Getting ready for the Holidays on facebook... Artsy style

I've been noodling my holiday promotional images since Spring! Partly because I love styling my art, and partly because I think its important to have the holiday photography ready to go WAY before the holidays hit. I believe that, in this world of internet sharing, the photographs of our art as almost as important as the art itself. Almost no one who buys my art will see it in person before they bring it into their home. So, creating a brand, a "look" for my work is something that I spend a great deal of time on. I just finished a couple of images for my facebook banner and am just in love with them. They take a lot of work and I thought it might be helpful to someone else to share my process. This isn't the "right" way to do it, maybe. It is just what works for me. 

First, I collect things that I think would work for the look I'm going for. This time, I was collecting for Fall and Christmas. I especially like thrift stores for this because I buy more than I'll use and don't want to overspend. I audition many props before I come up with just what I think tells the story I want to tell. 

Here's the first image I shot for the fall facebook banner: 

raw photo before perfecting for my facebook page.

By looking at this picture, you can see the book I used to prop up the birds in the glass dish and a peak at the wall behind my drape. I like to take a group of photos, go to photoshop to see how it looks when cropped, and then go back and play with my items. Sometimes, I do this many, many times. I actually ended up climbing up on a chair and sitting on the back to get the shot I wanted. 

Here's a similar shot of the Christmas set up:

raw photo used for demonstration purposes only

You can see stuff I used to lift things up into the shot as well as a set-up that I ended up not loving. The roses are too bright and don't fit the look I was going for. I fetched another crochet shawl, changed out the nest on the cake, took LOTS of shots from different angles, and then... it all came together like magic!

Here are the final images:

LaBelle Mariposa 2015 Fall Facebook Banner

LaBelle Mariposa 2015 Christmas Facebook Banner

I cropped them wide because I plan to use them as banners on my facebook page. I find that leaving a blank spot on the bottom left works well for the way facebook lays things out. If you plan to promote your page, you'll want something that looks nice in that area, but that won't look silly if it's covered up because these images can be used for promotion. My log is in the upper right hand side because facebook doesn't put anything there. 

I use my best camera and set it to shoot without a flash. That's very important because a flash will blast out all of your hard work and make your image look depth-less. I welcome any questions in the comments section below. I hope you enjoy my photos and have fun making your own.!

Blessings,

Laura P.

Back in the swing of things

detail from vintage post card

Hello, again! It's been a long time since I was able to  share with you. Following my successful class at Trezher's Gift Shop in Sacramento, I found myself feeling sick. Well, I went to bed with a fever before I could even unpack my car and have been fighting what we are now calling, "The Malaria" for 4 weeks! The good news is that no one else in my family has gotten sick, so we figure it's not airborne. Oh, and I've lost a solid 5 pounds, but other than that, it's been a trial! Today I'm feeling pretty darn good. I'll probably poop out and need a nap this afternoon, but I'll take that any day over what I've been through.

While laying there with plenty of time to think, artsy projects flooded my mind. Now that I'm better the question is prioritizing all this creative energy. I'm getting ready for my next classes at Trezher's starting on September 15th which will be a soldered glass pendant class. Then I'll be creating samples for the November 20th class where we'll make larger pieces to preserve pictures, collages, or postcards and the December 10th class when we'll make ornaments. I'm excited about the ornament class! Here are a couple of images I'll be using for my samples. 

I'm also painting new images for my pendant line, working on a new deck of Inspirational Cards, have a stained glass project I've been excited about creating, and a quilt idea is brewing in my mind. I'm so glad to be me today.

I hope you find your creative muse and giver her/him a kiss for me. :)

My friend Lisa's baby Zoie. So cute!!!

detail from a vintage Easter postacard

Darling Chloe in her halloween costume from 2010

My baby Rachel, when she was a baby. :)

Detail from vintage postcard

Back in the swing of things

Good day to you! I think I'm finally getting to the end of my unpleasantness... At least I'm ready to be at the end so I'm choosing to move on. :)

Which brings me to today! I feel so fresh and ready to take on the world, it feels like a MONDAY! (btw, it's Thursday, which is good, too!)

I'm going to try my darnedest to balance all the things I really want to do today. It will be a challenge! Considering I have 3 kids of my own here today and one bonus kid. And a wonderful sweetie who needs me, too. Here's my to-do list:

Laundry

vacuuming

running kids around

pick up Rachel's car from the shop

feed dogs

water plants

grocery shopping

meals

exercise

create template for new stained glass panel within old window frame

Try out Mother's Day gift hammock!!! 

Try out Mother's Day gift motorcycle!

Shop for our early Father's Day celebration this Sunday...

