Vicki Ardoin Fine Art

Vicki Ardoin Fine Art Artistry created with photographs, graphic elements, and a digital paintbrush

"Invincible" - I experimented with the Knife tool in Affinity and sliced the photo of the model to create the flying obj...
09/03/2026

"Invincible" - I experimented with the Knife tool in Affinity and sliced the photo of the model to create the flying objects. I've included the elements used in this piece in the comments. All are stock photos except for the image on the bottom-right, which is a shot of our black window blinds revealing light patterns from a laser light projector on the front deck that we use nightly. The blinds are normally pulled up and the effect looked so cool that I took several photos I knew I would use creatively someday. I interspersed a few of them to add to the backdrop.

I am "Surrounded With Nature" when I step outside my home. The creatures in the foreground are daily visitors, and we h...
08/09/2026

I am "Surrounded With Nature" when I step outside my home. The creatures in the foreground are daily visitors, and we have a wide variety of other wildlife making their appearance on occasion. All of the birds and animals are my photos. The model and birdbath images are stock and the backgrounds are from the Daily Texture. Created in Affinity Studio.

This special painting is for my sister-in-law, Kelly, in memory of her mom, Rose. The background consists of several ph...
07/24/2026

This special painting is for my sister-in-law, Kelly, in memory of her mom, Rose. The background consists of several photos of gardens in the UK that Kelly and her mom visited. My brother married into another large family--hers has 7 children. There were several challenges: I overlaid a portion of the wedding gown from another photo to show the lace detail, and changed out one person's position and added 6 family members from various photographs to the group vignette. She said her parents would be proud and gave permission to share it. She loves it, and I'm being compensated with photographs. Thanks, Kelly!

"Some Like It Hot" was inspired by the relentless heatwave that a lot of us are experiencing. Personally, I prefer the c...
07/09/2026

"Some Like It Hot" was inspired by the relentless heatwave that a lot of us are experiencing. Personally, I prefer the cooler places in the image's background. An elements page is included in the comments--all images on the left are my photos and a background I created using the Mesh Gradient in Affinity for color and lighting. The others came from stock sites.

"Dynasty" was created, despite computer/software issues, with stock photos, and I added atmosphere in Affinity.
06/04/2026

"Dynasty" was created, despite computer/software issues, with stock photos, and I added atmosphere in Affinity.

I got a big surprise when I looked at our magazine today. Two of my pieces were published! "A Tisket a Tasket" was mad...
05/15/2026

I got a big surprise when I looked at our magazine today. Two of my pieces were published! "A Tisket a Tasket" was made last year, inspired by the beautiful, wooded backdrop. I created "Happily Ever After" using one of my fox photos. The piece is the result of a challenge suggestion for an image having a larger-than-life creature listening to a child.

See some incredible digital artwork here: https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/living_the_photo_artistic_life_-_issue_no._135

"Happily Ever After" - A working group project was to create an image from a ChatGPT suggestion, "A child sitting quietl...
05/06/2026

"Happily Ever After" - A working group project was to create an image from a ChatGPT suggestion, "A child sitting quietly while a massive, surreal creature leans in—almost as if it’s listening rather than speaking." The creatures around here are wildlife and I try to feature them when I can. The fox is surreal due to its size. I added the birds to a background by the Daily Texture and the little boy is a stock photo. -Created in Affinity.

I first posted "Aspire!" in color (below) and someone suggested making a black-and-white version. I think it looks bett...
05/04/2026

I first posted "Aspire!" in color (below) and someone suggested making a black-and-white version. I think it looks better.

Here is another piece I started a few years ago. "Aspire!" began with the concept of a little girl's dream and what she...
04/12/2026

Here is another piece I started a few years ago. "Aspire!" began with the concept of a little girl's dream and what she could become. The photos are stock, except the flowers, and I used several brushes for lighting. Created in Affinity.

A group project I took on recently was to create a piece using text as an artistic element. I immediately thought of pl...
04/02/2026

A group project I took on recently was to create a piece using text as an artistic element. I immediately thought of placing a building into the word, "BUILDING." The grouping with the palm trees is reminiscent of art deco so I went in that direction. I added a sky and searched the stock sites for images of facades and also found a medallion and grid for the pavement. Created in Affinity.

