i'm an artist?

A few years ago, not long after I discovered blogs, I discovered a beautiful publication titled Artful Blogging. Published by Stampington & Company, it's as beautiful as all of their other publications. Fabulous photography beautifully printed on heavy paper. Each issue features many gorgeous "visually inspiring online journals". I read about my favorite blogs, Kim Klassen Cafe, Simply Hue, Madeline Bea Life Set To Words and found new blogs to enjoy with each issue.

Shortly after I began blogging last year, I participated in Creativity Boot Camp, an online class devoted to finding and encouraging your creative self offered by the incredibly talented Maegan  from Madeline Bea Life Set To Words. During that course, participants were encouraged through daily journal prompts to explore the idea of being an artist. One of the prompts was to "think about one or two dreams that you have for your future. . . believing anything is possible, what would you wish for?"

I listed five things that were dreams for my future, things I wanted to achieve with my photography. And the idea of calling myself an artist? Naw, that didn't feel at all comfortable.

But now, six months later, four of the five things I listed, have come true. And today I got a note in the mail addressed to "Dear Artist. "

I think that Creativity Boot Camp was magical. { Maegan is going to offer the magic again this May, check here for the details.} Many other incredibly creative women I met through that class have become great friends, and continue to inspire me every day.



One of my dreams I listed, was to be featured in Artful Blogging magazine. I can't imagine anything more exciting than to be included in that publication with other amazingly creative and inspiring women bloggers. Today, I received my copy of the newest issue, with some of my photos and words published on seven pages tucked in among 16 other inspired women bloggers.  *sigh* Bliss.

Last October I published a blog post about daring to dream. "If you don't have a dream, how can you have a dream come true?" I encourage you, dare to dream. When you believe in your dreams, they really do come true.

To celebrate this dream come true, I'd like to share a copy of the current issue of Artful Blogging. Leave a comment on this post, telling me one of your dreams. On Tuesday, February 1, I'll randomly choose a winner and announce it Wednesday.

Yes. I'm an artist.

♥ maureen

serendipitous silhouettes

Today I'm musing at Mortal Muses about silhouettes, I hope you have time to stop by and say hello.

In the past, when I have taken a silhouette shot, it's been by accident. But once we announced the silhouette theme for Mortal Muses, I began to look for opportunities to capture them. In my last post I included a self-portrait that is a silhouette. They aren't difficult to set up and can be fun to take, especially of children.  The above image of a pear, is another silhouette I set up and took this weekend.

I took the above photo not long after I got my camera (and still had a great deal to learn about the settings). I was intent on capturing the gorgeous sunset colors without a thought of getting a silhouette of the trees along with it. That was the only time of year to capture a sunset in that location. During the rest of the year the trees are full of leaves and  we missed the glorious sunsets.

The bird silhouette was a total mistake. I quickly turned my camera toward the bird and pressed the shutter without thinking. But I like the way it turned out much better than the photos I took after I realized my settings were 'wrong.'

This is an image from when I was learning to shoot flares and got a silhouette shot also. I spent all kinds of time that day shooting different subjects from different angles. This was my favorite shot from the day, capturing that sun flare in Pinocchio's hand.

I hope you are inspired to try capturing a silhouette shot. They can be a fun, often spectacular photo. You can find some pointers here, and lots of inspiration here. At the very least, you'll learn how light and your camera settings combine to create a certain look. If you have a favorite silhouette shot, include a link in the comments, I'd love to see it.

xo maureen

snow day

Linking up with  Focus 52 that Jan at twoscoopz hosts each week. This weeks prompt is COLD. Well, cold is what we have this week. Here are a few shots from my adventures in the snow.

What a difference a few days can make. I took the above shot on Monday, in the last little patch of snow, that was gone by the end of the day. Another item picked up for a song at the auction, on it's way to the booth. A vintage ice crusher and how sweet is that color.

