Painting.

Well, sort of.

I've written about this before, but the more I get into it, the more I love it.

I've always wanted to paint. And I've tried several mediums, all with no success.

Then, a while ago, I discovered an app called PhotoViva, and it really has opened up a whole new world to me.

Suddenly, I'm able to "paint" just the way I've always hoped I could.  I can pick the brush, the thickness of the paint, the color, the detail I wish to include or exclude, it's just so exciting, I can't begin to tell you.

And even though it isn't technically painting, since I start with my own photographs, and I get to control where it goes artistically, it feels like my own creation.

I've been playing 

with a couple of my black and white portraits 

and am really pleased with the results

I really like this one of Terry.

Click to enlarge to see the detail

And just to show I can do color too, 

here's a shot I took of a wharf 

down at Moss Landing.

I like being able to paint with color, 

deciding how to layer it for different effect.

I find it interesting that with my photography, I like everything very tight.  Sharp, clear and bright.  But when I "paint" I like that looser look.  I like how it feels.  I think that's been one of my problems when trying to paint with actual paint, I just can't figure out how to loosen up enough to get the effect that I'm after.

On to other things . . .

We spent more time in the house today, and discovered an old treasure trove of autographs.  Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, Bob Hope, Deborah Kerr, there are dozens.  These were all collected back in the days before eBay and all the "pay for autograph" conventions.

I think they're very cool, 

but like so many other things, 

I'm ready to let them go.