tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60004452187082694632024-02-07T09:50:42.409-08:00Melissa Hall Art & PhotographyThis blog is tracking my art and photography explorations.Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-85083719183805656902018-03-01T07:15:00.000-08:002018-03-01T07:15:16.481-08:001 Year Down<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found out this Tuesday that I am officially 1 year free from cancer. Honestly it wasn't the information I was expecting to receive. My past blood work from the previous month had suspiciously bumped up a little bit. It was still in the normal range but significant enough to scare the willies out of me. I spent a month tied up in knots mentally and physically. (Seriously, if you need a massage therapist, contact me. I can hook you up with the best!) Monday I had blood work done. Early the next day my phone rings and the caller ID was my oncologist. My heart sank. It was unusual for them to contact me so quickly with results. But no! The CA125 number was the lowest I'd ever had. Hallelujah!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's still amazing to me the mental mess cancer causes. It's like carrying a bomb with a faulty timer across a thick field drenched in molasses. Hmmm... photo shoot idea? Future plans are overly scrutinized and re-evaluated, anything you commit to is worrisome, and your life becomes a series of ifs. Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful that my bomb didn't go off this time. And I AM going to celebrate this odd little anniversary. <br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25WI1HcVM59jg1dahAzbK99AWmJv4E6axkDGJGwwNqfPocrEjkg7yqAifwBGYZ-6HZbji8IN7SmpDUmydwAot19WnzPD_rjKDpz9M2gls5fKAWMcQHFOLq9u-w7wPRvkDb9r79bZ3Dake/s1600/Introspective-Extrospective-postcard-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1110" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25WI1HcVM59jg1dahAzbK99AWmJv4E6axkDGJGwwNqfPocrEjkg7yqAifwBGYZ-6HZbji8IN7SmpDUmydwAot19WnzPD_rjKDpz9M2gls5fKAWMcQHFOLq9u-w7wPRvkDb9r79bZ3Dake/s400/Introspective-Extrospective-postcard-front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In two weeks I will be in a </span><a href="http://lasclex.org/event/gallery-hop-international-childrens-exhibition-introspective-extrospective-a-womans-view-with-debra-lott-melissa-hall/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">two person show</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> with Debra Lott at the Living Arts and Science Center in Lexington. This will be primarily new work continuing the explorations of my brush with mortality from last year's solo show. I do not intend to forever be the cancer girl of my local art scene, but while the ideas are still flowing, don't piss off the muse right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-58009740897724735732018-02-12T19:55:00.002-08:002018-02-12T19:57:22.604-08:00Her Lessons are Still with Me<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 22.6667px;">Let me set the scene - my studio </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 22.6667px;">A sewing project</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 22.6667px;">Me in abject terror</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 22.6667px;">Cotton is supposed to tear straight right. Well that didn’t happen!!!! </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 22.6667px;">It’s very inconvenient of my Mother to be in the afterlife. She was the seamstress and I was the painter when it came to projects. But I did pick up something peculiarly brilliant from her. Whenever she was faced with learning something new , she would find a kid version to teach herself. She didn’t learn to cook until I was in high school. Somewhere she found a kids version of the Betty Crocker cookbook and off she went with great success.</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2408" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 22.6667px;">Well I need to sew a few little things for my assemblage projects. It finally occurred to me - is there a kids sewing machine? Why yes and thanks to Etsy, look what I have!</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2426" style="color: #454545; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBjcGVgTNe_ty22onr6uo2rBhDWUDrBWScGZ2DBQzU4vrizS40YByRDX2k0RKLN5xWcd73JqTF219t3ZkUpghFtpAXq3EjOvOPfryyVYFZhNXaG5HwcY8e-x4BOcXGHDTpstoY0RH9qhn/s1600/IMG_E5190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBjcGVgTNe_ty22onr6uo2rBhDWUDrBWScGZ2DBQzU4vrizS40YByRDX2k0RKLN5xWcd73JqTF219t3ZkUpghFtpAXq3EjOvOPfryyVYFZhNXaG5HwcY8e-x4BOcXGHDTpstoY0RH9qhn/s320/IMG_E5190.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2426" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2428" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 22.6667px;">Batteries installed in the itty bitty foot pedal and off I went! Even though she’s not here to fix my problems, she actually did anyway. :)</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2428" style="color: #454545; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnW1NCq4ykD1MwKSAzCyk1RbeSO-2QyXI6F5sbouhO-1c4hDlxH8XrQehrT8C0L5Yv2rXhL7Ypiu_U2_ZuVCIlgw2KgVjh6vGHuQuvQM-XRF7D6Cc1mMa0ff-nOlB8vXMa4ntcPBo634V/s1600/IMG_5320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnW1NCq4ykD1MwKSAzCyk1RbeSO-2QyXI6F5sbouhO-1c4hDlxH8XrQehrT8C0L5Yv2rXhL7Ypiu_U2_ZuVCIlgw2KgVjh6vGHuQuvQM-XRF7D6Cc1mMa0ff-nOlB8vXMa4ntcPBo634V/s320/IMG_5320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Doll mattress successfully assembled</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESKXxFkK1M7iB3QMA3oYDEFKrglUsMQMjrKpimhOXsNURArKJriixvmATAuiAvVk56lXhyq8G4wedVLKnWwwBXcaS_wTfemfXtztlumXk62zYD9KssWgF5pXEHIzfv6EmudXl5rSlemxc/s1600/IMG_5575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESKXxFkK1M7iB3QMA3oYDEFKrglUsMQMjrKpimhOXsNURArKJriixvmATAuiAvVk56lXhyq8G4wedVLKnWwwBXcaS_wTfemfXtztlumXk62zYD9KssWgF5pXEHIzfv6EmudXl5rSlemxc/s320/IMG_5575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1518493241536_2428" style="font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 17pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Muse of the Night Voices (completed)</span></span></div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-19524408250712748692018-01-17T00:09:00.001-08:002018-01-17T00:09:55.156-08:00January 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vr4TqOciRV21j6L5BjZ5_wM7mAX5NTmW-a3wVt65Ums7onUhyEUi5rZx2mnrCimomjF3Fj3Ajs-rG2hRAxnGynURXQBZNE_opx3ebXCVgybdkn9-iFroK5kF9Knem4n4h4IReTiq7T3y/s1600/1733B581-CCDA-40AA-A969-73C10291F08C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="829" data-original-width="1244" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Vr4TqOciRV21j6L5BjZ5_wM7mAX5NTmW-a3wVt65Ums7onUhyEUi5rZx2mnrCimomjF3Fj3Ajs-rG2hRAxnGynURXQBZNE_opx3ebXCVgybdkn9-iFroK5kF9Knem4n4h4IReTiq7T3y/s320/1733B581-CCDA-40AA-A969-73C10291F08C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Into Every Life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m feeling a little lost. I’m not even sure what I mean by that. Is it just the typical January doldrums? Is it that I pushed myself too hard over the holidays due to deadlines and now I’m burned out? Is it the monotonous routine of my day job that never truly slows down? (Don’t get me wrong. I am truly grateful to have a job, but it can wear you down at times.). Perhaps it is just the perfect storm of all of these things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the plus side, I’m in 3 different shows this month. Shortly I will have my first published magazine article. I’ve been asked to do a two person show in 2020 with an artist that I believe will push me and my work. And just last week I was invited to do a “big time” <a href="http://amandajolley.com/classes/" style="background-color: black;" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">workshop</span></a> in Kansas City where I will be able to teach my entire process, start to finish. We will be working on location with a model, processing our shots, and then plunging into my encaustic process using Photography. If all goes well, It’s definitely a step forward for me in my art career and brings me more street cred.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I want to do too many things right now and that’s contributing to my dear in the headlights feeling. As my mother used to say - you can do anything you want, you just can’t do everything you want. Our house is in serious need of some TLC. I’m feeling the pull to finish work for a 2 person show in March. What I’m telling myself is that i’d like the freedom to just go into the studio and play. However if you asked me which direction that play would take, I’d probably give you a blank stare and run away... sure I have a list of “back-burner” projects that I can peruse, but does any of that move me with enough intensity to commit precious time to it? Right now the only way I can describe this mood is that I feel as if I’m wearing a wet piece of clothing that is clinging to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Part of what I have been lacking is fun. I don’t seem to be able to separate what I would enjoy doing from what needs doing. This definitely points to me feeling overwhelmed. As a way to reconnect to fun, I have signed myself up to take 2 workshops in the Spring. Those most often help me to refocus and at least enjoy myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for listening to me while I put myself on the psych couch. If any great epiphanies arise, I will update you, gentle reader.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now I’m going to go lose myself in a book and ignore the entire problem.</span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-15120351112797344222017-11-23T19:44:00.000-08:002018-01-19T21:20:31.895-08:00Old Work, Fresh Eyes, and Mood Altering Drugs<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was asked 4 years ago to take some nude shots for a painter friend, Emma. She had an idea for a painting and needed subject matter for reference. Fast forward to 2017. I recently took 2 expressionist abstract painting classes. One of the ideas that has really stuck with me is to turn your painting to get a fresh perspective. Usually this isn't advice that would work in photography but I was going through my work looking for a different photo shoot when I came across the folder I shot with Emma. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Glancing through the work, I came across something I had started but never finished. Something about it still called to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfEI5hD1ySnrDkbQneaCq7d2ivMGciVtfLhVz86GXaT6RvmGwF0H1wE3sTd6z60d_dYAUriX2rXMN3elPWNza2yh9VMm76Pc54xpBgPGtSP8bn6xYCHQBwxIRymn-yBg7F9bX6DWsHy1Y/s1600/OrigReflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfEI5hD1ySnrDkbQneaCq7d2ivMGciVtfLhVz86GXaT6RvmGwF0H1wE3sTd6z60d_dYAUriX2rXMN3elPWNza2yh9VMm76Pc54xpBgPGtSP8bn6xYCHQBwxIRymn-yBg7F9bX6DWsHy1Y/s320/OrigReflection.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Image as I left it in 2014</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, it's Thanksgiving night and I have some free time so why not spend it in Photoshop? I tried all kinds of things and finally settled on black and white with more abstraction of the image. Tree branch and water texture overlays were added to the bottom reflection. Darkening the image added more depth and impact.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUnHK3BVv_3h1oASw497baqgvLDiwIgjd1A5cOjez448c-oBAMCtY6pdGm8veczssvlgHHb4xLd41JC8NwijjK3bZJxhEcLxG46TJVpR3Syqe94d2hrPTJiKnnjovcArpcKuLq8fjwrxE/s1600/OrigReflectionBW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUnHK3BVv_3h1oASw497baqgvLDiwIgjd1A5cOjez448c-oBAMCtY6pdGm8veczssvlgHHb4xLd41JC8NwijjK3bZJxhEcLxG46TJVpR3Syqe94d2hrPTJiKnnjovcArpcKuLq8fjwrxE/s320/OrigReflectionBW.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was definitely an improvement but the longer I sat with it, the more I felt it was still missing something. All of a sudden a little voice in the back of my head that sounded a lot like James Edward Scherbarth was saying "Flip the image". Oooooh! Now I was excited! I added some more abstraction and here's the flipped image.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sm3CXiACxM7MlpQ972igTer4cHQueZQv2dsqeCqbMgO2dvEw4hoZ4wx-y7v-EzKBzOEwUpntXpE3qw_m6UFfsZAySgVdgUUWo3kSgVjRvjw5pbVGXMIJ_Ysibx6jcGEWfNrYEFK9VkLb/s1600/OrigReflectionBWOil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sm3CXiACxM7MlpQ972igTer4cHQueZQv2dsqeCqbMgO2dvEw4hoZ4wx-y7v-EzKBzOEwUpntXpE3qw_m6UFfsZAySgVdgUUWo3kSgVjRvjw5pbVGXMIJ_Ysibx6jcGEWfNrYEFK9VkLb/s320/OrigReflectionBWOil.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like this orientation is much more interesting and narrative. Originally I felt like the person was addressing her problems. After the flip, I feel like the nature of the story being told is more mysterious and may cause the viewer to pause to try to parse it out. It is more unexpected to have the body that is </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">literally coming apart and throwing herself down </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">above in reality than the body that is </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">more whole</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I suspect this is being colored by the fact that I'm currently working my way off of an antidepressant that I've been on for over a year now. It was prescribed for its neuropathy side effects to help me with the nerve damage in my hands and feet caused by the chemotherapy. I would be lying if I said there weren't some nice mood lifting side effects as well. But now I find myself willingly riding the emotional roller coaster trying to rid myself of the last drug I'm taking. Yes, this is the right time and yes, this image is now resolved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-63794348842519028702016-12-28T16:45:00.002-08:002016-12-28T16:45:54.153-08:00Gratefully Filling the Bucket<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, as most of you probably know by now the cancer came back. Boo Hiss!!! But this isn't really a post about that. It's a post about what I am doing to be happy, live in the moment, and be grateful for art and good friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In November I had another (thankfully) successful surgery, but I also knew that I would be facing chemo again. With the motivation of a small window, I needed to work some</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> fun into the time. The open-ended questions of "What do you want?" and "What would make you truly happy?" are surprisingly tough to answer with a whirlwind going on in your mind. But finally...duh! What never fails to make me squee with joy? A photo shoot! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I set about devising a monster photo shoot and dubbed it Shoot-A-Palooza! The location was set first. I rented Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch's wonderful 1880s Victorian home via airBNB for four days. It served both as housing and as a shooting location. How perfect is that? I have to give Trish a massive shout out for allowing us to invade her home like an army on a siege. About half of the contents of my studio ended up there. Trish as an artist herself "gets it" and I have to personally thank her for being such a warm, welcoming, and motivating person in my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocA7DEQf-y8Y3zwWJfx4X6YhN5Jysrmvlb9cX2k3PDf_8LWh6DmOMDJrPfoBkefxTYh7FdlBUfLdhB6ZqW2AEhuL7tuAxpgAowcA0ZOespG1BuFuzr8XMsK3eiVfyplsikbdVbRhugdOY/s1600/encausticastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocA7DEQf-y8Y3zwWJfx4X6YhN5Jysrmvlb9cX2k3PDf_8LWh6DmOMDJrPfoBkefxTYh7FdlBUfLdhB6ZqW2AEhuL7tuAxpgAowcA0ZOespG1BuFuzr8XMsK3eiVfyplsikbdVbRhugdOY/s200/encausticastle.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously, check this out amazing house!</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5777881">https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5777881</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check out her art too!</span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pbsartist.com/">http://www.pbsartist.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two of my best buddies dropped everything and flew up from Florida to model, work as set assistants, have an awesome slumber party, eat, drink, and be packed like rented mules! Local buddies loaned me props, created a costume I'd dreamed up, and patiently listened to my coalescing ideas. I can't overstate how grateful and humbled I am to all of my weird, crazy, amazing, generous, and talented friends that made this possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below are some peeks from Shoot-A-Palooza. The post processing on the finished pieces is in work right now.<br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjNrTQE1YHJNCNHNqxNv3LVgpfa3GPmQNMh4QgdYPlZXhyJ21zIsbFoV5E2XmbzWgxA6zHvDRRLrdpjK3IIX7Z9zuU73nMnZAtEgJGQTZOpglU8ILLE975FpaNRBfuPeo9vSgaO_p7yKc/s1600/IMG_5006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjNrTQE1YHJNCNHNqxNv3LVgpfa3GPmQNMh4QgdYPlZXhyJ21zIsbFoV5E2XmbzWgxA6zHvDRRLrdpjK3IIX7Z9zuU73nMnZAtEgJGQTZOpglU8ILLE975FpaNRBfuPeo9vSgaO_p7yKc/s200/IMG_5006.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mentioned there were some crazy props right?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnIp3kTzIT2JUUE8_QMqEXjt6F9w-ri0PblEVfNE_kvK5kqXfE0BORb6DD6lOpK7aw29jPlo_W3gKO-viaMjTf_p9HxIFxb7_cOz8XQ1TgK8rJtJGNG8rzmaoS7u8lzFH8fhylTmjFHWv/s200/IMG_5022.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So many dresses, so little time!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCv7zRkwA-it5Qo2HnB5zvALgxFRf41MZyl0uqs_7kIIV5gB-p7bwa0kKKqkX33imT538ER8RM1DgM3krsyg-wv7u8sPOaIKAR83lM7QOgLoby2EvEg9K2zsa8DuecQraPZKBT2XX5sYJM/s1600/SuzanneTeaTowels7252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCv7zRkwA-it5Qo2HnB5zvALgxFRf41MZyl0uqs_7kIIV5gB-p7bwa0kKKqkX33imT538ER8RM1DgM3krsyg-wv7u8sPOaIKAR83lM7QOgLoby2EvEg9K2zsa8DuecQraPZKBT2XX5sYJM/s200/SuzanneTeaTowels7252.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Light's too harsh? Suzanne's a genius with tea towels!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3bGpE5Eyn77bCHCLZ0s3XJMFQcNJL-fF7QsCN0lRjf1lBgfTwrzM9LbkneAvoRR4OdAkBICR1-cyxhdJTgjYbbKxGlkeTPmNwyYeeUcr5LuG776jYIU-ANuKrOuOpcf2-3NBPym-c0f8/s1600/IMG_5015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3bGpE5Eyn77bCHCLZ0s3XJMFQcNJL-fF7QsCN0lRjf1lBgfTwrzM9LbkneAvoRR4OdAkBICR1-cyxhdJTgjYbbKxGlkeTPmNwyYeeUcr5LuG776jYIU-ANuKrOuOpcf2-3NBPym-c0f8/s200/IMG_5015.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPtSRvZS8tpaC2r4fmlr0LWzpeCygoT_W90iBNKHsvva03P0AMVrfpqgnDERdmZTNlw0sTZOTH_jSJLcyk0vbnveucZnTV0DDI1GTSpP3qo3pKXH2n6FRJDPt5ucgJz_VCKjI6CZEyew6/s1600/IMG_5042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPtSRvZS8tpaC2r4fmlr0LWzpeCygoT_W90iBNKHsvva03P0AMVrfpqgnDERdmZTNlw0sTZOTH_jSJLcyk0vbnveucZnTV0DDI1GTSpP3qo3pKXH2n6FRJDPt5ucgJz_VCKjI6CZEyew6/s200/IMG_5042.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQcaks3n5jVJlDQFJMkiaP_TE9QB9uw_fhAeQ1-jZiL95_5eUNyyCHxhBAFEebXqwmEfvvYQTpbLQ0TG8J2uwNc7hl2BMNCRSCRupFrIUh71tMZqE2EVy8tdG8spH_6VaD_e1f8D-UmKN/s1600/IMG_5049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQcaks3n5jVJlDQFJMkiaP_TE9QB9uw_fhAeQ1-jZiL95_5eUNyyCHxhBAFEebXqwmEfvvYQTpbLQ0TG8J2uwNc7hl2BMNCRSCRupFrIUh71tMZqE2EVy8tdG8spH_6VaD_e1f8D-UmKN/s200/IMG_5049.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These two photos need a little explanation... My first of 18 chemo appointments ended up falling right in the middle of Shoot-A-Palooza. Suzanne is a <a href="https://www.stocksy.com/SuzanneClements#latest" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">commercial photographer</span></a>, so we just extended the photography to the new location! Teresa brought this cool attachment to her phone and projected a movie for us to watch on the wall. I must tell you that as far as chemo appointments go this one was <i><b>epic</b></i> and will never be topped! We confused interns and amused nurses with all the laughter coming out of my room.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNy2Vv8wACo6iEz_Em4ZG296yyZ0aaIP0BZgEJKK-Too8lBtDjbwUj3lACA4WvupQiuSnQ4Q3hvwC51CwnaxxUScskLHXAcKV0GcMq6pgewKNPg0qexjXNbjd07DSOYHL9inX585Rs9UX/s1600/IMG_5052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNy2Vv8wACo6iEz_Em4ZG296yyZ0aaIP0BZgEJKK-Too8lBtDjbwUj3lACA4WvupQiuSnQ4Q3hvwC51CwnaxxUScskLHXAcKV0GcMq6pgewKNPg0qexjXNbjd07DSOYHL9inX585Rs9UX/s200/IMG_5052.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOV0FntfHuBns5IoLKK2TTJHVmVo67mtTdZQMVBTanetbNvuetnEIOi3HEx0eH8Wn3k-igzjXDYHhIxCxzenJT8lkKVqyXcfgeD07F1EMHbhF42qCq9QhVuE4A_JkucEVLohlfSDECrnjL/s1600/IMG_5053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOV0FntfHuBns5IoLKK2TTJHVmVo67mtTdZQMVBTanetbNvuetnEIOi3HEx0eH8Wn3k-igzjXDYHhIxCxzenJT8lkKVqyXcfgeD07F1EMHbhF42qCq9QhVuE4A_JkucEVLohlfSDECrnjL/s200/IMG_5053.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6e25uv_LEQlDA0VSUlyyV787DLJKZBrYycLauQ9WxV98SrfmXF-dA5UIYtzWS9OJwYwzs9aNtvDpKV0NKkVVt6dlgUP119bwxdi0w_WWpwxJ_8FcLebocGX8Waw_pi1hh5b4y_p7XtKI/s1600/IMG_5058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6e25uv_LEQlDA0VSUlyyV787DLJKZBrYycLauQ9WxV98SrfmXF-dA5UIYtzWS9OJwYwzs9aNtvDpKV0NKkVVt6dlgUP119bwxdi0w_WWpwxJ_8FcLebocGX8Waw_pi1hh5b4y_p7XtKI/s200/IMG_5058.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teresa is a fiber artist and I always tell people she can do anything and everything, but I had no idea she would actually be able to spin wig hair! Holy cow!</span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5a9HjfJQqUTRC-9y5KJVFB4O1LWs_EdGIw_6gqwmcHrXzUBTj0PIsSmgZXDsPWjOkIe-eZeBWT8_2vT_ayKaxOuIDdtdXySWv3PtuEYB8l6axDD_AXH9puAHoLkoLPJMPH-lFLL3ZrYve/s1600/IMG_5067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5a9HjfJQqUTRC-9y5KJVFB4O1LWs_EdGIw_6gqwmcHrXzUBTj0PIsSmgZXDsPWjOkIe-eZeBWT8_2vT_ayKaxOuIDdtdXySWv3PtuEYB8l6axDD_AXH9puAHoLkoLPJMPH-lFLL3ZrYve/s200/IMG_5067.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBXKDdNXUNoG3H6YIeQV6Jnhh8R-LERhVexF_RnX5Go2lMjHn-opXPzgo79tFDgyZackZoqNpBJqUBCLoCt6tZ_9U9eO0lMWGZjt6h6nUZln4WtQLUe7A4KMdR1ot8GelZLv0pglHm34F/s1600/IMG_5083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBXKDdNXUNoG3H6YIeQV6Jnhh8R-LERhVexF_RnX5Go2lMjHn-opXPzgo79tFDgyZackZoqNpBJqUBCLoCt6tZ_9U9eO0lMWGZjt6h6nUZln4WtQLUe7A4KMdR1ot8GelZLv0pglHm34F/s200/IMG_5083.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJrQAGAgh-klvb290_6YgnVwv7EBF2oAeAMiEEHF_Bu8Qnj4kiN0ydw_1WENuHLbDphq3Qe2BpVnpC1KzIZNCfWXGmr_U6KPBPk1VBzp7wq6qXV4356mswJg28RlxI0devUczcDzhnmQ0/s1600/IMG_5102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJrQAGAgh-klvb290_6YgnVwv7EBF2oAeAMiEEHF_Bu8Qnj4kiN0ydw_1WENuHLbDphq3Qe2BpVnpC1KzIZNCfWXGmr_U6KPBPk1VBzp7wq6qXV4356mswJg28RlxI0devUczcDzhnmQ0/s200/IMG_5102.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FSnvHrhSU8vI2Kc-URFBD3Mlqd2kp57On_6GAdpqQceUdGh9NNk-GiVMkoRCUCuGosLlUa5OqjgeFEMNCQ56DyML4T1irKen7R5OlZirx42dCMToedzIp4Nzf2oRP3qujQ2IFZpcCCh7/s1600/IMG_5105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FSnvHrhSU8vI2Kc-URFBD3Mlqd2kp57On_6GAdpqQceUdGh9NNk-GiVMkoRCUCuGosLlUa5OqjgeFEMNCQ56DyML4T1irKen7R5OlZirx42dCMToedzIp4Nzf2oRP3qujQ2IFZpcCCh7/s200/IMG_5105.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2CTXkMKa-aaxZ0LWS-vZqH2sDkfiBEiEWq_QYZfm4tPRscq4kWQ_cgapaXNolW3wOPD3w6CmUXI-JEjJz6JNkURKXjnARDtiHOqelEoBJGIMoJK_I2B1gtqFjTgLYhNoRXRLjIBGUgS8/s1600/IMG_5106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2CTXkMKa-aaxZ0LWS-vZqH2sDkfiBEiEWq_QYZfm4tPRscq4kWQ_cgapaXNolW3wOPD3w6CmUXI-JEjJz6JNkURKXjnARDtiHOqelEoBJGIMoJK_I2B1gtqFjTgLYhNoRXRLjIBGUgS8/s200/IMG_5106.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTNIuB0XT9vZ7u7efjoNT3OhFFbsWJxCc3D675KqDet97zPa9Bj37n1i1GIBn5h_hM5Wh0HvDsgQOORXWzsgbj4EAlaFnOO_Fn7bkDoYD5B0iN2rgozdv6JE-q6-VQq4L30p8haKH7gY8/s1600/8109_3Amigos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTNIuB0XT9vZ7u7efjoNT3OhFFbsWJxCc3D675KqDet97zPa9Bj37n1i1GIBn5h_hM5Wh0HvDsgQOORXWzsgbj4EAlaFnOO_Fn7bkDoYD5B0iN2rgozdv6JE-q6-VQq4L30p8haKH7gY8/s400/8109_3Amigos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's so very rare that I allow myself to be caught on the other side of a camera lens...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a final note, I want to acknowledge all of my friends, not just those involved in Shoot-A-Palooza. They say you find out who your real friends are when times get tough and I'm grateful to say I found mine crawling out of the woodwork! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must thank my funny, crazy, loving, inspiring, generous friends for entertaining me with dirty bitmojis, bedazzling a barf bucket for me (I couldn't make this up), keeping me busy and engaged on the art front, offering a willing ear at all hours, making me lovely hand knitted hats, hanging an entire frigging show for me, and laughing and crying with me. I love you all.</span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-75024626398880839652016-04-01T10:56:00.000-07:002016-05-09T17:06:31.951-07:00How Melissa's Getting Her Groove Back<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can still do this! (Followed by moderately energetic jumping up and down.) By "this" I mean, set up a photo shoot and produce something that I've seen </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">only</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">in my head. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Photo shoots take a lot more energy than I ever realized. Thank you Amanda, Jennifer, Parker, and Emily for making the experience last weekend a breeze! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZWx6SkQ9ACf3Zx3l24xKpNDPce1orW6jH8n7IsoHR6F3d5zJWcUmuZ0Qt2wYW8Yvn8OfpXqt3MW7_vqQNOvNR7rhmv49NZ_sRyjqbmgmnsbAEfYsOBYMM0tVeUSm1ChT7iWs85fdt-2u/s1600/ParkerEmilyFlowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZWx6SkQ9ACf3Zx3l24xKpNDPce1orW6jH8n7IsoHR6F3d5zJWcUmuZ0Qt2wYW8Yvn8OfpXqt3MW7_vqQNOvNR7rhmv49NZ_sRyjqbmgmnsbAEfYsOBYMM0tVeUSm1ChT7iWs85fdt-2u/s200/ParkerEmilyFlowers.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY30xh2SM9ewtanIGBz11VO_KEoW7L8T2jy6BczbaproaGiaKYurW-uvf0PKkI6svgJtcO3bjkNGpIIvg2WEky5-_AL1rGHyYzvOkRZOWb1xvsQl_uOHhz1RDkjH9Fy1VVgkscMaOhdiC/s1600/IMG_2336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioY30xh2SM9ewtanIGBz11VO_KEoW7L8T2jy6BczbaproaGiaKYurW-uvf0PKkI6svgJtcO3bjkNGpIIvg2WEky5-_AL1rGHyYzvOkRZOWb1xvsQl_uOHhz1RDkjH9Fy1VVgkscMaOhdiC/s200/IMG_2336.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jbdawLra0-zWnLy8hzMo6wt4f7q9EAY3fYcad5iE0qSGuGRHRt1sqnWMkJoKEEYXCX_2hBMraqrz9QWU0YEg7wuX-4v6_s1ALUZwXzlNMC5hWH8xFrcgFe9LJK6BWO9unMoc8Xx95OZk/s1600/IMG_2376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jbdawLra0-zWnLy8hzMo6wt4f7q9EAY3fYcad5iE0qSGuGRHRt1sqnWMkJoKEEYXCX_2hBMraqrz9QWU0YEg7wuX-4v6_s1ALUZwXzlNMC5hWH8xFrcgFe9LJK6BWO9unMoc8Xx95OZk/s200/IMG_2376.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdTCB0d_jD2CruYCEh7ux8ebmGc0alN72hvFXwFiYKIoVm4sqTdFa9LTkdw1UzobcamP0mAnoxUIcOzKshQjGkTxneE6K-DywKoxBcAoRx7u2Wanu8O6t4XmmLfl2JoxM9ohsG0xPWqox/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdTCB0d_jD2CruYCEh7ux8ebmGc0alN72hvFXwFiYKIoVm4sqTdFa9LTkdw1UzobcamP0mAnoxUIcOzKshQjGkTxneE6K-DywKoxBcAoRx7u2Wanu8O6t4XmmLfl2JoxM9ohsG0xPWqox/s200/IMG_2375.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6gfZ8jszo2Xk2VyY_mf_Th0bPGdhe2nhm9eTXh9Y2SeIYUUMpvJL40yyxMWXa6oLDDQ0rOq0nvvgyaQyoPsTp9eu_GevSj7dqAjcwx1xjMdhFykQviaRX2nkzUboqCA4Wt9FFN3AULEx/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6gfZ8jszo2Xk2VyY_mf_Th0bPGdhe2nhm9eTXh9Y2SeIYUUMpvJL40yyxMWXa6oLDDQ0rOq0nvvgyaQyoPsTp9eu_GevSj7dqAjcwx1xjMdhFykQviaRX2nkzUboqCA4Wt9FFN3AULEx/s200/IMG_2377.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is the first piece to come from the chaos of the last year.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZA7iY45jFFszP_KrhU7OEsFPAKv6c9aZSIBFlsQFyoaTJbxX-H9XsyFmxBDXID_7ZiPYom7yrcKguCB8DJz8ZECTvam8Yv3L0ypO1bH3h991fTcAcm3xZxEhI29aOeMFPO-yc_7v1iqf/s1600/APrisoner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZA7iY45jFFszP_KrhU7OEsFPAKv6c9aZSIBFlsQFyoaTJbxX-H9XsyFmxBDXID_7ZiPYom7yrcKguCB8DJz8ZECTvam8Yv3L0ypO1bH3h991fTcAcm3xZxEhI29aOeMFPO-yc_7v1iqf/s320/APrisoner.jpg" width="161" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A Prisoner (To All My Mother Held So Dear)</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Model: Emily</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Spring is time for a "come to Jesus" meeting with myself. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have purposefully set it up so that I have no art show deadlines on the horizon. The cancer experience has lead me to ask some big questions and take a look at what I want from the rest of my life. How can I get out of cruise mode into a more active, present existence? Am I making work because it is meaningful to me? How do I take better care of my physical self?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have completed treatment. Of course it will take some time to heal and get my energy back, but I'm finally seeing the potential for the rebirth of my physical and art self. One of my nebulous goals is to get back in touch with my mediums. Now is the time to break out the paint, paper, and wax and spend hours playing in the studio. While I'm getting stronger, there are new tools and old canvases to cover. Also as a reward, I have signed up for 2 workshops. Nothing usually gets the juices flowing like a workshop - especially in an area where I have little or no experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is time to see what work will come out of my studio when there are no deadlines involved. Which projects will become important once the back burner list is fair game again? </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2eoVTxUkeD4ASk7lv2raIHj4kGzmaGZOEW9Zyb3d5JPQmBkX2Qk7804ef7prhHy5M2A6CEAJNji1LWwHHb4bkdwS-rTmB1Fdc4R120JRvXBdjFfI0ihW4l09ykvo_YiURfQETPvMPrwb/s1600/2142OVerlayFlowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2eoVTxUkeD4ASk7lv2raIHj4kGzmaGZOEW9Zyb3d5JPQmBkX2Qk7804ef7prhHy5M2A6CEAJNji1LWwHHb4bkdwS-rTmB1Fdc4R120JRvXBdjFfI0ihW4l09ykvo_YiURfQETPvMPrwb/s320/2142OVerlayFlowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Love to you all! XXXOOO</span></div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-91500906320196500892015-12-18T06:29:00.001-08:002015-12-18T06:29:34.793-08:00Getting This Out of My Head<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've never been that person who could just sit down and write. However, To-Do lists spring out of me daily and clutter my desk at a depth of several inches, but not artistic prose meant for journals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzJEvCR42asQef0JN_GmmwOUmrOyO9pJMGgBhiZ8w1h-hLnmJm0vnKOuamtTMMjIJo6bqwHlcF2_dJ-xUOAWSCEJElZkNWSA4-E33m_wYivtSNkF2cxK6Oiz7yLBTbzBqNsFQNe8Z9CpP/s1600/Lists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzJEvCR42asQef0JN_GmmwOUmrOyO9pJMGgBhiZ8w1h-hLnmJm0vnKOuamtTMMjIJo6bqwHlcF2_dJ-xUOAWSCEJElZkNWSA4-E33m_wYivtSNkF2cxK6Oiz7yLBTbzBqNsFQNe8Z9CpP/s320/Lists.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know this is going to seem so obvious to some of you, but a light bulb hit me today. I can make creative lists! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been reaching back into an older project where I applied textures to nudes. This year has shown me just how fragile a body can be. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here's the list that came flowing out of me when I sat down to think about ideas I wanted to explore:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My body the betrayer<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m trying to hold it all together<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unraveling<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This needs to be protected<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Damaged and patched<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slashed, burned, and poisoned<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is missing<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel like Frankenstein<br /></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m still here</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoa! Heady stuff for a list, but I think I've found my own personal way of writing to get ideas out of my head a little more easily.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't remember why I made this image or what the original inspiration was. But I now consider it the start of this new series. When it came together it just made my whole self hum. I couldn't stop looking at it. You know when something is right. This is A Few Small Repairs:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhgXq7U5DQ6nbkcrgatDMpFz-BLWGSdKfdqEkpcMLZm61AA6Ysss5HpZgER7XjfpJ8xP-knaJnvIoPPfFj5OGYcAL6Pn0N5vU9FCB6bZdFm-1WoEXl0joz3hJ5F7gEmjGoRD2fu83i8zx/s1600/AFewSmallRepairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhgXq7U5DQ6nbkcrgatDMpFz-BLWGSdKfdqEkpcMLZm61AA6Ysss5HpZgER7XjfpJ8xP-knaJnvIoPPfFj5OGYcAL6Pn0N5vU9FCB6bZdFm-1WoEXl0joz3hJ5F7gEmjGoRD2fu83i8zx/s320/AFewSmallRepairs.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I've gotten the shoes out of my system for a little bit, I think this is the type of work that I'm going to take a few steps back to explore once again.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a side note - my nude models (you know who you are), thank you so much for your generosity. You allow yourself to become my canvas and are the base for all of these ideas.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a peek of what's coming out of the idea of trying to hold it all together when it's only going to unravel anyway.<br /><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluFV4jePNffwIxlWAt53f6AmFa_DIPUeig4NjLWmFFu_J8sQV9DCY0zc8UpZm3EM_cpxtO98pQ2u65L8GOOuk5W6ozfyTXellVm9UD-uUV45Fdyi3prfUJpc-YQeOsvSXSCY1n_ZNzlEs/s1600/TinPeek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluFV4jePNffwIxlWAt53f6AmFa_DIPUeig4NjLWmFFu_J8sQV9DCY0zc8UpZm3EM_cpxtO98pQ2u65L8GOOuk5W6ozfyTXellVm9UD-uUV45Fdyi3prfUJpc-YQeOsvSXSCY1n_ZNzlEs/s320/TinPeek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-84652393653914973402015-09-21T10:36:00.000-07:002015-09-21T10:36:32.291-07:00Feeling the Void<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a difference a year makes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJlh8m1B9kr2JoRa4giLhpeg38QB9938b_MNOKXd3Da_YAnjLYCWHZ_vKtcP3fKw06lVfrbAnN7ssrJEayWpKs7Ly_daY6rqMeX2y3NEQP5UCOmx9rMvtwKbJTlQH1h8M2yOBk4O-PNcP/s1600/ShortIcon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJlh8m1B9kr2JoRa4giLhpeg38QB9938b_MNOKXd3Da_YAnjLYCWHZ_vKtcP3fKw06lVfrbAnN7ssrJEayWpKs7Ly_daY6rqMeX2y3NEQP5UCOmx9rMvtwKbJTlQH1h8M2yOBk4O-PNcP/s200/ShortIcon.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-drlPEYZlwygzNw3lWjzRuDhZa8ExNZQWkm1gRNps_U1enq7CHsgGJ0nxd9VSfA8qheJn8KofjxYYIm9SNLi4SimTyedgRkyhyxWcFN-qgXTYkqw1X1FKoNyz8lrgj3Uczmi2KjrgMyqU/s1600/ShortIconBald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-drlPEYZlwygzNw3lWjzRuDhZa8ExNZQWkm1gRNps_U1enq7CHsgGJ0nxd9VSfA8qheJn8KofjxYYIm9SNLi4SimTyedgRkyhyxWcFN-qgXTYkqw1X1FKoNyz8lrgj3Uczmi2KjrgMyqU/s200/ShortIconBald.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who don't know, this is not a crazy photoshopped image of me. I have the dreaded C word. This past Spring, m</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">y Mother passed away. A week after her funeral I discovered that I have the same cancer she did. The month of May 2015 is going to be a hard one to top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kJerJsVRum4N2g6vcXAEobU3dDz_Aa2YuEu4a-WMPa2py0b6EAZr8P5qByd7iQRAzMPXyS6jls_QzZcj64lldxUrFvgaOejOltLSjefo-CBRK520DvI752NHmdbnF8oDtwM5B3qx0kaL/s1600/IMG_8008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kJerJsVRum4N2g6vcXAEobU3dDz_Aa2YuEu4a-WMPa2py0b6EAZr8P5qByd7iQRAzMPXyS6jls_QzZcj64lldxUrFvgaOejOltLSjefo-CBRK520DvI752NHmdbnF8oDtwM5B3qx0kaL/s200/IMG_8008.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Out shopping</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXglpfO4Yt0pv23hwZLFZFLUOKPJ4Bn1KpR9TaPTrE0BF81fu4FR7mQQ5mKNSVmwCBFMjUBrXX_sK9nOpQAzQ73xNJzA_Hfi5WD3XFxIRxkXg5XGrBquA9FuulDnirzwcjeqWCh91dS5NC/s1600/IMG_8171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXglpfO4Yt0pv23hwZLFZFLUOKPJ4Bn1KpR9TaPTrE0BF81fu4FR7mQQ5mKNSVmwCBFMjUBrXX_sK9nOpQAzQ73xNJzA_Hfi5WD3XFxIRxkXg5XGrBquA9FuulDnirzwcjeqWCh91dS5NC/s200/IMG_8171.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mother and Louie napping</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far I've had two surgeries and 3 chemo treatments. I'm not quite halfway through yet but I'm hopeful this will end at some point. It's the unknown that keeps me awake at night and gets my mind racing at random periods. The strangest triggers can either bring me intense happiness or launch me into a fresh set of maddening tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm trying very hard not to let the unknown rob me of my joy. They tell you to keep living your life like you always have - yeah right! But I have been able to do a couple photo shoots and have the occasional moments of normalcy thank goodness. I'm extremely appreciative of my family and friends who have been so kind and generous with their time and love. Dad's been an inspiration in strength and my wonderful husband, William, has been amazing through all this. Even after 21 years, he continues to surprise me. I still feel guilty that anytime I cry, it makes him cry, and then we are both a blubbering mess. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was driving back and forth from KY and WV while my Mother was ill, the art ideas started coming. I've been using my iPhone to write them all down. My Mother was my sounding board when it came to my ideas. A few of these current possibilities I even had a chance to discuss with her before she was gone. I'm really hoping when I've finished the chemo and radiation, I can get into the studio and let this jumble of craziness work it's way out of me as she would have expected me to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the ideas have been circling around the idea of the void - the feeling and experiences based upon this enormous absence in my life. I'm a pretty good mix of both my father and my mother, but mother always got me. She knew what to say to prop me right back up when life had thrown me a curve. At random times one of us would call the other to find we were both in the exact same mood for absolutely no reason. Once I mused that maybe we were two people that were sharing the contents of one soul. She liked how that explained the uncanny link we had. That thought is really sparking some ideas now...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In this moment I will be trying to ride the roller coaster of my treatments with as much patience and grace as I can summon and keep writing down the ideas as they present themselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tell your special people that you love them and go out and create something wonderful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-12857374634509472842015-03-18T13:57:00.000-07:002015-03-19T07:15:20.762-07:00Florida Whirlwind Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAoh0M7DxI6TWp6rP_HHhSj24I3qCieCtgu00HUTuSo4bjZo4DURprBOZJ2xgjN74WkybagYy0D-NfrCVmc0hGZ3KG7GVTsBH3xSlE_BvvQfq-XvYF0RSNm3bRCZsw_2czzM4Ep7RcaQ2/s1600/HeronSiloutte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAoh0M7DxI6TWp6rP_HHhSj24I3qCieCtgu00HUTuSo4bjZo4DURprBOZJ2xgjN74WkybagYy0D-NfrCVmc0hGZ3KG7GVTsBH3xSlE_BvvQfq-XvYF0RSNm3bRCZsw_2czzM4Ep7RcaQ2/s1600/HeronSiloutte.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday February 28th, I drove 13.5 hours down to Florida to deliver work, hang a show, visit friends, work out details for a collaborative art project, attend my show's opening, give a demo, and do 2 photo shoots. Whew - just listing that out makes me want to take a nap! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to thank Lois and Mark Mittleman for hosting me early in the week and for inviting me to do the show at the <a href="http://fifthavenueartgallery.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Fifth Avenue Art Gallery</span></a>.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It was such a neat experience to return to the place where I'd had my very first solo show almost a decade ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoO8rlrcIQizOzP_xoMQFgU4iuJr9qE7nYDsdGoncHQgbIPf_BmWF83rInLlLUJq3IZOrWXUOzgyTn7ZXpUWa8MZO0MxjEAkbi45PN5dhFzkd_qXq90cs3zWblJuJVze2EPRM8pPxTYJ8/s1600/DSCN0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoO8rlrcIQizOzP_xoMQFgU4iuJr9qE7nYDsdGoncHQgbIPf_BmWF83rInLlLUJq3IZOrWXUOzgyTn7ZXpUWa8MZO0MxjEAkbi45PN5dhFzkd_qXq90cs3zWblJuJVze2EPRM8pPxTYJ8/s1600/DSCN0122.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2007</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAdsjkHEKrob0hJoEG8AxQ9Ga8VkrijijFL7fzusEkxKpevPDV0HNJqnSzsaeka2Br5Rad_-IsoECYWznJwDIjdBFn0dyV9ptg06pJMaLhazbltmFTb9_a9Ds4LFjWPSQ41nxRQQ-ma1q/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAdsjkHEKrob0hJoEG8AxQ9Ga8VkrijijFL7fzusEkxKpevPDV0HNJqnSzsaeka2Br5Rad_-IsoECYWznJwDIjdBFn0dyV9ptg06pJMaLhazbltmFTb9_a9Ds4LFjWPSQ41nxRQQ-ma1q/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hanging the show was definitely a group effort.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNYrCh5UmnzlIIEqmyLUKYVh9GR5T1fnpfhT4rW3hkydNS1gvXh4SWl3HZDh9AavO6dPbM9TlJzKFuWZIgUQ7yVbGdxP87IeS_DOLf9fYg6mTSXgkcBFmuFIMPgBGMNW3V9SnOVAKqtQk/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNYrCh5UmnzlIIEqmyLUKYVh9GR5T1fnpfhT4rW3hkydNS1gvXh4SWl3HZDh9AavO6dPbM9TlJzKFuWZIgUQ7yVbGdxP87IeS_DOLf9fYg6mTSXgkcBFmuFIMPgBGMNW3V9SnOVAKqtQk/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's good to have precise friends! Here's Teresa keeping me on even keel.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgbJR5V3ervUgImQz6R3EEkOKXDfWkkSpxk7ca01Spp9YnSH9nAl7I4TFpWT50YechI353z5yw5Ijhsf8DQacZn12rFlymesSNJZ1nTX_pA6MU21LFuue3oD2xvUdyYafcIr5GsqQNOdG/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgbJR5V3ervUgImQz6R3EEkOKXDfWkkSpxk7ca01Spp9YnSH9nAl7I4TFpWT50YechI353z5yw5Ijhsf8DQacZn12rFlymesSNJZ1nTX_pA6MU21LFuue3oD2xvUdyYafcIr5GsqQNOdG/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nancy and Lois seeing to the details.