Art is not always pretty

This one started off as a tutorial posted by Kimmie on Digital Whispers.  The images used did not particularly inspire me, but I'm so glad that I gave it a go. I really despair of some tutorials and appreciate that it is not easy to know how much participants understand. This is one of those tutorials which did not assume too much, and instructions were very clear.  Here is the link to the tutorial  I have finally learned how to group layers. Yes I know these are the basics of Photoshop, but somehow in my usual impatience, I just went ahead and muddled through.  I've also learned that I was underusing the wonderful lassoo tool.  I have such a love/hate relationship with Photoshop. I don't care what anyone says, it is not user friendly at all!  After completing the tutorial I just had to alter it.  I appreciate that this won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I think art is about stretching boundaries which are not always pretty. I cannot abide political correctness or the opression of human beings.  Anyway enough ramblings.  Here's the results of the dark and eerie tutorial.
                                                                                              
  Barbara Walters, of 20/20, did a story on gender roles in Kabul , Afghanistan , several years before the Afghan conflict. She noted that women customarily walked five paces behind their husbands. She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women still walk behind their husbands.  Despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to, and are happy to, maintain the old custom. Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked, "Why do you now seem happy with an old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?"

The woman looked Ms. Walters straight in the eyes, and without hesitation said, "Land Mines."  
                                                                                                                    

A Tutorial Challenge at Digital Whispers

This was a tough one that I just could not follow in places.  I seem to have such a convoluted way of working. I'm sure it would be easier to create folders when I'm working with multiple layers, and also to group them.  I just never do. I don't use layer masks either.  I've a lot to learn.

Here is the tutorial  Credits for the brushes etc I used can be found there.  Background paper was (I think) from Nicerane designs.  Shrine was from Gypsy. The beautiful model is my daugher.  She doesn't usually have such wacky hairstyles ;-)                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Still on the egg challenge

This is the same challenge with a different pic. Kimmie's blog
I had merged two pics of a rooster today, having spent ages hand painting details.  Stupid photoshop hung up on me when I was trying to save a .png file.  This keeps happening with Windows 7  I really don't like Windows 7 at all. Seems to be full of bugs.  Anyway computer crashed and I had not saved a PSD file.  Grrr  these things are sent to try us.  The hen is from a file I had called WLOP kit. Does anyone know who this is?  I'm getting better at filing and saving names of designers but my early files are a complete mess.  Here is what I came up with for my second egg challenge:

Egg Digital Challenge

This was more fun than I thought it was going to be. I just wasn't sure what to do with an egg really.
I got a little carried away....
Kimmie is hosting an egg challenge.  Kimmie's blog
The queen was a freebie from Rian and most of the other elements are from various Marta Van Eck kits.

Windows Challenge at Digital Whispers

I think I'm going to move my bed into the Digital Whispers room lol  I just love this group and all the inspired people who take part in the challenges there.  This is the image we were provided with.

I found another image at DeviantArt  http://vapui.deviantart.com/art/Six-doors-167050541 which I thought was a painting, but in fact it is a photograph. By combining the images, this is what I came up with.  I'm quite happy with the results.

I made this for a challenge at Digital Whispers.  An image of a woman was provided which I distorted for the doll.  Background paper is by Hollie Wood - Theatre of Dreams kit.  Cat and cage from Marta Van Eck's Alice in Wonderland kit.

Eyes challenge

This challenge involved creating something with a vintage photo of eyes.  This was fun but took me ages to do.
Eyes by e-vinte, nose by spookychild@deviantArt. Body was created by Aisne. Sorry I chopped of her head :-) I used smoke brushes for the steam. Thanks Falln stock@DeviantArt. Girl and mouse were from Lori Davidson kits. Background Marta VanEck's kitchen kit. Hat was designed by me. Hat decoration is from Marta VanEck's steampunk kit. Hope that is everyone credited.
You can see the challenge and enter it here: http://digital-whisper.blogspot.com/2010/08/digital-whisper-challenge-11-eyes.html

Digital Whispers Golden Globe Challenge

I decided to make two images from the golden ball image provided. This was fun.

I do like this model. Found him at Skydancer over at DeviantArt


















Here is the other image I created with the same gold ball image                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

       

Faeries were altered by me but originally from a Blushbutter kit.
Bakcground is from a kit called Fishing For Love - Magical Reality Designs. Pumpkin carriage was from Miriam at DeviantArt.  I used various brushes - water and sparkles, and cannot remember name of the creator of these. Will add the name when I can locate her.    









I've been a busy bee today. Inspired by some really funky designs by artists at Digital Whispers, I started messing around with a picture of Marie Antoinette I purchased some time ago at Upi and got quite carried away.

                             
I've used bits and pieces from all over the place here. Background was from an Artellagram kit.  Boat was from a Phantom of the Opera kit. Mermaid tail from GrannyArt, Sandwich from Efie's blog. Sailor ornament from Kubivet....oh and the arms from Rian.

Digital Whispers Monthly Challenge - Moon and clouds

I'm so behind with everything. Computer keeps screwing up and I have to install the drivers every time I fire up the computer now. I'm not liking Windows 7 much at all.  I am however liking all the challenges at Digital Whispers. I just wish there were more hours in a day.  This challenge was to create an image from a photo of the moon and clouds.  Here are the pictures I used:

The one on the left is my own. The one in the background was the image provided. The other two were artists from DeviantArt (I love that website)
Will add the names later.















Here is what I came up with:

Digital Whispers challenge - Girl in a basket

This was fun to do.  We were given an image of a little vintage girl in a basket.  I used various elements from various kits. Thanks again to Efie and Granny Art for the use of their elements