8th grade and I won't even share with you how long ago that has been. LOL The other gal, never finishes a piece but is very talented. She lacks self confidence. Anyway, I am thankful for you and all the others on the thread.

My nephew passed away two years ago. I asked my sister if I could do a drawing of his cowboy boots. He is 1/4 Creek Indian. She photographed them in Tennessee where she lives and sent them to me. I told Craig last night I would try to post a photo I worked from, plus the drawing. I just don't like being the only one posting art work. Don't want to monoplolize the thread. I think I will wait unitl others have posted some work. I am sure hoping for Erica to post some new work. Craig did post one, well, you saw it I think. He must be an amazingly multi-talented guy. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be able to do so many things so well. Didi has been really busy so she hasn't posted her work. I miss seeing the art work although love, absolutely love reading your posts and everyone else's. FirmBeliever has some really kind words that she posts but I also want to see more of her work. Well, just post when you get a chance Cal. Remember that you are a special part of this thread! Post! Post! Post! Please?? :) :) :)

okay
in year 11 art class we do one studio each term of the year
this year we did a drawing one, a photography one, a printmaking one, and now a sculpture one.
2 volts of electricity through the wire, making it cut the polystyrene lolz
more worried about accidentally cutting the studio wrong than cutting my fingers lolz
keep up the good art, i mite show some pics of my studio as i am making it later lolz :)

Cal, it would be interesting to me if you would photograph your art work as each piece is in progress and then post them in the progression to the finished state. :)

Jan, how are you feeling after the buck incident? I do hope you are okay. I was a passenger in a car that hit a young doe many, many years ago. It was a large Chevy Impala and it was more than totalled! She flew up over the windshield and crushed in the roof of the car. The front end and roof were very badly damaged, and the impact pushed the front end into the back seat area. My kids were about 3 at the time, and in the back seat. Their little legs weren't yet long enough to hang from the car seats over the seat itself, so they weren't hurt. We were unable to open the car doors and had to crawl out of the windows.

I have a lot of deer on my property here, and the road where I live. They have been doing a lot of road work this summer in preparation to paving it, and the ditches have been dug very deep and wide (I am on a high water table). In addition, the road has been raised about 2 feet, so the poor deer have been incredibly displaced. We have had several hit and killed, and until recently almost every time you drove down the road you seemed to run across several of them standing in the middle of the road wondering where to go from there. It was very sad.

Anyhow, I just wanted to know how you were feeling tonight. I see you were up most of the night, so I am sure you were quite shaken.

Hugs, Didi

awwww thankyou didi :)
i wish i could write like that too hehe

You're welcome!


i wanna learn piano, but i have been told that it is incredibly hard, and pianos take up alot of space and arent cheap

Well, I'll let Craig answer that one, but I really don't think that it's too hard if you really want to do it. Sometimes you can get old pianos fairly inexpensive, but I wondered, have you ever tried an electric keyboard? In my opinion, they are usually priced reasonably, and a good way to determine if it really is something you want to learn. Although, I don't know what prices for these kinds of things are like across the pond.


am currently learning guitar (at the moment im learning to play a song for the first time :))

Very cool! I play guitar a bit. I used to have a six string acoustic and a six string electric but I sold them both when times were tight. I have a very old Fender 12 string, though, and I love it! It's not one of the better ones, but just having a 1/2 decent 12 string is awesome. Are you learning to play by ear or do you take lessons? I took lessons for a very short time, but basically I am self-taught. Mostly I pick/strum, but I still love the sound.


the song is time of your life by greenday (awesome song, real easy to play too :))

Which song? I like greenday.


can't wait to see more art:)

So show us some! We've been waiting so long! :D


in art at the moment we are getting to the end of the design stage of our final studeo for the year, and soon we will start making polystyrene sculptures influenced by jean dubuffet :)
cant wait to use that hot wire cutter it looks like so much fun, you have to be perfectly still while cutting coz it cuts polystyrene so effortlessy, that it can cut into the polystyrene just from your hand shaking, without any effort from you lolz

I was looking at the website you linked to for Jean Dubuffet. I can see why you like his art. Isn't it wonderful to have the opportunity to create things like this in high school? I wish I was artistically inclined enough to take art when I was in school. I would probably be a lot more self-confident now. The hot wire cutter sounds like a real time saving tool, and I presume it lessens the mess that polystyrene can produce? Your excitement about using it reminds me of when I was going to use a bandsaw the first time!

Thanks for letting us get to know you a little better, Sean.

Hugs, Didi

Cal, it would be interesting to me if you would photograph your art work as each piece is in progress and then post them in the progression to the finished state. :)

Oh, what a great idea! Would you be able to do that Sean?

Hugs, Didi

Jan, how are you feeling after the buck incident? I do hope you are okay. I was a passenger in a car that hit a young doe many, many years ago. It was a large Chevy Impala and it was more than totalled! She flew up over the windshield and crushed in the roof of the car. The front end and roof were very badly damaged, and the impact pushed the front end into the back seat area. My kids were about 3 at the time, and in the back seat. Their little legs weren't yet long enough to hang from the car seats over the seat itself, so they weren't hurt. We were unable to open the car doors and had to crawl out of the windows.

I have a lot of deer on my property here, and the road where I live. They have been doing a lot of road work this summer in preparation to paving it, and the ditches have been dug very deep and wide (I am on a high water table). In addition, the road has been raised about 2 feet, so the poor deer have been incredibly displaced. We have had several hit and killed, and until recently almost every time you drove down the road you seemed to run across several of them standing in the middle of the road wondering where to go from there. It was very sad.

Anyhow, I just wanted to know how you were feeling tonight. I see you were up most of the night, so I am sure you were quite shaken.

Hugs, Didi

Hey there Didi! Yes, it was after 5:00 a.m. before I got to sleep. Thank you for asking how I am doing. Better than the poor little buck!! :( I am pretty sore and having muscle spasms, etc. but nothing I can't deal with. Goodness, that doe did some heavy duty damage to your vehicle. What a blessing your children were not hurt. I do hunt deer or use to until my husband had back surgery and is not allowed to lift much weight. His gait is unsteady at times and so I don't push it. I do miss it however. I know some people disapprove of hunting them but just being in a tree at dark and hearing the world begin to come alive as it is almost dawn is an incredible experience. If I had never gotten a deer, I would have loved the experience. We did have it prepared and ate it throughout the year, same as you would beef but it is healthier because they are pretty much grain fed. I had a cougar come up under my tree one evening. I may have shared that already. One of those moments you just want to encapsulate in your memory and never lost it. It is difficult when the deer become displaced by housing and businesses begin moving in or as you say, roads are being built. If people didn't hunt them, they would overpopulate and not be healthy. We do go out and just find areas now sometimes to just sit quietly and enjoy entering their world and watch them graze. This poor little guy just didn't know where to go. It happened in a tenth of a second it seemed. I saw it coming, said, "A deer!" and it was hit. Busted up our car into lots of pieces, wrinkled the hood, messed up the closing of the drivers door, etc. As upsetting as it was that we hit the little guy, what had me distraught was the actions of a police officer. But that is for another time. I appreciate your concern. I hunt and fish and love it. Since you and I are Soul Sisters, I know you will appreciate the thrill of just climbing a tree and hearing the sounds of nature as it unfolds throughout the day!

My nephew passed away two years ago. I asked my sister if I could do a drawing of his cowboy boots. He is 1/4 Creek Indian. She photographed them in Tennessee where she lives and sent them to me. I told Craig last night I would try to post a photo I worked from, plus the drawing. I just don't like being the only one posting art work. Don't want to monoplolize the thread. I think I will wait unitl others have posted some work. I am sure hoping for Erica to post some new work. Craig did post one, well, you saw it I think. He must be an amazingly multi-talented guy. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be able to do so many things so well. Didi has been really busy so she hasn't posted her work. I miss seeing the art work although love, absolutely love reading your posts and everyone elses. FirmBeliever has some really kind words that she posts but I also want to see more of her work. Well, just post when you get a chance Cal. Remember that you are a special part of this thread! Post! Post! Post! Please?????? :) :) :)

I agree that I would love to see more artwork. With what was being shown on here it did inspire me to do my first pencil sketch! But, Jan, really, please do post your work. I really would like to see the original photo with the drawing. I have seen that boot drawing and it's incredible - a real tribute to your nephew with a lot of hidden extras.