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-s-gDHr1M9087Gk_pcsVxu7hc0WuxfyZxvOEP2U5Gx4fgXM_vt5W6_Z_n_DTNMGlvMiqTd3sQIQ9q-r1G49syzZRH1O-LioRuSgQm0QOrnq2vtDxNfUZP5KqEoEof4vmqPC0Vr3w4NWx/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-s-gDHr1M9087Gk_pcsVxu7hc0WuxfyZxvOEP2U5Gx4fgXM_vt5W6_Z_n_DTNMGlvMiqTd3sQIQ9q-r1G49syzZRH1O-LioRuSgQm0QOrnq2vtDxNfUZP5KqEoEof4vmqPC0Vr3w4NWx/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Less talking more working! Love those socks Suzanne.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXBzekhZskV5f4GFv8vrIlTgE6Z5Bumgf766FupXi2cMgU0pczkJ5rra9iMoxXLxJsctYmdNZeFtv6AAwWE9QeARhUkl_atYG8ilEW_6BU4eIijKEJP7-aNq_uw_zj0hkPxWVgURDggnh/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXBzekhZskV5f4GFv8vrIlTgE6Z5Bumgf766FupXi2cMgU0pczkJ5rra9iMoxXLxJsctYmdNZeFtv6AAwWE9QeARhUkl_atYG8ilEW_6BU4eIijKEJP7-aNq_uw_zj0hkPxWVgURDggnh/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best thing about hanging a show is definitely the lunch afterwards! <br />Notice the multiple drinks with umbrellas...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After hanging the show, I was able to spend some quality time with Teresa working out the details of a project we will be doing together. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting to bounce ideas back and forth for a few days </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">made me feel like I was 5 again and someone had just handed me a bag full of Tootsie-Rolls!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij15oSfkFqeYuDQf617X1kd-lQjD3kZz4xp2ggib9h-k4jxgqpws4glHePUNCKzc6r4hZDW1ncwYkmn3iRTqam4WwOxuXUh8G_znUh2OSe1ggj80_dMnKYfWmChnP_qtwJkTjE61JhqVcY/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij15oSfkFqeYuDQf617X1kd-lQjD3kZz4xp2ggib9h-k4jxgqpws4glHePUNCKzc6r4hZDW1ncwYkmn3iRTqam4WwOxuXUh8G_znUh2OSe1ggj80_dMnKYfWmChnP_qtwJkTjE61JhqVcY/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissR3gq33c87fK59TGZlGLh0I_Bp0MyZjHmdEhcc_ENRIYHqXn68L4Docp5lGFzVNsjpN0CH8KcUtksYf4n0b0nz3GB6_1csT75PxGkUFgyE0HvSEb6FRN64mS2lZyHxtE45pj8I-7xcR2/s1600/IMG_0155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissR3gq33c87fK59TGZlGLh0I_Bp0MyZjHmdEhcc_ENRIYHqXn68L4Docp5lGFzVNsjpN0CH8KcUtksYf4n0b0nz3GB6_1csT75PxGkUFgyE0HvSEb6FRN64mS2lZyHxtE45pj8I-7xcR2/s1600/IMG_0155.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_R0CJgWa_7ZO-kf8TfoyV6DNHwFmKYdi4NWPZme71bpboJcmxhCUEdUfHPlBMtq6MzFEFZgZ0pI1WPR_jfvF4ocFbCHIoUnHUunyasd__2EG0AfzRWihbFlKSY5C5XWsySe13LiNnYQV/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_R0CJgWa_7ZO-kf8TfoyV6DNHwFmKYdi4NWPZme71bpboJcmxhCUEdUfHPlBMtq6MzFEFZgZ0pI1WPR_jfvF4ocFbCHIoUnHUunyasd__2EG0AfzRWihbFlKSY5C5XWsySe13LiNnYQV/s1600/IMG_0159.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_inkfEERS4a665woeRcIIUFE7713i8jacvAuuLUOKxDPwIvCsl8kVsbg0pe6cXBJWlBaL50mWSeFJTGGyH4fZclgz87Gtubv39QpRjm72YDp0lkpz5ExKqx07WZ5j0dPkUXKpJM53ao9/s1600/IMG_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_inkfEERS4a665woeRcIIUFE7713i8jacvAuuLUOKxDPwIvCsl8kVsbg0pe6cXBJWlBaL50mWSeFJTGGyH4fZclgz87Gtubv39QpRjm72YDp0lkpz5ExKqx07WZ5j0dPkUXKpJM53ao9/s1600/IMG_0161.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrdBShTW_7b9KA5CVzFvh36NjmGb9KVTJ9TNHFXFuWDq9e3PsYr9OnPcLMDxrvfFSZDHMr2PEwWx3q0juC12nZY1IUJxSaA0sOMNzLkjs52KLxWydBauvo03vakh2SopAJ0qF_DfvH-LE/s1600/IMG_0212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrdBShTW_7b9KA5CVzFvh36NjmGb9KVTJ9TNHFXFuWDq9e3PsYr9OnPcLMDxrvfFSZDHMr2PEwWx3q0juC12nZY1IUJxSaA0sOMNzLkjs52KLxWydBauvo03vakh2SopAJ0qF_DfvH-LE/s1600/IMG_0212.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmoPOvu5vPPbD6xQuit1vPDcZPuXK5IGgeimWz2egvluX4dsVgyLkjAvCke1xXDcQD5fUu-bqwM7KVakTccBMxPQVrHiZ0k5kz9Xfpg6m1B3DipRw-eff-6CFrvYLoDZhJyj3H3muobvf/s1600/IMG_0214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmoPOvu5vPPbD6xQuit1vPDcZPuXK5IGgeimWz2egvluX4dsVgyLkjAvCke1xXDcQD5fUu-bqwM7KVakTccBMxPQVrHiZ0k5kz9Xfpg6m1B3DipRw-eff-6CFrvYLoDZhJyj3H3muobvf/s1600/IMG_0214.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlB1v9I86tSudeMKvL4rverm-RTsVWzK4DViwthhh8xPHjd63DxSEulKEkQVOExnUUBJn6IfAiXU4J9hUZ2_F5QTVgOdaUZOB90gCOxtNJt97RRsnvGEI5W-mKxIt2v6-hFjmMbRh_w6M/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlB1v9I86tSudeMKvL4rverm-RTsVWzK4DViwthhh8xPHjd63DxSEulKEkQVOExnUUBJn6IfAiXU4J9hUZ2_F5QTVgOdaUZOB90gCOxtNJt97RRsnvGEI5W-mKxIt2v6-hFjmMbRh_w6M/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Why yes - that is Teresa making lasagna! This was my real reason for driving almost 14 hours...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trip had it's challenging moments. It was one of those weeks where Mother Nature decided to mess with me. On a shoot where I could have used some clouds, it was 91 degrees and blindingly sunny. For the underwater shoot it was dismally grey and the pool turned out to be a dark color. What are you going to do? Shoot, pray, and roll with it... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A huge thanks to Suzanne and Jill for being so patient with this scatterbrained photographer!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlmO526uGfuHh4r4ZrU93eLa45FS3ba7fjgJ1kcSuMrUbiok_M15-0noRrYbpMqFh9wFhGhYYDZxiD_SEOo0tX9G-RB_K8j_IqHL9AZx2OuSKjXLCDhKABvh7xVV-VNnDwBiJfW_xuhNG/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlmO526uGfuHh4r4ZrU93eLa45FS3ba7fjgJ1kcSuMrUbiok_M15-0noRrYbpMqFh9wFhGhYYDZxiD_SEOo0tX9G-RB_K8j_IqHL9AZx2OuSKjXLCDhKABvh7xVV-VNnDwBiJfW_xuhNG/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAzLwMY0ln9mbY_q7Lg0O9aYjszCHwAYPEKGFgzb86SYkjYZ_GpRB1r6TPJLUdgKemIpOe66PHfX0Hstpip5hdnWtN6hCu6OFoVwoUOga6ihiYl19cVRSPThK0HRDTQCJ9MCbelJylhyX/s1600/IMG_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAzLwMY0ln9mbY_q7Lg0O9aYjszCHwAYPEKGFgzb86SYkjYZ_GpRB1r6TPJLUdgKemIpOe66PHfX0Hstpip5hdnWtN6hCu6OFoVwoUOga6ihiYl19cVRSPThK0HRDTQCJ9MCbelJylhyX/s1600/IMG_0383.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wAy9WsLAf7Xs7nT7ILj3OoZEXnT0zc5LT04giI5jSgx938WNN3rApnaOJUinYjZvhS2fDzGMa4-UZAixdWrQJynJgugrUMuPkTX81_dLkl4c3WF5U6oGrHJ6P3J-OXPpunfjrZBA34-Y/s1600/IMG_0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wAy9WsLAf7Xs7nT7ILj3OoZEXnT0zc5LT04giI5jSgx938WNN3rApnaOJUinYjZvhS2fDzGMa4-UZAixdWrQJynJgugrUMuPkTX81_dLkl4c3WF5U6oGrHJ6P3J-OXPpunfjrZBA34-Y/s1600/IMG_0283.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5PnjE0FunnSsSHZJ7Poqo0qPrPJcfcsIaKIG-IgMD0znCs6JZ338vI20yBZfqanGnfNbaKhxZBy8Kjlc69jL4e0UMO7n1zHBKfKC5O6K1QUC9VhutHog3j2tQZ2Fs1aQbAkp1zHbLj8v/s1600/8381Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5PnjE0FunnSsSHZJ7Poqo0qPrPJcfcsIaKIG-IgMD0znCs6JZ338vI20yBZfqanGnfNbaKhxZBy8Kjlc69jL4e0UMO7n1zHBKfKC5O6K1QUC9VhutHog3j2tQZ2Fs1aQbAkp1zHbLj8v/s1600/8381Small.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My show "Sirens & Muses" will be up at the <a href="http://fifthavenueartgallery.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Fifth Avenue Art Gallery</span></a> until March 28th for those of you who happen to be in the Melbourne, FL area. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily, as my trips usually do, this one paid off a week or so after I got back home with a tidal wave of ideas that started flowing faster than I could write them down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to work!</span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-13293440466738721842015-02-10T07:33:00.001-08:002015-02-10T08:24:28.131-08:00Merry Christmas/Happy Birthday/Cyanotypes Rule<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzOO23BNp76ummeKDf0ahGGhEpkkQNhcf5PVu49ztSn5wdESymP6hdpky78k3RXN3TZbc83gHUmW4X-UXZvpo-eqVaGbgViQWvWRwP5CmQvL2jJrqh6PESSpBrmFiOVX5CybdttIhxNuU/s1600/Tad9793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzOO23BNp76ummeKDf0ahGGhEpkkQNhcf5PVu49ztSn5wdESymP6hdpky78k3RXN3TZbc83gHUmW4X-UXZvpo-eqVaGbgViQWvWRwP5CmQvL2jJrqh6PESSpBrmFiOVX5CybdttIhxNuU/s1600/Tad9793.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not too long ago, someone asked me what I got for Christmas. When I rattled off hammers to texturize metal, an R2D2 measuring spoon set, and cyanotype chemicals I got the quizzical, confused, cocked puppy head look back. No really - that made me quite happy I assured them!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QBV9Y_HlxGEsNROGWJEuxRPiPeTtSVSRKDuO7QGYr_RtQP0ieiEnxgxg3qnPOoze9TOVsGDPdHMDVZWsSRfkwO8IE_3LNFFRBtU4P-33hhmOXr5670-uBmluK1ouPwIsTEspTye6Hj3f/s1600/Tad9788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QBV9Y_HlxGEsNROGWJEuxRPiPeTtSVSRKDuO7QGYr_RtQP0ieiEnxgxg3qnPOoze9TOVsGDPdHMDVZWsSRfkwO8IE_3LNFFRBtU4P-33hhmOXr5670-uBmluK1ouPwIsTEspTye6Hj3f/s1600/Tad9788.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flash forward a month, my photography buddy </span><a href="http://tadbarney.carbonmade.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Tad Barney</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> came to my studio for a visit and some playtime. He was very kind to come hold my hand. It's been about a decade since I played with creating cyanotypes and I was a bit nervous.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I lugged my printer, laptop, and Pictorico Inkjet Transparencies to the studio, but Tad gets the award for strangest contraption. He brought his homemade UV light source. It was a wonder to behold!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4RL4HWuSdnTF_oozRqkaoY-5PFtT2TEEt4UricP_TJ9-3lYb4JNiqd71Os2uoAKS4u3xdSIceSVUxaOCMfHetKm4XRiZAGKqzLD_xVXvnKWWN9Us7UX-CHtdkylxr2EPT9s8C5P5A4Kc/s1600/Tad9746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4RL4HWuSdnTF_oozRqkaoY-5PFtT2TEEt4UricP_TJ9-3lYb4JNiqd71Os2uoAKS4u3xdSIceSVUxaOCMfHetKm4XRiZAGKqzLD_xVXvnKWWN9Us7UX-CHtdkylxr2EPT9s8C5P5A4Kc/s1600/Tad9746.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tad's magic blacklight box</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We painted the emulsion on all kinds of different papers, including book pages, watercolor paper, pastel paper, and even some antique paper I bought as a bundle but had never figured out how to use. The antique paper (shown below) has a wonderful circular mark on some of the pages that Tad put to good use to accentuate the composition of one of his images.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawo2kLyEbKslO7WuGIx5IfIeao2_rLVMwqkQJuYzeVUK0SRkR-U0_IfZz0BacJswhUkmz2N9r7j5XBvIx4YEqcCkF2YfyvPw_9JjIutmpVzQpROP2ZkXAg8pUUccL-B4NhK_xmeiLdLCS/s1600/Tad9742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawo2kLyEbKslO7WuGIx5IfIeao2_rLVMwqkQJuYzeVUK0SRkR-U0_IfZz0BacJswhUkmz2N9r7j5XBvIx4YEqcCkF2YfyvPw_9JjIutmpVzQpROP2ZkXAg8pUUccL-B4NhK_xmeiLdLCS/s1600/Tad9742.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzyYGSRn5tPJKbINn3MlIR8QHq2MkJ_4qL8G2Jggan1J34_Gtf6ovxVOT4nERJ7CvVxQS08WCvKEfhZooS6iLEIEOkoqOPP0zYypyNIL3vK5iGcnqhsL60rzKTMjUaPNjisHuyDSRJqrn/s1600/Tad9758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzyYGSRn5tPJKbINn3MlIR8QHq2MkJ_4qL8G2Jggan1J34_Gtf6ovxVOT4nERJ7CvVxQS08WCvKEfhZooS6iLEIEOkoqOPP0zYypyNIL3vK5iGcnqhsL60rzKTMjUaPNjisHuyDSRJqrn/s1600/Tad9758.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI5IxdAhiVy6WkL3JrMN0yhrlKv1sCdnrRSyGcj7g5XBDuGRTSTWrXhVcPXindag7WFYRNKjI7E657onJbuW77xfGDJ_RLemJuA9o3kDWomz_Y_0Yih66EIDt4EwTa2yNpbm6Ou5uEiAd/s1600/Tad9759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMI5IxdAhiVy6WkL3JrMN0yhrlKv1sCdnrRSyGcj7g5XBDuGRTSTWrXhVcPXindag7WFYRNKjI7E657onJbuW77xfGDJ_RLemJuA9o3kDWomz_Y_0Yih66EIDt4EwTa2yNpbm6Ou5uEiAd/s1600/Tad9759.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gU7yyYCi065_KncvAtoVizwz0mX41BluH_oLyJmgXsfNvEFePD9agaSokeBGl_modC-wePLeUVW7mbXduMSEucmR9y2H6eMrF8cqc3afhdAgSkueqCq0ehoqJPns8bL-2wulozlCe5l1/s1600/TAd9783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gU7yyYCi065_KncvAtoVizwz0mX41BluH_oLyJmgXsfNvEFePD9agaSokeBGl_modC-wePLeUVW7mbXduMSEucmR9y2H6eMrF8cqc3afhdAgSkueqCq0ehoqJPns8bL-2wulozlCe5l1/s1600/TAd9783.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTD_3DK5_Hi6WEA22Xfa30QAyBdnBanKxNsAoKWvUVWawak7xNuLylDDHX_uluS_upvtZORGDkiNk-mBPXthfq1j5kq-Fy-Zz7fgEc3g9ZGiuSvls-PKo9SOsjUdeX9R2LYl5QmHRvSGv/s1600/Tad9791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilTD_3DK5_Hi6WEA22Xfa30QAyBdnBanKxNsAoKWvUVWawak7xNuLylDDHX_uluS_upvtZORGDkiNk-mBPXthfq1j5kq-Fy-Zz7fgEc3g9ZGiuSvls-PKo9SOsjUdeX9R2LYl5QmHRvSGv/s1600/Tad9791.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tad showed me how he has been staining his cyanotypes with instant coffee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbroyMrFWVFg5m4UFliBpMuMZv1pVwtUPsNnCIHUJTRlOW8QIP4QxDsniXGuVoByPWWmVaq8OdQwpDtkrNEXn3bTxkLpq2bFwVBddljfYH_ONHjVOLNolmR7M3dEUzBbk9q0muFgDf2Et/s1600/Tad9751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbroyMrFWVFg5m4UFliBpMuMZv1pVwtUPsNnCIHUJTRlOW8QIP4QxDsniXGuVoByPWWmVaq8OdQwpDtkrNEXn3bTxkLpq2bFwVBddljfYH_ONHjVOLNolmR7M3dEUzBbk9q0muFgDf2Et/s1600/Tad9751.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZKwaW2cqPXSO8Rr0Omt8YwmgxBvG2Pm9Q4dEb7UjFFjrhLWEUafepmcfnoX3ok9RLrdmIm8UZxhhl_5FHBbXV8s1tJ3IaruScfxTvkdEeDnn-YJNa_rYSIrNz7d0Q298Ct1rP7N1okpj/s1600/Tad9754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZKwaW2cqPXSO8Rr0Omt8YwmgxBvG2Pm9Q4dEb7UjFFjrhLWEUafepmcfnoX3ok9RLrdmIm8UZxhhl_5FHBbXV8s1tJ3IaruScfxTvkdEeDnn-YJNa_rYSIrNz7d0Q298Ct1rP7N1okpj/s1600/Tad9754.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sc8IsJvoXzlc8iDaYY_HnJpRaLLvQrHM5z_mMRz2uzqqBu06DSUWszbzjlkbouBLUJ0vO69NeAgM5WXUMa-XZz9CbV-LgVC6ru-XSpfwbl-B1wfa27AxutgBmU-srZzfGhyphenhyphenSblJZbNMU/s1600/Tad9756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sc8IsJvoXzlc8iDaYY_HnJpRaLLvQrHM5z_mMRz2uzqqBu06DSUWszbzjlkbouBLUJ0vO69NeAgM5WXUMa-XZz9CbV-LgVC6ru-XSpfwbl-B1wfa27AxutgBmU-srZzfGhyphenhyphenSblJZbNMU/s1600/Tad9756.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxEWdm8qKSzugKzjKdMF35n4ajtu_BIActcrcP2cNmv_i8RMTkHPtJLsYHspebh4QZU4Wcy4gL9xnXykaP_6PrKs0gs4i8Ut0TWkZOEbgTZWkderC-9pzNkUxgRJG359a9YnJxqniICrP/s1600/Tad9763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxEWdm8qKSzugKzjKdMF35n4ajtu_BIActcrcP2cNmv_i8RMTkHPtJLsYHspebh4QZU4Wcy4gL9xnXykaP_6PrKs0gs4i8Ut0TWkZOEbgTZWkderC-9pzNkUxgRJG359a9YnJxqniICrP/s1600/Tad9763.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was particularly enchanted with Tad's dreamy image of his daughter Lily on the book page.