Rocky's Photo Shoot

Yesterday morning I decided to dust off my Canon DSLR.  For the past few years I have only used my iPhone 4 (yes I still have that old version lol)  and occasionally my Canon powershot D10. 

I love macro photography, always have, but I don't have a macro lens.  I supposed I just couldnt justify the expense when I don't use the camera much at all anymore.  But I did play with it couple of years ago in the AV mode.  

One of my subjects was of course Rocky.  He was pretty patient with me but there are quite a few blurry shots from him moving around when he must have about had enough of the photo shoot.  lol 

I am sure at some point I will be playing with these images on my iPad in some filter apps but until then I kinda like them just as they are.  One of the things I love about the AV mode is how much light it lets in and you can get that blurred background that mimics a macro lens.  These were all shot in black and white.  Love monochrome even in my artwork.  

What is your go to camera these days?  

Hearts On The Trail. . .

With the cool weather finally upon us I have been trying to get back to my daily walks.  Over the weekend I headed to the walk trail across the street from our house.  I already had my iphone in tow for music and was pleasantly surprised to find a heart along the way.  

I have to admit that I laughed at first as I wondered if it was bird poop! lol
 And then I thought about how it didn't matter what it was.  All that mattered was that I found a heart!  

Sometimes all you need is to look around and you can find love everywhere!

xo

Wordless Wednesday

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Texture Tuesday

Its been awhile since I participated in texture tuesday over at the lovely Kim Klassen's blog. I am happy to be back with some texturized photography! This weeks challenge was "white". So I decided on a photo I recently shot of some roses I had that I set up on my white desk. I just shot in AV mode to play with the light and just held up my camera above the roses and clicked randomly. Love this quote by thoreau that Kim shared as part of a brush set. I think it goes well with the feeling of this image.

I used Kim's "shine" texture. I processed the image with 2 layers set at soft light 100% and multiply 50% for another layer.

Here is my original image . . .

I am sharing this today over at Kim's blog. Come on over to see the lovely photography being shared this week!

I will be back soon with another writing post!

xo

Wordless Wednesday

Rocky's First Christmas

Hope you all had a lovely holiday!

Hard to believe its over already! I had a wonderful weekend with my boys. Lou had 4 days off from work which were much needed for him. Rocky was pretty happy to have his buddy around everyday! He is stuck like glue to Lou. Follows him everywhere. I can see they already have a special bond.

Rocky's first Christmas was a good one. Here he is laying in the sun. All the fun must have been too much for him as you can see!

He just loves his bed and is content as long as he is near us. (well, mostly Lou) ;)

Despite the fact that Rocky and I were off to a rocky start (he was very appropriately named wasn't he?) we are getting along better these days. I have to say he did melt my heart just a wee bit when he came over and hopped in my lap last night. Maybe it was the heat from the wood stove or maybe it was just me . . .

Our holiday was quiet, just the three of us, a staycation of sorts. And for that I am grateful.

xo

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday . . . A Moment In NYC

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Channeling Ferris . . .

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"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."

~ Ferris Bueller

Texture Tuesday

I took this shot at the Bronx Zoo last year. It is a photo of the front gates that face Fordham Road. I am posting this today for Texture Tuesday's hosted by Kim Klassen who I blogged about last week. Each week I will be posting a textured photo for her challenges. I am excited as it will be such fun! For this weeks challenge you could use any one of her textures that you wanted for your photo. For this one I used the "She Loves You Yeah" texture. It is the one I have been using on all the photos in my last 2 posts. Love it! I thought I would share my before picture so here it is . . .

I used two layers of texture, and altered it with a sepia tone as well. I am loving the vintage look this particular texture gives the photos!

Click on the link below to participate or just check out the other entries!

Texture Tuesday's With Kim Klassen

Wordless Wednesday. . .

View from the top of the MET

April, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

"Up into the trees"

Original photo used in yesterdays piece "Growing"

Taking A Scissor To My Photos . . .

"Growing"

mixed media on 6x8 inch canvas board

Yesterday I had planned on putting my recent sketch on canvas but got sidetracked by one of my photos. I had printed the photo out and knew I would eventually use it for a painting. Then I took a scissor to it and cut it up. Once I did that I couldn't stop.

Initially the composition was difficult. This piece went through a few stages of frustration to get to this finished version. I ended up covering up 2 of the collage pieces to open it up. That was when I saw a space where I could add the tree trunk. It is amazing how at one point it all just clicks. I had no idea how this would turn out and doubted it along the way until it surprised me!

