D. S. Brennan Photography

The Inspiration behind my Serene Winter 2012 Collection

2012-02-15T15:29:00.002-05:00

My Winter 2012 series, which captures the misty moodiness of the seaside during the off season and the isolated, wild beauty of a deserted beach, is now available in my Etsy Shop.

Learn about the inspiration behind the images in the video below.

As mentioned, below is the Emily Barker "Nostalgia" music video.

Last Minute Romance - A DIY Star Lamp

2012-02-14T12:48:00.000-05:00

You may have seen the "DIY star projector" that was all over the interwebs around the Holidays. The parts ship from China for you to assemble into a lamp that sprays constellations about the room. So beautiful, right?

I wanted to do something similarly sweet for Valentine's Day, but of course hadn't thought to order the actual projector in advance. After a bit of trial and error I came up with a true DIY mini-star lamp, made from elements I already had around the house.

DIY Mini Star Lamp

Materials
Cheap aluminum-reflector work lamp (the ones I own cost about $7 at a big box hardware store)
LED flashlight (my husband always has several of these around the house)
Aluminum foil
Paper
Masking tape
Roofing nail (or similar punching tool)

Instructions

(1) Unscrew the entire lightbulb base from work lamp, and insert the LED flashlight in its place. (I used a bit of foil and tape to hold the flashlight in place. It doesn't look pretty, but it does the job.)

(2) Print out a star map or photograph. I used this one, courtesy of NASA.

(3) Securely tape the star map to a flat sheet of aluminum foil. Make sure the foil is larger than the paper.

Step 4: Place the star map over the front of the work lamp. Crumple the excess foil over the sides of the lamp to hold it in place securely.

Step 5: Using your roofing nail or other punch, poke holes at all of the star locations. For the larger stars, wiggle the nail in a circle to make it bigger.

Turn the flashlight on, and point the lamp at the wall of a dark room - you're done! The lamp itself is a bit awkward-looking, so I'd suggest tucking it in the corner. You can also experiment with colored LEDs or punching your own constellations rather than using a map as a guide. Have fun, and enjoy a little romance today, for yourself or with your significant other.

p.s. Feel free to share this tutorial with whomever you please, but I'd ask that you credit me with a link back to this post. Thanks!

Ebb and Flow

2012-02-08T17:49:00.000-05:00

"The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach -- waiting for a gift from the sea." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Click Wars - Which Do You Choose?

2012-02-08T10:49:00.000-05:00

Let's play a little game, shall we?
Without thinking, click the first image that grabs your attention. Then click "Vote".

Thank you!

Coming up...

2012-02-07T12:31:00.004-05:00

The Watcher by the Sea

2012-02-06T21:51:00.001-05:00

A herring gull stands guard atop a barnacle-encrusted breakwater, with the Jamestown Bridge and the Plum Beach Lighthouse in the distance. I love living in Rhode Island in the winter, dressed warmly by the waves as the sun goes down.

You'll have to decide who the watcher is in this photograph... the gull, or me, or you?

Playing with (Photo) Toys: Pixlr-o-Matic

2012-02-02T22:40:00.002-05:00

It's time to come clean...

You know how grown-ups secretly love to play with kids' toys? (Let's face it, those wooden train sets are fun.) Well, it's the same way for me with photo "toys", even though I'm a professional photographer and I'm supposed to be grown out of those things. ;-)

One I've just heard about via Google + friend Steve Johnson is Pixlr-o-Matic. Of course, like a kid in a toy store, I rushed over to try it out.

Because I like to be different, I decided to run the same picture through twice, effectively adding two layers of Pixlr-o-Matic goodness to it. Is the result something I would submit to a high-brow gallery? No. Was it fun to make? You bet!

(see my original, straight-out-of-the-camera, photo here, for contrast)

Try it out here, and share links to your creations in the comments!

Collecting Nature: Hyacinths

2012-01-30T15:44:00.002-05:00

I've been in love with forcing flowers for the past couple of years. Having growing things around me brightens my day and adds color to the dreary winter months. This was the first year I forced hyacinths, though, and they are definitely a new favorite. These flowers are incredibly fragrant, and the scent of springtime is filling my home.

Forced blooms make a wonderful temporary nature collection, and I think hyacinths are especially wonderful because of the special vases that have traditionally been used to force them. See how the bulb sits above the neck of the vase in the photo above? It's elegant and unique, and the design has been around for centuries. These hyacinth vases can easily become a collection of their own.

More info about forcing hyacinths here.

An Interior with Style

2012-01-25T09:28:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful Laura of Lolalina at her home so she could style some of my photographs. You'll have to head on over to her post for the all of the juicy styling and interior photography tips, but here's a teaser for you:

See you over at Lolalina!

Picnik and Product Photos - Transitioning to Google +

2012-01-24T15:35:00.000-05:00

The bad news... I posted my Picnik tutorial the day before Picnik announced it was closing up shop on April 19, 2012.

The good news... You can use the same tools to edit product photos using Google +

Here's how:

So, big sigh of relief, editing your product photographs is still just as easy!

Pantone + Pinterest = Inspiration

2012-01-23T09:27:00.001-05:00

Perhaps you've heard the buzz about Pantone's new Spring 2012 Color Report. I'm not crazy about "Tangerine Tango", the color of the year, but I do love some of the other hues they've chosen. "Sodalite Blue" is my favorite of the bunch (no surprise there, it's a dark, rich, beautiful blue), and I also like the grouping of "Driftwood", "Cockatoo", and "Starfish".

What's Pinterest got to do with this? Well, Pantone's lovely Spring 2012 colors inspired me to put together a mood board featuring a couple of my photographs. And what better place to find stunning home decor elements than Pinterest?

What do you think, would you work with these colors in your home?

Sources: dsbrennan, abchome, westelm, burkedecor, pantone

Two Quick Steps to Fix Your Product Photographs

2012-01-18T13:52:00.001-05:00

A blogger friend of mine, CereusArt, recently posted about her product photography woes. She had been working hard to improve her shots, using a light tent, and doing her best to edit the photographs after taking them. But she still wasn't pleased with the results.

Product photography is not easy, even when you're a photographer. When I saw her images, I immediately thought of a way I could help her "fix" them using my favorite free photo editor, Picnik. The video below provides a tutorial, and I hope both you and CereusArt will find it useful!

Before & After

image credit: CereusArt

Additional Tips

- If you can, keep some distance between the product and the backdrop. This will reduce shadows and also prevent the backdrop texture from being a distraction. Get creative with pins and binder clips to make this happen!

- Make sure the entire light tent is evenly lit, both the object and the backdrop. Try lighting from the sides or above as well as from directly in front. If you need more light, make sure it's all from the same type of light source. My preference is to use at least three daylight fluorescent bulbs in plain old work lamps like these.