That's all I can think of right now, but you know stuff will be added. I feel very blessed to have such high-quality "problems" as too many people in my life who I love and want to take care of, art to create, a motorcycle to ride...  :)

I hope you implement today's Inspirational Image! I think it's one of the most important tasks any of us undertake!

Blessings,

Laura P.

a "Walk In Your Own Footsteps" Inspirational Image

Learning Lessons about Life

The last couple of weeks have been difficult to say the least. I've learned a lot about myself as well as some other people in my life. I learned that some people can be unspeakably awful when they feel their cause is just. And, I learned that when I am on the receiving end of unspeakable awfulness, it takes me a long time to process my feelings. I'm still processing. Peeling the onion and finding hurt, betrayal, and fear hiding under pain and anger. I guess I could paint something really dark to get the feelings out. But, I find that I go to art when I'm happy to celebrate life, not to commemorate misery. The final result of all this is that the person who tried to deceive me ultimately failed because I sought reliable counsel before falling for her ruse. 

So, the lesson learned is that I'm too trusting of people who I perceive as being authority figures. The sad thing is this woman has been awful to me before and I went along with her because she spoke kindly to me. I also suffer from the unfortunate desire to have relationships which are smooth in my life, even to my own detriment.

I choose to remain a kind and open person. I want to trust people in my life. Therefore, I will continue to seek sound counsel from people who I know love and honor me. And, NOT take action recommended by those who've shown clear disregard and disdain for me in the past. Part of me does not want to admit that their are real live evil people in this world. Especially people with blood relations to people I love. But, it's true. I get that now.

What I want to take away from this is GRATITUDE for the good people in my life and the ability to set firm boundaries which exclude the evil. 

I have not made a Inspirational Image in a while, but I'm glad to share this one with you today. I hope it reminds you that you are wholly ready to be fully YOU right now!

Blessings,

Laura P.

A "Walk In Your Own Footsteps" Inspirational Image

Just another day...

Today I'll be out in the glass studio for a bit getting samples ready for the June 9th class at Trezhers Gift Shop in Sacramento. Then, I'm off with my oldest son, Steven, to do some birthday shopping for the fair Jamie's 21st. Steven is also putting together a cowboy outfit for his annual trip to Columbia, CA with his best buddy's family over Memorial Day weekend. 

Okay, those are the fun and exciting parts of my day. Otherwise, I'll be doing laundry, cleaning house, and generally helping my sweetie out with any chores he needs done. Through all of this, I'll be following the advise in today's Inspirational Image. Because, losing my former hubby Joe suddenly this winter reminded me that we don't know how long we have with anyone. Time goes by very fast. Treasuring each day we have with the people we love, is vitally important to happiness. 

Blessings to you, today,

Laura P.

Treasure Every Moment of Your Life from Chapter 22, titled Present Moment Awareness

Wrapping things up & making decisions

The last few months have felt like a crazy swirl of activity. I have so many projects in process that I am in danger of being strangled by all the loose ends. So, I'm gonna make a list (yeah, I know another list) and start finishing projects and wrapping things up. Starting with getting my book off to the publisher and including organizing my kid's bedrooms. Whew! The list seems daunting already. But, worth it. 

While on a walk a couple of weeks ago, I saw the sign I used for today's Inspirational Image. I laughed out loud because it contradicts itself within a couple of feet! It got me thinking of how so many of us have been taught to look outside ourselves for guidance. Often times, the people and institutions we trust to lead us are not very good at directing us and we really need to learn to make decisions for ourselves. Be it church, school, or other people in general, many of us allow others to direct our lives. Isn't it time to start making our own choices and live with the outcomes? Good or bad, they are the result of our own choices. 

Well, I guess that’s it for me today. I hope you have a wonderful day and make good choices for yourselves.

Blessings,

Laura P.

How was your weekend?.?.? Have a great week!

Happy Monday morning!

Working from home can sometimes mean I feel that I'm working all the time. Coming to my computer Monday morning to write this blog is my way of heading to the break-room to grab a cup of coffee and say, "Good Morning" to the rest of the workers here. I always enjoyed getting to work on Monday morning. I like the feel of a new week just starting. I have the same enthusiasm here at home, just no one to share it with.

I, personally, had a great weekend... Thanks for asking. My youngest son brought home a wonderful progress report and I was honored to have my work on display at a nice gallery called Little Relics in Mid-Town Sacramento so I went down and enjoyed the Second Saturday Art Walk.We had a wonderful write-up in Sacramento Press.com and I was quoted and photographed!  I enjoyed dinner with a new artist friend named Florence Skiadis who Susan also had on exhibit at her gallery Little Relics.

