Wishing

Wishing I could blow it all away...

Reckon that would be too easy...

Dis-empowering for sure...

Exploring lighting and some black & white

Attempting to step out of my comfort zone just a tad a bit...I got a little carried away...but thats ok. Since my threesixtyfive group's theme for Sunday is "ghetto" lighting, I've been experimenting with such lighting...it's not as easy as some of my group members make it look! Anyhow, on day 73 I took it a bit further and ventured into the b&w realm and thought what the heck...lets try high key b&w....finally realized how FAR out of my box I had traveled!! Phewwwwwwww, that was scary!!
So, the photo on the left...after playing with the black and white, I thought I'd add a smidge of color and then a smidge of noise...what I like about it...it reminds me of the old "colored" photos, you know, the ones that were colored by hand ;-)
The one on the right...I ventured into high key...not really knowing much about it, just seeing a lot of it...so I am not sure that this is actually "high key" but anyhow...feels high key, probably from fear of realizing how out of my box I was. Anywho, I like it because I really stretched myself on this one and I kinda like my eyes here ;-)

Time flies

It has been awhile since I lasted posted here...not very good at blogging I reckon ;-) Ah well.
I've reached day 68 of my 365, well, haven't actually taken that one yet...but I will. Anywho, I'm proud of myself for sticking to it...I know...I know...I still have a lonnnnnnnnnnnnng way to go...but I am committed to this project and I WILL see it through!
Thus far, after completing 67 self portraits, I find that I am not quite as critical of myself as when I first started....but believe me...there is still plenty there! I've quite a few days where the thought of taking my own picture was not that bad of a thing....actually...even enjoyable! Who would have of thunk it...not me...thats for sure!
So, this picture...up above....ya, I know, it's all blurry....but I still kinda like it and I think it fits nicely into my current journey.....I'm there/here, but not that clear ;-)

Just over a month

Yup, just over a month's worth of self portraits

Some days are easier than others

Maybe I need a theme, seems to help some people

Of course, there are days when I have a few sp's that I actually like

So I have to choose just one, which can be challenging in a different way

Probably the biggest challenge though is not going "UGH" at a lot of my shots

So anywho, I have less than 11 months of sp's to go now....wooooohooooo

Not going to do amount of days just yet...thats like too many to think about

The softer side of me

Odd

As I continue on my 365 journey

Digging, exploring my creativity

Facing my insecurities

Embracing the DIA (dam it all)

Letting go

Feeling it out

Taking shots here and there

Reviewing them

Choosing a few

Narrowing them down

There are always a few that...

well...I see a part of me....

A part that I know exists...

but often thinks doesn't show...

then, I go over the pictures...

and there it is....there I am.

I really don't know what I was thinking

It seemed fun, ok a challenge too

Lots of other people said they didn't like being in front of the camera either

If they could do it...why not me?

Being inspired by the many...I hopped on board

Into day 9 now of "threesixtyfive" taking photos of myself...why or why?

The blotchy, wrinkly skin, the double ok maybe triple chin, droopy eyes...

oh boy! Ya, this is gonna be a piece of work!

I'm not a quitter, so I will continue...

Heck, I've only got what? 356 more to do!

Yay! Sort of?!

Art in the Barn is now over

My first art show

Got to share my fears with a fellow first timer/friend/family member

Both nervous and excited

After day one, now more relaxed, no sales

Day two rolled around the corner, a busy day

My fellow firster timer was preparing for her sons (my great nephew) 4th birthday party!

I went shopping in the morning with hubby, all the while thinking of the show

We gathered at the party and chatted a bit about the show, not knowing yet if either of us made a sale

Hubby and I left early, the show ended at 4 and the art needed to be picked up between 4 and 4:30

So off we went, anxious as can be

We were surprised to see how many cars were still there!

Very busy! Very exciting!

Got inside the barn, I looked around to where I knew my stuff was hanging and where LGD's stuff was hanging

My mother in law came along and said "You sold one piece and LGD sold 2 pieces"

I nearly fell over!!

What?! What pieces?! She told me my "Little Ossippee: The Fog" sold and that "Reflections" and she couldn't remember the other, sold for LGD. I was so excited, I grabbed my phone as I scoped over LGD's art work to see which ones said sold as I was calling her with the news!

I just got to her "Reflections" piece when she answered and I told her the good the news

We were both excited as she asked about my work too, and I told her I sold one piece

She asked about the second piece and finally I saw it, right next to "Reflections", her "Hello Sunshine" with SOLD on it!!! Oh wow!!!

