Magpie Magic

Let there be light

2012-01-31T20:20:00.002Z

MCN: CBV8W-1W24U-QGAXU

Another image from my 1/52 Project. This is 4/52. The frame is made from old Indian fabric printing blocks.

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Chinese Lantern

2012-01-30T16:07:00.000Z

MCN: CUXU4-JR3SE-U72XQ

I just love the stark branches of winter with a few berries leftover like little treasures. :-)

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0108

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Lady Godiva

2012-01-27T08:18:00.005Z

MCN: CQ1VW-WFPBQ-18N22

This image was inspired by the legend of Lady Godiva:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Godiva. After trying to persuade her husband to lift the oppressive taxation she finally ended up giving in to his challenge and riding naked through the town 'clothed in her hair' to get him to lift the taxes.

From that original idea I went on to think how women have used their hair to hide behind, to 'embellish' themselves, and the legend of witches who stopped being witches when their hair was cut off. Seems there's magic in hair, as it is one of our greatest weapons still and used in all sorts of ways to entice people to do what we want, which makes hair a double edged sword.

Another image created with a stock image of the beautiful Jessica Truscott (Faestock).

Credits

Model

Red silk13 by faestock

Textures

Vintage Oil Painting Texture Set by Shadowhouse
Another Mixed Texture Set by Shadowhouse

Brushes

Hair brush set by para-vine
Hair Brushes Set 6 by Falln-Brushes
hair brushes by WCS-Wildcat

All other images/textures/brushes my own. Created with Photoshop.

Hearts for Valentine's Day

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000Z

I’ve seen all those Valentine’s cards popping up on RB and thought I’d share all my heart images with you. Most will look great on a card and make an alternative to the often too cute ones you find in the shops:

Hmmm, seems I really have a thing about hearts. LOL Something for everyone’s taste I hope. :-) ♥

Like, like, LIKE - Jewellery on Etsy

2012-01-25T17:17:00.002Z

Here are some things I found on Etsy and I like, like, LIKE them. LOL

Feel free to copy the little banner and add a collection of your favourite handmade items to your blog. Send me a link if you do. We have to support each other! :-)

This shop is called Baronyka and it has some fabulous, interesting and imaginative jewellery...

Some of my favourites:

I love the geometric designs and fabulous texture of the items in this fab shop: StudioMETHODE

You can't beat simplicity, hearts or cherryblossoms, perfect for Valentine's Day: HapaGirls

I'll try and do one of these posts once a month. :-)

Secret Heart

2012-01-25T08:29:00.000Z

MCN: CL2XT-3Q5VX-JK1GC

This is an image I took for the 1/52 project although I didn't use it in the end but used a different shot. The shot is of the reflection of a heart necklace I made for a commission. The heart is made from bronze wire, a red bead and handmade barbed wire chain. :-)

The image is named after the necklace - everybody has a 'secret heart' they hide from most of the people in their lives, but it's that heart that makes them who they are. Meaning, we often don't really know the people in our lives all that well.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images use this code: SYST-0099

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Dragonfly

2012-01-24T14:05:00.002Z

MCN: CAY1Q-9NX4F-MU191

This was a photo of a necklace I made for a friend a while back (the necklace is made from vintage chains, vintage beads and charms and mostly semi-precious beads although a few are crystal). I wanted a mysterious, tragic mood for this image so it is heavily edited and colour adjusted to give a vintage 'film noir' feel.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images use this code: SYST-0097

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

Rockabilly

2012-01-20T14:25:00.000Z

MCN: CBX7G-197HE-1NH11

I've always loved this stock image. It's so cool, but I couldn't think of anything to do with it, because it was perfect as it was, however, then this idea came to me. It reminds me of the scene in Gone with the Wind where Scarlett makes herself a dress from the drawing room curtains. I love the make and mend idea behind this and the fun red shoes. A girl doing for herself and having fun whilst doing so. :-)

Credits

Model

white-5 by xstockx

Texture

Soft-n-Gray from 6 Faves Texture Sets 3 by Shadowhouse

All other images/textures/brushes my own. Created with Photoshop.

Thumbelina

2012-01-19T08:46:00.000Z

MCN: C7497-JCWTK-773QA

Another one in my fairy tales themed images... Came to me when I was playing around with Tilt-Shift.

I remember how I felt when I was a kid and the world seemed so big. It's still big now but in different ways. I wanted my Thumbelina to reflect a more up-to-date image of a 'small' woman - I wanted her to look strong and in charge of the part of world she is inhabiting, not intimidated by it, but mastering it. Maybe it's wishful thinking on the other hand maybe it's inspiring to those of us not quite there yet. :-)

Credits

Model

Blue Wind Preview by faestock

Textures

Photo Tints Overlay Set by Shadowhouse

Brushes

hair brushes by WCS-Wildcat
Hair brush set by para-vine
Grunge Border Bars by Shadowhouse

All other images/textures/brushes my own.

Secret Heart II and more jewellery

2012-01-18T08:26:00.003Z

I thought it was time to show off some jewellery again. This is

Secret Heart II

A commission that made its way across the pond yesterday. It's always been one of my favourite designs. I love the barbed wire chain and the caged heart. Sad, I know.

Here it is once before the oxidisation process, just the bare bronze and then again, oxidised and packed, ready to go. This design takes forever and caused me some very sore fingers. Each part on it, except for the wire (different gauges) and the bead, is made by me. Each barbed wire link takes about 10 minutes to make. The wire heart took me most of an afternoon. Even the jumprings are handmade.

Dragonfly Necklace

This was a present for my friend Helen back in October. I am so pleased with how this turned out. Different chains, different mostly semi precious beads and vintage chains and charms (apart from the swallow at the bottom. Click on it to see a larger version.

A Walk in the Woods

Christmas present for my friend Caroline over on Uniqart. I love wooden beads and seedpod beads and have accumulated quite a few of them (as you can see). I've used every singel one of them plus everyhting else that fitted with the theme including paper beads, fabric beads, Kashmiri beads, a little vintage bear bead, a glass heart, semi precious beads, mother of pearl, horn....

Viking Ships

Christmas present for my friend Helen... She loves blues and purples. The colours reminded me of the sea and the ships on it, hence Viking Ships. Wooden and glass beads, vintage and new, lava and kimono fabric beads, resin and semi precious, even a sead pod or two.

Pomegranate

Pinks and greens and reds... another Christmas present for my friend Liz. :-) Her favourite colours and all the beads I had in those exactl colours. LOL

Pink Eruption

Final jewellery Christmas present for another Caroline. :-) This was one of my silver art clay experiments I liked. I loved the heavy texture on it and thought it worked really well with the pink Calcedony.

