Birds are Returning to Florida !

Last weekend we went to Ding Darling Preserve on the West Coast of Fl near Sanibel. I got lucky enough to find some close enough to get some good shots. They are both beautiful and a bit funny depending on the moment.

Christmas Cheer

M&M is having a Christmas Party tomorrow night. All the artists will be there, so drop by if you are in the area. I might be a few min late as I am helping set up the reception for the Benjamin School Students who will be showing their work at MacArthur Beach State Park. Everything always happens at the same time during the Holidays doesn't it. The National Association Woman's Artist has it's exhibit at the Armory Arts in West Palm Beach. I missed the call during the summer,so no work in this one, but it is a wonderful exhibit.

Honored to be the Judge in this Exhibition Port Saint Lucie Fl

North County Art Association Presentation past June

I was honored to give a presentation about my work at the North County Art Associations Meeting.

Winsor Roc Portrait

Keeping me very busy this past spring was a magnificent horse named Winsor. I  followed him to events out at Wellington and did some commissioned  portraits. One I am still working on one. He is owned by a lovely lady named Barbara Nitsch and is being trained at Olympic level by Chris VonMartels a Canadian Olympic rider. What a treat to see him go through his paces. A new test for me to do sports action photography. I really could have benefited from a longer lens, but I did my best. He traveled to Europe to compete and will be back in Fl again this winter .

Lighthouse ArtCenter Plein Aire Festival will happen again this Spring

I am very blessed to have some lovely friends and teachers who are painters. I feel that they have helped me so much with composition and design elements and learning about art in general. I volunteered to take photographs during the Plein Aire Festival.Beautiful day. They are having it again this year. Checkout their website.http://www.lighthousearts.org/

Life has it's up and downs.

Hi All
This year has been a bit of a dramatic one. My husband was scheduled for a hip replacement but ended up having heart surgery because they found blockages in his major arteries. So I have been a
bit out of the loop when it comes to posting about my life and art in general. I will try to do a quick catch up for the last six months.  Luckily I take pictures so I can remember. I find without them I would not be able to reconstruct much of a time line. Here he is just out of recovery..amazing  He flew through both surgeries..and is so much better walking and doing everything. In fact we have traveled lots this summer.

Debbie Mostel at North County Art Association

Debbie Mostel speaking about her work last month and today I am honored to be preparing my presentation for this Tues. Doing public speaking has been something I have decided to do this year as a New Year's Resolution. Interesting how the invites followed. Intention is the first step.

Lighthouse ArtCenter First Place 'Persecution of Guienevere"

Presentation for Evergaldes Audubon Society. Click Link below for Information.

Wiings of Inspiration

Fun Overnight Shoot to Martin County

Had so much fun with Kim Seng, Linda King and Michele Hopper shooting moonrise, sunrise, sunset and birds all over Martin County. Visited House of Refuge on the beach and then inland to Blue Cypress Lake for a pontoon boat ride to see the hundreds of Osprey Nests. Best shot of Blue Scrub Jay I ever got !

SURFING THE NET .....KEEPERS

Thirty Five Nice Tips of the Day

Photo Arts: Good Tutorial on Texturing

 Dear visitors from my recent talks, Thanks for your interest and  I hope you can find some helpful information here about texturing. If you look on the right side and click on the little boxes they will take you to some blogs I follow. Find some good textures and then watch this little video and begin to experiment. You can do a google on utube for more videos too. There are quite a few out there that are helpful. There are many styles of this artform and with some experimenting I know you will have some artisitc fun. I am considering offering a local workshop in the Spring. I will post the information to your clubs. Thanks, Melinda
Follow link to video.
Photo Arts: Good Tutorial on Texturing

Nik Presets by Flypaper. Discount until Feb 9th.

I love NIk color effects blended with Flypaper textures...Paul and Jill's new set of presets are great!

Recent Presentations I gave at local Camera Clubs.

In December I gave a presentation at Ibis Photography Club in PBG

 and tonight I did a second one at the Treasure Coast Photo Club in Ft Pierce Fl. Both times I was surprised at how large the memberships are; at least 60 or 70 people attended both events. I was a bit nervous, but both audiences were so warm and receptive I soon got over my nerves. There was much interest and question asked about my work and my process of textures I am considering creating a basic workshop sometime in the near future. I would highly recommend you join either of these clubs if they are in your area. Very interactive and informative organizations.

http://treasurecoastphoto.photoshelter.com

                                     http://ibisphotographyclub.smugmug.com

NAWA Visionaries Exhibit Marco Island Art Center

http://www.lightspacetime.com/