canvas showing in linear gradient with mask

[bartonlew]

I am using a gaussian blur to blur the background of an image per a method shown to my by Chuck Uebele. I've done a number of these successfully, but for some reason, now I am getting the canvas showing once I apply the linear gradient to my main layer.  Below the 1st screen shot is one showing using History before applying the layer mask - why is the area to which the gradient is being applied showing the canvas and not pixels?

[lambiloon]

Hi simple way is to cut background using lasso tool then apply gausian blur i hope you understand this easily....thanks.

[Chuck Uebele · Accepted solution]

You have your base layer's visibility turned off. If you're using that as the sharp part of the blur, you need that turned on.

[bartonlew]

yep that's it.  I didn't realize that's what the original background layer was being used for - thought it was just to preserve the original that we made a copy.  But I get it now.  Thanks, Chuck.