DOWN UNDER Australia and New Zealand
I s s u e 115 | o c t o b e r 2 0 2 6 | d i g i t a l a r t i s t r y
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EDITOR’S REPORT By Pam Henderson
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P H O T O S H O P A R T I S T RY By Sebastian Michaels
06-07
TRISH HOSKIN
08-09
G E O R G E KO N C Z
10-11
A N D R E W H AYS O M
12
MARINA HOBBS
13-18
A R T I S T S M O N T H LY AC H I E V E M E N T S
34-35
M AU R E E N M A X W E L L
36
A N N A LC O C K
37-41
A R T BY H E M A N T KO G E K A R
42-45
PHOTOSHOP I N S P I R AT I O N By Andrew Haysom
F R O N T C OV E R by C H R I S T I N A B R U N TO N - WAT E R C O LO U R L A D I ES
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CHRISTINA BRUNTON
20-21
PENNY DE JONG
46-47
KIM RICCI
22
K A R E N WA A LW Y K
48-49
JULIE POWELL
23-29
A R T BY I LO N A A B O U - Z O LO F
50-51
B E V T E R AW S K YJ
30-31
R O S A P E R RY
32-33
AL BAMASS
52
53-57
A R T BY R O BY N M C L AU C H L A N
58-59
MICK ROONEY
60-61
COLIN KILLICK
62
JA N E T OV E Y
63-70 Andrew Haysom - Firestorm
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C H I N E S E W H I S P E R S # 10 6
By Maureen Maxwell
COFFEE AND PIXELS
By Maureen Maxwell
71
PRUE WRIGHT
85
CAT B E AG L E C R E AT I O N S
72-73
K YE THOMPSON
86
SHARON R ANKMORE
74-75
DENNIS RICK ARD
87
PA M H E N D E R S O N
76-77
C O L I N CA M P B E L L
88-91
QUOTE’S CHALLENGE
78
D E N I S E CAU C H I
92-98
M O N T H LY A R T I S T I C PHOTOSHOP CHALLENGE
79-83
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CIRCUS IN TOWN
THEME - A LITTLE C O U N T RY C O M M U N I T Y
By Marina Hobbs & Robyn McLauchlan
S A N D R A DA N N
By Christina Brunton
99-103
ARTISTS BUSINESS A DV E R T I S E M E N T S
Andrew Haysom - Hivemind
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a r t i s t s DOWN UNDER Australia and New Zealand
Hello everyone and welcome to our October edition of Artists Down Under. Firstly, I would just like to mention that this month, the Black Dog Institute is having a very big fundraising event which I am taking part in, for Mental Health & and Suicide Prevention, I unfortunately am a very big advocate for this cause having suffered from my daughter at the age of 31 losing her life through suicide. This month I am walking 200km to raise funds for this cause, so to anyone that would like to sponsor me or to donate to the cause, please see the link below and thankyou. Please always check in on each other and be kind to each other, as you never know what that person may be silently dealing with, three simples words are all it takes - Are U OK. https://www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/pamhenderson/one-foot-forward-2026 We have another full edition put together for you by our artists, full of amazing images and feature pages, photoshop tutorials, competition results, Paris Exhibitions and monthly artists challenges. I hope you enjoy!
Pam Henderson
Ilona Abou-Zolof - Oasis Backgrounds: Foxy Squirrel Laitha’s Designs - Jai Johnson - White Lane Studio Copyright 2017 ©
Rosa Perry - Lonely Leaf
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Artists in this publication are responsible for any rights appertaining to their work.