In regards to me posting art, sadly, I just don't have anymore to post! As I said in a previous post, I have only done the 3 oils, 1 woodburning, 1 watercolour and (now) one pencil sketch. Sorry, but you will have to rely on people far more talented and focused than I am! I knew I was in over my head here... sigh. :(

Hugs, Didi

I have five grands coming in tomorrow so best go and try to get some sleep. I play hard when they are here! Have some coming in from KCMO and some from Tulsa, Ok. The three from KCMO usually want to take a ride on my motorcyle. Hope the weather is pretty. You all have a great night, okay? It was so wonderful conversing with you both, Cal and Didi! I love it!
Until later then!
Love, Jan

I agree that I would love to see more artwork. With what was being shown on here it did inspire me to do my first pencil sketch! But, Jan, really, please do post your work. I really would like to see the original photo with the drawing. I have seen that boot drawing and it's incredible - a real tribute to your nephew with a lot of hidden extras.

In regards to me posting art, sadly, I just don't have anymore to post! As I said in a previous post, I have only done the 3 oils, 1 woodburning, 1 watercolour and (now) one pencil sketch. Sorry, but you will have to rely on people far more talented and focused than I am! I knew I was in over my head here.... sigh. :(

Hugs, Didi

Over your head Didi, not a chance! I know you have a lot going on right now but I am planning on seeing much more from you as we continue this sharing and caring thread! I have really missed you! You are always so uplifting! The way you write your posts, I know you have to have poems, stories and such you haven't posted yet!! You can sure paint a picture with your words.

Night Night! :)

Don't tell me the police officer asked if you had bled it yet, Jan! That's what the officer who attended our accident asked. He didn't even ask if the kids were okay!

Ah, yes, I do appreciate what you experience sitting in that tree. :) I used to hunt when I was younger with my uncle. I always hung back and threw little pebbles to scare the animals away. :D I hold little grudge to people who hunt for purpose. Most deer hunters are very responsible. I might feel differently if I enjoyed the meat, but I happen to be a real cow lover! :D Truly, what I am opposed to is farm hunting where the animals being hunted are not able to get away due to fences.

Here, a lot of my neighbours hunt geese with bow and arrow, and the deer with gun. In fact, many of the older children are absent from school during hunting season. I just don't like it when they get MY deer! ;) I want to put a lick out so I can get some great photos, but I won't entice them any more than the grains in the fields already do.

I am glad you are okay after your accident.

Hugs, Didi

Thank you, Jan. Most of my poetry can be a little... ummmm... warm for this site. :D Hee hee. I might post some of my other poetry though. Let me think on it. I'm very shy about sharing because I know that just because I think it's good doesn't mean others will. It's all relative, right?

Have a good night and a wonderful weekend with your grands. I know what you mean about playing hard! Will miss your posts, but hopefully you will get a few minutes to pop in from time to time.

Hugs, Soul Sister!

Didi

I suppose I could photograph the work in progress and stuff :)

i suppose i could photograph the work in progress and stuff :)

Woohoo! I can't wait!

Hugs, Didi

Oh, and Sean, sorry for a blonde moment in my previous post to you. I did see that the song is "Time of Your Life". It just kind of slipped by me while answering your post!

Hugs, Didi

Ah, yes, I do appreciate what you experience sitting in that tree. :) Truly, what I am opposed to is farm hunting where the animals being hunted are not able to get away due to fences.
Here, a lot of my neighbours hunt geese with bow and arrow, and the deer with gun. In fact, many of the older children are absent from school during hunting season. I just don't like it when they get MY deer! ;) I want to put a lick out so I can get some great photos, but I won't entice them any more than the grains in the fields already do.

I am glad you are okay after your accident.

Hugs, Didi

Can't settle down again so here I am. I do need to make myself selep. Sleep does not come easy for me on normal nights! LOL The longer I am away from hunting, the less enticing it has become. I am so grateful for the experiences though. I agree with you about farm hunting. I don't exactly see the sport in it or the challenge. Looking for signs through the woods is half of the fun prior to the season. We used to take the children out and show them things to look for, signs of deer, rubs on small trees, etc. Just a great teaching time for them learning about all of God's wonderful creations that they would not have experienced unless they walked through the woods.

Have you ever painted on leaves? I just started two years ago so we do go out and try to find large leaves with good surfaces. There is a process one artist has perfected where she paints on leaves, puts them through this process and the leaves remain flexible and retain color. I have used something on them that makes them a little flexible after they are completely dried but it only lasts a few weeks. I am fascinated by the process the gal came up with but of course, she did not share her secrets! :)

Hi! :)

i suppose i could photograph the work in progress and stuff :)

Please do!! I hope you keep photographs of all your work. You will be amazed as you grow in your art how many pieces you will forget that you did through the years, as you get older (like me)! :p

Hi! :)

Hey there!

Hey there!


Thank you, Jan! :)

Thank you, Jan! :)

You are welcome but what for??

You are welcome but what for???

Greeting me, of course! :)

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! My pleasure! We missed you being on earlier! Didi, Cal and I had a good visit but missed you! Glad you are here now. :)

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! My pleasure! We missed you being on earlier! Didi, Cal and I had a good visit but missed ya! Glad you are here now. :)

Thank you again, Jan!

Gak! :eek: Now I can see that I have a tremendous amount of catching up to do on this thread! But, not tonight. Have a concert for which I am preparing that will be happening on this Sunday, the 4th, plus some other things going on. I have really missed the discourse on this thread!

Hiya Craig! :) How are you tonight?

No, Jan, I have never tried painting other than what you have seen here. That leaf painting sounds intriguing, though!

Hugs, Didi

Hiya Craig! :) How are you tonight?

No, Jan, I have never tried painting other than what you have seen here. That leaf painting sounds intriguing, though!

Hugs, Didi

Hi, Christine! :)

Very harried! (Don't know if that's the correct spelling for that word. Spell Check didn't find anything wrong with it.)

Well, I will leave it with you all now and go to bed for real this time, unless I don't. LOL
Hope to see you all back here on Sunday or Monday evening. I will be checking in from time to time but busy weekend. Craig, you have a great concert. I want to hear about it next week. Didi, so glad you were back on tonight. Hope to catch you again on the thread also Sunday or Monday evening! Sweet dreams! :) Cal if you are still on, catch you later also!

Night night!

Well, if you are feeling harried, I don't know if you even want to try catching up tonight! :P

It's difficult to be away from here, isn't it? :) I admit, I'm addicted.

Hugs, Didi

Until later then, Jan! Sweet dreams! :)

Well, if you are feeling harried, I don't know if you even want to try catching up tonight! :P

It's difficult to be away from here, isn't it? :) I admit, I'm addicted.

Hugs, Didi

I am also addicted very much! It is hard to stay away, especially when you find people who are very much like yourself! But, like I have said before, I don't think that it's any accident as to why certain people come into each other's lives.

I am really uptight about the concert...

You are probably more uptight than usual because you haven't had the opportunity to rehearse as much as you would like to with the others. It wouldn't have anything to do with being a bit of a perfectionist, would it? :D I'm sure that all will go well, Craig. How do you usually handle your stress in these situations normally?

You are probably more uptight than usual because you haven't had the opportunity to rehearse as much as you would like to with the others. It wouldn't have anything to do with being a bit of a perfectionist, would it?? :D I'm sure that all will go well, Craig. How do you usually handle your stress in these situations normally?

You do know me pretty well, Didi! For this concert, it is kind of along the lines that you describe, only worse. The stress is incredible because this instance is very different than the usual!

How is it different? You mean you can't imagine the people without clothes on?

How is it different? You mean you can't imagine the people without clothes on?

Ha, ha! That is funny, Christine!

This is what is different. The QCWE always practices on Sunday evenings. (I don't want this post to be coming up in searches about the group, so am not using the whole name for the group. One of the ads that I have posted on the Internet for the group is located here: Quad Cities Music Concert (http://quadcities.craigslist.org/eve/455126405.html) )

I have had gigs out of town for most of the rehearsals for this concert with another group that I play with. For this concert on Sunday, I am playing piano and other percussion instruments. The piano part is major. It's not easy. I have been practising a lot on it.

The problem is, that the director of the group was going to send me a tape of the piece so that I could at least know what it sounds like. Turns out that he can't find or threw away the recording because it was of such poor quality. I know that he is in town here right now at a local motel. I will be meeting with him, probably this evening.

Because of scheduling problems, it turns out that we aren't going to be having our usual hour-and-a-half rehearsal right before the concert.

I may be playing this piece, in concert, without any rehearsal at all with the group!

I know that it will "happen", and that I am capable of doing this. I am just feeling more than a little tense about this!

Whew! I can understand why you are nervous! Of course it would have to happen with a more difficult, piece, right? That darned Murphy! :D I am sure that the practicing that you have done thus far will be fine. You will probably have a bit of a pracice before the concert, just not your usual one. I bet you are pretty good at improvisation in a pinch, so just breathe deep, relax and call upon a higher power to carry it for you for now. I am going to send you something via email that should help before I go to bed (which I am going to do now). I thought I sent it already, but perhaps I forgot. I will also remember you in my prayers and thoughts.

