Heston Farm- Harford County, Maryland

Heston Farm- Altered Photography by Tracey Grumbach

Some days I just enjoy riding around my beautiful county taking in the scenery. Since I am not very mobile at the moment, taking "Sunday" drives any day of the week has become a form of therapy for me. I particularly like being the passenger so that my attention can be elsewhere, drinking in the deliciousness of the summer landscape. Being out of the house and riding around the county reminds me that the world is bigger than me. My problems seem much smaller in the wide open landscape. Being in nature, hearing nature, smelling nature, and seeing nature has a psychological healing affect. It is refreshing to know beauty doesn't cease to exist in the midst of pain. Light doesn't cease to exist in darkness. Drive therapy...that's what I'll call it. My only wish is that there was more room to pull off on the side of these country roads so I could take more photographs of the glorious sights.

This farm is quite beautiful. It is owned by a local family, a family who has a child/grandchild the same age as my twins. They are a wonderful family and we buy hay for our horse from them. One day I will accompany my husband when he goes to buy hay and take more pictures of their amazing property. Hopefully I will be in much less pain and more mobile by then...it gives me something to shoot for!

I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend. Mine will be filled with rugby games, graduation parties, and taking down my current art show while delivering new art to the gallery.  I will be food prepping and doing some serious medicine schedule planning to make sure I don't get off track. Getting out of the house is not easy when your on such a strict time schedule (every two hours) of eating and taking medicine. Thank goodness my husband and kids are helpful in keeping me on track and praise God that I am surrounded by friends and neighbors who understand. God is good!

xo

Art Without Boundaries- Juried Art Show Coming in July

I am so excited to announce that my artwork has been chosen to be displayed in the juried art show, Art Without Boundaries, presented by the Harford County Cultural Arts Board and the Harford County Commission on Disabilities. This art show is to celebrate that art is for everyone, both its creation and its enjoyment. The show will run the month of July and can be seen in two libraries in Harford County, Bel Air Library and Havre de Grace Library. The galleries will be open during normal operating hours. (M-Th 10 -8 and F & Sat 10 – 5)

The two pieces that were accepted were Guitar For Sale, one of my very favorite black and white street photography images. Shortly after taking this image I was rushed to the hospital with what at the time they thought was a stroke. Turns out, I discovered after years of doctors and tests, the symptoms I displayed that evening in New York was due to Lyme Disease and co-infections, not a stroke.

Guitar For Sale- Photograhy by Tracey Grumbach

The second piece that was accepted and will be displayed is this self portrait I did during a Chronic Lyme Disease flair up. It is titled Beautiful Beyond Description-Self Portrait of an Artist Ravaged By Lyme Disease.

Beautiful Beyond Description-Self Portrait of an Artist Ravaged By Lyme Disease

 

 

 

I don't know which piece will be in which library, but please be sure to check out the art galleries in both libraries for all the entries! I am sure they will all be compelling. Both pieces are for sale, so please contact me if you are interested in purchasing them! Thank you to the jury members of the Harford County Cultural Arts Board for honoring my work.

xo

Belle Farm- Harford County Historic Home

About this image: I've long had a fascination with this rubble stone farmhouse. I pass by it all the time in my comings and goings and have always wondered about its history. Y'all know I love all things old and historic and this home is no exception. So, I decided I wanted to do a piece showing off its beauty. The home is currently vacant and has its lower windows boarded up, which makes me so very sad. I wish there was a loving family living it in, filling its heart with love and laughter.

This home is located on the northeast corner of intersection of Graceton and St. Mary's Road in Pylesville. In this image we can't see the back of the house, but it is L shaped with an extension reaching out perpendicular to the front. What is most interesting to me, though, is that a portion of this building, probably the kitchen wing, predates the 1798 tax list. Through the years more was added and there is a date stone says "1820" on the main body of the house. One of the original owners, Ignatius Wheeler, served in the Revolutionary War and was a member of the Maryland Legislature from 1786-1789.  He was also responsible for founding of St. Ignatius Church and is buried there.

This property is on the Maryland Historical Trust list and if you would like to read more about its history and see photographs of the building as it looked back in the 1970's, you can click here.

Hope everyone is thawing and digging out today! Here it will be a normal day for us homeschooling and me preparing art for the upcoming April 28th opening and May 5th Ticked Off event! Sending love to all.

xo

Moving Gently Into the Night- Harford County Artist

About this image: It has taken me years to realize that I am an empath. I think becoming ill with Lyme disease and dealing the neurological effects of the disease has moved me more deeply in that direction. I absorb the emotional states of those around me. It is not something I want to do, but something that just happens. So, this is why I found myself alone, in my truck, in the parking lot of a church last night as I waited for my youngest daughter to complete her first day of chorus practice. The practice is one and a half hours long and I couldn't stomach sitting in the waiting area the entire time with all the other parents. I am not antisocial and they are not mean, but I just crave peace, alone time, and calmness.  So, after being in the church for about 40 minutes, I strolled out to my truck. While I was sitting in the front seat, I saw the bell tower and steeple rising beautifully into the dusky sky. I was totally inspired. As I sat and stared at the changing light on the steeple, I thought to myself, "I love how gently we are moving into the night." It was like watching a slow motion video of a changing sky, a changing light, a changing world as the sun sank deeper on the horizon. And when it was fully dark, I went back into the church again refreshed and ready to deal with the crowd of parents and kids again.

Have a peaceful Wednesday, y'all.

xo

The End of Summer- Creative Digital Art

The end of summer draws near and the season of changes is creeping up. All around me corn is being harvested, sunflowers are drooping their heads, the temperatures have cooled a bit, and the days are getting shorter. Autumn is my favorite season. I am very much looking forward to jeans, sweaters, boots, jackets, and hot tea on my front porch swing. What is your favorite season? Why?

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday. Stop for a minute and see if you can smell, hear, or see the changes around you. Hugs...

xo