Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: WEARABLE ART BLOG

Today's art related website of interest to share with blog readers is the "Wearable Art Blog." The Wearable Art Blog is dedicated to building appreciation of the most talented jewelry and fashion designers specializing in handmade design from the U.S. and around the globe. This blog is a photojournal showing fashion as art and vice versa. In addition to showing clothing, it shows jewelry and hand bags, along with men's fashion.

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 11

What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?

Take a beginning photography class in school – after that – decide what kind of camera and lenses you desire. Photography the MOST expensive artistic medium – go slowly when buying equipment – ask many questions. Intern with a professional if possible – the education will be invaluable.

Picture credit: "The Gathering"

Click here to learn more about this cattle photograph

Cow Art and More blog selected for "top 100" list

The Cow Art and More blog has been selected as one of the "Top 100 Great Blogs for Art Students and Enthusiasts." Our blog is specifically mentioned in the nature category as "a blog connecting art to the natural world."

The list was compiled by"Online College," an online source for those going back to school. The site provides information about online college admissions, accreditation, student loans and aid. The site also help users select the best online college to meet their needs.

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 10

What else do you do besides your art?

I am a working professional [tv and film] actor, an author of a children’s book titled, “Clint the Black Cat”. I am a muralist, and a canvas painter. I live to be creative every day – and pretty much am…

Photo credit: "Gossip Gals"

Click here to learn more about this cow photograph

Monday's agriculture website of interest: GARDENING ARTICLES

Today's agriculture focused website of interest to share with the group is a blog of "Gardening Articles". As much as I like being outside, I'm really not good with plants or gardens, but I'm always willing to learn. What I like most about the articles on this site is that they're geared towards people like me; people with small spaces, inexperience and not necessarily a lot of time. The site is maintained by the company "Mini Greenhouse Kits", which also sells greenhouse, gardening and compost accessories.

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 9

What would you like to do more of in the future?

I would like to see my work in LARGE format prints – nothing less than a 30”x40” metallic C print – my favorite type of print. One of my goals is to have a prestigious exhibit in NYC someday – with lots of sales (of course).

Picture credit: "Goat"

Click here to learn more about this goat photograph

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: FRAMING YOUR FINE ART

Who doesn't have questions when it comes to framing your fine art purchase? There are so many considerations: frame, mats, glass. The entire process can be overwhelming! Today's article to share with art enthusiasts is by Dr. Lori on Fine Art Framing. Dr. Lori is a nationally syndicated columnist and has a Ph.D. in art history. She has had multiple television appearances discussing art and its value. In this article, she discusses the different options and points everyone should consider when framing an art original or art print.

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 8

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

All the time! I have more goof ups now more than ever because I’m not afraid to make a mistake – I have discovered that making mistakes also helps me to explore, to learn more about myself and my equipment.

Photo credit: "Boots"

Click here to learn more about this image

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 7

How long does it take you to get an average photograph?

Click – done. Are you talking about the total process of picking something that I will want to actually reprint? Then I would say it could take several hours. I recently was taking photographs of a piece of my photography art… it took me three hours to get four pictures I liked.

Photo credit: "Rooster"

Click here to learn more about this poultry art image

Monday's agriculture website of interest: HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

I have talked about this website once before, but in light of the current crisis in Haiti, I thought it might be good to bring this organization to everyone's attention again. Heifer International is a non-profit organization that seeks to help people by providing them with animals to help feed and provide income for their families. Heifer International details their current and future projects to help Haitians here.

Click here to read the previous blog post about Heifer International.

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 6

How do you decide what to photograph?

Colors are like candy to me! Anything that catch’s my attention – something usually very colorful – I photographed a group of gumball machines recently – the color was magnificent!

Picture credit: "Just Chillin' with the Girls"

Click here to learn more about this cattle photograph

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: DENVERARTSYGAL

For anyone who loves art and music, I have found a great blog for you to follow. The blog is by Denverartsygal. I wish I could tell you more about her, but she doesn't list any additional information about herself. She has beautiful videos combining art from some of the world's best artists with appropriate music. There are other blog posts too about a variety of topics, mostly dealing with photography. Another warning as well, you will have to look through the titles of her blog posts to find the ones that interest you; there is no search box on her blog.

Nonetheless, it's a great blog for an "art vacation" and you'll find me retweeting her posts from time to time if you follow me on twitter.

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 5

What is your technique?

