Studio Friday: "Toot Your Own Horn...LOUD!"

The main reason I started this blog site was an artistic challenge to myself. I wanted to get back into the art that I really like doing. Yes, I can draw, watercolor/paint, do ceramics and even throw on the wheel and most definately take a photograph! I truely consider myself an artist with a passion for Photography. I LOVE black/white , sepia tone and color pics. that have a uniqueness to them. I'm not one to brag or show off my work and learned in college to be humble, even during the "creative constructive criticism" and praises. So here it goes...(do ya hear it?) I'm tootin' my horn!
UPDATE: I had a couple of you ask about my slide show...Check out slide.com and go have some fun!

Studio Friday: Outside

This week's post for SF is outside your studio. I instantly think of the view from my window that I'm perched beside. I have the pleasure of having the Blue Ridge Mountains in my sight. For all those who live out west you may call my east coast mountains "hills". That's okay, I love them anyway! This one is the one behind me. The one where I perch from won't load...I'll update later. The other things I see abd hear outside this studio is a very busy street and neighboring church . A quiet neighborhood till we moved in...the only kids on this street. I guess we are considered "kids" compared to the elders on this street. Close to everything.
Beyond the wall of my studio may be the craziness of the world , but Im glad I have a place to perch and watch the world and be inspired by it.

Studio Friday: A Floral Treat

Challenge: treat yourself to a bouquet of flowers for your studio.As I thought about this SF entry I remember taking a bunch of photos of flowers . Humm...what should I do with all of them?...I thought I would share this floral treat as a floral tribute to those affected by 9-11 five years ago. I and you fellow artists may work very had in our studios.But that day, they were working too. In their offices, on a plane, as an officer, and as firefighters. That day, all worked to save lives . In honor of them and their families, here is my floral pictoral gift to them.They deserve it more times over than I do.

Studio Friday: Tools of The Trade

This week's topic for studio is tools. (Also my first post for SF !) Since I have my own little space to be creative, I now have these tools in my own space to do so. My Nikon D50 is my first tool. I just upgraded my digital camera. Though I still have my "old school" film camera from back in college, my Nikon N6006 AF . I think I'll keep it for when I have my dream darkroom! Digital is so the way to go and a lot faster! My Epson Stylus CX7800 for when I need to scan in or print for a project. I love the neg holders! I found myself bringing out old negs to play with! My computer with Photoshop 7.0 . Im still a bit rusty on the skills but know enough to get by. It's fun to play, right? With all these tools it has helped my get back into the art and meduim I love to create!

"Boys, the bus is here!", Mom said. The boys got their stuff and were off to their first day of school.

Made it through the summer and now it's back to school and routine of things. Chad will hit the big 3rd grade and a new school! He is on the top level of the school! I guess they figured the younger ones have more energy! It's quite a treck! Nicholas will be entering a reg. kindergarten class along with speech therapy. He is so excited about everything. From his new jeans ,to his new back pack, to riding the same bus as his brother! Im sure he will be exhausted when he arrives home at 4:45! I know! The city schools here had to extend their teaching time to meet va. standards . Also they have a neighboring school (behind Nick's school) in trailers while their school is getting remodeled! It's a zoo with pick-up and busses so it's easier to let them ride the bus. So in a way this will help me get in a routine with having dinner almost ready/homework time/and bed time on the dot! This is my goal... last year was choas! Hoping for a great year to come!
Update: I received a a personal phonecall from Nick's teacher this evening! I was totally surprised myself. She just wanted to let me know what a wonderful little boy I had. She was amazed by his creative detailed drawings and imagination and ability to try to spell! "He is just a joy" (She was even talking to her husband about him which prompted her call to me) Such sweet words to hear, knowing that he has had learning challenges along the way and speech difficulties, it just made me smile ! ( and almost had a tear in my eye) .