My Creative Images Promoting Digital Photo Artistry and Digital Photography
www.mycreativeimages.com
October - 2020
Welcome to the Mycreativeimages Magazine An editors intro should be upbeat and positive. This month it’s from the heart. During September I realised a number of key things, I’m struggling to create photo art, I have 4 projects which remain unfinished, I’m questioning the validity of my self-proclaimed title of a photo artist and I’m working 16 hours a day and not achieving anything. Thankfully, September also saw me completely disregard each one of these self-doubts and simply get on with what I enjoy, creating things for me and not for personal gain. I’m an artist, I make stuff, its simple. Either I give it away because someone likes it or it hangs gathering dust on my wall. Either way, I’m happy because I’m creating artwork that is totally unique and meaningful to me. This is why the October magazine is late, normally its published the first week of each month. This month I stumbled and had to remind myself that self-doubt should be totally ignored and that it is simply a manifestation of my mind trying to derail me.
Featured artists Alan Jones 4 Bernie Tuffs 10 Claude Trew 14 David Walker 18 Esta Moon Artistry 24 James Hurley 28 Joyce Simpson 36 Julie Cowdy 42 Linda Celis 48 M. M. Rainey 52 Nicky Jameson 58 Norma Slack 62 Susan Jones 68 Terry Jane & Artist Interview 72 Vivien Capper 78
These feeling are reflected in the photo art that I created whilst pulling together this months magazine. It is simple, over exposed, monochromatic, focused and incredibly personal to me, this is not the sort of work that I would normally share with others. However, I wanted to convey an important message. Art is made for many reasons, don’t just look at the picture and move on, look at the concept and see if you can work out what inspired its creation. You may be surprised how much something resonates with you if you simply look deeper. James Hurley Photo Artist / Magazine Editor Cover Artwork by Bernie Tuffs https://www.facebook.com/bernadette.tuffs
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, ©mycreativeimages.com 2020. Please feel free to share the magazine but do not make changes to any of the content.
Self Doubt
Alan Jones Alan Jones is a former County Council CEO and founder-owner of Future Communities Ltd. He has been a snapper since the late 1970s and a digital dabbler since 2000. His main photographic interests have been street portraits, landscape and travel but he has recently become interested in composites and photoartistry. During the Covid lockdown Alan worked through the MyArtisticLife course and is now beginning the Mastery Edition. He founded and administers the facebook group Exmoor Photographers and is a founder member of 20Twenty Photography.
http://alanjonesimages.com/ 4
Reflections
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Drama at Barricane Beach
Light Reading
Wreckers Cove
Drawing Hands
Bernie Tuffs Hello! I’m Bernie and I live in the little seaside town of Margate and having lived here all my life, I couldn’t live anywhere else now! I’m continually inspired by the scenery here, with skies and light that so excited famous artist J.W.Turner, who said of this area, “…the skies over Thanet are the loveliest in all Europe”. Apparently, a love of the sea stayed with him all his life and I can well understand that! Painting with light holds a real attraction for me - the gentle light that is still strong enough to dispel darkness. I’ve always been arty, progressing from childhood sketching, through gouache and then oil painting, then paper crafting and scrapbooking which led me to digital scrapbooking and finally to Sebastian Michaels and Photo Artistry. Now I feel I’m home and am having so much fun with my art!
https://www.facebook.com/bernadette.tuffs 10
Humanity’s Soul
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Regina Magicae
The Descent
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.
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David Walker As a PhotoArtist I am able to undertake many different design and development options as I undertake my work. Sometimes the muse is taken in a new direction, often inspired by my on-going training in Photoshop and Lightroom. However, I usually fall back on my underlying preference for landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes. However September saw me venture into a totally new area of art, based mainly on the human form, something that I must admit I do not always feel comfortable with! Many photo artists manage to produce quite whimsical images using model photographs. These are often quite intricate and must have taken a lot of preparation. Generally, they do not appeal to my taste, but I clearly admire the skills involved. If we all had the same tastes, the world would be a very boring place, it is diversity which makes for an interesting life. This move towards photographs of the human form is certainly a change for me, and this month’s work is mainly based round my new venture. I hope you enjoy it!
https://www.vista-foto.com/
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Blasting In
Night Exprerss
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Wickerman
King Ferdinand
Sand Dance
Model Silverpoint
Esta Moon Artistry I retired in 2017 and am able to spend my time doing all the things I enjoy. I am a hobby photographer and particularly enjoy going to nature reserves with my cameras hunting for bugs. I am trying to learn more about birds but bugs will always be my love. I have always enjoyed playing about with my photos and after taking part in some challenges in a 365 photo project, I was told about the Photoshop artistry course. I signed up not long before I retired and in the following January, I also signed up for the AWAKE course. I found myself getting interested in creating things to use in my photoart and this reawakened my love of multi media art and I have been concentrating more on that recently. Going into the new decade, I want to bring my photography, photoart and multi media art together and to do that I have decided to do both bullet and art journals. I have also started a new blog on Wordpress which I hope to do regular updates on. There are links on there to my other social media accounts and also to the two places where I intended to put work on so that it is available to purchase. Esta Moon Artistry is the name I will be using going into the new decade. I hope that you will follow my journey.
