A Rich History

by Carol



"We are not makers of history,we are made by history."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

I spent this past week as the "first wave" of family helping my parents move out of their house of the last 35 years. It contains most of the belongings from their previous house which they lived in for most of their married life. And that is quite a married life - on December 18 they will celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary!

Honeymooning in NYC

Significantly downsizing is an interesting task (and a lot of hard work)! My kids and I worked dawn to dusk every day, and made it through only about 3/4 of the attic. There were/are many lessons through this process, as I am sure many of you know, but writing here on a completely egocentric note, that attic taught me so much about me! It has never been more clear where I came from, what is important to me and what my influences are. In the give-away piles were chairs, clothing, giftware, ornaments, electronics (but not the old records that went with them).

Then there were the hard-to-give-away piles.

First, for me (and this will come as a total shock to you all, I know) PHOTOGRAPHS! I came home with two suitcases full of photographs from 4 generations - almost back to the first photographs made. And the majority of them are labeled! I can see the faces and houses of my great, great, great grandparents that embellish the stories I've been told about them. These will generate many future posts I'm sure, as they are all now in my possession (since I have the capability to copy them for my sisters.)

One of the few unlabeled, but I couldn't pass up the tiny frame (2")

Secondly, historical artifacts. My daughter took a 1920's art deco, black iron ashtray with a panther on it. She doesn't smoke, but it is a very cool looking piece of art right out of Gatsby's salon. I took newspapers from Nancy France during World War I when my grandfather was stationed there. I also took artwork my grandmother made while a student at Pratt Art Institute in NYC. And framed paintings from each generation. There is a photo of my great grandmother at age 7 wearing a coat sewed by her mother - and the coat itself which will be hung together. 

My grandfather's World War I stripes

From Gram's art school portfolio 

And finally - close to all of our hearts - books, books, books. My mother's first priority in her new home is her bookcase and which books she will fill it with. She found her lifelong collection so hard to part with, and each of us daughters wanted some of it. I took some antique children's books for now. Someday the ancient family Bible will become ours too.

I saw in concrete form what has always been important to our family. Education, Art, Music, Literature. Beauty. I am engaged in cleaning and "minimalizing" in my own home, but these treasures will find a home with me. I'll toss the mass-produced stuff to make room. I am filled with such gratitude for the legacy of my family that made me who I am.

Living history. Personal history.

"History cannot give us a program for the future, 

but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, 

and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."

                                  Robert Penn Warren

Telling Your Story in Many Ways

by Carol

I suddenly find myself fascinated with painting. OK, It's not sudden. Besides a library, an art museum is my favorite way to spend a morning. (I really should do that more than once a year...) It's just that - I never thought that I could actually paint. I've written here before about playing around with different kinds of art. But the thing is, it's more than that. I think it's my age. And I also think it's on-line learning. When I was younger I never consciously felt like I was afraid of other people's criticism. But I guess I was, because I never even tried to do all the things I loved.

 In recent years, its been a "what the hell" attitude. I try free tutorials in everything that interests me. There are so many of them on Pinterest, and You Tube. I've tried paper-making, and collage,and acrylics,etc.  I try them at home and if I am terrible at them ------OK hold on there  ---- that is an old message. People are not naturally terrible at things - they just don't know how to do them. And it takes time (which none of us have) to learn them.

Then last summer  when I attended the cross discipline workshop in Rhode Island (which I wrote about here), the artists were so encouraging, that "can't" just left my vocabulary, and as Yoda says, suddenly there "is no try," - I simply "do" Somewhere along the way, I think I just decided that these things were a fun way to spend an afternoon. Just as in photography, I can get into the zone and a morning can pass just like that. Last summer I invited a friend to join me at a photography workshop. She likes photography, but her love and her background are in painting, and since retiring recently, she's been diving back in. I've been spending a few days a month painting with her, and it's really fun.

I also have expanded my journaling. I have always liked to write, but never consistently journaled for any extensive amount of time. But in Rhode Island, when the artists opened they're colorful journals full of quotes and scribbles, and washes of background blues and greens, I fell in love. The other day, a friend of my daughter's who was an art major, showed me her gorgeous travel journal. She recently went to Spain, and kept a journal.

