Welcome to My Creative Images Taking a long hard look at why you do something is always an interesting exprience! Some days I wonder why I spend so much time taking photgraphs and creating artwork, especially as everyone has a camera of some description and as a result the web is saturated with loads of great photgraphs....but then I start looking properly at what I create and how it makes me feel to sit and look at a finished piece of my work and then to see peoples reactions when I show them my latest creation....... the feelings and emotional reactions my artwork generate both in myself and others is the reason I do what I do, not to sell art and photographs (thats an added bonus), but to create a memory and a bond with the person thats viewing my work. So if you are still reading this, make sure you take time to look at each of the pieces of art in this magazine, dont just flip through the pages, take some time and pick out your favoutrites, connect with the artist on their website or social media page, let them know what you think of their work and then share this magazine with your friends. Once again the cover artwork has been created by one of the Featured artists, Norma Slack. You will find more of her work in this magazine and on her website, make sure you check it out. Anyway enough from me for now, flip the page and enjoy this months magazine!
All images in this publication are sourced / created by the artists, unless otherwise stated on their websites, or social media pages and as such must not be copied or sold without the express consent of the artist. This publication is created and owned by James Hurley, ©www.mycreativeimages.com 2018. Please feel free to share the magazine but do not make changes to any of the content.
“Ullswater in autumn” By James Hurley
Contents
Contents
Kristin Couch 4 Samantha Wells 6 Samantha Wells 8 Vivien Capper 10 Susan Jones 12 Norma Slack - Cover Artist November 2018 14 David Walker 16 Claude Trew 18 Vivien Buckley 20 Mike Gaskin 24 Alison Bailey 26 Dawn Spears 28 Artist Interview 30 Help Preserve the Cumbrian Fells 32 Become a Featured Artist 33 Promote your Artwork 33 Cover Competition 34 Previous Issues 35 Support the growth of the magazine 36
MyCreativeImages.com - Promoting Digital Artists
Kristin Couch Hi, my name is Kristin Couch IM orignally from Iceland but now living in Sweden. Im a photographer and digtail artist, my work ranges from Interior photogrpahy, through portraights, street life and digital compositions. You can find more of my work on my Instgram page, or connect with me on Facebook.
Living
Past Present Future Resting
Playing
Samantha Wells Hi, my name is Sam, and I live on a lovely little island in the U.K. called the Isle of Wight. I’m not good with words, images are my thing. So this will be short and sweet. I started with photography 4 years ago. Then 2 years ago I found 3D art which I am totally addicted to as it gives me so much more freedom to make any art I can imagine. I tend to flit from one technique/subject to another as I find new and exciting ways to enhance my art work. I pour everything I have into each and every image I create. Facebook is my preferred social platform: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaWellsFineArt/ I would love to see you there, and I hope you will enjoy my art work and stay with me on my art journey.
The ballerina and the butterfly
Past Present Future
Bastet
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SamanthaWells Wells Samantha
Siren
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Vivien Capper Hello. My name’s Vivien and I’m from the beautiful county of Kent, England though currently living and working near Rome in delightful Italy with its exciting, lively way of life and vibrant colours and designs. I started out as an artist in 1982 developing Indian ink artwork of a variety of subjects especially figurative artwork and abstract floral designs, then progressed into creative photography and digital artistry thanks to Sebastian Michael’s courses at ‘Photoshop Artistry’ and the advanced course ‘Awake’. My inspiration is drawn from my love of nature, figurative artwork and Italian design and I love using many textures, patterns and colours. I’m thrilled to have some of my artwork in various publications including: Living the Photo Artistic Life no.38, April 2018, My Creative Images issue one – issue five (April-August 2018) and I also gained an ‘honourable mention’ in the Shift Art Challenge in April 2018. More recently I was the winner of the Shift Art Challenge with a piece ‘The Mysterious Cobbled Street. If you would like to see some more of my art visit my Website
Lady with petals
Lady in the City
Lady with butterfly
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Susan Jones My name is Susan Jones. I live a short train ride from London and love to spend time up there with my sister and our cameras. I love studio photography with models dressed up, and having fun playing with the images in Photoshop. My new ambition is take the models on to the street and start doing shoots on location. You can see more of my work at these sites: Website Behance Flickr
I pray you love me
Fly me to the moon
Praying for forgiveness
