Rainy Day Sanctuary - Part 2

Yesterday, I introduced several of the flower houses at the Seattle Volunteer Park Conservatory.  I spent a rainy afternoon there about a week ago.  After I got home and looked at the photos I took, I decided that it was pretty obvious by the number of photos that I kinda took a hankering to the Cactus House.



I totally admit that I have a thing about texture.  I really am drawn to texture and line.  So what is there not about that in the Cactus House - its like texture and line Heaven.  I love finding inspiration in Nature.

 The Cactus House itself is not huge by any means, but it is packed with so much interest that I was a little like a kid in a candy store. 

For those of you who are desert dwellers - this is kinda ordinary and a little old-hat for you - but for me.. a girl from the Pacific NW - this is cool.

 Sharp and soft

 I love the whisker effect on this one.. and the cactus bokeh

 Its like a nest

 Who knew there were blue cactus in the world?

These look like sea anemone

 Line - texture - Love

More Cactus Bokeh.
*Sigh*  cactus love.  Have a happy weekend.  Its Paint Party Friday tomorrow.

FILM26:: J is For....

Letter number 10 = the Letter J
Two weeks have flown by and its time to move onto the next letter at FILM26

Me and J

 I actually got behind and was really scrambling to get my J film to the developer on Friday.  The weather really has not been cooperative and I have to say I'm a little tired of taking photos in the rain.

Jardin

 I have good intentions.  I set aside photo days and I go - rain or shine.  Well, seems to be more rain than shine on those days. 

Journal

Plus, at the time - J seemed like a tough letter.  I can think of lots now - after the fact. 

Jars

In the end, it all worked out.  Things have a way of doing that even when it seems a little like wading up stream.  Happy with J.  Want to join in the fun? - hmmm Join another J word - grab a button and post a letter J film photo over at the Flickr group.

In the Picture:: April

I've been reading Christy's blog over at {In the Picture}.  I'm finding the interviews she has monthly with veteran self portraiture photographers to be really inspiring.  It gives me a boost to try some new things and stretch a little more.  Her latest post interview with Vivienne McMaster was great.  Hop over HERE to read it.  April was better for me because I could get outside (YAY!)

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Spring Stroll

Feeling a Bit Sketchy Today

Woodland

Its a wrap for April.  Still keeping pace on the road to 52 self portraits.
Last month, I combined a painted self portrait in this group for my other Friday fun - Paint Party Friday.  This month - nope...no time.  But, if you are interested in what I posted for PPF- click here.

FILM26:: I is for....

On to the 9th letter.

We are a little more than 1/3 of the way through our journey from

A to Z

My goal with FILM26 is to learn more about film photography, more about being more cognizant of the photos I take and to make each one more meaningful.

I can say over the past 4 months that I am getting better at it.  The photos are improving and its fun.  I love the anticipation, the careful framing, the little extra time, the holding of my breath when I go to take the shot, and the little exhale when the shutter clicks. 

This is letter I

I is for...

Me and I

Intertwine

Iron

Its not too late to join in on this film journey.  Check out the new blog and the photo loupe posts to see what the other film fans in the group are doing.

Inspiration Today & Monday Shout Out

We all need to find what makes our heart sin, what moves us.  What is it that makes you feel that flickering instant of joy - when all we do is look at something?  Sometimes there is just that *click* that brings something out from the background.  Ever had words in a book or on a blog post almost jump off the page at you?  What makes that happen?  The right words, the right photo, the right moment for it to really mean something to you - right then at that very moment.  Another day, you would never take notice.. it wouldn't *click*.  It happens in life, it happens in art and it happens in photography. 
I came across an amazing website of a collaborative photography project.  Its beautiful stuff and I hope that you take some time to look at what these people are doing, are photoing - the things that make their hearts sing.. the things that *click*.

WORDS TO SHOOT BY

Today, start taking notice of the things in your day that *click*.  Also, give a shout out to someone on this Pay it Forward Monday.

Tuesday Exchange #3 - Finding Inspiration

Finding Inspiration:: Under the Sea

Its week three of my Sea related adventure with my friend Ingrid. We are partnering over 4 weeks to explore the sea.  I decided to set up a separate page tab to explain the IM Project and show the good things we are creating. 

Where do you look for inspiration when you need it?  Today, I am looking to the Seattle Aquarium to find some sea creatures to inspire subjects for my chart panels.   I did a couple of sea creature paintings (here).  I had so much fun with them that I decided I need to keep going on this idea and see where it takes me.

 Oh my gosh... aren't they beautiful?  So many interesting shapes, sizes and colors.  Incredible, really.

 This is not my best photography, but that is not the point here.  The point is to gather inspiration and then create something from it. 

 I collect tons of photos. I take photos of things that catch my eye because of color, words, shape, shadow - whatever. Thank goodness for digital photography :)  Sometimes I wonder why I even took a photo. Why?

 The reason is that I never know when that will come back around for me - but in the moment, I just knew I had to capture it. These photos actually come from my archives.

 Don't you just love these starfish photos?  Their little toes curl at the ends.  They are just hanging out on a rock under the sea.   Don't they seem to have a people-like quality? 

The anemones - the undersea flowers. Yep, beautiful

 OK, I'm in love with the sea grass in this one.  And, those fishies are pretty sweet.  Especially the one peeking in from the bottom.

