When Birds Insist on Getting in the Picture

Usually I Photoshop out extraneous birds that are blurred or only partially in the picture frame.  But sometimes I like the effect.  The reality is, these beautiful birds were out there flying around the beautiful rolling hills of Brazil Ranch, and over a ridge line of happy Angus cattle, this past weekend and deserve to be included.

The Magic of Digital Photo Editing

Lucky to have visited the Brazil Ranch in Tomales, while volunteering for MALT.  But I couldn't resist adding car exhaust, using GrutBrushes, and a jeep photographed in Salem, Oregon, to make an alternate version of the original photo.  The original says "calm, beauty of nature" while the modified version indicates "health hazards of too many vehicles on the road."

Some Fun With Family

Recently, nephew Greg Manata drove down to my studio to have his portrait done.  That takes nerve.  Finished piece combines watercolor, graphite, pen & ink, an old photo of Greg when he was young (which makes up his hair), some nice papers (his interesting shirt) - all glued on some white heavyweight top quality Arches watercolor paper.  I welcome more models - who don't mind what the final piece looks like (since it is rarely totally accurate or flattering).

That same evening, I noticed how cool my late, great father, E.A. Autrey's, stained glass rooster (which hangs in my kitchen window) looked reflected on my neighbor's house.  So some family art photos finished an artful day.

What's Happening? Something Coming up this May!

This is happening at my studio the first two weekends in May.  More info Marin Open Studios website and here:  https://marinopenstudios.org/artist/631/

A Day Hiking in Briones Regional park

"Don't shoot me," I suggested to my sister (who took the top photo on her phone).  "The view is much more beautiful."

Flower Art for MOS

Another eclectic ensemble from top to bottom:
1.  Three Flowers in a Beach Bucket Vase mixed media on cradled board 9x12
2.  Two Flowers in Yellow Vase mixed media on cradled board 9x12
3.  Sunflowers in Vase:  Paper collage on paper 15x18.5
4.  Vase of Flamingo Flowers:  Paper collage on paper 11.5x15
5.  Six each 8 1/2 x 11 prints of digital photo collage with scanned objects
6.  Space Flower:  Cold wax/oil on cradled board 16x12
7.  Space Flowers:  Cold wax/oil on cradled board 12.5x8.75
8.  Fall into Winter Leaves quilted wall hanging 36.25 x 36.25
9.  Magnolia From bud to Bloom quilted wall hanging 41.5 x 45.5
10.  Garden of Delight quilt 50x67.5
11.  Winter Crow - quilted wall hanging with four photos and an applique crow

A Few New Mixed Media Pieces: Paul Klee Inspired Abstract and More Realistic Butterfly Still Life