Skeleton lady
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Belfast sightseeing
Norma Slack - Cover Artist November 2018 I am a digital artist, writer and poet from beautiful Northern Ireland. I currently live in County Down, within view of the majestic Mourne Mountains. I have been an enthusiastic photographer for many years but it was only when I discovered digital art that I finally felt able to create images that reflected both my emotion and vision. Every day I work towards improving my skills within the fascinating world of the digital workspace. For me it’s a place of magic, a place where I can give free reign to my imagination and create the type of art I feel connected to. About eighteen months ago I began to combine my new digital skills with my poetry and have recently published my first illustrated poetry book, Thunder In My Soul: a collection of illustrated poems. The book is now available at Amazon. It is a project I feel a strong emotional connection to and has been a labour of love. A free sample, along with a selection of my art, can be viewed on my website. You will also find me on Instagram @artbynormasue or on my Website
I found you in my dreams
Autumn stroll
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Great Tit
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
David Walker David Walker is a PhotoArt digital artist based in Yoxall, Staffordshire in the United Kingdom. He has been involved in PhotoArt since 2014 and photography since his teenage years. David exclusively uses his own photographs for the main subject of his original PhotoArt works. His passion is in landscape works, whether in the city or the countryside. He endeavours to soften the cold precision of photography by the introduction of a warmer artistic interpretation. Careful attention is paid to the importance of the intricacies and subtleness of the scene bringing to life a piece of art from what originally may have looked to be no more than a routine digital photograph. He uses many techniques, and many different programs to produce his unique works but he stresses that the original quality of the digital photograph is paramount in producing quality PhotoArt. A significant amount of development time is spent at the “front end” of the artistic process establishing using the preparation maxim of “Tone, Colour & Artistic Effects” as the primary route of preparing his works. In common with many of the exponents of this art form David uses the expression “Photo Art… pushing photography further” to most accurately describe the genre. See more artwork on his website.
Low Force
Gayle Beck in the centre of Hawes
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Claude Trew I am a retired lady who is a keen photographer and I belong to a local camera club. However, while I enjoy entering the competitions organised by the club, I feel that the style of photographs that are most successful in club competitions is inhibiting my creative output. I am following some online courses to try to improve the artist in me. So far I have enjoyed every course I have done and hope to share my work with a bigger audience. This is an ongoing process.
Snow Leopard Stare
Deer watching
Dahlia
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Vivien Buckley I enjoy all genres of photography but over the last few years I got really interested in digital art and began to use my images as composites. Joining an International group of similar minded photographers and digital artists through Photoshop Artistry, Awake and Kaizen opened up new horizons and exposed me to so many amazing artists. I enjoy taking portraits and setting up photo shoots and trying out new techniques. This set of images were part of a photographic project I undertook in collaboration with dancers, then digitally enhanced in Photoshop to create these pieces. View my work by visiting these sites: Website ArtBoja
A girl and her dog
Hand stand
Abandoned
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Vivien Buckley
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Mike Gaskin My artistic name is NorfolkMike and my love is Photo Artistry. I mainly studied under Sebastian Michaels, starting with his Black and White course and then moved on to Photoshop artistry. This was followed by joining the more advanced AWAKE group and finally the very advanced group Kaizen. I love Steam Punk and turning landscapes into works of art. Web and social media sites: Website 500px Flickr Facebook
Lowry Impression
The fishermen
Lifes journey
1
Alison Bailey I am a hobby photographer and multi media artist from North West England. I am retired and am now able to spend my time doing the things I enjoy. I love being able to go to nature reserves as it gives me both peace and also photo opportunities. I am part of the living the photoartistic life community and will be learning about photoart forever! I am branching out into multi media art too so that I can use more of my own resources and maybe even be able to provide resources for other people. Most of all though I am having fun living my life as I want to. You can check out my web site at: https://estamoondesigns. wordpress.com There are links to other social media sites on there too.
