AUGUST 2022
E L E VA T E Y O U R A R T Bi-Monthly Magazine Featuring Photoshop Artists
featuring
SUE A NDER SON
Reviewer
Mem bers of the review team are integral to the success of hundre ds of P hotoshop art i st s. H i g hly trained, they provide over 15,000 video reviews a year for me mbe rs of Beyond t he Brushe s. Vid eo feed back is the key to success for many who are new to P hotoshop pai nt i ng!
Feat ured
A r t i s t : Ma r i e He lya r Ma r i e h e lya ra r t i s t . co m . a u Mar ie s n ap p e d a p h oto of h er g ra n d d a u g hter a n d b rou g ht h er d og i nto t h e p aintin g to o . Th is o n e is o uts i d e of h er comfor t zon e wi t h t h e s of t , n eu t ra l pa let te. Howeve r, h e r g o al was to c rea te t h e percept i on of movement a n d s of t n es s , s o s h e exp e r im e nte d w ith s eve ral d i f ferent b r u s h es , es pec i a lly for t h e b a c k g rou n d .
W EL COME... Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are in the dog days of summer. It’s hot, it’s humid, and, if we’re being honest, **not** prime time for painting. Yes, I just said that! When summer arrives, almost without fail, I lose my inspiration to paint. I want to be outside doing outside things, and none of those things involve holding a paintbrush! Does this sound familiar? If so, dive into this month’s issue where I’ll reveal how I keep my painting momentum in the summer when I want to do anything but paint.
Michelle
C OV E R I M AG E BY K at hr y n K i ns l e r ht t p s : //w w w. i n s t a g ra m . co m /a n _ unf i n i s h e d _ p a i nt i n g Ka t h r y n ph otog ra ph ed h er A pr i l S h ower s Ba by on t h e 7 t h yea r mi les ton e of b ei n g a b les s i n g i n h er li fe. From a pi c t u re ta k en i n t h e g a ra g e to on e wor t hy of d i s pla y, Ka t h r y n k n ows s h e ca n cou nt on h er d a u g hter to b r i n g a ra y of li g ht to h er li fe a n d a s mi le to h er fa ce.
Ma g a z ine © M iche l l e Pa r s l ey, M. Ph oto g . , M. A r t i s t , C r. , C PP St u d e nt im a g e s © re m a i n w i t h e a c h i n d i v i d ua l a s n ote d . Screen captur ing a rt wo rk fro m t he m a g a z ine fo r yo ur ow n us e - w h et h e r p e r s o n a l o r co m m e rc i a l us e - i s a vi olat i on of th e a rt ist s’ co py rig ht which is p un i s h a b l e by Fe d e ra l f i n e s of up to $ 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 p e r i m a g e . P l e a se b e re sp e ct fu l of t h e co py r i g ht of t h e a r t i s t s . T h a n k yo u.
CONTENTS p1 p2 p5 p17 P24 p29
Featured Reviewer: Marie Helyar Welcome from Michelle The Dog Days of Summer... Artist Feature: Sue Anderson Golden Brush Award Winners 2022 Rufus is a LIAR!
A rti s t: Randi Seigel L au gh inglightstudios . co m Ran di loves flowers a ny way yo u can v iew th e m , f re s h or ph otog ra ph ed . Wh i le c rea t i n g t h i s pa i nt i n g , s h e wa nted t he fr u i t a nd flowers to be a foca l p o int w ith o ut detrac tin g f ro m t h e la n d s ca pe ou t s i d e t h e w i n d ow. From t h e s u b jec t to h er s i gna t u re , e a ch asp ect of the pa int ing draws th e v iewe r ’s inte re s t.
M ASTH E A D & CO N TR IBU TO RS MICHELLE PARSLEY PUBLISHER HANNAH PARSLEY COPYWRITER CATH SMITH EDITOR ARTICLES: SUE ANDERSON
IMAGES: KATHRYN KINSLER MARIE HELYAR RANDI SEIGEL PAULETTE CASSIDY JANICE BATTERBEE DEB RICE VICKIE BOLDUC TANYA GRIFFIOEN EVIE SHOEMAN KELLY O’KEEFE BEKKIE HARPER SUE ANDERSON MIRIAM STEGER ROWENA CHERRY JENNY FROH LINDA HALL DIANNA RUCKER
T H E D O G DAYS OF SUMMER...
