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Save time and frustration by learning how to avoid some basic mistakes when using graphic software. I mentioned in a recent Facebook post that I would be sharing some do’s and don’ts related to digital art. Even if you are not an artist and are using graphic software to create cards or retouch photos, you should know some basics. I wish I had known some of this stuff years ago. You think that when you work on a piece, you will remember your sources and what you did to get the look you wanted. You might, for a few days or a week or two. Try going back 5 years later and try to guess what you did or try opening a file you saved in the wrong format. Even though I have learned so much and my art has a greater complexity, every once in a while, I am stumped by something I did in the past. I’ve wasted hours trying to track old photos, figuring out how in the world I got that particular effect or even trying to recreate a file I saved in the wrong format. I will be using a piece called “Cloud Woman” that I created back in 2014. I was new to digital collage/composites and other than reading a book, I had no training in graphic software or doing this type of art. Cloud Woman is not a horrible piece of art, but it is flawed. I am using it as an example of some things you should not be doing. By learning a few basic steps, you will avoid all the mistakes I’ve made over the years! Check out my next post to see some of the mistake I made and how you can avoid them. 
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No time to go and buy a card? Here are two free Mother's Day downloads for you. Size 6x4 and 4x6. Download one or both.Please don't forward files or re-post on social media. Instead, share my website link with anyone that is interested in my free downloads,  
I don’t know your circumstances, but I think it is safe to say you have faced some difficult times in your life, especially in the last two years. I have gone through some very challenging times both in my personal life and as a nurse. Now, God has called me into a second career as an artist, which definitely has not been trouble-free. Some of my favorite verses over the years are in Habakkuk 3: 17 and 18, which is why I created a digital collage called I Will Rejoice. Habakkuk described a very challenging, even grim situation. Crop failures, lack of available food, animals suffering and more could be taken from today’s news. As a Christian, I am not immune from troubles, from challenges, from reverses in life. What makes a difference in my life is why these verses are among my favorites. Habakkuk states “Even though…and gives a list of disasters.” It is what he states following those words that brings me comfort and hope. He goes on to say, “yet I will hope, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!” This tells me I can choose to focus on my problems or I can focus on God, on worshiping Him for who He is and rejoicing in His love for me. If you do not know Jesus as Savior, please go to my Faith Gallery page and download the free Connect to God file.    I’m sure you know that it is coming up to Easter Sunday or as I prefer to call it, Resurrection Sunday. Some of you are planning a family gathering, while others are staying home. I grew up thinking of Easter as chocolate bunnies and egg hunts. Later, I understood the meaning of this very special day beyond the candy and eggs. I hope you will take the time to reflect on what this day means to you and rejoice in once again celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you are not connected to God through Jesus, go to my Faith Gallery page and download the Connect with God pdf file.  Resurrection download is no longer available.
Spring is finally here, at least according to the calendar in the area of the world where I live. Looking outside at the overcast sky and wet ground does not inspire thoughts of spring! Is it spring time where you live? Do you see any signs of spring? My neighbors have a lovely display of daffodils and tulips. They are always out working in their yard and have beautiful flowers. My spring thoughts are turning toward not only flowers and my garden, but my art. Spring means new art, trying new ideas out and following my creative impulses to see what will happen. Are you doing anything special this time of the year? I sometimes go to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival because I love tulips and taking photos. Here are some photos I took at last year at the Festival. Not only did I take dozens of tulip photos, but I snapped a shot of anything else that caught my fancy! Check out the collage below and download the Rusty Bumper photo for free. 
I thought I would add another free download. This one is a tulip background. It's a little early here for the tulips to bloom, so why not anticipate the real flowers with some printed flowers? I am fortunate to live near the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm and I just checked their field report. Look them up at: https://www.woodenshoe.com/  Tulips2 8.5x11 inches. 
I know it is a little early for Spring, but wouldn't you like to see some spring colors and flowers now? My two free downloads are from a line I designed for cards and wrapping paper that are colorful and fun. What about using the larger design to make mini boxes to use for treats? 
Do you love your home? I love my home and over the years I have spent time choosing items to add to my collections. I carefully picked out colors and furnishings. Have you built a nest for yourself and your family that you love? Now comes the down side of having a home with all that stuff. You have to take care of it. You need to pick up things, do laundry, change light bulbs, and move those dust bunnies around. No fun, but necessary for the upkeep of your home. Artists have to do the same chores related to their art business. I just spent a boring morning checking on files. No small task when you are a digital artist and have multiple folders. I have some business-related things up for auto-renewal and I had to check and make sure all the info was correct. Boring, but very necessary if I want to keep my domain and website. So, what’s the point in all of this? My point is that it doesn’t matter what you do or who you are. There will always be things in your life that you don’t want to do or even resent the time it takes to do them. You would prefer visiting with a friend, reading a book, or going for a walk instead of cleaning house. You would rather be creating than doing business-related chores. However, without those boring chores and tasks, you would not be where you are at now. Sitting on the sofa and sipping a cup of tea would not be possible if the sofa was covered in piles of old magazines, clothes, and dirty dishes. If there was no website or social media platform, there would be no way to connect with people that love art. So, let’s put aside any reluctance, any procrastination (I know there must be a procrastinator or two out there) or even any resentment and instead, look forward to a job well done and more time to spend on what we really love doing!  Collage of some of the sub-folders under my main Digital Art folder. Out of curiosity, I checked the file count. It was just over 2,000. This is not counting all my photo files!
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