Good luck! Do you have specific questions about product photography that I might be able to help you with?

The Creation of a Photograph: A Short Story

2012-01-17T21:13:00.004-05:00

It is a cold, winter day with beautiful, clear skies. Knowing the sun sets early at this time of year, my husband and I head south towards the coast. On the way, we discuss which beach we should go to - one of our favorites? One we haven't visited in a while? We choose the URI Bay Campus, which he has never been to, and arrive as the "golden hour" begins. The setting sun tinges the sea and the sky with pink. It draws out the silken textures of the waves coming gently ashore. The lights on the Newport Bridge across the bay come on, twinkling in the fading light. My husband wanders, ready with the tripod should I need it, staying warm under many layers. I, in my rubber boots, wade in to the icy sea and explore one particular cove with it's particular patterns of ebb and flow.

Many photographs are taken.

We return home and I eagerly explore the shots from the day. It's one of my favorite moments - seeing what comes out of the camera. The anticipation of seeing my photographs appear on my monitor thrills me. I sort through them and start to edit the images, layering them with light and color, bringing out the natural contrast and tones of the scene. Some photographs are discarded after working on them for a while, some are set aside to revisit. Some blossom into the image I imagined, and are kept.

So you see, the birth of a photograph begins with planning, continues with the camera, and finds completion in the digital darkroom. This is the journey that this picture took.

So Love, Love, Love

2012-01-16T10:03:00.003-05:00

As you can tell, I'm continuing to practice with and be inspired by words. Lately, those words have been from the Islamic poet Hafiz. My mother introduced me to him when telling me about the book "Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West". His poems on love are rich in natural imagery and have such an incredible sense of peace to them.

Do you have any favorite words to share?

Sun Kissed

2012-01-15T20:19:00.001-05:00

Sweet Words

2012-01-15T16:30:00.004-05:00

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24

I've always loved words. My mother, a children's author, once wrote a short story about the words and phrases I'd invent as a child. ("My molars!" being a favorite.) While I may not be a writer like Mom, I still love language. I love words that describe very specific things. I love learning new words. I'm a insatiable Scrabble player.

Lately, I've been playing with the idea of pairing words and photographs. It's not a novel concept by any means, but I'm learning, and hopefully putting a bit of my own spin on it. I don't want to create the standard inspirational office poster, but rather incorporate words as part of the piece of art. Words that are sweet to my soul.

Right now I'm practicing, taking inspiration from others but using my own images and my own favorite phrases. I'm enjoying the process of learning and growing and stretching my creative wings.

Have you done any creative exploring lately? Won't you share your experiments with us in the comments?

There is Beauty to be Found on Misty Winter Mornings

2012-01-14T11:04:00.001-05:00

fog on the pond

fog in the forest

fog in the fields

Keeping an Eye on the Prize, or Not Giving Up Just Yet

2012-01-12T21:17:00.001-05:00

"...the most important predictor of success is determination." - Paul Graham, investor

The other day, in my ABC of Important Things post, I mentioned determination as my word for "D". I do believe that willpower (*ahem* stubborness) will get me to where I want to be. Art photography is not an easy business to make a living at, but I will achieve that goal.

But here's where the deep, dark secret comes out. Sometimes, I come very close to giving up.

I entered 2012 feeling all fresh-faced and new, bubbling over with excitement about what the year was to bring. After all, 12 is my favorite number, this year had to be good! (I know, the logic is unshakeable.) I worked my tail off getting my business plan in order, reading up on all sorts of business tips and motivational whatsits (Copyblogger being a favorite source)...

Then yesterday I sat down, looked at my fun little thermometer graph from the Track This! workbook and realized... I am nowhere near my financial goal for January.

That's one of those moments when I think about giving up.

Now, granted, I've had much worse moments during the lifespan of this little biz, and I've come much closer to throwing in the towel, but yesterday wasn't exactly my brightest hour. So I moped for a bit, took a break, and ate too much chocolate.

Here's the important part. After the blue mood and sugar rush faded, I squared my shoulders and jumped back into the game. And you know what? Great things happened yesterday. My favorite new piece was on the front page of Etsy. I jumped into a Twitter chat and found out about some amazing resources like Triberr and Buffer. I met some new folks and enjoyed doing it. And yes, I even made a sale. I still have a ways to go before I reach my financial goal, but you know what, I'm determined to get there, and I will.

How do you keep moving toward your goals when it feels like you're stuck in a rut?

Find Your Open Window

2012-01-11T16:19:00.001-05:00

My ABC of important things

2012-01-11T13:50:00.002-05:00

Taking a cue from the wonderful Susannah Conway...

A is for Artists. I would never have dreamed that I could be part of such an amazing community. To call myself an artist still feels foreign at times. I am so blessed to have made so many artistic friends, and to surround myself with their work in my home. I love knowing the people behind the pictures.

B is for Blessings. I have so many, I am such a lucky woman. I have a husband I love, a wonderful family, a home, food to eat. I hope I can find new ways this year to share my blessings with others. I truly believe that all gifts are meant to be shared, and I don't always make time to do that.

C is for Comfort. A warm hug from my husband, curling up under my favorite blanket, sipping coffee from my favorite handmade mug. The little blissful moments of life.

D is for Determination. Ok, maybe it had better be called "stubbornness". When I started this little photo biz six years ago, there was plenty of support from my friends and family, but plenty of well-meaning concern as well. However, I was (and am) determined to succeed. Not giving up, even when things are slow, even when it takes 3 years to make a profit (and when that first profitable year I made all of $20). Without determination I would never have made it this far. And with determination I will achieve my big dreams.

E is for Escape. Perhaps this is typical of artists, but I am a dreamer in a major way. I love to read fantasy novels, to watch Jane Austen movies and imagine myself in them... I love taking daydream journeys into someplace magical. And sure, this gets me in trouble sometimes, when "real work" needs to get done, but those moments of escape allow me to tap into the creative flow.

F is for Freedom. The freedom to be sitting here in my pajamas typing this sentence. The freedom to grocery shop at 2pm on a Wednesday with all the senior citizens. Even if that also means the freedom to be still working at midnight.

G is for Grace. I'm not perfect, and I've certainly had my share of bumps in the road. Knowing that Grace is there to support and assist me through life, no matter how little I might deserve the help, has kept me going through some really rough times. Particularly when struggling with anxiety, as I have been this past year. "There's so much grace in acceptance. It's not an easy concept, but if you embrace it, you'll find more peace than you've ever imagined." - Loretta LaRoche.

H is for Husband. Perhaps it is trite to say so, but it's true. My husband is perhaps the most important thing in my life. Love you baby.

I is for Introspection. Looking within, checking in with myself. Sitting and being with what is. It's a difficult skill to practice, and I may never master it.

