Some Reader Love

Last week, inspired by Holly Becker's post on decor8, I wrote a thank you to one of my readers. I find myself drawn to do so again - it just feels like a wonderful little way to give back and let you know how much I appreciate you all!

Today I'd like to thank the beautiful and talented Jeannie Stith - voiceover artist (you can hear her on the PBS Kids Sprout homepage!), home renovation enthusiast, and all around great person. Thanks for reading, you are an inspiration!

Check out Jeannie's website here!



Thanks again, to all of my readers!

Creative Space

With time and budget limited, working on my perfect creative space often gets put off. But, this weekend I managed to make a little progress! My husband and I headed to IKEA, where I picked up a new FIRA organizer for my desk. The artwork shown is by the fabulous Layla of Dollface Design. (Sorry the pics are a little dark - I was rushing, I admit).



We also made plans to use cardboard file boxes to organize our big EXPEDIT bookshelf - we'll cover the fronts with pretty paper!

My office wasn't the only place that got a facelift - we picked up the new rug I've been eyeing for the living room! I'm so thrilled. Time after time the items I've loved have been discontinued before I go to purchase them. So I'm glad we decided to get this lovely KIBÄK rug now! (And yes, I still have to paint this room - though we didn't go with either of the colors splashed on the wall!)

Team Sunday

Hi All - Sunday has rolled around again - time to feature a fellow Etsy Street Team member!

The Street Teams I am so proud to belong to are:
Arts in RI
Photographers of Etsy (POE)
Design Style Guide
Cabinet of Curiosities

This week, I'll be featuring Paula of The Venerable Bead, a fellow Arts in RI member. Yeah, I know I just featured an Arts in RI member last week, but there's a very particular reason I wanted to mention Paula...



She is on the cover of the latest edition of Stringing magazine!! Congrats Paula! This talented glass artist is the proprietor of The Venerable Bead - she makes amazing glass beads and pendants. I had the chance to see her at work in her studio - what an experience!



Here are just a few examples of her work. To see more, visit her shop!

From the Past - Posies and Politics

While watching/listening to the presidential debate this evening, I worked on some photos. OK, so most of my attention was taken up by the debate and I only managed to crank out one photo, but that's not really a bad thing.

Tonight's subject is another botanical specimen - collected in June of 1888. This lovely orchid is a yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum).


(Photograph taken courtesy of the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI.)

I think it's interesting that this specimen happens to be from 1888 - another election year. According to Wikipedia, 120 years ago President Grover Cleveland was campaigning against Benjamin Harrison, looking to secure a second term in office. President Cleveland won the popular vote, but lost the election by 65 electoral votes. Apparently, dividing up the Dakota territories into states was the big issue of the day.

And now you have some more useless trivia clattering around in your brain! :-)

The Photography Files

Happy Thursday! This week's photography file features William Henry Fox Talbot (I know, quite a mouthful!). This man was actually known by several variations of his name: William Fox Talbot, Henry F. Talbot, H.F. Talbot, H. Fox Talbot... For my purposes I think I'll call him Hank, since he preferred to be known by his second name, Henry (according to Wikipedia, at least).

So, why is Hank so special? Well, he was not the first person to ever take a photograph, but he invented the negative/positive photographic process. And all because he couldn't draw (neither can I, in fact). At around the same time as the Daguerreotype was invented and announced, Hank refined his process - the result was the calotype.

In addition to being one of the fathers of the technique of photography, Hank also contributed to the growth of photography as an art form. His work is also important as a documentation of the world during that time period

Without further ado, here are some examples of work by William Henry Fox Talbot.

Solar Photo-Micrograph, Transverse Section Stem (1839)

(I love how graphic this image is - almost pop art)

Pantheon (1843)


The Open Door (1844)

Hump Day Happiness

It's Wednesday, that turning point of the typical work week! And here are 5 things that are making me happy today:

- Dannon All Natural plain whole milk yogurt
- Fresh orchard apples
- Diana cameras
- The Alternative Photography website
- My sweet and generous sister-in-law

What's making you happy today?

Wanna Win One of My Photographs?

Enter the September artwork & photography giveaway on Funky Finds for your chance to win a print of your choice (value of $30) from yours truly!

I Heart You, Reader!

As you may realize by now, I adore the blog decor8, authored by Holly Becker. Today Holly posted a lovely tribute to a special reader of hers, and challenged fellow bloggers to do the same! I'm going to accept this challenge and say a big thank you to my friend and fellow nestie, Robin of "Made with love".

Now, before I begin I have to say that I truly appreciate all of my readers - starting my photography business has been a real challenge and your comments often give me a much needed boost on a tough day. Many of you know me personally, and your support has meant a lot to me! So, thanks to you all!

I've chosen to give a shout-out to Robin in part because she is a fellow blogger. Her cooking blog, "Made with love" is a joy to read and an inspiration in the kitchen. Run over and take a look!



Do you have a favorite blog you'd like to share? Or maybe you're a blogger and would like to post your own thank you? Feel free to leave a comment and let me know!

Curiosities

Here are some more images from today's session at the Natural History Museum. I think "Curiosities" - the last image in this post - would make a great Halloween card, do you?

Tropic Bird


Distilled Water


Bird in the Bell Jar


Curiosities


(Photographs taken courtesy of the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI.)

Botanical Bliss

It was my second to last trip to the Natural History Museum at Roger Williams Park today. My next visit there will be to photograph the displays upstairs, and then my time will be used up. I've had a wonderful time exploring the archives and capturing the specimens there. In a year or so I may go back - with fresh perspectives and ideas. I'm like a kid in a candy store there at the museum, so it can be exhausting to try and photograph everything I'm interested in.

