Knights of the Round Table: Queen Guinivere and Her Sir Lancelot

Here are those star-crossed lovers of King Arthur's Court. Neither of these two people is wearing a smile. I suppose they just wished to be partnered and have Arthur out of the way, and yet both cared how it would look. Shame is a feature to many stories surrounding infidelity. Put two hapless people in the same room, let the stars zap them, and misery might be your end result.
All the same, we think they are truly beautifully done, sad expressions and all. Look at her gown, for example, and his armor. One more reason why I like the illustrative art of the late 1800's.
Happy Creativity from everybody here at our studio!
Rose

Queen Guinevere

Downloadable Version HERE

Original Patina

Downloadable Version HERE

Sir Lancelot

Downloadable Version HERE

Original Patina

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

You are free to:

use the above Arthurian romance images in artwork 

for fun or for profit.

You are not free to:

repackage these images in any way for sale to anyone.

Please respect our gifts for the public's use.

Thank you.

Antique Butterfly Photography

With the return of spring comes new life. Nowhere do we see this more beautifully played out than in the world of the butterfly. Their language is clear. It is all about beauty.
I like to think of this old book as one of the Studio's best assets, as it may provide more than one post that may be usable and pretty all at the same time.
Old style photography wasn't as clear as our own, right? Yet, do I detect a subtlety to a wing's back, the curve of its shape? Really, the contents of this book by W.J. Holland are too wonderful to be thought of as out of date or unacceptable, even though they are well over 100 years old. They were first shot in 1898. Imagine that! It truly is astounding when you think about it.
Here's to the world of the butterfly, then!
And happy Creativity, everybody!
Rose

NOTE: These pictures might appear less than attractive to your screen. 

We are concerned they might appear that way even if enlarged.

In our studio, they seemed great until posted here. So please do not worry they might not turn out all right if printed.

On the other hand, as computer systems vary, and from browser to browser, we ask that anyone experiencing a low quality performance from us here please contact us as soon as possible.

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Thank You.

Antique Butterfly Photography

With Antique Tissue Overlay

Downloadable Version HERE

Without Tissue

Downloadable Version HERE

Somewhat Cleaned Up

Downloadable Version HERE

Adjusted Hue

Downloadable Version HERE

Center Cut

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Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

Free for Public Domain Use

Do not repackage for sale.

These images belong to the public now.

Thank you.

PPS Color Me™ Pages: a knight's tale

For boys or girls, this would be a fun one. They remind me a little bit of Classics Illustrated, a sort of comic book focussed on fine literature from back in the middle of our last century.
It might be fun to either share your version of this famous tale, or to suggest that a different storyline be made up by the children coloring these sheets.
Written in Jane Austen's time, the story of Ivanhoe is an earlier period novel dating to around 1819. The author was Sir Walter Scott. For more information on both author and book, you can go HERE.
It's a great story for boys, but not every hero in this old timey plot line is of the masculine persuasion. In fact, there is at least one damsel of great courage, if I remember correctly.
Also, there are lessons in bravery, tolerance, religious differences, and good versus evil. Just a bit too advanced or lengthy for your average young reader. For those interested, you can read the plot line HERE and study notes HERE.
Each one of these, when printed, will print off at a bit larger than 6" by 9", with some border left for the child's name, the date, etc on your average 81/2" by 11" sheet.
Happy Creativity from all of us to all of the children interested in acts of bravery, loyalty, kindness, knights, ladies, and old timey tales!
Rose

PPS Color Me™Sheets :

IVANHOE

By Sir Walter Scott

Page One

Downloadable Version HERE

Page Two

Downloadable Version HERE

Page Three

Downloadable Version HERE

Page Four

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

Free for Public Domain Use

Men of the Waterways: Tugboat Captains and Crew

This post comes by way of an antique photojournalistic study of the uses of tugboats on America's waterways. And aren't these two captains dignified travelers? I just love how the first one's handkerchief is blowing from his pocket in the wind's draft, and how he must also hold his hat with one hand while steering. So quaint!
We've included both Old and New Looks for this one, as all came out well enough for us. Hope you'll find plenty of uses for this selection of photos from the very early 20th century.
Let's let these over 100 year old pictures speak for themselves, shall we?
Happy Creativity from all of us to all of you!
Rose & Studio Friends

Men of the Waterways

Bearded Captain

New Look

Downloadable Version HERE

Old Look

Downloadable Version HERE

Younger Captain

Downloadable Version HERE

Old Look

Downloadable Version HERE

Crewman

Downloadable Version HERE

Old Look

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

Free for Public Domain Use

Plush Velvet Mother's Day Collage Sheet

Has it really been 5 years??? My art has really changed, as have I myself over the years. In fact, I can hardly believe that this post was first created only 5 years ago. Since that time, my life has really changed in so very many ways that I can now look back in sheer astonishment. Choices change as we ourselves change, don't they?
:)

For example, back in 2011 I'd never have posted something such as I most recently have posted. As beliefs change, we ourselves change by way of the choices we then tend to make. My art and crafting both have kept changing. Though it's fun to look back on it all, I do not think that I would have made the same choices for this set at all today.

Here is that old post:

Please honor all copyrights for the digital brush artisans listed below. This set is free, but the permission of all artists involved will keep things both fair and legal. Thank you.

