TMPixArt has grown and now has a new website, with new art, new merchandise, and wearable art: www.ConduART.com. Please come join us there and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, coupons, sales, and more!
New Release: State by State Prayer Journal
We're excited to announce the release of our new State by State Prayer Journal.
This State by State Prayer Journal provides the perfect solution for recording specific
prayers and requests for each of our United States and territories. Follow and document current events to help you pray for our nation as we are called to do. Inside, you’ll find individual pages for each state, plus Washington, D.C., and the five unincorporated territories.
We’ve included prompts for ties to each state, government & business leaders, business & industry, agriculture, weather, spiritual, and more. Additional pages are provided for writing out prayers and for journaling your prayer time.
Available on Amazon.
This State by State Prayer Journal provides the perfect solution for recording specific prayers and requests for each of our United States and territories. Follow and document current events to help you pray for our nation as we are called to do. Inside, you’ll find individual pages for each state, plus Washington, D.C., and the five unincorporated territories.
We’ve included prompts for ties to each state, government & business leaders, business & industry, agriculture, weather, spiritual, and more. Additional pages are provided for writing out prayers and for journaling your prayer time.
Available on Amazon.
New Release: Jot it Down Camping Journal
We're excited to announce the release of two new journals.
Jot it Down Camping Journal
Keep this journal handy to record all the details of your camping trips.
Perfect logbook for:
• Tent campers
• RV campers
• Car campers
• Hikers
• Family camping trips
Makes a great memory keepsake book and serves as a valuable resource for future trips. Inside, you’ll find easy fill-in forms for campgrounds, weather conditions, mileage, and other trip stats, plus lined note pages for recording all your adventures and experiences.
We’ve also included some handy checklists to help with planning, packing, and travel.
Available on Amazon.
Jot it Down Camping Journal
Keep this journal handy to record all the details of your camping trips.
• Tent campers
• RV campers
• Car campers
• Hikers
• Family camping trips
Makes a great memory keepsake book and serves as a valuable resource for future trips. Inside, you’ll find easy fill-in forms for campgrounds, weather conditions, mileage, and other trip stats, plus lined note pages for recording all your adventures and experiences.
We’ve also included some handy checklists to help with planning, packing, and travel.
Available on Amazon.
For the Hunters
As we compiled the fishing journals, someone asked about hunting journals, so we created one of those, too!
Keep this handy hunting log to record all your hunting trips. Great for all seasons and all species. Record date, location, moon phases, weather, terrain, conditions, and trail notes, and loadouts.
Recent posts:
Who's Ready for Fishing Season?
TMPixArt is pleased to announce the release of three new fishing journals, just in time for fishing season! Interiors are all the same - just pick whichever style you like best!
Keep a record of your fishing trips in this handy journal.
Document the weather, moon phase, water conditions and depth, location, tackle, and more. Over time, these journals will come in handy to help you remember the best fishing holes or explain why that one green lure is your favorite.
This journal provides pages for 100 fishing days and room for notes and illustrations, too.
Keep a record of your fishing trips in this handy journal.
Document the weather, moon phase, water conditions and depth, location, tackle, and more. Over time, these journals will come in handy to help you remember the best fishing holes or explain why that one green lure is your favorite.
This journal provides pages for 100 fishing days and room for notes and illustrations, too.
Our original fishing journal is still available, too!
Exciting Announcement: New Designs Now Available!
In case you missed the news, my husband and I (aka #LeapFrogs - read about our journey on my personal blog: www.TracyRuckman.com) are on a year-long+ road trip all around the USA! We took the leap on January 8 and have been tent camping and car camping our way, town by town, state by state. As we've tried to settle into a travel routine (I'm convinced there's no such thing), my designing time has been limited.
But today, I'm excited to announce that several of my pattern designs are now available on Spoonflower. You can purchase the designs as fabric, wallpaper, or gift wrap. If you purchase any of my designs as fabric or wallpaper, be sure to take pictures and send them to me - I'd love to feature you and your project here to inspire others!
This is my mom's favorite pattern:
After all the time we've spent in Texas, this one now looks like it would work for a Christmas theme or a western theme.
These are screenshots (to protect my designs from pirates), but you can see the clarity and detail at the Spoonflower links. I have fabric samples of them all, and am highly pleased with the print quality.
Check out all my other patterns on my Spoonflower store. I'll be adding more designs, so check back regularly. And don't forget to send in photos! I'd love to feature you!
UPDATE: My designs are now also available on Roostery (curtains, bed linens, table linens, and more).