The cover image of this month’s magazine looks a lot like my brain this time of year. I’m just sailing through the summer months in anticipation of gloomy weather in the fall. I am most inspired to paint when the weather is less than favorable outside. It keeps my mind occupied when there’s not much farm work to do. Gloomy, yucky weath er is honestly when I do my best work. So, how do I survive the summer? In the summertime, I work a bit slower. I still take commissions, but I use an extended timeline for delivery. This allows me to do a bit more lollygagging than I typically do other times of the year. And by lollygagging, I mean road trips, hiking, swimming, and having friends and family over for a barbecue. It’s the one time a year that all these activities can be enjoyed so — I enjoy them! The only way I can accomplish this is to lighten my schedule, so that’s exactly what I do. I’ve been asked, “Don’t you feel bad about not maintaining your normal turnaround?” Listen, we only live once. If someone gets testy about an extended delivery schedule, I’m honest. I remind them that it’s summertime and I work a bit slower to allow me to enjoy summer activities wi th my
family. It is the rare client that will argue that point. If a client simply won’t back down and demands that they need a fast turn around, I offer them my rush service. My rush service basically involves me dropping *everything* to complete a work in just a day or two. Rush service doubles the creative fee so it is unusual for clients to accept those terms. When they do, I don’t feel bad about hammering out the work on their ti meline because I’ve been doubly compensated for my time. In my mind, it’s a fair exchange — especially if I’ve had to alter my plans to accommodate their schedule. It may be hot, humid, and somewhat miserable with temperatures soaring over 90 degrees with 90% humidity. But it’s summertime, and that’s part of the charm. Cold winds and dreary weather will be here soon enough, and with that, I’ll return to my normal turn around times, but until then, I’m gonna soak up the sun and enjoy every last second of summer 🌞
A r t i s t : Pa ul et te C a s s i d y Pa u lette h as b e e n exp e r im e ntin g w i t h f reeh a n d pa i nt i n g ent i re pi eces of a r t . O n ce s h e s a w t h e expres s io n o n th is o s tr ic h’s face , s h e k n ew i t ’d b e a g rea t s u b jec t to wor k on h on i n g h er s k i lls . I m e an , w h o cou ld res i s t t h a t fa ce, r i g ht ?
Jan ice wa s whisk ed away by th e r hyth m an d e nth u s i a s m of t h es e f r i en d s pla y i n g Ba t u ca d a . T h i s Bra z i li a n percu s s i on ha s Af ri ca n roots, a nd th e re p etitio n an d p ace of th e mu s i c a re s u re to g et you r b r u s h mov i n g ! J u s t a pra c t i ce s es s i on ha d a l l of the specta tors o n th e ir fe et an d Jan ice re ady to pa i nt .
A r t i s t : Ja n i ce Bat te r b e e @j a n i ce b at te r b e e 16 9 5
A r t i s t : D e b Ri ce Deb sa w this im ag e as an o p p o r tun ity to d emon s t ra te a ll of t h e f i n e- t u n i n g s h e’s b een wor k i n g on w i t h he r bru sh mod ificatio n s kil l s . Th e m o de l’s h air a n d g loves rea lly let h er f lex t h os e a r t i s t i c mu s c les t h a t s h e’s be e n wor k i n g h a rd to a c h i eve.
A r t i s t : V i c k i e B o l d uc ht t p s : //w w w. j v p h oto s . co m V ick ie ha ppened up o n th is g ir l w h ile s e arc h in g for i n s pi ra t i on a n d ju s t k n ew s h e h a d to pa i nt h er. Wh en d eci d i ng on the ba ck grou nd , wis te r ia caug ht h e r h e ar t an d her eye. Her n ew g oa l for t h e env i ron ment wa s to prod u ce a n old -wor ld g arde n fe e l e n ca ps u la t i n g t h i s en c h a nt i n g you n g la d y.
Ar tist: Tanya G riffio e n Ta nya love s takin g p h oto s of h e r g ran dki d s . Her g ra n d d a u g hter, Joz i e, ca n b e a bit of a dram a q ue e n an d h as c r yin g on comma n d n ea r ly d ow n pa t . Ta ny a ca ptu red the s h ot an d is g ettin g Jozie’s por t foli o rea d y for w h en s h e b ecomes a movie star. J us t lo o k at th o s e p re c io us a lli g a tor tea r s !
A r t i s t : Ev i e S h o e m a n Evie loves h o r s e p aintin g s an d wante d to pa i nt on e for h er g ra n d d a u g hter. Her g oa l wa s to c rea te the percepti o n of m otio n an d s p e e d. Th e b ra yer b r u s h pla yed a k ey role i n h elpi n g h er pu ll t h a t of f a nd b r in g in g t h i s pa i nt i n g to t h e f i n i s h li n e.
A r t i s t : Ke l ly O ’ Ke efe www. ke l lyo ke efe p h oto g ra p hy. co m Kelly d id s o m eth in g th at’s n e ce s s ar y - s h e pa i nted for h er s elf ! S h e ca pt u red t h i s h eron d u r i n g a snowstor m , an d as s o o n as th e im ag e d own loa d ed , s h e felt ca lled . It n ow prou d ly h a n g s i n h er office as a 1 6x2 0 canvas w rap in a d a r k g rey f loa t i n g f ra me. T h e b es t pa r t ? S h e loves i t .
