Summer Hydrangea

A painter effect for a summer hydrangea.

Sunflower Before and After

I learned this really great trick to roll over an image with your
cursor to see the before/after from Kim Klassen.  This is a photo
of a sunflower that I took at a local farm last week.  The new
paint technique is thanks to the latest issue of Somerset Digital--LOVE!

Hello alaJamie

In honor of my birthday, I am launching my new website and blog--alajamie.com.  First, why alaJamie--can you believe there is another artist named Jamie Jamison???  Many of you know I love to cook and when I make a recipe that I "doctor," I announce that we are having "dinner ala Jamie."  In thinking of my artwork--it is a little of this and a little of that and I decided on "ala Jamie."

I have spent several months preparing and tweaking my new website and blog and it's time to launch!  I expect to work on it as time goes on, but I think it is a great representation of my work.  I hope to update new photo art on my blog each week.  

This bloom is from our front yard and the saying always reminds me of my Mom.  Today is a day that I miss her most, and I know she would be cheering on my new work.  Cheers to all!

Summer Peace

I am reflecting on the wonderful summer that I had in Chautauqua.  One morning I could not sleep and I went down to the lake and the light was magical.  There was a soft fog lifting off the lake and everything looked amazing.  Here is the first of many shots I got that morning.

Wonder Before and After

Beach Before and After

Summer at the Lake

Beauty and the Beast

One of the many images of Chautauqua.  Loved the beautiful "Black Eyed Suzies" as my Mom used to say and the pretty yet practical "beast," The combination is wonderful and fun.  Added a few of my own layers and some from Kim Klassen and Fly Paper.

Summer and Soul Searching

I wish there was more time each summer to sit by the water, let the sand squish through my toes and watch the ripple of the waves.  Each summer brings new complexities and I long for the days when my kids were little and life was simpler.  I have spent the majority of this summer trying to find a place of balance.  Family, work, art, volunteering . . the list goes on.  Yesterday, I heard an amazing woman speak and she said, "I express myself through my art."  I knew I was creating pieces I loved, but I really never thought of it as an expression of my soul--who I am today.  So for today, I will stop, enjoy, and treasure a moment.  I may not stop long enough to have sandy toes, but I will stop long see the world around me and hopefully create a new piece of art that really expresses who I am.  I will treasure the escape to my photography and learning new techniques to make art.  Cheers to summer pleasures and expressing yourself.

Bob's Vette

Collage Mania

I am now hooked on these collages.  One more of Chautauqua, Ny where we spend lots of time in the summer.  Have to get work done, but I want to make more:)  Have a great day!

Collage of Life

My life now is about family--meals, laundry, running errands, school, etc.  It's crazy and my friends say to hold on because it goes so fast.  They are right--my son will leave for college next year and my daughters are both teenagers.  Seems like yesterday we were up all night and dealing with diapers.  I am thankful for these years, but they are difficult.  Sometimes the simplicity of a meal in necessary to remind me of the true gift of this moment.  We are still in a sugar cereal stage (although not all that often) but it reminds me that I am in still in the "kid stage" and to embrace it.  Soon our breakfasts will be wheat toast for two, but for today I am thankful to clean up another cereal bowl.

Sweet Life

I love my tulips in winter.  I have been debating a 50mm lens and today's prompt from Beyond Layers was all I needed for motivation.  Kim Klassen used primarily white in her piece, but I decided to add a little color--we sure need it in January.  Found this great bottle from Franklin (Pa) that I have had for years.  I am so thankful for the inspiration and tips.  I love how the image blurs out--I don't think I will put my camera down for a week.

Layers, layers and more layers

I could not wait to upload a few more of my projects from the week.  Enjoying connecting on Flickr with new cyber friends.  The talent is amazing and inspirational.  Another photo with some great textures from Kim Klassen and Shadowhouse.  Cheers!

Beyond the Layers

I am taking Kim Klassen's Beyond the Layers class this year and it has prompted me to re-discover Flickr and my neglected blog. Each week I hope (that's the plan anyway) to post my art from the week. Attached is week one--we were asked to take a simple image and not "over do" the layers. This is hard form me--I love my layers. I really like how soft this turned out. Cheers until next week. jj