But today, I'm excited to announce that several of my pattern designs are now available on Spoonflower. You can purchase the designs as fabric, wallpaper, or gift wrap. If you purchase any of my designs as fabric or wallpaper, be sure to take pictures and send them to me - I'd love to feature you and your project here to inspire others!
This is my mom's favorite pattern:
This is one of my most popular patterns so far:
After all the time we've spent in Texas, this one now looks like it would work for a Christmas theme or a western theme.
These are screenshots (to protect my designs from pirates), but you can see the clarity and detail at the Spoonflower links. I have fabric samples of them all, and am highly pleased with the print quality.
Check out all my other patterns on my Spoonflower store. I'll be adding more designs, so check back regularly. And don't forget to send in photos! I'd love to feature you!
UPDATE: My designs are now also available on Roostery (curtains, bed linens, table linens, and more).
My Dream Journal: A Notebook for Tracking and Interpreting Dreams
Do you have vivid dreams like I tend to do?I wanted some way to keep track of all my dreams, so I could research and interpret them, and then recall them later.
Today, we release My Dream Journal: A Notebook for Tracking and Interpreting Dreams.
Keep this handy journal at your bedside with a pen so that whenever you have a dream, you can record as much as you remember as quickly as you can. (If you’re anything like me, as soon as my brain kicks into gear for the day, half my dreams have vanished.)
This diary helps you keep track of dreams and gives you space for interpretation and questions that arise from those dreams.
The journal includes journal pages and storyboards to record key elements of your dream and then room to record your research and revelation.
The interpretation pages let you assemble all your information, and to make note of any particular conditions (moods, foods, etc.) so you can track your dreams and determine whether any patterns develop.
Recording your dreams as soon as you wake will help you remember them later, and awaken your memory when you forget.
Now Available on Amazon.
* NOTE: I am a Christian, so I believe that some of my dreams come from the Lord. He speaks to me at times through some of my dreams. (Not all of them - I have to pray and seek guidance of the Holy Spirit with every dream.) I don't usually seek outside interpretation - I trust God to show me through His Word and His Holy Spirit what it is I need to know as I examine each dream. I do, however, use dream dictionaries to help me look for symbolism in my dreams, and through those symbols, I can then interpret the dream's meaning. The Holy Spirit never fails to enlighten me as I'm reading in the dictionary.
The site I use for the dream dictionary is DreamMoods, but please note this is not a recommendation for interpretations from that site. I don't know anything about them, except that the dictionary is extensive.
Recent posts:
Cats, Gingerbread Men, and Flying ReindeerInspired by Travel: Paris
Fishing Memories and Tall Tales
A Sticky Note, a Road Trip, and Determination
Button Day Patterns
Be sure to check out all our art and merchandise on Zazzle and Amazon.
We appreciate your support!
Recent Posts from TMP Books:
Latest Posts from Tracy Ruckman:
Holiday Recipes Master ListHoliday Sides, Buffets, Potluck Recipes
Questions about PurposeHoliday Recipes: Appetizers
Exciting News: Changes, New Releases, and a Contest
Fishing Memories and Tall Tales
Every fisherman has at least one story of "the one that got away," don't we?
I've fished all my life and have entirely too many of those stories. Once, I landed a fish so big, it kept turning the boat in circles. No lie. No exaggeration. I still know the exact spot, time of year, and the lure I lost that day when the line finally broke.
My dad was the consummate fisherman. We lived on the lake, and he went fishing almost every single day when I was growing up. He'd take us kids with him - one per day - every evening after work.
Recently, my sister discovered some of his old fishing journals, where he recorded fishing days, weather, water depth, tackle used, locations, catches, and even an occasional personal note that gave us great joy as we read over them. He told about acquiring a new boat, or he'd mention one of us and the fish we caught or a conversation we had. A precious find.
This week, TMPixArt is proud to announce the release of their own Fishing Journal: Record Conditions, Catches, Tackles, and Tales.
Who knows? Your recordings could eventually become a treasured family heirloom. Or at least provide some evidence to back up your stories about the fish that got away!
Recent posts:
We're Growing
A Sticky Note, a Road Trip, and Determination
Black Friday through Cyber Week Deals on Books and Art
Button Day Patterns
We're Celebrating Buttons
Peppermint Party in Pink
Pattern Stories Part 2
Behind the Scenes with Pattern Designs
Latest Post from Tracy Ruckman:
Exciting News: Changes, New Releases, and a Contest
I've fished all my life and have entirely too many of those stories. Once, I landed a fish so big, it kept turning the boat in circles. No lie. No exaggeration. I still know the exact spot, time of year, and the lure I lost that day when the line finally broke.