Today the curator, Marylin, suggested I take a look at some of the botanical specimens. I'm so glad she did, they were beautiful!

Orchid Specimens 1 through 4



Cypripedium spectabile (collected in 1889)


After I finished, I took some photos of the space, in case you're curious about the environment that I was working in. It's an enchanting mix of history and technology. One room sports an eclectic mix of shelves, skulls, and primitive spears. The next houses a crisp, clean, state of the art preservation system.



I hope you've enjoyed your sneak peek! More photographs from today's session will follow, I'm sure.

(Photographs taken courtesy of the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI.)

Team Sunday

As an Etsy seller, I've become involved with some great Etsy Street Teams with friendly, talented members. I've been wanting to spread the word about some of the great artists in my Street Teams. Thus, the birth of the "Team Sunday" feature - which I plan to do at least once a month, if not more often.

First, a shout out to all of my teams:
Arts in RI
Photographers of Etsy (POE)
Design Style Guide
Cabinet of Curiosities

I'd like to kick off "Team Sundays" by featuring the intrepid leader of Arts in RI, painter Julie Beck.

Fisherman


Barnacle

Three Trees 11


I love Julie's elegant, rich, earthy color palette and her use of historic images as inspiration. She's a talented painter and an energetic team leader. Thanks for being so awesome, Julie!

To learn more about the artist and her work, visit Julie's shop, website, and blog.

Reminder!

Pawtucket Open Studios is this weekend! Check out 'Specimen 652' - it's up at iolabs!

In the Calm Woods

Aspens and Bracken

The Photography Files

I've been thinking back to photography class and how my teacher would use the work of famous photographers to teach us about various techniques and effects. I'd love to share some examples of work from famous and historic photographers with you, in the hopes of educating and inspiring you! My plan is to make this a weekly or bi-weekly feature, "The Photography Files"

First up - Dorothea Lange, known best for her depression-era photographs.







I think it's positively stunning how she captures the desperate need of these migrant workers and children, but also their strength. In the first image, the mother's eyes speak volumes about the hardship she's enduring, but yet her children can still lean on her for comfort. In the second photograph, a child dressed in rags in front of a ramshackle shelter gives us a defiant, almost saucy pose. The third photograph is taken from a low angle, lending the woman height and majesty, but yet her expression and the way she holds her head are heartbreaking.

Dorothea Lange was a truly great portrait/documentary photographers. I admire the way she made strangers comfortable with her, and how she was therefore able to capture truth about them.

A Different Way of Seeing Things

Same scene, two different photographic techniques. Which do you like better?

Waiting for the Ferry
(conventional digital photograph with digital brush overlay)


Waiting for the Ferry, Through the Viewfinder
(TtV with a Kodak Duaflex, digitally cropped/enhanced)

On the island...

... more photographs from L'Isle Verte in Quebec

Me & My Arsenal (photograph taken by my husband)


Coastal Forest


L'Isle Verte Landscape (click on image to see a larger version)

Lovely Things from Lovely People

It's always a joy when art comes into your life! Just before leaving on vacation, I got a surprise in the mail - a beautiful original painting by Kim Gledhill. I met Kim through the 29-Day Giving Challenge. Not only is Kim talented, she's thoughtful and generous too, and I will smile everytime I glimpse her painting, which has found a home in my dining room.



My other recent art acquisition is this exquisite necklace made by fellow Arts in RI member Wendy Thatcher. I love the way she uses natural materials and combines colors in such a beautiful way. Look at the texture of these beads, with the small beads adding just the right hint of sparkle. Gorgeous!

622press

Just wanted to write a quick thanks to Kristen of 622press for featuring me on her blog today! You can read the blog post here. While you're browsing, check out some of the great work in the 622press shop!

Pawtucket Open Studios

Hey there! While I don't personally have a studio in Pawtucket, I am excited to still participate somewhat in the Pawtucket Open Studios this coming weekend!

The fabulous iolabs will be displaying my "Specimen 652" photograph in their shop gallery, along with several other amazing pieces of art and examples of the unique printing and display options iolabs offers. The whole Open Studios event sounds like it'll be fantastic - so stop by if you're in the area! Details on the Pawtucket Open Studios website.

Paaaawtucket!

I spent most of my weekend in Pawtucket! Home of the Paw Sox AND Mr. Potato Head.



Doesn't get better than that, people. AND, I didn't get lost going to or from the Arts Festival. Are you impressed? If you're not impressed, you've probably never driven in Pawtucket!

The show went... ok. Saturday was nice - overcast but mild weather, good crowds, great music. Sunday it poured on and off until about 1:30pm or so, and even after the rain stopped there were very few people who came through. The music wasn't as audible near the art booths, either. But still, having the Arts in RI street team there made the time pass quickly. We had a great time chatting and hanging out, and I have to say I'm honored to be part of such a talented team. We did Etsy proud!

Today's Soundtrack

It's hard to keep energized when it's dull and cloudy out and it's your first official work day back from a vacation. But, with the Pawtucket Arts Festival starting tomorrow, there is so much to do!!

Hot cocoa break and energetic tunes to the rescue! Here's a sampling from today's playlist:

MIKA - "Grace Kelly" from the Life in Cartoon Motion album


M.I.A. - "Paper Planes" from the Kala album


And last but not least, my favorite band, State Radio - the Year of the Crow album