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioigdQBPnRT0evJZnq8UuYQEzCSrkAYiv2LOgoONN6znWqHpGFLZJ0fPhYltIj9P8VJU8enrLdqQDUd25GiLy6osn2FGznWhCO-rJ1JcaO_LkiezxgtNkB7Vzg6ulj4SHpVVmg3axg_2Hh/s1600/Tad9775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioigdQBPnRT0evJZnq8UuYQEzCSrkAYiv2LOgoONN6znWqHpGFLZJ0fPhYltIj9P8VJU8enrLdqQDUd25GiLy6osn2FGznWhCO-rJ1JcaO_LkiezxgtNkB7Vzg6ulj4SHpVVmg3axg_2Hh/s1600/Tad9775.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My main goal for the day was to see if cyanotypes would work with a super thin unryu combined with my encaustic work. While I don't have the exposure dialed in yet, this was definitely a successful proof of concept.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uT8_6bSnDja-KSJGCcF5u7cvFyIb_vjxJyf5MPeAbi-d6AkMSOPLpW9NG50Ps6tZh-fUMLV68HYCqJ7DnAlfKTmKG6dt8yTcyh3GxGynWyXwABJiKFDHBrxwQTwuB7M5Jns3_QbqvLe6/s1600/Tad9769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uT8_6bSnDja-KSJGCcF5u7cvFyIb_vjxJyf5MPeAbi-d6AkMSOPLpW9NG50Ps6tZh-fUMLV68HYCqJ7DnAlfKTmKG6dt8yTcyh3GxGynWyXwABJiKFDHBrxwQTwuB7M5Jns3_QbqvLe6/s1600/Tad9769.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">All Hail <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tadbarney?fref=nf" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">King Tad</span></a>!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-80069643758889147162015-01-20T09:56:00.000-08:002015-01-20T09:56:05.431-08:00Out With the Old!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my studio mates decided to move on and out of her studio which happens to be twice the size of mine <i>and</i> it has a bathroom! New Year's Eve, I gave into temptation and decided to move into the new studio space. It really didn't take much of a push...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a big white box right now. Unfortunately I'm going to have to move in before I can figure out how to make it mine. There are too many deadlines coming up to patch and paint immediately, but that can come later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some shots of the new space before I started moving in and cluttering it up:<br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9KdaO6DJy7A96QpUWr4gV2KV6WXFGE0mVBweZgy8t-kRCVR6rhF5fhePBtCWxVms-IAHvsOKOzUwL4q3CmMAh-9x2RYg6eviHlLeQeLJ89RXa6cHlWpbV2Yc817Eax40JDr9kILrPbfS/s1600/Studio9067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9KdaO6DJy7A96QpUWr4gV2KV6WXFGE0mVBweZgy8t-kRCVR6rhF5fhePBtCWxVms-IAHvsOKOzUwL4q3CmMAh-9x2RYg6eviHlLeQeLJ89RXa6cHlWpbV2Yc817Eax40JDr9kILrPbfS/s1600/Studio9067.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh-X5WKfOZjImm6rbKbwWtY_5PZh03EQNIrtu_vyNH1i4FUFtV9lpqlqUsmp7XDij15drJc5b7S4AxFbJeTKroKbZxiQz7hhrMu4VB4RrL8vhTZoZj0EfyHR3nhui724fGILkdv4EF7NK/s1600/Studio9068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh-X5WKfOZjImm6rbKbwWtY_5PZh03EQNIrtu_vyNH1i4FUFtV9lpqlqUsmp7XDij15drJc5b7S4AxFbJeTKroKbZxiQz7hhrMu4VB4RrL8vhTZoZj0EfyHR3nhui724fGILkdv4EF7NK/s1600/Studio9068.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5JfcolBJXpWEa62kFTe42O_aOGonM7wjRhIXhRYyghtXoqLrN-wphcWNnRUoayd3-_mb9rmndMpRxWBn325oygvUo3dP67h9uCxqrOwfKZbhyhGyi5qz5qJ7YCfRRAKD97MCVCP-czrq/s1600/Studio9069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5JfcolBJXpWEa62kFTe42O_aOGonM7wjRhIXhRYyghtXoqLrN-wphcWNnRUoayd3-_mb9rmndMpRxWBn325oygvUo3dP67h9uCxqrOwfKZbhyhGyi5qz5qJ7YCfRRAKD97MCVCP-czrq/s1600/Studio9069.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrzFA07UmOBCRAYoS0wehLYrq_COFuOdCynNadsekcswBb-NQ-T-biv_Pf4o14kLL2Kw2fT_uTJ1TrnbCX1UsYpiV5J_jw0aKIxpD10nFRNBNQKtJR_RwzDoC_KHeFHNaZ24Wtv_RQCwz/s1600/Studio9072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrzFA07UmOBCRAYoS0wehLYrq_COFuOdCynNadsekcswBb-NQ-T-biv_Pf4o14kLL2Kw2fT_uTJ1TrnbCX1UsYpiV5J_jw0aKIxpD10nFRNBNQKtJR_RwzDoC_KHeFHNaZ24Wtv_RQCwz/s1600/Studio9072.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The massive cabinet is staying and it has already sparked a photo shoot idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things are starting to shape up. This weekend I spent some time moving. Where did all this stuff come from anyway??? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFItKgA90aHnrRc6M7G-RCZ3RlUshEkjN_jXXqN_C-9RyY7DbXScfuXunGVFDz4QbDnTQoyMbBIwAc5ZhdpMdqtks20_tUsmSTCdr1G5sRhhe6iW-Z-sQCoTP51LwFmxL1z3UATnrINYPa/s1600/Studio9188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFItKgA90aHnrRc6M7G-RCZ3RlUshEkjN_jXXqN_C-9RyY7DbXScfuXunGVFDz4QbDnTQoyMbBIwAc5ZhdpMdqtks20_tUsmSTCdr1G5sRhhe6iW-Z-sQCoTP51LwFmxL1z3UATnrINYPa/s1600/Studio9188.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-IiyQreWU4CwmalOGqwZGVrFGMu2KoLbTQ9xyIswlQvGQaZRcbo11TvqV5pZsCaZfzJlz3crx44jN7PskZEqZ8czmIwoJ4bnxpZ6kejPZIA3GUM0zGUviHRj6OuCS6kw7JeU_cH6pn7R/s1600/Studio9189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-IiyQreWU4CwmalOGqwZGVrFGMu2KoLbTQ9xyIswlQvGQaZRcbo11TvqV5pZsCaZfzJlz3crx44jN7PskZEqZ8czmIwoJ4bnxpZ6kejPZIA3GUM0zGUviHRj6OuCS6kw7JeU_cH6pn7R/s1600/Studio9189.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lM50nqDZ8L3bJLnTnTi4a-1vNZ1cCohm4fYA1KpHvdMO58A7zGRoLPW0R_Xe5RC1SEv51Ij77sna_Me5P2ffyWGtRvDn8lu8SlDE-1dwvuhwuOjWVuuAbwDPP9nHgouwTAbPRDKzgK8o/s1600/Studio9191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lM50nqDZ8L3bJLnTnTi4a-1vNZ1cCohm4fYA1KpHvdMO58A7zGRoLPW0R_Xe5RC1SEv51Ij77sna_Me5P2ffyWGtRvDn8lu8SlDE-1dwvuhwuOjWVuuAbwDPP9nHgouwTAbPRDKzgK8o/s1600/Studio9191.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6itSDf7_nbd_s-wmiCWhc_j4hmLZyZATMROVcCg4WSdqr_MGSjzgjZ1MIBrOSjRGvXW78rXMehWHFY_vwkdm8AStbtzdSjle17841Klcd7V_7GWOWqgcsEEMSnG-IMhONWxY4lRxyJirt/s1600/Studio9193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6itSDf7_nbd_s-wmiCWhc_j4hmLZyZATMROVcCg4WSdqr_MGSjzgjZ1MIBrOSjRGvXW78rXMehWHFY_vwkdm8AStbtzdSjle17841Klcd7V_7GWOWqgcsEEMSnG-IMhONWxY4lRxyJirt/s1600/Studio9193.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to miss my little beige studio. It was my first honest-to-goodness space away from my dining room table. But I'm sure the next artist to occupy it will be able to feed off of the good vibes I'm leaving behind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsZDtP2CmQNKyavNgkTsf4V7fgV5VgsxafNvuMunVJ3v11dA3d6zyPdQqAAxoxbZzanINOLVmDxd8cLp0LCweqL3aM9-icoOdshb1MinlbxAwYViirHkyQoI9qNaeBqwmVzw2hb3SB1Lw/s1600/Studio5781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsZDtP2CmQNKyavNgkTsf4V7fgV5VgsxafNvuMunVJ3v11dA3d6zyPdQqAAxoxbZzanINOLVmDxd8cLp0LCweqL3aM9-icoOdshb1MinlbxAwYViirHkyQoI9qNaeBqwmVzw2hb3SB1Lw/s1600/Studio5781.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The old studio</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past weekend my friend, Patricia McQuade came and helped me break in the new space. We had a great time and I didn't even blow the breakers once!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJbCco5hdGkpXUyQUKRBZbyaTl9d7Pjq5tPJXvryYAaoqiyiRC5tDo0y4PGEwvbLQR4nA9VJM0blPIwDRiW2h82LjEzJ9au-_EZaMCj7V-GMQSTtjIWJh0dcgmW_Dpw5nU-probYyklV6/s1600/Studio9229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJbCco5hdGkpXUyQUKRBZbyaTl9d7Pjq5tPJXvryYAaoqiyiRC5tDo0y4PGEwvbLQR4nA9VJM0blPIwDRiW2h82LjEzJ9au-_EZaMCj7V-GMQSTtjIWJh0dcgmW_Dpw5nU-probYyklV6/s1600/Studio9229.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvzD52hWZAn755OYzt8U9PlIJKnUZcWkzdFyRfVyTxp4nlvcvRBbZM2l7Esg4QSMMy_yUxC2jwbRVlOQkjb9OafjMHGZjcSsbo3zPyUJcn3hbAwk88Uja0EUL4DUKiou2eRH9qWdB_Br5/s1600/Studio9230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvzD52hWZAn755OYzt8U9PlIJKnUZcWkzdFyRfVyTxp4nlvcvRBbZM2l7Esg4QSMMy_yUxC2jwbRVlOQkjb9OafjMHGZjcSsbo3zPyUJcn3hbAwk88Uja0EUL4DUKiou2eRH9qWdB_Br5/s1600/Studio9230.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-43631570813387795182014-12-26T12:13:00.000-08:002014-12-26T14:16:24.275-08:00What did we do before smart phones?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've always been hopeless with directions and seldom had my camera with me when I really needed it. Enter the smart phone and <i>shazaam</i>! I can find interesting places with little forethought and take so many more pictures than I used to before this addictive little piece of metal and plastic became permanently attached to my hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enter the victory dance over boredom...</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3K4zqz_sJnl4Qfa4KF6ncSB5hVRhHmZI29M-VQ15DdmdRImLxVNwHj4Ui6YBN2clF-ClXmt2JLHRe-DHuzZj1X9yZjloQ50PF8Pp4Cl1bkQVxnkVdeZigvZYm6AqvsVk0VmlBIc8qEGyj/s1600/IMG_8008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3K4zqz_sJnl4Qfa4KF6ncSB5hVRhHmZI29M-VQ15DdmdRImLxVNwHj4Ui6YBN2clF-ClXmt2JLHRe-DHuzZj1X9yZjloQ50PF8Pp4Cl1bkQVxnkVdeZigvZYm6AqvsVk0VmlBIc8qEGyj/s1600/IMG_8008.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mother likes to shop. There, I said it. She's particularly fond of antique stores. I've discovered a nifty way to entertain myself while she is sifting through the never-ending minutiae of tchotchkes. Most of these stores have mannequins and busts from various eras. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePkgLoYYmCHa2rY7dgmHWSziAQRrU7mCG6uoYuTonVgrJX-vs197vCmAgiYChnlzEgyQTwQW-RTVD_lhOdeKgg5S71MR_g-VkyrAhHlw5w4l5aJt8ptZERIzk6fNNXj-kLzN1CduyU3Lo/s1600/IMG_8534sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePkgLoYYmCHa2rY7dgmHWSziAQRrU7mCG6uoYuTonVgrJX-vs197vCmAgiYChnlzEgyQTwQW-RTVD_lhOdeKgg5S71MR_g-VkyrAhHlw5w4l5aJt8ptZERIzk6fNNXj-kLzN1CduyU3Lo/s1600/IMG_8534sm.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm especially fond of the busts with fake eyelashes. If I have more time to kill, I wander around the store again looking for interesting textures to sandwich with these plastic faces. Old upholstered chairs, text in vintage books, rusty metal, scarves, and vintage table linens have all proved useful. Mentally, this is really just an extension of the work that I've previously enjoyed doing in Photoshop, but the immediacy of having the camera and the processing all in the palm of your hand whenever you want it is awesome.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a before and after example:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j6gRDBsqT0MI68whzm9ADJE8q8Ctt2LoLXHhqr6r5v4G8R_H2QciQjalLERSOUdQtUN4uJMlCkOtPZ4jyXPlLibwSwmvJq9ywzGPAdDh9tsd_jUxdbDBeE-VMUQ24_gIBvgPWoPNOo2I/s1600/IMG_8299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j6gRDBsqT0MI68whzm9ADJE8q8Ctt2LoLXHhqr6r5v4G8R_H2QciQjalLERSOUdQtUN4uJMlCkOtPZ4jyXPlLibwSwmvJq9ywzGPAdDh9tsd_jUxdbDBeE-VMUQ24_gIBvgPWoPNOo2I/s1600/IMG_8299.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8kKDWwtRShtlWVpJsPtsHufE4RUmy90UCLx5BxiNY8dP_3bOBQUfdLW6vxVqSI3k7zvTZH-aTnnVCbpEevRSf79ZfCax-86MMzsfKyEo8dVT9Y1r8HxsP0OvTzqTCNB7LY7eChWBabu8/s1600/IMG_8432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8kKDWwtRShtlWVpJsPtsHufE4RUmy90UCLx5BxiNY8dP_3bOBQUfdLW6vxVqSI3k7zvTZH-aTnnVCbpEevRSf79ZfCax-86MMzsfKyEo8dVT9Y1r8HxsP0OvTzqTCNB7LY7eChWBabu8/s1600/IMG_8432.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This antique mannequin from a wonderful vintage clothing store in Ohio didn't have the prettiest of faces but she took on this mysterious personality once combined with other images. She has been combined with a shot of some paper star lights from a shop window, bare tree branches, and some texture from a curtain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On to the techie side of things... I consider myself a complete neophyte when it comes to processing on the phone and not in Photoshop. There is a ton to learn. I was first introduced to this idea by <a href="http://susantuttlephotography.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Susan Tuttle's</span></a> wonderful work and tutorials. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are the apps I've been exploring: Oggl, Image Blender, DistressedFX, SuperImpose, ScratchCam, BlurFX, PicGrunger, and FilterStorm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Image Blender in particular is a favorite. It allows you to combine 2 photos using a process similar to Layer Effects in Photoshop. You can choose the amount the top picture effects the bottom one and in what way. It also gives you the ability to doodle a mask to hide parts of the top picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few more examples:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5oqeZy_QehK0lSMq0fzwKKGwl7_FGqWGVFi3XxeGFTQB8QIiUwFVn7nUS_ZwR0RLgUoVKsrKwqty4B3OA1OfY9FTw0vVm6BwswfV2XcssFMWLr03emH-Z9q6FQZ12rA_eEJ9TmKbBT9Z/s1600/IMG_7473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5oqeZy_QehK0lSMq0fzwKKGwl7_FGqWGVFi3XxeGFTQB8QIiUwFVn7nUS_ZwR0RLgUoVKsrKwqty4B3OA1OfY9FTw0vVm6BwswfV2XcssFMWLr03emH-Z9q6FQZ12rA_eEJ9TmKbBT9Z/s1600/IMG_7473.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2Oy4tDmQX8IWoSgeeI2DDS4wsgS74ND1ukLz_AZ75GCD9Phlaf2m6T5Dopzdyw2odP2DAU6N5fCoktB0quyNbpS5rO0ADjV2Hw94ZwywqQsd7NA4oxQLwRbVnLYGOBqgNksG0P9kjH2G/s1600/IMG_8662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2Oy4tDmQX8IWoSgeeI2DDS4wsgS74ND1ukLz_AZ75GCD9Phlaf2m6T5Dopzdyw2odP2DAU6N5fCoktB0quyNbpS5rO0ADjV2Hw94ZwywqQsd7NA4oxQLwRbVnLYGOBqgNksG0P9kjH2G/s1600/IMG_8662.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWAgXW6Zt4NlT1NTSPiDcNoF6QaLJy92QVOS5aDkxtOCLxwrxqpd4b5N_G_7RE_9wC0K4KcNgBXkUwLlpfZvPKdJhyEa5gBz0l7SqAGyeFeiR0XupuWFOGAI-OUP3fGiIVXIo9HlICBvo/s1600/IMG_8605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWAgXW6Zt4NlT1NTSPiDcNoF6QaLJy92QVOS5aDkxtOCLxwrxqpd4b5N_G_7RE_9wC0K4KcNgBXkUwLlpfZvPKdJhyEa5gBz0l7SqAGyeFeiR0XupuWFOGAI-OUP3fGiIVXIo9HlICBvo/s1600/IMG_8605.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This new way of working has reignited the creative spark once again. Now I'm ready for my Mother's next shopping trip. In fact, she's probably going to be dragging me out of the stores now.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-76198962998749738452014-09-23T11:55:00.001-07:002014-09-23T14:53:25.238-07:00Remnants Finale<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNG1NQgGJuRkrmwzzLSlzpJ3Rw7WUywR8tQ_WKWLsNgCl8jyxhIcdMrEZaRH5KjVqlC6j1uDRgC52Gemd621iu_n4xCsrwV96T1gbEgtH1mApCYdFySL4g8oQbyTqYTYPk3MIO782ftmwX/s1600/GroupShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNG1NQgGJuRkrmwzzLSlzpJ3Rw7WUywR8tQ_WKWLsNgCl8jyxhIcdMrEZaRH5KjVqlC6j1uDRgC52Gemd621iu_n4xCsrwV96T1gbEgtH1mApCYdFySL4g8oQbyTqYTYPk3MIO782ftmwX/s1600/GroupShot.