That's it (for now anyway). I am always open for commissions, even with older pieces. Just send me an e-mail and ask, if there's something you fell in love with and just have to have. :-)

The Open Road

2012-01-17T09:27:00.002Z

MCN:C2R7P-GP96P-RDPJH

This was taken whilst driving home one day (I wasn't driving, just in case you're wondering). I loved the vista and the promise of the open road. A sort of Thelma & Louise feeling...

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0096

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Flight

2012-01-16T09:11:00.000Z

MCN:CEB87-8FLGL-VC1ET

Collage of my own images taken at the Suffolk coast. I added a more interesting sky and enhanced the image colour-wise. I also added the mist to the front of the image and textures.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0086

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Pretty Bird

2012-01-12T08:51:00.000Z

MCN: CAS7W-4SEF2-9TBNX

Inspired by Imelda May's song "You're Smotherin' Me"

See video here:

and read the lyrics to the song here:

The song made me think of the interaction between "the prisoner and the prison guard" (so to speak). The obsessional tendency itself in the "prison guard" creates its own prison until it becomes unclear who holds whom prisoner. I tried to show this ambiguity of cause and effect in the image. Hence the ambiguous title. :-)

Credits

Model: Isla9 by faestock

Textures (Dirty Wall) by Shadowhouse

Hair brush set by para-vine

All other images/textures/brushes my own. Created in Photoshop.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

2012-01-11T08:52:00.001Z

MCN: CGNUF-F22F6-DU1MY

This was originally designed for the new FB 1/52 Project whereby we have to take one image per week of an everyday object. It doesn't have to be the same everyday object each week, but has to be the same object type, i.e. if the theme is glasses, then I can use beer glasses, wine glasses, tumblers, etc. The shot can be of the object as a whole, in part or multiples.

My theme is mirrors, not because I am so vain, BUT because I have a collection of unusual mirrors. To me they're all magic. :-)

This is also part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0087

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Still Sweet

2012-01-10T09:05:00.000Z

MCN:CJMXU-82GKG-H5E68

The 'button heart' was a Christmas present made by me for a friend. It's about 10 inches square and took roughly 2 1/2 hours to make. All the buttons are threaded onto a wire frame with very thin pink wire, finally, I added a teal organza ribbon.

The title has its origins in a song by Paloma Faith called Broken Doll. You can listen to it below.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images use this code: SYST-0088

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Death of a Butterfly

2012-01-09T09:42:00.000Z

MCN: CBCLC-L5KDW-6JDP1

This is a conceptual work and I am not sure I can explain it adequately. Normally a butterfly is the symbol of renewal, re-incarnation however, in this the butterfly dies, so the renewal is cancelled. I've made a plain white paper origami butterfly for this to indicate the death of the magic and innocence. On a subconscious level this is deeply feminine and feminist to me, hence the blood on the butterfly and the wall. Once girls turn into women their deaths begin, the only renewal remains in reproduction, until then everything was possible.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0076

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

You're Doing it to Yourself!

2012-01-07T12:46:00.000Z

MCN:C991U-BW34N-K1M6M

Sorry if this is a bit disturbing, but I felt it was an important topic and had to be shown in all its 'goriness' (is that a word?) Especially nowadays there are so many people self-harming, many of them young women, and it often is the only way to express those feelings that cannot find another way to be expressed.

PS. I didn't actually spill any blood for this image - it was a scratch from my cat's claws (he's VERY clumsy) and a texture I'd created.

Check out this link for more information or how to get help with self-harming.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images use this code: SYST-0077

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Mystical

2012-01-05T08:06:00.002Z

Just received the go ahead to post the image on my blog and portfolio sites, so here's a bigger version:

MCN: CS86V-C8MHC-8WBED

I loved the original stock images of the girl in the gold corset and wanted to create something magical with it. :-) It reminded me of all the female mystics of history - from the Oracle of Delphi to Cassandra, Theresa of Avila, Hildegard of Bingen and so on.

Credits

Gold Corset 8 by sd-stock
Textures from Shadowhouse

All other images/textures/brushes my own or bought. Created in Photoshop.

Star Light, Star Bright and Mystical

2012-01-04T17:21:00.000Z

MCN: C8B83-97L3D-6LLPX

Inspired by the nursery rhyme Star Light, Star Bright and the film Stardust.

Credits

Titania Preview by faestock
Hair Stocks by Dezzan
HairStock III by Dezzan

All other images/brushes/textures my own. Created in Photoshop.

MCN: CS86V-C8MHC-8WBED

This image is only available on DeviantArt at the moment. I hope to be able to release it to my other sites soon. Click here to see the large version (and print) on DeviantArt.

Credits

Gold Corset 8 by sd-stock
Textures from Shadowhouse

All other images/textures/brushes my own or bought. Created in Photoshop.

that room in my head

2011-12-29T23:09:00.002Z

MCN: CT2NF-PSJFC-K88W4

Illustration for my poem of the same name. Read it here

Credits

Ash38 by faestock
Fave Texture Set 4 (Optional) by Shadowhouse

All other images, textures, brushes etc. my own. Created with Photoshop (and lots of time).

Some Recipes for New Year's Eve

2011-12-27T15:19:00.001Z

I love cooking and despite all the stress over Christmas I love the cooking and making up new recipes. I thought I share some of the ones I've tried over the last few days. If you're short of new party food recipes, try these. :-)

Baba Ganoush (my way)

I love this aubergine dip. It's spicy and cool all at the same time and works well on blinis, crips or small slices of pitta bread, and best of all, it doesn't take long at all to make.

Ingredients
2 medium large aubergines
1 clove of garlic
2 chillis (1 green, 1 red)
1 tsp black onion seeds
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp tomato & chilli jam (recipe here) alternatively use 1tsp tomato puree and 1-2 tsp chilli sauce
2 parsley finely chopped parsley
juice of half a lime
salt & pepper to taste
3 tbsp roasted pine nuts

Roast the aubergines on a baking tray for about 20-30 min at 160 C (fan assisted or 180 C conventional oven). The exact time will depend on the size of the aubergines and your oven. Just keep checking them. The outer skin should be dry and crackling but not burnt.
After 15 minutes add the chillis to the roasting aubergines. The outer skin should darken but not burn.
Whilst the aubergines are roasting, finely chop the garlic and parsley and juice the lime.
When the aubergines and chillis are ready, take them out and let them cool for a little bit until they are cool enough to handle.
Once they are cool enough, slit the aubergines lengthways with a knife and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. The flesh should be soft and smell sweet - almost like warm honey.
Chop the flesh finely and place it in a bowl with the other ingredients.
Chop the chillis. You can use the seeds if you want the texture and heat, otherwise remove them before adding them to the other ingredients.
Mix well and season to taste.
Smooth the top of the mix.
Add the roasted pine nuts, a sprig of parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
Cover with cling film and keep in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

The dip shouldn't be ice cold, so remove it from the fridge half an hour before you want to use it.