https://estamoonartistry.art.blog
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Recharge
The Reader
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Autumn
Never pay the reaper
James Hurley James is a Photo Artist that captures landscapes photographs as well as painterly portraits either in the comfort of his home or on location. He is based in Huntingdon, near Cambridge, and has a passion for incorporating his emotions and frustrations into surreal artwork and painterly landscapes. James is a self-taught photographer and Photo Artist he loves photography and the digital mixed media approach to artwork. His artwork ranges from simple colour corrections in landscape photographs to enhance an image, to a complex piece of art that is made up of multiple images blended together with textures and masked out with brushwork. This month James has created a mini series of work entitled “Solitude”. These images focus on specific feelings and emotions experienced by the artist personally and each one includes a short description outlining the thought and feelings embedded in this series. “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” Ansel Adams
https://www.mycreativeimages.com/
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Thousands of pebbles pushed up the beach by the pressure of the tide. Each vying for a position. Each struggling to reach the dry sand and feel the warmth of the sun.
Battered by the waves. Suffocated by the encroachment of wind blown sand. Used as a foundation for others to build their future.
Footprints dont last. The waves cleanse the damaged surface of the sand. No matter the damaged caused no one should feel like a footprint in the sand.
Joy from watching the waves. Joy from running on the sand. Joy from togetherness. Focus on the Joy
Joyce Simpson I am based in West Yorkshire but love to travel to the coast with my camera. I have spent some time doing wedding photography to improve my camera skills. I concentrated on candid shots rather than the formal images which gave me lots of creative opportunities. I continue to enjoy working my way through the Photoshop Artistry and Awake tutorials. I am gaining lost of inspiration from seeing the creations of other living the photo artistic life. I particularly enjoy creating my own textures and brushes
www.joyce-simpson.pixels.com
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Tunnel Vision
Bronte Bicycle
Flowers
Humber Moon
Julie Cowdy I am a photoartist based in North Yorkshire, although we live in the Occitanie region of France most summers. My work is informed and inspired by my journey through art; I’ve been a fashion designer, art teacher and property presenter, until I retired and then realised how interesting and rewarding photography can be. My work covers different genres including narrative, still life and floral subjects. My images have been exhibited online, in International salons and in a solo exhibition. Through post-processing techniques I create unique results, combining my original images with painted and photographed textures. The result is creative photography which often tells stories to engender emotional responses. Botanical art has always interested me and the iconic rose illustrations of Pierre-Joseph Redouté, the great 19th century botanical artist, seem to have inspired my love of photographing flowers, fruit and vegetables. So recently, I have chosen to take a closer look at the fruits of the earth. In doing this, I wanted to create a new take on a traditional subject, with each one created in a trompe l’oeil style. The addition of antiqued framing is a nod to the illustrated plates in botanical books of old. The decision to suspend each specimen with rustic string was a practical presentational solution.
https://www.facebook.com/Julie-Cowdy-Photography-640242869458291/
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Raspberry
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Rose
Covered Bridge in New Hampshire
White Mountains
Along the Kancamagus Highway NH
Linda Celis My name is Linda Celis , I am 55 years and live in Belgium. Since 2018 I made a job out of my photography . My passion is digital art since I joined the Awake group with Sebastian Michaels, it has been a fantastic journey so far. It really is an addiction to create something . I do not have a website or portfolio online but you can find my work on my facebook and instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/linda.celis.100/
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M. M. Rainey M. M. Rainey is a photographer and digital artist based in Glasgow, UK, who works in many styles, ranging from straight photography across landscapes, architectural work, macro, infrared, and multiple exposures, to creating SF/Fantasy book covers in photoshop and 3D rendering programs. A current project under lockdown this year, has been to learn the art of Cyanotypes, an alternative photographic process dating back to the 1880s. In a wet cyanotype, botanical specimens are laid on chemically-coated paper and exposed to sunlight, then washed to produce a characteristic ‘blueprint’ image. Various other chemicals such as vinegar and soap bubbles may be added to the paper to create a wet mix which gives textures and different shades to the final image. A dry cyanotype involves creation of a photographic negative on acetate, which is then laid dry on the coated paper and exposed to sunlight. Once washed, the image may be left blue, or can be stained with solutions such as coffee or tea, or even bleached to a golden colour with washing soda. The images here are examples of both wet and dry cyanotype processing.