Sweet dreams, Craig and good luck! (Is it appropriate to wish musicians to 'break a leg'? Hahaha!)

Hugs, Didi

Whew! I can understand why you are nervous! Of course it would have to happen with a more difficult, piece, right? That darned Murphy! :D I am sure that the practicing that you have done thus far will be fine. You will probably have a bit of a pracice before the concert, just not your usual one. I bet you are pretty good at improvisation in a pinch, so just breathe deep, relax and call upon a higher power to carry it for you for now. I am going to send you something via email that should help before I go to bed (which I am going to do now). I thought I sent it already, but perhaps I forgot. I will also remember you in my prayers and thoughts.

Sweet dreams, Craig and good luck! (Is it appropriate to wish musicians to 'break a leg'? Hahaha!)

Hugs, Didi


Hey! Thanks, Christine! Perhaps, "break a finger?" :p Sweet dreams to you, too!

Edit: I know what you mean about Murphy, too! He seems to be the law!

I don't know how to get an image on here much bigger than the one that I have just posted. Am looking for advice. Do I need to change the format! Am using IrfanView, which is a free image editor. Thanks!

Are your original photos larger than the ones that are posting, Craig? I have used the one referred to in the suggestions under Additional Options (below). The link is Image Conversion and Reduction for Uploading (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/announcements/image-conversion-reduction-uploading-15873.html). I have used it a few times, and it seems to keep the size of the images the same.

Hugs, Didi

Are your original photos larger than the ones that are posting, Craig? I have used the one referred to in the suggestions under Additional Options (below). The link is Image Conversion and Reduction for Uploading (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/announcements/image-conversion-reduction-uploading-15873.html). I have used it a few times, and it seems to keep the size of the images the same.

Hugs, Didi

My images are all rather large and larger than what I have been posting. I seem to have only certain options for sizes in the free program that I am currently using. I will give the information on the link a try. Thanks so much, Christine! :)

I am in and out of here right now. Am getting ready for the concert tomorrow. Got to iron my shirt and tux, cut my hair (I hope!) and assemble things in general. Am right now preparing to bake cookies for the concert. Those of us whose last names that begin with certain letters are expected to bring cookies. I did start a "Baking Cookies" thread, just a little bit ago...

Gak! :eek: I just realized that the daylight savings time change for us started this morning! I had forgotten all about it! Normally, it would have happened last week. So, it looks like I am going to be getting an additional hour of sleep this morning! :)

Sometimes, being on the computer can be a good thing! The computer time had automatically changed over already!

Cookies are now in the oven. Forgot to check the starting time, though! :eek:

Sounds like you are dealing with all that nervous energy just fine, Craig! :) What kind of cookies are you baking? Do you like to bake or is it just because it was expected?

I saw your baking cookies thread, but alas, I am too much of a tomboy to be of any help! Heh-heh! Actually, maybe I can post there!

If I don't talk to you before your concert, break a finger, Craig! (Be careful you don't burn one, though!) :D

Hugs, Didi

Chocolate chip. Almost done... I think!

Thank you so much, Didi!

Cookies are done... I think... At least they seem to be "golden brown" enough for me!

Yes, I do like to bake and cook. Especially when I am having people over for a get-together. It's just another art that I would like to spend more time exploring! :)

Come to think of it, it would seem that most of the things that we do in life could be considered an art in some way. Some, definitely more than others, though!

Chocolate chip. Almost done...I think!!

Thank you so much, Didi!

Hi there Craig!

I will be thinking of you for tomorrow (well today actually) regarding your concert!! :)

My son and I got his threebies down earlier, watched a movie together and just went over a bunch of computer stuff. He just went to bed so thought I would just pop in to let you know I would be thinking about your tomorrow and praying all goes smoothly with much joy!

Didi, if you are still on here, I wish you the best also for a happy tomorrow (well, today actually looking at the time! :) ). I missed being a part of the conversation tonight! It has become quite addictive! :p

Until later then!
Jan

Hi there Craig!

I will be thinking of you for tomorrow (well today actually) regarding your concert!!! :)

My son and I got his threebies down earlier, watched a movie together and just went over a bunch of computer stuff. He just went to bed so thought I would just pop in to let you know I would be thinking about your tomorrow and praying all goes smoothly with much joy!

Didi, if you are still on here, I wish you the best also for a happy tomorrow (well, today actually looking at the time! :) ). I missed being a part of the convo tonight! It has become quite addictive! :p

Until later then!
Jan

Dear Jan,

Thanks so much for your popping in and also your extreme caring at which you are so much the expert in providing!

I don't know what "threebies" are. :confused:

Dear Jan,

Thanks so much for your popping in and also your extreme caring at which you are so much the expert in providing!

I don't know what "threebies" are. :confused:

Dear Craig!

My pleasure! You are a very easy person to care about.

The "threebies" are Benjamin, Alexandria, and Christian!! Three great treasures in my life. :)

How did your cookies turn out? :p

Dear Craig!

My pleasure! You are a very easy person to care about.

The "threebies" are Benjamin, Alexandria, and Christian!!! Three great treasures in my life. :)

How did your cookies turn out? :p

Thanks for the explanation as to what "threebies" is.

The cookies "happened." I guess that they are okay... color looks perfect. They seem awfully hard, though. But, would think that they are basically okay. Store-bought tube. It's amazing how big they get with even a little bit of dough. I almost always end up cutting them apart.

Thanks for the explanation as to what "threebies" is.

The cookies "happened." I guess that they are okay... color looks perfect. They seem awfully hard, though. But, would think that they are basically okay. Store-bought tube. It's amazing how big they get with even a little bit of dough. I almost always end up cutting them apart.

Thank goodness for the extra hour for you this day! :) I have always heard if you put a slice of apple in with cookies that are really hard, (closed container) it will cause them to soften but please, don't take this kids word on it... never tried it! Ha!

I want to hear you play soon if we can work it out. Okay?

Thank goodness for the extra hour for you this day! :) I have always heard if you put a slice of apple in with cookies that are really hard, (closed container) it will cause them to soften but please, don't take this kids word on it....never tried it! Ha!

I want to hear you play soon if we can work it out. Okay?

I just put them in baggies. Might try the apple thing sometime. I'm sure that it has something to do with moisture being in the bag with the cookies.

Let's talk in person, soon! You will hear me play! I sure do wish that I could see you create your art! Although, maybe that might even be a possibility, someday... :)

I just put them in baggies. Might try the apple thing sometime. I'm sure that it has something to do with moisture being in the bag with the cookies.

Let's talk in person, soon! You will hear me play! I sure do wish that I could see you create your art! Although, maybe that might even be a possibility, someday... :)

Sounds like a plan! Every day is a new day full of possibilities! I love visiting with people with such talent. I can't imagine being able to accomplish all that you do. Someday, maybe I will be able to put it in high gear and do more than I am doing right now. Going to a Nursing Home each evening, although a pleasure seeing my mother, seems to have inhibited my creativeness. The passion I have began to feel being on this thread is just a ray of sunshine in my soul and makes me know, I will again feel alive.

Sounds like a plan! Every day is a new day full of possibilities! I love visiting with people with such talent. I can't imagine being able to accomplish all that you do. Someday, maybe I will be able to put it in high gear and do more than I am doing right now. Going to a Nursing Home each evening, although a pleasure seeing my mother, seems to have inhibited my creativeness. The passion I have began to feel being on this thread is just a ray of sunshine in my soul and makes me know, I will again feel alive.

I remember going to the nursing homes where my mother was. I would play for the residents there. Perhaps you could volunteer to do something with the residents concerning art?

Hi Jan, I missed you tonight. I'm glad you are having fun with your family. It's always nice to share those special moments. Have they tuckered you out yet?

I had not realized that the time on my cell phone and computer had changed, so here I was thinking it was only 2 am but it's actually 3, meaning that before the time change it's really 4! No wonder I am tired!

I have been battling those darned cluster headaches the past 2 days again. I did go out to the farm supply today and picked up 100 lbs of bird seed, 50 lbs of cat food, a bag of grass seed and a few other small things. When I came home the dogs tried to help me spread the grass seed onto the area the pool was set up (It was 18 ft wide, 3.5 feet deep. I got it for $50 on Cheapcycle for my lab, Browni this spring. It kept him in the yard instead of pond crashing at the neighbouring farms! Hahaha!). I think the 'boys' had more seed in their coats and mouths than made it to the earth. They make me laugh so much!

