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*A Structure of magnificence and undeniable splendour
with its grandeur and elevations*

Face of blue and heart of stone? Who knows?  But these eyes have haunted me from the moment I created them!  Telling nothing and yet saying so much! Only the viewer can answer and question the force behind the picture.  One of my all time favourites, I never tire of tweaking and creating more questions behind the eyes.

I loved creating this image!  A simple photograph taken of an apple, as it leant against my bag on the desk next to me, hastily taken, whilst colleagues looked at me in a concerned and incomprehensible way.

Haa! They think I am mad! But look what I produced! 

Intuitively, I knew the picture was there to be taken and transformed into something quite special......and here it is!

The background has no baring on the foreground whatsoever, but somehow the imagery works. Maybe it`s the colours.......who knows?  But I love it, and hope you do too.

London

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London has taken a battering of late......

Let us remember how beautiful our capital city is........

Despite:..........

BBC News: 8th August 2011

"Police have condemned a wave of "copycat criminal activity" across London in a second night of looting and disorder following riots in Tottenham.

More than 100 people have been arrested as officers were attacked, police vehicles damaged and shops looted.

Disorder spread to Enfield, Walthamstow and Waltham Forest in north London and to Brixton in the south of the city.

Home Secretary Teresa May has cut short her holiday to return to the UK following the disorder.

Some 35 officers have been injured over the two nights of rioting.

Three officers were hurt when a vehicle hit them as they tried to make an arrest in Waltham Forest, east London.

Clashes broke out in Enfield, north London, on Sunday evening where shop windows were smashed and a police car damaged."

Andy Moore BBC News

---

I saw the rioting in Tottenham on Saturday and I saw the rioting last night and it was certainly different in character.

What might have been started in Tottenham by youngsters aggrieved about what they saw as police persecution has become something very different in nature.

Last night there was a sense that the looting, and violence and disorder across London was being co-ordinated on social media.

There were people in their cars, youngsters on bicycles, moving very rapidly, leaving a trail of destruction behind them. As soon as you moved to one location they would move on to the next one.

The police were doing their best to catch up with them. You had police vehicles going backwards and forwards, blue lights flashing, riot police coming out of their vehicles.

Ten minutes later they'd get back in again and go off to the next location - essentially trying to fight the fires, metaphorically, that were spreading all over London.

A Touch of Magic and a little Imagination

Jsgcreations@aol.com

More art can be seen at: http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/jan+steadman-jackson/all

The past few weeks I have been working extensively on a new collection of photo manipulations.  On sharing them online I have also gained commissions and positive feedback, of which I am eternally grateful.  I decided to add them to my blog as a demonstration and exhibition of what can be done to portrait photographs when given the JsJ Creations creative magic.

If interested in discussing or commissioning a portrait photo manipulation, I can be contacted on the email address at the top of this post. 

The more outrageous the pose the better when putting across an original photograph that everyone will enjoy seeing.  Fun, sparkly, dazzling portraits will make your friends and family want one for themselves............. 

Fancy adding a touch of attitude? Why not?...........

A clear photograph, preferrably with strong lines and features is all I need to turn a portrait photo into a work of beauty and intrigue.........

Original photographs do not have to be close-up portraits but distant images may not deliver the most stunning subjects on which to work the JsJ Creations magic.

Photographic Manipulation

Jsjcreations.com

Sharing the wonders of photographic manipulation


Photo manipulation is the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception (in contrast to mere enhancement or correction), through analog or digital means.

I believe strongly that pictures or photographs are far more powerful when telling a story to the person viewing them.  For that reason, when taking photographs, I rarely go for the typically posed positions and subjects, finding them contrived and visually manipulative and restricting.

"A day at the seaside

new smells and new sounds

away from the rat-race

down by the waters` edge.....peacefulness abounds"

A few examples of photo manipulation worked on some photographs taken whilst enjoying a glorious day on the beach with my family.  I love the way the effects I have used lend a different perspective to the original photograph taken and emphasize the focal points I want to share, in the images.  I also love to express my creativity by experimenting and producing images that have been transformed in such a way that the original vision is somewhat metamorphosed into a completely different and almost abstract visionary experience.

Using photographic elements on standard photographs has enabled me to produce some powerful imagery and has gained me much positivity and encouragement to continue to improve and produce the very best I can with my artwork.  No image is one dimensional and with the aid of photo manipulation tools the original image can be transformed into a wonderfully creative collaboration between photography and graphic design.

*In digital editing, photographs are usually taken with a digital camera and input directly into a computer. Transparencies, negatives or printed photographs may also be digitized using a scanner, or images may be obtained from stock photography databases. With the advent of computers, graphics tablets, and digital cameras, the term image editing encompasses everything that can be done to a photo, whether in a darkroom or on a computer. Photo manipulation is often much more explicit than subtle alterations to color balance or contrast and may involve overlaying a head onto a different body or changing a sign's text, for example. Image editing software can be used to apply effects and warp an image until the desired result is achieved. The resulting image may have little or no resemblance to the photo (or photos in the case of compositing) from which it originated. Today, photo manipulation is widely accepted as an art-form.

