Monkeying around with PicMonkey!

 Today I had fun playing around with PicMonkey and creating the layered graphic shown here.   If you haven't used PicMonkey yet, I definitely recommend it! You can use it for so many things!  

Here are a few easy steps to make a graphic overlay using Pic monkey:

1.   You can find the site here:  http://www.picmonkey.com/

2.  Create an account...once you have signed in click on Edit photo.  Also, you don't have to create an account to use the basic options here.  I did this without an account. 

3. Once you have opened your photo, look to the left under Basic Edits and click on the Butterfly icon which will pull up all of the overlays.  You can choose "Your Own" to upload from your computer as I did, or use Pic monkeys examples.  It even offers shapes to layer on top of it.

4.  Once you have done this a box will appear and you will be able to pick your overlay colors and transparency of the image.

5.  Once you are satisfied with your photo click save.  You have now saved your Masterpiece!  

 Here is my "collage" of the photos I completed in my Savannah workshop. Here is the simple way to go to PicMonkey and select "create a collage". You can use one of their designs or you can design your own. Then you can drag your uploaded photos in to the collage until you are done. (When you drag them, you can see where to place the photos as you move them around.)

It's a fun tool to use. You can change the width and color of the grid lines between the photos and then save the completed collage as a jpeg on your computer. Post your collages any social media, it is easy to post to Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+ and more! Create a collage to show off your pictures you created and please leave me a comment or link and let me know your experience!

xx, Lana 

Happy Creating!

Inspiration: October in Pink

This inspiration is from  Molly my fellow artist from Etsy featuring my watercolor. Love this combination of pink and black ... very contrasting.  Thank you for a lovely post!   I feel like its almost end of October and I was preoccupied with a different posts so my favorite color of this month felt neglected. With this note of apology, I think I will give a last minute shot of tribute to my pinks, corals, and especially bright pink and definitely some of my favorite images from my pinterest inspiration board.

Via

via

lanasart.etsy.com

Keep Moving to a Deep Fall

    Happy Tuesday everyone! 

I hope you had a wonderful and restful weekend and ready for the workweek!  I did!  Today I packed all my 'sold' paintings from the weekend, sent the free print to the lucky winner in California from my free print give-a-way, signed up for a photography class at SCAD -  so look for new improved photography and photography tips soon! 

If I can touch a life, if through my paintings I can show something previously unseen, if I can reveal something old in a new way, if I can enrich a soul on its own journey - I feel complete. 

"Secret Garden" series is a concentration on new composition, and an impressionistic approach to a  floral motif. I wanted the flowers in this composition to exit the picture plane, to spill off of the canvas. I utilized the muted cool colors which helped to "set up" an opportunity to make the much stronger coral colors really "pop". In this case the buyer requested that the bright colors and flowers remain the main focal point of the composition.  

well, I'm really happy with how it turned out! What are your thoughts?   

 Love to hear from you! xx, Lana

October in LOVE - Treasury Game

I participated in a treasury game 96 this weekend coordinated by the Avid Team. I think it was a great success! Even though I did not get any sales... I found a lot of great items I would like to order before the holidays hit me:) It was a little challenging to come up with four treasuries every day this week, but I was pretty happy with the results! 

Here is one of mine I'm most proud of:

October in Love by Lanasart.etsy.com

And here are some of my favorite treasuries featuring my own work:

Winter Wonderland by Marieken Hoefnagel on Etsy

Primary by Wilma Van Asch on Etsy

http://shopnativefox.bigcartel.com/

Today I pinned to my treasury pinterest board and this lovely image (above) just popped up (you know how it is sometimes:) ...could not resist to included it in my blog ...not because I feel like it's current, but I'm seriously thinking of purchasing these pants!  Reason ...it reminds me of Parisian fashion.  Maybe I'm a little nostalgic about it!  Hmmm...

On a serious note...please share your opinion....do you think it's worth it to spend $35USD for these vintage pants? Let me know what you think!!! 

Happy Weekend!

xx, Lana

P.S. Thank you everyone who participated in my first giveaway last week....it means a lot to me to have you follow my work and my blog! 

