Brand New Blog !!!

After eighty MudBay Musings posts, I've embarked on a new venture - MudBay Images.

This new blog is dedicated to original and vintage images, for you to download and use in your digital and mixed-media artwork. I'm very excited about sharing some of my favorite images with you. Thanks for stopping by!

Altered Legacy

After scanning in some family Tintypes and Ambrotypes, I decided these folks could use a digital "pick-me-up!" I used the Tintypes shown, an altered frame from an Ambrotype, a 1792 farm sale document, and clip art (made into brushes in Photoshop Elements).

Unfortunately, there were no identifying names on these pictures; they are from the McEwen/Stewart and Irons/McCrory branches of the family. The top tintype is quite large (8 in.), and the picture appears to have been taken in a barn. If you look closely, you can see the earlier farm sale document in the background.

(08/11/09: added links to new blog for downloading above images)

Gothic Arches Challenge - Edgar Allan Poe

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,

That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.

Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -

Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -

On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'

Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'

(Excerpt from The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe)

Digital collage created from original photos of American crow, archway at Hatley Castle (Victoria, B.C.) and top of entranceway at Empress Hotel (Victoria, B.C.).

Gothic Arches Challenge - Vintage Toys

This week's Gothic Arches challenge is: "Toys - vintage or favorite from childhood."

I've always loved this picture of my grandmother, Virginia (1913) . I wonder, what would it have been like to join Virginia for Tea?

Garden Keeper

"Those fortunate enough to visit castle gardens should do so with quiet voice and tentative step, during the early hours of morning. Great care should be taken so as to not disturb the Garden Keepers, whose presence has been well documented in the gardens since medieval times..."

Perfect Beauty

Imperfection has its own beauty... strong, free and soulful. May we all remember that we can still fly, even though our wings may be a bit tattered.

Seashore ATCs

During this heat wave, leaving you with a few cooling thoughts of the seashore...

Gothic Arches Challenge for July 26 - Bathing Beauties

"Margeaux' confidence was a definite asset during the swimsuit portion of the competition..."

Garden Resident

Tiny wings, sparking white against a profusion of color... providing a beautiful place for the eye to rest.

Ruffled Feathers

Ever have one of those days when your feathers get a bit ruffled? This feisty young fellow spent all day guarding his territory, and as a result became a bit worn out. I'm sure there's a lesson to be learned here somewhere...