New Work and Then Some

Well I have been so busy and that is a good thing. My artwork is my source of income so I cater to the demands of making art when I need to. I apologize for my lack of activity here on my blog. I wanted to share with you a few works I have been busy creating and wanted to let you know that I have a really fun photography/digital art texture package freebie I am releasing in April! 

Make sure to stay on the lookout for that, so far it is one of my favorite texture packages to create and I have a feeling that many of my photographer friends who are into macro imagery of plantlife will really dig the Yupo textures I made. The digital artists will also find these textures truly unique and will certainly enjoy them in the collaging efforts :)

Until I write again, here is a sampling of what I have been  up to this month....
Make sure to check out photographic work I have at my Glass Eyed Pony Photography Blog!

Getting It Together

I have been busy managing my workload this week. I often cannot fathom how other work at home moms have time to balance a full time business from their home and manage blogging as much as they do, unless of course, they limit the amount of work they take on. But rest assured I will be focusing on this blog and my photography blog in upcoming weeks.

I will have giveaways at both blogs as well as tips and other useful information for everyone, not limited to just fine art/illustration/photography.

I encourage anyone with specific questions about how I organize my time, run my business, and methods I use to create my art to contact me. I will try to address what I can when I have a chance!

Thanks for being patient!

LynZ

Hoofbeats and Heartbeats Charity Art Auction

Send your raffle entry payments directly to the Second Wind Adoption Program at Crossed Sabers through their Buyer Portal

All of your donations will go DIRECTLY to Second Wind Adoption. Each dollar buys you one entry into the raffle. Your name will be sent directly to me when you enter and added to our pool here. At the end of February a winner will be announced on the Shadow Horse Studios LLC Facebook Fanpage Wall. The winner will also be contacted via private message as well. At that time I will ask you for your mailing address! Thank you so much for participating and take heart in knowing that all money earned goes towards helping animals who truly need it!

If you feel more comfortable using paypal for your donation then please send it directly to my email lwarren@shadowhorsestudios.com as Second Wind Adoption does not utilize Paypal If you choose to use Paypal please send your payment with a note stating that it is "raffle" money so I know what the payment is for, also include your full name , email and regular address! Thanks.
Here is the Buyer Portal link again!

Hoofbeats and Heartbeats First Annual Benefit Raffle

Giving back plays a very big part in my life and my artwork. I make a habit of donating to many animal rescues and rehabilitation programs. I have decided to start a new annual art raffle here at Shadow Horse Studios LLC that promotes a selected rescue/organization each February, just in time for Valentine’s Day!

The Hoofbeats & Heartbeats Benefit will be an online raffle where Shadow Horse Studios's Fans have the opportunity to win an original work of art while supporting a chosen rescue/organization. This year’s piece entitled, “True Gold, is a 6”x6”oil on canvas mounted Board. Each raffle entry costs $1.00 and you may enter as many times as you would like.

This past year I donated a few prints to the Second Wind Adoption program at Crossed Sabers Stables which brought new clients my way. I am very grateful for the clients as I am jumping back into my art/photography full time and have just started really utilizing my FB page and other social networks to promote myself. I don't like spending money on advertising as I have found word of mouth goes a long way and is the most beneficial for me and potential clients, yet, I do want to actively promote myself to reach other potential clients but in a way that helps others out. In lieu of paying out the ears for advertising I find that many of the social network platforms have a longer reach than most printed magazines and for now, it is free! Plus, I have the added benefit of knowing all money earned and items donated went to a cause that truly needs the support, especially in these hard economic times.

ALL MONEY raised goes towards Second Wind Adoptions at www.crossedsabers.com I will be posting further information about the Hoofbeat and Heartbeat in a few weeks. The raffle will go live via the Shadow Horse Studios LLC Facebook Fan Page on a secure page on the first of February that only fans will be able to access!
Stay Tuned...

To find out more about their program visit http://www.crossedsabers.com
If you are an animal rescue organization and would like to be considered for our art raffle in the future, please contact me directly at lwarren@shadowhorsestudios.com I am not limiting my raffle to horse related causes only, wildlife, rehabilitation efforts, all animal rescues and or organizations will be considered!

Freebie Action Set for Digital Artists/Photographers

I have uploaded a free action set download for everyone! I get sick to my stomach when I see people spending BIG $$ on actions. If you do buy your actions, I suggest that you do not pay anymore than $1-$10 max! I personally cannot believe people are willing pay tp $$$ for actions? Really? Do yourself a favor and sign up for a digital photo course at a local college before shelling out the big bucks on actions. As someone who has a background in digital art/computer art, I know there are a variety of FREE resources out there where you can get some truly amazing free actions.

I have spent a lot of time and even some money researching this! I am seeing people pay a college course tuition cost for ONE SET OF ACTIONS? Geesh...ripped off...it makes me sad. There are many who have taken such courses, come home with an armload of actions and then tweak and retweak their actions, market them as their own, and sell them for UBER bucks! If you sign up for a college level digital photography course or two, you will be given access to a number of action sets that you can then use, you will also be trained on how you can CREATE YOUR OWN!

I know there will be some upset with my rant, but honestly, this is how I feel about it and thus, I have created a bunch of awesome freebies! I don't believe you should have to pay for them...enjoy!!

Download it Here Now
http://glasseyedpony.com/actionszip/alledgedout.zip

Updates & Then Some...

Happy New Year Everyone! 

I am trying to make a habit out of writing in my blog at least once a month.  My New Year started off with a bang!  I have taken on a some commissions which I will be showing here and on my FB Fan page. The first two showcase horses of course! A thoroughbred jumper named Ren and a lovely older Paso Fino gentleman! That is all I will tell you for now. I will continue to post my progress along with photos soon! I am also working on another fantasy piece, a woodland elf maiden but haven't decided what medium to make her in. I am leaning towards watercolors or colored pencil, or perhaps a mixed media approach with those two mediums.

As for my Facebook New Year's giveaway, I am currently offering a custom 6"x6" colored pencil portrait raffle. All you have to do is click like on the offer and your name will be entered into the drawing. The winner will be announced at the end of January! That's it for now!

Later
L.Warren

Tracey Pennito Photoshoot 12.26.11

12.26.11 photo shoot in Bristol Connecticut with model Tracey Pennito, I was able to collaborate a shoot with photographer/artist Kevin Stiles who is also a former teacher of mine! Some of these photos were take in artist Chris DuFour's art studio.