J is for Journeying. I do love to travel. We've been so blessed to visit my best friend in England this past year, and we have plans to see Newfoundland this year. Traveling opens me up to new experiences: new food, new music, new cultures. And of course, traveling provides so many wonderful chances to use my camera!

K is for Kids. Namely, my niece and nephews. They allow me to play with legos, to make forts out of blankets, and to run around the yard playing tag, without other grown-ups judging! :-)

L is for Love. Is there anything in this world more important? The love of my husband, my family, my friends. Love for the suffering, the hungry, the cold, the sick. Love for the sea, the woods, the mountains. Love.

M is for Music. Music is a huge part of my daily life. Sometimes it's just background noise, because otherwise I'd be sitting alone in silence all day. Sometimes it's energetic, to help me get through the housework or a tiresome task. I listen to music to inspire me to dance or to run. I listen while editing photos, and am so heavily influenced by it that I started Song and Scene to document the images influenced by the songs. Right now, I'm listening to Antarctica by The Weepies.

N is for Nature. She is so beautiful, providing me endless inspiration and comfort. We all live on this earth, and nature helps bring us together.

O is for Openness. Without allowing myself to be open to emotion, experience, and vulnerability, there would be no way for me to grow. Sometimes it can leave me raw, but more often than not, openness brings joy into my heart.

P is for Pinterest. Oh, how I love it! Silly, perhaps, but true. I love the concept of visual and social bookmarking, and I am amazed at how many like-minded folks there are out there. Two in particular who really share my tastes are Irene Turner and Chasing Linneaus.

Q is for Quicken. Boring, I know! But I've finally gotten it set up and it is amazing for tracking my income and expenses. So long, complicated spreadsheets and tedious manual entry! Sometimes we little biz owners get excited about the mundane things too.

R is for Running. I've always had a fondness for running, but haven't really run since high school. I am now, with the help of a personal trainer, getting back into it, and I am in love with it again. The clarity of mind while I run, and the feeling that I'm doing something good for my body, are wonderful. And I have a particular reason to run. I'm training for a 5K to raise money for the American Cancer Society. My best friend's brother has brain cancer, and he has slim chances. I needed to do something for him, for my friend, for his family. So I'm running. And every step and every drop of sweat is a prayer for them. (By the way, you can sponsor me here, if you'd like.)

S is for Sunshine. Especially when streaming into my home in the morning. Of course natural light is best for photography, but sunshine makes working easier, makes inspiration come faster, and makes green things grow.

T is for Treats. Dark chocolate, red wine, aged gouda, and boy do the Italians know how to cure meat!

U is for Ukelele. The Uke was my nephew's first "real" instrument (a reward for completing potty training) and he still loves it. It's bright orange, and has slowly become covered in stickers and scratches. He's obsessed with music, and it makes my heart sing to watch him perform.

V is for Video Chats. It feels like living in a futuristic sci fi novel... one minute I'm chatting with my sister online, the next we're having a full on concert with my nephew and my husband over the webcam. I'm lucky that they live nearby, but how wonderful that on a whim I can see my family, especially the little ones, with all their energy and excitement.

W is for Working Out. I have never been a big exerciser. I had hobbies like hiking to keep me "fit", and I get some exercise during my day job. Then a friend opened up a personal training studio nearby. Thinking only to support the new business, I went to check it out. Life. Changing. Decision. I am now not only an exercise enthusiast, but an exercise evangelist :-) It really does all the things they say it will - improving energy, mood, quality of life. I say find a workout you love and dive in, it's so worth it. (See, there's that exercise evangelist coming out...)

X is for Xi. I'm frankly not even sure what that word means, but it's a Scrabble lifesaver, people. I love me a good bout of Scrabble! I play to win - it's one of the few things I get quite competitive about.

Y is for You. Plain and simple, you folks are the reason this blog keeps going. Thanks for being here and reading!

Z is for Zlatkis. As in Geninne Zlatkis. She's one of the most inspirational and talented people I "know". I treasure our online friendship, and hope to someday meet her in person!

------

Would you like to play along and create your own A to Z list? If you do, please let us know about it in the comments and on Susannah's original post. And have a beautiful day!

Inspiration is Free, and so is This Printable

2012-01-10T14:43:00.000-05:00

It's 2012! (Can you tell I'm excited about this new year? I'm pretty sure it has a lot to do with 12 being my favorite number.) This year I am all about expansion: growing, improving, and trying new things, things like launching a new blog series, running a 5K, and *maybe* starting a family. Big stuff people.

If you're anything like me, you get revved up about new and exciting things, but it's hard to keep the momentum going. Change is scary, and stagnation is just so darn comfortable! To fight the funk, I made a little graphic to remind me that change isn't just hard and scary, it's awesome.

And I want to share it with you.

Click here to download the free (for personal use only please) .pdf file of the graphic shown below, then print it out!

p.s. If you like this, won't you re-pin or re-tweet it ?

Discomania!

2012-01-09T15:54:00.003-05:00

Have you heard of the fun virtual meetup that Holly Becker of decor8 and Steffi Luxat of Ohhh... Mhhh... are hosting? Discomania!

I've finally gotten my act together and posed with a bit of sparkle. You can learn more about the meetup here, and see the Pinterest board of happy blogger faces here. Come join in!

Collecting Nature: Inspiration and Introduction

2012-01-09T14:33:00.003-05:00

Thank you so much for your feedback yesterday! It was a big help in choosing a new blog series for 2012 that we'll all be excited about! Collecting Nature was the most popular choice and will now be a regular column. Not to worry if you preferred Art Inspired - I'll be sure to sprinkle a few of those posts in throughout the year too. My brain is buzzing with ideas already!

Let's get started with some beautiful nature collection inspiration from Pinterest:

- the Naturalist Explorer of the 21st Century by chasing Linnaeus
- Crystals by Regina Wilson
- The Naturalist in Me by dsbrennan (that's me!)

You'll notice that some collections feature actual natural objects, and some feature illustration, imagery, or sculpture that represents nature. There are plenty of ways to bring a little of the outdoors into your home, even if you're limited on space or time.

And of course, I can't resist sharing a little eye candy from my own nature collection. I collected rocks as a child, and have recently started gathering pretty minerals again. This quartz crystal (a gift from my sister) is a new favorite of mine. I love how it catches the light!

What elements of nature do you notice when out and about in the world? Let's get some discussions going in the comments!

If you know someone who would love to participate in this series, won't you share this post with them so we can get them involved? Thanks!

Readers, I Need Your Feedback

2012-01-08T10:46:00.001-05:00

Hello friends! As 2012 gets underway, my brain has been churning out ideas for new blog topics and themes. There are two in particular that I'd love to make into a regular series, but I can't decide between them. Could you help me out by voting in the poll below?

