Mycreativeimages - September 2021

My Creative Images Promoting Digital Photo Artistry and Digital Photography

www.mycre

Issue 42 (September 2021)

Welcome to the Mycreativeimages Magazine I was recently asked what filters, Apps or automated processes I use when I create my art and why it takes 8+ hours for me to make something.

Initially I was fairly upset by the implication that someone could think I just click a button and my phone or PC creates the art for me. But then I parked the emotions and thought about from their point of view, if they haven’t seen me working then how would they know what goes into my photo-art.

This then leads me to another thought, as a hobby artist wanting to break into sales and be recognised as someone whose artwork is worth collecting and displaying then I need to be able to demonstrate the creation process to potential buyers, but how do I do that. My workflow is not neat and tidy, my layer stack is all over the shop and I make endless tweaks to fixes things that I missed after I have merged layers so I can apply Camera Raw adjustments.......but perhaps this is what people would be interested in seeing, the mistakes the endless tweaks, the masking the tiny details where I added a little more blur or a little more light. I think I’m reaching the stage where I need to start creating a timelapse of me creating artwork, that’s going to be an interesting challenge!

Featured artists Bernie Tuffs 4 Claude Trew 10 David Walker 14 Diane Eastham 18 Esta Moon Artistry 24 James Hurley 28 Keeley McCleave 30 M M Rainey 40 Nicky Jameson 44 Sue Waterhouse 46 Susan Jones 50 Terry Jane 52 Vivien Capper 56

Anyway, to answer the original question, all my work is done in Photoshop on a PC, I own over 80 Actions, but its very rare that I use one. The only “automated” process I use is via an application called Topaz Studio, which I use to add texture and then to create brushstrokes. These are then blended into the other layers at various transparency levels to add the finishing touches of my work. Yes I could spend an additional hour or so creating the brushstrokes myself in Photoshop, but when there is another option it seems daft not to use it.

The key thing to remember is an artist can choose whatever tool they want to create, if its a totally automated process or if they gather pigment, make the paint and their own paper or stretched canvas then that’s up to them. After all a true artist creates for themselves no one else. The fact someone wants to buy their work is a bonus.

I hope you enjoy the work in this month’s magazine.

James Hurley Photo Artist / Magazine Editor Links: Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/MYCIFBpage Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/FBArtGroup

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Cover image “Theres always more if you look closer”

by James Hurley https://www.mycreativeimages.com

Please note, that some articles contain affilate links which direct you to 3rd party sales pages, for eample Amazon. In the even you purchase something via one of these links a commission is paid to the editor of this magazine or the author of the article.

All images in this publication are sourced / created by the artists, unless otherwise stated on their websites or social media pages and as such must not be copied or sold without the express consent of the artist.

This publication is created and owned by James Hurley, ©mycreativeimages.com 2021. Please feel free to share the magazine but do not make changes to any of the content.

How to write a stunning newsletter for your email list What is an email list?

Your audience can be a little distracted if they only see you on social media. Sometimes the algorithms don’t allow you to reach your ideal audience. So it’s always a good idea to start a dedicated email list that keeps your customers updated with your art news.

There are a couple of ways you can do this: 1) 2)

Start a blog and have an email sign-up form on it. You can start a blog for free with wordpress dot com.

Put a ‘sign-up to your newsletter’ form on your website or photo/art portfolio site.

You will also need an email provider. This is the place where you send your newsletter from. I use Convertkit.com, please click here to get your free account, which allows you to have the first 1000 subscribers for free. You can always go premium later as your list grows.

What should I write in my newsletter when people have signed up to it?

First of all, as your email list newsletter is to create a relationship with your audience don’t be pushy and plug your creative biz. This will put people off immediately! You want to come across as friendly and informative and most of all provide value.

Remember, there’s always the ‘unsubscribe from email’ button looming menacingly….Lol Keep your reader (audience) in mind at all times. In fact, have a particular person in mind (an avatar) and imagine you’re writing the newsletter for them. Download my free list of things you can write about. Please click here to receive your free ideas!

I would be delighted if you would also like to take a peek at my creative blog! Please click here.

Article by: Vivien Capper This article contains affiliate links. I earn a commission or reward on all qualified purchases made when you use these links. I will only promote products & services I absolutely love!

MINDSET AND HOW IT CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU The difference between success or failure, in everything not just art, is your mindset.

All throughout my school and college life the common theme was “James could do better”, all the report cards, assessments labelled me as “going through the motions” “not extending himself”, “disappointing”. Unbeknown to me at the time this was setting my mind to believe that this is the normal thing, every teacher, every lecturer taught me to believe that “James cannot focus and give his whole attention to the task at hand”. In short from an early age my brain was “programmed” to believe this. Sadly, I did not realise this simple fact until in my 50’s, I didn’t realise the truth about why I couldn’t finish things I started and why the results of many of my “mad schemes” as people called them were always disappointing.