Art ist : B e k k ie Ha rp e r B ek k ie crea te d th is p aintin g as a momenta ry respite f ro m th e wo r ld’s d ra ma a nd tensio n . He r g o al was to dra w the viewer’s s o ul into a s e n s e of p e ace a nd ca lm, a nd s h e co uld th in k of n o better wa y tha n th e tran q uil ity an d pea cefu lness of a s le e p in g an im al .
A r t i s t : S u e And e r s on
ARTIST FE ATU R E
SUE ANDER SON
FAI T H TO THE F IN IS H T H E E X T E N T O F S U E ’ S PA I N T I N G E X P E R I E N C E WAS A F L E E T I N G M O M E N T. A O N E- DAY B O B R O S S C L AS S S PA R K E D H E R I N T E R ES T, B U T N OT H AV I N G T H E M E A N S A N D S PAC E TO PA I N T O N CA N VAS I G N I T E D H E R J O U R N E Y.
Ar ti s t: S ue And e rs on
It was several years ago that Sue took the Bob Ross class, but her experience with Photoshop began when she started doing photography. Once she realized painting and Photoshop could be combined to accommodate her circumstances, Sue went on the hunt for courses. Beyond the Brushes became quite literally an answered prayer, and Sue strive s to not take any of it for granted. Every lesson has had at least one struggle for Sue to overcome, but she has learned to relish the challenge thanks to the patience and feedback from the review team. Her attitude of gratitude makes sure she doesn’t sweat the small stuff. Made a mistake? That’s okay! The beauty of Photoshop is that you can correct your mistakes without wasting paint or canvas. Having that burden off of her mind helps Sue to truly experience what she is painting. It is like she becomes a part of the painting at that location, in that moment, and with that subject to experience all of the emotions wrapped into each brushstroke. You’d think that music would set the tone for this transcendence, right? Well, Sue actually prefers a quiet environment where she can focus her mind and harmonize with the painting. If music were to be playi ng though, instrumental worship and nature sounds would be first up on Sue’s playlist.
believes God inspires all of her paintings; however, this series had a bit of a twist with sororal counsel involved. Sue’s sister was creating journals and asked for Sue to paint the covers. Usually, Sue will use her own photography work, but her sister was needing specific subjects to fit the series theme. Selecting the right images was the springboard for success on these covers. The color palette came together, being dictated by the seasons. Soft, warm colors were used for the spring covers, and cool, watery colors were used for the summer. For her brushes, Brushy Goodness stood out above the rest in this series. For painting in general, Sue admits it is difficult to pick a favorite. If she wasn’t limited to just one, Brushy Goodness, Greasy Blen der, Skin Blender, and Brayer would be Sue’s selections from the numerous brushes available in Beyond the Brushes. Though Sue didn’t work freehand in this series, that is her goal. She wants to complete a painting from scratch, and some of the best advice she has received on working toward that is “loosen up.” Even though she carries a sense of peace wherever she goes, Sue is still having to learn to loosen up her brushstrokes and her photography perfectionism, but she’s ready to face the challenge head-on with faith and tranquility.
Being in tune with her surroundings is something Sue attributes to her faith. She
S U E J O I N E D B E YO N D T H E B R U S H E S I N M AY 2 0 2 0 A F T E R F I N D I N G T H E A N SW E R TO H E R P R AY E R S FO R A C R E AT I V E O U T L E T. H E R S TO RY S P E A K S O F H OW G O D L E D H E R TO A P E AC E T H AT PAS S E S A L L U N D E R S TA N D I N G T H R O U G H PA I N T I N G . F I N D S U E O N L I N E AT F I N E A R T P H OTO G R A P H Y1 8 . M Y P I X I E S E T.C O M
Arti st:Su e And erson
A r t i s t :S u e And e r s on
A r t i s t : S u e A n d er s on
GO LDE N B RUSH AWA R D W I NNER S Q 1 A ND Q 2 20 2 2
Q1 Christ ie Le c hlitne r
Q2 B e k kie Ha r p e r
A rti st: Mir iam Stege r www.facet-fotografie . nl M i ri am photogra phe d th e s e tul ip s b ac k in 2 0 17 in a f i n e- a r t , p ai nterly style. Thou g h th e o r ig in al p h oto g rap h wa s a b s olu tely lovely, Miria m sa w so m e ro o m fo r im p rove m e nt. Af ter g et t i n g a few lesso ns u nd er her be l t, s h e de c ide d th o s e im p rove ment s were b es t m ade by pa int ing the tul ip s in P h oto s h o p !
