Thursday, 13 October 2016

More autumn trees

Hi Everybody!

For Art Journal Journey, Indian summer, I made a mixed media piece.
I started by pasting an autumn leaf napkin onto an A3 sheet of paper with mod-podge. Then I used a large CWS birch-tree stencil to tone it down with white gesso. The birds were stamped onto tissue paper and also glued on with mod-podge. The quote and the owl were added digitally. I made this on the day after 'my' tree in front of the window was cut down.
I am also linking to Paint Party Friday
hosted by Eva and Kristin.




Then I played around digitally and made a second version, with slightly altered colours, and people looking at the trees. I can't decide which version I like better.




Today was cold and damp, and I had the gardens at the old castle all to myself - except for the ducks and geese. The goslings are all fit and well and as big as their parents:




Mum still keeps an eye on them:







The autumn foliage and reflections were beautiful:








Have a great day, take care,
and thanks a lot for coming by!




44 comments:

  1. Beautiful pages Valerie, I prefer the 2nd one, it seems softer. Your photos are stunning! Happy PPF!

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  2. Beautiful autumn colours here in your photos and love your page, awesome as always.xx

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  3. Both versions are fantastic and the photos get better and better. Have a fun day, hugs Sarah

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  4. This is an incredible phrase/quote you used with your two spreads today. I can only imagine the pain you must have felt when that tree came down. I felt the same way when my next door neighbor cut the tree in front of his house down because it was the "twin" to mine. They had obviously been planted at the same time, and it was like loosing a piece of history. Not to mention how it changed the dynamic of my shade garden. Regardless, I love both entries.

    I am waiting for autumn to arrive at my house. It may actually arrive tomorrow. Of course, I'll still not get beautiful photos like yours. Gorgeous autumn beauty everywhere you focus your camera!

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  5. I just love that bridge photograph, it's a 'classic.' Can I please download it for a reference for painting/drawing? It might never get done, but I would put it on the great long list of "To Dos'"

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  6. Just love the pages and though both versions are wonderful the owl on the first one does it for me. It seems to be wondering why and where the tree has gone. Also whether it should have gone at all.

    Just adore the photographs and have saved more than one of them--hope that is ok. Will only be using them in projects.

    Have a great day

    Love Chrissie x

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  7. I agree. I'm not sure which one I like better. I do like the view of those silhouettes. I also like the background. Its a really nice piece. Enjoying this theme- not only making them but also looking at everyone else's pieces. There's so many great pieces. Hugs-Erika

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  8. I think I prefer the birds but the silhouettes are very interesting. The background is wonderful. I think I would like it best without the words, just as a full-on graphics only piece but both work and I can see why it plays with the theme.

    As for your real-life birds -- WOW! That is just spectacular photography. Love each and every one!

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  9. You always capture such amazing subjects. Love these duck closups. Love your art pieces as well.

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  10. LOVE this quote! It is so full of truth. Your page is beautiful and I like both versions.....but the first tugs at my heart a little more.
    The goslings are beautiful birds, their feathers are amazing with color.
    I also downloaded the bridge photo...thank you.
    I would love for you to email me your address. My email is:
    lmogle1950 at yahoo dot com.

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  11. A chilly walk but very beautiful. Love looking at the babies.
    Both pieces are great. I think if I had to make a choice it would be the one that included the people.

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  12. Wunderbar ist Deine schöne Seite geworden und was für herrliche Aufnahmen! Bin ganz begeistert!

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  13. Both the pages are wonderful today, if I had to choose , it would be the second one I liked the most, the silhouettes of the people, add to the woodland magic for me.
    Fabulous photos and shadows of the bridges in the water.
    Yvonne xx

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  14. Beide Versionen sind wunderschön, ich könnte nicht sagen, welche mir besser gefällt! Und supertoll deine schönen Fotos!
    LG Rike

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  15. Everything is so beautiful, I don't know where to begin! LOVE your autumn page - so very inviting and the quote is wonderful. The goslings are so precious - you have some excellent shots -- particularly love the head shot. (It's a painting!) An exquisite autumn walk. hugs, Donna

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  16. There's no choosing they are both fantastic. Love the photos today...definitely fall in the air both there and here now. ♥ As much as I do love summer I'm getting tired and need a break so looking forward now to those colder days with nothing to do outside but enjoy.