The answer was simply I believed all those negative reports, all the comments that were meant to push me to greater things. That is until I realised the truth is I didn’t focus, and I could have done better, BUT this was simply because that’s what people expected of me and quite frankly the stuff I did at school and college was far too boring and easy, it wasn’t a challenge.

The message here is simple, ignore what anyone else thinks, they are wrong, live your life how you want to create art in the style you enjoy and if no one else likes it then it their loss not yours.

Article by: James Hurley

Bernie Tuffs Hello! I’m Bernie and I live in the little seaside town of Margate and having lived here all my life, I couldn’t live anywhere else now! I’m continually inspired by the scenery here, with skies and light that so excited famous artist J. W. Turner, who said of this area, “…the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe”. Apparently, a love of the sea stayed with him all his life and I can well understand that! Painting with light holds a real attraction for me - the gentle light that is still strong enough to dispel darkness.

I’ve always been arty, progressing from childhood sketching, through gouache and then oil painting, then paper crafting and scrapbooking which led me to digital scrapbooking and finally to Sebastian Michaels and Photo Artistry. My latest venture is designing and selling digital overlays and textures. Now I feel I’m home and am having so much fun with my art!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BernieTuffs

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You Should Be Here

I Will Protect You

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The Command

The Last Tree

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Last Days of Summer

Searching the Skies

Claude Trew I retired a few years ago, and since I had more free time, I decided it was time to expand my photo art skills.

I have been a member of my local camera club for many years, but I wanted to branch out in areas of photography that would be more artistic and outside the style of photographs that are most successful in club competitions. With this in mind, four years ago I joined the international online Photoshop course “My Photo Artistic Life” created

by Sebastian Michaels. I have never regretted my decision and I am still a member of this vibrant and artistic FaceBook community.

A few months ago I joined another online course “Elevate your Art”, this time learning to paint with Photoshop’s mixer brush. My vision is, one day, to be able to paint images which will look like oil paintings.

You are welcome to visit my website to see some samples of my Photo Art.

www.claudetrew.com

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Let Me Out!

Under Attack

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David Walker The world is full of surprises. Travelling along a country road in Staffordshire, I came across a field full of sunflowers! I do not recall ever seeing such a sight before, so took the time to take some images and then, of course, convert them into PhotoArt. The sunflower is a subject to which many artists have turned their attention, from the famous masters to the amateur artist, many have reveled in its glory! The sunflower is often referred to as a representation of happiness, Van Gogh considered it so, indeed his representation in the National Gallery is a piece of art of which he was especially proud.

Yellow, for Van Gogh, was an emblem of happiness and in the sunflower is considered a symbol of devotion and loyalty. As they age the flowers remind us of the cycle of life and death. The strong primary colour that is the signature of the flower, is also transformed by artists into striking images.

Of my own works, my favorite rendering is “A Host, of Golden Sunflowers” with apologies to both Van Gogh and to William Wordsworth! “Sunflower Parade”, Sunflower Solo” and “Explosion of Sunflowers!” makes up my tetralogy of Sunflower Art. I also spent some time this month trying to bring a more depth and dimension into PhotoArt portraits. By concentrating on bringing forward the eye nose and lips you can bring forward the face as a whole and add a very interesting perspective to portrait art.

A couple of examples are also included in this month’s edition.

https://www.vista-foto.com/

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A host, of golden sunflowers

Explosion of Sunflowers!

Sunflower parade

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Sunflower Solo

Royalist, English Civil War

Infantryman - Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Diane Eastham I was born in London, England, but now live in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. I taught English and adult art classes for many years, and eventually wrote a book about my creative experiences: Blaze of Colour: Embracing Creativity.

When it comes to art, I have eclectic tastes and love all sorts of photography including macro and urban. My Photoartistry journey began about 5 years ago when I took Sebastian Michaels Photo Artistry course. I’ve since added AWAKE and KAIZEN to my creative arsenal and enjoy being part of these vibrant facebook communities. I am also on a couple of Digital Scrapbooking Creative Teams which puts my Photo Artistry skills to good use.

I actually began my artistic journey with Calligraphy which has given me a good understanding of fonts and the use of text in Photoshop. I love illuminated manuscripts and historical fashion and have recently begun trying to create these in photoshop…whatever the image, I like to tell some kind of story. The journey continues. Enjoy!

www.dianeeastham.com

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He Turned My World Upside Down

Electra

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Portrait of the Artist

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PerfectlyTuned and Ready to Play

One Way Ticket

Esta Moon Artistry I am a multi media artist from the North West.