www.mmrainey.com
Nicky Jameson Nicky Jameson is a UK artist and photographer currently based in Toronto, Canada. Missing the beautiful imperfections and alluring grit of her hometown London, Nicky started expressing her surges of sentimentality and nostalgia in artistic form - and found an answering call with many around the world. Combining her fine art photography skills and creative background, Nicky’s artistic grunge approach allows her to portray a city’s emotion and nostalgia through a photograph, while layering on textures, colours, stains, fabrics, paint strokes and other mixed media to create an intriguing dreamlike fine art piece that evokes fondness and reminiscence of a landmark, street, or neighbourhood. Through these unique and subtle additions, Nicky’s work becomes a lot like memories themselves— layered reflection that’s steeped in a moment’s emotion, connection, and time. From famous landmarks to the anonymous detritus of a city, Nicky’s cityscapes portray the overlapping complexity of urban life. In addition to London, her one-of-a-kind pieces include Toronto scenes, inviting locals and expats to instantly reconnect with the city’s familiar feel. Fans and owners of Nicky’s art tend to hold London or Toronto close to their hearts, whether they’re longtime Brits Abroad, repeat visitors, or fond historians and Nicky’s work can be found in homes across the world, including North America, the UK and Dubai. In January 2020 Nicky published her first Art book, called “London’s Calling - Memories Are Forever, available at https://www.blurb.ca/b/9897988-london-scalling-2019 Nicky also hosts a podcast where she interviews inspiring artists across the world extending her mission of connection through art. Her podcast has over 1,000 downloads. Nicky herself been interviewed in the September 2019 edition of AWAKE Artists Down Under. “Art should be more than a conversation starter; it should evoke a sense of connection, inspiration, and belonging.” By capturing the essence of a city’s dynamic energy, Nicky’s artwork allows a familiar story to unfold, each and every time.
https://nickyjamesonart.com
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Norma Slack I am an artist from Northern Ireland who enjoys working with a variety of mediums and experimenting with new techniques. This includes photography - digital and alternative such as cy-anotype, paint, collage and a variety of mixed media. My work is driven by emotion and a sense of connection to place, people and life events. When you view it my hope is that you will get a sense of my love for what I do and that certain pieces may remind you of connections and events in your own life. The art I share here all includes a elements of a digital or photographic processes. More of my work including a sample of my illustrated poetry book, Thunder In My Soul can be viewed on my website
www.normasue.com
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Henry
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Abstract Earth
Cyanotype Fern
66 Cyanotype Feather
Susan Jones My name is Susan Jones I have loved photography all my life, though I was rejected from the photography class at school due to not having my own SLR camera. About 20 years ago a bought a DSLR and haven’t looked back, I love taking photos, mostly studio but as often as possible getting out and about, particularly London. I have been using Photoshop for a few years, and to my joy found Sebastian Michaels Photoshop Artistry courses and then Awake and have learned so much about Photoshop and continue to learn every day. I love the program, I love changing plain photographs into fantasy colourful worlds. I hope you enjoy looking at my work as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Credits: Indiana Wells - Pink Dress: Kathryn Russell - Flamingo headdress: CC Millinary Creations Liv Burrows - Burgandy Dress - Kathryn Russell Styling - Hair - Salli Gainsford Indiana Wells Dress - Kathryn Russell Butterflies - flutter designs Styling - Hair - Salli Gainsford MUA - Lynee Wells MUA - was overseen by Lynee Wells & applied by the mums under governments guide lines.
https://www.instagram.com/sulisloveswater/
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Flamingo
Bell of the Ball
Indiana Wells
Terry Jane I will be 70 years old later this month! I served for 26 years in the Royal Navy over 20 years of which was as a Fleet Air Arm pilot. I have always had two main passions outside of flying, photography and computers. When I left the RN I set up a computer support and web design business. This excited my interest in graphics and digital art. I pursued my photography through online courses in fine art and became adept at Lightroom and Photoshop for post processing and editing photographs. It wasn’t until late 2019 that I discovered the “Photoshop Artistry” course by Sebastian Michaels. I went on to complete the “Creative Black and White Photo Artistry” course and the “Wield Photoshop Like an Artist” course. The whole process captivated me and for the first time in my life gave me a medium to create art that I now realise I had always craved. I signed up for the “AWAKE: Photoshop Mastery Edition” at the beginning of 2020 and I am loving every moment. Now fully retired I am able to devote much of my time to my art though I have a range of hobbies covering cycling, angling, walking and, when Covid-19 allows, travel. I have submitted two art pieces, Eagle Mountain and Samurai. The eagle in the first is from a photo taken by me at a local Falconry Park. The mountains are partly from photos I took on a visit to Norway and partly stock. The castle is from a royalty free image from Unsplash.com The Samurai is a royalty free image of some traditional armour with multiple overlays and textures including some Japanese scrolls, a pagoda and some textures and lighting overlays from photographs I have taken.
