Boxed In

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

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

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:

• NF Texture Set
• You'd Be Surprised texture
• 17 Grunge Border Bars Brush Set

MCN: CK4XV-912F3-MVQBB

Story Within A Story

 

 

This is a story within a story - it's the story of Jack the Ripper mutilating and killing prostitutes and other serial (women) killers like him but also the story of feminism. There's still a lot of fear and hate about and people are still boxing women in - from the models in the magazines (all looking pretty and ever so sexy) to women being told they cannot have abortions in the States... there's still a lot of work to do and some of it is realising that there is still a lot of work to do.

I am not saying no achievements have been made, but sometimes I wonder how deep they go and how many of the preconceptions and misconceptions of women seem to just have received different, more acceptable labels.

Illustration to go with my poem

Credits

Model

• Boxed 19 by Deathrockstock

Stock

• Nightstock 863 by Nightstock
• Doll Arm transparent png by AbsurdWordPreferred

Textures and Backgrounds

• Free blood splatter textures by khaosdog
• blood stains02 by temoc-stock
• Brick Wall by CaptainRedd-Stock
• Room in sepia by stocksbyannaforyou
• Daguerreo Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• 6 Faves Texture Sets 1 (Retro) by Shadowhouse

All other images/textures/brushes my own.

MCN: CJ6QD-WMAV6-FPA7U

Not a Toy

 

 

 

Illustration to go with my poem.

My inner freedom and my independence are both important treasures to me, which I'd defend to the death. Sounds utterly dramatic, but being manipulated and steered into a direction as it suits someone else is horrible, no matter how well meaning it might be. I've always strongly believed that we need to make our own mistakes. It's one thing to share our experiences and help with advice and examples and another to manipulate someone supposedly for their own good. It never sat well with me.

Credits

Model

• Shelter by mjranum-stock
• Model Rael C
• Photographer Marcus Ranum

Stock

• O-key dokey... by chop-stock
• you can't light my candle by LuckyStock
• frame 11 by Meltys
• Smashed Glass Texture by dozystock
• Claw Marks 1 PSD by ravenarcana

Background and Textures

• Nannys Room by pareeerica
• Curly Fav (no longer available) by EricaMarieArt
• Attic Treasures Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• Photo Tints Overlay Set by Shadowhouse
• 6 Faves Texture Sets 3 (Not a Clue) by Shadowhouse

Brushes

• Ropes -n- Chains Brushes by redheadstock
• Hair brush set by para-vine

All other images/textures/brushes etc my own.

MCN: CV3TH-NSH3F-Q83XS

A Very Special Cat

One of our two cats died last weekend and I still have a 'Mayberry-shaped hole'. Unfortunately, I never took many photos of her (she never sat still long enough) and those I took aren't very good. I decided not to make the same mistake with our other cat.

He's the sweetest little thing, a little dopey, very cuddly and not a mean bone in his body. He's a very special cat indeed.

Photograph my own.

Credits

• Freebie Actions (Veruca Salt) by Apples & Sisters
• Polaroid Overlay Set by Shadowhouse

MCN: CEM6Y-Y8QM9-TYL1C

The Beach - *NEW* Series

I still remember seeing the sea the first time each summer and how it made me feel. It was magic.

All my own photographs plus

B and W Scratch by pareeerica

MCN: C9N34-9B1V7-2VFQ6

I saw these two bikes lying at the beach just as I was walking back to the car. Couldn't resist. :-)

All my own photographs plus

B and W Scratch by pareeerica

MCN: CDHL1-W47TL-CXJ7C

Another of the walking away images. I loved the seagull on the top of the mast; it is sitting there like a lookout and the red and black flag at the bottom. :-)

All my own photographs plus

• B and W Scratch by pareeerica
• Photo Tints Overlay Set (Harvest) by Shadowhouse

MCN: C4ER3-7T64X-H3RS7

As always, all images are available on Redbubble, DeviantArt, Bluecanvas and Artflakes. Also available as skins for laptops, Macbooks, Blackberry, iPhone and Droid on Bluecanvas. :-) 

Just click on any of the link buttons along the right-hand side. :-)

Photo Fun and Sad News

I had some fun snapping photos with my new Hipstamatic app. I love all the different looks you can achieve. :-) Here's just a (very) small selection of the images I shot this weekend. I did some with a 'real' camera as well, those are coming up soon.

It was nice to play around and have some fun on Sunday, especially as I had some bad news on Saturday. One of our cats who had been suffering from a tumour or abscess in her cheek had to be put down by the vet as it was getting too painful and debilitating for her (until the last few days she was fine in herself and painless).

She was one tough old cat - 18 years old. I still expect her to walk through the door with one of her crany miaows. I bet she's in cat heaven (or wherever cats go), hunting mice to her heart's content, however she left behind a Mayberry-shaped hole...

All our cats have been 'rescued' somehow... I wonder when the next one in need of rescuing will walk through the door. Or if you are in the Cambridge area and have a kitten that needs a good home... ?

Hollow

 

 

 

This is the illustration to accompany my poem of the same name.

