Beautiful Mess

I call this a BEAUTIFUL MESS done in ArtRage with metallics, glitter, a painting knife and roller... it's really hard to tell but the metallics are awesome in this program with it blown up to full size.... the program is a blast!  Have a great week!

Careful for What's Hiding Inside - 4x6 Encaustic on White

This one was fun... it was made by moving the iron around the outside until it got smaller and smaller... leaving a space in the middle... it made me think of a cave you'd go into if you were snorkeling.  Oh, boy, do I wish I were snorkeling instead of waiting for school to get out! Happy Weekend ahead! :)

My Brother, William Russell, Fighting the War in Iraq

This is a picture of my brother who has been over in Iraq since last October.  He has a family of 5 children and a lovely wife, Kim.  He is awesome!  He was over there when my dad passed away in February and I really feel for him as he is a family man and he missed my dad's memorial as well as he is missing his family very much.  If you could say a prayer for him, he and his fellow Navy buddies are needing your support very much in these trying days.  This is a picture my brother had taken with Genl. Petraeus back in November or so... my father had the picture with him in the hospital when he died. He loved my brother and though the family went through some tumultuous changes, Dad always asked about my brother though my brother didn't have much respect anymore for my Dad.  I think now things are in better perspective. I am proud of my brother, he has the hardest job of all, harder than raising children. And that's hard! Billy, I love you xoxox Rose

A Rose in Bloom

This is something I did in ArtRage... it's not perfect, and I notice there is a spot on the right, which needs to be cropped out, but little by little I am starting to "get it" and the tracing images tool is great, you can just choose the areas you want to paint. Long ways to go though...AND... this looks better from far away than up close. Done with the oils tool. :) 

Another Encaustic, Blue Jewels Mandala

I know this isn't a classic mandala, but I had fun with it, it reminded me of Sapphires and jewels that I do not own, but someday may! :)  It was fun melting the wax around and hope you like it! Happy Sunday!

Art Rage Painting - A Dog Named Holly

My first attempt at a very LOOSE digital painting in oils... using ArtRage 2.5... it's a great program for beginning digital art and it has launched me off into Painter X.  I still like to loosen up first on AR before going onto a more challenging program.  ArtRage even has a CRAYON tool, so you can play like a kid!  They have a free download (without some of the perks if you bought it, but very functional and fun) at www.ambientdesign.com. It's worth it!  It only costs $25.00 for the full download for either Mac (which I have) or the PC. :) ArtRage supports Vista too!  They are a great group of guys from New Zealand who have created the program and also work together with Wacom, who works with Corel Painter... it's like a circle within a circle. Only ArtRage costs a whole lot LESS and even is a whole lot more FUN than Painter. :) Less to remember too!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Slide, Slide, Slippity Slide - 4x6 Encaustic

This reminded me of a slide that would lead into a very glorious cool pool filled with crystal clear water... I just loved doing this one but am not crazy about how the colors came out.

TGIF All!