My dad was the consummate fisherman. We lived on the lake, and he went fishing almost every single day when I was growing up. He'd take us kids with him - one per day - every evening after work.
Recently, my sister discovered some of his old fishing journals, where he recorded fishing days, weather, water depth, tackle used, locations, catches, and even an occasional personal note that gave us great joy as we read over them. He told about acquiring a new boat, or he'd mention one of us and the fish we caught or a conversation we had. A precious find.
This week, TMPixArt is proud to announce the release of their own Fishing Journal: Record Conditions, Catches, Tackles, and Tales.
This book is 5" x 8" - small enough to fit into the bottom of a tackle box (I suggest tucking it inside a waterproof bag) or your lunch box, but with enough pages to record 100 fishing days.
The interior pages allow you to document the date, body of water, weather, moon phase, fishing holes of the day, catches, water conditions and depth, tackle, tales, and notes.
Recent posts:
We're Growing
A Sticky Note, a Road Trip, and Determination
Black Friday through Cyber Week Deals on Books and Art
Button Day Patterns
We're Celebrating Buttons
Peppermint Party in Pink
Pattern Stories Part 2
Behind the Scenes with Pattern Designs
Be sure to check out all our art and merchandise on
Zazzle and Amazon.
We appreciate your support!
Recent Posts from TMP Books:
Latest Post from Tracy Ruckman:
Exciting News: Changes, New Releases, and a Contest
Meet the Artist: Vickie Emms
NOTE: As I transition my art efforts to this TMPixArt blog from my personal blog at TracyRuckman.com, I will be sharing art posts that were originally published on that site earlier this year. While the posts may be duplicates, my body of art, and the body of art created by my guests has grown and expanded. Because of this, I invite you to visit their websites and explore their art even if you read the blog post previously - you might be surprised to find a new favorite somewhere along the way!
Today, I'm happy to introduce a new artist friend, Vickie Emms.
Vickie, what type of art do you create?
I offer my own photography for sale on POD websites on products they offer.
I am a member of Redbubble and Zazzle where I have 4 stores, one of which
is totally my photography, called DiamondW_Photography.
I also create designs from elements I purchase on the internet from commercial use sites and add them to products on either of two of my stores on Zazzle, one of which is DiamondWillowDesigns and the other is a niche store of totally Plaids/Tartans, which originate from Scotland and offers products with those plaids on them on dozens of products in ThePlaidShop.
How did you get started creating this particular type of art?
Photography has always been my love and just making photos for sale wasn't satisfying enough. I started designing wedding invitations, shower invitations, wrapping paper and greeting cards, plus hundreds of other items that were fun to do. After buying Photoshop CS5, the products just became a natural to me. I love seeing end results, and specially sales!
Tell us the story behind ONE of your favorite creations.
One of the highlights of my photography travel was visiting Alaska in 2009. This is the most popular photo from that trip.
Explore Vickie's shops at:
RedBubble
Zazzle: Diamond Willow
Zazzle: The Plaid Shop
About the Artist:
Vickie was born in Scotland in June, 1945. She is married, and is a mother of three grown daughters and has 7 beautiful grandchildren. As well, Vickie and her husband Fred have 8 foster grandchildren, who are no different to them as their own.
She lives in Manitoba, Canada, one of the prairie provinces. Most of her scenery is from those areas, although she lives close to the eastern lakes area of the province called the Canadian Shield and visits and camps in her favorite parks often. She LOVES the Canadian Rocky Mountains and travels almost every summer to Alberta to camp and photograph those beautiful icons.
She and her husband have been married 50 wonderful years, and travel quite a bit, usually within Canada and the United States. So you will see a mixed bag of shots from both countries. They have caught the travel bug the last couple of winters and have visited the Bahamas, Cancun, Mexico and the Dominican Republic and a couple of trips to Las Vegas.
She loves photography, camping, traveling, crafts, flower gardening and music. She has been taking photographs most of her life, upgrading to the newest cameras as they came on the market. Now with digital, she is having the time of her life. She's had photos published in Canadian Wildlife, a magazine by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. She has had photos published in Our Canada and More Our Canada and in the August/September issue of 2018 another is being published of a Cedar Waxwing eating Mountain Ash berries.
Meet the Artist: Vickie Emms
(originally published here)
Today, I'm happy to introduce a new artist friend, Vickie Emms.
Vickie, what type of art do you create?
I offer my own photography for sale on POD websites on products they offer.
I am a member of Redbubble and Zazzle where I have 4 stores, one of which
is totally my photography, called DiamondW_Photography.