There are several subtypes of digital image-retouching:

Technical retouching

Manipulation for photo restoration or enhancement (adjusting colors / contrast / white balance (i.e. gradational retouching), sharpness, removing elements or visible flaws on skin or materials, ...)

Creative retouching

Used as an art form or for commercial use to create more sleek and interesting creative images for advertisements. Creative retouching could be manipulation for fashion, beauty or advertising photography such as pack-shots (which could also be considered inherently technical retouching in regards to package dimensions and wrap-around factors) One of the most prominent disciplines in creative retouching is image-compositing. Here, the digital artist uses multiple photos to create a single composited image. Today, 3D elements are used more and more to add extra elements or even locations and backgrounds. This kind of image composition is widely used when conventional photography would be technically too difficult or impossible to shoot on location or in studio conditions.

Mother Nature!

Jsjcreations.com
More art can be seen at: 
http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/jan+steadman-jackson/all
Nature at its Most Beautiful

As we took the two dogs for their walk this Saturday afternoon, I was totally blown away at the pure beauty of the landscape.  Mother Nature wore her coat of many colours with splendour and flamboyance!  The natural colours were breathtaking.  I felt enveloped in a painting of great beauty and greedily snapped away with my eager camera, determined not to miss such a spectacular and inspiring scene that lay before me like a beautifully crafted patchwork.

I was totally and utterly inspired and desperately wanted to replicate the view I had enjoyed earlier, so took out my paints and painted fluently and eagerly with a singing heart.  I first used pastels on the paper and then added watercolours to achieve a richness of colour and depth. 

The fields were rich with colour and vibrancy, each picture I took excited me and made me want to take more and more!  The naturally constructed footpaths made by frequent walkers added to the perspective of the landscape.  I loved it and wanted to run along it.  It was truly a magical place to share with my loved ones.

Poppies in abundance created a vibrant and striking crimson carpet stretching effortlessly across the landscape.  What a truly wonderful sight!

Swanning Around on a Sunny Afternoon

Breeds of these *mute swans* can be seen across most of the UK, and we are fortunate enough to have some resident in our locality. With their *S* shaped necks reaching towards the sky they are majestic and yet silently serene.  Possible to see anywhere there is a shallow lake, or a slow-flowing rivers, even in urban areas and parks, they make their homes and snack on water plants, insects and snails whilst living on our lakes and blessing us with their beauty.

Beautiful Boating

On the same lake, sail boats glide silently across shimmering silver waters, sails straight and tall as the sailors master their crafts.  Ripples on the cool water emanating from the small boats, spread hypnotically outward until they fade forever and merge with the still waters of the lake.

Sunset in 2011

Jsjcreations.com

Sunset

Whilst out walking my pup early one evening, I marvelled at the beautiful scene as the sun slipped between the trees to mark the end of a lovely day.  The sky in close proximity to it appeared bright and warming, enveloping the huge natural ball of light in the sky perfectly.

The trees framed the image and added depth and contrast to the overall imagery.

 

Flickr Update

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsgcreations/show/

The flickr website was one of the first art websites to which I subscribed.  I adore it and still get inspired and motivated by the thousands of pieces of art therein.

I have been invited to exhibit across the globe, but sadly have not been able to accept any invitations as yet, due to financial constraints.  One day I hope to be able to take up exciting chances to have my art displayed in an even bigger arena, although to be fair, the internet is a massive source of opportunity and motivation.  I truly hope it continues to be so as I flourish and revel in the knowledge that so many people across the world enjoy looking at my artwork. 

Producing art in itself is a creative performance and what is a performance without an audience?  We all need to feel that what we achieve is acknowledged and worthwhile, otherwise what would be the point?  To be content and satisfied with the results of one`s creative labours is one thing but to be recognised and appreciated is another thing entirely.  Creating or performing for oneself would never be enough for the any type of artist.  Michaelangelo did not  paint his masterpieces for himself alone, Miro and Kandinsky likewise. 

 Applause, applause, applause!! The artist`s bread and water; the blood running through their veins!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsgcreations/galleries/in/

Photograph

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Life moves on, and this photograph depicts it beautifully.  On the left of the photo my youngest grand-daughter reaches up to touch a photograph of my youngest son in his hospital crib at one day old.  The bigger hand on the right-hand side of the photo is the same son - who is now eleven years old. 

My favourite type of artwork as it shows life as it really is; poignant, emotional and yet genuinely honest.

My Art at Christmas 2010

Jsjcreations.com

This picture sums up Xmas 2010 for me and my family.