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Angel
Archer
Dawn Spears I have been producing art in various forms for over 30 years. I have worked in many different media, from watercolour to ink, graphite, and coloured pencil. More recently I have turned to photography and digital art and used these skills to branch out into book covers as well. I absolutely love coming up with ideas to do authors’ words justice. Every one of my book covers are original art pieces. I create them using a mixture of my own photographs and artwork which I blend with my own 3D renders. I try to avoid the use of stock images, meaning my buyers can be 100% assured that their book cover is completely and utterly unique. You can view all my currently available, pre-made, covers at: Book Covers For bespoke work I can be contacted through my: Website A small selection of my fine art pieces are available here: Fine Art
Biker Girl
Cyborg
Horned Warrior
Red Wyvern
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Artist Interview
Behind the scenes at My Creative Images By Vivien Jane.
Mycreativeimages Digital Art Gallery
This month we’re talking to Cambridge-based photographer/ digital artist/magazine editor James Hurley creator of the digital art magazine and online digital art gallery ‘My Creative Images’. His artwork is best described in his own words: ‘My work is a mix of traditional landscapes, bursting with vibrancy and colour, and digital art which just pops off the page’. I first met James on our Awake UK photo artist group page on Facebook and was amazed at the variety of artwork and book cover art showcased in the magazine. So I’ve reached out and asked if he’ll share some of his creative processes with us and where he gets his inspiration and energy from. WWW.MYCREATIVEIMAGES.COM
Pictorial Landscape Prints
Limited Edition Digital Artwork Email: james@mycreativeimages.com When and how did you first become interested in photography and digital art? Digitally Enhanced Portrait Photographs Mobile: 07403 019 427 I started taking photographs as a teenager, with a manual SLR (Zenith 11) and quickly got interested in the darkroom development process and the use of hand painting additional colours over a black and white print and the use of dyes to randomly colour an image. Unfortunately, this was a very expensive hobby for a teenager and education then work and family life took me away from this until 2016.
I’ve had a digital camera now for a few years, a present from my wife, but only since taking an online Photo Artistry course did my passion for photography and art reignite and my hunger to learn more is now a living entity! My current focus is on off camera flash portraits and creating both low and high key images that I can then manipulate into a piece of photo digital art. What inspired you to develop a magazine designed to showcase up and coming digital artists in the UK and Europe? One of the most exciting parts about being in the Photo Artistry course was seeing all the artwork the members of the private Facebook group shared for creative comments. The one thing that stuck with me from day 1 was the excitement and pride that rippled across the group when a piece of artwork they submitted was published in the monthly magazine produced by the tutor, Sebastian Michaels. The way I saw it was, yes my artwork may not have been up to the standards of some of the other 46,000+ members of the group but it would be in a few years and although the current magazine was an amazing way of sharing artists work it was focused in the USA, don’t get me wrong there nothing wrong with that but as I live in the UK I really wanted to show off my artwork to potential customers here not in the US. So I parked that thought and carried on learning and practicing. The moment a UK based group of artists set up a private group on Facebook was the trigger for me, as there was endless discussions about the possibilities of a UK magazine and how it would work. So I left my artwork behind for a month or two and focused on the options available to create a magazine and the benefits for me as an artist (yes the initial decisions were based on my needs, but this soon changed as I realised my needs were also the needs of the other artists in the group). The purpose of the magazine initially was a challenge to myself of “can I do this?”. The goal now is to use the magazine to promote photo digital art in the UK. The magazine and developing my own artistic skills have now taken over my life (outside of the normal day job and family life!) and I’m constantly looking for places to promote the magazine and venues that would be interested in displaying the artists work (more news regarding this will be added to next months magazine).