I'm in love with the color Purple. Or Magenta. Make that Royalish Blue. Wait! I can't make up my mind!
You choose!
Happy Creativity!
Rose

Mother's Day Collage Sheet

(Another Plush Possum Studio Exclusive)

"Moulin Rouge" Red

Downloadable Version HERE

Mysterious Magenta

Downloadable Version HERE

Royal Purple

Downloadable Version HERE

Blue Velvet

Downloadable Version HERE

Leafy Green

Downloadable Version HERE

Aquatic Glow

Downloadable Version HERE

Java Mama

Downloadable Version HERE

Digital Brush Credits: 
Obsidian Dawn, 
witchy_13, DigitalArtEmpire, punksafetypin.
Please honor their copyrights.
Thank you.

A Woman's Work Is Never Done

Aren't these two women really beautiful? Aren't they standing strong and stately as they heft their water jars? They deserve our applause, surely. When we look back in time, are things really simpler? Is it simple to tread the roads barefoot so one's family may have its needs met as only the arrival of water can allow? It is extraordinary to me how we rate their lifetime or ways as being simpler than our own. Really, that must be one tedious job! And it probably bored the dickens out of anyone forced to do it. I'd say we're lucky, but only because I won't have to go down by the river or creek bed to do the laundry. :)
Meanwhile, let's not stand here gawking! I've got chores to do! Haven't you?
Happy Creativity!
Rose

Woman from Rivona

Downloadable Version HERE

Old Look

Downloadable Version HERE

Woman from "Old Napoli"

Downloadable Version HERE

Old Look

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

Free for Public Domain Use

Victorian Illustration: A Tragic Heroine

Here we have a young woman who is definitely having a very bad time of it! She looks persecuted, even downtrodden. Perhaps she might be one of those tragic heroines of yesteryear without whom most stories of the Victorian literary scene would not be complete. I am hesitant to reveal the name of the novel she came out of, even though some of you who've studied English Lit may have already begun to figure it out. Why? Well, because an illustration lends itself better to our thoughts and feelings when it has ceased to be identifiable.
She might be a comic or melodramatic figure, with her one arm out from her side upon the grass. This can become almost anyone's nightmare or daydream.
So, let's not tell anyone, even if we are aware of who this character is, shall we?
We'll simply keep that information on the Q.T. ;)
Meanwhile, let's give it the meaning each one of us may have to share. We are all about freedom in our art-making here at PPS. I'm sure you are too.
Happy Creativity!
Rose

Tragic Victorian Heroine

Original Look

Downloadable Version HERE

Updated Black & White

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

Free for Public Domain Use

Antique Travelog #2: The Grand Canyon + ATC Background Bonus

I love world travel as our theme, but it really isn't necessary to handle overseas airfare with all that flying time to and fro in order to see something truly exciting. The Grand Canyon is its own unique world, and there's nothing else like it on earth. Most people never get to see it in their lifetime. I am one of those who have yet to get around to such a journey. One of these days, maybe I'll make a point of going. :)


Anyway, I like this view, as it says so much about the American West of the very early 1900's. To Arizona, it must seem their greatest treasure, as it would boast quite a tourism economy for that territory.


I've heard visitors there may be seen almost suspended in wonder, awe, and mystification at the size of the place. This is one place I really could see taking kids on a winter vacation. But for right now, it's here for us to play with and create new mindscapes on. I may have to make an ATC based on this one. Doesn't it make a great background? Can't wait to get cracking on this one!
Happy Creativity!
Rose

A Grand View on Our Grand Canyon

Downloadable Version HERE

Old Look

Downloadable Version HERE

ATC Version for Background

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

Free for Public Domain Use

Antique Shampoo Advertisement: Only Her Hairdresser Knows For Sure

Hidden in the archives here at PPS there are some really fine examples of advertising art from the Edwardian era. A Lady's Maid has her hands full with the singular task of bringing her lady's hair into its best shape. And what a job! All that bunching at the back so hats might fit correctly, along with all the daily needs to neatness in one's "toilette." A lady's maid was indispensable, being responsible for so much more refinement in her employer's life than, say, an upstairs or parlor maid. Her clothes must be kept refreshened, her high buttoned shoes just so, her gloves pristine, her mind at ease due to the constant caring ways of her principle servant.
In honor of the lady's maid, then, here's today's selected imagery.
Happy Creativity from all of us here at PPS!
Rose & Studio

Ivory Soap Shampooing Scene

Black & White

Downloadable Version HERE

Original Patina

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

You are free to:

Use these images in artwork for fun or profit, as long as you will credit this site and even offer a link back to us.

You are not free to:

repackage these for sale in any way.

Please respect our gift to the public by keeping these images free.

Thank you.

Antique Travelog: Three Views on Budapest

These pictures come to us by way of the archives, and are from about 1900. It would be fascinating to hire an antique car of that era (see our Atlas Motor Grand Touring Car HERE) and step back in time to the very scenes we have here. If you look closely enough, you'll find wonderful details. The horse and buggy era wasn't over, and those street cars sure look quaint. I love the lady's parasol, tipped just so. Our panorama shot boasts a clear view of the River Danube which I would very much like to take in today. The Royal Palace sends a thrill. What this place must have looked like in person back in those times!
For more on the city's layout, along with its major monuments, architecture, and so forth, take a gander at this Wikipedia article.
Happy Time Traveling and--
Happy Creativity!
Rose

Budapest Royal Palace Gardens

Downloadable Version HERE

Original Patina

Downloadable Version HERE

Danube Overview

Downloadable Version HERE

Original Patina

Downloadable Version HERE

The Museum Ring

Downloadable Version HERE

Original Patina

Downloadable Version HERE

Scanned Imagery courtesy PPS Archives

Free for Public Domain Use