"Spring comes waltzing in;Replacing the stark landscapeWith gorgeous flowers."~Vicki ArdoinThe "Vernal Equinox" also mar...
03/28/2026

"Spring comes waltzing in;
Replacing the stark landscape
With gorgeous flowers."
~Vicki Ardoin

The "Vernal Equinox" also marks the return of hummingbirds and Monarch butterflies from their long journeys to escape the cold. I saw both last week. The flowers in this piece are my photos of beautiful floral arrangements designed by my sister. There are two backgrounds by the Daily Texture, and the remaining elements are stock photos. Created in Affinity.

"Solar Power" - We implemented our own 'solar system' last year which inspired this piece. All are stock photos except ...
03/23/2026

"Solar Power" - We implemented our own 'solar system' last year which inspired this piece. All are stock photos except the brushes used to make the sun. Created in Affinity 3.

"Pot O' Gold" - Here is another piece that has lived in a folder for a couple of years. My photos of the large sheep an...
03/05/2026

"Pot O' Gold" - Here is another piece that has lived in a folder for a couple of years. My photos of the large sheep and goat add to this rare glimpse of a leprechaun at home--a bit of fun for St. Patrick's Day. Created in Affinity.

I'm so happy that my Valentine pieces were published today! Recently, the song, "Stupid Cupid," was stuck in my head, a...
02/15/2026

I'm so happy that my Valentine pieces were published today! Recently, the song, "Stupid Cupid," was stuck in my head, and I had fun finding all of the elements (and even making one) for the 50s theme. "Puppy Love" was created last year with two adorable photos and some textures and backgrounds. It's so cool to see them in print. Sebastian and David, thank you very much!

You can see this marvelous issue with digital art from all over the world:

https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/living_the_photo_artistic_life_-_issue_no._132

"Stupid Cupid" was inspired by the popular song by Connie Francis in 1958. The photos are stock. I didn't find a suita...
02/08/2026

"Stupid Cupid" was inspired by the popular song by Connie Francis in 1958. The photos are stock. I didn't find a suitable table so I fashioned one with Affinity's vector feature. The most challenging part was getting the checkerboard flooring laid over the model photo to retain the reflection.

"Skadi, Goddess of Winter" - Skadi (SKAH-dee) is the Norse goddess of winter, mountains, and hunting. I used one of my ...
01/30/2026

"Skadi, Goddess of Winter" - Skadi (SKAH-dee) is the Norse goddess of winter, mountains, and hunting. I used one of my skies and all of the other elements are stock, including the icicles used to make her headband. -Created in Affinity.

"Make a Wish!" - I extracted the girl and dog from a daytime photo, placed them on a new window seat, then changed the l...
01/01/2026

"Make a Wish!" - I extracted the girl and dog from a daytime photo, placed them on a new window seat, then changed the lighting to night and added the background, moon, shooting star, snowman, and toy. Created in Affinity. I wish you peace, good health, and happiness always!

As Winter sets in;Her auroras dance and sway.Awesome spectacle.~Vicki Ardoin"Winter Solstice" - the shortest day and lon...
12/21/2025

As Winter sets in;
Her auroras dance and sway.
Awesome spectacle.
~Vicki Ardoin

"Winter Solstice" - the shortest day and longest night of the year ushers in the cold season. All elements are stock and created in Affinity. Merry Christmas!

While creating "Santa's Special Visit," I was reminded of traditional Christmas cards with glitter on the snow. I went ...
12/07/2025

While creating "Santa's Special Visit," I was reminded of traditional Christmas cards with glitter on the snow. I went through my photos of animals and birds to find the right poses and expressions and the rest of the images are stock. 'Santa' is actually a photo someone took of a figurine. Made in Affinity. Merry Christmas!

"Afternoon Nap" - This gray fox climbed up on our deck and stretched out to take a nap. When it awoke, it looked at me ...
11/26/2025

"Afternoon Nap" - This gray fox climbed up on our deck and stretched out to take a nap. When it awoke, it looked at me through the window. Foxes are so cute but very sly, and I suspect this one was watching to see when I would get up from my computer--there's usually food involved. I used one of my sky photos and flowers and a texture from the Daily Texture. Created in the new version of Affinity.

