Happy Fall

It has been a rough week with the new pup. I have been neglecting this blog as well as myself. No art time at all. Boy do I miss it! But I thought I would pop in and share this fall beauty for today. I took this pic last fall at the Bronx Zoo.

Here in NY the weather is beautiful this weekend and our foliage colors look as though they are at their peak. It is my favorite time of year. Oh how I wish it lasted longer.

Hope wherever you are you enjoy a lovely weekend!!
xo

Using My Photography For Fashion :)

Happy Paint Party Friday!! I almost didn't have anything to share this week. Have not been motivated or feeling creative the past few days. But this morning I worked on this new 'she art' girl and my it was fun! This time I wanted to try creating a background with just acrylics and stamping. I have to say I think I miss the paper collage! Maybe its the texture I miss. Anyways, while I was working on the background I was looking through my collage paper and really couldn't find anything I wanted to use for clothes. And then I spotted (in a pile . . . cause I am so cluttered in the studio! ) an 8x10 print of one of my textured photos. I grabbed it and thought it would be cool to use it for an outfit!

I really had so much fun putting her outfit together with pieces of my photo!! Then I thought, why did I not think of this before?! My only regret was not changing the black and white to a sepia tone because of the brown in the background. But I think it all works.

Here is the textured photo I used for her clothes. . . it is a shot of the front gates to the Bronx Zoo. . .

I mostly used the right side of the image because I liked the words. :)

I am debating about adding text to her as I have some words in the stamping I used.

I am sharing this for PPF and if you want to see all the great work being shared follow me over HERE!!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend! And to everyone on the east coast . . . stay safe as Irene flys through town! She is due here in NY tomorrow evening! ;)

xo

Blog Giveaway and an Etsy Treasury!!

I just realized that this week I wrote my 100th blog post!! So I thought what better way to celebrate than to have a giveaway!

I am giving away the above photo. What you see above is a scan of the actual photo so in person the resolution of the image is much better but I wanted to show the digital matting. This image is one of my butterfly photos you may recall from my Bronx Zoo post. It is printed on 81/2 x 11 glossy photo paper with a digital double mat.

All you have to do to enter is comment! To enter your name twice become a follower. And if you want to enter a third time share this giveaway on your blog. Be sure to let me know in the comments what you do!

I will be picking the winner next Wednesday 12/22! Good luck!

If you get a chance check out this lovely etsy treasury "Blue Frost" by Dawn from The Scroll Shoppe! I was excited to find out she included my "Heart in the Sand" photo card!

Butterflies at the Bronx Zoo!!

Thanks for all your great comments on my last post! As promised here is part 2! I took these photos in the Butterfly House at the zoo. It was like a greenhouse for butterflies. When we walked in it was light and bright and they were all flying everywhere! One even landed on my hubby's arm! I wish I knew the names of each butterfly.

This one above is my favorite for sure. I love the black and sage colors! I may paint this one!

This one was drinking something. Maybe some fruit juice?

These guys are just enjoying some melon!

I also loved the color of this little one. Much smaller than the others.

Their colors are so vibrant and pretty. I didn't want to leave! I will for sure make another visit to the butterfly house next time we go to the zoo!

Bronx Zoo . . . Bringing Back Memories

One of my early posts when I started this blog was about my grandma. I shared a sketch I did of her and shared how close we were. (You can read that post here) She was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. I was also born there. She lived only a few miles from the Bronx Zoo. Most weekends growing up she would take my brother and I on the bus to the zoo. We loved it. I have only fond memories of my time spent with her there.

Today my husband and I went there and it was a beautiful day. It is the first time I have been back there in about 20 years. It was a strange feeling being there without her. When I saw the gates at the entrance (pictured above)and the familiar buildings my eyes welled up with tears. It was something I didn't expect and fought them back. Once we started walking around I felt better. I didn't want to feel sad although part of me did. Its strange how everything looks so much bigger when you are a child. I was happy though to be back there with my husband. I took so many photos!

This photo is of the Bronx River. I love the fall leaves.

I love these old concrete buildings that are found throughout the zoo.

This fountain caught my eye when we were in the butterfly house.

And here is a cutie pie sea lion! It was always my favorite stop as a kid. I loved to watch them swimming around!

I am hoping you will indulge me as I plan on sharing more zoo photos in an upcoming post! Stay tuned for some butterflies!