I love photography and after joining the 365 project, I soon discovered that I liked to play with my photo’s.

I went on to discover photoshop artistry and that has brought a whole world of art into my life.

Wanting to make my own resources took me into all sorts of different art mediums and I found a particular love for alcohol inks.

I have recently joined patreon and have also started putting resources on Etsy.

I am now playing with resin as not only do I want to make things, I also want to use resin on my artworks.

https://estamoonartistry.art.blog

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Getting my goat

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Into Temptation

Veiled

Willow

James Hurley James is BOLD and direct, this is reflected in his art. He doesn’t let other peoples actions or approaches to life corrupt his mind or attitude. He is his TRUE SELF and has learned to follow his own path brushing himself off and carrying on when he stumbles or has taken a wrong turn, he learns from mistakes or failures. James has turned his negative thoughts about his dreams and ambitions, “its impossible”, into his reality “I’m Possible” this was achieved when he realised he is his most underused and undervalued asset. When asked to describe his work James responded as follows: “I am an Artist. I am a creator. I am a creative entrepreneur. I turn Love, Joy, Passion, challenging emotions into art that makes connections between fantasy and reality to make photo-art that feeds the creative mind and generates happiness at a subconscious level.

I LOVE who I am and I POUR this love, my compassion and raw emotions into my photography and Photo-art as a way of sharing my LOVE with you. My sole aim is to leave a lasting impression on people that I meet, that interact with me online or choose to invest in my work, either my artwork or the magazine.

In short, if you want artwork that resonates with an emotion you have experienced or that fuels your thoughts then look no further, but remember, emotions should be observed and recognised for what they are they should be learnt from and not drive your choice and decision making.”

This month James has submitted one piece of work which sums up his approach to artwork as described above.

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”

Ansel Adams

https://www.mycreativeimages.com/

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On the surface she is calm collected and relaxed, basking in the sun.

In reality she is in turmoil, confused, uncertain and lost in spiralling thoughts of self destruction and a lack of self worth.

Take the time to look beyond the obvious, make the effort to find the real person hidden below the defensive layers they have built to ensure they are socially accepted.

There is Awlays More if you look Closer

Keeley McCleave I studied illustration at art college, so there is a story-telling feel to most of my work. During the summer I re-discovered my love of illuminated manuscripts and was inspired to incorporate some richly detailed page borders in some of my compositions. I love the way borders can draw the viewer into an image and help tell the story.

More recently my attention has turned to the festive season and I have had fun playing with different aspects of a British Christmas, drawing on folklore, historical costumes and traditions.

I love Christmas, so always find it a springboard to creativity!

I hope you enjoy my work, as much as I enjoyed creating it.

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Rocking Horse People No.1

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Rocking Horse People No.2

Rocking Horse People No.3

Rocking Horse People No.4

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Rocking Horse People No.5

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Rocking Horse People No.6

Rocking Horse People No.7

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Rocking Horse People No.8

Rocking Horse People No.9

M M Rainey M M Rainey is the digital artist behind Ad Astra Book Covers, which creates book covers for self publishing authors in the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Steam & Cyber Punk.

These are examples of recent cover work, using techniques of photo manipulation and 3D rendering in a CGI program.

https://www.facebook.com/adastrabookcovers

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Nicky Jameson Nicky’s artistic grunge approach allows her to portray a city’s emotion and nostalgia through a photograph, while layering on textures, colors, stains, fabrics, paint strokes and other mixed media to create an intriguing dreamlike fine art piece that evokes fondness and reminiscence of a landmark, street, or neighborhood. Through these unique and subtle additions, Nicky’s work becomes a lot like memories themselves—layered reflection that’s steeped in a moment’s emotion, connection, and time. From famous landmarks to the anonymous detritus of a city, Nicky’s cityscapes portray the overlapping complexity of urban life, stories and memorykeeping.

To extend her London stories and share the inspiration behind her art Londoner Nicky is launching her online course and community for people looking to learn more about London from the comfort of their home.

“Art should be more than a conversation starter; it should evoke a sense of connection, inspiration, and belonging.”

https://linktr.ee/nickyjameson

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Collage Life

Sue Waterhouse I was given my first DSLR camera for Christmas in 2013 and very quickly became addicted! fortunately, I was lucky enough to take early retirement at the same time.

From 2013 to 2019 my husband and I split our time between Spain and Portugal in the winter, travelling in our motorhome, and the UK and France in the summer. This provided lots of opportunities for many styles of photography.

