Artists Down Under - Australia and New Zealand - Issue 85

56-57

58-59

60

61

62-63

64-72

PRUE WRIGHT

KEVIN SIMS

COLIN KILLICK

CATBEAGLE CREATIONS

KAREN WAALWYK

ARTICLE CREATIVITY INTERVIEW

By Maureen Maxwell

73

74-75

GEORGE KONCZ

ROBYN MCLAUCHLAN

76-77

SANDRA DANN

PENNY DE JONG 78-79

80-81

82-83

84-85

ROSA PERRY

COLIN CAMPBELL

SONIA PUSEY

PAM HENDERSON 86-87

88-102

103-107

MONTHLY ARTISTIC PHOTOSHOP CHALLENGE

THEME - EASTER EGGS WITH LEGS

ARTISTS BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Desert Queen

DOWN UNDERartists

Australia and New Zealand

Happy Easter from the crew at Artists Down Under.

Easter is upon us, what a fabulous time of the year - chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. But what is better than chocolate is the company of friends and loved ones. A special time when we can all get together and celebrate how much we all mean to each other.

Like our artists, the love and passion they have for their art is endless, so let me show you their passion in this month’s edition that I have put together for you all.

This month our favourite Photoshop guru, our very special Andrew Haysom, shares another very helpful and informative Photoshop tutorial. This month on the “Refine Saturation Slider”. I hope you all enjoy it.

The girls have kindly shared another fun-filled edition of their “Chinese Whispers” series, how cute did the finished results end up. Well done girls.

Maureen Maxwell has banded a group of our artists together and asked them their thoughts on what Creativity means to them. I am sure you will love reading through our artists thoughts and they have also kindly shared with us an image that they have put together.

A huge congratulations to all our talented artist that are participating in exhibitions over the next month, and for the challenges and competitions that they have also succeeded in over the past month.

Lastly, the monthly artists challenge for April was “Easter Eggs With Legs”. A tricky one but such delightful images that our artists sent in. I know you will all love them.

Well, that’s it from me. Stay safe on the roads, take care of each other and look out for those less fortunate around you.

Pam Henderson

ALISON MEIER ( NEW ZEALAND )

THE SECRET LIFE OF RUST

DOUBLE DROSTE

DENISE HUNTER LOGAN ( AUSTRALIA )

BLUE BIRD

http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/maureen-maxwell/

A PARISIAN HEADING HOME

https://www.facebook.com/dean.hohn/photos

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/dean-hohn/

WEDGE-TAILED

EAGLE INFLIGHT

artists Achievements monthly down under

artists down under facebook page

The Artists Down Under Public Facebook page has been set up to allow the artists in the group to showcase their work and to enable them to share promotional information about themselves, e.g. exhbitions, awards etc...

You can find the Artists Down Under Public Facebook page at this address; https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistsDownUnder/

So, if you are an artist in the group, don’t forget to regularly share your work and information here, and to let your friends and family know about the page if they are interested in viewing the latest art and news from the group.

If you are a reader of the magazine who does not have access to the page, please click the link above and request to join. When you request to join you will be asked to answer three simple questions that will allow us to determine if you are an eligible artist who may wish to join the group and therefore be able to post on the page, or a member of the public who can view, comment and like the work on the page. It’s a great place to see some great art from this vibrant group every day!

Three ADU members receive a special gift

Our very good Awake friends Katherine Zdonczyk of MagicalReality Designs and Diane Stafford from WhiteLaneStudio continue to give gifts as a reward for members of the Artists Down Under group who contribute to the ADU Facebook page by regularly posting their artworks and supporting other members with their comments.

Katherine, is well known for her fantastic sets of digital designer backgrounds, masks and all kinds of wonderful elements ready for designers to add to or build a wondrous creation.

Katherine Zdonczyk can be found at @ Oscraps http://bit.ly/3tTMUfM @ Etsy https://etsy.me/3RWjmpU

Diane Stafford from Chester, UK, designs Photoshop textures and overlays for photo artists and photographers to use in their digital artworks. Diane has created another special kit just for Artists Down Under for the month of APRIL.