Hummus (my way)

This is a chickpea dip and easy to buy in most supermarkets, but I much prefer my own and it's easy to make. Serve with mini pitta breads.

Ingredients
1 tin of chickpeas drained
1 clove of garlic
juice of 1 lime
olive oil or mix of olive oil and sunflower oil (depending on the strength of your olive oil - strong olive oil like extra virgine can overpower the delicate taste of the chickpeas)
1 heaped tsp of tahini
1tbsp of choped parsley
salt & pepper to taste

Put the chickpeasin the food processor together with the lime juice, the garlic, the tahini and 3 tbsp of oil .
Blend the chickpeas to a smooth paste adding more oil as required.
Add the parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
Blend briefly before putting it into a bowl and covering with a sprig of parsley and a little oil.

I also like adding basil leaves to mine when I can get them. You can sprinkle it with roast pine nuts or add chillis or sunblushed tomatoes to the mix to make it taste different.The hummus will keep well in the fridge covered with cling film, however, like the baba ganoush, it should not be served ice cold.

Smoked Salmon, Tarragon and Lime Dip

This is perfect for using up smoked salmon from Christmas. :-) These can be served on blinis or little crackers.

Ingredients
100g smoked salmon, finely chopped
100g cream cheese
100g sour cream or creme fraiche
1 tbsp capers (finely chopped if they are large)
1tsp chopped tarragon
1tsp chopped parsley
1/2 tsp zest of lime
juice of 1/2 a lime
1tbsp sunflower oil
salt & pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together and season to taste.

Keep it in the fridge until just before serving.

Stilton & Apricot Canapes

The perfect little canapes to impress your friends. Use a vegetarian stilton if some of your friends are vegetarian. The German rye bread adds another dimension.

Ingredients
100g ripe stilton with any rind removed and roughly chopped
75g cream cheese
75g sour cream or creme fraiche
a little cream if require to loosen the mixture
salt & pepper
50g dried (juicy) apricots cut into quarters
German rye bread cut into 1 inch squares

Mix the stilton, cream cheese and sour cream (or creme fraiche) in a bowl with a fork. Mashing the stilton as you go along. If needed (stilton can be quite salty) add salt. Season with pepper. You might need a little cream to lighten the mixture if it's too heavy going.
Add 1 tsp of the mix to each small square and decorate with a quarter apricot and arrange on a serving plate.

You can keep the canapes in the fridge, covered with cling film until serving.

Cheese Twirls
Easy to make and great party food.

Ingredients
1 sheet of shop bought puff pastry
50g of finely grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp of black onion seeds
1 egg for brushing

Cover the top half of the pastry sheet with half the cheese.
Fold over the bottom half of the pastry so it covers the top.
Roll out this sheet until it is as thin as the original.
Cut into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 3 inches long.
Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Twist each strip and lay it on the baking tray. Leaving about a gap of 1/2 inch between each strip.
Brush each strip with egg.
Dust the strips with the remaining parmesan and sprinkle with the black onion seeds.

Bake them in a medium oven (180 C conventional oven/160 C fan oven) until golden brown. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. These can be stored for a day or two in an air tight container.

Feta and Spinach Parcels

These are perfect for your vegetarian and non-vegetarian friends. :-) Just make sure you buy a vegetarian feta.

Ingredients
1 pack of shop bought filo pastry
fresh spinach (about 200g)
4 tbsp parsley chopped
200g feta
2-3 tbsp of greek yoghurt
butter melted for brushing
sesame seeds to taste
salt & pepper to taste
1 pinch nutmeg

Filling

Put the spinach in a collandar and pour over boiling water. Put a lid on the collandar and leave to steam for a few minutes. Take the lid off and leave to cool.
Once the spinach is cool enough to handle, squeeze out the excess liquid.
Chop roughly.
Chop the feta into cubes or crumble it into the food processor.
Add the spinach, nutmeg, yoghurt, parsley and salt and pepper to taste. The mix shouldn't need much salt as feta can be quite salty by itself.
Pulse the mix until it has combined and turned into a paste.

Making the parcels

Lay out one sheet of filo pastry. (Keep the rest of the pastry covered with a damp, clean tea towel.)
Brush lightly with melted butter.
Put another sheet exactly over the top.
Depending on the size of your pastry sheets work out squares of about 10cm and cut them ready for the mix.
Put a heaped teaspoon of the feta/spinach mix into the top left corner of each square.
Brush the edges of each square with melted butter.
Fold the bottom right corner of each pastry square onto the top.
Press down on the edges all around the feta/spinach mix, making sure the edges hold together securely.
Brush each triangle with butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
When all the mixture/pastry is used up, put the squares on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
Bake in a hot oven (200 C conventional oven/180 C fan oven) for about 10 minutes until golden brown.

Use any leftover pastry to make, e.g. an apple strudel or a meat pie with meat left over from Christmas.

Leftover Mini Pies

These work well with most meats leftover from Christmas dinner, be it turkey, chicken, duck, goose, gammon, or ham. You could also try them with leftover venison or beef, however in this case I'd leave the leek out and maybe just add a little cranberry sauce at the top of each pie.

Ingredients

Leftover meat cut into small pieces
1-2 leeks (depending on the amount of leftover meat)
a handful of mushrooms (optional)
1tbsp parsley
2 tbsp butter for frying
1 pinch of sugar
1 pinch of nutmeg
1 pinch of pepper
1 dash of Worchester Sauce
2 tbsp flour (the same amount as the butter)
50ml white or rose wine
100ml cream
leftover gravy
water if the mixture gets to thick
1 sheet shop bought puff pastry per muffin tray (tray should hold six muffins)
1 egg for brushing

Prepare the filling

Cut the leek into thin rings and the mushrooms (if used) into thin slices.
Fry the leeks and mushrooms in the butter until they start to soften.
Add the parsley.
Add the spices (nutmeg, sugar and pepper).
Add the flour and fry for 1 minute.
Add the wine and stir until the wine has been absorbed.
Pour in the cream and leftover gravy.
Cook for a few minutes. The mixture should be creamy but not too thick
Add the meat.
Season to taste. Adding a dash of Worchester sauce before tasting and adding the salt.
Let the mix cool down slightly.

