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Sorting, editing, softening here and there and what you end up with are beautiful images and even some works of art. A few of these images have been fashioned into "Master Images." Its good to see the possibilities.
Click on the image below and enjoy the beautiful faces of Lara and Deric soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Deric Raymond. Here is their first public showing of a budding love for one another.
As the PDF file loads, click on the images to advance.That's all for now but as always...
Have a colorful day!
Murals & Design
Trudy 972-814-5856
Click on the image above to view a set of PDF slides of our new little "Diva," Hayden. (Use your up / down arrows to advance the slides.)
We really enjoyed working with this lovely one year old, her Mom and fantastic Grandmother. Now lets enjoy, "Hayden..."That's all for now but as always...
Have a colorful day!
Murals & Design
Trudy 972-814-5856
So have you missed me? Well, I've been at the races!
I have to admit that I love the thrill of being a winner, but I don't understand this passion guys have with racing cars. Ever since cars were created they were raced. Watching fast cars go round and round equates to counting sheep to me. So what is the attraction? Maybe it's the feelings of liberation, speed, power, control, excitement, etc...and even danger. Or perhaps it is a way of testing one's limits and skills while at the same time going head to head with other contestants, all wanting to achieve the glory of being the first to cross the finish line.
Now, I am going to tell you my theory: It is a gene that they are born with... Have you ever noticed that every little boy, even before they can talk, can purse their lips together and mimic the engine sound of a souped-up race car? They are doomed from the start!
When I met four year old Gabriel for the first time he had a toy Ferrari under his arm and greeted me with, "I am pleased to meet you and this car is just like the one my Daddy drives." Hmmm, seems like my theory is true and it transcends generations. Way before this little guy will be driving, he is engulfed in the "racing culture."
Murals & Design was commissioned to do this race car mural by Frost Interiors. We first painted the base color a warm gold with tan undertones. Gabriel's Daddy was very specific in the details he wanted in the paintings. On either side of the windows we recreated two, 2x3 foot vintage race posters. Over the Pitt Stop, (bathroom door) we painted a vintage Ferrari, the famous checkered flags, and of course made the room special by adding Gabriel's name. The 6x14 foot track scene was painted high on the wall so the bed could be placed under it.
When the room was finished both the designer and clients were happy, so, yes, it does feel good to be a winner!
I do love the contrast of black and white like the checkered flags and I do like fast red cars.....so even though I was not born with the gene, I think I could learn to enjoy racing!
Vrrrrrroooooom!
That's all for now but as always...
Have a colorful day!
Murals & Design
Trudy 972-814-5856
Contrast: (noun) The use of opposing elements, such as in color or style in proximity, to produce an intensified effect.
Contrast can be directly associated in creating the "WOW" factor as I refer to it. To decorate your entire home in this fashion would be too overwhelming for the senses and you would tire of it quickly. We do however want to have a touch of the "WOW" factor in all of our homes. But where are the best locations for such elements, you ask? Well, the most obvious would be rooms for kids and teens, then try having some fun with your entry or foyer. Use contrast in both color and style to awaken the senses of your arriving guests. Remember that the foyer of your home is your opportunity to make a "first impression," so just like mama use to say, "put you best face forward."
The powder room, which typically consists of a sink and a toilet with its sole purpose being the convenience of your guests, is a great location for the "WOW" factor to be implemented. The post today, "Hoity Toity" is an example of contrast in both color and style. This is a powder room for a client in Forney, Texas whose fun and sassy personality matches the room. We are carrying this theme into the adjoining laundry room, which I will share with you later.
The walls were painted a happy shade of red with a slight undertone of orange. To create the contrast we were looking for, we used black and white on both fabrics and accessories. The custom window treatment is a padded cornice board with a silk panel tied with a yummy tassel. What does not show in the photographs (very hard to shoot such small rooms) is a cow hide rug in black and white on the floor. Talk about a contrast in style!
So we have accomplished our goal, Miss Jo now has a "Hoity Toidy" that makes her guests exclaim, "WOW!"That's all for now but as always...
Have a colorful day!
Murals & Design
Trudy 972-814-5856
How did I become ME? Well today, May 30th, that question is answered as I give thanks and honor to my parents, Wade and Mary Jane Roe who are celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary. A beautiful blond haired gal with the cutest little nose gave her heart to a tall handsome guy and that began their journey...
