Trillium

Although summer is ready to take center stage, 

our late arriving spring in the northwoods is wowing her viewers now.

Our deciduous forests are carpeted with Trillium.

What an amazing sight!

Here's some Trillium trivia for you ~

* This plant takes 17 years to mature and can live over 70 years.

* It was often used in ancient medicine.

* The leaves can be cooked and eaten, similar to spinach.

* White Trillium seeds are primarily dispersed by ants.

* This plant's major natural enemy is the White-Tailed deer,

who like to eat the large, reproductively active plants.

Posted:
The Creative Exchange

Busy

I've been busy working on a new art quilt. 

First, there was piecing, then painting on fabric, 

and now I'm doing needle-turn, hand applique to add the painted subjects

 to this large wall quilt. 

And what beautiful subjects I have, a friend of mine and her super cute, infant son!

Next, I've got fancy, machine quilting motifs to design.

It's challenging, it's fun, it's what I love to do!

It's my kind of busy!

Contrast

Contrast, in one form or another, is always a part of successful, dynamic picture making. 

 Although contrasting elements sit opposed to each other, at either end of a spectrum, 

our minds can also see them as part of a circular continuum - as we seek wholeness. 

 This is quite a fascinating phenomenon which serves to enrich our pictures!

My photo includes strong contrasts of :

values - Light/Dark, 

line type - Curved/Straight, 

linear direction - Vertical/Horizontal (and diagonal), 

era - Modern/Antique,

art - Music/Painting,

age - young musician/Old Master's Paintings,

and

scale - Diminutive/Grand.

Did I miss anything?  Lots of contrasting elements in this capture!

I'm linking into Exploring with a Camera - Visual Contrast.  

Read more about contrasts from Kat (here) and at her link to Micheal Freeman.

Spring Cleaning and Dreaming

Today, I am contributing to The Inspiration Studio. 

 My essay is titled, Spring Cleaning and Dreaming and it's about some unusual cleaning and big dreams.

I hope you get a chance to check it out!

Posted: The Creative Exchange

Form

Birchbark Scrolls

ISO 100, 44mm, f/5.6, 1/400

I believe that form, like texture, elicits a very primal, tactile-loving response in all of us. 

 As children, we experience the feel of a curved form as we run our hand around a cup,

 the hard edge of angles on the edge of stairs,

 and the smoothness of a flat form as we play on the floor.

As adults, when our eyes traverse these same curves, angles, and planes, 

we cant't help but bring to these forms the many memories and 

experiences that we have encountered.

Form is but another delightful visual treat that we get to enjoy daily.

Today, I am linking into Exploring With a Camera. 

Read more about form from Kat - here.

Stairs

Stairs provide an interesting pictorial subject,

while also presenting the perfect metaphor for life.

There are the many trips up and down.

Sometimes we bound upwards, 

on other days we carry a heavy burden -

in our hands, on our minds, or in our hearts. 

The path often leads to enriching adventures, 

exciting new acquaintances, 

and of course, 

sometimes we're just climbing the steps to the dentist's office.

Then, we arrive at the door and reach for the handle......

but that my friends, is a story for another day!

Posted:
The Creative Exchange

The Details

Today, I am contributing to The Inspiration Studio. 

 My essay is titled, The Details and it's about life's wonderful details.

I hope you get a chance to check it out!

Blessed are Mothers

 Hope  61" x 69" -  VanDemark Designs.  Photo by Steve Tiggman

My Child 

Cradled in my arms,

Walking beside me,

Walking away from me, 

So proud of you, K. Rose!

Wishing you all a very Happy Mother's Day weekend.

Reflections

Reflections are a montage

of dancing patterns,

mixing and melding into complex images.

This blend of sunlight and shadow,

obscure and solid,

dynamic and distorted designs

captives my imagination!

Reflections are a visual delight.