I also create designs from elements I purchase on the internet from commercial use sites and add them to products on either of two of my stores on Zazzle, one of which is DiamondWillowDesigns and the other is a niche store of totally Plaids/Tartans, which originate from Scotland and offers products with those plaids on them on dozens of products in ThePlaidShop.
This is a magnet offered on Zazzle from a photo of a Scarlet Macaw taken in Mexico.
A favorite design from Zazzle would be tartan pillows from The Plaid Shop.
How did you get started creating this particular type of art?
Photography has always been my love and just making photos for sale wasn't satisfying enough. I started designing wedding invitations, shower invitations, wrapping paper and greeting cards, plus hundreds of other items that were fun to do. After buying Photoshop CS5, the products just became a natural to me. I love seeing end results, and specially sales!
Tell us the story behind ONE of your favorite creations.
One of the highlights of my photography travel was visiting Alaska in 2009. This is the most popular photo from that trip.
On the Way to Haines Alaska
Explore Vickie's shops at:
RedBubble
Zazzle: Diamond Willow
Zazzle: The Plaid Shop
About the Artist:
She lives in Manitoba, Canada, one of the prairie provinces. Most of her scenery is from those areas, although she lives close to the eastern lakes area of the province called the Canadian Shield and visits and camps in her favorite parks often. She LOVES the Canadian Rocky Mountains and travels almost every summer to Alberta to camp and photograph those beautiful icons.
She and her husband have been married 50 wonderful years, and travel quite a bit, usually within Canada and the United States. So you will see a mixed bag of shots from both countries. They have caught the travel bug the last couple of winters and have visited the Bahamas, Cancun, Mexico and the Dominican Republic and a couple of trips to Las Vegas.
She loves photography, camping, traveling, crafts, flower gardening and music. She has been taking photographs most of her life, upgrading to the newest cameras as they came on the market. Now with digital, she is having the time of her life. She's had photos published in Canadian Wildlife, a magazine by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. She has had photos published in Our Canada and More Our Canada and in the August/September issue of 2018 another is being published of a Cedar Waxwing eating Mountain Ash berries.
Meet the Artist: Donna Cervelli
NOTE: As I transition my art efforts to this TMPixArt blog from my personal blog at TracyRuckman.com, I will be sharing art posts that were originally published on that site earlier this year. While the posts may be duplicates, my body of art, and the body of art created by my guests has grown and expanded. Because of this, I invite you to visit their websites and explore their art even if you read the blog post previously - you might be surprised to find a new favorite somewhere along the way!
Donna was born in and grew up in Chicago. As long as she remember she has loved art and the arts. When Donna was 10 years her parents signed her up for weekly art classes, at the home of a local artist who taught adults and children. There, Donna learned the basics of art such as shapes, color and composition. She worked in several mediums and painted landscapes and still life. Several years after high school Donna attended the American Academy of Art in downtown Chicago. Her areas of study were illustration, lettering and design, and advertising. Donna went on to work for the Chicago Tribune Newspaper, as an ad designer in the creative department. Wherever life takes Donna, her art work is always there in one form or another. Currently she has a print on demand online store, through Zazzle which allows her to showcase and sell her artwork and designs.
Meet the Artist: Donna Cervelli
(originally published here)
Today, I'd like to introduce you to photo artist and graphic designer Donna Cervelli.
Hi, Donna! Welcome to our art space.
What type of art do you create?
Currently my work is a blend of fine art and graphic design. Over the years my work has evolved. I’ve work in different mediums and I think that shows in my current work. Photography, which was once a hobby for me, has become more of a passion. With the ever changing technology in cell phones, the built-in cameras, make it even easier to take pictures. A lot of my current work starts out as nothing more than a garden photo or an evening sunset. By using filters and apps I alter the original photo, add text to achieve the final design. These designs have been known to show up on products in my online POD (Print On Demand) store. For the past 18 months I have focused my attention on my POD that’s set up though my Zazzle store, HeART & Soul Artwork.
I love creating art and my Zazzle store allows my to showcase my work on wide variety of products, everything from home decor to clothing and print products, such as invitations.
How did you get started creating this particular type of art?
