what is

the leaves on the ground have passed.
a few tired apples cling to stripped branches that can't yet let go.
i am like that,
when autumn's end nears and winter comes knocking with a haste.



children and elderly folk have been my most powerful teachers
perhaps because they are so close to the source

my daughter and i went for a walk the other day
she taught me to see;
how to revel in the ending, bow gracefully, accept, let go



en-JOY what is



and rejoice in the certainty that
in time
these seeds on the wind
will start life anew.

Visit my latest photoblog entry to view a surprise photo in large format.

Random Goodness:

There is still time to join my online Digital Holiday Card-Making workshop. It promises to be a lot of fun -- all skills learned will transfer into other areas of your Photoshop work.

I have wanderlust in the blood and am constantly seeking new adventure -- I suspect you thirst for it too. You can find out how I satisfy this part of me in my latest Wish Studio column -- without even having to leave my own backyard.

And for those who know me so well, I would be remiss if I did not share with you this musical gem.

{Echo} Week 3 - Abundance

Chrysti and I are at it again. I have been en-JOY-ing indulging in this bi-weekly photo collaboration with her, where we interpret a word prompt through our camera lenses and combine our work in diptych format -- be sure to visit Chrysti's blog for our second diptych. Photographs are visual poetry and can express so much about the photographer. What they are attracted to take photos of is a direct view into what matters to them -- what is in their heart. It is a privilege to get to know more about my friend Chrysti as we make this photographic journey together.

Chrysti's interpretation of abundance is the lovely cat on the right, mine on the left.

We would love for you to join in the journey. Chrysti has started a Flickr group for this collaborative project so that you can post your work to the group pool. Also be sure to leave a link to your interpretation in the comment section of this blog, or Chrysti's blog.

You can view a large format version of my above interpretation of abundance at my new photoblog and read about what abundance means to me at this point in my life.

Wishing you happiness:)

Queen for the Day

Today we celebrate Susanna for envisioning the concept of her Winged Messengers and putting into motion her glorious plan of sending them out into the Universe to be shared, so that their powerful messages could be read by just the people who were meant to receive them. Did she ever imagine how very powerful and far-reaching these manifestations would become? These beautiful pieces of heart really do have the power to change lives.

We honor and thank you Susanna! We are grateful to you for letting us help you spread the love -- each of us listed below has had the privilege of setting free at least one of your beloved winged messengers.

When Susanna and I met up for a day of joy in New York City this past October, she gifted me with the winged messenger you see in this post. I placed it in the very center of a wall decorated with graffiti near the Bowery.

Visit the Flickr group A Message With Wings to see where we let them go.

Shin of A Mermaid's Tale

Isabel of A Room of One's Own

Shelagh of Alice In Paris Loves Art and Tea

Robin of Bird Tweets

Relyn of Come Sit By My Fire

Megan of Four Ravens

Kristin of Kristin Rexter

LiLi of LiLi M

Mo'a of Mo'a Romig-Boyles

Madelyn of Persisting Stars

Constance of Rochambeau

Stephanie of Rodrigvitz Style

Leslie of Snips & Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

Bonnie of somepinkflowers

Christina of Soul Aperture

Gillian of Sweet Indigo Life

Olga of That House

Elizabeth of The World Examining Works

Rachel of The Metaphorical Magpie

Eb of Be, Dream, Play

Angie of Visually Oriented

through the window

...some wintry views from my bedroom windows early this morning.
more snow as you can see

hot coffee
quiet
a book of poems
gazing out on the white
a few minutes to myself


Exciting news -- I just launched my very own photoblog (in addition to this blog), where you can view some of my photographs in large format.

winter knocks

earth is slowly putting herself to sleep for winter
the signs are here;
ground is beginning to harden underfoot
frosty mornings
with visible breath
at the bus stop

along the old stone wall, i see the last of the downy white, wild aster seeds
and plump, blood red berries of the Hawthorn trees.

brown leaves the color of cinnamon and fragrant orange pine needles blanket the woods, dirt road, and grass now turning the color of straw.


i'm contemplating making some wild, old-fashioned Hawthorn berry jelly.


a leaf floated down to me and i put it in my woolen pocket.
turning it over in my hand, its soft, velvety brown skin reminded me of a lovingly worn leather book cover.

i see with more frequency the wild turkey, deer, and fox.
The extra blankets are on the beds
there's warm milk and the putting of one more log on the fire before sleep
nodding off to the sounds of singing coyotes and bard owl hoots just outside the window panes.

and then this morning!
rubbing our scratchy eyes awake
to the surprise of first snow

squeals and quick pitter-patters down the stairs
door unlatches
swings open hard...

...my little children unleash me in that moment
reminding me how to dance
in the light of
pure
simple
unadulterated

bursting

joy
heart
fun!




Did I ever mention how much i am in love with the soulful soundwaves of Bon Iver?:)

i must apologize sweet peeps for being out of touch -- under the weather a bit here and putting all my energies into family life and teaching my VisualPoetry online class. I look forward to visiting you lovelies very soon:)

euphoria
i think.
with paint art makes you
look
the white dress
in the tree
caught by a thread
spinning
a ghost dance
catching perfect light
which came first?
a man once asked me
the light or the object?
i couldn't say

i saw you in the corner
in the periphery of my vision
in the center of my heart
whispering
it is this way
leave the books behind
bring only
one brush
and one cup
to catch the rain

for painting
your dreams

{Echo} Week 2 - Decorate

Welcome to week two of Echo -- a collaboration between Chrysti and I where we explore a bi-weekly prompt on Wednesday, through the lenses of our cameras. This week's prompt is decorate. The first photo in the diptych is credited to Chrysti, the graffiti door my interpretation (which worked out to be an interesting juxtaposition of country and city environments I think). Visit Chrysti's blog to see our second diptych. We have really enjoyed your interpretations of the last prompt and again invite you to play along this week (it's not necessary to pair with someone, but if you can, it sure is fun) -- just interpret the prompt through your own camera lens, post your photograph on your blog, and leave a link to your post in the comment section of either of our blogs. We look forward to seeing through your eyes this week.


I recently created this digital montage titled All Hallow's Eve.

There are still a few spots left for my VisualPoetry online workshop which takes place from November 1 - 29 (I am offering the first class again due to popular demand and am taking on a greater number of participants this second time around). I also have more online digital photography and digital art classes in the works for 2010.


And another news flash before I close -- my second book, Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe® Photoshop® Elements (North Light Books) is now available for pre-order on Amazon here. It will be released in May 2010. In the book I share 25 of my digital projects with you, all stepped-out with written instructions and screenshots. Explore photomanipulation, digital collage, montage and more. In addition to the projects, the book contains a gallery section of inspirational pieces and features artwork from contributing artists. A CD filled with imagery and custom brushes accompanies the book.

wholeness

i collect words
no,
on second thought
i think it is that I attempt to collect meaning

today i brought my camera into my studio
and took random photographs of words embedded in my artwork and text from books, journals and objects lying about
it was interesting to juxtapose them in a montage
and see how they are all a part
of the whole

what words do you collect?




and, i was just playing around with images of us -- my beloveds
it was interesting to juxtapose our likenesses
to see how we are all a part
of the whole



A reminder that registration for my Digital Photomanipulation online class begins this Sunday, October 25 at 7 PM EST (offering class 1 again due to popular demand). I also have other classes in the works for 2010, so stay tuned.