On the Way to Granny's House- Before and After

About this image:  Little Red Riding Hood...that is the fairy tale that popped into my head when I came across this scene that I photographed back in 2010. In my minds eye, I could see Little Red walking through this forest on the way to Granny's when she comes across the Big Bad Wolf. I love scenes that have an air of fantasy about them. It gets the imagination going.

The original photograph left a lot to be desired. It had a huge sign blocking the left side of the barn, and the sky was not very interesting. So, with a bit of digital magic (read: hard work recreating the left side of the barn), I was able to create this final product that I felt good about. It is moody, dark, and has an air of fantasy about it. Bingo.

I've been fighting an illness this week and today I am down and out. I am typing this from my bed on my laptop as I have committed to rest today, trying to fight the fever and terrible sore throat that has plagued me for a few days. Aren't sore throats the worst? My ears always seem to follow suit when my throat becomes infected and then it hurts to swallow, breathe, or talk. Ugh. Anyway, I will be resting, taking lots of zinc, colloidal silver, Vitamin C, drinking lots of water and bone broth, and diffusing essential oils all day today. Hoping to kick this virus's butt.

Have a beautiful weekend and I will see you, hopefully feeling better, on Monday.

xo

Life is Tenuous So Walk the Wire- Digital Art by Baltimore Artist

Life is tenuous. Take the risk, walk the wire, and see what you find.

I was scrolling through a favorite fellow digital artist's Facebook page yesterday evening when I saw the news. A woman who was a force of nature, a sweet soul to everyone who admired her, a beautiful creative with depth of philosophical thought, died on December 23, leaving the digital art world reeling and feeling empty.

I had a brief exchange with Carolyn Hall Young when I first found her work back in 2015. I emailed her and told her that I totally could relate to her story. She has been bravely battling cancer for a long period of time and found that when she lost the strength and endurance to use traditional tools, she moved to creating digitally, usually on an iPad air. While I have not fought cancer, I could relate to her story of losing something you love, in my case photography, due to health issues and turning to digital art to express your feelings. When I wrote to her I was fully not expecting a response as I know she had her own battles and time was of the essence for her...taking care of her farm in Santa Fe, taking care of her garden, and of course, taking care of herself and creating art. But, she wrote back. Her words were encouraging and sweet, philosophical and helpful. I was touched that she took the time to address me, someone she had no idea existed. After becoming Facebook friends, I was able to keep track of her work, which was always inspiring.

I felt a deep sadness with the news, but also a thankfulness that she is no longer in such physical pain. Carolyn will be missed. There was a beautiful tribute written about her by someone who knew her much better than me, so I encourage you to click through to read it. Carolyn, may you fly high, be everywhere, and continue to inspire from the realm beyond.  God bless.

xo

They Who Dream By Day

They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.

~Edgar Allan Poe

So many reasons not to grow up...this is only one of them.  

xo

Say Geronimo

Say Geronimo! 

Make this leap

Make this leap

Make this leap

Make this leap

Can you feel my love?

~Say Geronimo by Sheppard

Driving in the car the other day, this song came on my iPhone playlist. I was driving South on I83 in Pennsylvania when I was overwhelmed with the idea of this latest piece.  The words "make this leap" and "say Geronimo" kept repeating over and over in my head.  I could see, in my mind's eye, girls taking a leap off of something (I wasn't sure what yet) and feeling free and happy and fearless.  I couldn't get rid of the idea and it was starting to keep me awake, so I was glad when I finally sat down for a few hours to get it started.  

It's hard to describe the feeling I get when one of these ideas manifests itself in my brain.  It is like an earworm that you can't get rid of.  The thought is on repeat in my mind and I feel like if I can't release it somehow I will explode.  Like a sneeze, it is almost a physical sensation that needs to be released and when it is, it feels so much better.  It is a huge relief, especially when I can finish it successfully, which is often not the case.  I am proud of this work as I feel like I am finally developing my own style.  My painting skills are getting better as are my shading abilities, but I am still not quite where I want to be.   I do notice that I find myself continuing to come back to fantasy worlds, flying, and a sense of freedom.

What are you waiting for?  When are you going to make that leap and say Geronimo, put fear aside and just jump in with pure abandonment...feet first?  Ready, set, GO!

Happy Monday, y'all.  Have a beautiful week.

xo