Eyes Speak Truth . . . New Painting

"Eyes Speak Truth"

mixed media on 8x10 canvas board

I had some studio time this afternoon so I was able to get my eye on canvas! I added some paper collage this time which I typically shy away from but I like what it does for this piece. The words came to me as I was painting. Wish my handwriting was better though! The butterflies made another appearance. I just felt they completed the piece.

Thanks for the comments on the eye photo I posted yesterday! I hope you like it as much in this painting!

WIP . . . The Altered Eye

The image above is an altered photo of an eye I sketched back in December which I shared in this post. I printed it out on matte photo paper and scratched it up with sandpaper. I ripped the right edge off to see if I liked the torn paper effect. I used my caran d'ache water crayon in black to altered and grunge up the eye. White paint pen was used to highlight. Then I used a black sharpie for the lashes. I like the drip effect I was able to get with the crayon.

So this is where I am at for now. I am still figuring out the composition for the canvas which of course will be black. Not much studio time today as I needed to catch up on some errands. Hopefully will get back to it tomorrow. Then again, I may leave this be for something else that may pop into my head. Sometimes I feel scattered like that!

Wordless Wednesday

wishing well

view from the front steps of our house . . .

NYC . . . New Abstract Mixed Media

NYC

abstract mixed media on 8x10 canvas board

Sold

First a big thanks to everyone who commented on yesterday's post! I am constantly amazed at the encouraging and positive community I have found via this art blog. I am beyond excited to hear that you loved my first abstract mixed media!

So on to another one! I started this one last nite on a board that I messed up a couple of months ago attempting something abstract. I already had payne's gray and some tissue paper for texture. I thought it would make a good starting point for this piece. I had in my head that I wanted to use some of my NYC photos. Although I used the same color palette I felt like these pics needed a darker grungy feel. The water drips were a last thought. And I scratched in the letters through a glaze of paynes gray. As I finish my second one I wonder where I would be without acrylic glazing liquid!! Love this stuff! So important for blending!

When I first got started this morning with this piece I had a panic moment where I thought it was coming out all wrong. I thought it was awful. But instead of quitting I pushed forward and I am so glad I did!

PS . . . If you get a chance check out Kolleen's great blog Heart Wing Sisters. She has started a weekly series called "I am better for it" where you can share your personal story to inspire others and I decided to share mine. You can check it out HERE!

A Birthday Themed Bosco!

I took this photo last week for a custom etsy order. The request was for a pug photo card with a birthday theme. I didn't make any promises as my little guy hates to pose and hates clothes (especially hats) even more. My hubby helped me with the hat and held Bosco still.

This was the best one of the lot! I took the shot in color and then digitally altered it with an antique tone. He so doesn't look happy but is still darn cute! Then again I am biased since he is my furkid!

Hope you are all enjoying a lovely weekend! It finally feels like fall here in NY! YAY! Finally cool weather!

Wild Flowers

As we are on the verge fall's official arrival I wanted to share some pictures I took in the spring! Our house is across the street from a beautiful reservoir. I spend alot of time down by the water since they recently built a paved walk trail that runs right along its shore. I grabbed my camera and headed across the street to capture a few shots of these pretty purple wild flowers.

This is the view I can see from the bottom of our driveway.

These pictures were taken early morning with my Canon D10. I love to take macro shots and want to get a macro lens for my Canon XTi but I need to save up some dough for that one!

I did however get some great macro shots with the smaller D10.

And then I wanted to get even closer!

These are such tiny flowers but so pretty and what a vibrant shade of purple!

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Capturing the Ocean in Black and White . . .

I shot these photos last fall when my husband and I took a long weekend trip to Rhode Island one of my very favorite places to go. It is less than a 3 hour drive from our home in NY. I have been going up there for 10 years now and there is just something about the area that I love. We usually go to Newport and stay at a beautiful B&B situated right on the ocean shore. The above shot is the view from our beach cottage which is pictured below.

Soon after I was diagnosed with cancer 9 years ago I took a drive up to Newport alone and spent the day sitting on some rocks near the ocean shore. It was 2 days before my surgery. I sat there for hours just listening to the waves crash against the rocks as I pondered life and death. I found peace there that day that I believe helped me to move forward with all the dark road that lied ahead.

I will never tire of spending time near the water. It is what brings me peace and helps calm me. It is the place I turn to for solace and for hope. I believe that nature can heal us with its energy.

Where do you go to find peace? In some of your darkest moments what has helped you?