i'm never really ready for this...

...but after an unusually warm October

(I was just on my bike the other day - in shorts!)

near-zero temperatures

and blizzard-like conditions

are indeed a

shock to the system.

***

Yesterday I watched

out the window

as it began

to snow.

I felt compelled

to draw.

Soon the white stuff

began to collect

on the few remaining leaves

still clinging to

the aspen trees

in our back yard.

As my eyes saw

my hand drew...

and

in my heart

I sensed

their plight.

I felt

their fear.

I knew

how it would end.

***

Early this morning

I felt compelled

to capture

this unfolding drama

with my camera.

It was so cold

I didn't want to risk

damaging condensation

in my 'big' camera,

so I made a few quick captures

with my iPhone 5.

Version 1

Editing done on my iPad

with the following apps:

LEONARDO - adjust exposure, contrast, brightness

PHOTOGRID- create layout

STACKABLES - add textures:

Winter Frost (Multiply 20%)

Glacial Ice (Color 25%)

Bleached (Soft Light 75%)

Worn Canvas (Hard Light 25%)

Version 2

Editing done on my iMac with

LIGHTROOM (preset: kk_truecolor)

and

PHOTOSHOP

The 'platinum' Gradient Map adjustment layer

(Lighten Blend Mode 32%)

toned down the bright

yellows and greens

just a bit.

***

For everything there is a season

and a time for every matter

under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

***

Linking up with

Friday Finds

Texture Tuesday

Thank you Roxi and Julie
for getting me hooked

with your

30 Day Scrap with Apps Challenge.

This is seriously

too much fun!

comic relief

Lately I've been exploring

iPhoneography

thanks to my friends

Roxie, Sarah, and Viv

who have been tempting me

for months

with its

myriad of

creative possibilities.

So much to learn!

I have only just

scratched the surface.

Spontaneity

was not exactly at the top

of my list;

however, one day last week

as I was sitting down to

draw this little dried rose petal

- in a quiet, contemplative, Zen-like state of mind -

who should happen along

and plant herself

right in the middle

of things?

Lillian
couldn't resist
this set-up.
Immediately,

my plans were

up-ended.

Literally.

I am always fascinated

by the dexterity of her

comma-shaped paw

as she daintily
sweeps small objects

hither and yon.

And then she glanced back at me,

as if to say,

'Well, what did you expect?'

God bless

Lillian

for her

gift of

comic relief!

Good thing I had

my iPhone

handy.

***

Notes:

CAMERA

iPhone 5

APPS

ProCamera

initial capture

(rapid fire mode)

Snapseed

Details: Sharpening ~25-30%

Drama: Bright 2 - default filter strength

which nicely lightened

Lillian's 'darker side'

and oh-so-subtly

brought out just enough

detail in

the sketchbook.

Image Blender

Second layer: kk_tuesday texture

Blend Mode: Soft Light 20%

I wasn't really after any

'dramatic' texturizing,

but rather to see how

subtle texturizing could enhance

an image.

***

Linking up with

30 Day Scrap With Apps Challenge (Day 6)

Texture Tuesday

Friday Finds