Tag: Art

#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.

Photo Collage | Beyond Van Gogh

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Van Gogh Immersive Collage

I was supposed to share this collage a few days ago, but the weekend required rest, and Monday was…Monday. I’m awake later than usual, so I decided to take a few moments to share a “few” of the 200+ shots I captured at Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience last year.

Vincent van Gogh is my my favorite Post-Impressionist artist, so when Beyond Van Gogh finally opened in Alabama, there was no way we were going to miss it. I secured tickets almost as soon as they became available. The guys and I were headed to Atlanta for Thanksgiving, so a stop in Birmingham for the exhibition was the perfect kickoff for the extra long weekend.

Beyond Van Gogh was everything I expected plus more. From the beautiful quotes extracted from the letters between van Gogh and his brother, Theo, to piecing together the story of his life through vignettes and images, to the [seemingly] entire van Gogh portfolio unfolding before our eyes and beneath our feet–the entire expereince was simply breathtaking. Participation in the immersive experience was the next best thing to being inside the artist’s mind or at the tip of his paintbrush.

My guys and I agreed the only thing that would make the experience better is to experience it without all the other people.

Photo Collage | Art, Art, and More Art!

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Lowe Mill-2

Squeals! Have you ever had an experience—unrelated to psychotropic drugs—that left you feeling so high and giddy that you have difficulty controlling yourself?

That’s how I feel whenever I walk the floors of Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment here in Huntsville. So much amazing! So much art! So much talent!

I don’t go very often, but when I get there I leave with a desire to quit my job, get a studio there, and make (and sell) art for a living. Fortunately, before acting rashly, I realize, that might not be the best course of action for me. 

Lowe Mill is the largest privately owned arts facility in the South (USA). The former textile mill was “redeveloped into 152 working studios for over 200 artists, makers, and independent businesses, 7 galleries, a theatre, a community garden, and event spaces.” 

The goal of Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment is to nurture artists while educating the public about art and the creative process. In order to accomplish this, the Mill has established a community where artists, in a working studio environment, are able to create, display, and sell their work; and the public has the opportunity to visit, view, learn, and acquire work by local artists.

What I love about Lowe Mill is the access to many, many art forms in one space—mixed media, textile, bookbinding, culinary, photography, printmaking, ceramics, woodworking, glass, digital, sculpture, painting, performance, graphic design, fashion, and much more. It is pure pleasure to walk the long artful hallways, peer through windows and open doors, and speak with artists who are excited to answer questions and talk about their art.

The collage above features some random pics from my latest perusal of Lowe Mill with my guys. We especially enjoyed speaking with staff at the Cigar Box Guitar Store and Denise DeKemper Art from whom we purchased several small prints (including two sunflower prints).

You can learn more about the various artists and studios by clicking here. There’s so much color and beauty, your soul will sing!

Photo Collage | PhotoArt from the Creative Gathering

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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!

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. 

Postcards That Make a Statement | Worthy

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Worthy by Suzette

“We Are Worthy,” Collage Art by Suzette R.

As she took the journey back to her wings, she embraced the truth that she was worthy and that she was enough, just as she was, imperfections and all.

Who Sent It? This gorgeous collage postcard was crafted and sent by my pen friend, Suzette R. She sent this one about four years ago. She shares the inspiration for this and two companion “We Are Worthy” pieces on her blog: Notes from the Road. Have a restful weekend!

 

Postcards That Make a Statement | We Love You, John!

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“The John Lennon Wall.” A public art display honoring John Lennon and the Beatles. Located in Praha 1, Prague., Czech Republic.

Who Sent It? The handmade postcard above featuring part of the John Lennon Wall was sent to me by swapper Philippa D (papercaper) on swap-bot. It was sent 12 years ago for a “Simply Love” postcard swap. Since the wall is always changing (as people draw and write over existing art and words), I really appreciate this little bit of what it was.