Can you tell us a bit about your own creative process and where you get your inspiration and ideas from? Do you have a routine you follow? Its funny really, my day job is to write and design processes and present them in a medium that people can understand, however my approach to art and photography has up until recently been random and spur of the moment. For landscape photo art I tend to focus on enjoying a walk somewhere and wait for the wow factor view, at which point the wife sighs and sits down whilst I set up the tripod for a few shots, which may mean 20mins or a few hours depending on the scene, the light and the environment. More recently I have a “thing” for moving water and capturing a pictorial shot with emphasis on colours and movement. For artwork, I tended to take inspiration from the model photographs provided in the course and created art based on what that image said to me. More recently I have started taking portrait photographs and that has given me the option of taking a photograph with a specific piece of artwork in mind, this allows me to plan the photograph (the lighting and the poses). Note, the image on the right was created from a stock photograph. Without giving away too many secrets…can you tell us a little about the equipment and software you use and which item is indispensable in your studio? I have no secrets, I’m a photo digital artist and the tools of my trade are widely available to anyone. Cameras and lens: currently I use a Canon 1200D and a number of lens a Canon 10-18 EFS, a Canon 18135 EFS, a Canon 100mm F2.8 prime lens (purchased for macros shots but also now in use for portraits) and an older Canon EF 75-300 which rarely come out of the bag. I always carry a tripod and a 4 stop neutral density filter. Portable studio: 4 x 3 backdrop stand (white black and 50% grey backdrops), 3 x Yongnuo flashes, a Yongnuo flash trigger, three light stands, an umbrella, a softbox and a beauty dish. Software: Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator What’s indispensable: my PC, Photoshop, the Wacom tablet, my camera and the 18-135 lens. Everything else is nice to have and makes life easier, after all they were making composites and taking photos way back in 1858 (check out Henry Peach Robinson 1858 “Fading Away”). In the magazine you mention the Patterdale Estate Trust and the Lakeland Fells, how did you become a supporter of this project? Could you tell us a little more about it and how readers can help? Its simple really, its an amazing part of the UK and we tend to go there two or three time a year on holiday, plus the estate manager was the first person to tell me they liked my work. So, naturally, we got on like a house on fire! But seriously, the estate relies on volunteers to help them manage the land and keeping it clear of fallen trees and invasive plants, so I again jumped in with both feet (bit of a habit of mine) and offered to see if I could raise money selling my landscape prints. How can you help, well the easiest way is to buy a print from my website www.mycreativeimages.com/shop and to share the magazine with as many people as possible via social media……. What would your advice be to an aspiring photographer/digital photo artist? Don’t give up. It’s a big learning curve but once you have the bit between your teeth and you see the potential the only limitation is your imagination and self-belief. As you can see, James puts a lot of time and energy into his projects and artwork and produces some really great pieces. If you are interested in advertising or showcasing your photo art in My Creative Images the guidelines are 1 shown later in this magazine, or you can simply email James@mycreativeimages.com.
Buy Framed Prints and Help Preserve the Cumbrian Fells
Patterdale, Cumbria One of my favourite places for photography and relaxing is Patterdale in Cumbria. It’s so quiet off season and the scenery is just stunning! From broad mountainous views with Lakes and Tarns, to colourful secluded walks through managed forests and open fells. Key to a great location is somewhere to stay. Patterdale Hall Estate is not just another holiday home, its simply the best place to stay when you visit Ullswater. It’s a private estate with plenty of walks that unless you are staying on the Estate you may never find. A key example would be the “Waterfall Wood Walk”, one of my favourites. Its a mixture of fast running water and managed woodland. I’ve lost count of the hours I’ve spent wandering up and down this short stretch of the Estate, and watched as the conservation work has stripped out invasive Rhododendrons that were choking out the natural ferns and mosses and the clearing of fallen trees and rock debris that hinder the natural flow of the Beck. I’m so much in love with the Estate and the work they do to conserve their grounds I’ve offered to donate 50% of the profits of the Lake District based artwork I produce. Help the Estate team to conserve the fells and woodland and bring a small piece of the magical landscape into your home by purchasing one or more of my Ullswater prints.
Help me raise funds to conserve the Waterfall Wood Walk in Patterdale. Buy a framed landscape print so I can donate to the Patterdale Estate Trust. This way we can help to keep this magical place looking like this for many years to come. Visit www.mycreativeimages.com/shop today
Become a Featured Artist • Do you want your artwork featured on two pages in My Creative Images? • Do you want to show a maximum of 6 images to everyone that opens and reads the magazine? • Do you want your work added to the My Creative Images website and featured on all our social media platforms?