Sunday morning I woke up kinda disoriented. Do I work on art, clean house, hang out with my kids? I was all over the place and my emotional state reflected that. So, I headed to the garden to weed, dead head, and watch birds. Nothing like some fresh air and activity to make me feel better about life. Here are a couple of pictures I took of our iris beds yesterday.

close-up of iris I plan to paint

irises with daffodils and Japanese Maple

Because of my schedule, I often don't enjoy weekends "off." I'm often at home with my family, but I'm working on something or another for a deadline that's just a few days away. Another aspect of being a working artist is balancing work that I need to do for specific galleries or shows, and the ideas that are rattling around in my head and seeking artistic expression. One might think that painting little butterflies for a show is creative enough to quell the muse, but today it's not. Today, Dia de los Muertos images are nagging at me and that's what I want to create. Hopefully, some sketches and written plans for future projects will be quiet down that particular muse with a Spanish accent.

I hope that you find inspiration today to do the work you are tasked with this fine week. I know I'm ready to get to it. Got my coffee, said, "Good Morning" now I'm ready to work.

Here's the Inspirational Image for today.  I hope that in all the busy-work of your life today, you take a few moments for calm peaceful reflection. Sometimes, resting and relaxing can be very illusive during out action-packed days.

Blessings,
Laura P.

Walk In Your Own Footsteps Inspirational Image of the day

The Preview night last night was a blast!

Happy Friday!

Last night was the pre-view night at the Little Relics Gallery in Sacramento. It was a fun night filled with lots of happy people mingling in the cozy gallery as it stormed like crazy outside. Susan Rabinovitz  put on a really nice event, Thanks Susan!! My daughter, Rachel, came down to hang out with me and her friend Katy Coke also attended. The big event is the Second Saturday Mid-Town Art Walk which is tomorrow. I've been told that a lot of people come and am looking forward to that, too. I'll share photos next week. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings, 

Laura P.

Rain, rain... oh go ahead. I didn't want to hand-water anyway

I don't know what it's like in your part of the world today, but it's raining like crazy here. We don't usually get this kind of constant rain. We get the "squall blows in and blows out an hour later variety," usually. Therefore, it affects everyday life here in a way that it doesn't when folks are used to it. I formerly lived in Texas. There, you just get up and go anyway... rain or shine. Life can't wait because it's raining or nothing would get done. But, in a climate where 20 minutes could mean a nice sunny drive, we tend to wait. Getting up this morning and getting the kids moving with the chorus of raindrops falling all around, and doing it with a positive attitude,  reminded me of so many other paradigm shifts I've experienced. The first thought, "Agh, it's raining cats and dogs, I want to stay in bed!" to "Oh, good. I don't have to worry about the plants in pots today" was a stretch. But, a positive attitude is essential to getting all the work I need to accomplish finished.

It doesn't matter if you call it a paradigm shift, or re-framing, changing your mind about something so that you feel better about it is a neat way to improve your outlook and your general approach to life. If you can't do this for yourself, it's great to find someone who can. I had a counselor who could help me flip my perception with just a few words. Now, I do it for others. You'll probably notice the people in your life who appear happy most of the time do this naturally.

Admittedly, it's a small thing... getting out of bed on a rainy day with a smile for my family, but when you learn the habit of finding good in most situations, your whole life feels better.

Blessings,
Laura

Add caption

Juggling priorities today

Like any working person in the world (that's everyone!) I'm finding myself juggling all the things that I feel I need to get done today. Trying not to focus on just the hard stuff... or just the fun stuff... The problem is, my list is too long. How do I prioritize EVERYTHING? So, I'm going to just do the things that I'll lay awake tonight thinking about if I don't do. And, I'm going to take my newest teenager to the go-card place to take his class so we can have his party on Friday!

Today's Inspirational Image is another picture from the beautiful Filoli Estate in Woodside, CA.

hmmm.... I'm starting to think that these Inspirational Images are more for me than anyone else! Whew, Present Moment Awareness. There's a whole chapter in the book about this topic. Eckhart Tolle  has written a bunch of books about this (brilliant stuff, by the way. I'm a huge fan!!) It should be easy, right. I mean if you're alive right now, then you're living right now. But, not true.  We worry about what we haven't done and fret over what we might not get done. So, is that what I'm doing? Probably. OK, I'll take a moment and breathe. Do a little meditation....    Then attack that list!

Blessings,
Laura P.

Quiet house, now time to work.