Credits

Model

• Cube 2 by AimeeStock

Stock

• Rib Cage Stock by xSekhmet

Backgrounds and Textures

• Transilvanian Forest Pack by UmbraDeNoapte-Stock
• 6 Faves Texture Sets 3 by Shadowhouse
• Photo Tints Overlay Set by Shadowhouse
• All Hallows Eve Texture Set by Shadowhouse

Brushes

• Hair brush set by para-vine
• Cobwebs Photoshop Brushes by redheadstock
• Mist by spiritsighs-stock
• Fog by spiritsighs-stock

All other images, textures, brushes (MM Crack Brush) my own.

MCN: CQK1D-GEVVN-JR9TS

*NEW* Skins... :-) *NEW*

MacBook (13", 15" and 17")

PC Laptop (13", 15" and 17")

iPad

 

 BlackBerry Curve

Black Berry Tour

 

Blackberry Bold

 

Droid

iPhone 3GS and  iPhone 4TT

My images on your laptop, Macbook, iPad, iPhone, Blackberry or Droid now available from BlueCanvas. :-)

Delivery is free, prices reasonable and the quality is great. 

You can also check my Redbubble account for more images. If there's an image on Redbubble you like better, let me know and I'll upload it to BlueCanvas. Either leave a comment here or send me an e-mail using the Contac button at the top right-hand side of this page.

Mark of the Dragon

MCN: CDGMN-JS63U-VF8FS

 MCN: CH4G8-AMTN5-8TDAB

I had great fun today painting a dragon (or rather part of a dragon) on my son's arm and hand. He felt slightly tortured at having to sit still for half an hour, but I thought it was well worth the time. :-)

In case you're wondering what paints I used - it's all makeup. Since makeup is designed to go on skin it goes on and is removed easily and it also is less likely to itch or create skin irritation.The dragon skin in the background is from a picture of a Jackfruit I took ages ago.
I couldn't decide which of the two images I liked better, so here's the close-up of the dragon's eye as well.

All my own photographs and my own freehand drawing on the arm/hand.

Plus the following textures:

• Another Mixed Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• 6 Faves Texture Sets 1 by Shadowhouse
• Scratch The Surface Texture Set by Shadowhouse

More Street Life

Street Life III: The Shellac Collective

This is in honour of The Shellac Collective:http://www.mixcloud.com/tag/the-shellac-collective/ - a lovely team bringing 78s and the music that goes with it back into our lives.

All images my own plus:

• Six Faves Texture Sets 1 by Shadowhouse
• Photo Tints Overlay Set by Shadowhouse
• NF Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• Aged Photo Effect by Shadowhouse

MCN: CYAKB-368LG-BA6H8

Street Life IV: Much Loved

This collage of images is of all the much loved record sleeves with personal writing on them, and one of a record sleeve made from wall paper for a (obviously) much loved 78. :-)

All images my own plus:

• NF Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• Aged Photo Effect by Shadowhouse
• Old Paper Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• Square Texture Set 19 by Shadowhouse
• Photo Tints Overlay Set by Shadowhouse

MCN: CYSD5-TPL4P-R2SB6

Street Life V: Hot Numbers

This is a collage with more images from the fair plus some I took in the street. The "street images" are painted on a wall and were a 'sign' or advertisement for a record store that is no longer there. I thought they wen't really well together. Some Cambridge people may remember the store - it was called Hot Numbers.

All images my own plus:

• Aged Photo Effect by Shadowhouse
• Aged and Crackling Effects Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• Assorted Oddities Textures by Shadowhouse

MCN: CGC2N-X3WX5-EP4BT

Street Life VI: Club

This image is mainly made from LP record sleeves - I love the cover art on records, and the thought and love that went into them. I tried to cover several eras with the collage. The word "Club" was an image taken 'on the street' and edited in Photoshop to add the swirls. I finally added a couple of patterns to make it really 'sing'. :-)

All images my own plus:

Aged Photo Effect by Shadowhouse

You'd Be Surprised Texture by Shadowhouse

Assorted Oddities Textures by Shadowhouse

BG Vintage PK4 by Inspyretash-Stock

BG Vintage PK7 by Inspyretash-Stock

MCN: CH3S4-UBEE5-872QE

Well, not street life exactly, although I did walk in off the street and mixed in some street photography. LOL


I went to The Shellac Collective's Record Fair yesterday to see the amazing number of 140000 records (78s, LPs and singles) and was allowed to take loads of pictures, which I combined into more Street Life images. I've also used some of my actual Street Life images (graffiti and paintings on the walls plus signage) to add more character. I am really pleased with how they turned out.


With much thanks to The Shellac Collective for allowing me to take pictures at their Record Fair. If you're interested in seeing this marvellous collection, there's another fair planned for December. I'll post the details on my blog nearer the time.

Dream

I wanted to have a play with a soft focus (lens baby) type of image. Unfortunately I haven't got a lens baby BUT I found the perfect image to play with...

Here's my interpretation of a dream - romantic and peaceful. (Not the kind of dreams I usually have, which are more vivid and often totally weird. LOL)

Credits

Model

• Soft Focus 13 by AimeeStock

Stock

• Seagull in flight moewe2 by archaeopteryx-stocks

Textures

• mr youngstrom by CKdailyplanet
• glitter texture 1 by Tracie76Stock
• Photo Tints Overlay Set by Shadowhouse
• 6 Faves Texture Sets 1 by Shadowhouse
• NF Texture Set by Shadowhouse

All other images/textures/brushes etc. my own

 MCN: CJ3VW-GJVS2-9VXLG