On Wednesday when I pulled my camera out at work to take my 365 shot, I realized I'd left the memory card in my computer at home.  That meant I'd have to grab a shot after I got home from work. Which is always challenging dealing with the lack of light at that hour. However, once it began to snow, I knew I'd be heading out trying to capture the snow at night.

This shot is SOOC, taken at the local park, where I go for many of my photo walks. I was there at about 10:30 pm, and it began to snow heavily while I was out. I love being out walking at night when it's so quiet you can hear the snow fall. It's such a beautiful and peaceful feeling.

I think I like the shot better processed in black and white though.

Once home and dry and warm, I decided to try getting a silhouette ( we are musing at Mortal Muses about silhouettes right now)  for my weekly BAM (self portrait) shot. It was so bright and beautiful out with the snow falling, it was the perfect opportunity.  I took this as I stood in front of my living room window watching the snow fall.

This morning I woke up to reports of 12 - 14 inches of snow, and news that I had a snow day off work!

This handsome fellow normally sits on my porch, but I thought he should be moved out into the snow where he belongs today.

Hope you are enjoying the weather where you are.

♥ maureen

Saturday at the antique store

Ever since I partnered with a friend and opened a booth at an antique store, Saturday is the day to check on the booth. Early Saturday morning we take in new items to fill in what's been sold and reorganize what's there.

Once there I do the arranging and rearranging. I really enjoy that part. Things are usually moved around quite a bit. And some of our items are found in booths belonging to other vendors. (People pick things up, think about buying them, as they walk around and then set them down wherever.)

Once all the work is done, I browse the other booths. You know, just for research. To get ideas for pricing and displays. Sure, that's it. I wouldn't be browsing to find things to bring home. Like that gorgeous watering can. The color of that really caught my eye. But, I held my ground, and didn't bring it home.


Besides, I find plenty of things at the auction that never make it back out my front door. Like these three beautiful white ironstone bowls. I picked them up at the auction for an amazing deal.
Free. Yes. That's right. Free.

Another bidder won the bid on a table full of things. She took what she wanted and left these behind. They fit right in with my other ironstone pieces.
Can't wait to see what the next auction brings.
Have a great week!

♥ maureen

Royal Mail

You know it's a good day when you come home from work and have a package stamped Royal Mail waiting for you. Seriously. {proof below}

My fellow muse buddy the beautiful kirstin sent me a package containing this most darling bus. But that's not all. There were other treats too. Sweets and maple flavored lip balm, {who knew!} and my all time fav photo of miles and ella. Adorable.



I love the connections I've made through the internet, through blogging, through flickr. Photography is what brought many of us together from all parts of the world. Friendship with warm, supportive, encouraging and often hilarious  women is what continues to connect us. For that I feel blessed, every day.
Connecting with jan and the other 52ers for focus 52, a 52 week creative project. Check it out here, and join in with us each week!

♥ maureen

sunshine saturday

8|365 Happy weekend peeps. I don't know about you, but the first week of the new year just flew by for me.  {Yay! one week of winter crossed off} We were blessed with some sunshine today, so I used the opportunity to get a few still life shots of some of my vintage treasures. Then I decided to set aside a bit of time to just enjoy creating this afternoon. I chose a few photos that I took and began to play with them in PSE. On the textured version of 8|365, above, I used Kim Klassen's Mustard Seed and Magic Scratches textures.  The before shot is below. { I need to find my cheat sheet for doing the mouse-overs, that's much more dramatic and fun.}  before On the image autumn weeds, below, I used two textures from Kim, Grunged and Cool Grunge and one from Jerry at Shadow House Creations, Gorgeous Tones.                                                                                  autumn weeds I found those weeds last fall when I was out shooting alongside a country road. They have been drying out on my porch ever since.  That sweet little blue bottle was an auction find from last week. It was left behind by someone who didn't want it. I was more than happy to bring it home with me.                                                                          autumn weeds before The seed heads are so interesting. sigh I'm beginning to think I need a macro lens.              I hope you are able to find some time to do what brings you joy this weekend.