A r t i s t : Rowe n a C h e r r y fa ce b o o k . co m / I m a g eI n at i o n by Rowe n a Rowen a g ot i n s pi red for t h i s pi ece w h en t he flowe r b u d d y g rou p s ta r ted i n Beyon d t h e Br u s he s . S he d u g u p h er old ph oto of t h es e lovely pe oni e s a nd wa nted to i n cor pora te h er fa vor i te va r i et i e s w i t h s of t h u es a n d la cy peta ls . It wa s a d eli ght to fi na l ly pa i nt i t .
r a i L
RUFUS IS A
Learning to paint in Photoshop can be completely addictive. Rufus knows this. So when summer hits and the desire to paint wanes in favor of summertime activities, Rufus is set to pounce! He has been waiting for this moment all winter long!
You’re gonna have to relearn all of them.” “Nobody checked on you. Nobody missed you. This means you’re not a good artist.”
“You don’t need to paint. Go outside and play!” Rufus will say, and you listen, because you want to go outside and play.
(BIGGEST LIE EVER — we don’t check on people because being a little less present in the summer is normal.)
In this instance, Rufus is both right and wrong! Yes, you should go outside to play but not at the expense of your skills degrading. In a lot of ways, painting is a habit. When you wake up one day and realize it’s been 6 weeks since you touched your Wacom pen, it’s really hard to pick it up again.
This is a self defeating cycle that will only become harder and harder to break. Rufus knows this, so he keeps supplying excuse after excuse. So, what’s the answer?
The more you beat yourself up about not painting for so long, the more Rufus supplies you with excuses... “You’ve been gone so long now, it’s gonna be hard to start again.” “It’s not just because it’s summer. It’s because you’re not cut out for Photoshop painting.” “You’ve forgotten X, Y, and Z skills.
Paint something! ANYTHING! It doesn’t matter if it’s the worst painting in the history of the universe — just PAINT! The act of painting will help you break the cycle that Rufus has so wickedly trapped you in. Never forget — Rufus will use any li ttle blip in your routine to convince you that you should quit... including summer! NEVER let Rufus win!
Ar t i s t Je n ny Fro h , M. Ph oto g ht t p s : //w w w. j e n ny f ro h . co m . co m Jenny sna ppe d a s h ot of h e r p re c io us p ug , Lolli pop, d u r i n g a s pr i n g ph oto s h oot . Lolli pop’s ex pres s i on wa s s o end ea ring that Je n ny j us t kn ew s h e h ad to p a i nt h er sweet pu p. C h a n g i n g t h e color of t h e b u n ny swea ter he l pe d c re ate a m o re co h es i ve color pa let te a n d pu lled i t a ll tog et h er.
A r t i s t : Li n d a Ha l l li n d a l e e h a l l . p i xe l s . co m Lind a ’s god d a u g hte r s s tar te d an Arab ian h o r s e b reed i n g b u s i n es s . T h ei r f i r s t foa l wa s a mon u menta l occa s i on for them, bu t sa d ly, it p as s e d away a we e k late r. L i n d a wa nted to commemora te t h e moment for t h em a s we l l a s t hi s m e an in g f u l li fe t h a t wa s g on e too s oon .
Art ist : D i a n n a Ruc ke r ht t p : //ru cke r p h oto g ra p hy. s m ug m ug . Dia nna ’s h us b an d p as s e d un exp e c te dly i n 202 0, a n d s i n ce t h en , h er pu p, Lu cy, h a s mea nt s o mu c h to her. As a tr ib ute to Lucy’s un co n dition a l compa n i on s h i p, s h e took a ph oto wi t h a pa i nt i n g i n mi nd . Dian n a us e d it as p rac tice o n lea d i n g t h e v i ewer ’s eye a n d i mprov i n g h er b a c k g rou n d s .
A r t i s t Je n n i fe r Wy n n e www. j e n n i fe r w y n n e p h oto g ra p hy. co m Jennifer mu st h ave p ainte d th is o n e w ith “ M y Fa vor i te T h i n g s” pla y i n g i n t h e b a c k g rou n d . It fea t u res h er a nd he r cherished son, Er ic , s ittin g o n th e f ro nt p o rc h of on e of h er mos t b eloved a r t i s t s , Remb ra n d t , i n on e of h er fa vor i te c itie s , Am s te rd a m. T h i s i s d ef i n i tely on e for t h e wa ll!
A r t i s t : D i A n n a Pa ul k C PP, M. Ph oto g DiA nna was ap p ro ac h e d by a fo r m e r wed d i n g c li ent a b ou t d oi n g a commi s s i on pi ece of t h e c li ent ’s d a u ghter. T h e co lo r s an d b ac kg ro un d we re d i c ta ted by t h e c lot h i n g c h oi ces a n d t h e req u es t of t h e c li e nt . DiA n n a co n s ide re d it an h o n o r to b e a pa r t of t h e s pec i a l d a y a n d n ow a t rea s u red memor y.
E L E VAT E YO U R A R T. C O M