So back to the original question, "How did I become ME?" Well, five years into their journey, I was born! It was a time in their life when they were members of a sports car club. They drove the very first convertible, Thunderbird and it was red, of course. When I was old enough to stand, I was donned in a beautiful straw hat and dress to match my mother and was allowed to stand on the seat between them as we participated in rallies. I think I was like a new " hood ornament" that they were so proud of!
I am not exactly like just one of my parents but a combination of them both. Sorta like a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll! (where did that come from?) As far as looks, I got my blond hair and small nose from mom and my high forehead and blue eyes from dad. Those outward traits are determined by the genes and are accepted "as is." However it is the inward traits passed on that began to form I to ME. This took work and diligence, time, determination and sacrifice on the part of my parents as they began to mold me through their training but mostly by their example.
Just to mention a few, I watched my mom teach bible school and visit the nursing home. She made sure that less fortunate kids had Christmas gifts and she did without so I could have things. She was very talented and was always sewing and baking and making crafts. So I have to say that my mom is responsible for my desire to give of myself and put others first, my love for art and my love of the Lord.
I watched my dad build an airplane in our basement and heard him talk of machines that he invented. I watched him start a business in a shed in our back yard, then move it to the garage and now, thanks to him it is a thriving business in an Industrial Park. Because of my dad, I am constantly looking for something to invent myself and I do not like to sit idle. He has instilled in me a desire to better myself and my situation. He taught me to "think."
Wow! Now I see that it took many years to form ME, and I have not even begun to scratch the surface....
So, mom and dad, if you read this I would just like to say thanks for hikes in the woods and picnics at the airport. Thanks for lemonade stands and birthday parties, and being so active in all my school events including my green hair when I was a leprechaun in the play. Thanks for giving me a beautiful childhood filled with wonderful memories. And last but not least, thank you for living your life as an example so I could become the very best "ME!" I am not bragging, but as Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing!"That's all for now but as always...
Have a colorful day!
Murals & Design
Trudy 972-814-5856
Ever since my return from Texas School things have been busy. OK, now I'll be honest with you. I have been sitting at this computer every chance I get "playing" with Photo Shop and all the "goodies" I learned in the class. It is so exiting to use the effects on our photography and not the stock photos provided by the instructor. You know how you feel when you purchase a new picture frame and there is a stranger looking back at you? Then you put a photo of your child in it and you get that ahhhhh feeling and the warn fuzzies inside? Well that's how I'm feeling, so forgive me for the short blog today...
We all own one or two of these and they seem so popular in decor nowadays. I personally have five of them in different sizes and shapes on my dining table. Now, with their growing popularity we must step outside the box to set ours apart from everyone else' s. Oh yea, I guess I should tell you that I am talking about clear glass cylinders.
In the post today, you will see one filled with creamers that the client has a passion for collecting. (to each his own!) It does set her common cylinder apart from the rest. So what are you going to put in yours? How about coffee beans, or old silverware? Just please do me a favor and do not put fake fruit in it!
And that advice didn't cost you a thing!That's all for now but as always...
Have a colorful day!
Murals & Design
Trudy 972-814-5856
Well friends I am finally back. I am caught up on the lost sleep and my 50 year old body has realized that I would only commit it to one week of college life at a time and has turned from it's rebellious spirit.
Early morning to early morning was the schedule for my week at Texas School for Professional Photographers. Thank goodness eight hours of each day was sitting in front of a computer learning my way around Photoshop. Thank you Thomas Wylie of Pine Acres Photography for being my desk mate. I could not have done it without you! Like I said in an earlier post, this was a big stretch for me. I am an artist who paints on the wall and not on a computer screen. I am an old fashioned gal at heart and have fought the technology of the computer as if it were a space alien when it comes to my art. Besides, I am married to George Jetson who always seems to be on the galactic edge of the computer frontier. My teacher made a few blond jokes, so that may have something to do with it too???
So, to sum up the Texas School experience, I have to say that it was incredible! I rubbed shoulders with some of the greatest icons in the photographic craft, made some new friends, was inspired beyond belief and gained a confidence with "art" on the computer to fly my own space ship! I am already deciding what course to take next year. And by the way, I had tons of fun.
The post today is a canvas gallery wrap composite (14"X30") of three generations. This is an example of what can be done using Photoshop. We photographed each person individually to capture their unique personality, which is not always possible when shooting as a large group. The polished images were then merged together. (a lot more involved, but that's it in a nutshell) We were thrilled with the outcome and knew we hit the ball out of the park when the client saw the canvas and said,"priceless!"
What would a precious family heirloom like this be worth to you?
That's all for now but as always...
Have a colorful day!
Murals & Design
Trudy 972-814-5856
