Digital Expressions by Susan Tuttle - Available for pre-order now on Amazon!

I was so excited to receive an email from my friend Susan Tuttle today telling me that her new book is available for pre-order now on Amazon (will be arriving in Spring 2010). Susan is a gifted artist, and has an eloquence and sweet freshness to her written word. Although I have never been fortunate enough to meet her in person yet I feel like I know her well, through her lovely art and her wonderful blog posts. I am proud to say that one of my digital pieces will be included in her new book, and I am truly honored to have been included. Thank you, Susan!

Here is the write up as it appears on Amazon. "Digital Expressions guides the mixed-media artist through 25 stepped-out digital projects created with Adobe Photoshop Elements. Projects like manipulating single photos, collage on a digital canvas, and digital illustration will inspire you to tackle all kinds of digital mixed-media projects using stock photography, custom brushes, textured backgrounds and your own digital photos. A team of talented contributing artists further illustrates the techniques in action. Plus, a bonus CD includes more than 20 digital design elements for you to use in your own projects!"

I'm sure that this book will be wonderfully received, just like her last book, "Exhibition 36" and am so thrilled for Susan ~ Many kudos to you, my friend!!!

For Theme Thursday - Favorite Colours

Here is my submission for this week's Theme Thursday challenge: Favorite Colours. To be honest, my favorite colors change frequently...sometimes I find myself wanting to surround myself with a certain color, other times my taste goes in a different direction and I want something softer, or brighter, or greener, or in shades of blue. Today I find myself wanting to work with brown and gold and pink; and so, here is my submission (an ATC, digital collage) . Thank you for looking! xo

And one more....

Forest Park - St Louis, Mo

Forest Park, St Louis, MO - October 25, 2009

I'll just let these pics speak for themselves ... if you'd like to see a few more please visit me on Facebook =) Happy Almost Halloween! xo

For Theme Thursday - Faces

My submisssion for Theme Thursday's challenge this week, "Faces". Digital collage.

Autumn Becoming....

Well, I suppose it is time for me to humbly swallow my pride and admit ... Autumn in the Midwest is fantastically astoundingly take-your-breath away beautiful! Everyday this week the leaves on the trees become more and more incredible to behold. The yellows, the oranges, the reds are so intense they honestly bring tears to my eyes to see something so beyond-normal compared to my "life in the desert" experience. Arizona, of course I love you - you have mountains and canyons that I could spend a lifetime exploring and adoring - you are on my mantle of Things I Will Hold Dear Forever - but this fall is something I have never experienced before. I drive through the university, and turn a corner and I am overtaken with wonder at the red, red, crimson leaves - painted by nature's hand. The groves of yellow and orange, the little red shrubs, even the roses are blooming!! This place has become a storybook Land of Autumn, and I will try my hardest to capture this beauty with my camera. Keep a lookout for upcoming posts - I promise you won't be disappointed =) AUTUMN RULES!!!!!!

Photos of SIUe campus by James Graminski

Autumn Leaves - abstract photo

By Me...today.

Another Pic from Saturday

Unfortunately we weren't able to make it to Forest Park today; I've been in some major TMJ-related pain. Ouch!!! I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to my dentist visit on Wednesday - Advil and Tylenol are just not working! =(

Anyway, here is another pic from SIUE - isn't the deer, well ... dear? They are so sweet, and the campus is home to quite a few of them, as well as hundreds of geese and ducks. One reason I love my trips on campus so much. xo

SIUe - Myer Arboretum October 10, 2009

Yesterday afternoon my son and I took a little photo break over to the arboretum at SIUe. As I drive onto the campus everyday during the week lately I've found myself watching the leaves on the trees slowly change color. This year I am determined to get some good pics of the process, and yesterday was such a beautiful day (sunny skies and sweatshirt weather) we decided to go for it. We may have been about a week early, as most of leaves are still yellow and orange, and I was hoping to see a few more red ones...but here they are, and here is the link to the Myer Arboretum for those of you who might be planning a trip out this way sometime. Hope you enjoy them =) Tomorrow we plan on visiting Forest Park in StL for some more picture taking - if they turn out I'll be sharing them as well. xo

Union Station, St. Louis October 3, 2009

Here are some pics from our trip to Union Station in St Louis last Saturday. I hadn't visited this place since I was ten years old (eons ago =) and so I was quite taken with the architecture, and the fantastic atmosphere. We took tons of photos, and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe (excellent food, btw) and then we went over to the Loop for some walking, shopping and sightseeing...it was an excellent day, and I do hope you will enjoy all these images. xo