Two artists will receive a Diane kit each. Diane Stafford can be found at https://whitelanestudio.co.uk/biolinks

The APRIL lucky winners are

Magical Reality Designs Gift Voucher

- Denise Cauchi

Diane Stafford (WhiteLaneStudio) Texture & Overlay Kit

- Ailene Cuthbertson

- Anthea Scotte

shift art

March 2024 Theme “Zoom In”

https://shiftart.com/shift-art-photoshop-challenge-results-march-2024/

Congratulations goes to

Runner Up

Penny De Jong

Honourable Mention Rosa Perry

Being Noticed

Lynsey Stirland-Mitchell Prue Wright

Rosa Perry - Macro Marvels

Prue Wright - Splish Splash

Lynsey Stirland-Mitchell - Putting On My Face

Penny De Jong - The Wonder Of Nature

LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE

https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/issue109-final?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

Congratulations to the following artists for having their images chosen to appear in the International magazine “Living The Photo Artistic Life”.

Sandra Dann

- Spring Is In The Air

Helen McLeod

- The Last Piece Of The Puzzle

- Pillars Of Society

Rosa Perry

- Starry, Starry Night

Kim Ricci

- Inhibitions Lost

Ilona Abou-Zolof

- Distant Memories

Sonia Pusey

- Unexplored

Denise Hunter Logan

- Blue Bird

- Memories

Maureen Maxwell

- Are They Friendly?

- A Parisian Heading Home

Lynette Paul

- Thinking Is Not Doing

Denise Hunter Logan - Memories

Maureen Maxwell - Are They Friendly?

Rosa Perry - Starry, Starry Night

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Distant Memories

Helen McLeod - Pillars Of Society

Helen McLeod

- The Last Piece Of The Puzzle

Denise Hunter Logan - Blue Bird

Sandra Dann - Spring Is In The Air

Kim Ricci - Inhibitions Lost

Sonia Pusey - Unexplored

Lynette Paul - Thinking Is Not Doing

Maureen Maxwell - A Parisian Heading Home

LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE

Featured Artist Penny De Jong

Penny De Jong - Swathed In Sunlight

Penny De Jong - Precipice

Penny De Jong - From The Sea

Penny De Jong - Bella Walking Her Butterflies

Penny De Jong - Woman In Lampshade

Penny De Jong - Great Grandma Flowers

Penny De Jong - Hope

Penny De Jong - Weird Fun At Grandma’s House

light space and time

https://lightspacetime.art/figurative-art-exhibition-march-2024

Congratulations to Ilona Abou-Zolof for her special achievements in the “Figurative” Light Space & Time competition.

Photography & Digital Special Recognition

10th Place - “Let’s Get Hot” “Witching Hour”

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Let’s Get Hot

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Witching Hour

fusion art

9th Annual Artists Choice Art Exhibition

https://www.fusionartps.com/9th-annual-artists-choice-art-exhibition-march-2024/

Congratulations to Ilona Abou-Zolof for her special achievements in the “9th Annual Artists Choice” Art Exhibition.

Honourable Mention

Ilona Abou-Zolof

Finalist

Ilona Abou-Zolof - “Straight On ” - “Futuristic”

Ilona AAbou-Zolof - Straight On

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Futuristic

Margaret Kalms

- Endometriosis Pain Like Fire

Margaret Kalms - Trapped By Bleeding

Margaret Kalms - Tears Of London Eyes

Margaret Kalms - Nefertiti Still Inspires

Margaret Kalms - The Queen Whom Alice Encountered

Margaret Kalms - White Noise Everything Pulling Falling

THREE SISTERS

https://www.zolof.net/ https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/ilona-abou-zolof/

VIRGINIA AND VICTORIA

LOOKING TO LAND

https://www.mariehelyarartist.com.au

https://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/mick-rooney/

WALKER

https://www.juliepowellphoto.com/

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/julie-powell/

COCKATOO

COCKATOO WATER COLOUR

https://mike-boyd-clark.com/

DOWN UNDER

Australia and New Zealand

SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION

REFINE SATURATION SLIDER

By Andrew Haysom

In the June 2023 release of Adobe Camera RAW (version 15.4) and Lightroom CC (version 6.4) Adobe introduced the Refine Saturation Slider.

