fun with scanning

 A while back I discovered that I can put flattish objects in my scanner for interesting results. This is a slab of "fossilized" dried, cracked mud. It is pretty neat looking by itself, with the patterns made by the cracks, but I thought I'd see what else I could do with it in Photoshop.

The first thing I did was duplicate my favorite section of it, then copy and paste them to create this new pattern. I really like it, it reminds me of fractals! I wasn't finished yet though, and tried some more things.

 Among other things I tried, I inverted the image. Wow! Now it looks like ice! Maybe some kind of abstract colored window! Though this was neat, I didn't stop there.

I played with color, contrast, and gradients. I really like this effect, like the sun shining through a window made of amethyst! Looking forward to trying out other effects, and seeing what use I can put it to in a finished illustration!

All images © Lucy A. Synk 2012

Looking for a black cat.

I came up with this image in response to a similar, but much more biased one posted on Facebook. This still has a biting edge, but toward a specific area of concern, and in a way that respects many disciplines of learning, including science. Hopefully, there are lots of cat owners out there who will appreciate the wry humor!

The dark rooms with stairs I created in MAYA. I then altered a photo I'd taken of my first cat, Leia, making  her black, and finished the whole thing in Photoshop.

newspaper picture of me painting mural

Here's an image of the photo posted in Champaign's paper, The News Gazette on Wednesday, April 11.Hard at work painting prairie flowers!

Homer Lake Nature Center Mural

This is only one section of a small mural I just completed for the Homer Lake Interpretive Center, a nature center near Champaign, IL. I really enjoyed it, haven't done a prairie mural in quite a while!

4th illo in the Wickiup learning center series

This was a lot of fun! I especially enjoyed creating the traffic light and the muddy flood waters. The "smear" tool in Photoshop came in very handy for the water's currents.
The final exhibit, the rest of my illustrations, and the coloring book, will be at the Wickiup Hill Learning Center in Iowa, once installation of the exhibit is completed.

3rd sample from illustrations for Wickiup Hill Learning Center (via Taylor Studios)

As you can see, the kids are having quite the magical adventure! In this scene they have become very small. If you are interested in seeing the final exhibit, the rest of my illustrations, or the coloring book, they will be at the Wickiup Hill Learning Center in Iowa, once installation of the exhibit is completed.

2nd illustration for Wickiup Hill Learning Center (via Taylor Studios)

Using a variety of Photoshop brushes and effects, I created a look of a watercolor wash behind the dragonfly.