HTTPS://PROPHOTOSHOPARTISTRY.COM
Beginner through Advanced Photoshop OR Adobe Elements Huge Library of Bonus Content 60-Day Guarantee! Image by: Ann Lavin, Photoshop Artistry Student
55
TRISH HOSKIN
( AUSTRALIA )
https://trish-hoskin.myportfolio.com/ http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/trish-hoskin/
S C O T T I S H CA S T L E S
6
A B E AU T I F U L S T O RY
7
GEORGE KONCZ
( AUSTRALIA )
http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/george-koncz/ http://georgekonczphotography.com/
N E U S C H WA N S T E I N B AVA R I A , G E R M A N Y
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B E AU VA I S CAT H E D R A L , F R A N C E
9
ANDREW HAYSOM
( AUSTRALIA )
https://andrewhaysom.myportfolio.com/ https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/andrew-haysom/
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WAV E S
11
MARINA HOBBS
THE TEA L ADIES
12
( AUSTRALIA )
artists down under monthly Achievements 13
artists down under facebook page The Artists Down Under Public Facebook page has been set up to allow the artists in the group to showcase their work and to enable them to share promotional information about themselves, e.g. exhibitions, awards etc... You can find the Artists Down Under Public Facebook page at this address; https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistsDownUnder/
So, if you are an artist in the group, don’t forget to regularly share your work and information here, and to let your friends and family know about the page if they are interested in viewing the latest art and news from the group. If you are a reader of the magazine who does not have access to the page, please click the link above and request to join. When you request to join you will be asked to answer three simple questions that will allow us to determine if you are an eligible artist who may wish to join the group and therefore be able to post on the page, or a member of the public who can view, comment and like the work on the page. It’s a great place to see some great art from this vibrant group every day!
Two ADU members receive a special gift Our very good Awake friend Diane Stafford from WhiteLaneStudio continue to give gifts as a reward for members of the Artists Down Under group who contribute to the ADU Facebook page by regularly posting their artworks and supporting other members with their comments. Diane Stafford from Chester, UK, designs Photoshop textures and overlays for photo artists and photographers to use in their digital artworks. Diane has created another special kit just for Artists Down Under for the month of OCTOBER. Two artists will receive a Diane kit each. Diane Stafford can be found at
https://whitelanestudio.co.uk/biolinks
The OCTOBER lucky winners are Diane Stafford (WhiteLaneStudio) Texture & Overlay Kit - Ann Alcock - Rosa Perry
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LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/living_the_photo_artistic_life_-_issue_no._139?fr=sZDMzOTg0NDE1MDQ
Congratulations to the following artists for having their images chosen to appear in the International magazine “Living The Photo Artistic Life”. Sandra Dann - The Long Awaited Journey Rosa Perry - The Past Has No Key Christina Brunton - Old Technology - Rabbit Penny de Jong - The Tenderness Of Friendship - Time Reclaims The Earth Jane Tovey - Secret Butterfly Business Denise Hunter Logan - Diversity Enriches Us Ilona Abou-Zolof - Hydrangea Memories - Golden Grace Maureen Maxwell - Dare To Be Different - My Queen I have Returned
Maureen Maxwell - My Queen I Have Returned
Maureen Maxwell - Dare To Be Different
Penny de Jong - The Tenderness OF Friendship Sandra Dann - The Long Awaited Journey
Christina Brunton - Old Technology
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LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE
Christina Brunton - Rabbit
Penny de Jong - Time Reclaims The Earth
Ilona Abou-Zolof - Hydrangea Memories
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Rosa Perry - The Past Has No Key
Ilona Abou-Zolof - Golden Grace
Jane Tovey - Secret Butterfly Business
Denise Hunter Logan - Diversity Enriches Us
shift art SEPTEMBER 2026 Theme
“The Forgotten Fairground” hiftart.com/shift-art-photoshop-challenge-results-september-2026-2-2/
Congratulations goes to
WINNER PRUE WRIGHT
Prue Wright - Now Where?