OCTOBER What To Wear in FLORIDA

I made this for my friend who lives in NYC.   We laughed about the winter season and the cold, dreary weather that will soon be afflicting her there in NYC.   We also talked about making plans for her to visit me here in Florida.   Fall & Winter is the best time to come and enjoy Florida!  The weather and opportunity to be outside without the oppressive humidity is just perfect!  She asked me what to bring -  I just could not resist to make this welcoming poster for her :) 

Lanasartstudio.blogspot.com

Also, I added more to my Etsy stores this week...so please stop in and see more of my new original watercolors and floral abstracts. 

                          GIVEAWAY

This is a giveaway for any of colorful prints made by me for my print shop!

i love all things colorful + abstract

+ now i have these!:) travel wanderlust 

just leave your name + (email or shop name or blog ) in the comments section below to enter!

+ your name will be counted 2X i will randomly pick a name next weekend + announce the winner on next monday's blog post ! in the meantime + all the time, more prints can be found here

Also,  there will be one more other giveaway in the next month...just would like to give thanks for all the blessings I had this year and if you like my art you can pick any items and I will make a special print just for you!

Good Luck! 

with much love 

xx, Lana

Comments are closed and the winner is Kim! Thank you for cooperation and I will be doing it every month, so stay tuned! 

Traveling Abroad Tips

Traveling abroad can be one of the most amazing experiences to add to your life’s resume, but in order to make the most out of what can be a most life-changing experience, attention to details and pre-planning must take place.

With that said, before even hopping on the plane or train, let’s take a look at all that needs to be tended to before you walk out the door:

Currency is a new app that beautifully and simply helps you make quick currency conversions while you’re traveling. I love this! It’s a great way to avoid the stress of international purchases. Or is that just me that gets totally stressed out when checking out in a foreign language with foreign currency? 

Here’s a little video that shows more about it:  http://vimeo.com/63844761

Do you use Currency already? Or maybe you’re just a whiz at quickly calculating exchange rates. :) Do you have any other favorite apps for traveling? I love new Google Maps!

Valid Passport – make sure your passport is current (US passports typically expire every 10 years – renewal currently is $115) or if you don’t have a passport make sure to apply for one six months in advance (often turn around is 2-3 months, but don’t take the risk). Also, if you're passport is set to expire in six months, be sure to have it renewed before traveling as some countries will not allow you to board if this is the case. Also, to travel some countries like to Russia you must have a visa! You need to apply for it! ( if you need more information about how/where/and what please don't hesitate to ask me).

Contact Your Bank & Credit Card Company 

• Based on which cards you will be using, call that institution and let them know you will be traveling (when and where) so that they don’t report your card stolen when a purchase pops up for tickets to see a ballet in the theater "Bolshoi" in Moscow for example:)
• Ask about all possible fees (ATM, general card use, etc) so that you can calculate that into your budget and plan how many withdrawals you will want to make. 
•  Choose what works best for you!

What pre-planning musts would you add to the list? 

Please, do share....xx, Lana

Happy Weekend Everyone!

  

I hope this quotes strikes a positive chord in your weekend, and if you love it, expect to see more in the future! Happy Weekend Everyone! 

xx, Lana

Images Via

FAVORITE Place By The Sea

One morning, she woke up to a note that read, "Are you ready for the beach?".....

I had the pleasure to stay in this beautiful resort in Amelia Island for a few days with my husband. From the moment I arrived at The Ritz - Carlton Resort for the first time, I knew it would be hard to leave!

Summer is over and Florida is the place to spend a nice fall season and explore sandy beaches, sun, warm ocean, and the Ritz-Carlton Resort is a perfect place to choose!

From foot rejuvenation to couples treatments to tandem massage, the professionals at the Spa are ready to rub, soak and soothe you into heaven:) I took this photo near spa sign in .... the "cupcakes" look so yummy, but it is for your body!

After a few days exploring the old and new at the resort, beach, spa, and island, I found time to sketch .... this is my humble attempt...

SUGAR AND SPICE

I start taking photos of various odd things after a while. There is something about the level of beauty, relaxed atmosphere, great food and happy people here that is very serene. Essentially, my desire to take photos of random things tells me that my eyes are wide open, I’m being inspired, and I’m taking everything in.

Spa at Amelia Island

This is the official site of the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island Resort  if you would like to make your own reservation ..... extend your summer and relax!

WHERE ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO GET INSPIRATION OR FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?  SHARE WITH ME IN THE COMMENTS, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

XX,
LANA