I started shooting digitally in the mid 90’s, a simple 3x zoom camera. I purchased my first digital SLR in 2002. My digital photographers “darkroom” consists of about $20,000 in computer equipment and software. I spend hours reviewing, processing, and organizing my digital negatives; digital photography is VERY time consuming.

Picture credit: "A Southern Cow Belle"

Click here to learn more about this cow photograph

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 4

Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from being present… from paying attention to what’s happening moment to moment. I could be on my way to getting new tires (true story) and be moved by something I see on the way to my appointment – have to pull the car over to capture the inspiration. I have many award winners because I take this time to honor my photographic passion and insight.

Picture credit: "Do I Know You?"

Click here to learn more about this beef cattle photograph

Monday's agriculture website of interest: AGDAY ESSAY CONTEST

While I have featured Ag Day before on the blog, I wanted to bring to everyone's attention an essay contest the organization is sponsoring. The Agriculture Council of America (ACA), sponsor of Ag Day, calls on seventh- to 12th-grade students each year to submit an original, 450-word essay about the importance of agriculture. This year’s theme is “American Agriculture: Abundant, Affordable, Amazing,” and the deadline is Feb. 12. The contest winner will receive $1000 and be flown to Washington, D.C. to receive the award during the "Celebration of Ag" dinner. Information about the contest can be found at the Ag Day essay link.

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 3

Why do you take pictures?

Expression – pure creative expression – I like to capture something in a way that the average person didn’t even notice. Everything about my world is “visual” – when it comes to recalling what I’ve seen, there is no better way then to photograph it. I want to share it with every body, I want you to see what you may have missed. I want to see things close up and personal – my style of photography is going in to the detail and capturing the detail that the naked eye cannot see. When I am inspired by something I see I take a picture of it. I LOVE the instant gratification that photography allows me – especially now with the digital age.

Picture credit: "Madame, I'm Yours"

Click here to learn more about this horse photograph

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAINTING FOR YOUR SPACE

Not only is choosing art a very personal decision, it needs to be somewhat practical as well. The article, "Choosing the right painting for your space," gives readers a few points to consider when selecting artwork for a wall.

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 2

Where did you learn your technique?

I truly believe my background in film and television has much to do with my technique. Cinematography was introduced to me at an early age by my father (a film and television Key Grip), I would go to the set with him early in my childhood to watch and meet the actors on the set, and get to observe them doing their jobs. But it wasn’t just the actors that interested me – I loved watching the gaffer adjust light, the director working with the actors, the script girl keeping up with continuity, etc. etc. etc. Details became my thing – and again, I’m sure that influenced my style.

Picture credit: "Highland Cooo"

Click here to learn more about this cow art image

A conversation with Carla Christina Contreras: Part 1

How did you get started?

I can’t remember not having a camera in my hands… Being a professional Actor, I believe most of my background comes from the perspective of cinematography. I have spent many days/hours/weeks on film and television sets while growing up in Hollywood, watching the production crew work at their individual craft. I was eleven years old when I was on the Walton’s; I remember taking pictures on the set of this and that… always intrigued by all the detail a production goes into for realism. I have had a camera in my hot little hands [with thought clarity] since I about 1971.

Picture credit: "American Beauty"

Click here to learn more about this horse photograph

Monday's agriculture website of interest: AG - IT'S NOT JUST A JOB, IT'S AN ADVENTURE!

For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, we feature an agriculture themed website with our readers every Monday.

Today's agriculture website of interest is the "Ag -It's not just a job, it's an adventure!" blog maintained by Janice Person. Janice was not raised on a farm, but had the opportunity to explore agriculture journalism while in college. She has kept her position within the agriculture industry and blogs about her "new life". The best part of Janice's blog is getting to know the farmers and people she meets as a part of her "everyday adventures."

Carla Christina Contreras featured artist for January

This month's featured artist is photographer Carla Christina Contreras. Carla captures pictures of cattle, horses and other farm animals on her journeys through Tennessee, her home of recent years. She also has experience as an actress, web designer and children's book author.

Carla's work comes on greeting cards, suitable for framing, or may be purchased as enlargements. She will be answering a series of questions detailing her work and creative processes all month long on the blog. Enjoy free shipping on Carla's art all month!

Make it a great new year!

With the new year upon us, I would like to challenge all the blog readers out there to "Make it a Happy New Year" versus "Have a Happy New Year." I am a "doer" by nature and believe good things come to those who work hard (but a little luck never hurt either). I encourage people to take their knowledge and skills and apply them in just the right way to get where they want to be.

So, how are you going to "Make it a Happy New year"?