Digital tampering - effects and filters

In a moment of weakness I altered some images... like these... using Photoshop. Basically using the artistic filters to blur, resize, change aspect ratios and then alter the texture and colour with brushes and effects. Using the brushes effectively - to digitally repaint the picture takes time (I use a mouse, not a tablet or anything fancy). It can get bizarre, layering effect upon filter... but it can also result in interesting new images.