Prepare the pasty

Grease your muffin tray(s).
Cut larger circles for the bottom parts of the pies and smaller ones for the lids. I used two different glasses to cut the circles.
Line the muffin trays with the pastry.
Add the filling into each.
Brush the edges of the pastry with egg.
Put the lids on, crimping the edges of the bottoms with the lids to make sure they're held together tightly.
Cut a cross into the centre of each lid.
Brush the lids with egg.
Use the leftover pastry to cut leaves for decoration if desired.
Brush the leaves with egg.

Cook in a medium oven (180C conventional oven/160C fan oven) for around 15 minutes depending on your oven until the tops are golden brown.

Serve with a salad for a light lunch or with roast potatoes and a vegetables for dinner. Once cooked they keep well in the fridge for a day or two.

Let me know if you try these recipes and how they worked out for you. :-)

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-25T11:33:00.002Z

Have a wonderful Christmas Day everyone!

dreamer and the dream

2011-12-23T19:00:00.002Z

MCN: CTRS1-WMA6S-U8AW2

Illustration for my poem of the same name (read here)

Credits

Rosa14 by faestock
Another Mixed Texture Set by Shadowhouse
Hair brush set by para-vine

All other images/textures/brushes etc my own. Created in Photoshop.

Murder with a Kiss

2011-12-21T09:35:00.000Z

MCN: CVHFN-RVLGH-HFUJF

I thought Christmas was the perfect time to post this. ;-)
With all the family together, I am sure we all have thoughts like that now and again. Especially, with the usual stress and disasters over the holidays...!
Sorry, I just couldn't resist a little 'tongue-in-cheek'

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0073

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Together - in the spirit of the season...

2011-12-19T14:00:00.000Z

MCN: CUTV1-PD2FW-2CEHE

Another of my origami images, this time a crane. :-) They are actually three different cranes, I didn't just take a picture of the same one from different angles. :-) Thought this one was perfect for the season...

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images: http://www.arcangel-images.com - use this code: SYST-0064

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Face in the Mirror

2011-12-18T11:34:00.001Z

MCN: CT9JF-V24MF-NRLUQ

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0072

I was experimenting with my favourite mirror. I've used it before in "The Sky is Blue Somewhere Else" and in "All the Jewels in the World". I wonder how many more versions I can come up with, all different of course. LOL

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Now for something spooky and a new story

2011-12-16T08:34:00.001Z

MCN: CWPQJ-6U7FH-BVSJR

I wanted to have a play with a hand coming out of the ground. The hand is my own. :-) Maybe this means I am going to come back and haunt you all. LOL

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0071

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

You can see the whole collection of images I have on Arcangel-Images.com here on my Facebook page.

All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

Here's a new story called The Heart of Wood for everyone who liked the Secret Keeper series. It's related to the Secret Keeper Universe. :-)

The Last of the Moonlight

2011-12-13T08:16:00.000Z

MCN: CY652-XWN5X-4H6SX

I have two of these wire dummies to display the jewellery I make. I love the detail on them and the 'feminity' they encapsulate so took some pictures of them.

The image is for me about the 'autumn of our lives', when we take stock of who we are, who we were and when we have to reassess who we want to be. It's about the lost beauty of youth and the treasures we have accumulated. :-)

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images: http://www.arcangel-images.com - use this code: SYST-0074

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Waiting for Love

2011-12-08T10:10:00.001Z

MCN: CDG7J-CCYVE-RJU81

This was an experiment with a heart cut out from some packaging material and a ribbon. I love the magic feel this has. :-) Just right for the first blush of love.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0045

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Glory and Remember - Through a Glass Darkly Series

2011-12-07T09:29:00.001Z

MCN: C49TD-E5JFR-2T31Q

For licensing on Arcangel-Images.com use code SYST-0061

There is glory in the colours of autumn; the last burst of colour before winter. This is a celebration of this glory. :-)

MCN: CBVJX-9SF4H-RKF2A

This was taken only a few days ago, late in the afternoon with the light fading. Chestnuts with their prickly outer layer and the smooth inside always seemed magic to me as a child. They are the perfect place to keep secret memories. :-)

All my own images. :-)

All my (licensing) images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

Sorrow, Joy and Regrets

2011-12-06T08:40:00.001Z

Sorrow

MCN:CVFPT-C4GXE-43N6C

Joy

MCN:CPPRK-E87C8-VTLVK

Regrets

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I feel so inspired by the wonderful autumn/winter light and the contrast of the bare branches and the little colour left in the remaining leaves and fruit against clear crisp sky.

Joy and Regrets are also available for licensing from my Arcangel-Images portfolio

All three images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

New Escape Collection - Give someone a dream for Christmas! ;-)

2011-12-02T09:02:00.001Z

My latest collection on Envelop, available here.

The design can also be ordered as a t-shirt, for light colours go here, for dark colours go here.

More goodies available on Envelop (click on an image to see a larger version):

Why not treat yourself or someone you love to something special for Christmas. :-)

Also check out my Redbubble pages for lovely Christmas cards and calendars.

Through a Glass Darkly

2011-12-01T09:15:00.001Z

MCN: CQ2RK-9UQUG-4URSD

I've always loved this phrase and wondered what it meant and how it (probably) has a different flavour for each one of us. This is how it looks to me. :-) The phrase is from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:12 - see here.

There are three more images in this series, which I'll post over the next few days. :-)

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0049

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Hope

2011-11-29T09:18:00.001Z

MCN: CEGW7-7KMXM-4MDDV

Ever since I created Paper Boats: http://www.redbubble.com/people/magpiemagic/works/8065586-paper-boats I had the origami bug.... so here's another with origami butterflies folded by me with 'proper' origami paper. Butterflies have always been a symbol of hope for me - being able to completely change who you are and become someone new is nothing short of a miracle. :-)

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images: http://www.arcangel-images.com - use this code: SYST-0046

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

The Sky is Blue Somewhere Else

2011-11-28T08:30:00.001Z

MCN: CHUN5-LJYF4-BPTVR

I am still going with the Snow White theme here. Don't we always think that somewhere else the grass is greener, the sky more blue... etc? And whilst we think that, we neglect what we have.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0042

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

Holding On

2011-11-25T09:16:00.001Z

MCN: CYGAJ-UC6GX-9QRM7

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0031
Conceptual, emotional image about holding on to your heart, your love, your life.

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

All the Jewels in the World

2011-11-24T10:26:00.001Z

MCN: CJ8QP-G46MD-4963V

The mirror and jewellery are my own. Most of the jewellery is handmade (by me). I've got it hanging on the mirror so it doesn't tangle up, and because it looks so pretty. LOL To me it has the look of the mirror Snow White's evil stepmother used. Something very feminine and personal, a woman's armoury. ;-)

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0034

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

Essential Cat

2011-11-23T08:30:00.001Z

MCN: CP922-9KCGK-PXHKF

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0036

This is the best photo of my cat I've managed to shoot so far. I love the 'in your face' feeling of it and it shows his personality so well. I've done very little editing except for a little enhancement.