I am just heading off to bed. I almost tried a pencil drawing today. Maybe I will start one tomorrow. I was looking at a photo I have of my best friend, Sam who passed away in Sept. 2005. She was a lab/husky mix who looked like a shepherd with a tiny wee head and 'Flying Nun' ears. In the photo she is smelling the flowers in a barrel in my back yard. I think the background might prove easier for me because it's a brick wall. I am debating on whether to use a ruler or not. I don't think I will, because it will be too concise for my personality. :)

Anyhow, goodnight my friends. Best of luck tomorrow, Craig. Will be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way. I will be watching a NASCAR race in the afternoon. Only a couple more weeks and then I don't know what I will do until February!

Hugs, Didi

Going to a Nursing Home each evening, although a pleasure seeing my mother, seems to have inhibited my creativeness. The passion I have began to feel being on this thread is just a ray of sunshine in my soul and makes me know, I will again feel alive.

Jan, there will be some times ahead that will be very challenging, but what is happening right now in your life is preparing you for those times. Ultimately, you WILL again feel alive. We will try to help you! :)

Take care, Soul Sister, and don't stay up too late! :p

Hugs, Didi

Didi, I was just getting ready to go to bed. My son and I just finished getting Alex back to bed. She has a cough. I will answer your newsy post tomorrow if that is okay. Sleep well and I pray your headache is gone when you wake up! I will be anxiously awaiting a post of your pencil drawing!

I think Craig may have had to go to bed or went to another thread so I will say goodnight to you also Craig.

Both of you take care! See you on the thread tomorrow evening I hope!
Jan

Could I be a "Soul Brother??" :)

The "threebies" are Benjamin, Alexandria, and Christian!!! Three great treasures in my life. :)

Did you know that Christine's daughter is Christina (hmmmm... look at the name Christian) and her twins names are Benjamin Kristopher and Nicholas Alexander (hmmmm... Benjamin and Alexandria)?? Not to mention that her adopted daughter's name is Alexis.

More of those weird coinkydinkies!;)

Hugs, Didi

Didi, I was just getting ready to go to bed. My son and I just finished getting Alex back to bed. She has a cough. I will answer your newsy post tomorrow if that is okay. Sleep well and I pray your headache is gone when you wake up! I will be anxiously awaiting a post of your pencil drawing!

I think Craig may have had to go to bed or went to another thread so I will say goodnight to you also Craig.

Both of you take care! See you on the thread tomorrow evening I hope!
Jan

Yes, I did go to another thread because a person is really in need of some help with figuring things out. I do need to go to bed, but I don't want to leave him hanging...

It's killing me right now...

Could I be a "Soul Brother??" :)

But of course! I think you already were!

G'nite, Soul Brother! :p

Hugs, Didi

Jan, there will be some times ahead that will be very challenging, but what is happening right now in your life is preparing you for those times. Ultimately, you WILL again feel alive. We will try to help you! :)

Take care, Soul Sister, and don't stay up too late! :p

Hugs, Didi

Just saw this post. Thank you Didi for your encouragement! Each of you on the thread have been very kind, positive and uplifting. It means so much to me.

Good night Soul Sister!!
Jan

Craig,
Good night Soul Brother!! Sleep well and sleep fast... it is getting late.
Until later then!
Your Soul Sister, Jan :)

Just so you know, Didi, I'm not on my own computer right now. So, I can't save any of my private messages. If you are sending me one right now, it will be number 50. Thank you!

Hugs from Craig

I got your private message, Christine. I will let you know what I think later concerning the poster. I do definitely agree about me, though.

Good night and sweet dreams to you, Christine!

Hi Jan, I missed you tonight. I'm glad you are having fun with your family. It's always nice to share those special moments. Have they tuckered you out yet?!

I had not realized that the time on my cell phone and computer had changed, so here I was thinking it was only 2 am but it's actually 3, meaning that before the time change it's really 4! No wonder I am tired!

I have been battling those darned cluster headaches the past 2 days again. I did go out to the farm supply today and picked up 100 lbs of bird seed, 50 lbs of cat food, a bag of grass seed and a few other small things. When I came home the dogs tried to help me spread the grass seed onto the area the pool was set up (It was 18 ft wide, 3.5 feet deep. I got it for $50 on Cheapcycle for my lab, Browni this spring. It kept him in the yard instead of pond crashing at the neighbouring farms! Hahaha!). I think the 'boys' had more seed in their coats and mouths than made it to the earth. They make me laugh so much!

I am just heading off to bed. I almost tried a pencil drawing today. Maybe I will start one tomorrow. I was looking at a photo I have of my best friend, Sam who passed away in Sept. 2005. She was a lab/husky mix who looked like a shepherd with a tiny wee head and 'Flying Nun' ears. In the photo she is smelling the flowers in a barrel in my back yard. I think the background might prove easier for me because it's a brick wall. I am debating on whether to use a ruler or not. I don't think I will, because it will be too concise for my personality. :)

Anyhow, goodnight my friends. Best of luck tomorrow, Craig. Will be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way. I will be watching a NASCAR race in the afternoon. Only a couple more weeks and then I don't know what I will do until February!

Hugs, Didi

Yipper! I am pretty tuckered out! Calm after the storm but what precious storms! LOL
They call me "Nonnie" so it is "Nonnie" this and "Nonnie" that from the time they get here until they leave. They have a five hour trip home. I was sort of crippled up a bit walking since our wreck but I think the kinks and muscle spasms are slowly working out!! I had all five grands here yesterday so I didn't have time to think about the pain except when I tried to walk! LOL

Sounds like you had a big day getting food for the animals. I hope you woke up this morning, headache free!

Guess what little Soul Sister! I have a black Lab! :) :eek: My son named her. Our daughter's middle name is Shea so he named the lab, Emily Shea enson, partly for the writer and partly for his sister! :cool: We also have three beagles. Two tri-color and one red.

I will be looking forward to seeing your next pencil drawing post. I agree with you about drawing the bricks, they probably need to be done without a ruler since they are generally so textured.

Only a couple more weeks and then I don't know what I will do until February! I have a great idea!! Do tons of art work! ;)

I will be looking for you on the thread! :)

Hi there!

I had said earlier that I would post a photo and the drawing I did from the photo and will also post a partial of the finished project. Generally, I don't complete any part of a drawing before I have it laid out in my head or sketched what all will go in the drawing. However, I had planned not to put a background in this one originally, just the boots, some grass and that was it. The drawing began to take on it's own persona and it developed to the end product. You won't be able to see details in a post this small. These cowboy boots were my nephews. He passed away two years ago at the age of 37. My sister took the photo in Tennessee and sent it to me. I feel like I may have posted this before. If so, please forgive me.

There were many images within the boots as I began to shade and darken and lighten areas. The images were things that related to Chris and his life. My sister put a picture of a deer in the snapshot because Chris's friends called him Buck, thus the buck deer. It didn't seem to work for the piece but she was very content with all the images that did have to do with Chris. I won't go into all of them here but if anyone is interested, I would be happy to PM an attachment of the list of items that show in the piece and the write up is what I take to shows and put beside the prints!

I have seen this before, I'm not sure if it was in an email or on your website. When I first opened it today and saw the photo of his boots it overwhelmed me with emotion. Did you put the cross on the smaller rock at the back intentionally? I like the way you did the branch in the back... it has the appearance of the buck's antler's (Buck). :) This really gives me chills, Jan. I believe he was looking over your shoulder as you worked.

Hugs, Didi

I just popped on for a few moments during the race. Many of you have asked me for more of my work in any form. I hope that you will be able to access this. It's a free webspace, so if too many look at it my bandwidth will be used up. If this happens, please save the url and look another time. I did not write it about my mother (she is still alive and well) although, perhaps I did. :) I really feel weird posting it here... really don't feel it is art, but, you did ask! Oh, you may need a hankie. I'll be back later.

I Remember (http://grammadidi.bravehost.com/I%20Remember/i_remember.htm)

Hugs, Didi

I just popped on for a few moments during the race. Many of you have asked me for more of my work in any form. I hope that you will be able to access this. I really feel weird posting it here... really don't feel it is art, but, you did ask! Oh, you may need a hankie. I'll be back later.

I Remember (http://grammadidi.bravehost.com/I%20Remember/i_remember.htm)

Hugs, Didi

Tears filled my eyes when I read this as I think of my own mother and the trials she is going through. While I can be there everyday with her, she is slowly slipping away. Didi, thank you for posting this beautiful piece. It was not only aesthetically pleasing in design with the flowers and graphics but painted a picture in my mind of mother's and daughter's, late night visits, the sharing and deep relationships. If this is representative of the designs for web pages you do, I have to say, "Hats off to you"! Thank you so much for posting this. You are so talented in so many ways and give from your heart! It seems there is no end to what you can accomplish. Blessings to you! Your Soul Sister!

