This image is representative of me in many ways:

MY PASSION: It was created using Photoshop, a program I started out hating (it was SO unintuitive), but have learned to greatly appreciate.

I ENJOY EXPERIMENTING: The image was generated pretty much by trial (and mostly error) using native Photoshop filters, plus a minor tweak with the free plugin, Paint Engine.

PERSISTENCE, SELDOM SATISFIED, SOMETIMES A LITTLE ANAL ABOUT TRACKING “HOW” I GET A PARTICULAR RESULT: I continue to search for a "sketchy / colored chalk-look” that I like and can reproduce consistently.

RESOURCEFUL: Since I have very little in the way of traditional artistic skills, I almost exclusively depend on filters, plugins and actions.

ABILITY TO ADAPT TO THE TIMES: My dad was a carpenter and years ago used to hand make frames. I share his love of beautiful wood, but resort to Photoshop actions to create the digitally.

For the frame actions, see: http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5017

To find out more about the Paint Engine plugin (Windows only) see:
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2972
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This plugin works under most popular Windows-based image manipulation applications, such as PS, Elements, Paintshop Pro, Photo-paint, PhotoBrush, etc.