So what do you think of when you hear "journal?" Mine are filled with words - my whole trip to France last year full of facts and anecdotes, with photos pasted in sometimes. I know many of my FOL sisters keep scrapbooks with the history of their activities. But this little travel journal was a revelation. It was obvious to me that this young woman thinks in pictures as clearly as I think in words. One page would have a pen and ink sketch of one of those beautiful, ancient buildings in Madrid, full of turrets and hallways, and arches. It was a sketch - nothing more - it had a few watercolor highlights on its facade - but it spoke volumes. The next page would have a picture of the four of them sitting around a table. And you could see exactly the European style meal they had shared. One person was laughing. There were little cutouts from tourist brochures pasted into corners. One page was a freehand topographical map of their route. I'm telling you, it was like reading a book about their trip - completely understandable to this novice. Even more fun, her other journals just followed her interest - little hands depicting the sign language alphabet on one page, the planetary symbols on another - then ancient runes. Whatever she bumps into she really looks at.

I've been keeping a collection of artist's journals in Pinterest. I've  doodled in one since January. I took  a course by Jane Davenport (which was not free - but she has free tutorials on you tube) which was called "Supplies Me." It exposes you to different mediums and how to use them, and I've been filling the pages with that. But after seeing and digesting all the possibilities with journals, I just signed up for an art journaling class. I'm sure mine will not be all art. It will have lots of writing, and I will follow my interests. There will definitely be some photographs in it - but all that color makes it so much prettier! So I guess I'm a closet artist now - unbelievable!I will tell my story in words and in pictures, as well as with my first love - photography.

Do you journal? Do you use words or pictures? What methods and styles do you use? I'm looking for ideas, and would love to see what you do. Post some fun pages, would you please? And please don't forget to follow your dreams!

A Gallery of Inspiration

by Kelly

Art is when you hear a knocking from your soul — and you answer. ~Terri Guillemets

I blame Pinterest.

I swear I am going to have that tattooed on my forehead one day.

A few weeks ago, we finally got around to having the last bit of wood floors refinished in our upstairs. I ended up switching the rooms around too.  I moved my daughter's room to the back bedroom and put my office in her old room.  

Mother of the year... I know.

At any rate, once we finally got everything put back in order, I did some major purging and reorganizing in my office.  (The hacksaw may have been pulled out, but shhhhhh...don't tell my husband).  And after the dust settled (literally and figuratively), I was left with - HEAVEN FORBID! - a completely empty wall.

Hello Pinterest.

I decided that it would be fun to create a gallery wall in the wall space above the file cabinet and so naturally, I went to Pinterest where I have an entire board devoted to gallery walls.  And thanks to a little serendipity, I also saw this blog post by Jamie Pate on Heidi Swapp's website.  I think what I love most is the mix of shapes and textures in combination with typography and other elements.  Which is what I wanted to incorporate into my gallery wall.  

So the first thing I did was start with a little sketch.  

I wish I was one of those people that could just pull a bunch of things together willy-nilly, but I tend to do so much better if I have at least some kind of visual to get me going.  For this project, I knew I wanted to incorporate some marquee letters and I had an old, gold-tone, empty frame that I hoped to repurpose...that's where I stared.  Then I sketched in a few other elements (mostly unused picture frames and word art) to fill in the spaces and keep this project as inexpensive as possible ...knowing that the end result would probably look a little different.  

The one thing I splurged on were the marquee letters.  I decided to give them an aged, gold finish by layering on a combination of gold, cream, and silver acrylic paints (all things I had in my supplies).  I also used a tiny bit of an antique rub in between the layers to give it the aged feel.  

Once I had the letters done, I started experimenting with placement by arranging the pieces on the floor.  And in the spirit of full-disclosure, the layout evolved over the course of a couple of days.  I had the big gold frame, the marquee letters, and a chalkboard pretty much fixed.  Friday afternoon I visited Vintage Market Days and bought an antique fence picket which I thought would be a fun addition.  But everything else was open for interpretation.

So fast forward about 36 hours, and this was the final iteration.  I wrote out one of my favorite bible verses in chalk, added a quote by St. Francis of Assisi (the inspiration behind my word for the year - CONNECT), and printed out a couple of photos.  The next step was to hang it up on the wall.  Once again, someone like my friend Carrie could probably hang all this up with no map and all the pictures would be level and everything would be perfectly spaced.  But not me.  So I started by measuring and marking, then hanging the largest pieces - the frame, marquee letters, and chalkboard - and then added the other elements one at a time.

Here is the end result.

I just love the way it turned out.  Each of the elements speaks to my heart and makes me so happy.

If you are interested in creating a gallery wall for yourself,  I would offer the following pieces of advice.  First, try not to overthink it....this should be fun.  Next, choose a variety of elements in various shapes and sizes - word art, frames, photos.  Also, try incorporating a variety of finishes in gold, painted, and/or wood.  Then, as you put your design together, don't be afraid to move things around - my end result turned out quite a bit different than my original sketch.  Finally, I find that keeping at least one edge of each element aligned is the best way to keep all these different styles, colors, and shapes unified. For instance in my wall, the bottom of the letters line up with the bottom of the gold frame and the framed print of my daughter lines up along the left edge.