How to submit your art - Featured Artist Currently the submission process is manual: 1. Drop me an email with a short Bio, a link to your portfolio and send a low resolution sample of your artwork that represents you. 2. Once I have had the chance to review your Bio and work and if I will contact you to discuss the next steps. 3. I personally review all requests for submissions at the earliest opportunity and reply within 14 days of receipt. Email submissions@mycreativeimages.com to submit your work for the next magazine
The small print • Please note I reserve the right not to publish artwork I feel is unsuitable for “My Creative Images”. • By submitting artwork you are confirming that you have the right to publish the images and that they are your own work. As an artist you are responsible for ensuring you are following copyright laws. • The artwork remains your property, by submitting your artwork you are agreeing to allow me to publish your images in the magazine, on my website and social media pages and any other sites that offer exposure for artists.
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Cover Competition ??
Are you a photo digital artist?
??
Do you create digital art using stock photographs or your own creations?
??
Do you want your work shown on the cover of this magazine?
??
Do you think your artwork stands head and shoulders above everything else you have seen in this magazine?
Email submissions@mycreativeimages.com
The Rules • As owner, editor and curator of My Creative Images I reserve the right to use the winners artwork on the cover of the magazine and for promotional purposes, these may include email campaigns, social media, blog posts or printed publications. • All suitable entries will be published in the magazine and on the website as a way of showcasing the individual artists work. • To enter the competition email a low rez image of your artwork to the above address. Include a paragraph explaining your work, what inspired it and include a link to your web-page / social media account. Within your submission please clearly state the source of the images used and advise if model releases have been obtained. • Once I have reviewed your entry I will contact you and request a portrait oriented image at full resolution, a full bio (in Word format) with links to your website and social media pages and written confirmation that you produced the artwork and all items used are under licence and or have model releases that can be viewed if requested. • Images must not have appeared in this magazine before. • Submissions must be eye-popping, awe-inspiring and formatted to fit a portrait A4 sheet. • I will not publish anything that I personally find offensive or pornographic. • I will judge the best entry and my decision is final. • There is no monetary prize, no physical prize or alternative prize. • I don’t like rules but they are a requirement of a competition, sorry. By entering, you are agreeing to these rules.
Previous Issues
advertisement
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Support the growth of the magazine Patreon
I’ve reached the point where I need to take the magazine further than I can using the resources I have available, both time and money are required to take the next steps. I have big plans for the future and want to take all the artists featured in this magazine with me on this journey, with the goal of an online network of artists and a physical location where I can display their work and help them promote sales. If you love art, you love giving people a helping hand now and then and want to see more photo digital art then connect with me via my website or social media pages. If you made it to this paragraph, thanks for sticking with me please take one extra step and take a look at my new Patreon page, where I’m looking to find people that are willing to help me promote Photo Digital Art in the UK and Europe. There are a number of options available and most of them have perks or benefits from printed copies of the magazine to artwork. The future is digital, virtual galleries and augmented reality, so lets see if we can share the amazing photo digital art in My Creative Images magazine with as many people as possible and as many ways as we can. Help me work on the magazine full-time, visit: https://www.patreon.com/mycreativeimages
Alternative ways to support the growth of the magazine If you want to support the magazine but dont want to commit to a long term arrangement using a Patreon account there is an alternative, I have set up a “Support the growth of the magazine” page on my website:
Mycreativeimages Digital Art Gallery
www.mycreativeimages.com/help-the-magazine-grow Here you can simply make a payment of any amount you feel appropriate, and every penny counts!
More options soon Other ways to support the growth of th emagazine are coming soon: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Buying a printed copy of the magazine Buy a copy of the magazine cover printed on a fomex board Sponsoring a competition Running an advert for a product or event in the magazine
WWW.MYCREATIVEIMAGES.COM
Pictorial Landscape Prints
Email: james@mycreativeimages.com
Limited Edition Digital Artwork
Mobile: 07403 019 427
Digitally Enhanced Portrait Photographs
If you have an idea, suggestion, proposal for a joint venture or a physical location where artisits in the magazine ctould display their work get in contact with me so we can disuss this further: James@mycreativeimages.com
