My online “journal” is where I record my musings, stories, adventures, discoveries, and capture moments of gratitude.
Today is the birthday of American artist, Chuck Close. Close is known as a painter and photographer who creates massive scale portraits.
I recently heard a quote that I thought I would share here in honor of his birthday and because, well, sometimes I need a reminder to just push through and do the work.
Read MoreI love my surroundings to be neat, tidy, and organized. Having said that, I have been on a long, long, long path to organizing my creative life on multiple levels. But the creative clutter... You need what you need, am I right? Sometimes, to be creative, you have to make a mess. In turn, being creative is a messy business.
Read MoreAs we begin July, seven months into 2018, I thought I would share a list of seven exhibits that may be near where you live, near where you are traveling, or a good excuse to make a trip. I think this collection of exhibits is pretty diverse, so hopefully you will find something you might like.
Read MoreThe 2018 hurricane season officially began on June 1st, so, of course, our book for June had to be Isaac’s Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by one of my favorite authors, Erik Larson.
I am a Gulf Coast gal, so reading about the hurricane I grew-up hearing stories about, seeing the few buildings that withstood the destruction while the building next to it was destroyed … well, I was all in as the saying goes. And, I had no doubt that Larson would reward us with a well researched, and detailed story.
Read More“Just This Moment” is intended to be a collection of those small moments in which you are truly present in your life - at just that moment. The images may not be frame-worthy, but are moments that fill you with joy, allow you to experience a moment of gratitude, make you smile, touch your heart, and/or make your soul sing. I encourage you to share your “moment” here with me, but I will get us started with this…
Read MoreI have been planning a series of blog posts to share studies of design, light,… you know, those fundamental subjects that you will always be learning and relearning. Each month I post something else in their place because I am never sure if this would be something a reader would enjoy... Well, this month, I decided everyone might benefit from a study (or refresher) in composition. It seems like everyone is taking photos in some form these days, so why not know the “rules”.
Read MoreLast year, I read about a retrospective exhibit of the American photographer, Irving Penn (June 16, 1917 - 2009). The retrospective was organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in conjunction with The Irving Penn Foundation as a celebration of the artist’s 100th birthday. For those of you visiting, or living in, Germany, the Centennial exhibit is now on view at the C/O Berlin (March 24 - July 1, 2018). If you are lucky enough to visit the exhibit of over 240 works created by this prolific artist whose photographic career spans seven decades and encompass multiple genres, I am going to admit, right up front, I am several shades of green with envy.
Read MoreLet’s add another strong, independent, talented, female photographer to our Artist Spotlight for June. Today is American photographer, Margaret Bourke-White’s birthday (6/14/1904 - 8/27/1971). I remember hearing Margaret Bourke-White's name in photography courses, but I do not remember that her work was shown. Nor do I remember that her life, accomplishments, and work were discussed at length. I decided to remedy that for myself by actively seeking out books and other information about Bourke-White.
Read MoreThere is a saying amongst photographers that the best camera is the camera you have with you. So, what camera do you have with you most often? It is estimated that there are roughly 2 Billion smartphone users in the world and a projected 36% of the world’s population are/will be using a smartphone by 2018, so chances are good that the camera you have with you is your smartphone. If you are part of that projected 36% AND you also like watercolor paintings, have I got a tip for creating a watercolor look using an app on your phone.
Read MoreToday is British photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron’s birthday (06/11/1815 - 01/26/1879). Cameron is known for her dreamy, soft-focus, photos; usually with an allegorical theme derived from literature and religious subjects. But, boy, what a photographic legacy she left in a relatively short “career”.
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