Tag: 30-Day Creative Gathering

#ThursdayTreeLove | One Photo and An Abundance of Tree Love

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One Photo Poster

A month ago I shared the “one photo” I used for Sheila Delgado’s 30-day Creative Gathering. Today, I present the 30 versions of the tree photo I submitted for the Gathering–one for each day, February 28 through March 2. As usual, working with the photos provided a much needed time-out from the daily grind and compelled me to spend a little time each day playing with color and texture. This was particularly helpful as I struggled through the many cold, gloomy, and wet days of February.

I submitted one photo edit each day, but I have more than 250 extra photo edits! I usually played around with the photo until I “happened upon” something I liked. Sometimes, I liked far too many and then had to go through the process of whittling down to one, which was usually the one that surprised me or brought me the most joy.

If you’d like to see the photos featured in the poster above in their full, individual glory, check out the album on Flickr:  One Photo, Endless Possibilities.

Also, if you’re interested in seeing the amazing artwork of the other participants, be sure to read Sheila D’s “wrap-up” post on the February Gathering: The 30-day Creative Gathering Artists, February 2023.

I usually join Parul Thakur for #ThursdayTreeLove every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her latest #treelove post.

#ThursdayTreeLove | One Photo, Endless Possibilities

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One Tree Original

if the trees
keep releasing,
keep rising,
keep reaching for the light,
then so shall i.

a.quinn

My #ThursdayTreeLove postings have been sporadic lately, but my camera roll serves as witness—I have been thoroughly enjoying the trees of winter.

I see the stand of trees in today’s post almost daily as I travel to work and other destinations. It always catches my attention, so when traffic slowed to a stop on a day with a perfect sky, I took advantage and took a shot.

The photo is currently serving as my artistic “template” for Sheila Delgado’s February 2023 30-Day Creative Gathering. My theme this month: “One Photo, Endless Possibilities.” My goal is to create a different photo-artistic version of the glorious scene each day. By the end of the month, I will have 28. I look forward to sharing them with you.

I am joining Parul Thakur for #ThursdayTreeLove every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her latest #treelove post.

Photo Collage | PhotoArt from the Creative Gathering

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page0

As I wrote the date in my journal this morning, it hit me like a ton of bricks–we are about to enter the last month of the year. The last month! I slightly panicked about all the things I’d planned but didn’t and won’t get to before Christmas. Thankfully, I quickly adjusted. I cannot allow the unfinished business of the year to plague the last few weeks, especially since the deadlines are self-imposed and none of it is actually necessary.

That said, taking time to share beauty and light is always necessary, so this week, I’m opening my camera roll and creating collages of some things I’ve wanted to share, but have been too busy or too tired to do so.

Today’s long overdue post features the 30 pieces of photo-art I created for Sheila D’s September 30-day Gathering (the Gathering).  I went into the Gathering knowing only one thing: since I wanted to feel like a “real” artist, I would put some work into the photos and alter them using PhotoShop and/or other photo applications. After my third post, I decided to work in threes–that is, I would work with one theme or technique for three days and then select my favorite piece for each day’s post. This resulted in 10 themes/techniques for the month–which resulted in a bazillion photos (not exactly an exaggeration):

  1. Music
  2. Circles
  3. Purple Flowers
  4. DistressFx
  5. Sunflowers
  6. Purple and Red
  7. Purple Fractals
  8. Brushstrokes
  9. Textures
  10. Roses

I usually worked the photos in more than one app to achieve the desired results. I shared four of them on the blog in September, and maybe, I’ll get around to sharing the others–and some of the other 709 pieces I created during September. Yes, that is the exact number. Isn’t that close to a bazillion? 😉

I thoroughly enjoyed the Gathering. It provided time out from life’s vagaries and lots of free therapy! Unfortunately, that was the last time I took time to create art every day. In fact, that was the last period in which I consistently took time for creative fun and possibly the last time I could vouch for my own sanity!

You can get an overview of the full Gathering and a glimpse of the work of the other artists by checking out Sheila’s post featuring the Creative Gathering Group Gallery. There’s lots of wonderful eye candy for your soul!

I Call Her “Too Much”

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Too Much

When I crafted the autumn flower above for Sheila D’s 30-Day Creative Gathering (Day 24), I sent it to a friend and told her this one might be a little “too much,” so I decided not to use it. Unwilling to leave her in the heap of “never-to-be-seen-again” photo projects, I worked on her a little more.

I tried to mute her brilliance, but no matter what I did, her radiance seeped out. After looking at all the renditions, I looked at her again, and decided…too much is actually okay. 

So…

This one is for all of you who have ever felt the need to douse your light or mute your shine to make others comfortable. 

This one is for all of you who can tell from the side-eyes, rolled eyes, wide eyes, and blank stares that people just don’t know what to make of you.

This one is for all of you who have been told at one time or another you’re too silly, too loud, too dramatic, too “extra,” too smart, too colorful, too difficult, too much this or too much that.

This one’s for you. 

In spite of all those eyes and all those voices that don’t yet appreciate the grandeur of your extraordinary—your “too much”—keep being you. 

You might as well. There’s absolutely nothing you can do to subdue your light. Besides, the rest of us love you, and for us, your “too much” is actually okay!

Creative Gathering | Music and Peace

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Sarah R-1

When playing music, it is possible to achieve a unique sense of peace. –Daniel Barenboim

Today, I shot a photo of a new colleague, a gifted violinist, as she performed for our chapel service today. She had such a sweet, peaceful expression as she played that I was compelled to pick up my camera. I attempted the impossible–to capture the profound moment when musician and instrument coalesced and conspired to unshackle us from the bonds of this world and invite us into that peace. 

Timeless Wisdom for Life

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Whatever is true

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. —Philippians 4:8 NIV

About the Image: The doodle art above was created for Day 16 of Sheila D’s 30-Day Creative Gathering last September. I’ve committed to joining again, but have not settled on a topic or an approach yet. Hopefully, I’ll know by the time I wake up in the morning! If you’re interested in being part of the community click here > 30-Day Creative Gathering. The supportive group welcomes traditional and nontraditional forms of art.