I know this type of display isn't for everyone, but I find it to wonderfully inspirational to have all of these things I love in the place where I create. And what a gift to create something beautiful just for yourself.

I'd love to see your creative spaces! You can upload them to our Flickr pool or share them on Instagram using the #focusingonlife.  

Until next time,

Kelly

The Art of Contentment

by Kelly

“I am content; that is a blessing greater than riches; and he to whom that is given need ask no more.” ~ Henry Fielding

Seeking.  Striving.  Exploring.  Learning.

All words you could use to describe the early stages of my relationship with photography.  And I do not believe it was a coincidence that I was also approaching my life the same way at the time…working through my mid-life crisis/empty-nest issues.  Looking for answers to some of life’s big questions.

In the beginning, I spent so much time and energy behind the lens and in front the screen…when I look back, it really was a time of very active growth.  I was reading everything I could get my hands on.  Experimenting with technique and style.  Making big discoveries about both my Life and my Art.

Life and Art….for me they always seem to go hand in hand.  

Lately though, it’s been a different story.  Less striving…less struggling.  A certain sense of quiet peace about both my life and my photography.

So, just to be clear, I am absolutely NOT pretending that life is perfect and I have all my problems worked out!  And I’m certainly not stating that I don’t have room to grow in my photography!  I guess what I am trying to say is that even in the midst of their imperfections and incompleteness, I feel content in both of these areas in my life right now.  For now, I am satisfied with where I am at.

Even as recently as a couple of years ago though this kind of quietness (or anything even **remotely** resembling emptiness) would have sent me into major hustle mode – Take a new class!  Start a new project!  I would have found some way to busy it up.  Fill up the space.  I had this notion that if I was not actively pursuing improvement in my Art then basically I was a total slacker.

But I am slowly learning Art isn’t only found in the relentless striving and the big epiphanies.  Art is wherever the heart is, so that means there can also be Art in contentment as well.

Finding the heart in my Art…it’s the core of my word for the year – CONNECT.  Connecting my hands, my head, and my heart in all of my creative pursuits.  And beyond the surface connotation of how it might apply to crafty-type endeavors, instead, where I am truly focusing my attention is in motivation behind my Art.  Making sure my Art is not driven by one of my “Big Three Art Killers”:

• the comparison trap
• fear of missing out
• hustling for worthiness

So then what does finding contentment in my Art look like?  For me, it starts with acknowledging the ebb and flow of creativity.  Getting comfortable with the seasons of life.  I believe the art of contentment also has its foundation in gratitude and mindfulness.  Staying present and avoiding my tendency to find distraction from uncomfortable situations and emotions.  And lastly, for me especially, resisting the urge to fill this quiet peacefulness with empty busyness.  

I think it's important here to add here that contentment is not complacency.  Whereas complacency is rooted in smugness and pride, contentment owes its origins to fulfillment and serenity.  Complacency boldly proclaims that I have learned enough.  Contentment whispers that there is much more to learn, but I am ok with the not-knowing.  

So to that end, I continue to pursue my creative vision of finding magic, wonder, and joy in my ordinary life. I still take photos everyday.  I'm still working to nail focus and exposure.  I am still looking to composition to help me accurately tell the story in my photo.  Because I want to continue to evolve as a photographer and as a person.  And I believe that being happy where I am right now is rich and fertile ground from which to grow.

Until next time,

Kelly

Art...The Sacred Transaction

by Kelly

"Art is an act of the soul, not the intellect....a sacred transaction..." ~Julia Cameron

A sacred transaction.  An intimate conversation.  A dialog between the artist and observer.  This is how I have come to think of my photography...my Art.  And this is why I felt so violated when I learned that one of my images had been used without my permission in a creative lifestyle publication.

Yesterday I was able to speak to the editor of the publication.  She was incredible gracious, and I believe, profoundly embarrassed.  She listened to my frustration and exasperation attentively and sincerely apologized for the oversight. In addition, the editor promised to look into the situation to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I truly do not believe that this was intentional act of theft.  But whether image stealing is done with malicious intent of trying to pass off someone else's art as your own, or it's a case of laziness and not wanting to go through the proper channels to get consent, in either case, using a person's image without his/her permission is wrong.  Period.