It is a small, and fairly hidden slider, and may have slipped under many people’s radar, but it is incredibly useful.

It is found in the Curves Panel, but only appears for the RGB Point Curve, if you select the Parametric Curve or any of the colour channel (red, green or blue) Point Curves the Refine Saturation slider will not appear (refer Figure 1).

Note also that the slider will not become active until after you have made an adjustment to the curve.

[Figure 1 – Curves panel with RGB Point Curve selected]

One of the issues that arises when you make contrast adjustments to your image is that it can cause unwanted changes to the saturation of your colours, and it can even sometimes introduce hue changes if the adjustments are big enough.

If you increase contrast (darken the darks, lighten the lights) there will nearly always be a consequent increase in the saturation, if you decrease contrast (lighten the darks, darken the lights) there will be a decrease in saturation.

The job of the refine saturation slider is to reduce the impact to saturation for changes made using the RGB Point Curve. Moving the slider to zero removes completely any impact to saturation caused by your curves adjustment. Moving the slider to 100 leaves the full impact of your curves adjustment on the saturation, obviously you can adjust the slider anywhere in between to dial in the required saturation.

So for a curve that increases contrast moving the Refine Saturation slider down towards zero will decrease saturation, while for a curve that decreases contrast moving the Refine Saturation slider down towards zero will increase saturation.

Please note that the Refine Saturation slider only affects saturation changes made in the RGB Point Curve, it doesn’t affect any saturation changes made in other ways (eg the Contrast slider or the Blacks and Whites sliders).

I have found good success recently by making any required contrast adjustments with the RGB Point Curve rather than using the other methods.

The Curves panel is also available to you when creating masks in Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw which allows even more precise and targeted adjustments.

My favourite Photoshop trainer, Greg Benz, recently posted a tutorial on this subject, it is well worth a watch. It is called “How to avoid color shifts with Lightroom curves” and can be found at this link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW_iVF1peT0

Andrew Haysom

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/lyn-darlington/

EASTERN YELLOW ROBIN

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/kim-ricci/

HORSE GUARDS

https://trish-hoskin.myportfolio.com/

http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/trish-hoskin/

MARY LEBONE

A VERY ARTISTIC LONDON

LEVI LION

MINNIE MONKEY

MARINA HOBBS ( AUSTRALIA )

AFTERNOON IN THE SALON

THE DEBUTANTES

URBAN II

https://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/sharon-rankmore/

ELENOR GILL ( NEW ZEALAND )

THE HIGH PRIESTESS

DOWN artistsUNDER

Australia and New Zealand

DIGITAL ARTISTS GROUP

A COLLABORATIVE GROUP OF PHOTO ARTISTS

CHINESE WHISPERS #77 “OUR FAIRIES”

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

Pam is so creative and skilled in crafting beautiful whimsical images aimed at children. I’m so impressed with what she has done with the start image I sent her.

If you have the opportunity to work in collaboration with another person, both Pam and I would suggest you give it a go. Over the 6 years we’ve been doing this, we have learnt so much from each other. However, the most important aspect of working together has been the “FUN” we’ve had.

Pam Henderson

Maureen Maxwell

Maureen Maxwell

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/dennis-rickard/

THE EYE’S HAVE IT

https://andrewhaysom.myportfolio.com/ https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/andrew-haysom/

BLUE WAVES

AQUAMARINE ABSTRACT

PRUE WRIGHT ( AUSTRALIA )

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/kevin-sims/

FOGGY PIER

https://www.flickr.com/photos/88165766@N05

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/karen-waalwyk/

DOWN UNDER artists

Australia and New Zealand

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW

By Maureen Maxwell

This month I asked several people ‘WHAT DOES CREATIVITY

The responses were varied, and all are interesting.