Thank you, Jan. Thank you so much. I appreciate your feedback. (Sorry I gave you tears, though!) I did think of you when I found it on my external hard drive in the wee hours of the morning. It felt 'right' to post it. Just not sure if I should have done so on this particular thread, but it does seem to be encompassing everything now, doesn't it?

Hugs, Didi

P.S. Were you able to hear the music? Sometimes I make mistakes in the html so I'm never sure.

I have seen this before, I'm not sure if it was in an email or on your website. When I first opened it today and saw the photo of his boots it overwhelmed me with emotion. Did you put the cross on the smaller rock at the back intentionally? I like the way you did the branch in the back... it has the appearance of the buck's antler's (Buck). :) This really gives me chills, Jan. I believe he was looking over your shoulder as you worked.

Hugs, Didi

Didi, I am glad you enjoyed the piece. I think you viewed it on my website if I am remembering correctly. I had drawn an image of a buck in the grass, was not happy with it, took it out and have been a bit sad that didn't work out so I have to tell you, that you seeing the appearance of a buck's antlers warmed my heart! I will send the attachment to your e-mail later of other images. The three branches coming down, for me, represent God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit reaching down to Chris and the branch reaching up that you mentioned, representing Chris's life. Some rules of composition are a bit compromised n this piece but I never have been much of one for following rules! LOL Thank you for your comments! See you on the thread! :)

Thank you, Jan. Thank you so much. I appreciate your feedback. (Sorry I gave you tears, though!) I did think of you when I found it on my external hard drive in the wee hours of the morning. It felt 'right' to post it. Just not sure if I should have done so on this particular thread, but it does seem to be encompassing everything now, doesn't it?

Hugs, Didi

P.S. Were you able to hear the music? Sometimes I make mistakes in the html so I'm never sure.

I did turn my speakers on but was not able to access the sound but just the quiet and the visuals plus the beautiful words filled my heart. I know the music would have added another dimension to the piece but it was beautiful even without the music. The music does seem to pull from us, and touch us in ways words cannot at times and the combination of both are explosive but as I say, it was beautiful as I received it. I am not sorry for the tears. Tears let us know we are still feeling passion in our lives! A person gets to a point where there are no tears sometimes. It is all a process! Like you, it seems this thread is becoming a diverse thread of all arts and I think we are all richer for viewing, reading and experiencing it all. I look forward everyday to new posts. I am also addicted it seems! I hope others will feel more excited to post their art soon.

Dinner time! Catch all of you later! :)

jrebel, maybe instead of doing tons of artwork between now and February (tho that is a good idea)
maybe do one, big, crazy, piece of artwork, go wild! Make something that you will look at afterwards and say "what on earth was i smoking?" and "maybe I shouldn't have made sumting that big on my front lawn (thats what I would do if I had that much spare time :p)
or u could do sum community art thing
either way, can't wait to see more art :)
okay, now looking back at that, its obvious my mind is a little crazy rite now
(I didn't sleep last night, and in human bio class I was supporting my head with my hand, and falling asleep only to suddenly wake up when my head started to slip forward, over and over)
so don't mind me (I feel like falling asleep on the keyboard but I am in the middle of IT class lolz)

Sean, how are you? (other than being exhausted, of course!) I hope things aren't quite as bleak as before. I have been waiting to see you on here! I wanted to post a link, and it is for everyone to see, but I desperately wanted you to see it. I thought you would find the concept very cool, especially the one special effects.

Photos on Canvas (http://www.canvasrus.com/)

It's a fun site, anyhow. If you upload a photo it shows it and tells you (by highlighting) the most appropriate sizes for it. You can test different effects, etc. and it gives you the prices for each size. I had a lot of fun there.

You are in class right now! I keep forgetting about the time difference. It is 11:35 pm here.

Is there something wrong that prevented you from sleeping last night, or was it all those brilliantly artistic thoughts swirling around?

Take care, my friend. I miss you when you aren't posting.

Hugs, Didi

Oooh... kewl link thanks this will be very interesting too look at :)
Ummmm I'm okay I guess at the moment
Though I'm doubting whether I should keep my long distance relationship with my girlfriend going
Nothing in particular kept me awake, I just couldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried :s

Yes, it is very, very difficult to keep a long distance relationship going - especially with the distances you two have between you! I know this first hand.

"Okay I guess" usually means not too great. If you ever need to talk, you know how to find me. :) I can talk back or just listen. I have good strong shoulders as well as a head and heart full of opinions and advice! :D

I hope you sleep better tonight.

Hugs, Didi

Craig, let us know when you have time to post how your concert went. I trust it was great!
I know you were a bit concerned and had a late night also to add to that.

I posted what we visited about:
The photo I worked from
A partial of the piece
Finished project. Of Chris's Understanding.

Post your photo, articles, etc. soon as you can!
Good Night for now Soul Brother!! :)

Dear Soul Sisters,

The concert was okay. I say just, "okay" because the music was unusually difficult and we could have done it better, for sure! Most of the music was very modern sounding and had some really fast notes in it, to put it simply.

We did not have a very big audience because we were also competing with the local symphony and a local college group for an audience. They also had performances, today.

There was one time, in the most difficult piece that contained a number of movements, where the conductor mis-conducted one of the measures. It threw everyone off! There was no way that we were going to bring things back together! We just had to stop. And then, start somewhere in order to finish it.

Picture this, if you know about music. Alternating times of 6/8, 9/8, 12/8, 4/4, 2/4 and 3/4alternating within the same movement and performed at a very intensely rapid rate of speed. It's really just hard to describe.

Oh well. Mistakes do happen!

I was really sweating things because I had not been to most of the rehearsals and had to site-read most of the various percussion parts that had been assigned to me! I did okay on them, though.

oooh...kewl link thanks this will be very interesting too look at :)
ummmm im okay i guess at the moment
tho im doubting whether i shud keep my long distance relationship with my gf going
nothing in particular kept me awake, i just couldnt sleep no matter how hard i tried :s

I too, would like to help and also be supportive of you, Sean!

Thank you clough
You are all so wonderful

thankyou clough
you are all so wonderful

You know that we are here for you, Sean! :)

Who is Isla, Sean? :confused:

Comment on cal823's signature is below:


Originally posted by cal823 -"what's so civil about war anyway?"- Axl Rose Dam straight, Cal!
"im not deep, i just try to find myself in the mess"- My sweet and dear friend Isla Sometimes it takes a lot of work and courage in order to do that! We should all do this, in order to make the world better for ourselves, and then for others. Because, only by finding out who we are, are we able to help others to help themselves.
You were fearfully and wonderfully made :) I am a supporter of our inalienable right to keep and arm bears :P I support the same cause!
Clough, erlo, firmbeliever, jrebel, and everyone else, you are all sew special! :) Thank you so much, Sean! You are special, too! We are all "sewn" together here in a positive way. It is a very beautiful and varied tapestry of styles and diversity, don't you think? But, because of common elements, it is one that encourages the growth of the individual as well as the group in the oneness that we share.
If you ever need someone to talk to, pm me, I'm always willing to listen/chat :) You are such a giving and compassionate person, Sean! That is one of the reasons that you will go far with your life's ambitions, dreams and desires!

I really do like the signature that you have on this site, Sean! :)

I actually have a question for any of you willing to do so... if I sent you a picture of my dad, would anyone be willing to draw him for me, I'll PAY!

I would attempt it, but its my dad, and I know most of you are far more talented and experienced than I am.

I actually have a question for any of you willing to do so...if I sent you a picture of my dad, would anyone be willing to draw him for me, I'll PAY!

I would attempt it, but its my dad, and i know most of you are far more talented and experienced than I am.

Hi Erica!
I was so glad to see a post on here from you! Any takers on the drawing commission? I am thinking you probably want it by Christmas? Erica, I don't have a doubt in the world that you could do this. Are you wanting a drawing or painting, pastel, etc. Every time I look back through the thread and see that drawing of you and your husband, I have to say I am a little envious of your light touch with a pencil with the shading. I did a drawing of my father years ago. Drawing or painting a person that you know is a little different than just doing characters or someone you don't know. At least it is for me because we don't just see their physical characteristics but also their heart and soul, so to speak.
Post again soon. I have been missing you on the thread. Keep posting! I saw your note regarding a doctor. I hope you are doing okay.

You are in Germany, is that correct? My nephew will be coming to Germany soon in the service. I am not sure where he will be posted. How long will you all be there? I am full of questions. Just happy to see you active on the thread again!
Until later then!
Jan

The only image programs that I have on my computer are free ones. I'm not sure that I can do the same things that the rest of you do with yours. But, maybe there is a way. I am also wondering if some of the resizing might have to do with the color content of the images if what I have posted can't be any larger than it is? Don't know.