Recently, another blogger I follow reported that someone had stolen a photo of her beloved dog (who had died back in the fall) from her Instagram account and used it to create an internet meme.  She was rightfully furious and found the account who hijacked her photo.  In her IG post sharing the story, the overwhelming majority of those commenting were voicing their support for her rights and ownership of the photo in question.  But there were a few dissenters....their comments were along the line of, "what's the big deal...it's a silly picture your dog...you put it out there...it's your own fault." And this is what I find to be so troubling...the idea that once you put something out on the internet it is fair game and available for public use.

But I get it....thievery, violation, outrage...it sounds so melodramatic.  And in my case, it's a photo of my coffee cup, some garden blooms, and a couple of old books on my kitchen table.  This is not high-art.  This photo will never grace the wall of prestigious art galleries.  But it's the not the point.  It's my photograph...it's my art.  From inception to execution, I created every facet of this photograph.  And it's profoundly personal.

For example, I doubt if this publication knew or cared that I grew these flowers in my front garden.  That I tended to them for an entire year.  And what a source of pure joy it was to have flowers blooming in February while both of my parents were very ill - my dad just getting released from the hospital after a bout of pneumonia and my mom still battling a wicked virus.  They don't know how these hellebores touched my weary soul and lifted my spirits.  And I doubt if they knew or cared that I have been practicing calligraphy for two years - that the act of creating this simple tag was a quiet moment of real connection for me.  And those books? They were purchased when I was out 'junkin' with mom a couple of years ago on a brighter, happier day.  The wooden spools a gift from my BFF so many years ago - they had belonged to her beloved grandmother.  And sitting there in the sunshine at my kitchen table...one of the sunniest spots in my house during some of my darkest, most anxious days.  

My photo isn't just a random collection of props to me.  This is my life...this is my Art.

For me Art starts with an initial inspiration that I invite into life.  Such as hellebores.  Then based on my interests and passions (in this case a love of gardening, photography, and calligraphy), inspiration will eventually evolve into ideas.  These ideas will get filtered through my world view and life experiences.  And after enough incubation time, an image will start to take shape according to my sensibilities and creative vision.  Finally, new Art is made.... something original and brand new is sent out into the world.

Art comes in - Art comes out.  And in the process, it heals and touches both the Artist and the observer.  This is the sacred transaction.

No doubt, Art means a lot of things to a lot of people.  But I have to come think of true Art as an expression of the soul.  Art is personal - or at least I believe it should be.  And in my case, I create Art from 1) a deep-seated need to find inspiration, joy, and magic in my ordinary life and 2) a profound desire to uplift others by putting beauty, love, and light into a sometimes dark and cruel world.  Again, that's why having someone steal my photograph and publish it without my knowledge and consent feels like a violation.

This is not the first time we've discussed this issue.  I'm specifically thinking of Leigh and a photo of her children being passed around the internet without her consent. And sadly, I'm afraid it won't be the last....whether it's one of us contributing to FOL or you, our kindreds, who continue to make brave, bold, beautiful, personal, inspiring Art.  So just for the record, I am putting this out here into the inter webs one more time...the practice of taking Art without permission is NOT okay.  It's a personal violation.

As I wrap up this post, I would just like to thank all of my friends/artists who offered words of encouragement and support as I navigated this issue.  And that's the real irony here...because I have found that true artists are as kind as they are generous.   Gracious individuals who are happy to share their art with the world...all they ask in return is integrity, honesty, and respect.

I would love to get your feedback about this issue.  Please share with us any issue you've had with image theft and how you were able to fight back and/or move on.

Until next time.

Kelly

P.S.  One last note...although it is stated in our Flickr overview, please remember that by adding your photos to our group you are granting us permission to use your photo in our weekly Focus on You feature.  Thank you to all of you who continue to share your beautiful Art with us.

Madam Baudy's Hotel

by Carol

Ancien Hotel Baudy

In the center of the town of Giverny, France is a unique restaurant. On one side of the road, blue umbrella tables beckon you into a shaded outdoor space overlooking the hills of Normandy. On the other is a pink stucco and decorative brick building, fronted with bright red storefront windows and doors. It is a gathering place for residents and tourists alike, and one of my favorite memories from my trip last year was wandering down there in the evenings for wine and crepes and conversation. In such a small town, it became ours. Don't you love that point in a vacation when a place becomes your own?

