Seriously ... Where do I start?

Now that I set up the look of this new blog, I should do something with it. Hence line one.

​I've had blogs before. Though this new blog will likely include attributes of my past blogs, I want this one to be more of a collection of articles, tutorials, recordings, and insights. I set out to share my views and inspirations whilst on my journey as an artist. In addition, I'd like it to serve as a reference and journal of my projects during the creative process. Partly so I don't forget how I tackled a specific technique, especially since I have a habit of wanting to push my own existing skill sets, seemingly with every new project. 

​​I plan to incorporate posts on the marketing and publicity of titles and fellow creators (authors, musicians, etc.). I'll also provide links so you can find them in 'the wild,' such as finding books and CDs bearing my artwork at #WillowRavenOnAmazon. I also want to be a type of work diary. So it may get boring. 

Over the years, I've gotten many questions about my process, tools, and techniques. Though I'm not sure I can adequately convey such an abstract concept as 'my process,' I shall try. I have a learn-as-I-go/fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants workflow. When I wanna sound 'fancy,' I call it Organic.

Moreover, I intend to share links to the daily toys, gadgets, and tools I rely on to help me do what I love. It took me decades to find my go-to sources. The links may help you find your future favs more efficiently and faster than my stumble-through-the-dark method.​
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​Let me know when something I posted benefits or inspires you.
​Thanks for spending some time with me :)
Until next time...

At least once a year I try to update my portfolio and website  For this new blog page, I ran into a weebly blog template problem. Most of the blog headers had an image as the background and then options for building text, buttons, etc. atop the image. Problem was, I'm a bit OCD when it comes to text placement in relation to any accompanying artwork. Good trait for a book cover designer; not so good if the blog template adjusts the background image dimensions based on the screen it's being viewed on. I'd get the text just right on my laptop just to have the background image shift the minute I opened the page on one of my other two screens, putting words and my slideshow over key element of the artwork. Not acceptable. Here was my workaround ...

• Replaced header layout to LESS IS MORE
• ​Edited background color to BLACK, scrolling effect to NONE, advanced setting set to CONTENT ALIGN BOTTOM​
• Removed all text elements from header (all text boxes and buttons)
• Add one IMAGE element

This next part took the most work, but isn't hard. Weebly IMAGES can also be animated GIFs.

• First, I built my slideshow layers in Photoshop.
• In a separate file, I placed the title text & quote atop my background art and a box as GIF spacer.
• Then I placed a copy of the designed background art into the layered slideshow file, bottom layer.
• I scaled up the 'canvas' and background layer so the slideshow would fit where I wanted it
• Exported the slideshow design as a GIF 
• Uploaded GIF file to Weebly blog header IMAGE element

Now, I have a blog header that both showcases my work and doesn't rearrange text elements bases on screen size or resolution. If you have any questions or would like a video tutorial on how I did all that, let me know in the comments.
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​Let me know when something I posted benefits or inspires you.
​Thanks for spending some time with me :)
Until next time...