MEAN TO YOU?’.

When I consulted a Thesaurus, I found so many relevant words. For example ‘inventiveness, imagination, imaginativeness, innovation, innovativeness, originality, individuality; artistry, expressiveness, inspiration, vision, creative power, creative talent, creative gift, creative skill, resourcefulness, ingenuity, enterprise’.

I believe that our Artists Down Under members, plus our wider international group, can identify with all these words

Maureen Maxwell - The Future Awaits

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW (CONT....)

ANDREW HAYSOM

Creativity has a lot of different meanings for me. It can mean a unique or original approach to problem-solving for example. During my almost 40-year IT career I think I was known as a creative problem-solver, and even a creative programmer/coder, and I’d often be included on incident teams or be asked to help others because of this.

Creative can also sometimes have a bit of a negative connotation too, as in “creative accounting” where it means bending the rules, I do remember a boss accusing me at least once of “interpreting company HR rules very creatively” - this was to do with allowing staff to work from home - way, way before working from home became a thing.

As far as artistic creativity goes, it was certainly not something I associated with myself for most of my life. Photoshop and Awake changed that for me. These days, I seem to have abandoned the traditional compositing art taught in Sebastian’s courses, I rarely if ever do this anymore. Now, for me, my creative joy mostly comes about from exploring colours, textures, patterns, and light in creating abstract works. This brings me a lot of joy, and it is how I relax. It doesn’t always result in something that I would end up showing people, but occasionally I create something I love. Even when the result is nothing you can be sure the “Photoshop play” has been fun.

Occasionally these abstracts will be created from a photograph, but more often than not they are created from a blank Photoshop canvas using various techniques, gradients, filters (both in-built and add-ins), adjustment layers, brushes etc.

“Rebirth” is a recent “from blank canvas” creation. It started as an exercise in trying to create something with two complementary colours. It is one of my favourites from my recent creations.

Andrew Haysom - Rebirth

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW (CONT....)

CHRISTINA BRUNTON

Creating art for me is a meditation where I am so focussed on creating my art that time stands still. Creating is a way of life that sings to me, and I always hope my work touches a viewer’s heart and soul.

Creative people do not just sit around waiting for inspiration to strike, creativity requires regular practice. I am disciplined in the pursuit of my art, which is why I have a daily alarm on my iPhone that says “bum on seat” to tell me to start creating. For me this means setting aside a little time each day specifically to brainstorm, practice, learn, or create. I have an art buddy and once a week we watch tutorials together and learn from each other. Ideas are waiting to be found everywhere so I regularly look within. Creativity always lives inside us, and your dreams will glow with creativity.

I love working with a theme in mind, especially when it can carry into a series that I am passionate about. I call these ‘Projects of Passion.’ I really enjoy working on a body of work or series because to me they tend to say more as a group than as a single image or art piece. At the end of that series I focus on exploring new ideas for the next series.

I am part of a small group named the Meraki Artists, who produce fine art and exhibit our art. “Meraki” is a word which means “to do something with soul, creativity or love, when you leave a piece of yourself in your work”. I love that saying.

Christina Brunton - Leo The Lion

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW (CONT....)

COLIN CAMPBELL

I have had a long-standing love-hate relationship with creativity. But first, my understanding of creativity is engagement in the production or formulation of something new. Quite a wide definition that encompasses both the arts and sciences, objects, and ideas. If the “something new” is missing the engagement may be work, practice, experiment; all incredibly valuable functions in their own right. For me the opposite of creativity is boredom and depression.

I love creativity because it provides a way to enter the state of flow. The combination of concentration and challenge that is fundamental to the creative act can put one into a timeless energetic worry-free state of mind that has its own positive value regardless of the outcome.

I hate creativity because the requirement of originality and uniqueness of the “end product” can quickly become an exquisite instrument of torture and defeat, as can the desire for recognition and reward. My hatred was for a long time also connected to my futile struggle to find a nonexistent objective “meaning of life” in my creative efforts.

Colin Campbell - Too Cool To Jump, Then ...

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW (CONT....)