Are you putting the images in your post as an attachment, or as something else? The images that I have thus far posted have all been attachments.

Craig, I looked into a program I imagine is on your computer because it comes with computers much of the time. If you left click on the image you want to choose in your "My Pictures" file then right click, a drop down box should come up with choices of which program you want to open it in. If you have the program "Microsoft Photo Editor, left click to choose. The image will display in that program. At the top of screen, left click on Image, the drop down box should give a choice of "Resize". Left click to chose that one. It will bring up a box with choices. Look at each box, some will have drop down arrow, such as Units: it may have inches and pixels and cm, etc. choose pixels. Choose the height or width that is greatest and type in or chose 750 or less pixels. (I have posted some at 750 and some at 450 and some at 250. Then choose Ok. BE SURE AND GO TO FILE, SAVE AS, AND RENAME PIECE SUCH AS THE ORIGINAL TITLE BUT ADD THE WORD "RESIZED" jUST BEFORE THE .JPG, THEN CLICK OK. That way your original will be intact and you will have one the size to post on this size. My experience has been that color or black and white work the same in this resizing.

If any of you reading this post see that I missed a step, please add correction. Thank you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRAIG!!!

HI Jan!

I did two drawings yesterday and trashed them! I was so frustrated and I spent 4 hours on the first one, but didn't come out anything like I had expected. Drawing my dad - might be easier, but I just wouldn't want to mess it up. Lol

Yes, were in Germany, we'll be here for another 2 -2 1/2 years. Its exciting hearing new people are coming over. =) How have you been?


Craig - how are you? Haven't heard from you either, lol. Hope things are going OK.

Hugs to you both!

Originally Posted by Clough
The only image programs that I have on my computer are free ones. I'm not sure that I can do the same things that the rest of you do with yours. But, maybe there is a way. I am also wondering if some of the resizing might have to do with the color content of the images if what I have posted can't be any larger than it is? Don't know.

Are you putting the images in your post as an attachment, or as something else? The images that I have thus far posted have all been attachments.


Craig, I looked into a program I imagine is on your computer because it comes with computers much of the time. If you left click on the image you want to choose in your "My Pictures" file then right click, a drop down box should come up with choices of which program you want to open it in. If you have the program "Microsoft Photo Editor, left click to choose. The image will display in that program. At the top of screen, left click on Image, the drop down box should give a choice of "Resize". Left click to chose that one. It will bring up a box with choices. Look at each box, some will have drop down arrow, such as Units: it may have inches and pixels and cm, etc. choose pixels. Choose the height or width that is greatest and type in or chose 750 or less pixels. (I have posted some at 750 and some at 450 and some at 250. Then choose Ok. BE SURE AND GO TO FILE, SAVE AS, AND RENAME PIECE SUCH AS THE ORIGINAL TITLE BUT ADD THE WORD "RESIZED" jUST BEFORE THE .JPG, THEN CLICK OK. That way your original will be intact and you will have one the size to post on this size. My experience has been that color or black and white work the same in this resizing.

If any of you reading this post see that I missed a step, please add correction. Thank you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRAIG!!!


Thanks for the information and the caring, Jan! :) I will check out the programs that actually came with my computer.

HI Jan!

I did two drawings yesterday and trashed them! I was so frustrated and I spent 4 hours on the first one, but didn't come out anything like I had expected. Drawing my dad - might be easier, but I just wouldn't want to mess it up. lol

Yes, were in Germany, we'll be here for another 2 -2 1/2 years. Its exciting hearing new people are coming over. =) How have you been?


Craig - how are you? haven't heard from you either, lol. Hope things are going ok.

Hugs to you both!

Hi, Erica!

I am okay. Just really, really busy with things right now. Much pressure in my life.

How are things in your life now?

Hugs to you, also!

Craig

HI Jan!

I did two drawings yesterday and trashed them! I was so frustrated and I spent 4 hours on the first one, but didn't come out anything like I had expected. Drawing my dad - might be easier, but I just wouldn't want to mess it up. lol

Well, you know what they say about practice... ;)

I am sure that your dad would appreciate something that was created by you for him. It wouldn't matter how perfect it was. The important things would be that you took the time to create it for him, and that it was done in love and from your heart! :)

Lol... heres a doodling, I started a drawing, couldn't get it right so just threw things in the drawing just to do it I guess.

I see parts of wings. Are those supposed to be wings? Were you thinking of an angel by any chance?

Lol, I have no idea what I wasthinking of, I just did it. I wasn't trying to draw anything fabulous - ( that's why I call it a doodling ) and yes those were supposed to be wings, but I haven't any idea how to detail those either. Im just doodling and doodling until something comes out OK.

Does the idea of you drawing a picture of your dad inspire you?

Yes actually it does. I haven't drawn in years other than the few I posted a little while back. I haven't had inspiration.

The thought of drawing my dad, makes me want to practice and practice until I feel comfortable attempting it. I know I can do it, I have some talent deep down within me, I just don't take the time to actually work on something. Not to mention with children, I can't concentrate.

If my husband re-enlists, I will be able to go to college, and art is one of the things I plan to get a degree in, if not a degree, I will definitely take 4 years of classes. But until then, I'm just stuck doing what I know, and trying to figure out on my own, what I don't know

I always make music by singing and/or playing, write music and also compose lyrics much better when I am inspired. I find it much harder to do these things when I am not inspired.

You already have your inspiration. I would suggest just doing it! The time will be captured by the artist that you are at this point in your life. It will be a priceless family heirloom which will be passed from generation to generation :)

(Hint) Do you ever save the pictures that your children draw? ;)

Yes I do save my daughters, she hangs them on the fridge :)

If I'm drawing she wants to draw.

Do you procrastinate?

Not actually no

Okay, thank you! I just thought that I'd ask. The reason that I asked was, because I am quite the procrastinator and I thought if you were one, that it might be a possible reason why you might not want to do something.

P.S. I even have a little magnet on my refrigerator that says "I'll stop procrastinating...tomorrow!"

LOL - Actually I started, and have been working on something since this morning, even while I'm typing ( my baby is sleeping ) I'm not going to give it away yet, but 'fingers crossed' this turns out as great as it looks like its going to. Its not my dad though, I'll do that, when I have enough trust in myself.

LOL - Actually I started, and have been working on something since this morning, even while I'm typing ( my baby is sleeping ) I'm not going to give it away yet, but 'fingers crossed' this turns out as great as it looks like its going to. Its not my dad though, I'll do that, when I have enough trust in myself.

And, now you're back online again here! I am getting ready to go to bed!

It's a fact that you may have to joggle your time in when you can in order to be creative with your art, and also be taking care of your family.

You can do it! :)

Trust in yourself, is also something that takes practice. I like to think that it's not practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice that makes perfect. There are plenty of ways to practice things the incorrect ways while thinking that they are the ways that one should be practicing.

Are you sure that you don't procrastinate, even just a little bit? Maybe about things that are really important to you?

You just really make me wonder...

LOL - Actually I started, and have been working on something since this morning, even while I'm typing ( my baby is sleeping ) I'm not going to give it away yet, but 'fingers crossed' this turns out as great as it looks like its going to. Its not my dad though, I'll do that, when I have enough trust in myself.

I'm sure that we will all be anxious to see your work of art that you are currently producing! :)

Ok, so here goes. It actually turned out better than I had expected, but still many aspects I don't care for so to say.

HI Jan!

I did two drawings yesterday and trashed them! I was so frustrated and I spent 4 hours on the first one, but didn't come out anything like I had expected. Drawing my dad - might be easier, but I just wouldn't want to mess it up. lol

Yes, were in Germany, we'll be here for another 2 -2 1/2 years. Its exciting hearing new people are coming over. =) How have you been?


Craig - how are you? haven't heard from you either, lol. Hope things are going ok.

Hugs to you both!

So glad to see you posting again! I am wondering if you received my PM I sent you several days ago. This post sounded like perhaps you had not heard from me so thought I would mention I did send one. When I didn't hear back, I figured you were just busy with the kids or maybe not feeling well. So glad you are back!!

Ok, so here goes. It actually turned out better than I had expected, but still many aspects I dont care for so to say.