Also, you'll notice a mini poll in the sidebar to the right -->
"Poll: What would you like to know about photography"

Throughout the year, if a question about photography or topic you'd like to learn more about pops into your head, I encourage you to stop by and let me know. That way I can be sure to talk about what interests you here on the blog.

Hope you're having a wonderful 2012 so far!

Sailing Winter Seas

2012-01-07T17:20:00.003-05:00

I love spending time by the coast in the winter. It's stripped down to its bare elements, and populated only by those with salt water in their veins.

How do you like the new look? I'm thrilled that I can share larger images with you now!

Year in Review: Top 10 Flickr Favorites

2011-12-30T16:35:00.001-05:00

If you've ever spent time on Flickr, you'll know that there's a wealth of talent to be found. Today I browsed through the lovely images my fellow photographers took this year, and pulled together ten of my favorites into a Flickr Gallery. They're surreal and serene, and I realize they reflect what I have felt and noticed and been inspired by this year.

Best of 2011: Surreal and Serene

[Anna Peters], Spitting Doc, p i c a, anka_zhuravleva, Amelia Fletcher, Terra Kate, p i c a , Spitting Doc

Do you have a Flickr account? I'd love to see some of your favorite images from this past year, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on how they speak to your experiences during 2011. Do you have a photograph that represents what you wish for in 2012? Please share your Flickr pages, favorites, and thoughts in the comments!

Crystals for Christmas

2011-12-28T17:42:00.001-05:00

My sister took me treasure hunting today, as my Christmas gift.

She had described the local mineral shop to me before, and I was full of eager anticipation. I was not disappointed - in fact my expectations were exceeded. The shop is run by a chatty 83 year old man, Sal, who did much of the collecting himself in his younger days. The storefront branches off the front of his house in a run down old mill town. Charming from the outside, the inside was like a museum. Mineral specimens were laid out in beautiful Victorian display cases, which were in and of themselves worth viewing. Some lovely handwritten labels remained, some were more modern, printed from the computer. We spent an hour and a half exploring every nook and cranny, and then eagerly brought our treasures home.

I am so looking forward to some free daylight hours, so I can continue exploring these beauties through the lens!

My Word of the Year for 2012

2011-12-19T09:53:00.000-05:00

One Little Word. Have you heard of this concept? I'm not sure where it originated, but it's taken off like wildfire. Here's how it works - after spending some time reflecting, you choose one word to focus on for the new year. It could be something you want more of, it could be something that inspires you... Throughout the year you keep this word in mind - post it above your desk, blog about it, journal about it - make it your own. Make it your focal point for the year.

My word for this year popped into my head last night as I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. I brought it back to mind this morning, rolled it around on my tongue a bit, and decided that yes, this is the word I'd like to focus on this year.

discipline

Discipline is something that I think every home business owner struggles with, myself included. Rather than perceiving it as a hard-lined and demanding, I plan to meditate on this word as a gentle reminder to keep practicing discipline so that my little business can grow and thrive. That's why I've put the word in all lowercase letters, it looks much friendlier that way!

To keep me focused on this word, and to remind me of it daily, I've created some desktop wallpaper for myself. If "discipline" is a word that speaks to you, you are welcome to download the wallpaper for your own personal use. (Click on the image below to get the full-resolution version.)

And I'd love to know - what are some ways that you cultivate discipline in your life? Frankly, I can use all of the tips I can get!

Simply Pin-tastic

2011-12-17T10:12:00.000-05:00

Have you signed up for a Pinterest account yet? It's the best thing that's happened to my internet addiction since blogging! As a photographer, I love the concept of visual bookmarking, and I find it incredibly useful and intuitive. I've used Pinterest to create inspiration boards, to plan trips, and even to collect delicious recipes into one place. I. Love. It.

Here are a few of the pretty things I've pinned lately. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! And if you sign up, or are already on Pinterest, do Follow Me so we can connect!

Source: evrtstudio.bigcartel.com via dsbrennan on Pinterest

Source: tunamelts.posterous.com via dsbrennan on Pinterest

Source: crateandbarrel.com via dsbrennan on Pinterest

When Life Demands Down Time

2011-12-14T13:12:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, no matter how many tasks are on the to do list, life tells us to slow down. After two weeks of fairly high stress and exposure to crowds of (wonderful) people, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that I woke up with a head cold. At first I was annoyed at being forced to take it easy. With such low levels of physical and creative energy, what on earth could I "get done" today?

But in the midst of this enforced relaxation, I found I was able to get to some of the quieter projects I've been putting off. One of these was submitting images to photo contests, which often crop up at this time of year. I was particularly intrigued by the Environmental Photography Exhibition - what a perfect fit for my values and aesthetic!

The quiet task of reviewing my recent images, and choosing three to submit, has felt particularly healing today. And now, I plan to curl up with my favorite blanket, a mug of hot tea, and a good book.

How do you make the most of those days when you're forced into relaxation?

How to Create Peace During the Holiday Rush

2011-12-08T14:58:00.001-05:00

Hello dear ones! I hope your December has been lovely so far, and that any holiday preparations are joyful rather than stressful.

For me and for others who sell at holiday art shows, this time of year can be especially hectic. I learned the hard way (stress led me to anxiety) how important it is to make time for peace and joy during this holiday season. And really, isn't that what this time of year is supposed to be about... peace and joy?

We all have obligations at this time of year, but let's reclaim the holiday season as a time for rejoicing, for experiencing awe and wonder, for being at peace with each other and with ourselves. Here are some wonderful ways to feel the joy...

Sandi Amorim of Deva Coaching has some fantastic self-care tips here: 25 Breaks to Energize You

Susan Piver provides some amazing insights and guided meditations through her Open Heart Project.

Operation NICE listed some great ways to make a stranger smile.

Consider (and implement) ways to simplify your holiday season, or even go giftless, as Leo Babauta suggests on :zenhabits.

Or just spend some time, hot mug of tea or cocoa in your hand, curled up under a favorite blanket, sitting quietly and reflecting on something that brings you joy this time of year, like festive lights or calming Christmas music. That's what I intend to do this afternoon :-)

Art Photographers Have Unusual Holiday Traditions

2011-12-02T08:59:00.001-05:00

The other day, I was sitting in my living room surrounded by the debris of holiday art show preparation. I'd been packaging cards and labeling coasters. The room was strewn with bits of paper and plastic, empty cardboard boxes, and stacks of product. My annual Jane Austen movie marathon was in full swing. I was still in my pajamas, with messy hair and bare feet.

My husband walked in the door, home from work, tidy in his office clothes. He walked into the living room, smiled at me, and started singing, "It's the most ... wonderful time ... of the year..."

He knows just how to make me laugh.

If you'd like to see what all of my efforts lately have been working towards, check out this amazing panorama of the Foundry Show by Edward Huff. Can you spot my booth?