I started my store on Zazzle about a year and half ago. Prior to that I worked for a major newspaper in Chicago, for over 15 years. I was a senior designer in advertising and created ads for the newspaper. In addition to my full time job I did freelance work; everything from logo designs and business cards to acrylic paintings. Within the last five years I’ve my creative focus leaned more toward my painting. I opened up on online store with Fine Art America mainly to sell affordable prints of my work. Like other Print On Demand companies, Fine Art America, also prints artwork on products, such as phone case, pillows, tote bags, etc. Through a referral from a friend, I checked out Zazzle in January of 2017. I opened a store and tested it out. I didn’t take it too seriously, as there were a lot of personal changes going at on the same time. Later in the year, around June, I decided to pursue Zazzle on a full-time basis. While most of the work in my store is based on my photography and graphic designs, I have also incorporated some of my more recent paintings.
Tell us the story behind one of your favorite creations.
That would be my EARTH DAY is Every Day design. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd. But I feel it should be recognized throughout the year. I believe we should, reuse, reclaim and recycle whenever we can. With that in mind I wanted to design a logo that could be used all year round. Since I love gardening and have so many photos of my gardens, I decided to incorporate them into the design. That’s when I came up with the heart shaped collage with photos taken of my various flower beds. The green texture within the words Earth Day, is actually a close up photo of plant leaves.
Find Donna on the web to learn more about her art:
About the Artist:
Donna was born in and grew up in Chicago. As long as she remember she has loved art and the arts. When Donna was 10 years her parents signed her up for weekly art classes, at the home of a local artist who taught adults and children. There, Donna learned the basics of art such as shapes, color and composition. She worked in several mediums and painted landscapes and still life. Several years after high school Donna attended the American Academy of Art in downtown Chicago. Her areas of study were illustration, lettering and design, and advertising. Donna went on to work for the Chicago Tribune Newspaper, as an ad designer in the creative department. Wherever life takes Donna, her art work is always there in one form or another. Currently she has a print on demand online store, through Zazzle which allows her to showcase and sell her artwork and designs.Meet the Artist: Dayna Bickham
NOTE: As I transition my art efforts to this TMPixArt blog from my personal blog at TracyRuckman.com, I will be sharing art posts that were originally published on that site earlier this year. While the posts may be duplicates, my body of art, and the body of art created by my guests has grown and expanded. Because of this, I invite you to visit their websites and explore their art even if you read the blog post previously - you might be surprised to find a new favorite somewhere along the way!
I love how my life overlaps into different categories on a daily basis. I met today's featured artist through an entrepreneur group, then I learned she's an author, too. Please give a big welcome to artist Dayna Bickham.
Dayna, share with us the kind of art you create.
Abstract expressionism:
How did you get started creating this particular type of art?
My friends were art journaling in their Bibles. I too wanted to express my relationship with God artistically, but could not seem to do so in the same way everyone else was. Stickers, drawing and painting in my Bible was not fun for me. I talked with a friend about my lack of drawing skills and my desire to be artistic and she encouraged me to pick up a paint brush. Three years later I am creating art nearly every day and it has become more than a time of devotion. Many of my pieces reflect my emotions, thoughts, or times of worship. It is often a ministry to share my process as much as my art.
Tell us the story behind one of your favorite creations.
A friend of mine told me once that she did not like my work. I laughed and assured her that was okay, not everyone likes all art. I went on to explain that art needed to evoke
feeling and connect with the viewer. It was okay if mine did not connect with her. Fast forward several months (and after her home was hit by the POST Harvey flooding south of Houston) the Lord told her to ask me to paint something for her home. SHE DID NOT WANT TO ASK ME TO PAINT AT ALL. She did and after I laughed, (I am not perfect by any means!) I said yes. She asked if I could worship and paint to a particular song and of course I agreed. The song, "Peace, Be Still" by Lauren Daigle, (The Belonging Co) evoked images of ocean waves and moonlit nights. I wanted to convey the crash of waves and the stillness of the in-between moments of inhale and exhale. I did not charge for this large painting - (30" x 40") but instead gave it as a gift for her house warming. Her reaction was priceless. Needless to say, she loves my art now and even sees herself in the painting, floating in the waters, not worried at all about the wind and the waves of life. (I put her face in the picture near the top so I was super glad she saw it!)
Connect with Dayna on the Web:
Facebook ~ Dayna Bickham University
Facebook ~ Dayna Bickham Author
Instagram
About the Artist:
Dayna is an avid adventurer who writes, paints, and lives life out loud. Her passion for people leads her on mission trips around the world and into her own back yard. Her art is a business in itself, but she also teaches people to connect with their inner abstract artist and to embrace creativity in all its forms. Dayna never lets fear or circumstances keep her from moving forward because she follows after the ONE who makes all things work together for good. What is there to fear in that?
Meet the Artist: Dayna Bickham
(originally published here)
I love how my life overlaps into different categories on a daily basis. I met today's featured artist through an entrepreneur group, then I learned she's an author, too. Please give a big welcome to artist Dayna Bickham.