Hey there Erica! You always catch emotion in your drawings, a certain mood, look, etc. I like the way the girls clothes show through just a bit through the long hair. Realistically, long hair does fall gently and not heavily over the clothes. That is something good for me to remember when doing my drawings. We can always learn from one another, not just about art but about life. One of my best college instructors taught not only art but life, with every breath and word that he spoke. I had some instructors that had no passion for life or art and it makes a huge difference in what one takes away from the class. I just want to see passion in whatever one does. I am sure you are passionate about raising and loving your children, your art, and others! Glad to see you back! ;)

I too really like the fact that the clothing shows through the hair! :)

Have you done anything that uses colors, Erica? Maybe I missed something that you might have posted earlier on, though.

Hi Craig! Did you enjoy your birthday?

Hey all! Sorry I been gone so long :P what have I missed?Craigs b-day?? HAPPY B-DAY!! And good drawings erica I like them ^.^

Ok, so here goes. It actually turned out better than I had expected, but still many aspects I dont care for so to say.

Really good job with the nose! I just can NOT do a nose! :) The eyes and eyebrows have a lot of character, too. I am wondering what would happen if you tried to be a bit less defined while you work - a bit lighter handed?

You really do have artistic ability. Classes would probably help you fine tune some of your weaknesses, while building upon your strengths. I don't know how you find time to look after your little family, draw and be online! Now THAT'S a talent! :D

Hugs, Didi

I know how you feel!! I can't do noses or ears :P nother reason I love it... I can't even do fantasy ears!

Hi Craig! Did you enjoy your birthday?

:eek: :eek: :eek:!! It was your birthday Craig?? When??

A belated happy birthday to you! I'm so sorry I haven't been online much so I missed it! :(

Hugs, Didi

Hi, Jan! Thanks for asking! Just got back in a little while ago from directing the local barbershop singing group rehearsal.

My birthday yesterday was okay. I worked for most of the day. The highlights yesterday were my son in Iowa, daughter in California and also a cousin in Minnesota calling me. On Sunday a small bunch of friends who had come to the concert took me out to dinner. That was very nice of them to do that! :D

Hiya, Jessica! How are you? I haven't been online much, but was missing you, Erica and every one else!

Hugs, Didi

My birthday yesterday was okay.....

Was that November 5? (Sorry, it's 1 am on the 7th here, so I am confused.)

Hugs, Didi

Hi, Didi!

Yes. It was Monday. You have been missed! Are you okay?

Hi, Didi!

Yes. It was Monday. You have been missed! Are you okay?

Ummmm... kind of sort of okay. It will get better, I have faith! ;) Just going through a rough patch.

I really am sorry I didn't know about your birthday. My sister-in-law's was the 3rd, my brother's is the 10th and my youngest grandson is the 13th. December is even a busier month! I'll try to make it up. :)

Hugs, Didi

Ummmm... kinda sorta okay. It will get better, I have faith! ;) Just going through a rough patch.

I really am sorry I didn't know about your birthday. My sister-in-law's was the 3rd, my brother's is the 10th and my youngest grandson is the 13th. December is even a busier month! I'll try to make it up. :)

Hugs, Didi

You will make it! We all will! I am going through some rough things right now, also.

By-the-way, Carol (Wondergirl's) birthday is the 10th of November!

Hugs from Craig

Oh, we now have another Craig on this site! Found him in the Introductions section!

Ummmm... kinda sorta okay. It will get better, I have faith! ;) Just going through a rough patch.

I really am sorry I didn't know about your birthday. My sister-in-law's was the 3rd, my brother's is the 10th and my youngest grandson is the 13th. December is even a busier month! I'll try to make it up. :)

Hugs, Didi

Hey Didi, I just sent you a personal e-mail... an epic. You might want to shelf it until later when your headache is better.

Hey Craig! Glad your birthday was a good one! Our kids make life great! Glad you got to visit with them.

We are missing a few of us tonight. But with all the different time zones, are we surprised?? :p

Great seeing you all on here again. I am signing out for the evening. Post art everyone. Can't wait to view more. Night and sweet dreams! :)

Hey Didi, I just sent you a personal e-mail...an epic. You might want to shelf it until later when your headache is better.

Hey Craig! Glad your birthday was a good one! Our kids make life great! Glad you got to visit with them.

We are missing a few of us tonight. But with all the different time zones, are we surprised??? :p

Great seeing you all on here again. I am signing out for the evening. Post art everyone. Can't wait to view more. Night and sweet dreams! :)

I have just last night figured out how to use the scanner on my relatively new printer. Will be finding some photographs to scan.

I'm guessing that Erica will probably be around in a little while. I am sure that she is in and out a lot due to taking care of family. Don't know what has been up with firmbeliever, although I do know that she has been making some awesome posts elsewhere on this site.

Good night and sweet dreams to you also, Jan! :)

Hi all - thank you for all of the nice feedback on the drawing. I was going to leave the eyes and eyebrows the lighter shade, then decided to make them darker.

-- I'm very proud of that drawing, its so different than my usual, and I really enjoyed doing it.

I have actually NEVER used colors, not even colored pencils. I'm scared to mess up and not be able to erase.

Lately my girls have been sick, and yesterday, they both slept almost all day - so I had the quiet time to do it. I'm usually online while they're eating and having their snacks - and THEY watch TV all day and even when they aren't watching, if I go to change the channel, my oldest whines, so I have nothing else to do.

Happy B-lated Birthday Craig. - I'm still curious why you asked if I procrastinated

Hi all - thank you for all of the nice feedback on the drawing. I was going to leave the eyes and eyebrows the lighter shade, then decided to make them darker.

-- I'm very proud of that drawing, its so different than my usual, and I really enjoyed doing it.

I have actually NEVER used colors, not even colored pencils. I'm scared to mess up and not be able to erase.

Lately my girls have been sick, and yesterday, they both slept almost all day - so I had the quiet time to do it. I'm usually online while they're eating and having their snacks - and THEY watch TV all day and even when they aren't watching, if I go to change the channel, my oldest whines, so I have nothing else to do.

Happy B-lated Birthday Craig. - I'm still curious why you asked if I procrastinated

Hi, Erica!

Thank you for the b-lated birthday greeting! :)

I did answer your question about procrastination in ost #928.


Originally Posted by Clough
Okay, thank you! I just thought that I'd ask. The reason that I asked was, because I am quite the procrastinator and I thought if you were one, that it might be a possible reason why you might not want to do something.

P.S. I even have a little magnet on my refrigerator that says "I'll stop procrastinating...tomorrow!"

I would like to ask you another question Erica, and that would be the following:

Do you consider yourself to be a perfectionist? Even a little bit?

I know that I am, to some degree at least. Although, I wouldn't call myself a literal perfectionist in the way that might make me unable to do a lot of things because I would get stuck on just one thing because I didn't think that it was perfect enough.

Hey all!! sorry I been gone so long :P what have I missed?Craigs b-day??? HAPPY B-DAY!!! And good drawings erica I like them ^.^

Hi, Jessica!

Long time, no see! What have you been up to? Are you okay? :)

Craig

I would like to ask you another question Erica, and that would be the following:

Do you consider yourself to be a perfectionist? Even a little bit?

I know that I am, to some degree at least. Although, I wouldn't call myself a literal perfectionist in the way that might make me unable to do a lot of things because I would get stuck on just one thing because I didn't think that it was perfect enough.


You bet I am... I don't like being this way - but I am. Like you said, it doesn't stop me from doing other things, but the smallest imperfections annoy me, and I try and try and try until I get tired of it. LOL - that also goes along with cleaning my house and what not.

I just noticed your post. Are you going to stick around here for a little bit?

Hopefully

Okay. I'm back. Just was trying to make some points about rolling "R's" in various languages.

:) do you speak any other languages fluently?

Thank you for admitting to the perfectionist traits. It's sounds like you and I have some big similarities concerning that. However, I can't say the same thing about my house cleaning, except when I am having guests over for an occasion.

:) do you speak any other languages fluently?

No. Have studied German, Spanish and French though. Would like to speak them fluently. Most of my experience with languages comes from teaching and performance while singing as a soloist or directing choirs for many years.

LOl... I'm very picky, I can't even stand for a rug to be crooked. I don't let my husband clean often and when he does, I go behind him doing it my way.

No. Have studied German, Spanish and French though. Would like to speak them fluently. Most of my experience with languages comes from teaching and performance while singing as a soloist or directing choirs for many years.

Oops! I forgot Latin. Even though I haven't studied it formally as a language, I have much experience in the singing and pronunciation of it. It is mostly church Latin that I know. I have a real buggaboo about pronouncing it correctly when singing!

LOl...I'm very picky, I can't even stand for a rug to be crooked. I dont let my husband clean often and when he does, i go behind him doing it my way.

Do you think that your "perfectionism" in things like this might have a bearing on your current family situation?