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WHATS ON The Artavita & World Wide Art Pavillion ART SHOPPING PARIS Carrousel du Louvre 23-25 October, 2026 SHOW ADDRESS Le Carrousel du Louvre 99, rue de Rivoli Paris 75001
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SHOW HOURS OPENING NIGHT VERNISSAGE (Invitation Only) Friday 23 Oct. 8pm - 11pm Public Hours Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 am - 8 pm Sunday, Oct. 25 11 am - 7 pm
christina brunton
( AUSTRALIA )
W H I M S I CA L A R T
G UA R D I A N S O F T H E W O R L D
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PENNY DE JONG
( AUSTRALIA )
http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/penny-de-jong/
HAPPINESS
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R OYA L M O M E N T S O F CA L M
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KAREN WAALWYK
( AUSTRALIA )
https://www.flickr.com/photos/88165766@N05/ https://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/karen-waalwyk/
COLLIE
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art by
ILONA ABOU-ZOLOF “PRESSED WHISPERS” 23
MORNNG SEEDS
24
PA P E R F LO W E R S
25
P E TA L L I G H T
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Q U I E T FL A M E
27
S O F T PAG E
28
S U M M E R L E AV E S
29
ROSA PERRY
( AUSTRALIA )
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosa_perry https://rosa-perry.myportfolio.com/artwork
A MEASURE OF THE HEART
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WHEN WE ARE GONE
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AL BAMASS
( AUSTRALIA )
AU T U M N V I B E S
32
BAILEY
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MAUREEN MAXWELL
( AUSTRALIA )
http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/maureen-maxwell/
DA N C I N G I N T H E C LO I S T E R S
34
A P E AC E F U L DAY
35
ANN ALCOCK
( AUSTRALIA )
I M AG I N I N G S U M M E R
36
art by
HEMANT KOGEKAR “B&W” 37
A LO N E
38
AW E D
39
F U N K Y DA N C E
40
T H E WA L K
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a Dr t Oi sWt sN U N D E R Australia and New Zealand
SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION
USING HARD MIX TO DISTRESS TEXT AND VECTORS By Andrew Haysom
This article outlines a method of creating distressed text (or vectors) using blur and then applying a texture or pattern to the blur using the Hard Mix blend mode. It is a technique I’ve seen demonstrated by Brady Erickson from Texturelabs and Tim Saunders from Bracken Design, both great Photoshop educators and designers, I’ll link their websites and their YouTube videos at the end of the article. Hard Mix is a strange blend mode, one that at first glance doesn’t seem to have much application, but it can be very useful in a number of ways. The Hard Mix blend mode adds together the values of each of the channels for each pixel in the blend and base layer. So, the value of the red channel in the blend layer is added to the value of the red channel in the base layer, and the same for the blue and green channels. If the resultant value in each channel is 255 or greater, the result is set to 255. If the resultant value is less than 255 the result is set to zero. Therefore, where colour is involved, each pixel will be one of eight possible colours; Red (255, 0, 0), Green (0, 255, 0), Blue (0, 0, 255), Yellow (255, 255, 0), Magenta (255, 0, 255), Cyan (0, 255, 255), Black (0, 0, 0), and White (255, 255, 255). For black and white or grey scale images the Hard Mix blend mode acts like a Threshold adjustment layer, resulting in only black or white pixels. The technique demonstrated here can be used with colour (for some strange results), but the examples given here are black and white. Figure 1 shows the layer stack for this technique. In the example a Text layer and a Shape layer (vector) are blurred using a Stroke layer style incorporating a gradient, and then a texture or pattern is applied at Hard Mix blend mode, this interacts with the blurred edges of the objects creating distress to the edges.
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[Fig 1]
Each of the objects to be distressed (in this example the text “Stop” and a vector Stop symbol) are given a Stroke in the Layer Styles panel. The Gradient Style is set to “Shape Burst” which causes the gradient to radiate outwards from each edge of the object. The Gradient itself should transition outwards from the objects colour (black in this example) to transparent. This causes a blur around all outer and inner edges of the object. Obviously the effect relies on the transparency of text and vectors to allow the blurring around all the edges of the objects. It is important to have the white background here for the effect to work properly. My text is black, so the background is white, if I was using white text I would set the background to black. Figure 2a) shows the example objects with no adjustments and Figure 2b) shows the objects with the blur applied.
[Fig 2]
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The size of the blur can be controlled by the Size slider, and the Position drop-down can also be used to position the blur Inside, Outside or Centred on the edge of the objects. These objects are placed into a group, and two options in the Blending Options of the group layer should be turned off to make the effect work. Both the “Blend Clipped Layers as Group” and “Transparency Shapes Layer” checkboxes should be turned off (see Figure 1). Now a texture or pattern layer is clipped to the group layer and the texture layer is set to Hard Mix blend mode. The texture layer can be any type of texture or pattern layer, Figures 2c) through 2h) show examples using Filter/Render/Clouds, Filter/Render/Difference Clouds, Filter/ Render/Fibres, Noise/Grain, Halftone Dots Pattern and Halftone Lines Pattern. As previously mentioned, you can modify the effect using the Stroke Size and Position and you can see the effect change as you do this. Figure 3a) through 3e) shows how the effect varies as the size parameter is changed using the Clouds example, and Figure 4a) through 4c) shows the effects of changing the Position from Inside to Centre or Outside.