A Xmas Card design

Our new puppy Hadley gave a perfect, personal touch to a Christmas card design.

One of my all-time favourite photographs of my beloved grand-daughter Eden sent as a card to my son.

I love this technique using colour splash.



Xmas round the corner!

Christmas round the corner

Money getting tight

Children wait with bated breath

Hopes high for their delight.

Parents counting pennies

Santa`s on his way

apparently with tons of toys

upon his festive sleigh.

Stores crammed full of ideas

tempting all to buy

things that no-one really wants

but we don`t question why.

For it is nearly Christmas

the time of love and joy

Christmas Pud and mistletoe

in abundance to enjoy.

So put away your worries

just paper over cracks

soon we`ll be full of happiness

and mostly on our backs.

Our smiles will reach a million hearts

each and every day

for it`s very nearly Christmas

Our treasured, special day.

With the festive season knocking on our doors, I have been busy designing cards on the wonderful site www.zazzle.co.uk/jsg_creations

Most of the greetings cards are left blank making it possible for buyers to add their own personal message.

As with all my artwork, all designs are  uniquely colourful and striking.  My zazzle page is updated and added to on a regular basis, so if you don`t see something you like first visit, pop back again!

Jsjcreations.com

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Jsjcreations.com - Jsgcreations@aol.com

Will I ever look in the mirror

 and like what I see?

not just the person I`ve turned out to be

I can`t see the youthfulness, fun and desire

the passion

the hope

the love

and the fire!

Where has the spark gone that burned deep within?

The trust and the faithfulness,

the striving to win

The need to be greater

triumphant and strong

fearless,

exciting,

Where has it all gone?

Sad eyes ask  questions

but nothing is told

I fear I am past it - just getting old!
With nothing to show

apart from my rhyme

a lifetime

 of weakness

regret,

wasted time!

Colour Variations

Jsjcreations.com

Floral compositions have always been some of my favourites.  I adore flowers and attempting to make them appear even more beautiful than nature intended has become a passion of mine.  The original source of this poster is a photograph of a common plant in my garden.  Nothing particularly stunning or indeed striking about the plant except for its pretty light blue delicate flowers.  Implementing several digital art effects whilst focusing on colour variations, the completed mixed media image has become a firm favourite with me. 

Variation in colour and composition combined can produce a striking effect in the overall vibrancy of the resulting image, as long as there is a common thread running through the collage, which is usually taken from a palette of four or five colours.

http://art-walk.ning.com/profile/JanSteadman

New Work in February

Jsjcreations.com

Pieces donated to the Haiti Fundraising Effort organised by

Frank Cunha III - Architect & Visual Artist

I first contacted Frank on the website Flickr.  I loved his strong imagery and interesting themes.  He also appeared to appreciate my work and often left encouraging, complimentary comments on it.

 On reading his profile I discovered that Frank was not only a prolific and exciting photographer; he was also a successful architect.  This fact intrigued me as I have always been interested in structures, architecture and design.  It is something I would have loved to have been educated in and something I hold in high esteem.  I enjoy sharing art with Frank on http://www.flickr.com/ and feel honoured to have him as one of my avid supporters.

I have now moved onto Twitter and have Frank as one of my followers, which again, I am grateful for.  His work inspires me.  His ability to take the most wonderful photographs, be it of his lovely family or architectual structures has been an enjoyable inspiration for me since joining Flickr.

When Frank asked artists to donate work for the heartbreaking "Haiti" disaster cause, I was determined and delighted to offer several pieces to him.

I write this testimonial to Frank because I feel some people deserve a mention for being just a bit "special".

Please visit his Flickr photostream and experience stunning imagery and glorious photography for yourselves.

fc3arch.zenfolio.com
PO Box 335, Hamburg, New Jersey, 07419, United States






One of my favourite subjects to create my art are the faces of my children who hold my heart forever.

This collage of Cain shows him looking over his shoulder and to me, asks a million questions.  He has a very expressive face and here he offers mystery as he peers out of the image.

His dark almond eyes are prominent and capture the viewers` attention perfectly, without giving anything away emotionally.

The picture at the bottom of the image reveals itself as the one above it hides and appears more guarded and obscured.  The eyes appear to take on a different meaning all together as his face is almost hidden behind the face in the forefront.  The colours and depth of the image match perfectly and produce a picture of silent questions.



The eyes have it in this image!







Times Square, New York is the foreground image in this colourful mixed media collaboration of art effects on a photograph my eldest son took whilst holidaying in America.  A familiar background works brilliantly alongside photographs of my son and his band.

On closer inspection, my son and his band appear several times in the image making it more personal to us and giving it more of a poster feel.

A gorgeous photograph of my daughter on her special day, standing alongside her younger brother as she prepares to take her vows.  This image shows happiness and celebration. 

New work experimenting with different techniques. What fun!