Complements

"I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors.  I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns".  ~ Winston Churchill

This isn't about compliments - which folks go fishing for - but rather, complements, as in complementary colors! 

 If you know your color wheel, then you'll be aware that complementary colors sit across from each other on the color wheel.  That means that one of the complementary colors is warmer in hue, while the other is cooler.  I love to use complementary colors together in my quilts and beadwork because they set up visual vibration. 

 They dance, they sing, and they make magic together!

Into the Fog

"The seasons are what a symphony ought to be: four perfect movements in harmony with each other".  ~Arthur Rubenstein

The fog came to visit and stayed all day.
 She wrapped the world in a cloak of mystery - softening colors, simplifying forms, and creating unity throughout the woods.
Her covering cloak revealed a beauty not seen everyday.

Composition

Today, I plan to talk a little about composition and link up to The Kat Eye View of the World and her challenge regarding, The Rule of Thirds.  Kat wrote an excellent description of the compositional "Rule of Thirds", which you can read here.  The Rule of Thirds is commonly used by photographers.  My college training was as a painter.  When painting landscapes, we worked with slightly different space divisions.  First of all, we divided our canvases in half - both vertically and horizontally, marking with pencil or charcoal.  These divisions were reminders of places NOT to place prominent features - horizon line, center of interest, etc.  Next, we divided each half in half again (now our canvas had a grid work of 16 squares or rectangles marked on it).  Ignoring the half way division lines, we had a grid that was similar to the Rule of Thirds - the space divisions being only slightly different.  This painters' approach to dividing space is a bit more dynamic than the Rule of Thirds, but also presents more of a challenge when seeking a balanced composition.  Either way, the basic idea is to divide your space into visually interesting, unequal elements, and place your focal point(s)in a strategic spot(s).  There are other elements that come strongly into play, such as value, color, and color intensity, which can dramatically alter your linear arrangement.  But these are topics for another day.....

In my photo, Pine Row, the foreground pine on the left-hand side, falls on and to the right of a vertical third division.  The next tree, off to the right, falls on the other third line.  This composition also includes a dramatic diagonal line (pine row), strong linear perspective, and bold value contrasts.  My vision or objective was to capture a composition that would marry well with the brilliant, bold sunlit day and show off the grandness of these tall trees.  Hopefully, mission accomplished!

For me, the interesting difference between painting/art quilting and photography is, as a painter and quilt designer I can move rocks, trees, even mountains:), to achieve the composition I desire, while as a photographer I have to move and position myself to try to get that "perfect composition".  But regardless of the art-making medium, the same rules and art concepts apply, just the "game" and strategies may differ.

The Gift

"Friendship is a sheltering tree"  ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

I received a gift from a friend - a truly wonderful gift!

This present wasn't purchased at a store, nor did it come wrapped in decorative paper and topped with a bow.  But, this gift ranks up with some of the best gifts I have ever received.  My friend, Tanya, wrote a special post about my art illustrated with photos of my home, studio, quilts, and beadwork.  Please enjoy this gift with me at http://comeandpeek.blogspot.com/2011/02/alchemy-of-art.html.

Thanks friend!

P.S. You're sure to want to try some of Tanya's recipes, once you're there.

Journey

Today, I'm contributing to Kim Klassen's Inspiration Studio.  My essay is titled, Be a Drama Queen!  It's all about finding and using visual drama.  I hope you can journey over there with me (3:30 CST).

Love

"Love is, above all, the gift of oneself."  ~ Jean Anouilh

A friend of mine lives a very creative life.  You can see her hand in her art, her beautifully decorated home, and even the food she serves.  In contrast, my creative focus is mainly directed toward my art, to my home somewhat, and by the time I get to the dinner table - well, creativity has fallen by the wayside.  Decorating cookies did look interesting though, so I asked if she would share her secrets.  Yes, was the answer I got.  Boy, was that a treat!  We doodled with frosting filled tubes instead of pencils, talked, and ate our mistakes.  Yum!  Like many things, it was more difficult to do than it appeared, but decorating got easier as the hours slipped by.  I've gathered my "besties" in this photo.  I think I'm hooked, as I'm looking toward the next holiday with patterns on eggs and rabbits dancing within my head.  Look out Martha!

Reveal

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple"  ~ Dr Seuss

Throughout blogland, many folks have chosen a word to inspire and inform their year.  Reveal is the word I selected for 2011.  Reveal conjures up so many wonderful visuals and possibilities.  I picture unfolding layers or petals ultimately exposing a beautiful, detailed center.  I also envision a path or road, with various side tracks leading to interesting vistas, before the final destination is reached.  I'm entering this year with exciting new projects, possibilities, and avenues to pursue - looking for dreams and amazing realities to be revealed!

Dreaming of Color

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow"  ~ Proverb

I find winter an amazingly beautiful season, but about this time of year I start yearning for spring.  Besides wanting warmer weather, I really desire color.  I am starved for color!  I'm dreaming about unfolding ferns, garden flowers, and bright clothes - a rainbow of color.  So..... I wait..... it's early..... winter is long in the north.  While I wait for spring, I'm playing with colorful, silk ribbon embroidery.  I hand-dyed most of these ribbons and created an indoor garden of silk..... while I wait.

My Backyard

"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary".  ~ Aaron Rose

I have a photography project called "My Backyard".  As far as backyards go, my backyard is quite beautiful.  But.... given human nature, it's easy to take this beauty for granted.  Thus, the goal of my project is quite simple - I'm attempting to see the beauty at hand with a fresh eye, looking for the extraordinary within the ordinary!

Monarchs

"To the great tree-loving fraternity we belong.  We love trees with universal and unfeigned love, and all things that do grow under them or around them - the whole leaf and tree tribe." ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Without a doubt, I am a card-carrying member of the tree-loving fraternity.  I am fascinated by the form of trees, their resilience, and ever-changing moods.  I watch them through wind, rain, snow, and the change of seasons.  Trees are the epitome of beauty and power.  These monarchs garner my awe and respect, as they provide shade and shelter for the next generation.