I love photos of spider webs. I rarely take a good web photo; so I was very pleased to get this photo when I was in Kauai, visiting with Connie.
I worked with levels and then used the darken blending mode to make the web more dramatic.
It still needs work, but I think I have a good strt here.
When I knew Kate and I were going to Japan, I started hoping to see ladies in kimono. It's such a beautiful graceful dress. I did not expect to see many kimono on the street, but I had hopes of seeing a few. I could not get photos of all I saw (the ladies were on the move), but I did get some. And, we had the luck of going to a kimono fashion show at tare images from he Nishijin Textile Centre in Kyoto.
Below are images from ladies wearing kimono as they went about their business.
Below is an antique kimono that was on display at the textile museum.
Below are images from the kimono fashion show:
I decided that since I would be flying across the Pacific to go to Japan, I would stop off in Kauai to visit my friend Connie. She picked me up at the airport and spent two and a half days taking me around and showing me the sights of her beautiful island (best tour guide ever!).
We went to the Hindu Center.
Not being able to speak more than two Japanese phrases has made me very aware of the written word. Menus often have photos or interesting English translations, many rules (such as do not smoke while crossing the street) are posted graphically, simple phrases become works of art, and graffiti seems to have a universal look to it. So, I present you with some Japanese signs.
I am having big issues with the internet connection here, so I am blogging from my phone. Today has been a great tourist day. We started at a temple that wasn't what the book said, but was still interesting. The we went to the arts and crafts center and managed to have a class on printing Japanese wood block prints (since we were the only students, we each got to make 3). Then we went to a tea ceremony demonstration. Then we had a very tasty dinner at a ramen shop. Then we came back to our hotel. Life is still very good.
First I went to Kauai to visit Connie Williams and now I am in Japan with Kate White. Life is good!
First I went to Kauai to visit my dear friend and best tour guide ever, Connie Williams; and now I am in Japan being a tourist with my childhood chum, Kate White. Life is very good, indeed!
Still playing with blending modes. I wanted to practice more with the divide mode.
Below is the original photo I took of my younger daughter a few summers ago.
Below is a version after playing with divide and gausian blur modes.
Below I used divide, and a linear burn over a gaussean blur.
For my last variantion, I used divide and a gaussean blur.
Often, before taking a trip, I make myself a new purse (I started this in 2009; I have a lot of purses strewn around the house). I decided that I would try to make a slightly larger purse this time; one that would also hold my two cameras, as well as my iPad and usual purse stuff. I'm determined to do my two week trip with one carry one suitecase and my purse; so I have a lot of inventing packing and storing to do.
So, I present my purse/camera bag:
I printed out one of my Photoshop images (my older daughter as an elf) to make a zippered pocket on the purse flap.
Under the flap is the front of my purse, with another zippered pouch, this one with another of my Photoshop images.
I put another zippered pouch on the back of my purse. This one is cushioned/quilted and is big enough to hold my iPad and my trip journal.
I made this side pocket to hold my folding cane or a water bottle.
This side pocket will also hold a fair amount of stuff.
This is the inside of my bag; more pouches and two links for attachments.
On sunday, I am headed out for two weeks of travel to Hawaii (see you soon, Connie!) and Japan (see you soon, too, Kate!). So, I worked ahead on my drawings for through the time I will be gone.
Here they are:
Hunger Pangs
Flowers
Flying Creatures