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amanda J. Cawby, Page Turner, <br />Melissa T. Hall, and Mary Rezny</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a week left for the Remnants show but like a meteor skipping across the night sky, it is almost time for the Remnants show to sail</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> off into the great beyond. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No - don't be sad! There was one last creative whirlwind to help us reach a creative crescendo. </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Page-Turner-Studios-Zephren-Page-Turner-Art/221435799000" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Page Turner</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> came into town from Virginia to attend the Remnants artist reception and to teach her 2 day Intuitive Found Object Assemblage Workshop. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was delightful to meet someone who makes me look practically spartan when it comes to the collecting of "stuff"! Page brought an amazing amount of ephemera to be used by her students. It makes sense that if objects are your palette, then you are going to need a wide variety of accoutrement. That's my new excuse and I'm sticking to it!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0cIHpiywGm4ng9rdEHKyTRnuAvzK0D3CbHy6H5iaW-ciabnzqLqmafWmxglXqpPPMnQbmc8NQR0ZSCe3o_9I8SprGdVwlgFhwQ9nXK2DH8vzG6oQKlz9aaqD2imyPRFx5aT7HEG58dAv/s1600/IMG_6788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0cIHpiywGm4ng9rdEHKyTRnuAvzK0D3CbHy6H5iaW-ciabnzqLqmafWmxglXqpPPMnQbmc8NQR0ZSCe3o_9I8SprGdVwlgFhwQ9nXK2DH8vzG6oQKlz9aaqD2imyPRFx5aT7HEG58dAv/s1600/IMG_6788.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w6sSknYzGuEoGdzLl85pz_unSaKs8O_pu7q6EF2aGezcq6nlZqUUSoBsppzzwuqp7-Byb-FWgyGbOJflC3eAC9e3fDoPiFYuShz3AzS_1gwaJzxvWH3azaYMr0Tw_GvoZZ3uXBgt2ZOo/s1600/IMG_6800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w6sSknYzGuEoGdzLl85pz_unSaKs8O_pu7q6EF2aGezcq6nlZqUUSoBsppzzwuqp7-Byb-FWgyGbOJflC3eAC9e3fDoPiFYuShz3AzS_1gwaJzxvWH3azaYMr0Tw_GvoZZ3uXBgt2ZOo/s1600/IMG_6800.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bundles were laid out at each workstation to get each artist started.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmDtptWiVyf0LZ2dCy2BOYKUDTfGeRZ_XmOJVP4hXH9HFC7UvXPkDncADdQCaFO4yz7q7kfxhoDsYtwfi0Qt3S80Yv8ny14WW3Z2ipTck0mY9XVtwXFv2uO4LM9RHMvE0h5G9vTs8sl7n/s1600/IMG_6767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmDtptWiVyf0LZ2dCy2BOYKUDTfGeRZ_XmOJVP4hXH9HFC7UvXPkDncADdQCaFO4yz7q7kfxhoDsYtwfi0Qt3S80Yv8ny14WW3Z2ipTck0mY9XVtwXFv2uO4LM9RHMvE0h5G9vTs8sl7n/s1600/IMG_6767.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAHjWy6z1kiEyadex9UQ4EJv4DCRjOEJ1lAYyqYa_1i1g4SvH2ckRICyj8BVsWmc7fq03aVhctbCNv1spFwBzuZHsgYnlK4cn9aITK0zghN9zmClEnJKrygEbVeISkfKe3jB-mhuAujf8/s1600/IMG_6768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAHjWy6z1kiEyadex9UQ4EJv4DCRjOEJ1lAYyqYa_1i1g4SvH2ckRICyj8BVsWmc7fq03aVhctbCNv1spFwBzuZHsgYnlK4cn9aITK0zghN9zmClEnJKrygEbVeISkfKe3jB-mhuAujf8/s1600/IMG_6768.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpciu9R1FFUoD7eZhom1QtDcQpjjOxkusArHvt8URtCp2JL1pDV0JE7sx4bvVgD0npKlqgroPyPoS4ZoWL0Az1HIG1pqUgLe-L_NImGuGDTkSwKO-i94OuCbQss2jWvThDd9lVM2tYSrbs/s1600/IMG_6775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpciu9R1FFUoD7eZhom1QtDcQpjjOxkusArHvt8URtCp2JL1pDV0JE7sx4bvVgD0npKlqgroPyPoS4ZoWL0Az1HIG1pqUgLe-L_NImGuGDTkSwKO-i94OuCbQss2jWvThDd9lVM2tYSrbs/s1600/IMG_6775.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV1t8KvF36-2kjBPsR9wKZipmFF2EqhryNeBYPzJ-s98hm8gvy0Uc6NKWFBzO5RpS4Rn0ox3S25U2iZm0ALP8bxT091W5heb9W2tuPr2REwJhRsLNzJj60rWYbIILjgC1Ebw5Gk2EYsrV/s1600/IMG_6789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV1t8KvF36-2kjBPsR9wKZipmFF2EqhryNeBYPzJ-s98hm8gvy0Uc6NKWFBzO5RpS4Rn0ox3S25U2iZm0ALP8bxT091W5heb9W2tuPr2REwJhRsLNzJj60rWYbIILjgC1Ebw5Gk2EYsrV/s1600/IMG_6789.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Page gave a wonderful presentation introducing us to assemblage as a fine art form and showcasing examples of contemporary artists who work in the medium. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYE2EJM5hhPLSsMSMkyzhPXwdgF6oROkepIH39zrLIbiJ2etvjpHuvJkEnWcNobWli5iOSvnHAjhoXtFxxDflvY34_mv68w7AMsPLl8eEgzAHDX0ZqemmMQikmcleJ5p4cY3kLSXeIlKCw/s1600/_MG_5711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYE2EJM5hhPLSsMSMkyzhPXwdgF6oROkepIH39zrLIbiJ2etvjpHuvJkEnWcNobWli5iOSvnHAjhoXtFxxDflvY34_mv68w7AMsPLl8eEgzAHDX0ZqemmMQikmcleJ5p4cY3kLSXeIlKCw/s1600/_MG_5711.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She got us started and past being nervous about ripping into materials. I hadn't even realized I felt constrained, but Linda wasn't for sure!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwTEm3BUnOLPqj8gEIRzLMth8jwcauIrHZWlBtS4b9Pw7B0ukde4yn2JA1JZN3kJ3wamOTTRgV9PFcwVe4Gak9TY0c7f1kOU87cIklI_84f04pKhdKVyUIFPwFWxt992KTwVjERfkC6vV/s1600/_MG_5717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwTEm3BUnOLPqj8gEIRzLMth8jwcauIrHZWlBtS4b9Pw7B0ukde4yn2JA1JZN3kJ3wamOTTRgV9PFcwVe4Gak9TY0c7f1kOU87cIklI_84f04pKhdKVyUIFPwFWxt992KTwVjERfkC6vV/s1600/_MG_5717.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JO2clM252UsAp7o0FFNb7AjoWcyf04HxR-8vr_BGrcU9fvphp3Fo9nFc8bOhul3WBMx_BUT_aqGRLU-QpR8oNnKoYBZTxV6u9xTWohnESL_tWk2fwuq0fDgVhlOoo-3WNULGiZlHZ0q8/s1600/_MG_5721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JO2clM252UsAp7o0FFNb7AjoWcyf04HxR-8vr_BGrcU9fvphp3Fo9nFc8bOhul3WBMx_BUT_aqGRLU-QpR8oNnKoYBZTxV6u9xTWohnESL_tWk2fwuq0fDgVhlOoo-3WNULGiZlHZ0q8/s1600/_MG_5721.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next we all got busy. Walking around watching the evolution and inspiration was so much fun.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOhKn7X_XpxhWqJJw7qKQb2jvpJecHaZRRyrCPWjWVgmmPchLkSTd-kgTssF6AO8-0denzxrhGNRUl2fqpCkARwbk-87969cS_fAm2juLJ8cqNhdl_rvhYzO1XkQredTFvecRyWDNb9ON/s1600/_MG_5706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOhKn7X_XpxhWqJJw7qKQb2jvpJecHaZRRyrCPWjWVgmmPchLkSTd-kgTssF6AO8-0denzxrhGNRUl2fqpCkARwbk-87969cS_fAm2juLJ8cqNhdl_rvhYzO1XkQredTFvecRyWDNb9ON/s1600/_MG_5706.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AEOCZjgEC8FfW8QuATbvNupNl1f39PJCBkSysW9cyA-uoY_nxS2XgZp4_6hH6mrhD1fVt5hHrjq2INb2A6Skz97AIqwk2vdpyzda_qWyJaYdhO8L_uWtYt95_E-Bpv4000mzntPxMorC/s1600/_MG_5752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AEOCZjgEC8FfW8QuATbvNupNl1f39PJCBkSysW9cyA-uoY_nxS2XgZp4_6hH6mrhD1fVt5hHrjq2INb2A6Skz97AIqwk2vdpyzda_qWyJaYdhO8L_uWtYt95_E-Bpv4000mzntPxMorC/s1600/_MG_5752.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABiBv2agPfdp8AAFNwTn4K5TJvdVJ9Bl7ZfpoFd4FxRW2-mlUCEmJFymCe0K_fd5guS0VwFlOnHGUiLUW0F3UVQrlBgFQJIJoT6VqlLllu1M9FSav7mg0ThpR4sxkytk5jx5E_p2qkA8N/s1600/_MG_5755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABiBv2agPfdp8AAFNwTn4K5TJvdVJ9Bl7ZfpoFd4FxRW2-mlUCEmJFymCe0K_fd5guS0VwFlOnHGUiLUW0F3UVQrlBgFQJIJoT6VqlLllu1M9FSav7mg0ThpR4sxkytk5jx5E_p2qkA8N/s1600/_MG_5755.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trish came prepared! Page was impressed by her bag of power tools. I've already spoken to Santa about these... They were from the Craftsman Bolt-On Series. Trish's drill could be turned into a router, sander, reciprocating saw, or even a hedge trimmer! Sitting next to Trish turned out to be a tad dangerous though. I kept dodging flying bits and pieces.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMz73K8ukumuyXr0P4l0TtnDuQO0xcqGB5dkLufsNgNLlXrMlyrRJnlTTa4yJtnxB0waeEimZFAsE5y7kthrdqkwE8nTXRMOq54czgfzdQlWxB0hsCMVLUuPUmYdK2cSnEJL-pujd95R8/s1600/_MG_5815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMz73K8ukumuyXr0P4l0TtnDuQO0xcqGB5dkLufsNgNLlXrMlyrRJnlTTa4yJtnxB0waeEimZFAsE5y7kthrdqkwE8nTXRMOq54czgfzdQlWxB0hsCMVLUuPUmYdK2cSnEJL-pujd95R8/s1600/_MG_5815.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XRhlv7hEc3ZcDU64-NgGW6dvTXTCTdjVa4BJ_aeElhMTtQgHcuKQBKZd0-vjoNFc1EkaMp-0E4uSffRRSx5rBpTOQvor50_TZQrtVClxr2P2QntU8-iJy09_5wRv-ixOjMKqnReOyMK8/s1600/_MG_5812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XRhlv7hEc3ZcDU64-NgGW6dvTXTCTdjVa4BJ_aeElhMTtQgHcuKQBKZd0-vjoNFc1EkaMp-0E4uSffRRSx5rBpTOQvor50_TZQrtVClxr2P2QntU8-iJy09_5wRv-ixOjMKqnReOyMK8/s1600/_MG_5812.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Linda earned the title of the Bundle Queen!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTWxzqGg6A4-ki_kTp9jFGD37gBTap5NdZhuQ1gMUFNsmLxfQXddKJ0RGektTCgdN9l8ELQ1211FgXU5oGmSnA4dj5uTJ2b83VdaRPs5aT7cBJ4AYN4mCKIIED1xkUJSHkvK4-yU7XiZE/s1600/_MG_5916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTWxzqGg6A4-ki_kTp9jFGD37gBTap5NdZhuQ1gMUFNsmLxfQXddKJ0RGektTCgdN9l8ELQ1211FgXU5oGmSnA4dj5uTJ2b83VdaRPs5aT7cBJ4AYN4mCKIIED1xkUJSHkvK4-yU7XiZE/s1600/_MG_5916.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TlW5YBuqxL1wwFROGnNOZz0D7a1z5ClcHGq_pSv1DXxWU7mLauThziANEKLfRYQrqOuTQeLZ6dxmQidU0wVyWsayZ2wAfUkDXbvl2wduQ6NHYRNzkH0wqXdV2f4YsOzCfRmCgHF-LuDy/s1600/_MG_5794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TlW5YBuqxL1wwFROGnNOZz0D7a1z5ClcHGq_pSv1DXxWU7mLauThziANEKLfRYQrqOuTQeLZ6dxmQidU0wVyWsayZ2wAfUkDXbvl2wduQ6NHYRNzkH0wqXdV2f4YsOzCfRmCgHF-LuDy/s1600/_MG_5794.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHREa2liEEJHh7xHEqCfENFxoxI9SfjmkfkzMNeEhRsVcjJKxrxWJkfiP2wumtFZBdyim0jF42-jXx7p_ntygEsZcNBSibbyGQDNFIaBRZiSU682OPDB1Vs6eD2JrCt_nNvfr8KBnj9Xo/s1600/_MG_5800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHREa2liEEJHh7xHEqCfENFxoxI9SfjmkfkzMNeEhRsVcjJKxrxWJkfiP2wumtFZBdyim0jF42-jXx7p_ntygEsZcNBSibbyGQDNFIaBRZiSU682OPDB1Vs6eD2JrCt_nNvfr8KBnj9Xo/s1600/_MG_5800.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE-gwWlbnVXmsyo-eqwTGCCJRYCs-m55cRgCJ2UKK6hHB6PsokQatQQ9tGdpMW4SoFeAxTkor_f1jdfa_sVJnyB4vLOzBwRnkMRbXjjQk2SEz8kJX2B2NWrm0rUmkSDf3L9SgKxvUZqU1/s1600/_MG_5908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE-gwWlbnVXmsyo-eqwTGCCJRYCs-m55cRgCJ2UKK6hHB6PsokQatQQ9tGdpMW4SoFeAxTkor_f1jdfa_sVJnyB4vLOzBwRnkMRbXjjQk2SEz8kJX2B2NWrm0rUmkSDf3L9SgKxvUZqU1/s1600/_MG_5908.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was my first time meeting Anna and Holly, who were a delightfully creative mother/daughter pair. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIpifV2U6gIfiiW2j7k1Rv6f6JWiXx6mGCUixZkUVJxOI1fEgG17aIUyegm5NuJguFCQNhE31PKedy3UMDiRv-gccsodiznwbJD3gSwDV4tJpPSGMUmE8XTurzjJ4vH22gkXrp0H7a_Fc/s1600/_MG_5859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIpifV2U6gIfiiW2j7k1Rv6f6JWiXx6mGCUixZkUVJxOI1fEgG17aIUyegm5NuJguFCQNhE31PKedy3UMDiRv-gccsodiznwbJD3gSwDV4tJpPSGMUmE8XTurzjJ4vH22gkXrp0H7a_Fc/s1600/_MG_5859.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlLW9Az58MIZLqJR67omdAdZDHrsLZYaGHrlQtzplkW6UfJLIkqCpB3K6XikUOoolJr32K1j_qCQz3B8oIrbHhs2QVFYavhXXgtHA6f9ili3wA56fG8-0tqvHg04Y4og_mUNF3pxJFgpT/s1600/_MG_5867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlLW9Az58MIZLqJR67omdAdZDHrsLZYaGHrlQtzplkW6UfJLIkqCpB3K6XikUOoolJr32K1j_qCQz3B8oIrbHhs2QVFYavhXXgtHA6f9ili3wA56fG8-0tqvHg04Y4og_mUNF3pxJFgpT/s1600/_MG_5867.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnlK-lcnOmr4aszVPqcuwDhphvTOjWW-GcJOUD4EcoVsV6wHKKCwS16HbR_GrGAItkLqz9smMZDlH2jL6qt0tXIDpmXG_IW7NxCASpTjLiZV4PzeeAnd5lOwrxSn_LEyowRmSJP1n8oNH/s1600/_MG_5868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnlK-lcnOmr4aszVPqcuwDhphvTOjWW-GcJOUD4EcoVsV6wHKKCwS16HbR_GrGAItkLqz9smMZDlH2jL6qt0tXIDpmXG_IW7NxCASpTjLiZV4PzeeAnd5lOwrxSn_LEyowRmSJP1n8oNH/s1600/_MG_5868.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8O82h34OUsN8Aa4WdxldmeB-v65R3uO0r2x6GksVMeWoTs8vh88SYu2_3hazdWmbmCQeazRi2B9U9WUG-pdhHDLMC9Tow6u_4b48xG60Emsh-mXoy1UcBxnMFzKjTaw26IKNKD2Tspx4/s1600/_MG_5924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH8O82h34OUsN8Aa4WdxldmeB-v65R3uO0r2x6GksVMeWoTs8vh88SYu2_3hazdWmbmCQeazRi2B9U9WUG-pdhHDLMC9Tow6u_4b48xG60Emsh-mXoy1UcBxnMFzKjTaw26IKNKD2Tspx4/s1600/_MG_5924.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qBi8No-dqL1KqrTnaA1M0WpgJ14XimPvecsY5p7TNaWPJuB4oOmrSPqoO5kP1wTH8t1gjHhEmq2yTutJK3L__qSWtlj7Hz0ltWO8BmRXsrKdZQof3YdjkxXeUxJTH7l847DYSUCaUiBO/s1600/_MG_5863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qBi8No-dqL1KqrTnaA1M0WpgJ14XimPvecsY5p7TNaWPJuB4oOmrSPqoO5kP1wTH8t1gjHhEmq2yTutJK3L__qSWtlj7Hz0ltWO8BmRXsrKdZQof3YdjkxXeUxJTH7l847DYSUCaUiBO/s1600/_MG_5863.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kevin's work took on such wonderful narrative qualities.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcLRuHTWQuf-p31oiGN42WYUIbGdOPa5NmFDQN8URsqTuWTXOLxAr470FaLvCR12xey3P6Y3-K1WvItNdmylvENlGkYdzg_GAm0zi-dLfw68RYBz9q2xXK6BfkxguJ-FWZM-lrgMdfJ7Q/s1600/_MG_5817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcLRuHTWQuf-p31oiGN42WYUIbGdOPa5NmFDQN8URsqTuWTXOLxAr470FaLvCR12xey3P6Y3-K1WvItNdmylvENlGkYdzg_GAm0zi-dLfw68RYBz9q2xXK6BfkxguJ-FWZM-lrgMdfJ7Q/s1600/_MG_5817.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUS9FXncQzgRNYK2iBKsggzD9WqqbmivGZ_GFHDkHS4lN5j_HlKSvNjtSrVnwLkux-CpEsaGrdhyphenhyphenRvf9Vw6NvL5b66XwDzvl2SPlmhu2IetVqWKMaeVdlPg7AeQIEzXnDsMQNAU58-0nE/s1600/_MG_5827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUS9FXncQzgRNYK2iBKsggzD9WqqbmivGZ_GFHDkHS4lN5j_HlKSvNjtSrVnwLkux-CpEsaGrdhyphenhyphenRvf9Vw6NvL5b66XwDzvl2SPlmhu2IetVqWKMaeVdlPg7AeQIEzXnDsMQNAU58-0nE/s1600/_MG_5827.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOEKaSb2gydpjv3zDg6yarOOHXECCD0MS9KipBKFyBWK-OsTwy0gDKRlMuMUTB-Z_kDdowbQSXDMaF6NrsJTuM1CAwC7HQO1Y3BwtjlPSfzRUCC9OXJnFgpihYnR3k_XBz3am-p02tpJq/s1600/_MG_5747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOEKaSb2gydpjv3zDg6yarOOHXECCD0MS9KipBKFyBWK-OsTwy0gDKRlMuMUTB-Z_kDdowbQSXDMaF6NrsJTuM1CAwC7HQO1Y3BwtjlPSfzRUCC9OXJnFgpihYnR3k_XBz3am-p02tpJq/s1600/_MG_5747.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGcQhKcM7XDV5rKmZ1TVdzvVyjF-9ahsAnkTkX_w97vdJWu4ai_z9HkqrC6RyzOzlhyLqgOwmB6SoC2EfxcgW8MGXVAftZxWyGpO6n20d2nNTb1PLO1I-JdXf_umD9YF8KEohnwx6g5ho/s1600/_MG_5896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGcQhKcM7XDV5rKmZ1TVdzvVyjF-9ahsAnkTkX_w97vdJWu4ai_z9HkqrC6RyzOzlhyLqgOwmB6SoC2EfxcgW8MGXVAftZxWyGpO6n20d2nNTb1PLO1I-JdXf_umD9YF8KEohnwx6g5ho/s1600/_MG_5896.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOp1nbBjx_GfxoZF62DtqNPCupkEt_0LQaBc3rhMSOksvuBzS72nff4rd7kkBWvuKhLOp3uVxt9SEWVzgcf_aPtRdn22Vou6Pjm0a9oD_aOahxtw3w81nYTG7cDVKVxCSMlT7x1qR2pv0/s1600/_MG_5902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOp1nbBjx_GfxoZF62DtqNPCupkEt_0LQaBc3rhMSOksvuBzS72nff4rd7kkBWvuKhLOp3uVxt9SEWVzgcf_aPtRdn22Vou6Pjm0a9oD_aOahxtw3w81nYTG7cDVKVxCSMlT7x1qR2pv0/s1600/_MG_5902.