Today I was touched (as usual) by Constance Bates' scrollings:  "A Meditation for Self-Discipline" in the Heal Estate.  I've been collecting her meditations and posting them beside my computer for daily self-support.  I see a little art book collaboration somewhere in the not-too-distant future...

Lori Minick's ATC in the Sunday Calmics ("Shakespeare/"This above all") was SO creative and artful!  It appears to me that she made each letter by HAND and cut EACH LETTER out!! Such magnificent patience!!!!  I have great admiration for that.  And the layout ----- including the BIG RED "B" instead of "be" ---- is so very apt.  I love how the face that is "attached" is that of a colorful entertainer, and the face that has been detached is the sad face.  There is so much meaning in this!  Thank you, Lori.

 A final word to the Altered Ads...  the digital art is something that I don't know how to do, but I can only imagine the time and patience required for placing each of these details together.  Barb, yours is really expert and masterful; Constance, I love the tiny, hilarious details --- the dog vs. the cat, the Rolling Stones patch? on his sleeve, the wild hairstyles... hee hee hee.  Right up my alley!  Also enjoyed the altered street map, with the inspiration signs! 

Thank you, Daily Muse!  I've been en-Mused indeed!

soozwillamuse

Sooz, thank you SO much for your affirmations!  I took a risk to write and share the the meditations, and your positive feedback is precious to me, as a writer and as a fellow journeying soul. 

Aunt Bobby is responsible for the idea and implementation of sharing the ATCs on Sunday.  They are a GREAT addition, aren't they?  (She hopes to add the older feature, the Sunday Calmics Crossword Puzzles, into the members' Fun Fiesta game center.)

I'm with you: The digital art is quite an overwhelming process to approach in the beginning -- I know, what with being a limited-and-challenged learner myself.  The champions here -- Barb Starrenburg, chameleon, copper cat, Julie Burger, Billizetti, Aunt Bobby & her daughter Robin Kreutzberg, Marney and her mom Arthiss Kliever, (and Lori Minick!) come to mind immediately -- these practised and professional artists both enrich and teach us.  (I apologize ahead for those I can't remember here; ALL are rich with artistic invention and skill.)  BTW, did you see Billizetti's fantasy-inspiring "Tea Time" in Today's Brew?

Here's the other thing, Sooz: I know you have a professional eye for space and placement.  Digital art, however, takes Digital Stuff.  I have an old no-longer-on-the-market photo program that, to match its applications, I'd have to spend 1/2K$ or more to do just what  I  know how to do.  (Not to mention, "having" does not necessarily equate to "understanding".)  I go back and forth between it and ArtRage, that wonderfully fun painting program, to begin, craft, move, blend, and fix, spending probably five hours to another person's one. And, if I shared my ideas with any of the folks above and about ten others, they've have produced something so brilliant we wouldn't recognize it as the same piece.  I'm not being modest here, just objective and honest.

I hope you get more memory on your computer... programs to aid you in participating here... and the motivation to jump right in.  But -- I hope too that you continue to write! You are an observant, literate communicator.  Your inspired writing enriches us all, and your insightful notes about others' works enthuses us, convicts us, and moves us to continue to learn and take risks.

With respect and appreciation,

Constance 

 Oh Sooz, first I have to say a great big THANK YOU for the thoughtful feedback on my Shakespeare ATC.  I DID indeed cut out each letter  -- I just liked the way it looked and I'm in love with type faces and paper and nothing beats the feel of working with paper and scissors...  sometimes I miss that hands-on thing in the digital realm.  I guess I have a "foot" in both realms.  I think in pictures so I can't help but feel I communicate better that way sometimes, even though people say I am a great "articulator".  I greatly admire your ability as a writer and the natural grace and warmth with which you seem to do it here in the forums and in your blog.  Of course I can understand why you are touched by the work of Constance Bates -- she is truly talented, amazing, and wise... speaking of: a real kick in the head too!    Again, many thanks for your wonderful example and words!  Blessings  ~Lori