Artist Profile Jerri Lantz

Today we are sharing a Q & A Artist Profile Jerri Lantz .

Jerri Lantz is a digital memory keeper and digital artist who loves creating unique art using Anna Aspnes Designs.

Big thanks to Jerri for allowing us to share her artistry.

Artist Profile Jerri Lantz

Tell us about yourself and how you discovered digital art. What version of PS do you use? 

I grew up on a farm in western Kansas. There were 8 in my high school graduating class. For many years, I taught 2nd and then 1st grade in the tip of Texas about 7 miles from Mexico. When I retired we moved across the state to north central Texas. I have been been married 43 years.

I discovered digital artistry through an ad on Facebook. I bought a class and then waited a couple of years while I learned PS to take the class. Through the class, I discovered Anna’s designs. I use PS CC, latest version.

  

How did you create “Giraffe?” I especially like the sketch in the background.

1. I did an extraction of the photo  2. After extracting my photo, I selected the paper. I used ArtPlay Palette Somona Artsy Paper 4 and ArtPlay Palette Memento Solid Paper 1 with the blending mode set to multiply. 3. Between the papers and the photo I used 5 different brushes in a shade of brown selected from the photo and each one set to color burn.  4. I made a copy of the photo layer and made a sketch filter>stylize>find edges and set this layer to soft light.  5. Next I made a copy of the sketch layer, enlarged it and placed it under the photo layer. I set this sketch layer to luminosity. 6. Lastly, I added some stitching and a button from ArtPlay Palette Fallen Blush.

How long does it usually take you to create a page and how do you know when it is “done?”

I am retired and this is my get away place so I never hurry when working on a piece. I have never really paid attention to how long it takes. Some pieces go together so fast they almost make themselves. Others I struggle over and finally delete. Some I come back to the next day and completely redo. I guess I feel like it is done when I can’t think of anything else to do to it or things I am adding just don’t make it any better.

What type of camera do you use to capture the wildlife on your pages? Have you always had an interest in photography?

I use a Nikon D7200 camera. It was a present to myself this year. I saved a little money at a time until I had enough to buy it. Before that, I used an older model Nikon. My lens is an f/4.5-5.6  70-300 zoom lens, also Nikon. I have always been interested in photography. My dad enjoyed taking photos and even had a darkroom when I was small. My first camera as a child was an old fold out Kodak with black and white film.

Do you have a favorite digital technique?

One of my favorite digital techniques is, of course, the sketch effect. I also like to duplicate the photo and then add a watercolor filter from the filter gallery or take the photo into Topaz and select an effect there. Then I set that layer to darker color and add a levels layer adjustment. I feel it adds just a little something to the photo. My other favorite technique is using an inverted mask on the photo layer.

What is your favorite ArtPlay Palette?

It is hard to pick a favorite palette as there are several. I use a lot, but I guess my favorite is ArtPlay Palette Moorlands.

Final Thoughts

I have taken several of Anna’s classes and am part of the aA Year of ArtPlay 2017. She is an excellent teacher. She always explains what she is doing and why. There is always a prompt reply if I need to contact her. I look forward each month to a new lesson. I have learned so much from her. It is also a supportive Facebook group. I can say it is one of the best – if not the best – group I have ever belonged to. I highly recommend The Year of ArtPlay to anyone thinking about taking it.

We hope you have enjoyed this Artist Profile Jerri Lantz.

The Artist Profiles is a category of posts in which we aim to inspire you with the work of other artists, photographers, memory keepers, makers and curators. I believe we can learn much from others and inspiration can come from a variety of creative sources.

Please email me if you are interested in having your work featured in this space.