I'm starting to believe that people imagine us artsy folk as having lots of time on our hands to create whatever comes to mind. Sometimes, I wish that was true.  I'm so blessed to have a very busy April and that means I have a lot of getting ready to do. I have two classes scheduled at Trezhers Gift Shop in Sacramento, three events at Little Relics, a gallery which is showing my art (Yeah!!!) and I'm doing the Mariposa Butterfly Festival  with my mom the first weekend in May. So, that means I'm painting today, cutting glass tomorrow, putting together outfits for the showings, posting Inspirational Images, working on the proposal for HCI Books (because that's actually top of the old list)... And then there's my sweetie, my kids, dogs, house, laundry.... I guess you're getting the picture. Okay, that said, I'm happy and thrilled because I've gotten what I dreamed of. Now, I need a maid! :)

Seeking balance, and keeping my fibromyalgia under control, is very important to me. So, taking time to meditate, go for walks, or anything else that calms me down and allows me to relax is very important while things are so busy. That's why I chose this Inspirational Image for today. I took this picture on a trip with Jim to the coast. This was taken in Gilroy, Ca at a seed company's garden. I think the beautiful flowers with the dark green background have a very calming feel.

I hope that you take time to find peace and calm today, despite the busy-ness of your business. :)

Inspirational Image - Peace

What's the opposite of Monday Morning Blues?

I don't know why, but I've always really liked Mondays. It's like a New Year's Day every week! Woo-hoo! Anything is possible, now. It's a whole new week, it's Monday again! This week, the kids are back at school and the house is quiet again giving me time to work. So, I'll be painting today. Also, I bought a new easy-up and I need to see how easy it goes up! It starts raining tomorrow, so today's the day.

Today's Inspirational Image is from the trip Jim and I took last week. I think the name is super funny! If you speak Spanish, pulgas means fleas! So, this beautiful structure is the "Fleas" water temple. But, it gave me a beautiful opportunity to share a thought for the day. Isn't the blue sky with the white wispy clouds beautiful?

I hope you have a happy and productive Monday!
Blessings,
Laura P.

Pulgas water temple, Woodside, CA

Home again...

Wow! It is so fun to get out of town and relax, and it's equally wonderful to get home, and get back to work. We had a great time just cruising along a short section of the Northern California Coast. We visited the Filoli Estate and I wholeheartedly recommend it if you like beatitude gigantic homes and well manicured gorgeous gardens. I'll be using a lot of the photos for future Inspirational Images as well as the new deck of cards I'm working on. The kitchen looked just like the set from Downton Abbey. We also stayed in Half Moon Bay and ate at a favorite restaurant there called the Princeton Seafood Company. I especially like this place because the food is very good, the service is friendly and conscientious, and the prices are reasonable.

I'll be sharing photos once I have a chance to sort and photoshop them. Till then, I hope you take the advice of today's Inspirational Image this weekend. Get out there, Wander... Wonder at the beauty of nature. 

Blessings,
Laura P.

Headed for the coast to relax and take pictures for the new card deck

Hello, faithful readers.
Jim and I will be cruising along in his cool convertable for the next couple of days. It is my plan to get some new photos for the next deck of cards as well as some much needed relaxation. If anything artsy or "Walk In Your Own Footsteps" happens on our trip, I'll post it here. Otherwise, please check out my travel blog called the Adventures of Jim and Laura. 

Have a great couple of days!

Here's a picture I took in the town of Coloma on a recent car ride Jim and I took. Enjoy.

Old fence in the Coloma, California grave yard

Blessings,
Laura P.

Joy

Today I'm off to Mount Shasta to film my very first Television Interview. The host of Aday in Telos, Arthur Aday has invited me to do a segment on his show and I could not be more pleased. I'll be making the drive to Mount Shasta with my sweet girl (puppy dog) Gracie and we'll be staying with my mom in Dunsuir. While I'm away, my youngest son David will be performing in his first big musical production! So, this is a big week for the Pallatins! Jim is staying home to help David with the play and I'm sad to be missing the final presentation but I'll be catching the 1pm production with the kids at David's school, so that'll be fun!

With all the wonderful things happening in our lives right now, I couldn't think of a better image to share than this one. I took this photo on a trip with Jim to the coast a couple of years ago. It was taken in a seed company's test garden in Gilroy, CA. When I was looking through my images, this one popped out at me and I could think of nothing but... JOY!! I hope you are having a good time in your life today, too.
Blessings,
Laura P.

Walk In Your Own Footsteps Inspirational Photos with sayings

this is the pond at the Front Yard Nursery in El Dorado California

A view of the ferris wheel at dusk at the El Dorado County Fair

Maples turning color at Cameron Park Lake

I've been using my photography to create inspirational pictures to share with all my Walk In Your Own Footsteps friends. I've shared a few here but I've made so many more. So, here are a few. I hope you enjoy them. I've added a description of where each photo was taken because I always wonder this myself.

We just enjoyed some yummy corned beef and cabbage. Thank heaven my sweetie can cook it because my attempts were not good. I hope that you are enjoying your St. Pats! Blessings, Laura