Judy Vorfeld's
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The company that own Virtual Painter software just created a Users Gallery, and invited its customers to participate in it. That was a no brainer for me, since I've been using Virtual Painter for years. Here's the address of the gallery, and below are six examples of what I produced recently using VP5.

White Tank Mountains desert scenic using Virtual Painter 5 Gothic Oil Painting filter. Photo by Judy Vorfeld.

Waimanalo Beach using Virtual Painter 5 Collage filter. Photo by Judy Vorfeld.

Bird of Paradise using Virtual Painter 5 Gouache filter. Photo by David Crook.

Dahlia using Virtual Painter 5 Drawing filter. Photo taken at Roeder House, Bellingham, Washington August 2007 by Judy Vorfeld.

Zebra Longwing butterfly using Virtual Painter Collage filter. Photo taken at Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ in May 2008 by Judy Vorfeld.

Saguaro Sun using Virtual Painter Embroidery filter. Photo taken in 2007 by Judy Vorfeld.

Prickly Pear cactus blossoms using Virtual Painter Gouache filter. Photo taken at Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ in May 2008 by Judy Vorfeld.

Posted by Judy Vorfeld at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

Brian Collins is my incredibly gifted nephews. Among his other achievements is photography. My brother, David Crook, took Brian to Desert Botanical Garden recently. Just see what he came up with: a Malachite butterfly (I am so envious) and a cactus blossom. Each first photo is Brian's, and I did a little redigitizing in the second in each group. Brian Collins rocks.

Posted by Judy Vorfeld at 06:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hi, my name is Dallon Arvidson and I am four years old. I live with my mom, dad and 2-year-old brother. Because my parents were concerned about my development, they had me tested and I was diagnosed with Autism and Global Developmental Delay in August 2007.

I have a love for life and am a very happy boy, but the world is a little scary for me at times. Because of my Autism I get overwhelmed when I am in new places that are busy with people and sounds. I can get really confused and scared when I can’t find my mom because I can’t filter out all of the other stuff going on around me to hear her voice.

I like to do things over and over and I obsess over certain things I like. It’s what my doctor calls repetitive behaviors. I love Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen, I could watch their movies all day every day if my mom would let me. I got to meet Buzz when we went to Disneyland and you should have seen how amazed I was to see him in real life.

I have a really hard time transitioning away from something I have been doing to do anything else, like to eat dinner. Once I get upset, I don’t really hear or understand anything that is said to me, so I have a hard time calming down even if I am given exactly what I wanted.

I really like water but I don’t know it is dangerous, and I don’t always know when it is safe to run after someone I know (or don’t know), or something I want. I don’t know how to tell my mom where I am going. Unless someone is constantly watching, no one will know where I have gone. My dog would help me to know when it is safe, and show my mom where I am whenever I am out of sight.

I love to play outside, and I can get adventurous and end up in a real pickle if no one is looking. I love animals too! Cats, horses, fish, birds, and animals at the zoo! I would especially like to have a dog, but my mom says I have to wait until we can raise enough money to get a dog from 4 Paws. Like many other kids on this page, I am in need of one of their Autism Assistance Dogs. I would really appreciate it if you could help me with that. I will learn so much from helping to take care of my dog, and introducing him to people.

I would also really like to have a close friend. I don’t talk like kids my age, and other kids don’t understand why I don’t answer their questions. My dog would be my best friend and maybe help me make some new friends.

Thank you so very much! Dallon (and my family)

Note from Judy: 4 Paws for Ability is an amazing nonprofit organization located in Xenia, Ohio. It provides highly trained service dogs in many areas, but does require that approved families raise funds to train the dog. Please consider this child whose life will change significantly upon receiving an assistance dog. Read the testimonials. Reading them could change your life. It changed mine.

Posted by Judy Vorfeld at 05:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dale Wooley is just like any other eight-year-old boy. He loves to ride his bike, play video games and not a day goes by without him talking about his favorite thing - transformers. However, Dale’s life is different from yours and mine in so many ways; he has Autism. Day in and day out he struggles in our busy, stimulus-filled world, just trying to keep his behavior under control and behave “appropriately.”

But all too frequently, the situation ends in a “meltdown.” This could range from mild defiance to screaming, hitting, throwing objects, or even a full blown, flop on the floor tantrum. As his parents, we can recall innumerable episodes of stares, glares, and “parenting advice” from people who think they know how to handle the situation.

One of the most difficult things is that, because he looks like every other eight year old, people don’t know Dale has a problem. They walk on past the meltdown mumbling “What a brat!” or “He just needs a good spanking!” when Dale really is just doing his best to control himself in an over-stimulating environment.

Enter the Autism Assistance Dog. In February 2008, we became aware of the Autism Assistance Dog program from 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. This program could very well help save Dale’s life. This type of service dog is specifically trained to help children and families who are dealing with Autism. These canines are attune to the stresses of autistic children, and can intervene during a meltdown, or even help prevent one from happening! More importantly for us, though, is that they are also trained in search and rescue.

Since Dale wanders away from home, school and stores during outings, an Autism Assistance dog can help us find him faster. We relocate about every two years. Dale has wandered off more than 30 times, in three different states, over the last 6 years. That is an average of five times a year we have had to search for our lost son. Twice he was found in a stranger’s home, at three and five years of age. We are waiting in great anticipation of getting a service dog placed with Dale. You can help bring some safety to Dale’s life, and peace of mind to ours, by making a tax deductible donation in his honor.

Note from Judy: 4 Paws for Ability is an amazing nonprofit organization located in Xenia, Ohio. It provides highly trained service dogs in many areas, but does require that approved families raise funds to train the dog. Please consider this child whose life will change significantly upon receiving an assistance dog. Read the testimonials. Reading them could change your life. It changed mine.

Posted by Judy Vorfeld at 05:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This is about our son Thaine Aaron Wood. Thaine is a handsome boy of nine who has Autism. Although he is nonverbal and has his "quirky" moments, he is one of the most loving kids you will ever meet.

Thaine has never met a stranger, which is horrible since he tries to grab everyone's hand, and you never know who is bad. He has a tendency to run away; thinks it is a game to bolt out the door and he does not stop when called.

This is Thaine's family. Daddy is a soldier in the US Army, Mommy stays at home and Gwyneth, Thaine's sister, is five going on twenty.

We are currently stationed at Ft Bragg, NC and reside in Hope Mills. This dog would not only make Thaine's life better but his whole family would get a sense of relief that is beyond all words. Thank you so much.

Note from Judy: 4 Paws for Ability is an amazing nonprofit organization located in Xenia, Ohio. It provides highly trained service dogs in many areas, but does require that approved families raise funds to train the dog. Please consider this child whose life will change significantly upon receiving an assistance dog. Read the testimonials. Reading them could change your life. It changed mine.

Posted by Judy Vorfeld at 05:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Another delightful trip to Desert Botanical Garden. I have 100 photos in a gallery but that's awfully long. Still, I have identified everything. Many, many butterfly close-ups and cactus blossoms, along with an occasional frog or flower or dragonfly. Here's a shot of the lovely Buckeye Butterfly taken on May 2.

More later...

Posted by Judy Vorfeld at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)