In the excitement, I paid the 10% of sales for the historical society fund and was given 2 checks, apparently the same person purchased both of LGD's art! I didn't even look at the second check, which was mine. Finished gathering our art work and headed back to LGD's, heart pounding

Got to the house, everyone so excited!

I pulled out the checks, handed her her check and then for the first time, looked at my check....and ohhhhhhhhh...I was quite surprised to see who the purchaser was...none other than my mother in law! Oi! Kinda deflated my sails a bit, not to take anything away from her choice, as she said she really wanted that piece....but I really had to go through some feelings. Thinking, believing, all along that someone, a stranger, had so liked my work that they chose to purchase it! How exciting!! Then finding out, it was family. Was it a "just to support her" purchase? Was it because she knew LGD sold 2 pieces and I hadn't sold any??? Oi! So much to deal with...but not right now...off we went to Chili's to celebrate! It was a great time! Love being out with family!

On the ride home, I called my mother in law and we chatted. She said "I hope you don't think I bought it because of LGD's sales, I bought it before her pieces sold". I was relieved to hear that. I have now come to terms with it being a "support" purchase even though I know she "liked" the piece, somewhere deep inside I felt she was going to buy a piece because that is who she is...can't fault her for that...I'd be an idiot if allowed my pride to discolor this purchase.

So all in all...first time out...what an experience! So glad I got to share it with LGD! So amazingly happy to see her work admired and loved, so very much deserved. And for me, very exciting to hear people talk about this one piece, that did not sell, but was much admired...alas, it was not meant to be, this time around...hubby was/is very attached to this piece anyway. It was a great adventure and I would definitely do it again!!

Oh me Oh my

It has arrived, not so sure that I have

Our local historical society is having their annual "Art in the Barn"

My mother-in-law asked me if I'd submit some of my photography

Yikes!

I said yes!

Now I'm nauseous....

Red Saturday and Pink Sunday

Ok, sorry, I was on vacation and forgot the colors for Saturday and Sunday

So I went through my vacation photos for those days

and hunted for the appropriate colors...phewwwwwww

So, yes, I am late again...oh me oh my ;)

Friday Orange

On vaca without a computer, so I'm late, sorry

Color Week Thursday

New car needs a photo, perfect for black and brown ;)

More of my Thursday colors here

Green Wednesday

My favorite green :D

Wanna see more of my greens....

Look here

And for more greenery, look here and here

Light and airy

After a stormy afternoon

Things calmed down

It was the perfect time for bubble magic!

We had a super time!

First time out making bubbles and photographing them near water!

Worked out well and was tons of fun!

Beauty is never too far away...

Peace

Tranquility

Joy

Fullfillment

Love

All Embracing

On the road again

I never thought I'd be spending this much time with my nephew..

Alas...the photography bug has bitten him too...

Together, we explore the beautiful world around us

It is so wonderful to see him so excited and so happy

It's a special gift indeed

This photo was taken on our recent trip to the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park, NH

Family Connections

Photography has opened yet another door in my life...

An opportunity to spend some one on one time with a wonderful nephew...

And share with him a tip here and a tip there in the photography realm...

We have gone, so far, on two photo excursions...

One with his first camera, a very simple point and shoot...

The second, with his new Canon advanced point and shoot...

He is learning all about patience and macro...

And loving it...

Our most recent excursion was to the zoo...

Hadn't been there for years and years and years!!!

Did we have a good time? You bet ya!!

I love taking photos and I love sharing special moments with my family...

Combine the two together...and it's a day I'll cherish forever!

Let it go

A piece of history, personal history that is...

Born here many years ago...

Mother died here 2 years ago...

From a hospital, to a nursing home...

I still hear the sobbing...

still feel the sadness...

So many elderly, so lost...

Hurting in ways of the heart...

Drugged to be kept quiet...

Just waiting...

waiting for it end.

Finally, it has closed...

Tadaaaaaa

They have bloomed! Or at least one of them has ;)

Everything is coming up roses....

well, ok...not exactly roses...but the wee flowers are popping up!

So excited to see more colors!

Warmer air!

Longer days!

Happy spring everyone!

Almost there....

Times are a changing...

Weather shifting...

Spring has arrived...

Feels like summer...

Love the new growth...

The green of Mother Earth...

The warmth of the sun...

The scents of the warmth of Mother Earth...

A time to grow...

The seeds have been planted...

The pods are reaching up...

Stretching...

Reaching..

Breathing...

Loving...

Being.