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click to view the work at full size

click to view the work at full size

Artist in Ontario, Canada, Uses PhotoImpact for Digital Painting

Grace Farquhar, better known as "Sparrow," has taken PhotoImpact to new heights with her digital painting and mentorship of fellow artists. "I use PhotoImpact to create all my projects," Sparrow describes, "including path items, photo manipulation, website graphics, and digital painting." Her mastery of the software is ironic considering her initial disapproval of computers. Sparrow is a former accountant who retired before computers became the norm in the industry. She admits, "I wanted nothing to do with them."

Seven years ago she received a computer built by her daughter. Sparrow recalls her reaction: "I looked at her stunned, said 'thank you' and thought, 'well, here is a present that will never get used.'" She eventually grew accustomed to the computer and developed an artistic itch. After 4 frustrating months of using a competing product, her daughter suggested PhotoImpact. Sparrow has never turned back, "I found it so much more user friendly that I was able to make some simple graphics, frame my photos, and make a website. Of course, that didn't last too long, I wanted to know more."

As Sparrow gained more skill using PhotoImpact, she sought to share her experience. She is currently a co-moderator of the PIRC (PhotoImpact Resource Network) Painting Basics forum and mentors the Beginners Workshop. She has written about 25 tutorials and teaches two painting courses at the School of Creative Arts .

Sparrow asserts that versatility, ease of use and the quality of the finished work are PhotoImpact's greatest strengths. She explains, "I have had many people say they were really amazed that I was able to create the work entirely in PhotoImpact."

Sparrow's newest venture is an online art gallery featuring her work along with her friend, Norma Murphy. She is currently using her fourth version of PhotoImpact and remains enthusiastic about its ability: "I don't think you will find a better graphics program for your money."

You can view Sparrow's artwork at http://www.original-artwork-prints.com.