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

Day at the Beach

2011-11-21T10:03:00.001Z

MCN: C8BDT-M3XM5-K793A

I didn’t actually find the car at the beach, but one day when I walked around town with my camera… however, I thought it’d look perfect on the beach. :-) The lobster sign and the beach image are from the Suffolk Coast.

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images – use this code: SYST-0022

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Next in series - Broken

2011-11-18T08:23:00.001Z

MCN: C1359-KTYND-EKEHN

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0021

This is a conceptual image - I wanted to create the feeling of 'broken', abandoned, shattered.

All images my own, no stock used. Created in Photoshop.

Sweetheart and Bangles II

2011-11-17T08:18:00.001Z

MCN:C45X5-W532Q-HHPUP

MCN: CXRTQ-AXJQH-DCF1F

Sweetheart
Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images – use this code: SYST- 0032
All images my own, no stock used.
This is actually a necklace I made for myself. The locket and key are vintage. I just love the locket. It’s so special and I only got three. One I made into a necklace for my sister. :-) So this one is dedicated to my little sister. ♥

Bangles II

Also art of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images – use this code: SYST-0029
I wanted to create something really girly that shows how it sometimes makes me feel when I put on my jewellery, my makeup and just feel good.
All images my own, no stock used.

All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

New Prints and iPhone Case

2011-11-15T09:03:00.001Z

MCN: C2F8H-KS8T4-Y7CQD

MCN:CAA73-KQSSL-2UA5B

I've uploaded my images Midsummer Night and Paper Boats to Redbubble, so now it cannot only be licensed from Arcangel-Images, you can also get yourself a greeting card, poster or high quality print (framed, mounted or just the print) from Redbubble.

All images my own, now stock used.

The Midsummer Night image made the front page on Arcangel-Images today. :-) I am so in love with this image, especially as someone watched me take the photo of the hawthorn and just couldn’t see why I’d want to take a picture of it! I hope this picture shows why the shot was definitely worth it. LOL

I spent ages folding the Paper Boats and was surprised that I still remembered how. Haven’t done that in years. It’s another of my all time favourites. I love the peaceful and serene feeling that emanates from the image.

I also created a new iPhone case from one of my existing images - Pure Love. This was by special request, and I am so glad as it looks so pretty, see for yourself:

Redbubbles iPhone cases (currently only available for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s) are very special, to quote Redbubble:

Long life, super-bright colors embedded directly into the case
Extremely durable one-piece, shatterproof plastic casing
Full-wrap printing
Allows access to all device features; iPhone charges while in case
Special keyhole ring keeps photos completely unobstructed
Available in 1000s of unique designs
Fits all mobile providers, including AT&T and Verizon

I am still extremely busy creating more art for Arcangel-Images and textures for the TextureVault.

Feature in Digitalis Magazine and other news

2011-11-10T07:57:00.001Z

It's been a busy two weeks.

After my computer crash and involuntary break in creating art, I've been busier than ever getting my art on Arcangel-Images. I am still totally swamped as I need 40 images all created from my own photographs and I am only on image no. 19.

I've also added some of my textures to the TextureVault

AND I've been featured in the Digitalis Magazine. You can find the RB group here

Here's the Feature and here it is again, and here it is on Facebook.

It looks totally fantastic and I am so grateful to Thomas, one of the curators of the magazine, for the feature and the wonderful way he presented all my images. :-)

What a fabulous thing to wake up to!

New T-shirts!

2011-11-07T10:42:00.004Z

MCN: CTTQR-JXJ3C-VLLTE

MCN: CMNFK-TMGDB-6UCRQ

A new t-shirt design - it's something I was working on when my computer was kaputt (on actual paper!). :-)

The design is available with a white outline for dark colours and with a black outline for lighter t-shirt and hoodie colours. There are lots of colours available for the different t-shirt shapes and hoodies, see below.

Angels and Demons

2011-10-31T18:01:00.000Z

I was sent an image by the model and asked if I could create something similar to my Dissembling - Welcome to the Dark side image (see below) and this is what I came up with. :-)

We always have a bit of both inside us...

Credits

Model Kirsty Childs

Backgrounds and Textures

FIRE IN THE SKY STOCK by ArwenArts
Fire by Tortured-Raven-Stock

Brushes

Feather Brushes PS - 01 by silinias
Feather Brushes PS - 02 by silinias
Hair brush set by para-vine

All other images/textures/brushes my own.

MCN: CY7S4-QN6HB-WL3AF

Head in the Clouds

2011-10-29T20:10:00.000+01:00

Don't you sometimes get this feeling? :-)

Credits

Model

Crack by Nikxstock

Stock

Hair stock PSD files by Dezzan
Lomo Light Leaks by Denny Tang

Textures and Backgrounds

Photo Tints Overlay Set (Lichen) by Shadowhouse

Brushes

Hair brush set by para-vine

All other images/textures/brushes my own.

MCN: C1WFY-XF41N-APMK2

Walking in Shadows

2011-10-27T14:51:00.000+01:00

Illustration to go with my poem of the same name.

Credits

Model

lost by night-fate-stock

Stock

Raining Petals 0015 by Akuard-Stock

Background/Textures

Stock 111 by UmbraDeNoapte-Stock

Brushes

Smoke Brushes Set 1 by Falln-Stock
air brush set by para-vine

All other images/textures/brushes my own.

MCN: C57FS-3QVFW-K9MJA

Back to work....

2011-10-27T13:11:00.000+01:00

My computer is finally back (well all new since the old one couldn't be rescued.... ) However, thanks to my favourite in-house technical wizard I am now flying. :-)

Here are a couple of new iPhone cases I produced on the laptop:

CYR53-95GR4-D37KH

Dragon Mine - buy it here

Credits on the Redbubble Page. Special thanks to Rudy Bagozzi for allowing me to use his fabulous snake skin texture.

MCN: CRW52-FGRAS-MATXD

The First People (hommage to my favourite ever TV series Fringe) - buy it here

More to come soon.

Computer kaputt....:-(

2011-10-13T12:13:00.002+01:00

My desktop computer is kaputt and my laptop not powerful enough to create my art, so I haven't had a chance to create anything new.

Waiting for parts and hoping they arrive soon and that my computer works again after... Sigh. I wish they made these things to last rather than to break so you have to go and buy a new one. :-(

I am still hoping that it can be fixed by my personal magic Mr. Fixit though. Fingers crossed.