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  17. Autumn is firmly here. Love the page and it's soft expression. Those geese are wonderful and all the pretty leaves and vines. We here too are about to peak with our color. xox

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  18. Hi Valerie, your Indian Summer pieces of art are magnificent. I could tell it was a cool day because of the two ducks all snuggled down with their feathers fluffed. Your journal page is a keeper for sure and I like the first one the best. The trees appear so beautiful revealing the colors from the background. I also like your autumn header with the geese. I will be catching up in the next few days as I am a week behind viewing your blog posts.
    Hugs and love,
    Carolyn

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  19. I am loving all of your beautiful autumn colours. Our leaves have just started to change colour. Before we know it our trees will be bare. hugs, Teresa

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  20. What wonderful and moving art, I love what you said in it as well. The birds you put in your art and the ones you photographed as well are so lovely!

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  21. Wonderful pages and great photos!!

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  22. Love your art.
    And your birds.
    And the autumnal fireworks.

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  23. I really like BOTH versions of your pieces Valerie. Love the photos of the ducks and goslings:)

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  24. Beautiful and meaningful pieces of art. I like both too. Both very powerful. The photos are gorgeous. we are in a huge storm that will cause damage. This is normal for the Oregon coast. Have a very nice weekend.

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  25. I particularly love your work this week! How on earth did you glue down those delicate little tissue paper birds without them tearing?!

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  26. Your art piece is so lovely!
    And the photos are exquisite! What a lovely place to spend the day! Lucky you!

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  27. Spectacular post Valerie, your artwork is gorgeous. Those words are poignant.
    I adore the photos of the ducklings and geese. Those closeup shots are fantastic, showing all the detail of their plumage. Brilliant!
    Happy PPF to you

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  28. I like both of these AJJ pictures, especially because of the link with your lost tree. The colours are so dramatic. I hope the birds are still coming to your balcony.
    Love the photos of ducks and geese, there is something special about ducks and geese.

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  29. What a beautiful piece Valerie!! And such wise words- if only people would heed them "(
    Love the photo of the underside of the bridge with the foliage-excellent shot! hugs and happy weekend!

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  30. Stunning bird photos!I love the header! Your love for birds comes out in your art design!

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  31. beautiful art. I love birds and you seem too also. :)
    I have read those words before and they are still so true. Just wish people would realize it.

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  32. Very powerful quote for your lovely collages liebe Valerie!
    Love the birds and silhouettes always make a great statement too.
    You have really captured the beautiful feathers of the ducks and your photo of the bridge reflection with the red leaves dripping down could be a card or painting!
    Happy beginning of the weekend oxo

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  33. Love your collage! Yes it does get annoying hearing so called good headlines like 'The Great Barrier Reef is Dying but not Dead' We are meant to be pleased that some things are not dead! If only we could turn back time and take a different course in history rather than consumerism. Happy PPF

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  34. Oh those red birch trees are so fantastic. I love them, and the birds added. So fabulous. I always love your photography.

    Kate

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  35. Your mixed media pieces would make such great textiles.

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  36. Another absolutely beautiful post. Your blog has to be one of my favorites, always full of color, life and beauty. All the different birch trees are great. Sorry for your lost tree :( You really took some great pictures of the ducks, all the colors in their feathers. Looks like you were sitting right there with them. This is my favorite season and where I live now, most of the trees go from green to brown...there are a couple trees now and then that people have planted that change, so it is nice to see them. Your homeland is beautiful in all the seasons. Have a happy PPF and a GREAT week! Thank you for the beauty you bring into my life, and I am sure many more, with you sharing your world. Big hugs, Rasz

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  37. Hello Valerie! I really love your art journal page. The trees and birds are so beautiful and what a meaningful quote! Lovely photographs - as always. You definitely got some fantastic photos of the geese and ducks. Happy PPF!

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  38. LOVE the bird theme and your paintings. I adore birds and I want to kiss them all. Such a pretty blog. xo

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  39. Love the version with the people, Valerie. The trees look ghostly.

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  40. Fabulous colourful pages, and your photos are stunning.

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