ILONA ABOU-ZOLOF

Creativity is freedom of expression, where imagination thrives, and sparks of innovation ignite. Pursuing creativity gives me the freedom to forge my path and create a unique identity through my artistic expression.

Every day, creativity calls me with its irresistible charm, offering a haven of endless possibilities and discoveries. It keeps me engaged, giving my life purpose and energy, as I dive into the depths of my imagination. Whether I am sketching delicate lines, or weaving vibrant colours on canvas it feeds my spirit, it compels me to express the complexities of my inner world in meaningful ways.

Creativity is my anchor in the chaos of life. It keeps me grounded and centred. There are no rules or boundaries, just my imagination. Through my art, I express myself. My creativity is a sacred space where anything is possible. With each brushstroke and word, I discover and transform myself as an artist.

Ilona Abou-Zolof - Creativity

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW (CONT....)

JULIE POWELL

Being a creative artist and photographer means everything to me. It’s like having a secret language to communicate with the world, expressing emotions, stories, and perspectives that words can’t capture. It’s a journey of constant exploration, where every moment behind the lens or with a brush in hand feels like an adventure.

Being creative is my way of breathing life into my thoughts and feelings, transforming them into something tangible and meaningful. Whether I’m capturing the vibrant chaos of a city street or painting the quiet beauty of nature, each creation is a piece of my soul laid bare for the world to see. It’s not just about making pretty pictures; it’s about connecting with people on a deeper level, stirring something inside them that maybe they didn’t even know was there.

At the end of the day, being a creative artist and photographer is about embracing the messy, beautiful, unpredictable journey of self-expression. It’s about finding joy in the process, celebrating the imperfections, and sharing a piece of myself with others. It’s what makes me feel alive.

Julie Powell - Julie, The Photographer

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW (CONT....)

PENNY DE JONG

Creativity to me is being able to use my imagination to craft works of digital art using a wide variety of tools, photographs, textures, and an eclectic array of elements.

The sophistication of cameras and computers and the pool of resources available to us all now makes creating even more enjoyable than ever before.

It is the delight of being virtually transported to any place and time of my choosing by creating images which may not exist in the conventional world.

Inspired by the world around me and other artists of all genres, I find that it’s a wonderful journey of challenge and limitless discovery.

I love the fact that creativity is not bound by rules or limitations; it’s about freedom of thinking and trying new techniques with never ending possibilities.

Since beginning this journey I find that I have continued to evolve as an artist. What lies ahead will be fabulously surprising and rewarding.

Penny De Jong - The Abundant Garden

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW (CONT....)

SANDRA DANN

It’s this amazing thing that can mean so many different things to each of us. For me, it’s not just a word; it’s a feeling that resonates deep within my soul. It’s this burning desire to express every thing that’s going on in my mind and heart, drawing inspiration from stories, books, movies, or even just the world around me.

Being creative is like giving my imagination free rein to wander through the labyrinth of my thoughts, all while having fun. It doesn’t always have to be about creating digital art. It could be brainstorming new ways to promote my business, designing eye-catching graphics for social media, indulging in some colouring, or simply taking a moment to reflect and find that spark of inspiration. So long as my mind and soul are doing and engaging in creative ways.

Creativity isn’t just about making stuff; it’s about exploring, experimenting, and finding joy in the process. I love quotes and this one sums up what I think and feel “It’s impossible to explain creativity. It’s like asking a bird, ‘How do you fly?’ You just do”

~ Eric Jerome Dickey

Sandra Dann - Red Hair And Doves

CREATIVITY INTERVIEW (CONT....)

PAM HENDERSON

Creativity to me is being able to bring the images in your head to life, to be able to express those thoughts and ideas that a real photographic image does not allow. Maybe some would say to live a second fantasy childhood.

Creativity allows no boundaries, no rules, only imagination. When life gets overwhelming or too busy, it is a way to stop the stress and anxieties of the real world and let your real inner self step forward … to breathe and re charge those energies.

Creativity allows me to stretch my imagination and to experiment with different ideas. In my world, there is no right or wrong, there is no good or bad, there is just art.