But the best part of the "Ancien Hotel Baudy" is its history! As we are all aware, Claude Monet lived in Giverny. He was visited one summer by the artist Willard Metcalf, who wanted to learn about impressionism. Metcalf fell in love with Giverny, and returned home reporting on its beauty. As America fell in love with impressionism, many artists traveled to its home in Giverny for study and creativity. Madame Baudy soon turned her cafe into "The Hotel of The American Artists." She built an atelier in 1887 where they could work, and her walls and garden alcoves became galleries showcasing the beautiful landscapes of Normandy, nudes painted with young Parisian models, sculpture and abstracts. Two winter studios, warmed by stoves were added in 1891. Just look at this list of frequently returning artists - Sargent, Rodin, Sisley, Renoir, Pissarro, Cezanne and many Americans including Cassatt, Hart, Perry and numerous others.

Original Atelier

The studio/atelier has been preserved behind the hotel, as have the gardens. Paintings and old photographs from the time are everywhere and the garden paths are extensive enough that you can find yourself alone (and if you are a bit insane like "moi" - imagining yourself living in a different era). Even today there are painting classes going on outside.

Not a fancy post today - I just wanted to share some love of place as inspiration. Sigh.....

Loving the Ride!

by Carol

Before reading, click here and hit play!

"Life is like a carnival ride. You can play it safe and ride the merry-go-round, it's predictable. But, myself, personally,  I will ride the roller coaster for all it's glory and thrills, it's ups and downs, twists and turns and rushes."
                                   (unknown)

But Here's the thing - I disagree!

Glory and thrills are over rated. Life provides us with enough twists and turns to be handled and survived. The carousels' purpose is not to toss your stomach - to make you feel as if you were defying death.  The riders of roller coasters travel, screaming and hollering and feeling brave, but they end up right back where they started.

The carousel rider travels around and around, soaking in nostalgia of a quieter time that honored craftsmanship and beauty. She takes a slower  3 minute ride  - around and around, summer breeze in her hair. It's an eternal ride - the world a blaze of colors and seasons repeated.

I'll take the predictability. I love that every time my child comes around, he waves to me - every time. And every time I wave back. Enduring love is in that. I will be here for you - every time - every time.

Where else do you ever hear Wurlitzer music?  If you were to hear it , would it not take you right back to that horse, that summer afternoon when the world was warm and bright and you reached for the brass ring?

Is there anything more beautiful in their individuality than merry-go-round horses with their painted lace leads and bright saddles? At their height of popularity in the late 1800's,  sculptors created their own designs - war horses, parade horses, Indian ponies,  all straight out of the dreams of children. What better samples of art nouveau than those? Could you not swear, as you ride,  that they were moving their eyes or changing their expressions?

One of my favorite things about France, is that every little town center has its carousel - the original one - up and running.  But of the 4000 carousels that were once in America, less than 150 survive. The Asbury Park Carousel that I rode as a child - the one with the golden rings to grab,  is now for sale on EBAY for $250,000.

And you know what? If I had the money - I'd buy it. 

The Next Step

by Carol

Sacred Heart Church, Galveston, TX

Fall is slowly moving into winter and I'm doing more photography reading than I've done for a while. An article in Lenswork, written by Guy Tal recently caught my attention. The article is about capturing timeless moments with photography. But , if I am understanding him correctly, his point is that in order to capture timeless moments - you need time.  He likens his love affair with the process to an actual love affair. One that begins with "mindless lust," - snapping everything you see - that evolves into a "deeper and more nuanced familiarity and mutual respect." Your appreciation of  subject increases with an "on-going care and attention."

Think of the Ansel Adams quote (my teacher's favorite) that "chance favors the prepared mind." It's why photographic series can be so much more involving than one great shot. While our goal is always for an image to tell a story, a series of images tells a larger portion of the story. I couldn't stop thinking about Kim and her caterpillars, Terri and her desert flowers, as well as Leigh with her horticultural background. Or look at Alexandra de Steiguer's intimate portraits of the Isles of Shoals compared to the images of we who visit for a week in the summer. The more intimately you understand your subject, the better you can portray it. 

Although I have my favorite subjects for sure, I feel like I am stuck at the stage of trying to perfect a particular photo - I hit a roadblock when I try to create a series. I attend monthly photography meetings where people present what they are currently working on. The meetings are instructional, and inspirational. Since beginning to attend these meetings, I have looked at my photographs differently. I certainly see sets of images which could make series. Being more strict with myself about culling, key wording and making collections in Lightroom has made them easier to see. I've learned that after choosing your series images, its best to treat them the same way in terms of processing, giving them a common tonality, and the same presentation as far as sizing, printing and framing. It's helpful to conceive  of an artist's statement - even if you never use it, just to help you define for yourself the story you are telling. For some reason, that is encouraging and intimidating at the same time. I need a Nike ad here to kick me in the pants. I think I just need to jump in and give it a try. 

I welcome any suggestions on these images. Have any of you worked in series format? Do you have any advice?