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember those nice, organized bundles Page handed out at the start of the workshop? Well here's what they turned into very quickly:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU4z1Q3TQ4KI0jBW7z9MIBXoX6bBZP_gpyU9LvCb-PJ-oMMGBldsoy2R3szWrc9xLqaDU_Kq52aV-XWWUwYMUoD2yrUF14XMMWGQbDJnlne5iGpnWQEp4Dmv4j25shg_s4CKqYuE_83my/s1600/_MG_5853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU4z1Q3TQ4KI0jBW7z9MIBXoX6bBZP_gpyU9LvCb-PJ-oMMGBldsoy2R3szWrc9xLqaDU_Kq52aV-XWWUwYMUoD2yrUF14XMMWGQbDJnlne5iGpnWQEp4Dmv4j25shg_s4CKqYuE_83my/s1600/_MG_5853.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Page even took us on a field trip of the parking lots and drain culverts surrounding the gallery to find new bits to use in our work.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iSya_EE0ick75WwOktcbuU95STvTLiRA8hsJJ6Fn9ixhyyMl5eqZkR0cNV4YNlkomGqlEvFJNgQvJ8-yNqCDU0mLTL3q3RBqeYPTRWmcL2vdpOL7nSKrLuCWbWzmYyeNbusUvwvsIzj3/s1600/IMG_6802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iSya_EE0ick75WwOktcbuU95STvTLiRA8hsJJ6Fn9ixhyyMl5eqZkR0cNV4YNlkomGqlEvFJNgQvJ8-yNqCDU0mLTL3q3RBqeYPTRWmcL2vdpOL7nSKrLuCWbWzmYyeNbusUvwvsIzj3/s1600/IMG_6802.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBJHcmYbl91BGJkOojiDlW0MqpqRxt0P1QOKS-FY_hPAVacCqNBHbEeFNpyikBmvVceVeH0OYit8nWLzFCZuvv7vLbVi1AnZkF_k31udiyOR6RrSFyfTYAdGf3KpnnuZ-zme8RrIisZlF/s1600/IMG_6803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBJHcmYbl91BGJkOojiDlW0MqpqRxt0P1QOKS-FY_hPAVacCqNBHbEeFNpyikBmvVceVeH0OYit8nWLzFCZuvv7vLbVi1AnZkF_k31udiyOR6RrSFyfTYAdGf3KpnnuZ-zme8RrIisZlF/s1600/IMG_6803.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN8fv7W67v9d_UCgJx-envt-hf00HV_3eiIdL5mkN5C1h68KW3GuoB1N1KgCEerRzcGRuWqdK1I7BTwwfBtwtGt87GtXsxNbUgDBPhOb-Wm0vjanIgzFbw1aDN3-lez_XKRl3smcoq-nr/s1600/IMG_6865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN8fv7W67v9d_UCgJx-envt-hf00HV_3eiIdL5mkN5C1h68KW3GuoB1N1KgCEerRzcGRuWqdK1I7BTwwfBtwtGt87GtXsxNbUgDBPhOb-Wm0vjanIgzFbw1aDN3-lez_XKRl3smcoq-nr/s1600/IMG_6865.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course I had to stop and take pictures<br />instead of looking for interesting flotsam.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finished off the workshop with a lovely discussion and critique of the work which had been produced.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1RZhuMIZMaBLEPQAReYrEU3wdvyiRfGWG4mI16Fw5PpYqBDyudx0vjIcjVHMS377z1A6eRQmMjfG8MUQ787bu0djuthVFbjRRk42eF1n2_c8thGJbMWSyQKeApklaslnvN0mmXFLn1lO/s1600/_MG_5949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1RZhuMIZMaBLEPQAReYrEU3wdvyiRfGWG4mI16Fw5PpYqBDyudx0vjIcjVHMS377z1A6eRQmMjfG8MUQ787bu0djuthVFbjRRk42eF1n2_c8thGJbMWSyQKeApklaslnvN0mmXFLn1lO/s1600/_MG_5949.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6W3TR1BCp8W5i9uIhMrphDfO58TN-1xUFmuBRigK3gRGhXxS2r6JtF7K7rvMKZMj8hGQtKZFUnSn3BIco9xRn4m7zAcSR5XiiFFkM4_LujPy3XmjV9pYJMD0gWsDc5CKi3eJM0bNVBiV/s1600/_MG_5960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6W3TR1BCp8W5i9uIhMrphDfO58TN-1xUFmuBRigK3gRGhXxS2r6JtF7K7rvMKZMj8hGQtKZFUnSn3BIco9xRn4m7zAcSR5XiiFFkM4_LujPy3XmjV9pYJMD0gWsDc5CKi3eJM0bNVBiV/s1600/_MG_5960.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv3GyJzkdXtIr66cXdBrq9J72CL3Q_ANyWIQX5hOlkrPgmkF80fyV1l3Z0mXHCuFLUWtFIDoHhSqifEFwpQGNJYfWHXL7IZp4Dh3khClIQSucg7_avi9NQUVS3X8jYdLXlZkKOW0xh2_-/s1600/_MG_5975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTv3GyJzkdXtIr66cXdBrq9J72CL3Q_ANyWIQX5hOlkrPgmkF80fyV1l3Z0mXHCuFLUWtFIDoHhSqifEFwpQGNJYfWHXL7IZp4Dh3khClIQSucg7_avi9NQUVS3X8jYdLXlZkKOW0xh2_-/s1600/_MG_5975.jpg" height="136" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ecg6swplHYsHSk_KebwU2RFl33sLxsUWsml81wNaZ9uVztWXktSPFZdP-JGDc_lYMkEQaYBJrCPSjL2t7dlY-0NmU8WL7QA2GaGnsPRciVtDgz-6azD9-DY2tYn9vHVEwU4BrejwJgqu/s1600/_MG_5985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ecg6swplHYsHSk_KebwU2RFl33sLxsUWsml81wNaZ9uVztWXktSPFZdP-JGDc_lYMkEQaYBJrCPSjL2t7dlY-0NmU8WL7QA2GaGnsPRciVtDgz-6azD9-DY2tYn9vHVEwU4BrejwJgqu/s1600/_MG_5985.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCXW4ru4RwRAMG4ld0W4Uz1B-e9H30vR9J5o5Zz9zUaht_TAaX_GIANSrA7E1Tn1xIh5mUoJwBufBOpJQismXU3DTRVaSoLAg1Qp-pqSdSGaXee-nzRRJ1ULxvJkH7DTFIy-p624fYcoz/s1600/_MG_5998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCXW4ru4RwRAMG4ld0W4Uz1B-e9H30vR9J5o5Zz9zUaht_TAaX_GIANSrA7E1Tn1xIh5mUoJwBufBOpJQismXU3DTRVaSoLAg1Qp-pqSdSGaXee-nzRRJ1ULxvJkH7DTFIy-p624fYcoz/s1600/_MG_5998.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlyGYjumxb7cxdHfgGbSL18OlA4d_9pgQdol9aRqVZsXwCwjDuP2QRiu2Bgj6CFt_yXI3Djm6RwcwyNVl-Lp2d2Vc2Xv9CadQPisX04yEwqoc6tywnWXc3abaJrE7vQuZuWhjrP4OF8Yf/s1600/_MG_5999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlyGYjumxb7cxdHfgGbSL18OlA4d_9pgQdol9aRqVZsXwCwjDuP2QRiu2Bgj6CFt_yXI3Djm6RwcwyNVl-Lp2d2Vc2Xv9CadQPisX04yEwqoc6tywnWXc3abaJrE7vQuZuWhjrP4OF8Yf/s1600/_MG_5999.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTBs6YdLTa9PK7G16D7VIM439orzd3Ho2WQbRZfrTd8on7j92ZKlXYvQGaqI03SBpzCcPf6YqqbSRiJib2a941ue6-vw-_V8-WPGoI6CVFxvxIFkahdhjdWw9OdLLRLW85tTpoEUbAqOw/s1600/_MG_6007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTBs6YdLTa9PK7G16D7VIM439orzd3Ho2WQbRZfrTd8on7j92ZKlXYvQGaqI03SBpzCcPf6YqqbSRiJib2a941ue6-vw-_V8-WPGoI6CVFxvxIFkahdhjdWw9OdLLRLW85tTpoEUbAqOw/s1600/_MG_6007.jpg" height="136" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaAz0PufWT7ZfyLrxdcZYk_QfrdAkl_WghF2jwM4ptlpQM7KferJ8OIRbt-oW0IY2Wrm41mPHZd7-WDMcRSVG8jHaIJZnUaU1epZtziO9h-mhhRGY-9dPyPPU1sGXpBu7vHhVwF3S5485/s1600/_MG_6012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaAz0PufWT7ZfyLrxdcZYk_QfrdAkl_WghF2jwM4ptlpQM7KferJ8OIRbt-oW0IY2Wrm41mPHZd7-WDMcRSVG8jHaIJZnUaU1epZtziO9h-mhhRGY-9dPyPPU1sGXpBu7vHhVwF3S5485/s1600/_MG_6012.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxqQ5B20oKnRRb63vJRECae0bvlUU_Q4ME9wxGh7FxK3BsveM0NmTndFjzT1blCDCdETU9Le5t-EescrMjOpBxtvP5Wn_245JWzPLkofpbICo3r_t9dLkoMYGaGt9z58QQbPuAQpy7g4I/s1600/_MG_6017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxqQ5B20oKnRRb63vJRECae0bvlUU_Q4ME9wxGh7FxK3BsveM0NmTndFjzT1blCDCdETU9Le5t-EescrMjOpBxtvP5Wn_245JWzPLkofpbICo3r_t9dLkoMYGaGt9z58QQbPuAQpy7g4I/s1600/_MG_6017.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGtvwNEIUp332sMj4KnhtCjYCtgQ-DhKvrhOOdtboMmQA4vXPezIL9JW3SmPEvKLuzoU3M0hfZnX6uqJPTOk_CiBXxywdUqp4SZ5KSbCge3qwYtClfRkGnnutjWi82fgS4hgrFy6Sl5aq/s1600/_MG_6023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGtvwNEIUp332sMj4KnhtCjYCtgQ-DhKvrhOOdtboMmQA4vXPezIL9JW3SmPEvKLuzoU3M0hfZnX6uqJPTOk_CiBXxywdUqp4SZ5KSbCge3qwYtClfRkGnnutjWi82fgS4hgrFy6Sl5aq/s1600/_MG_6023.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j9NQi_baFFNREV12ZmYVdIee8ai83vOpo-w77feaVCc2GwGpS3_z9dxGg_B-z9mj_Iqx1vtlrFcGiEdKTy1wO73Q6lmU9Mkmc5x0e-A-IXKvzxcQy0QCcGISzNsqHACbBiDLcqtfm0cX/s1600/_MG_6032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j9NQi_baFFNREV12ZmYVdIee8ai83vOpo-w77feaVCc2GwGpS3_z9dxGg_B-z9mj_Iqx1vtlrFcGiEdKTy1wO73Q6lmU9Mkmc5x0e-A-IXKvzxcQy0QCcGISzNsqHACbBiDLcqtfm0cX/s1600/_MG_6032.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPBvJpgtiLtG055o1saXjkM1567xJDA3H1uSbIv5XkkvRP5vZc0FH-d76GsIQp0kpJVD2vU-HEFK9cnr5EToYiBerkqB3CUyM8MYmahw9kzSqCC4BfEMM4a6G8Vs1cm2mGcBmgcC6tnUN/s1600/_MG_6036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPBvJpgtiLtG055o1saXjkM1567xJDA3H1uSbIv5XkkvRP5vZc0FH-d76GsIQp0kpJVD2vU-HEFK9cnr5EToYiBerkqB3CUyM8MYmahw9kzSqCC4BfEMM4a6G8Vs1cm2mGcBmgcC6tnUN/s1600/_MG_6036.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKvByp-q-QlybSgJLAw0wpo3my7AlIT8yxa8VlxHqPX4VVPPbXrE2dDSYSu3aJikXtGWTUh9ohWdrzA4HhhZPy8mn6eo-Cehklqw71m-L3BLk71AmAI5SHmi1bXzP_JwfxtsCIqu1U7XK/s1600/_MG_6054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKvByp-q-QlybSgJLAw0wpo3my7AlIT8yxa8VlxHqPX4VVPPbXrE2dDSYSu3aJikXtGWTUh9ohWdrzA4HhhZPy8mn6eo-Cehklqw71m-L3BLk71AmAI5SHmi1bXzP_JwfxtsCIqu1U7XK/s1600/_MG_6054.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to thank both Page and Amanda for joining me in this show. They are both such wonderfully creative spirits and I was honored to be entrusted with their work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Page also can't be thanked enough for putting on such an awesome workshop in conjunction with the show. It was wonderful to meet such a generous, warm-hearted fellow artist and to get to learn about the depth and meaning behind her work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On behalf of Page, Amanda, and myself, I want to thank everyone who came out to see the show, bestowed words of encouragement, continued to be patient while we were all working crazy hours, took Page's workshop, and/or perhaps took a little something something home with them </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">from the show</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<br />Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-4074530577108623102014-09-18T12:33:00.003-07:002014-09-22T06:37:40.924-07:00Remnants - How Did I Get Here?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rOAulT7bwtObcYBqJewnDrTB4pT-_idHIlaiOdg-9u_7WwiLk-QY19CwObUhtOEI2vxdWUzEJD_3D2f5wlJbB61ecv2UIYjNW4Rj6ghtmskD1YAKZ-1OAo1kP4YAr-I0-0lgPnCvU8vk/s1600/5675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rOAulT7bwtObcYBqJewnDrTB4pT-_idHIlaiOdg-9u_7WwiLk-QY19CwObUhtOEI2vxdWUzEJD_3D2f5wlJbB61ecv2UIYjNW4Rj6ghtmskD1YAKZ-1OAo1kP4YAr-I0-0lgPnCvU8vk/s1600/5675.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I knew at the end of 2013 I would be hanging a show at the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MS-Rezny-StudioGallery/175953912476057" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">MS Rezny Studio and Gallery</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in Fall 2014 - this month to be exact. When presented with any and every option available I tend to freeze. How can anyone make a decision when the universe is your set of choices?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year I had decided to work with other artists toward a common theme so I felt the pressure of picking a theme all 3 of us could work toward. I chose "Remnants" after reading the following definition: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Remnants - <em><span style="font-size: 10pt;">noun</span></em><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <span class="pr">\</span><span class="unicode">ˈ</span><span class="pr">rem-nənt\</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">: the part of something
that is left when the other parts are gone<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">: a surviving trace or vestige</span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see the other 2 artists, </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Page-Turner-Studios-Zephren-Page-Turner-Art/221435799000" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Page Turner</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and Amanda J. Cawby,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> create wonderfully detailed assemblages. The match for them seemed perfect since they are already working with actual physical remnants.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Here's where my thoughts froze more solid than any ice cream headache. I was left wondering how in the world do I relate to this wide open theme? I use vintage costumes and props in my photography but that seemed a weak connection at best. I must have moaned for months trying to find my way. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7QaImBoNJ85Sy_ZRsH9nqq2r3ttgGMk4Ro6ULpDxjbQ0HzABA7YQ4uHeaJms0Ubp5ZLCh-h4RnNYXvYZPzV74k9TDHdTX-lnwHE3KuaQZuxg9642VO_2mjgayCaxej-ai1weANE88Kpq/s1600/5657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7QaImBoNJ85Sy_ZRsH9nqq2r3ttgGMk4Ro6ULpDxjbQ0HzABA7YQ4uHeaJms0Ubp5ZLCh-h4RnNYXvYZPzV74k9TDHdTX-lnwHE3KuaQZuxg9642VO_2mjgayCaxej-ai1weANE88Kpq/s1600/5657.jpg" height="131" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally the universe set 2 light bulbs off right in front of me. Teresa, my friend and model in the triptych below asked me to think about what had left marks on me. She knows my naval-gazing ways well and made a very good point. I tend to think better when I can directly relate to a theme on a personal level and not just as some esoteric generality. A week after that conversation, I was on the phone with my mother and she unknowingly set off the 2nd set of fireworks in my brain. She wished that she could buy new living room furniture. The back story is that 20 years ago when my great grandmother passed away my mother inherited her furniture. Fast forward 20 years later and a decision my mother is trying to make is still being controlled by my great grandmother after 2 decades. Ah ha! That was something I could sink my teeth into and gratefully the ideas finally started flowing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a side note, the piece below was created for the show to represent my amazingly strong, and oh so chic great grandmother, Lucille Ledbetter. Most of the family jumped when she asked but not because she was a dictator, just because more often than not she was simply right. I was lucky enough to have her around until I was in college. There was never a problem I couldn't take to her for a tidy solution. I can remember that she was always dressed to the 9s. There were never white shoes on her feet before Memorial Day - perish the thought! But she also didn't mind getting her hands dirty. One of my last great memories of her was walking into her house to find her, at the age of 90, high up on a ladder hanging new wallpaper in her bedroom. It never occurred to me at the time that this wasn't a fine idea...</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZr7n85eUqjlgCA2-iJGUfGAGLERQ9yimkYAvyK9BwsLrFtZ3G2Ahp6KFdm96pvoHtt7pfymQj94yJRVrXfp1VdBC_9Hechs9AtjLmnV0Q4OryyFC6DBQLtIX9dz2JXYHC6UVGc4ntLot/s1600/GraceUnderPressure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZr7n85eUqjlgCA2-iJGUfGAGLERQ9yimkYAvyK9BwsLrFtZ3G2Ahp6KFdm96pvoHtt7pfymQj94yJRVrXfp1VdBC_9Hechs9AtjLmnV0Q4OryyFC6DBQLtIX9dz2JXYHC6UVGc4ntLot/s1600/GraceUnderPressure.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grace Under Pressure</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My artist statement for this show:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The stories of
family have been heard all my life.