I am very new to the world of Digital Art and before the pandemic I had only occasionally ventured into photoshop, to remove unwanted items from my photographs.

When the first lockdown was introduced in March 2020, I decided I would use some of the extra time that we were spending at home, working to improve my Photoshop skills.

Discovering the Photo Artistry course and more recently the AWAKE training has made me appreciate and enjoy creating digital art as much as I enjoy digital photography.

I enjoy using photographs I have taken over the last few years and creating digital art from them. I also use models and digital assets provided within the course materials.

As I am still at the start of my creative journey I have not yet found one particular style that I prefer….maybe I never will!

For this month I have put together five images two of which used only my own photographs (“Guiding you home” & “Data”) and the other three used a blend of my own photographs, digital assets and model images.

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Guiding you home

Bonjour Paris

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Data

Feathers

Tilly at Twilight

Susan Jones My name is Susan Jones I have loved photography all my life, though I was rejected from the photography class at school due to not having my own SLR camera.

About 20 years ago a bought a DSLR and haven’t looked back, I love taking photos, mostly studio but as often as possible getting out and about, particularly London.

I have been using Photoshop for a few years, and to my joy found Sebastian Michaels Photoshop Artistry courses and then Awake and have learned so much about Photoshop and continue to learn every day. I love the program, I love changing plain photographs into fantasy colourful worlds.

I hope you enjoy looking at my work as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Credits: Photographer/Post Susan Jones Photography Model: Tegan Elizabeth Concept and design: Sally Gainsford Workshop Wolf dog: Kami Trainer/Breeder: Tracey Honiahaka Fowler

https://www.instagram.com/sulisloveswater/

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Come shine with me

Terry Jane I served for 26 years in the Royal Navy over 20 years of which was as a Fleet Air Arm pilot.

I have always had two main passions outside of flying, photography and computers. When I left the RN I set up a computer support and web design business. This excited my interest in graphics and digital art. I pursued my photography through online courses in fine art and became adept at Lightroom and Photoshop for post processing and editing photographs.

It wasn’t until late 2019 that I discovered the “Photoshop Artistry” course by Sebastian Michaels. I went on to complete the “Creative Black and White Photo Artistry” course and the “Wield Photoshop Like an Artist” course. The whole process captivated me and for the first time in my life gave me a medium to create art that I now realise I had always craved. I signed up for the “AWAKE: Photoshop Mastery Edition” at the beginning of 2020 and I am loving every moment.

Now fully retired I am able to devote much of my time to my art though I have a range of hobbies covering cycling, angling, walking and, when Covid-19 allows, travel.

https://terryjaneart.myportfolio.com

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Florence Street

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Venice Gondolas

Vivien Capper Hello. My name’s Vivien and I’m from the beautiful county of Kent, England though currently living and working near Rome in delightful Italy with its exciting, lively way of life and vibrant colours and designs .

I started out as an artist developing Indian ink artwork of a variety of subjects especially figurative artwork and abstract floral designs, then progressed into creative photography and digital artistry thanks to Sebastian Michael’s courses at ‘Photoshop Artistry’ and the advanced courses ‘Awake’ & ‘Kaizen’.

My inspiration is drawn from my love of nature, figurative artwork and Italian design and I love using many textures, patterns and colours.

I’m thrilled to have some of my artwork in various international publications including: Living the Photo Artistic Life, My Creative Images and I have also gained ‘honourable mentions’ in the Shift Art Monthly Challenge. I was also pleased to be the winner of the Shift Art Challenge with a piece ‘The Mysterious Cobbled Street’.

https://saatchiart.com/vivienjane

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White Flowers in the copse

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Camellia in Pink

White Camellia

wearable artwork Not everybody that likes art wants to hang it on their wall. So why not wear it, you can still enjoy photo-art but in a different way. Visit this Amazon store and take your pick from the 10 designs that are available: https://amzn. to/3lttvvw

portrait masterclass Do you want to learn how to take stunning photographs using one light, well, you can. You can either search around the web for the wealth of information that is out there which can be mind boggling, and after a while you can go cross-eyed and simply get overwhelmed by the different advice and suggestions. Or you can do what I did and found professional photographer, one whose work resonated with my goals and searched for info on any course that he offered.

Save yourself some time, learn how to take stunning portrait photographs from a Master click here for more info.

I would whole heartedly recommend this Masterclass.

If you enjoyed this issue, follow the link below and check out the previous months magazines. Each one is packed full of photo-art made especially for you.

https://issuu.com/mycreativeimages

M e t v IImages ae My CCreative Promoting Digital Photo Artistry