♥

maureen

what a week

   bench monday shot at the library where I work.                                                                             3|365

It's been a busy back to school (work) week. I've been working the day shift this week, which allows me time to attend evening auctions. I've gone straight from work to the auction house twice this week, and spent another evening preparing things for our antique booth.

lunch in the cafeteria                                                                                                                       4|365

The auctions have been pretty good. Good enough to find some things for the booth, and one or two things I've decided I really need to keep for myself. *grin* Perphaps I'll get some photos of them this weekend.

dare to dream art                                                                                                                               5|365

This is a photo of a sculpture, found on campus where I work. I've walked past it a number of times and never really looked closely at it. This week I decided to go for a walk during my lunch hour. The sun was shining, it was warm for January, and the perfect time to stop and look more closely at the art work. What I found is that it is full of beautiful details. This is just one side of it, but my favorite part. It reads 'dare to Dream' a philosophy close to my heart.



eggs. it's what's for dinner                                                                                                             6|365

How's your week been? All I can say is, I'm glad it's Friday! Have a great weekend.

I'm musing today at the Mortal Muses about Mother Nature in monochrome, stop by and say hi!

♥ maureen

365 project

So, yesterday I mentioned I was thinking about beginning a 365 project. As far as I can tell, there are no photography police who will come and take away my camera if I miss a day or throw my hands up in surrender if I falter. So, I'm in. Today is day 2.

Sunday on Flickr is Worm's Eye View day. That was my inspiration for this shot, and the text that went with it:

Mr. Worm knows what this means. He's not much for making resolutions, but Mrs. Worm makes them. Every. Single. Year. {edited to add: however mrs worm usually forgets all about them by jan 16} This year it's to run a marathon. It begins simply, with one step.
Mr. Worm hopes your resolutions are fun.

New year, new beginnings. I love how exciting and fresh everything feels at this time of year. Wish I could bottle it up to bring out mid February, when getting through the end of winter seems so difficult.
I'm really excited to begin this photography project and continue with my training toward my running goals. I also have a few other new year things going on, but I'll save that for another day.

Have a wonderful week!

♥ maureen

another trip around the sun

This is a vintage post card that I scanned.*

I love new beginnings, don't you? I especially love the way one of my flickr contacts put it :

"A brand new year...so many opportunities to do it better, enjoy it more, love stronger, and breath deeper. Glad to have another trip around the sun...enjoy the ride!"

I'm not much for traditional New Year's resolutions, but I have been dreaming some dreams. {I'll get to that in a minute.} I do resolve to live more in the moment, appreciate each day and the blessings it brings and totally enjoy the ride.



I picked this little darling up at an auction recently. Don't you just love the color and well worn, well used, well loved patina on it? I filled it with supplies I'm using for my new venture. It's so fun to carry this gem around and actually use it as I work. It's fits nicely with my 'living an inspired life' motto. Since moving in to a small 'cottage', I've been working at downsizing my belongings. My goal is to only keep things or bring in things that I find beautiful and useful. Luckily this fits the bill nicely

And what is my new venture you ask? That's the part about dreaming. One recurring dream I've had, is to open a booth at an antique mall. Well, this is the year for that dream to come true. Today I moved my things into a small space at a local antiques store. It's a small space, and I am sharing it with a partner, but it's a perfect beginning. It's the perfect re-cycling or up-cycling. I love finding and saving old things, things with hidden beauty that most people miss, things destined for the dumpster. I finally have an outlet, an excuse to rescue my finds, and a way to find them a new home.

I'm also thinking about starting a 365 project. That is, a project of taking and posting a photo every. single. day.  For a whole year. You get it. I guess I have commitment issues. I'm not quite sure about beginning because I'm not quite sure about sticking with it. A 365 offers the opportunity for personal as well as photographic growth. But there is no question about the commitment. Every. Single. Day.  

While I'm thinking about that project, why don't you tell me about your new year's resolutions. Do you make them? Do you keep them? Do you have any for 2011? I'd love to know.

♥ maureen


*Does anyone else find that barely clad baby a tad bit creepy?