Life as a Digital Artist is exciting and who knows what lies around the corner for us all.

Pam Henderson - By The Light Of The Moon

ROBYN MCLAUCHLAN ( AUSTRALIA )

https://www.sandradimagery.com/

BUTTERFLY WOMAN

http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/penny-de-jong/

FROM THE FIRE

https://rosa-perry.myportfolio.com/artwork

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/rosa-perry/

READY FOR EASTER

ULYSSES II

https://www.instagram.com/soniapusey/?hl=en

END OF THE ROAD

https://www.facebook.com/snapnshootdesigns/

http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/pam-henderson/

photographic challenge theme: monthly artistic down under

artists easter eggs with legs

Ilona Abou-Zolof

Bev Terawskyj - Aussie Easter

Pam Henderson - Hit The Town

Maureen Maxwell - Wait For Us

Marina Hobbs - The Egg Revellers

Denise Hunter Logan - The Egg Napper

Christina Brunton - Getting Into Hot Water

Penny De Jong - I Want To

Karen Waaleyk - The Egg Hunt

Sandy McCleary

Robyn McLauchlan

Rosa Perry - Definitely Cracked

Marie Helyar

Kim Ricci - The Egg Collector

Prue Wright - Eaggster

Australia and New Zealand artists

DOWN UNDER

adu artists business advertisements

Art by Margaret Kalms Helping Women with Endometriosis

50% of profit donated to endometriosis research

When I first heard about endometriosis I felt a deep compassion and need to do what I could to help. Women with endometriosis suffer debilitating pain, disruptive symptoms and often endure multiple operations simply to function normally. Few people are patient when listening to descriptions of pain, symptoms or illness. This can have the effect of silencing people who are ill.

My compassion inspires my photoart which I show in presentations to raise awareness. I joined Awake to teach me advanced Photoshop skills, specifically to expand my photoartistic skills to create imaginative and dramatic images.

My photoart opens dialogue enabling freer expression of hidden feelings, experiences too private to mention in ordinary conversation. I create photoart inspired by the concerns of women with endometriosis. Several women have said that the process of imaging their suffering has helped them to face their pain and illness. There is immense strength in being heard. I want my photoart to become visual screams!!

26 women with endometriosis have told me about their experiences. They spoke to me about their concerns and collaborated during the photo session. We explored meanings of body, ideas of self and impacts of illness together, agreeing which ideas we would explore photographically. My photos are often carefully arranged, but that doesn’t mean they are fake. They represent the personal truth and experiences of 26 women with endometriosis. These women are remembering and acting out their OWN experiences. They choose their own stance and facial expression. Women with endometriosis are the only people who truly know what endometriosis FEELS like.

Unfortunately endometriosis is relatively common; an estimated 1 in 10 women living with endometriosis, being over 175,000,000 women worldwide! And an estimated 500,000 women in Australia! Their experiences are heart-breaking. Regular illness and debilitating pain result in missed education and poor career opportunities leaving them women vulnerable to poverty.

Women with endometriosis need real medical progress to reduce their suffering. I passionately desire to raise money for endometriosis research so that faster diagnoses are made and more effective treatments are found. To raise money for endometriosis research, I host events and sell products on Redbubble. Recently I gave $3,000 to Canberra Endometriosis Centre!

Share ‘EndoWomanArt’ with your friends on social media to raise awareness and money for women’s health!

We all need clothes & household goods. Buy yourself a treat or buy a special gift for your friends. Make your shopping count!

Remember 50% of profit goes to endometriosis research!

https://www.redbubble.com/ people/EndoWomanArt/shop

Follow ‘Life with Endometriosis’:

https://www.facebook.com/ LifeWithEndometriosis

See Margaret Kalms photoart, ‘Life with Endometriosis’:

http://www.endowomanart.com

Margaret Kalms

Bunch Of Butterflies On Grevillea Sweatshirt Butterflies False Colour Grey Stripes

Bunch Of Butterflies On Grevillea Pencil Case