All New Redbubble iPhone Cases

2011-10-10T08:31:00.004+01:00

MCN: CM9FT-B2LEC-XQQGV

MCN: C4MJL-AHLNR-QUNK7

MCN: C8WJA-1WG5P-SJCFV

MCN: C62DH-YCFVA-5TK2V

MCN: CXXFK-M1WR2-ALEPD

MCN: C53Y8-BRQST-QBW64

MCN: C3K5H-2PJE7-DUEN3

All NEW iPhone case designs on Redbubble. These are proper cases with fade resistent designs, not decals and something very different and stylish to protect your lovely iPhone 4. :-) You can buy them here.

Old Lace

2011-10-07T11:31:00.000+01:00

Another in my hipster series.
I love vintage lace and have a collection of lace trim that I use in my craft projects. I took some photos of it recently thinking of making brushes with it, when I had the idea for this image.
Lace often has been a tool of seduction. The oldest spinner of lace is, of course the spider, who weaves its web to trap its food. However, lace is also used as a lure but I wondered how often it traps the person who uses this tool? Seduction is a two way thing after all.... and used in the oldest profession in the world...

Credits

Model

Ice Queen 13 by Aurora-Dawn

Stock

Stock 016 - Corset by senzostock
moths and butterflies stock129 by hatestock
moths and butterflies stock134 by hatestock
moths and butterflies stock114 by hatestock

All other images/textures/brushes my own.

MCN: C2C3X-KWD47-LNT68

Mine! - iPhone Cases on Redbubble

2011-10-06T15:10:00.000+01:00

Redbubble is now printing iPhone cases (not just the decals you can stick on, but a proper protective case). I had fun designing one this morning.... ;-) You can buy your own here.

MCN: CM9FT-B2LEC-XQQGV

Wild at Heart

2011-10-04T08:33:00.003+01:00

The latest in my Hipster series.
I love this series by the model, so I used two of the images from it.
Wild at heart is something that stays with you and it creates the memories you'll live on when you can't physically be quite so wild any longer... :-)

Credits

Model

American-2 by xstockx
American-7 by xstockx

Stock

Dirty Polaroid Frame : I. by ArtOfDecay-Stock

Brushes

Watercolor Brushes Vol 1 on WeGraphics.com

All other images/textures/etc my own.

MCN: CSESX-EB1CV-HSDR6

Harvest Time and Recipe for Tomato Chilli Jam

2011-10-03T17:00:00.002+01:00

Nante Carrots

Yellow Courgette

Onion Flower

Red Onions

Pepper and Chillies

Tomatoes including Marmande and Greek Basil

All the vegetables are from my allotment and freshly harvested.

Tomato and Chilli Jam

2 kg tomatoes (ripe, skinned and quartered)
4 large red chillies (chopped roughly with or without seeds)
3 small (or 2 medium) red onions
1 clove of garlic (or more if wanted)
1 tablespoon olive oil (and more to cover the jam in the jars)
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons balsam vinegar
4 tablespoons red wine
salt & pepper to taste
1 tablespoon black onion seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
approx. 100g golden caster sugar

Gently fry the onions with the chillies and spices (pepper, black onion seeds, cumin and fennel seeds) in the olive oil until soft and starting to caramelise (don't burn them).
Add the red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar and gently simmer until the vinegar has been absorbed.
Add the red wine and gently simmer until the wine has been absorbed.
Add the tomatoes and sugar, stir occasionally (stage 1) and let it simmer gently until the liquid from the tomatoes has almost been absorbed (stage 2). This can take several hours and has to be done slowly - don't try and cut corners and have the liquid bubbling at a high temperature as the sugar content might make it burn at the bottom.
Taste and add more sugar if required.
Add a pinch of salt to taste.
Fill into jars and drizzle a little olive oil over the top (stage 3)

I am not sure how long it will keep, but think it will be fine for a few weeks. The jam is very hot and perfect with cheese or cold meets or could be mixed with a little oil to make a marinade for chicken, steak or grilled vegetables. If you don't like it too hot, remove the seeds from the chillies and use less of them. :-)

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Wall Flower

2011-09-30T12:03:00.000+01:00

Another in my hipster series.
Don't you just hate waiting for your date? All dressed up, ready to go, and a no-show. :-(

Credits

Model

dress stock 003 by deadstarx-stock

Stock

bow by KAWproductions

All other images, stock, textures, brushes, my own.

MCN: CY4MY-1HXMA-F9342

memory-bytes

2011-09-28T20:59:00.000+01:00

This is to go with my poem of the same name.

All my own images.

MCN: C96RC-KU3JK-EXEVQ

Heroine

2011-09-24T22:02:00.000+01:00

Another image in my Hipster series. There's magic in books. I always knew that. :-) For those of you who are curious - the open book is Tales by Edgar Allen Poe and the story shown is "The Tell-Tale Heart".

Credits

Model

Soul of Music 12 by Kechake-stock

Stock

Mouse stock 49 by hatestock
Butterfly 3 by Sammykaye1sStamps

Brushes

Hair brush set by para-vine
Magic by spiritsighs-stock

All other images/textures/brushes my own.

MCN: CS9VN-UK7LP-66J1C

Drawing Day 2011 Book

2011-09-23T08:25:00.004+01:00

Guess what I just saw? I found out the Drawing Day book had been published and since I’d submitted an image, I, of course, wanted to know if one of my images had made it into the book….

I checked out the link and read the Q&A and only when I looked at the pictures properly did I realise that, yes, my image HAS made it into the book. LOL I am so pleased. It’s a great cause and I am so proud to be part of it.

Not only is my image in the book, it’s got a whole page to itself as well. :-)

Here it is:

Hope to find lots of friends in the book. :-) xo

Love's Labour's Lost - I & II

2011-09-22T12:15:00.000+01:00

MCN: CDQGH-F86MK-2ERNF

MCN: C73LR-6TX69-UTYKG

I can spell...honestly! This is the title of the play in my version of it (quite an old edition from 1905). I love old books and I've got three teeny editions of Shakespeare's plays (Love's Labour's Lost, MacBeth and the Taming of the Shrew).

The pictures were taken outside in my garden and edited with my own textures. No stock materials used.

More images with books to come...

Street Music

2011-09-21T21:04:00.001+01:00

Another image in my hipster series. The different rhythms and types of music you hear on the street - and not just with your ears...

Credits

Complextion by PersephoneStock
3 transparent PNG toy soldiers by AbsurdWordPreferred

All other images/brushes/textures etc my own.

MCN: C489Y-YNXRG-XE2U9

Hero

2011-09-19T09:33:00.002+01:00

Very different from what I normally do, but I loved the feeling I got with this of a hero 'on business' and the stories this image holds. :-)

All my own images.