Get into the Holiday Spirit

2011-11-30T21:14:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again - time for the Foundry Artists Association's annual Holiday Show (check out the details here). It's been fun to see an empty gymnasium transform, bit by bit, into a wonderland of fine art and craft. My husband compares my booth to a theater set, and he's right, it's a temporary stage on which my photography performs. I hope you'll come by to view the show.

A Thanksgiving Journey

2011-11-27T21:37:00.001-05:00

This weekend we

traveled 8 hours each way

through 4 states

to visit my husband's family.

We had a wonderful time

treasure hunting, exploring,

and of course, eating turkey!

It's good to be home.

A Letter and a Gift

2011-11-22T11:43:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

In this month of November, with the Thanksgiving holiday around the corner, I wanted to let you know how grateful I am for your presence. Whether you've been with me since the beginning, or just came across this blog today, whether you have shared your thoughts in the comments, or have been quiet, you bring me joy and I am thankful that you are here. My photography is deeply personal, yes, but it means so much more to me when I can share it with you. I hope you know how sincerely I mean that.

In gratitude, I want to share a gift with you. Based on your feedback on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +, I'd like to give you a free desktop background for your personal use at home or in the office. To download the full-sized image, please click here (or on the photograph below) and you'll be able to save the file.

The Raven

I hope you experience much joy and find moments of peace during the busy holiday season!

With love,
Diana

Sometimes You Just Have to Run

2011-11-15T21:39:00.001-05:00

Sandpipers' little legs move faster than you would think possible.

Treasure Hunting by the Sea

2011-11-14T22:05:00.001-05:00

A Product Review: Easy Canvas Prints

2011-11-04T17:32:00.000-05:00

As you might recall, back in September I wrote about how badly I wanted to print my feather photographs on an enormous loose canvas. Well, as luck would have it, 10 days ago I was approached by Easy Canvas Prints, asking if I would like to review their product. Um, yes!

Full disclosure: I was provided with a free canvas as part of the review process. Rest assured that my review will be completely honest.

Exactly a week ago, I placed my order for a custom sized 26"x40" inch stretched canvas. Today, a rather large and exciting package was delivered to my door.

The box contained a 24"x36" stretched canvas print of my new feather photographs. Yeah, not a 26"x40"... I suspect that since this was a "freebie", I was supposed to stick to standard sizes. It's important for you to know that rather than placing an order for the exact item in my cart, I gave the details to my contact at Easy Canvas Prints and she finalized the order. I suspect the change in size occurred then. I would have liked a heads up, but aside from this my contact was quite helpful and responsive.

Easy Canvas Prints does not currently offer a loose canvas option (which I would have loved) but they did do a nice job with the wrap. You can get a sense for the texture of the canvas, the wrap, and the sawtooth hangers in the photos above. The piece is surprisingly light for it's size, which is a nice change considering I usually mount my photos on plywood. The archival coating does give the fabric a slight "plasticky" sheen, but that comes with the territory with any archival canvas. Compared to other canvases I've seen, that glossiness is pretty subtle. And, let's face it, I'll take archival over perfectly matte any day.

Ta da! (Don't you love the new floating shelf my hubby installed in our living room?) Overall I am quite pleased with this print. I'm so happy to be able to see my feathers on canvas, as I have been wishing to do. The earthy colors and contrast came out perfectly. Also, it was great to be able to choose a custom wrap color (I picked ivory) based on the colors in my photograph. It makes the piece look a lot more polished than only being able to choose white or black.

So what do you think? Would you ever print your images on canvas?

Learn more about Easy Canvas Prints...
on their website
on facebook (if you "like" them you'll get 50% off your first order)

A Glimpse Inside: My Morning Studio

2011-11-04T15:51:00.004-05:00

My dining room gets lovely light in the morning, and often becomes a temporary studio...

High tech and glamorous it is not, but it is comfortable and lovely, especially when combined with a handmade mug full of my husband's coffee.

Creative Fuel: Going Back to Basics

2011-11-01T20:53:00.002-05:00

As soon as I heard that the wonderful Susannah Conway was offering an online photo course, I knew I had to take it. First of all, Susannah is one of those rare and wonderful people who just shine their light into the world. Secondly, the timing is perfect. As I head into the insanity that is the holiday shopping (and therefore selling) season, I wanted something to keep me grounded. Something that would keep my right brain healthy and happy, despite all of the hullabaloo.

The class started yesterday and I can already feel my creative batteries recharging. She's starting us out, appropriately, with the basics. It has been wonderful to stop and think about some of the essential rules of composition, as explained in her words, while I'm shooting. Sure, it's pretty much intuitive to me after so many years, but a reminder never hurts. And when things are stripped down to basics, you can really find their essence. I'm so excited to see what comes next, and how my classmates and I evolve during the course.

My left brain isn't getting neglected, however. I've discovered the most wonderful organizational tool - Action Method. There's a website as well as an app, so I can add tasks while I'm at my desk or on the go. It's attractively designed and simple to use. The best part is that I'm actually using it, unlike so many other "to do list" options I've tried. I know I sound like an infomercial at this point, but really, it's fabulous. Check it out.

And just to get really random up in here, did you know that Florence + The Machine released their new album today? Happy November to me! [Confession: I've already listened to it 3 times today.]

So tell me what you're up to! How are you fueling your creative fires lately?

Congratulations Calendar Winner!

2011-10-31T08:16:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween! It's time to announce the winner of my 2012 Calendar Giveaway. Drumroll please...

Congratulations to Leslie!

Since Leslie likes birds, her favorite calendar image was March's Catbird photograph.

So, Leslie, please contact me with your mailing address, and I'll send out your 2012 Wall Calendar!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated. I'll be contacting you all soon with a special gift.

Noticing the Contrast of White on Gold

2011-10-30T08:32:00.001-05:00

By the time we got up this morning, the snow which coated the trees was furiously melting - so much so it looked like it was raining. I'm glad we were able to catch a glimpse of the bizarre beauty of snow-crusted autumn foliage.

I fear New England may be in for another hard winter this year.

Foliage and Snow

2011-10-29T21:27:00.001-05:00

Bring 'em all back to life...

I'm listening to Feist's new album and editing some photos while it snows outside. While a real snowstorm this early in the year is fairly unprecedented here, I think Weather.com may be dramatizing things a bit by dubbing it "SNOWTOBER" :-)

Surviving the Daily Grind

2011-10-27T20:15:00.004-05:00

I ship the lenses I've rented back tomorrow. I'm going to miss them!