Dayna, share with us the kind of art you create.
Abstract expressionism:
My friends were art journaling in their Bibles. I too wanted to express my relationship with God artistically, but could not seem to do so in the same way everyone else was. Stickers, drawing and painting in my Bible was not fun for me. I talked with a friend about my lack of drawing skills and my desire to be artistic and she encouraged me to pick up a paint brush. Three years later I am creating art nearly every day and it has become more than a time of devotion. Many of my pieces reflect my emotions, thoughts, or times of worship. It is often a ministry to share my process as much as my art.
Tell us the story behind one of your favorite creations.
A friend of mine told me once that she did not like my work. I laughed and assured her that was okay, not everyone likes all art. I went on to explain that art needed to evoke
feeling and connect with the viewer. It was okay if mine did not connect with her. Fast forward several months (and after her home was hit by the POST Harvey flooding south of Houston) the Lord told her to ask me to paint something for her home. SHE DID NOT WANT TO ASK ME TO PAINT AT ALL. She did and after I laughed, (I am not perfect by any means!) I said yes. She asked if I could worship and paint to a particular song and of course I agreed. The song, "Peace, Be Still" by Lauren Daigle, (The Belonging Co) evoked images of ocean waves and moonlit nights. I wanted to convey the crash of waves and the stillness of the in-between moments of inhale and exhale. I did not charge for this large painting - (30" x 40") but instead gave it as a gift for her house warming. Her reaction was priceless. Needless to say, she loves my art now and even sees herself in the painting, floating in the waters, not worried at all about the wind and the waves of life. (I put her face in the picture near the top so I was super glad she saw it!)Connect with Dayna on the Web:
Facebook ~ Dayna Bickham University
Facebook ~ Dayna Bickham Author
About the Artist:
Dayna is an avid adventurer who writes, paints, and lives life out loud. Her passion for people leads her on mission trips around the world and into her own back yard. Her art is a business in itself, but she also teaches people to connect with their inner abstract artist and to embrace creativity in all its forms. Dayna never lets fear or circumstances keep her from moving forward because she follows after the ONE who makes all things work together for good. What is there to fear in that?
Meet the Artist: Patricia AZ Phillips
NOTE: As I transition my art efforts to this TMPixArt blog from my personal blog at TracyRuckman.com, I will be sharing art posts that were originally published on that site earlier this year. While the posts may be duplicates, my body of art, and the body of art created by my guests has grown and expanded. Because of this, I invite you to visit their websites and explore their art even if you read the blog post previously - you might be surprised to find a new favorite somewhere along the way!
Today, I'd like to introduce you to another new art friend, Patricia AZ Phillips.
What type of art do you create, Patricia?
I love digital photography. Technology has taken photography to a new level and it is a lot less expensive than film. I get totally immersed in a variety of photography genres that are not people related. I’m sure that tendency has to do with being an introvert. I enjoy photographing animals, nature, landscapes, still life, conceptual, and macro subjects. I take a lot of my shots with two digital SLR cameras, a variety of lenses and other equipment that supports those genres.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve taken a lot of photographs with my cell phone. I always tell people that it’s not necessarily the equipment but the photographer when they are surprised at the quality of some shots. Cell phone cameras have improved and with specialty lenses are capable of a lot more. The advantages over my other cameras is that the phone is lightweight and generally always with me. I also have a small cosmetic style bag that holds a variety of tiny lenses that I can attach to the phone for specialty shots. I do use the macro lens in that kit more than the other lens.
I mentioned technology because it’s so easy to improve and alter photographs these days too. I have combined some photographs with digital art elements for creative results. I also enjoy running some of my photographs through filters and apps giving them a unique appearance. That can get addicting and time consuming but sometimes the results are very pleasing.
How did you get started creating this particular type art?
I started in black and white film photography after joining the Army when I was 19 years
old. I retain great memories in the darkroom with that distinct smell of chemicals watching black and white photographs appear like magic before my eyes in the chemical developer tray.
I soon found out that Kodachrome slides were a great way to store memories from all my travels. I still have trays of slides and a projector to view them. I gave up photography for about 12 years after having my cameras and all related equipment stolen during a military transfer.
When digital cameras began showing up on the market I decided to get an inexpensive “point and shoot” design to test it out. I loved the immediate viewing of images and that it was easy to manipulate the photos right on a computer.