And more pink sea anemone love.  So frilly fine.
You see, art has a process and it starts at inspiration.  Now that I have gathered some ideas, I'll head to the studio and see what becomes.  I have two chart panels waiting for a subject.
Head over to Ingrid's blog and see what SEA inspired delights she is bringing today.

FILM26 - G is For..

Its time again to switch letters over at FILM26.  We're moving on.

G is for...

Me and G

 There is a park in Seattle at the north end of Lake Union.  It is an old Gasworks where some of the old structures, pipes, and valves have been saved.  The park has a lovely view to the south of the skyline of Seattle.  Its a nice spot to spend some time on a sunny afternoon. 

the Works at Gasworks

 I heard some cooing and noticed that in one of the open pipes, a pair of pigeons had made a nest.  Mr. was the sentry and watched carefully as Doggie and I stood below. 

 Gentleman Pigeon at Gasworks

 Sure enough, Mrs. Pigeon showed up at the opening after Mr. P decided that Doggie and I were OK.  They were so cute that I couldn't resist a Polaroid shot of the two peering down at me.

Gentleman Pigeon and His Bride at Gasworks

Goat

Gnomes

We're taking film photos for a year and following the alphabet for inspiration.  Every two weeks, we share what we find over at FILM26 at Flickr. 
I also want to do a little Monday Shout Out to my friend Justine Gordon over at Justine Gordon Photography.  She has come up with a brilliant idea of Pay It Foward Monday.  Which means that you give a little shout out to a fellow blogger and a *clap~clap* for what they do.  Justine is a fellow film photographer and participant and co-hostess at FILM26.  Head on over to her blog and see what an amazing photographer Justine is.  Also, give pay it forward a try on your blog!

The Tuesday Exchange

Sometimes we just need a friend, a kindred spirit, to help us keep on the creative track.  That is exactly what I need.  Someone I can count on to swap ideas, to give me feedback, and to be accountable to.  I need someone to be a partner along this crazy twisty turny path of creativity.  I know I am not alone with this thinking.  There are many of us that need a kindred creative person to be a sounding board and inspiration. 
In this world of connectivity, I can accomplish that connection through the internet and other social media.  Its not the same as being together in person, but it is as close as I can get for now.  I am happy with that. 
I'm excited to say, that I am taking on a project: embarking on a creative juncture.  This project will bring me and my friend Ingrid together to inspire each other as we continue along our creative paths.  We do totally different things; she is an accomplished textile artist and I am an encaustic painter.  We share a love of photography, modern art, color and lots of other things.  Ingrid lives in the UK and I live in Seattle.  We are literally 1/2 a world apart.  But, that really makes no difference these days, does it? 
Our project is to pick a theme and run with it for 4 weeks.  Each week, we have a check-in where we toss ideas around, give feedback to each other, listen, write and most of all encourage.  The fun is to see how we can learn from each other; how her week inspires my week and vice versa.  This is the first week of four where we will be exploring the SEA.  You can find Ingrid's blog HERE
In order to get the creative juices flowing I spent an afternoon at the beach with dog and camera.  I wanted to take in the atmosphere and see what inspired me.  Here are my favorite photos from the day.

This beach is in Mukilteo which is a little north of where I live.  It really is Pudjet Sound rather than the Pacific Ocean.  I was looking to see what was inspiring to me.  The colors this time of year are blues and grays.

 I love the grasses and the textures of driftwood.

 The gulls have such a distinctive voice.  They really conjur up visions of the sea, don't they?  I love the soft brown/gray of the young gulls.  I especially love that color against the blue sky.

 That soft brown/gray becomes the white and gray of the older birds.  Don't you love their bright yellow beaks?

 This beach has stones rather than sand.  The colors and the textrures are beautiful.  The wood is so soft in color and feel against the gray stones.  I love the contrast.

The driftwood.  The sun bleaches the wood leaving it such a soft gray.  This large log has been here for a while.  The green algae is a soft contrast to the whirls and waves of the grains in the wood.  Overall, the beautiful neutral palette of grays, blues, greens is one I could live with indefinately!  It is soothing and serene.  I could lounge in it all day long. 
So starts my collection of inspiration for the next 4 weeks as I use the SEA as my muse. 

FILM26 - The Letter F

It  seems like these past two weeks have just flown by.  Its now time for the Letter F at FILM26. 

I played around  little more with this group of photos.  I changed up the perspectives a bit and also the point of view.  I'm happy with the outcome of this roll of film.  Its grainy and beautiful in a way that only film can accomplish.

me and the letter F

Freedom

 I decided to call this swing photo Freedom.  I don't know about you, but when I swing... I feel free.  The simple act of pumping my feet to go higher and higher makes me feel light as air.  I love the feel of the wind in my face, my hair billowing behind me and the strong feel of the chain in my hands.  For a few back and forths, I revert back to that 5 year old me.  If you haven't been on a swing for a while.... I highly recommend it. 

Frozen

 Our last frosty morning here in Seattle.  I think spring is pretty much here.

Fallen

 I took this photo somewhere along the coastline of Greece.  We had our driver stop at this abandoned building so that we could take some photos. 

Fish Market

 I'm still trying to get the old Voightlander Bessamatic to work for me.  Old Bess, my Father's old camera, has given me trouble with a sticky shutter... but I love her so.

Frosty

One last reminder of the winter we are leaving behind.