Wordless Wednesday: Autumn in the Forest

2011-10-26T22:34:00.002-05:00

Taking the Technical Headache out of Choosing New Camera Gear

2011-10-24T21:31:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if this is obvious to you or not, but I'm an intuitive (read: touchy-feely) photographer. I make most of my photographic decisions based on the feel of a scene, the light, my mood... I can read a light meter, and adjust my exposure, but that's about as technical as I get while shooting.

So, when it comes to choosing a new lens, I'm often at a loss. Focal length? Barrel distortion? I know academically what they mean, but frankly my brain shuts down when faced with all that data. It would be an expensive mistake to get the wrong lens, but I just can't make the decision based on the technical specs.

I know how I want a new lens to feel - I want a nice narrow depth of field and beautiful bokeh, with macro capability being a plus. But even after reading countless reviews, consulting photographer friends, and looking for example images taken with various lenses, I still wasn't ready to commit. I did, however, narrow it down to two fixed focal length Nikon lenses - a 50mm or an 85mm.

That's when Alicia Bock (one of my favorite photographers) suggested I rent the lenses to test drive them first. Sheer genius. I spent a fraction of the cost of a new lens and can now try them both and make an educated decision about which to purchase.

So far I'm leaning towards the 85mm, I love the macro capability, and it does have beautiful soft blurring in the background. It's also incredibly sharp, much more so than anything I currently have in my kit. Just look at the lovely crisp focus on the curling waves, and the silky smooth blur in the foreground - heaven!

The verdict? Next time I'm in the market for a new lens, or heck, any other photo equipment, I'm going to look to rent it first. No amount of number crunching or schematic reading can substitute for holding the real thing in my hands and trying it out.

Giveaway! 2012 Wall Calendar

2011-10-21T09:56:00.000-05:00

It's time for another giveaway! Since we're heading into the holiday shopping season, I'm giving away an item that would make a great gift for a friend, a boss, a co-worker, a mom... or, why not, yourself.

My 2012 Calendar will be the prize for one lucky winner, chosen randomly on Monday, October 31 at 9am Eastern Time. There are two ways to enter, and you can do either or both!

1) Head over to the stationery section of my Etsy shop, click on a calendar listing, and comment here on the blog with which calendar page you like best. (You can see all of the photos included in the calendar in the third Etsy listing image.)

2) Head over to Pinterest and "re-pin" my calendar - the original pin is here. I should be able to track this through Pinterest, but to be sure your entry is counted, comment here with a link to your re-pin. Don't have a Pinterest account? Contact me and I'll send you an invite.

Source: etsy.com via dsbrennan on Pinterest

Good luck!

as seen on Contestgirl

Keep that Momentum Going, Even on Friday

2011-10-20T14:22:00.000-05:00

If you're anything like me, by the time Friday comes around you are starting to drag your feet. Well no more, I say! It may be the large latte talking, but I am not going to let Friday funk stall me out this week.

To help, here's a free (caffiene-fueled) gift for you, dear readers:

Just download the .pdf and print! (For personal use only, please.)

Let's conquer some mountains this week.

How Braving Bad Weather Pays Off

2011-10-19T08:33:00.005-05:00

It's pouring here right now. I am warmly wrapped up, still in my pajamas, with a steaming mug of my husband's home-roasted coffee. The perfect rainy day scenario, right? But I'm daydreaming... about throwing on some boots and a raincoat and going out to take photographs.

An inner voice is saying, "But the weather is terrible! I'll get wet and cold!"

That voice is totally right. But the thing is, sometimes it's the dramatic weather, the kind that no one else would bother going out to shoot in, that gets me the best results. The photos that no one else has, because they didn't go (and to be fair, usually it's the photos I don't have, because I didn't go). There's no good light to speak of today, but lakes are probably foggy, and the wetness draws out the saturation of the autumn colors...

So I may pull out the boots, the jacket, an umbrella to protect the camera (I'm wishing I had this one), and go out. Or maybe the siren call of warmth and comfort will win and I'll stay in. I guess you'll have to check back tomorrow to see which has prevailed. :-)

Friday Eye Candy to Help You Recharge

2011-10-14T17:46:00.005-05:00

Advice for Aspiring Photographers

2011-10-13T20:26:00.003-05:00

When you get an urge to go take photographs, make it happen.

Today I craved a moody ocean shot, feeling inspired by the music of Emily Barker and the gorgeous cinematography of Wallander. I nearly let excuses win, but in the end decided to head to a new coastal spot in Rhode Island. After working at my day job, I drove 50 minutes to the site and got there shortly before sunset. I stayed until after dark (and frankly would have stayed longer if there was enough light to focus the camera by). By then I was tired and hungry, and still had errands to run that I had put off in favor of going shooting.

It was worth every moment.

So go, carve out the time. Make room in your schedule, your life, your day. See what you can do with twilight on a cold, wet day.

Whisper Me Words

A New Musical Favorite

2011-10-12T08:54:00.004-05:00

A new post is up on "Song and Scene" featuring this image:

Curious to see who my new musical favorite is? You'll have to click on over to find out. :)

I'd also love for you to visit a few of the posts (to get a sense of what I listen to while I work on photographs) and then recommend other musicians for me to check out!

Two Ways to Bring Autumn Color Indoors

2011-10-10T22:18:00.005-05:00

Having a garden is such a treat - I am able to bring the fresh colors of the season indoors on a regular basis. These two plants, sedum and Chinese lanterns, are especially nice since they dry very easily and thus last a long time. The honeysuckle pink sedum came from my own garden, and the burnt orange Chinese lanterns were a gift from my mother in law.

What autumn colors are you loving right now?

Song and Scene Returns

2011-10-06T19:17:00.005-05:00

After a long hiatus, Song and Scene has returned. Music is such an important part of my day, and this particular song, a duet with Feist and Little Wings, really spoke to me.

View the new post here.

A Glimpse into My Primal Landscape

2011-10-06T10:10:00.005-05:00

Have you heard the phrase "sense of place"? I first learned it in college, as a community planning term. The National Trust for Historic Preservation defines it as "Those things that add up to a feeling that a community is a special place, distinct from anywhere else."

Kent Ryden, author of "Mapping the Invisible Landscape", poetically elaborates: "A sense of place results gradually and unconsciously from inhabiting a landscape over time, becoming familiar with its physical properties, accruing history within its confines."

To me, this explains why I find strip malls and box stores so unattractive. It clarifies why shopping at small, local shops and filling my home with unique art and design is so appealing. I want to feel that my home and my town are special and distinct.

The physical and social environments of our childhood, sometimes called "primal landscapes", heavily influence our sense of place. Growing up here in Rhode Island, with an October birthday, I feel a very strong connection to autumn in New England. Its elements - crisp air, colorful leaves, art festivals, jugs of cider, apple picking - combine to create a very special environment for me.

Cider Apples

This past weekend, we went to an apple orchard with my nephew and niece. As I stop today to think about my own primal landscape, I wonder how that childhood experience will help develop their sense of place.

