GRAPHICALLY SPEAKING

I enjoy looking at the world through graphic glasses. It isn't unusual for my camera to turn away from a beautiful scene (after I've clicked the shutter a few times) and point toward something with texture or graphic elements. As much as I can't stand for too much in my house to match, I do appreciate the texture, graphic images or repeating patterns outside the house. (Someone find me an analyst!)

 

Here's a perfect example..a lovely old window surrounded by vines. I was attracted to the rectangles, the architectural details and the weathering of the building.  The dormant vines was all I needed to click away.  

 

Do you notice that you repeatedly return to one type of subject in photography? Is that telling you something or perhaps it is something you are trying to communicate to others who see your work?? Me--I like many different things, but scattered through all my photographs I always will speak "graphically."

  

 

 

For Texture Tuesday, I used Old West texture by Kim to give a warmer look. Playing with textures if fun--you should try it!

 





ENJOY A CUPPA

I thought it might be fun to link up with Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen.  Her inspiration for this week is "Cuppa."  If you like to play with layers and textures in your photographs, check it out.  For this particular photograph I kept the texture fairly mild and erased a bit of it from the flowers. The color is so brilliant (especially in January), I didn't to cover that up in any way.

There wasn't time to take photos today so this is from the archives. It's a favorite photo backdrop, my neighbor Monica's incredible amaryllis and my teapot and cup. Actually, the cup is from Germany and was my mother's. I used to drink out of cups like those as a child. Very Downton Abbey, don't you think?

A PHOTO WISH LIST with INTENTION

Bloggers are so inspiring. I've seen several words for the year with goals for each month supported by beautiful and inspirational digital artwork. My word for 2013 is "INTENTION" but right now I have no intention of creating artwork for it. Maybe later. (Perhaps my word should be procrastination.) Or maybe it is a good thing that I'm clear about my intentions.

There also were some wonderful blogger photo bucket lists.  Great idea. Usually when I write something down, it gets done--seems like a good reason to write myself notes that cover one-third of my desk on brightly colored post-its. Unfortunately that sounds and looks like clutter....I digress.

I've got some decent excuses for my recent lack of activity.  Injuries meant no carrying heavy equipment or sitting at the computer so I've barely pressed my shutter button. But I'm MUCH better. I have a new camera and tripod (and an empty wallet), so no more excuses.  

My INTENTION is to be spontaneous with my list so here goes

My meditation prayer spiral in the backyard.

2013 Photo Wish List

* Sunrise over the small lake across the street. Catch the Canada geese flying over in the morning.

* Blue Ridge Mountains in different weather (I can see them as we enter our neighborhood and love the change in their daily moods according to the light)

* My grandson - that's a tough one

* Neighbor pets - we don't have a dog or cat anymore, so it would be fun to play with them

* Create a digital 4 seasons artie-fartsie look for the bedroom

* Carry the camera and use it daily.

* Get in front of the camera (do I have to?)

There--done.  It is something I do all year with plenty of room to build on it.

It will be interesting in 2014 to see if I really did accomplish what I wrote down. 

Do you have a photo wish list for the year?

Peace, Angela

IT BEGINS WITH OATMEAL

 

I love the beginning of a new year and I like the idea of setting goals or resolutions.

My intention is to change my approach to taking care of myself. I enjoy moving and stretching so I'm listening  to my body when it wants to move. I love vegetables so why not eat more of them? And I want to meet me as a 6-year-old.  I remember going to birthday parties and deciding on my own if I wanted ice cream OR cake. I knew if I ate both, I would feel awful--too much sweet stuff. It wasn't an agonizing decision, just a choice and one I was comfortable making.  I love that!

Finally, for the rest of my life, I want to nurture my creativity by playing and having a little fun! Here we come 2013!

My day began with a bowl of steel cut oats, a nice way to begin the rest of my life!     

RETURNING SOON!

I've been gone--from a lot of things. In August I strained my back doing nothing. Did the usual stuff-ice, heat, professional massage. Tried a chiropractor for the first time in my life. Saw her five times. She helped, but only for a few hours. Finally went to see a doctor and am now in physical therapy. A blast of lots of rest, ice (and no heat), prescription muscle relaxers at night and the therapy finally did the trick.  Healing and doing much better. For weeks I couldn't sit or stand for very long so I checked email then had to lay down.

This experience has reminded AGAIN to slow down and appreciate the small things of life that really are very big things--family, friends and faith are my glue.

So I look forward to joining the blogging world again. Miss you! Still taking my time investing in getting stronger.

Hope to "see" you soon!

TAKING FLIGHT

We've all been in that moment when we have to decide. Do we take a step into the unknown or do we stay in our comfort zones? I'm guessing most of our hours are spent just living the lives we've created--work, family, dinner, pay the bills, do "something" on that e-course we paid for, etc.

But if I follow my heart's desires with intention, I find it is easier to step outside that comfortable zone I've created. I can use my camera as a tool to look at something from a different perspective.  I can release my ideas and my art out into the world via blogging and just see what happens. My leaps of faith usually don't need to be big jumps. They don't necessarily require a huge time commitment.  Still, at times I hesitate--fearing---I'm not sure what I fear. Sometimes it's hard to take that step and really fly.

It's so encouraging to know I have wind beneath my wings--an incredibly supportive husband, a family that loves me, friends, and a community of friends and supporters I'm meeting via blogging.  The sharing is what makes it easier for me to take a leap again and again.

A RIGHT OF PASSAGE?

Is it just  in my circle of life or does every child feel the need to capture a firefly or a caterpillar and put them on display in a jar? When I was nine, an older neighborhood friend showed me her charming butterfly box. The old cardboard box had been transformed with paint, even little windows and curtains to house a butterfly. 

There are always air holes and grass thrown into the container, but we all know that the bugs are either released or they die. I like to encourage curiosity, a oneness with the creatures of our earth so I'm torn about the thought of a friendly bug spending its few hours on earth in a jar.  (What child ever wanted to catch a not-so-friendly mosquito?)    At the same time, I am drawn to the wonder of young eyes investigating how a fuzzy caterpillar feels and crawls. "What do they eat, Omi?"  Let's find out together, then, why don't we watch it crawl out of the jar.