"Living the Photo Artistic Life" magazine was released today and one of my pieces was selected. "Trinkets" is the story...
11/15/2025

"Living the Photo Artistic Life" magazine was released today and one of my pieces was selected. "Trinkets" is the story of a princess who discovers a tiny ballerina and sneaks out every night to watch her dance. It's thrilling and humbling to be among so many fabulous artists from around the globe. Click the link to view this beautiful Fall issue:

https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/living_the_photo_artistic_life_-_issue_no._129

Often I hear a song and am immediately transported. "This Music Takes Me Back" to a time and place in my past. We move...
10/20/2025

Often I hear a song and am immediately transported. "This Music Takes Me Back" to a time and place in my past. We moved a lot when I was a kid so I relate songs to where I was living at the time. I started this piece nearly a year ago and blew the dust off to finish it. Created with stock elements in Affinity Photo 2.

This piece fits with Halloween because it's really scary what people will do for "Greed." Created with 3 backgrounds by...
09/27/2025

This piece fits with Halloween because it's really scary what people will do for "Greed." Created with 3 backgrounds by the Daily Texture, stock model and boat images, and my photos of the black and turkey vultures. -Affinity Photo 2

"A Tisket A Tasket" - the nursery rhyme with a "Little Red Riding Hood" twist. Daily Texture background and stock image...
09/15/2025

"A Tisket A Tasket" - the nursery rhyme with a "Little Red Riding Hood" twist. Daily Texture background and stock images. -Affinity Photo 2

"Trinkets" - a princess discovers a tiny ballerina and sneaks out to the garden every night, carefully placing her atop ...
09/11/2025

"Trinkets" - a princess discovers a tiny ballerina and sneaks out to the garden every night, carefully placing her atop a jewelry box to watch her dance. All elements are from stock images. -Affinity Photo 2

Roadrunner, the "Desert Punk" - rad tattoos, cool eye makeup, and unmistakable mohawk in his 'attitude' stance. Create...
08/17/2025

Roadrunner, the "Desert Punk" - rad tattoos, cool eye makeup, and unmistakable mohawk in his 'attitude' stance. Created with my bird photo, a background texture, a bit of sky, and a lot of blending in Affinity Photo 2.

Encore! I am honored for my special art pieces to be published in this month's magazine. These two debuted last month....
08/16/2025

Encore! I am honored for my special art pieces to be published in this month's magazine. These two debuted last month. Funny thing is that I had issue with the binding process of the July printout and was declined a replacement. Now the new page has had a facelift and new number.

It's fitting for "Holding Out Hope" (created for my late friend) to appear in August, as it is her birth month. I titled the fox portrait, "Happiness," because she signed her name with, "Have a happy day." 🙂

Enjoy fantastic artwork from all over the world:
https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/living_the_photo_artistic_life_-_issue_no._126

The peacock is another encounter from a recent visit out of town. He struts through the residential neighborhood yards ...
08/09/2025

The peacock is another encounter from a recent visit out of town. He struts through the residential neighborhood yards like he owns the place. I decided to move "His Majesty" to a park-like setting and added some of our wildlife to join him. The peacock, raccoon, and squirrels are my photos, combined with numerous background images and textures. -Affinity Photo 2.

Those who have experienced grief know it's tough "Putting Up a Brave Front" when your world is caving in around you. My...
07/24/2025

Those who have experienced grief know it's tough "Putting Up a Brave Front" when your world is caving in around you. My heart goes out to the ones affected by the tragic flooding that occurred this month, here in Central Texas and numerous places beyond. -Created in Affinity Photo 2.

Another beautiful issue of our art community magazine was released today. Two of my pieces were published: "Happiness"...
07/15/2025

Another beautiful issue of our art community magazine was released today. Two of my pieces were published: "Happiness" is of a young fox on our property and, "Holding Out Hope" is for my dear friend and fellow artist. Both are special to me and I am humble and grateful to Sebastian Michaels and David Wayne for being included.

Feast your eyes on this stunning photo art:
https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/living_the_photo_artistic_life_-_issue_no._125

"Happiness" - The gray fox is a youngster born here last year. It was out front eating birdseed so I tossed it some kib...
07/01/2025

"Happiness" - The gray fox is a youngster born here last year. It was out front eating birdseed so I tossed it some kibble, which it ate, and then it got a drink and found a spot to rest. I pulled out my phone and took a photo and it looked up at me and 'smiled' for this one. S/he was laying on grassy-gravel in blazing-hot sun, happy as can be. The newest round of kits are starting to peek out from their dens, with mom's supervision, but they're gone in a flash. I hope to get some good pictures soon. Created with several backgrounds/textures in Affinity Photo 2.

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San Marcos, TX

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