It wasn’t long before I bought my first digital SLR camera (which I still use) and photo editing software. Soon after that I gave the stock photography business a try. I became disillusioned after a short time with the ever-changing requirements. When another photographer introduced me to Zazzle, the online print on demand company, I found a place to share my photography and opened my first store, The Aspen Stand, in July 2009.
Tell us the story behind one of your favorite creations.
One of my favorite photos is a conceptual shot that came to mind while I was working on a jigsaw puzzle. I shot a couple of sessions and deleted a lot of the shots but finally came away with several (and particularly one) that exemplified what I originally had in mind.
The image is an isolated fork with several jigsaw puzzle pieces between the tines. Some might think this is an odd photograph to be a favorite but it was the first time I set up props for a photo session and the image has been a successful seller on business cards. The success of the photo on business cards and the fun with the shoot got me more interested in taking still life photographs.
About the Artist:
Patricia was born and raised in New England then spent 22 years in the US Army in a variety of assignments and locations. Upon retirement from the military, she and her Army veteran husband moved west from their last assignment location. The couple made several relocations heading west across the US in search of work and a place to settle down. Eventually, they stopped in the beautiful high desert country of northern Arizona.
They have a house full of rescued fur babies and a lovable old chocolate Labrador Retriever. You’ll see her animal photographs on many Zazzle products. Those images include her furry companions and other interesting critters that she’s photographed over the years.
Find Patricia on the web:
Zazzle Stores:
The Aspen Stand
PaPr Emporium
Website:
The Aspen Stand
Meet the Artist: Patricia AZ Phillips
(originally published here)
What type of art do you create, Patricia?
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| Wildflowers combined with digital art greenery |
Over the last couple of years, I’ve taken a lot of photographs with my cell phone. I always tell people that it’s not necessarily the equipment but the photographer when they are surprised at the quality of some shots. Cell phone cameras have improved and with specialty lenses are capable of a lot more. The advantages over my other cameras is that the phone is lightweight and generally always with me. I also have a small cosmetic style bag that holds a variety of tiny lenses that I can attach to the phone for specialty shots. I do use the macro lens in that kit more than the other lens.
I mentioned technology because it’s so easy to improve and alter photographs these days too. I have combined some photographs with digital art elements for creative results. I also enjoy running some of my photographs through filters and apps giving them a unique appearance. That can get addicting and time consuming but sometimes the results are very pleasing.
How did you get started creating this particular type art?
I started in black and white film photography after joining the Army when I was 19 years
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| Digital photography mixed with graphic arts |
I soon found out that Kodachrome slides were a great way to store memories from all my travels. I still have trays of slides and a projector to view them. I gave up photography for about 12 years after having my cameras and all related equipment stolen during a military transfer.
When digital cameras began showing up on the market I decided to get an inexpensive “point and shoot” design to test it out. I loved the immediate viewing of images and that it was easy to manipulate the photos right on a computer.
It wasn’t long before I bought my first digital SLR camera (which I still use) and photo editing software. Soon after that I gave the stock photography business a try. I became disillusioned after a short time with the ever-changing requirements. When another photographer introduced me to Zazzle, the online print on demand company, I found a place to share my photography and opened my first store, The Aspen Stand, in July 2009.
Tell us the story behind one of your favorite creations.
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| Puzzle Pieces & Fork |
The image is an isolated fork with several jigsaw puzzle pieces between the tines. Some might think this is an odd photograph to be a favorite but it was the first time I set up props for a photo session and the image has been a successful seller on business cards. The success of the photo on business cards and the fun with the shoot got me more interested in taking still life photographs.
About the Artist:
They have a house full of rescued fur babies and a lovable old chocolate Labrador Retriever. You’ll see her animal photographs on many Zazzle products. Those images include her furry companions and other interesting critters that she’s photographed over the years.
Find Patricia on the web:
Zazzle Stores:
The Aspen Stand
PaPr Emporium
Website:
The Aspen Stand
Meet the Artist: Mark Spivey
NOTE: As I transition my art efforts to this TMPixArt blog from my personal blog at TracyRuckman.com, I will be sharing art posts that were originally published on that site earlier this year. While the posts may be duplicates, my body of art, and the body of art created by my guests has grown and expanded. Because of this, I invite you to visit their websites and explore their art even if you read the blog post previously - you might be surprised to find a new favorite somewhere along the way!
Today's featured artist, Mark Spivey, lives in Australia. Last week, I spotted his adorable designs on some metal lunch boxes, and knew I wanted to share his work with all of you!
Mark, tell us about the type of art you create.
I am presently drawing fun cartoons of animals, birds, fish, insects, etc. I like to create pictures that have an element of humour or silliness. Much of my art is inspired by growing up in the Western Australian countryside in Albany and observing the funny side of creatures that live there as well as the farm animals and ocean life.