Isla is a very very dear internet friend of mine (I have a few of those, I always seem to meet people who I have huge amounts in common with on the net) she lives in france and is a very deep person.
Thanks for the comments on my sig
Happy birthday to peoples who's birthdays it is/was/will be
Hope to see more art soon
My art teacher is actually quite excited and interested by my designs for my project and can't wait till I start making it :) which will hopefully be the next day I have art on :)
(hoping to go dumpster diving behind harvey norman for polystyrene soon ) (its something I guess I got to learn to enjoy because its something ima prob do a lot in the future as an artist) (and if I turn out as a crap artist, its good practice for when I'm hungry on the street! Lolz kidding)

isla is a very very dear internet friend of mine (i have a few of those, i always seem to meet people who i have huge amounts in common with on the net) she lives in france and is a very deep person.
thnx for the comments on my sig
happy birthday to peoples whos birthdays it is/was/will be
hope to see more art soon
my art teacher is actually quite excited and interested by my designs for my project and can't wait till i start making it :) which will hopefully be the next day i have art on :)
(hoping to go dumpster diving behind harvey norman for polystyrene soon ) (its something i guess i gotta learn to enjoy coz its something ima prob do alot in the future as an artist) (and if i turn out as a crap artist, its good practice for when im hungry on the street! lolz kidding)

Well hi, Sean! I was wondering what happened to you! I think that a lot of us here are finding that we have so much in common with others because we have found each other by using the Internet. It's definitely nich to have some "common ground" with people.

So, what about your art teacher?

Do you think that your "perfectionism" in things like this might have a bearing on your current family situation?


What do u mean?

I'm not looking to go deeply into your family situation on this post, Erica. But, I do definitely have some identity with you concerning perfectionism as may be related to the various kinds of arts that we do. I think that it would be beneficial for you and I and also the others to discuss it. I think that all of us artists have perfectionist tendencies.

what do u mean?

Just that the way you might be with perfectionist tendencies might have an effect on your family if they don't feel the same way that you do about things. I know my ways of being a perfectionist certainly had an effect on my immediate family. It might be concerning the way that I was about music or other things.

Actually I've never thought about it like that, and still am trying to figure out what about my perfectionism is affecting my family or isn't.

Actually I've never thought about it like that, and still am trying to figure out what about my perfectionism is affecting my family or isn't.

I not so sure that this would be a good thing to discuss on this post concerning your family, unless you truly want to. Do you?

Just posting a few drawings. If they appear grainy, it may be because they were home scanned. Not sure. Sometimes, they come out clear here when I post and sometimes not. I am doing something funky I would imagine.

My sign language instructor commissioned me to do these for drawings. She traveled to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and had a park ranger take her and her husband back into a part that most won't see just going through on their own. She says this is the area her ancestors grew up and lived in. In order to make the park, land was purchased but the residents living there were allowed to live out their lives in their homes but could not pass their homes on to relatives as it now belonged to the Park. I did the drawings and about a year later, began wondering if I could find out more history on the structures since people usually ask me the story behind each drawing I do. To my amazement, I found not only the sites with information but with photographs of each structure. My instructor took some photos at almost the same angle as some of the photos on the sites.

I may not get these in order but will type the site addresses here then post the drawings I made.


(Edit: OKAY! I edited this and put the site address below. You can access all the others after going to this one link.)

Palmer Chapel in The Catalooche Area NC (http://discovercataloochee.com/_wmbarn/dcpcext.htm)





Beech Grove School in The Catalooche NC Area Thru DiscoverTheSmokies.com (http://discovercataloochee.com/_beegrov/dcbgext.htm)
Beech Grove School

http//discovercataloochee.com/_wmbarn/dcpcchape.him
Palmer Chapel the last part could be "acpchape.htm if the first one doesn't work. I wrote them down and should have copied and pasted.

Caldwell House and Barn Area in The Catalooche NC Area Thru DiscoverTheSmokies.com (http://discovercataloochee.com/_caldwell/aacaldwe.htm)
Caldwell House Footbridge

Palmer House in The Catalooche Area NC (http://discovercataloochee.com/_palhous/dcphext.htm) View #4
Palmer House

Beech Grove School failed to get posted. It is as follows:

They are grainy! Sorry. I tried posting them smaller also but they were still grainy.

I love them all

Different for me... leaf painting. Went to the woods, looked for leaves I liked.

i love them all

There you are! Hope all is well with you and your little family. I have been missing being on here at the same time as you and others. Glad to see you back. :)

I have a hard time remembering what times are best for you and others. What time is it there? I am going to make a note for myself. Since I have access to a computer most of the day, I would like to pop on at times I think you might be on.

As you see Erica, I don't have the light touch that you have no matter what medium I am working in. Must be my strong stubborn personality coming out. LOL

You may not have the light touch, but I LOVE the way your drawings look. Mine do not look real, seems they look flat - and drawing a portrait or anything really I need to make it look at least somewhat real.

It is 730 am here, and I just love the leaves, I would have never thought to do something like that. Your amazing!

Thanks for the kind words. Amazing would not be a word I would use to describe myself. Guess I know too many of my flaws. LOL But it is sure nice to read those words. Thank you Erica!

We use to live in Calif. And that was just a two hour difference and it kept me confused. It is 12:33 a.m. here right now. You probably know that with family back here. Thanks for sharing the time. I will try to rmemember. What ages are your children if you don't mind me asking. If you would rather not say, I totally understand on line. Maybe we could PM sometime later about family and keep this just about art and such! Did you get the PM I sent a week or so ago?

Yes I got the PM - I didn't reply because things have just been crazy here. My kiddos are young 3 and 1 1/2

And by the way, you didn't discourage me at all... I've just been far from - inspired we'll say!

Oh, that's fine. I know it is busy with little ones. I won't keep you here. Keep creating! Guess I will go to bed. Since my wreck, I have not felt so great but I will again. It was really nice touching base with you. Both little girls? I have a girl and a boy!

Got to make breakfast :) bb in a little while

and by the way, you didn't discourage me at all...I've just been far from - inspired we'll say!

Oh good. :) Thank you for sharing that. When I say any comments, it is coming from experience I have had to deal with or learn as I went so to speak. And for the most part, have to relearn them with each drawing. LOL I am suppose to be starting a new one but like you, haven't been inspired! LOL Actually, I will have to start it next week, inspired or not. I have to have it finished, scanned and prints made before Christmas so the gal will have time to have her drawing matted and framed to give for Christmas gift.

If there is any thing you need, just to vent about things, always feel free to PM me. I am really good at answering back. I am a good listener or "reader" as the case may be! And always willing to help if I can, just by allowing others to vent.

got to make breakfast :) bb in a little while

Alrighty then! Have a good breakfast and a good day... is it Thursday there right now?

Have a good day Erica. Hugs those babies much and I know you do! They grow up way too fast! I am always telling my daughter that and she is seeing that to be way too true! LOL

Good night to all others on the thread also! Or good day as the case may be! :)

Guess it is bed for me in a bit!

Very talented! Amazing! :-)

Hi! :)

Hi! :)
Hi there! I doubt you are still there but was on my way in from the den to go to bed, saw I had some e-mails so thought I would stop in and say hello.

Night All! :)

Hello, Jan! I am here! :)

Hey, LOOK! :eek: jrebel7's got her very own webpage on the Artist's thread! :D

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/art/artist-you-133294-98.html#post711621

Just kidding, of course! :D

Awesome stuff you do, Jan! I don't know how you find the time to do what you do with your art! The variety of what you do with objects one might not think could be utilized for pieces of art is intense. And the forms, colors and contrasts on the mediums that you use are beautiful!

It would seem that your creativity knows no boundaries! :)

I see you peeking at this thread, Erica! ;)

Are you going to come in? :confused:

Hi, Jan!

I am wondering how on earth you paint on the leaves! I am assuming that they are still fresh when you paint on them? What kind of brush do you use on them, if you use a brush? How do you keep them from curling up because they have gotten wet with whatever you are using for your paint? What do you use for the paint? Do you spray some kind of finish on them when you are done with the painting?

Enquiring minds need to know, you know! :)

Thanks!

Craig

Wow... amazing drawings, and those leaves are amazingly cool

I was hoping that you would post Sean! I was just about to private message you. Please post something else here!

Well, here's some of the drawings I did (the first one I'm not entirely happy with and I want to fix up some bits a little but hey I already took the photo so you guys can see it anyways)
I like these ones because they far less depressing than my usual art :) I was actually in a good mood the other day when I walked out of the art room lolz after drawing the first one :)

Wow! Looks great, Sean! Very creative! :D You know that you are among friends, here! :) I love the red smoke!

I am curious as to why you chose red, white and blue for colors?

They didn't sell yellow, purple, etc artline pens at the shop, only other colour was green, and no way I'm using that colour lolz