Memory, In Widow's Weeds 1- Portrait of a Flower

Memory In Widow's Weeds 1- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Memory, in widow's weeds, with naked feet stands on a tombstone.

-Aubrey de Vere

I went for a walk the other morning and along the path I found quite a few Queen Anne's Lace plants blooming. They were so beautiful standing there, wild and carefree and intricately beautiful. They were growing in a large field full of unmowed grass and I knew I had to have a few. I pulled a couple and took them home, placed them in a small vase and admired the incredible details of the umbel. I knew I had to photograph its beauty, so I did a study of about 5 photos, all very different from each other.  I am looking forward to sharing them with you here.

After the heart wrenching events of the past few days it almost feels silly to share the news that my work has been chosen to appear on the cover of an upcoming issue of Harford's Heart magazine. I received the call on Friday and was honored and thrilled because not only does "Harford County's Favorite Little Magazine" have a wide local circulation, but they are historically supportive of the arts community here in Harford County, Maryland. The art director contacted me to tell me my work was selected and also told me they would like to include an interview with my pieces of art. They will be having a writer contact me soon to conduct the interview. The editor was interested in how Lyme Disease has influenced my art through the years. I am thrilled to have yet another outlet to get the word out both about my art and also how serious Lyme Disease can be. These opportunities are precious to me and I receive them with amazing amounts of gratitude. The issue will be released in the fall. More details to come!

Please hug your loved ones today and be grateful for all your blessings. As always, thank you for your continuing support and encouragement!

xo

Southwest Terminal- Photo Artistry by Tracey Grumbach

Southwest Terminal- BWI Airport- Mobile Art by Tracey Grumbach

On Sunday I had the opportunity to take a few pictures outside my normal realm of country scenes and barns. We took my oldest daughter, Brenna, to BWI airport where she was taking her first solo flight to meet a friend and her family on vacation out in Seattle and then from there driving over the border into Vancouver. She was nervous about navigating security and finding her gate prior to her flight but she did great. It was good practice for her to spread her wings a bit before she heads off to college in August. As I was riding the moving sidewalk (do they have an official name?) back to the parking garage, I looked out the windows just to my right and I saw this scene. The lines and lighting caught my eye and I immediately knew when I edited I wanted to create a futuristic feel. I left swiped my iPhone 6S Plus and grabbed a photo. Editing came later when I had time to concentrate and complete the final look.

I am pleased to announce I have been asked to be the featured speaker at the Chester County, PA Camera Club in November of this year. They have asked me to speak to their club of approximately 100 members for about an hour and then stay for some Q&A. I am quite honored to be asked and I am very much looking forward to doing this in the fall. I am not sure what topic will be most appropriate for me to discuss yet...it depends on their interests and needs. I am still in discussions with the VP of the group about details, but whatever the topic, I will be thrilled and excited to share my love of photography and digital art.

I'm also actively working on the details of my very first Introduction to Mobile Art Class in September. Right now the tentative date and location is Saturday, September 16 at Bel Air Library. These details are NOT confirmed, but please, if you are interested, pencil it in as tentative.  A class description and sign-up will be coming out soon.

I've also been asked to do an Understanding Exposure In Photography class as well. This will probably be a bit later in the fall and will be scheduled over three separate Saturdays, one for going over each of the three elements of exposure- ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. I am so excited to get back into the teaching groove as soon as the fall hits!

I also have a few other class ideas brewing...Creative Exposure in Photography, and Introduction to Black and White Photography are in the future as well. Now that the my older kids are heading out on the next phase of their lives and my younger kids are heading back to school, it is time for me to focus on healing completely and accomplishing my goals as an artist and teacher.

It's Hump Day, y'all. The weekend is within sight. I am heading to Ikea today if I can summons enough energy and stamina. I'm in the market for a large art table for my studio! Yippee...somewhere I can practice drawing, painting, collage, and mixed media instead of my teeny, tiny, wobbly, warped, crooked table I have now. I hope I can find one that will work well for me!

Hugs and lovin'

xo