Model (candid shot) The Sonic Manipulator

Taken at the Cherry Hinton Festival 2011, Cambridge and edited by me with my own textures/images.

MCN: C431H-47HSB-CBBE2

Floating

2011-09-16T08:29:00.006+01:00

One moment of peace amongst all the 'busy-ness' of our lives. One moment, when it's just us, when no demands or needs intrude.

Poem to accompany the illustration.

Credits

Model

Sandra labutova by deviant-caroline

Stock

Transparent PNG balloon by Freaky-Stock
Clock Face 2 by AGF81
STOCK PNG hearts in the wind by MaureenOlder
Veil Stock Package 2 by almudena-stock

All other images/stock/textures my own.

MCN: CDRHE-5X2KB-PSCEE

Last of the Summer - Hydrangea

2011-09-15T08:18:00.000+01:00

I was sorting out my front garden yesterday and found this last Hydrangea hiding under some polygonum (Russian Vine) which I foolishly planted years and years ago and which, despite trying to kill it several times, keeps covering the front of the garden to make my house look like Sleeping Beauty's castle. LOL

All my own resources. No stock used.

MCN: C5G4H-89VW7-G2QK3

Love ♥

2011-09-14T08:07:00.000+01:00

This was a bit of an experiment with a new brush I created. The brush consists of old fashioned typewriter keys and I wanted to see how it could/would work in an image.

I was going for the feeling of day dreaming and thinking of your love.

All my own resources - typewriter keys brush, textures, background images, bokeh.

MCN: CCCWQ-KMVCV-58184

What a week!

2011-09-13T17:20:00.000+01:00

I've been so lucky -

I've had another homepage, (the third in 3 weeks)

with my image Renaissance

Here are the other two homepage features:

I also had a link and image on the Redbubble Blog and in the newsletter,

and won a challenge in the Art Universe my image Not a Toy

So to celebrate there are two new brush sets. You can use the brushes in prints on RB or DA.

MM Stylised Cloud Brushes

MM Curvy Grungy Swirls Brushes

All Dressed Up

2011-09-10T12:16:00.000+01:00

There's something so magic in getting dressed up - be it for your wedding or a night out. There's ritual and fairy dust, and at the best of times it makes you feel like you, just more so, and at the worst times it makes you feel like a doll... We so often forget that we should always do it for ourselves, to make ourselves feel good, to remember who we are, just more so. A celebration of self... Cinderella is going to the ball. :-)

Credits

Model

Red Hair Cabaret by insomnia-stock

Stock

Make up set by simplyuse

Brush

Hair brush set by para-vine

All other images/textures/brushes my own.

MCN: CP71K-J4JG2-SXLA1

Love Is ♥

2011-09-08T18:00:00.000+01:00

Another of my 'Hipster' images.
Butterflies and a thumping heart. How much better can it get?

Credits

Model

Love is in the air by Buscuittt

Stock

Hearts Stock 8 by Yatim-Stock
heart yarn by Almasa-stock
STOCK PNG hearts in the wind by MaureenOlder

Brushes

Hair brush set by para-vine

All other images/textures/brushes etc my own.

MCN: CY7RK-PQCUF-QBNS4

URGENT - UK Artists - Fight For Your Moral Rights

2011-09-07T12:21:00.001+01:00

Please read the following page:

UK Artists - Fight For Your Moral Rights

You have until close of business today (7th September 2011) to send your submission to be viewed by the committee.

Here's what I sent:

Summary

Artists should have the right to profit from their own work
Artists should have the moral right to their work
Copyright should automatically be assigned to the artist
Due diligence should be a matter of course for orphan works
Art should be protected in the same way and manner as music and writing
Instead of curtailing artist's right to their own work, education about copyright and copyright infringements should take place
The government should not bow to the pressure of Google or other interested parties that want to steal artists right to their own work.
The UK should assimilate its copyright and intellectual property laws with the rest of the EU
Considering that the internet is already facilitating a 'take what you want' attitude the government surely should not support and sanction this attitude
Loss of revenue due to the fact that artist are not 'allowed' to profit from their own work.

Detailed argument

According to the following laws:

UnitedNations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 27 (2)states:
1 Everyone has theright freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, toenjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and itsbenefits.
2 Everyone has the right to the protection of themoral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literaryor artistic production of which he is the author.
Notealso that a recent UK court ruling (20thCFox vs 'Newsbin2') established that -
Copyrights are property rights protected by Article1 of the First Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights,as also expressed in Article 1 of theFirst Protocol of the Human Rights Act 1998;
piracy of copyright work is a breach of the copyrightholder's human rights;
the copyright holder is therefore entitled to legalredress;
and, because 'so far as possible, primary legislationand subordinate legislation must be read and given effect in a waywhich is compatible with human rights', legislation drafted andenacted subsequent to the enactment of the HumanRights Act 1998 must also be read and given effect in a way whichis compatible with human rights.

the attempt to relieve artists of their rights is unlawful andunjust. The moral right of an artist to his/her own work should beunwaivable and copyright automatic as it is in current UK copyrightlaw, EU and UN law.

For any artist who tries to makea living from his/her art, this new law would make it impossible tomake a living as it does not take into consideration the needs of theartist as a business. From web portfolios to personal websites,blogs, print on demand art sites etc to licensing and commissionedwork, the artist cannot rely on word of mouth alone but has to makeuse of the internet to promote his/her work. However, inherent inthis kind of promotion is the danger of art being stolen and/orplagiarised. This doesn't just take place with the odd person liftingan image for a party invitation, but includes big businesses takingadvantage of artists, point in case, Paper Chase. The detailsof this can be readhere

Most artists cannot afford big corporate lawyers to deal with suchinfringements and are therefore relying on the law to be clear andjust so these cases can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

For artists who license their work additional issues become aproblem. For example, if an artist issues an 'exclusive license' thismeans that the art cannot be used for anything or anywhere else. Ifthe art is used, e.g. because it is stolen, the artist is in breachof contract and can be sued for damages through no fault of his/herown.

Visual artists are separated from performance/music artists andwriters and copyright seems to apply to one but not the other. Detailed information about automatic copyright for music artists(creators of literary, dramatic, musical, artistic works, soundrecordings, broadcasts, films and typographical arrangement ofpublished editions ) here
These rights include the artist however, the new law wouldseparate artists from other creators don't and not be applicable toartists in the same way as copyright laws are for musicians andwriters. Copyright should not be a matter of lobby but a matter ofjust laws.