What is your "place" like? What elements define it? What history do you have within it?

The Art of Aristocracy

2011-10-05T22:08:00.004-05:00

While in England in early September, we stopped for a tour of Chatsworth House, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire. The historic art, such as the painted room shown below, was awe-inspiring. The wealth of those who commissioned and collected it boggles the mind. I'm happy to say that the current Duke & Duchess are also avid supporters of the arts, and their modern collections make up a good portion of the tour.

Wealth & Splendor

A Challenge: What Doors Will You Open Today?

2011-10-05T09:09:00.003-05:00

We all have skills, talents, and gifts. One of mine happens to be photography, and I have chosen to use it to make a career for myself. Building this artistic business is a constant learning curve. Sometimes the efforts that I work so hard on seem to flop completely, sometimes they create new opportunities. Sifting out what works and what doesn't is a huge part of this journey.

There is one thing that definitely doesn't work - doing nothing. We are meant to share the talents we are given. I can create as many photographs as I choose, but if I don't put them out there in the world, they will go nowhere, they will inspire no one. They will collect virtual dust in the bowels of my hard drive, doing nothing positive in the world. And, without sharing this talent, I cannot create a life and a career that I love.

It's up to me to tell people about my work, to submit it to blogs or agencies or galleries. It is up to me to not just sit there and wait to be "discovered".

What doors will you open today to share your talents (whatever they might be) with the world?

Durdle Door

A Glimpse of the Past

2011-10-01T21:37:00.002-05:00

I had some fun browsing my archives today. This image brings back very fond memories from 2006, when my husband and I took a month-long road trip to Montana and back while we were between jobs. You know you love someone when you thoroughly enjoy spending a month with them in a Toyota Echo!

Mountain Memories

I wanted to give this image a nostalgic feel, to recognize it's place in my heart as a very happy memory. :-)

These are the kind of things that keep photographers up all night...

2011-09-30T20:37:00.001-05:00

I have a dilemma. I really, really (really) want to have a huge, loose (i.e. not stretched over a wooden frame) canvas print made of one of my feather photographs. There are two problems with this.

1) I'd have to choose one image out of the several feather photos I've created
2) It's quite expensive to have a good quality, archival, enormous (40"x60") canvas printed - let's just say I'd sell these at retail for $750

(click on the image to view it larger)

This is one of those times when I really wish I had a crystal ball with which to glimpse the future. Will a huge canvas print appeal to buyers? Would it sell at that price point? Will my husband roll his eyes if I fall in love with it and want to keep it for myself?

I have to admit, I am secretly hoping that one of you reading this is in the market for a gorgeous statement piece... just so I can see it in real life and not just in my own head. (While I am very good at visualizing things, sometimes I just want to see and touch a final product.) Heck, I'd even sell the first one at half-price, just so I could do it.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this kind of risk-taking. Is it worth going for something big and bold that's calling my name, despite the expense?

And which image would you choose?

My 2012 Wall Calendar is Here

2011-09-27T16:50:00.002-05:00

With the fall season comes a yearly ritual - designing my calendar for the next year. It's wonderful to pause and review my images from the past year or so. I notice what themes and colors I've used and I enjoy seeing the progression of images as my techniques grow and change.

As always, it was tough to decide which photographs "made the cut" and were featured this year. After a lot of thought and helpful input from dear friends and family (who I've nicknamed my brain trust), I am able to present to you the new D. S. Brennan Photography 2012 Calendar!

The full calendar with clipboard is available in my shop, as is a "refill" pack without a clipboard for those of you who have purchased my calendar in years past. You can find both versions in the Stationery section, here.

These are the photographs that are featured for 2012 - do you have a favorite? (I do.)

Green Grass and Gray Stone

2011-09-21T08:41:00.002-05:00

More eye candy from my trip to England, both of these photographs are from Dorset.

The Swirling Fog (taken on our walk through the grounds of Lulworth Castle)

Stonehenge (with a very obliging flock of starlings)

Returning from the British Isles

2011-09-20T11:16:00.003-05:00

Hello all. My apologies for the quiet blog lately. I've been away in England on vacation with blissfully limited internet access. I'm home and feeling refreshed, with plenty of new photographs to sort through and share with you! I'll be posting these over the next few weeks, and I'd love to hear your thoughts about them. I do hope you enjoy these three:

The Journey

Lulworth

Double Rainbow

August Break, Day 30: Blessings

2011-08-30T20:36:00.002-05:00

I've meant to do images for each day of my August Break, but today some text is called for. I'm really counting my blessings right now. As you may know, Tropical Storm Irene hit Rhode Island fairly hard. Vermont perhaps has it worse.

I'm lucky. We had nothing but sticks and leaves in the yard. I have power. I'm able to get online and visit with you all. I can do my work, I can edit my photographs. I can cook my dinner with unspoiled ingredients from the fridge. Our lawn is already cleaned up, and even our vegetable garden fared well.

I hope the best for those who are still without power, who have trees through their roofs, who had sewers overflow into their homes, who are cut off from the world because of flooding. I'm thinking of and praying for them. And I'm counting my blessings.

August Break, Day 27: Hurricane Prep, Garden Edition

2011-08-27T11:26:00.003-05:00

Bring it, Irene.

August Break, Day 26: More Feathers

2011-08-26T16:56:00.001-05:00

Feathers: Sneak Peek

2011-08-24T11:31:00.003-05:00

I'm taking a little break from my August Break today because I wanted to show you these... the start of a new series, "Feather".

August Break, Day 22: My Grandmother's Bracelet

2011-08-22T15:25:00.002-05:00

August Break, Day 18: Jade

2011-08-18T20:37:00.000-05:00

August Break, Day 17: Natural Textures

2011-08-17T13:51:00.004-05:00

August Break, Day 16: Infinite

2011-08-16T17:29:00.000-05:00

August Break, Day 15: Raining

2011-08-16T09:32:00.001-05:00

A bit late for Day 15, which is better than never, I suppose.

August Break, Day 13: Full Moon

2011-08-13T21:04:00.001-05:00

August Break, Day 12: Peekaboo

2011-08-12T21:48:00.000-05:00

August Break, Day 11: Bend in the Road

2011-08-11T12:18:00.001-05:00

August Break, Day 10: Farewell Friend

2011-08-10T18:39:00.003-05:00

My D5100 arrived today, and my old friend the D70 has officially been retired. It served me well, over the past 6 years and 50,555 photos. I will miss it.