https://terryjaneart.myportfolio.com
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butterfly girl
Artist Interview T h e Te r r y J a n e I n t e t e r v i e w
This month it is a great pleasure to interview Terry Jane from Dorset, England. He is a Photographer and photo artist creating art inspired by life. Terry’s artwork and photography is best described in his own words: “‘My work is a mix of Styles as I develop and experiment, I try to make art that a viewer will want to look at more than once”. In this month’s issue we’ve asked him to share some of his creative processes with us. ---Do you consider yourself to be more a photographer or a photo artist? Until about 18 months ago I would have definitely said photographer, but having completed several of Sebastian Michaels courses I now find that my prime interest is as a Photo Artist though I love that I can take
Railway Shed
by VivienJane
the photos on which to base my art.
---When did you first start out in photography and photo art? I bought my first 35mm Camera 50 years ago and fell in love with photography. I only really became serious about the subject about 5 years ago when I carried out several excellent online courses to develop my photographic skills to produce fine art photos. Then 18months ago I found Sebastian Michaels Photo Artistry course and realised this was the media for me.
---Have you been influenced by other photographers or digital artists? Serge Ramelli is a French Photographer living in Los Angeles, has been a massive influence in my Photographic development. Sebastian Michaels
Railway Shed she devil
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Do you already have a basic idea or story in Ovitem estrum eruptib usapita quunt labore mind when you start creating a new piece?
maio. Igentiures destiore, sitiur, quam esteI usually with the thatliquiswill be modiasstart mi, alitissi ut subject porat velimage magnist the focus of molupta my art. Then I either think comnisof a story ti beratur tenisti busteseri that willquam fit the quundissum image or sometimes I justmagnis have an sunt quam escil idea of how I want to develop the visual impact plictinctasi quia verferspisti sitassum et vooflorest the image. omnia doloreiur, as vellabo. Nem nobis si tem aut eumendes - -ipsunt - - etur? Et volorum nobit eturyour moluptatem simeCan you tell usnis a bit about creative process nisroutine? et voluptur? Ur reped exero con cupit. and If I have decided on a story-based image, I will start to collect a few supporting items, overlays, extractions and textures that I think will work. Then I will usually place a simple texture as a backdrop to the main image then I will then create up to a point and leave it, often overnight.
Phillipina
When I come back to it, I will often see things that don’t work and have ideas of what to add and change. Final routines will inevitably involve a blended overall texture to consolidate everything and possibly playing with the lighting, contrast, and colour balance.
---Could you tell us about the equipment and software you use and which item is indispensable in your studio? I subscribe to the Abobe Creative Cloud so use the latest versions Lightroom Classic, and of course Photoshop. Other software I use are Luminar4, Topaz Studio 2 and Afinity Designer. Apart from my camera the indispensable item is my HP Envy Photo printer/scanner. Not only can I print lovely photographs, the scanner provides a source of great creative content for use in my photo art.
What are you working on at the moment? I Have an idea based on an image of the human DNA helix that I saw. Not sure what story it will tell yet but it is at the core of all human life so the concept excites me. What would your advice be to an aspiring photographer/ digital photo artist? First make sure you are confident with the basics of the software you intend to use and then carry out some of the excellent online tutorials to see how other artists work. Most of all make time to produce as much photo art as you can and love what you do.
---Terry puts a lot of passion into his projects and produces stunning photo art. You can contact him here https:// terryjaneart.myportfolio.com
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Magic Wood
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Venice
Red in the wood
Vivien Capper Hello my name’s Vivien and I’m from the beautiful county of Kent, England though currently living on the coast 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 amazing courses at ‘Photoshop Artistry’ and the advanced courses ‘Awake’ and ‘Kaizen’. My inspiration is drawn from my love of nature, figurative artwork and Italian design using many textures, patterns and colours. I’m thrilled to have some of my artwork in various publications including: Living the Photo Artistic Life, My Creative Images and have had various artworks mentioned in the Shift Art Challenge and was thrilled to win the challenge with a piece called ‘The Mysterious Cobbled Street’ in 2018. Now in 2020 I am concentrating on a series of Fresco-style Art taking my inspiration from Italian Frescos. This involves a lot of patterns, swirls, designs and colours and adding them to the model. Most of my models are from my Photoshop Artistry and Awake courses and the Colby Files.
http://vivienartdesign.com
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Waves and fields drifting through time
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Abstract Thought Patterns
Kites flying high
The Embroidered Lady
Banish Blank Walls Hang Exclusive Fine Art in your home or workspace
https://www.mycreativeimages.com/fine-art-prints/
https://issuu.com/mycreativeimages
M e t v IImages ae My CCreative Promoting Digital Photo Artistry