There is no due diligence or 'evidence' expected for anyonewanting to use 'orphan works' commercially. On the internet imagescan be copied and pasted and then copied and pasted again, cropped,the colour changed, etc until the original source of the image getslost in translation, which will make it difficult although notimpossible to find the creator of any works. However, unless there islogged evidence of a company actually looking for the originator andlooking hard, it will mean that any image can be used by anyoneclaiming they 'thought' it was an orphan work. This is unacceptablefor art as a business.

In cases of copyright infringement the law should be clear andjust and allow for damages to the artist's business. Currently thereis no need to register your copyright as it is automatically granted,although there are companies offering a free registration that logsthe time and date of the copyright. See, for example,http://www.cdateit.com/,http://myfreecopyright.com/,http://www.freecopyrightregistration.com/however, requiring artists to pay for the registration of their workis only viable for those artists who already have a profitablebusiness, for start up artists this would be an impossibleexpenditure. In which case, with the new law these artists would haveno protection against copyright infringements.

Instead of loosening up the IPlaws and allowing big companies to profit from artists' work, the lawshould tighten up the law and make it easier for artists to enforcetheir copyright and hold on to their moral rights.

The new law would be the equivalent of someone going to asupermarket, taking what they want and leaving the store withoutpaying. When reprimanded the customer could say, but you didn'tregister your right for me to pay. Theft is theft and stealingsomeone's art is just as wrong as taking anything else that doesn'tbelong to you.

There is far too little information about copyright and copyrightinfringement being made public or taught at school. Pupils areencouraged to copy/print art and photography from the internet anduse in their school work. There are more cases than I care toremember where art is stolen from the net and then used to make aprofit.

Feel free to use the information I've provided in your letter.

Flower Power

2011-09-07T09:37:00.000+01:00

Another of my 'hipster' images. I love creating them as they're so much fun, and not always quite what they seem.

I loved the strong, confident pose of the model and her individuality and wanted to show it in its 'full bloom'. There's something amazing about someone exuding the feeling that they are exactly who they want to be, where they want to be and how they want to be, without adhering to peer pressure or the latest fashion trends but just your inner self and sense of beauty; just like a flower really, hence the title Flower Power. :-)

The image - as always is available on my various art websites (see the links on the right-hand side) as prints, skins, posters, and greeting cards. :-)

Credits

Model

Urban Gothic stock 41 by Tigg-stock

Brushes

Cherry Blossoms Brushes by cloud-no9
Hair brush set by para-vine
Swirls And grungey brushes by Destinati0n

Font

Dyspepsia by Typodermic Fonts

All other images/textures/brushes etc my own.

MCN: CCCGU-SE4WU-6DMHU

Enigma - New Series - Memories

2011-09-06T10:35:00.001+01:00

MCN: C8HK9-26PQW-SAQH7

MCN: C5W7W-UE225-6S52W

MCN: CLABH-4PU38-KFXVK

MCN: C2VCM-XC7SQ-5V8X2

This next part of the series is all about the memories people left behind. The museum collects items given to them by members of the public and I loved all the amazing stuff that told a real story of real people.

You can find out more about the comic strip Jane of War here.

All my own photographs and textures taken at Bletchley Park.

Credits:
17 Grunge Border Bars Brush Set by Shadowhouse

Enigma - New Series - Typewriters

2011-09-05T16:07:00.003+01:00

MCN: CBJ6C-V1GNQ-BBB2H

MCN: C8BSY-8EHVK-32E8Y

MCN: CVLQU-A4T5F-NUCSM

MCN: C1E6W-HQX1T-VQWUW

Photographs all taken at Bletchley Park, the home of the enigma machine code breakers. I love old typewriters. :-)

All my own photographs and textures.

Credits:

17 Grunge Border Bars Brush Set by Shadowhouse

Cloud Nine

2011-09-02T13:57:00.000+01:00

I love coffee and it's an essential part of relaxation (and waking up) to have some caffeine. However, it has to be the real deal - not instant coffee or dishwater. :-)

A little different from my normal stuff - light and happy and a perfect companion for Sweets for my Sweet

Simple pleasures...

Credits

chateau boots by xstockx
coffee space 2 by buzillo-stock
Coffee beans_3 by gargamelix
Font is Dyspepsia

All other images/textures etc my own.

MCN: C4L6R-8HYQA-M13EY

Boxed In

2011-08-31T17:47:00.000+01:00

This is one of those of my images that can be read in many ways and I am sure it will. To me it means the feeling of being 'boxed in' be it by labels and stereotypes or by your inability to let go off the past and move on into your own future.

In my humble opinion the first step to freeing yourself is facing the truth about yourself and your surroundings. You cannot change anything until you understand what it is you need to change. However, it is a difficult thing to do, so we often find ourselves boxed in by the things we feel hold us back and often realise only too late that we are imprisoning ourselves and sometimes we 'execute' that what makes us 'us' in the process.

Credits

Model

stock 64 by Veyga

Stock

gothika-stock334 by gothika-stock

Background and Textures

244 Stock Box by fire-walker
6 Faves Texture Sets 1 (Retro and Dirty Thoughts) by Shadowhouse

All other images/textures/etc my own.

MCN: C5LWC-BR88P-FQUER

Sweets for my Sweet

2011-08-29T18:07:00.000+01:00

I wanted to create something happy for a change, however, as per usual, all is not as it seems. Whilst I worked on this, I began to wonder... why are things like sweets, chocolate and candy so often sold by slim beauties who most certainly don't go near the items they're trying to sell us?

Credits

Model

cupcake 07 by Aurora-Dawn

Stock

Death by Cupcake Stock by JustLexa
hug me loveheart 3 by Ginnyhaha-Stock
sweets - real eye candy 4 by stupidstock

Background and Textures

Room in sepia by stocksbyannaforyou
Copper Flower Paper by Siobhan68
Pastel Textures Set by Shadowhouse
6 Faves Texture Sets 1 by Shadowhouse
Photo Tints Overlay Set by Shadowhouse

Brushes

Swirls And grungey brushes by Destinati0n

Font

Dyspepsia

All other images/textures/patterns etc my own.

MCN: CNSDH-68CQR-32ECN

Dodge Fluid Drive

2011-08-27T12:18:00.000+01:00

For the RB Weekend Project

Dodge Fluid Drive - see more info here

Image taken a couple of weekends ago. Thought it'd be perfect for the project.

The image is as is with a little enhancement to bring out the details, some textures and colour adjustments. I also removed the numbers from the number plate and changed them for the "Fluid Drive", which was originally located at the back of the car. I wanted to give it a vintage feel because of the age of the car. A black and white version with just the car in red might have been good too. Maybe I'll have a play with that one day. :-)

Photograph my own.

Credits - all by Shadowhouse:

MCN: CK4XV-912F3-MVQBB