August Break, Day 9: Garden Fresh

2011-08-09T08:10:00.002-05:00

August Break, Day 8: Local Summer Refreshment

2011-08-08T09:06:00.001-05:00

August Break, Day 7: Nephew Aftermath

2011-08-07T15:16:00.002-05:00

August Break, Day 6: My Booth

2011-08-06T19:26:00.003-05:00

August Break, Day 5: Another Cloud in the Sky

2011-08-05T12:04:00.000-05:00

August Break, Day 4: Blueberries

2011-08-04T13:36:00.002-05:00

August Break, Day 3: August Skies

2011-08-03T09:46:00.000-05:00

August Break, Day 2: Make A Wish

2011-08-02T09:18:00.001-05:00

August Break, Day 1: Fronds

2011-08-01T12:12:00.005-05:00

For the month of August, I will be posting one photograph per day, with no words (aside from this introduction today). I hope you'll consider joining in!

On Narragansett Bay

2011-07-31T16:21:00.003-05:00

Dutch Island Light

The August Break

2011-07-27T14:17:00.002-05:00

Learn more. Join In.

Congratulations to the Giveaway Contest Winner!

2011-07-27T12:28:00.003-05:00

Drumroll please...

Congratulations to Laura - the 36th commenter - you have won the print! I will be in touch to get your details and to confirm which print you would like.

This poll and contest were a lot of fun. I plan to host similar giveaways in the future, so stay tuned! It was wonderful to "meet" you all, thanks to all who participated and helped me to choose my next set of prints to order. You're the best!

Discovering New Shores

2011-07-25T15:20:00.005-05:00

The Voyager

Aboard the Sea Princess out of Wickford, on Narragansett Bay. (Click to view larger.)

Readers, I Need Your Help

2011-07-25T10:37:00.012-05:00

I'm about to order up a bunch of new prints and mounted prints, and I'm having trouble deciding which I like best. Will you help me decide by participating in the poll below? You can select one image or several. If you'd like to see larger versions of the photographs, just click on the thumbnails.

If you participate in the poll, please let me know in the blog post comments - I'll be giving away a 5x5 print to a random commenter! (Contest ends Wednesday, July 27 at 2pm EST - Poll will be up indefinitely.)

{comments are now closed, though the poll is still open - thank you so much for participating!}

The Cure for Anything is Salt Water

2011-07-22T18:18:00.003-05:00

“The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea” - Isak Dinesen

I am holed up in my air conditioned office, thinking wistfully of yesterday's cool breezes floating across the bay.

Dusky Blue Waves

Dreaming of the Sea in the Summer Heat

2011-07-22T11:31:00.004-05:00

First, press "Play"

Then sit back, relax, and imagine the cool salt spray kicking up as you cruise toward a private island in the blue of Narragansett Bay.

Island in a Blue Bay (Title inspired by Ingrid Michaelson)

On the Sea

2011-07-21T21:43:00.003-05:00

I spontaneously ended up on a cruise of Narragansett Bay this evening, sponsored by RI Audubon. It was lovely.

Plum Beach Lighthouse

More photos to come, I am sure! In the meantime, learn more about the Plum Beach Lighthouse here.

Summer Foraging - Raspberries!

2011-07-20T21:38:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday morning, before it got too hot, my mother, her cousin, and I went for a hike in the northern NJ mountains and picked wild raspberries.

Wickford, A Seaside Village

2011-07-14T19:46:00.005-05:00

Some glimpses from today's afternoon trip to Wickford, RI. My mother and I browsed the lovely little shops, resisted the siren call of ice cream, and I took some photos at the harbor. All in all it was a pretty nice day.

Summer Bliss in the Great Outdoors

2011-07-14T11:52:00.002-05:00

Today is one of those rare perfect summer days. The perfect temperature, the perfect humidity, the perfect amount of fluffy white clouds in the blue sky, the perfect breeze blowing throw open windows. It is way too gorgeous to stay inside, so I played hooky and took photographs around my yard and garden this morning.

Sipping Dill Nectar (click to view larger)

Garden Helper (click to view larger)

Lichen

Soon (when the sun isn't quite so high in the sky anymore) I will head out to snap some more shots. What are you doing with your day?

Experimenting with Phone Photos

2011-07-13T16:04:00.004-05:00

The Road Less Travelled

Just playing today, taking a little creative side trip. The above was created by layering and manipulating three different photos taken using Vignette on my phone. Fun, and a little trippy...

Natural History Art in Awesome Interiors

2011-07-13T07:35:00.005-05:00

Holly Becker of decor8 posted an exclusive first peek of HK Living this morning, and I was thrilled to see all of the natural history touches in the flat that was featured. As you probably know by now, natural history art is a huge part of what I do, and sometimes I like to think I helped start the trend (though more likely it was just a happy coincidence in timing).

image credit: HK Living

I just love the butterflies above the piano, especially since they remind me of these (Moth Wings and July Butterflies):

It feels good to know that something I'm so passionate about, and that I so enjoy doing, is actually relevant in design today. The fact that people are embracing natural science by bringing it into their homes is just wonderful. I think it's important that we remember the history of how humans have interacted with nature, and natural history art lets us do so in a beautiful way.

What do you think of the natural history trend? Would you incorporate "science" into your decor?

Squash Madness Season

2011-07-12T17:49:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year, those few weeks where we desperately try to fit summer squash and zucchini into every meal. Where we beg random neighbors passing by to "Please take some home!" It's glorious, and by the end of July I will be thoroughly sick of squash.

This is squash harvest #2. On Friday we picked 6 or 8 squash. I picked 14 of them today, including that behemoth zucchini on the left there. There were at least 3 more in the garden that were ready to pick, but were small enough to leave on the vine for one more day.

Some of these will be going into work with the husband, in the hopes of pawning them off on his co-workers. Some of them will be dinner tonight, as Zucchini and Corn Tacos. (Which will go really well with icy cold Basil Gimlets.) As for the rest, I'm not sure yet. Any ideas?

Slow Summer Days

2011-07-06T15:40:00.003-05:00

Hello all! I fell victim to the lazy days of summer and have been neglecting my blog - my apologies. Now that I've got a few weddings, visitors, and holidays under my belt, I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things.

To start, I thought I'd share the best part of one of my biggest summer time-suckers... gardening! Today we'll be feasting on beets and beet greens, freshly pulled from our garden beds.

Summer Harvest

Are you growing anything this year?

Fun times at the Garden City Festival Fete

2011-06-12T16:53:00.008-05:00

We had a damp, rainy day for our Garden City Festival Fete yesterday. Despite the weather, we had great crowds, great entertainment, and overall a great day. The highlights: awesome and thoughtful show organizers, Big Nazo and Ten31, and getting to see friends and family members.

It being my first show of the 2011 season, I did forget a few things... like tablecloths and shopping bags... but I improvised, and despite a few hiccups, it was a success.

Damp, but happy...
(photograph courtesy of Lisa Calabro of Crooked Moon Mosaics)

I'm looking forward to my next show - July 16 at the Providence Open Market - I hope to see you there!