[Fig 3]
[Fig 4]
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There are endless ways to vary this technique; using custom textures or patterns, applying various filters to the texture, you could even try different blend modes (but Hard Mix has the best effect in my opinion). The beauty of the technique is how easily it is modified and that the text remains live at all times and so can be easily changed. In the example layer stack I chose to apply the Stroke to each of the objects separately, and this gives you the ability to modify each of them slightly differently which may be advantageous. However, if you wanted to you could place all the objects into another nested group (inside the one in my layer stack) and then apply the Stroke to that nested group, allowing you to apply the same effect to all the objects in the group with only one set of Stroke parameters to manage. Hard Mix is one of the special blend modes that reacts differently to Opacity and Fill. Fill affects the blend mathematics and is a much better way to change the intensity of the effect. Even a very small reduction in the Fill on the Hard Mix layer (down to 98% or 99%) can create a nice “dither” around hard edges and is well worth experimenting with. Have some fun with Hard Mix!
Links
Brady Erickson (Texturelabs) https://texturelabs.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6fgPyUdzsE
Tim Saunders (Bracken Design) https://www.bracken.design/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ8JdoTENaU
Andrew Haysom
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KIM RICCI
( AUSTRALIA )
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/kim-ricci/
T I N Y DA N C E R
46
T H E FO R E S T K E E P S H E R S E C R E T S
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JULIE POWELL
( AUSTRALIA )
https://www.juliepowellphoto.com/ https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/julie-powell/
DINGO IN THE EMBERS
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SEAL
T E D DY I I
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BEV TERAWSKYJ
( AUSTRALIA )
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/bev-terawskyj/
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PA I N T E D O P E R A H O U S E
51
artists DOWN UNDER Australia and New Zealand
DIGITAL ARTISTS GROUP A COLLABORATIVE GROUP OF PHOTO ARTISTS
CHINESE WHISPERS #106
“KING DINO KEEPING WATCH OVER HIS REALM“ STAGE 1
STAGE 2
Pam Henderson
Maureen Maxwell
Every time Pam sends me through her collab start image, I take one look and think ‘Oh! No! What is she testing me with this time?’. It is so much fun and we both really enjoy the new challenge each month. This time, I decided to make King Dino the Hero as he watched his subjects with kindly eyes. They all loved him! We hope you enjoy! Maureen Maxwell
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art by
ROBYN MCLAUCHLAN 53
GALAH
54
LY R E B I R D
55
KINGFISHER
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ROSELL A
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MICK ROONEY
( AUSTRALIA )
https://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/mick-rooney/
ANGEL
FA I RY Q U E E N
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IR A ANGEL
59
COLIN KILLICK
60
( AUSTRALIA )
60
GOING HOME
61
61
JANE TOVEY
( AUSTRALIA )
S P R I N G AWA K E N S
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Marie Helyar - The Creative Table
‘COFFEE and PIXELS’ by Maureen Maxwell
THIS MONTH’S CHALLENGE THEME IS
Escape The Ordinary 63
Christina Brunton - Escaping
Maureen Maxwell - Modern Travel
64
Marie Helyar - Escape The Ordinary
Denise Hunter Logan - Escape The Ordinary
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Rosa Perry - There Was Another Way
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Bev Terawskyj - Escape The Ordinary
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Ilona Abou-Zolof - Escape The Ordinary
Penny de Jong - A Most Unordinary Adventure
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Julie Powell - Between Ruins And Midnight
Prue Wright - Stardust And Moonbeams
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Karen Waalwyk - Escape The Ordinary
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PRUE WRIGHT
( AUSTRALIA )
FUNGI IN A TUBE
S I S FO R S WA N
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KYE THOMPSON
72
( AUSTRALIA )
SEE DOUBLE
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DENNIS RICKARD
( AUSTRALIA )
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/dennis-rickard/
74
P E L I CA N S
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colin campbell
( AUSTRALIA )
https://colincampbell.myportfolio.com https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/colin-campbell/