I sell my art printed on clothing, mugs, greeting cards and many household items though my Zazzle store. That way it is being used in a practical way and is seen and enjoyed.
How did you get started creating this particular type of art?
I was always interested in drawing from an early age and did very well at school art
classes but was not encouraged to pursue it as a career so I studied electronics instead. I used to also read a lot of old farm style cartoon books from artists in Australia and New Zealand and this has influenced the style I use today.
In my late 20s and 30s, I experimented with drawing small cartoons on paper and colouring in pencil and making these into magnets to sell at a local petrol (gas) station to tourists, which was successful. A couple of years later I also became interested in playing music and began recording CDs and doing the same which also did quite well. This convinced me that yes, there was a way to produce art and actually make it pay the bills.
In 2012, I discovered POD services like CafePress and Zazzle and began to work with a computer and drawing tablet. But it wasn’t until recently (after getting married and working long hours to pay a mortgage) that I was able to devote some real time into my drawings, which is what I do after work and on weekends now.
As I work on the road in my job (Community Aged Care) I usually do rough sketches on paper during lunch breaks and scan these into my computer when I’m home before creating the final result with drawing software.
To draw and colour digitally I use an old Wacom DTI 520 (hard to find these days) that I purchased off eBay which allows me to draw directly onto a computer screen and this works for me.
Share the story behind one of your favorite creations.
I always was a big frog fan from an early age, catching frogs and tadpoles (living near a creek does that for a small boy) so this picture which was originally meant to just be part of my store logo ended up being printed on a number of smaller items such as this coffee mug.
Learn more about Mark and his art at his websites and Zazzle store:
Website: The Frog Factory
Zazzle: The Frog Factory
Music Website: Mark's Music Australia
About the Artist:
Mark Spivey is an artist and musician living in Perth Australia who draws fun cartoon style designs of fish, birds, animals and other cool stuff for kids and adults who are kids at heart.
His sense of silliness and whimsicality (is that a word?) printed on customisable everyday items is designed to add some colour and happiness to your day.
When Mark is not drawing he is supporting the elderly in the community, playing music at his local church and sometimes actually doing what his wife asks him to do.
Meet the Artist: Mark Spivey
(Originally published here)
Today's featured artist, Mark Spivey, lives in Australia. Last week, I spotted his adorable designs on some metal lunch boxes, and knew I wanted to share his work with all of you!
Mark, tell us about the type of art you create.
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| Dream Big |
I am presently drawing fun cartoons of animals, birds, fish, insects, etc. I like to create pictures that have an element of humour or silliness. Much of my art is inspired by growing up in the Western Australian countryside in Albany and observing the funny side of creatures that live there as well as the farm animals and ocean life.
I sell my art printed on clothing, mugs, greeting cards and many household items though my Zazzle store. That way it is being used in a practical way and is seen and enjoyed.
How did you get started creating this particular type of art?
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| Funny Fish Fishing |
classes but was not encouraged to pursue it as a career so I studied electronics instead. I used to also read a lot of old farm style cartoon books from artists in Australia and New Zealand and this has influenced the style I use today.
In my late 20s and 30s, I experimented with drawing small cartoons on paper and colouring in pencil and making these into magnets to sell at a local petrol (gas) station to tourists, which was successful. A couple of years later I also became interested in playing music and began recording CDs and doing the same which also did quite well. This convinced me that yes, there was a way to produce art and actually make it pay the bills.
In 2012, I discovered POD services like CafePress and Zazzle and began to work with a computer and drawing tablet. But it wasn’t until recently (after getting married and working long hours to pay a mortgage) that I was able to devote some real time into my drawings, which is what I do after work and on weekends now.
As I work on the road in my job (Community Aged Care) I usually do rough sketches on paper during lunch breaks and scan these into my computer when I’m home before creating the final result with drawing software.
To draw and colour digitally I use an old Wacom DTI 520 (hard to find these days) that I purchased off eBay which allows me to draw directly onto a computer screen and this works for me.
Share the story behind one of your favorite creations.
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| Frog Artist |
Learn more about Mark and his art at his websites and Zazzle store:
Website: The Frog Factory
Zazzle: The Frog Factory
Music Website: Mark's Music Australia
About the Artist:
His sense of silliness and whimsicality (is that a word?) printed on customisable everyday items is designed to add some colour and happiness to your day.
When Mark is not drawing he is supporting the elderly in the community, playing music at his local church and sometimes actually doing what his wife asks him to do.
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