FO R K
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FO R KS
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DENISE CAUCHI
( AUSTRALIA )
B E I N G FO L LO W E D W H I L E WA L K I N G I N T H E E N C H A N T E D FO R E S T
GOOD V’S EVIL
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THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN
Marina Hobbs - The Circus Is In Town
By MARINA HOBBS AND ROBYN MCLAUCHLAN 79
marina hobbs
THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN
Marina Hobbs - Walking The Tightrope
Marina Hobbs - The High Wire
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THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN
robyn mclauchlan
Robyn McLauchlan - Flying Trapeze
Robyn McLauchlan - Through The Fire
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marina hobbs
THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN
Marina Hobbs - The Ticket Box
Marina Hobbs - The Dressing Room
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THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN
robyn mclauchlan
Robyn McLauchlan - The Balancing Act
Robyn McLauchlan - The Circus Ringmaster
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SANDRA DANN
( AUSTRALIA )
https://www.sandradimagery.com/
G UA R D I A N S
84
CATBEAGLE CREATIONS
( AUSTRALIA )
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-3/lynsey-stirland-mitchell/ https://catbeaglecreations.myportfolio.com/
WA I S T O F T I M E
85
SHARON RANKMORE
( AUSTRALIA )
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-4/sharon-rankmore/
T R A N S FO R M AT I V E I I
86
PAM HENDERSON
( AUSTRALIA )
http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/pam-henderson/
C O U N T RY L I V I N G
87
artists DOWN UNDER Australia and New Zealand
A COLLABORATIVE GROUP OF PHOTO ARTISTS
QUOTE CHALLENGE by the Art Buddies
A bit of background first: In our Art Buddies group, we’re a vibrant mix of ADU members from across Australia, each contributing individual talents and viewpoints. Our ‘Art Buddies’ team includes Christina Brunton, Denise Cauchi, Ilona Abou-Zolof, Marie Helyar, and Ngaire Danvers. We gather regularly on Zoom, taking turns to set our creative challenges.
Challenge: “Fantasy” Create a fantasy art piece. This challenge was set by Christina Brunton
Our Art Creations: We hope our creations motivate you to share your own interpretation on the Artists Down Under Facebook page. Your artistic expression matters to us, and we are excited to see what you create!
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Ngaire Danvers - Fantasy Lion
Marie Helyar - Beyond The Little Door
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Christina Brunton - Flamingo In The Lake
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Ilona Abou-Zolof - Fantasy Siege
Denise Cauchi - Storm In A Teacup
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artists down under monthly artistic photographic challenge theme: A LITTLE COUNTRY COMMUNITY 93
Christina Brunton - Community Showground
Karen Waalwyk - CFA, The Heart Of The Country Community
94
Bev Terawskyj - A Little Country Community
Pam Henderson - Birdsville
95
Ilona Abou-Zolof - Shared Table
Prue Wright - Just Us
96
Rosa Perry - My Little Country Haven
97
Penny de Jong - The Village Full Of Stories
Marie Helyar - The Noticeboard That Held The Town Together
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artists DOWN UNDER Australia and New Zealand
adu artists s s e n i s u b s t n e m e s i t r e v d a 99
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101
Still-Life & Flowers
SELF-PACED & ONLINE
Learn to use the Mixer Brush In this class, you will learn how to effectively use the Mixer Brush tool in Adobe Photoshop to create beautiful and unique still-life & florals.
Learn techniques The class is suitable for both beginners and advanced artists, and I will cover everything from the basics of Mixer Brush to advanced techniques like creating custom brushes and textures.
Master & Create Whether you are looking to explore a new medium, expand your digital art skills, or simply enjoy the process of creating art, my Still-life & Flowers Mixer Brush Art Class is the perfect place to start.
Six band new projects Six brand new projects including three stilllife scenes and three flowers. All base images, bonus practice images, textures, E-Book and custom brushes provided
julie.powell@outlook.com www.juliepowellphotography.com
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JULIE POWELL PHOTOGRAPHY
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WEBSITE:
http://artistsdownunder.com.au/
http://tinyurl.com/artisitsdownunderpublic