These miniscule glimpses into long and full lives led by not-so-distant
ancestors have become woven into my own identity. Small trinkets, newspaper obituary clippings,
vintage military records, odd bits of furniture, and mysterious piles of
unidentified photos dot my domestic landscape.
These remnants, both physical and emotional, have inspired my recent
body of work. Inherited heirlooms became
symbols sparking visual narratives. Tall
tales and individual histories fueled ideas for concepts and compositions. In the knowing and not knowing of these
characters from my family, I sought to examine the contradictory potential to
be both burdened and inspired by these remnants which cling to us from the past.</span><span style="font-family: Palatino Linotype;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAhKqxWXFEfE5wyRUvvPMbF3u2HVl4TWThuMmlSXiIHfRYxlPOqJDkgS9P8KX-IOdVxE8HD-0h7pamd4y8iwshE0tlmSnpaK8pq3RvLYEneno52rk0H_3kWUcqrfHkam0i-nqmBeifpzL/s1600/LayDownYourBurdens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAhKqxWXFEfE5wyRUvvPMbF3u2HVl4TWThuMmlSXiIHfRYxlPOqJDkgS9P8KX-IOdVxE8HD-0h7pamd4y8iwshE0tlmSnpaK8pq3RvLYEneno52rk0H_3kWUcqrfHkam0i-nqmBeifpzL/s1600/LayDownYourBurdens.jpg" height="128" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lay Down Your Burdens</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So...I know right now (God willing and the creek don't rise) that I will be hanging another show at the gallery next Fall. Don't ask me yet what the theme will be! I honestly don't have a clue, but maybe I've learned this year how to limit my options a little better.</span></div>
</div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-56348835075160967702014-08-06T08:01:00.000-07:002014-08-06T08:12:09.191-07:00Washi Paper is Your Friend<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke up one morning with an idea for a small experiment to try in the studio. What would happen if you sandwiched a regular photo printed on heavyweight matte paper to a photo printed on 55gsm (super thin) <a href="http://moabpaper.com/moenkopi-unryu-55/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">washi paper</span></a> using my new favorite buddy - </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023JK8I/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">3M(TM) Positionable Mounting Adhesive 568</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">? Would the result be transparent when wax was applied to the top?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtsgPczr72X8c71i0D6bsgqIlk0RzKgzYjhMBJoW5XWntXqYxQ9KYbeCDSqKmLP6rPw29kkupU1wBE8OGIbGPWdtcr57fPloZW7ga2VTGHeezDblGZFgdE9vvY1fqHs2_P1GZ1n1HQjgx/s1600/img071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtsgPczr72X8c71i0D6bsgqIlk0RzKgzYjhMBJoW5XWntXqYxQ9KYbeCDSqKmLP6rPw29kkupU1wBE8OGIbGPWdtcr57fPloZW7ga2VTGHeezDblGZFgdE9vvY1fqHs2_P1GZ1n1HQjgx/s1600/img071.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I scanned and printed some old handwritten letters onto regular Epson Watercolor paper. Then I printed the color photo of the model onto the washi paper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple years ago I tried this type of sandwich but with wax between the photos. While it technically worked, it was a painful process and the inevitability of air bubbles, especially with a larger piece, caused me to have nightmares.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiu68a1y-14U2oN7Tztyxm4pyaMDpRZWaoeKx80hlEsz9POoTAXa-q-PKCiIWorFkVP3oJWGFUHNU54paqm_KfTlSOB5bF_7gfbbq_hF0CaUMe183N2VR7PatHbZWQ0Wf4wiFuAt_4X7S/s1600/IMG_6199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiu68a1y-14U2oN7Tztyxm4pyaMDpRZWaoeKx80hlEsz9POoTAXa-q-PKCiIWorFkVP3oJWGFUHNU54paqm_KfTlSOB5bF_7gfbbq_hF0CaUMe183N2VR7PatHbZWQ0Wf4wiFuAt_4X7S/s1600/IMG_6199.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's my 2 images glued down before the application of wax<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-zCLcYF8NEmbZvm5p4OAOEfaG3QNBzehSwA6Y0E6u4KbuaF0w5law4N1T8rmBywYcPcZWRY-nPn5bn2emnExIhvIuAZE_XsoLWMvOx5-VckNr0iGYIav9SV7UtMM16pOQlaGddUCtebo/s1600/LetterShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-zCLcYF8NEmbZvm5p4OAOEfaG3QNBzehSwA6Y0E6u4KbuaF0w5law4N1T8rmBywYcPcZWRY-nPn5bn2emnExIhvIuAZE_XsoLWMvOx5-VckNr0iGYIav9SV7UtMM16pOQlaGddUCtebo/s1600/LetterShot.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here's the piece after a few layers of encaustic medium have been applied. It was fun watching the under letter layer reveal itself as I fused the wax and it soaked into the washi paper/upper photo. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm quite excited about the initial result. It has sparked many more ideas and I can't wait to refine this idea. My first change is to break up the texture of the letter layer so it isn't so uniform. Here's a shot from the next attempt.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2M56FCKosFwMsHueWx9N1AnDWncFeZVieALqYWtA6cJgw8BzVTMz7I6rcwyvd27QeDD5ClJqIkJ979ZGMnCBcW6XjHZgIFvJciOnQx1yjDiFrDHPHcwBmbDzzuT_J7UCNVABV5QYNuml/s1600/6492Glimpse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2M56FCKosFwMsHueWx9N1AnDWncFeZVieALqYWtA6cJgw8BzVTMz7I6rcwyvd27QeDD5ClJqIkJ979ZGMnCBcW6XjHZgIFvJciOnQx1yjDiFrDHPHcwBmbDzzuT_J7UCNVABV5QYNuml/s1600/6492Glimpse.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a less technical note, my ideas behind this piece evolved from the theme "Remnants" from my show coming up in September. I wanted to depict how I both know and don't know my most recent ancestors through family stories and photos, but how all I really have is a glimpse into the lives of these people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who are around the Lexington, KY area and might be interested, I will have new pieces on display along with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Page-Turner-Studios-Zephren-Page-Turner-Art/221435799000" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Page Turner</span></a> and Amanda J. Cawby at the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MS-Rezny-StudioGallery/175953912476057" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">MS Rezny Studio and Gallery</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for the month of September 2014. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Here's a write up for the show:</u></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ODu_NJ-AbviJH2HJrJa-r1YGAwA9-_1Tv9MWG8rlIud-QieQtg1ThmKSAM7jX5FfO8Z7465HD-O32O3eLIq-AAMiBEV7Cr3WO48mgvGHEYiWPpLIzr0FoiCjGphhIA9iKeYucigd1SUn/s1600/eBlastImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ODu_NJ-AbviJH2HJrJa-r1YGAwA9-_1Tv9MWG8rlIud-QieQtg1ThmKSAM7jX5FfO8Z7465HD-O32O3eLIq-AAMiBEV7Cr3WO48mgvGHEYiWPpLIzr0FoiCjGphhIA9iKeYucigd1SUn/s1600/eBlastImage.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Left: Page Turner<br />Right Top: Melissa T. Hall<br />Right Bottom: Amanda J. Cawby</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Defined as the part of
something that is left when the other parts are gone, “<b>Remnants</b>” is a body of
work produced by three artists brought together by a common fascination with
the scraps,
mementos, leftovers, sentimental objects,
and traces left behind by others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Approaching the theme
from slightly different directions, Page Turner and Amanda J. Cawby make use of
the actual physical remnants from people’s lives in their complex assemblages,
while Melissa T. Hall uses the idea of people’s actions leaving behind a
vestige or trace to fuel her conceptual images.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Turner sculpts
assemblages which resonate with the personal history of everyday objects. Her sculptures explore
ideas about female gender roles, especially social mores of women seen through
fashion, undergarments, and sexual taboos. Using domestic skills passed down
from Grandmothers, Mother, Aunts, and Sisters, Turner pays sincere homage to
the feminine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Cawby finds herself drawn to the inherent energy of
objects and remnants left behind by others.
Her completed assemblages are a combination of her own personal
narratives and the collected ephemera she repurposes and transforms. Cawby’s work evokes thoughts of stories left
untold, paths not taken, and destinies unfulfilled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hall approached the work by asking herself,
“What has left a trace or mark on me?” This
led her to explore the physical and emotional remnants left by those who have
gone before. Inspiration was derived
from oral family histories and advice heard over and over again. Inherited heirlooms became symbols sparking
narratives. Her imagery examines the contradictory
potential to be both burdened and inspired by these remnants which cling to us from
past relationships.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-32099371663156147562014-07-24T21:38:00.002-07:002014-07-24T21:45:49.554-07:00It Takes a Village & 2.5 Gallons of Milk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmUa-XZzT-ZmPq5bhyphenhyphen6yqwrUnyCaKb7Z6fT61W90Txo4cjyDv1LtoqCHst0fgwgMyJIHTFvzFaM9V1LxGKs8N2UAdXn6h6MRCdDK41v1kEvML3wZ7dj3HIYIeaKKRQZaJugaC59J6Ux9L/s1600/5091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmUa-XZzT-ZmPq5bhyphenhyphen6yqwrUnyCaKb7Z6fT61W90Txo4cjyDv1LtoqCHst0fgwgMyJIHTFvzFaM9V1LxGKs8N2UAdXn6h6MRCdDK41v1kEvML3wZ7dj3HIYIeaKKRQZaJugaC59J6Ux9L/s1600/5091.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preferably whole milk...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been drawn to a lot of photo shoots and ideas with water as an element lately. There have been beaches, creeks, an in-ground pool, and now an inflatable baby pool. I'm not entirely certain why water has become such a muse. The underwater pool shoot started this craze and definitely created a monster. There's just something very magical about what happens to a body in water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An Ophelia-style shot has been on my to do list for years. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm afraid its become my white whale. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My logical side admits it's an idea that's been done to death (just look on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/melissathall/underwater-inspiration/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Pinterest</span></a>), but my heart yearns to dunk a girl in the nearest stream and throw flowers at her. For one reason or another, this idea has never made it off of the back burner but finally, the stars aligned! I had models and thanks to my local big box store, a very large baby pool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took some mighty good friends (because I sure don't have well paid minion) to orchestrate my most technically difficult photo shoot to date. This wasn't really supposed to be all that complicated, but Mother Nature almost always comes to play with her own ideas... Kathie, my buddy of over 20 years, graciously allowed me to set up the pool in her front yard because we thought we'd found the perfect shady spot.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIKemWiIKR2uLFGVDkl9OK-taWHCbUJ2YMnRcqf0QnBk4vrLsQWe9xGUSx0iVyzuLfLps0tvYLlFH-8I_PLd7bY7pzdL1pZlzEOvICLjQAlllt1R4H_TsEJbYplRvk-VukOOqJ0BGeMwT/s1600/IMG_6094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIKemWiIKR2uLFGVDkl9OK-taWHCbUJ2YMnRcqf0QnBk4vrLsQWe9xGUSx0iVyzuLfLps0tvYLlFH-8I_PLd7bY7pzdL1pZlzEOvICLjQAlllt1R4H_TsEJbYplRvk-VukOOqJ0BGeMwT/s1600/IMG_6094.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We decided to set the pool up and fill it the evening before the shoot in hopes that the water would warm up to the ambient temperature overnight. Well - if you fill it, they will come! By "they" I mean friends and neighbors. We ended up having a hilarious hillbilly pool party! Notice the drink holders built into the baby pool. It was meant to be!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjzk8LlNWC7DORSmRhcka-Fc_-0vVshbHEyqWxXKBf1M-DmrfTm57KCwR7dkbbkllCesZQailVziWtTzFzT5inCFttO32eJHFr0mWDSVOAmIfGp6lY820SdRPXULDWU98u8qKYgn6Q3Qk/s1600/IMG_6098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjzk8LlNWC7DORSmRhcka-Fc_-0vVshbHEyqWxXKBf1M-DmrfTm57KCwR7dkbbkllCesZQailVziWtTzFzT5inCFttO32eJHFr0mWDSVOAmIfGp6lY820SdRPXULDWU98u8qKYgn6Q3Qk/s1600/IMG_6098.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day of the photo shoot ended up being a very bright day and there was no avoiding the game-killing spectral highlights in the water. There was also no dragging the pool to another location. Water's heavy yo! Call me Captain Obvious but we did try it. Kathie and Kiersten (model and mother of my other 2 models), sprang into action. They built the craziest impromptu tent/pool cover I've ever seen! It consisted of 2 porch chairs, 1 pine tree limb, numerous bungie cords, 2 ladders, and an SUV! I of course, stood around and took pictures. That's my job right? Someone had to document the insanity...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkuU9XJIyc7NJszzmSYBRfb96jh43iGPq7OBTA1QA5jfNClqIkD9IONaWAfbRlQ33lnQBBkcZ6yweZRbGjjqPUUJ6Tuu7ktXbJ-uLi1upbxZ0sUJr-Ss_MRRSwShrNqe9OkRGT9spW9uY/s1600/IMG_6117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkuU9XJIyc7NJszzmSYBRfb96jh43iGPq7OBTA1QA5jfNClqIkD9IONaWAfbRlQ33lnQBBkcZ6yweZRbGjjqPUUJ6Tuu7ktXbJ-uLi1upbxZ0sUJr-Ss_MRRSwShrNqe9OkRGT9spW9uY/s1600/IMG_6117.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGcgBiejNZIqTGCsF8DP7ceJ1m40oumqi75fTkaeH6mAj1AMIwMKrzf-pPyjVf0wUg0-vz4jsNJ5Tn1c5QqQnCX3Aechn2uHDpklajaV5SDIq-R-ZKlc0dzrSMyJ6xBY1CVUQq9NWLlT2/s1600/IMG_6125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGcgBiejNZIqTGCsF8DP7ceJ1m40oumqi75fTkaeH6mAj1AMIwMKrzf-pPyjVf0wUg0-vz4jsNJ5Tn1c5QqQnCX3Aechn2uHDpklajaV5SDIq-R-ZKlc0dzrSMyJ6xBY1CVUQq9NWLlT2/s1600/IMG_6125.jpg" height="155" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With shade installed, we ventured into the pool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-91FJtYsdnV9EpCIMVUp4uaHICYRtJPB2Zpp3EgE-LFQzrQjw4utfXCaLftXIRgJZSC06a7bRAjeZteAVpM1ujG1kcLD2OWpPrRua5A7a8n59QFXQfz5cbMKzEde0oBzXcU2IxfnUrG2I/s1600/4981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-91FJtYsdnV9EpCIMVUp4uaHICYRtJPB2Zpp3EgE-LFQzrQjw4utfXCaLftXIRgJZSC06a7bRAjeZteAVpM1ujG1kcLD2OWpPrRua5A7a8n59QFXQfz5cbMKzEde0oBzXcU2IxfnUrG2I/s1600/4981.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had seen the idea on Pinterest to add milk to the water to make it look cloudy. It took much less than I thought it would.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64aWQwn1okMhhu9V5qT_cX-077riaxA5L-ZEGXtebxFa8gVgAR5z7SLitVOlMA-ZYtUw1hFyejpuksZS5d-zYFQRFtZDEB9CIcraLGTvshEf5fVK22iBA1ibgJG6aUdKoPIBZEejg_rRd/s1600/5065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64aWQwn1okMhhu9V5qT_cX-077riaxA5L-ZEGXtebxFa8gVgAR5z7SLitVOlMA-ZYtUw1hFyejpuksZS5d-zYFQRFtZDEB9CIcraLGTvshEf5fVK22iBA1ibgJG6aUdKoPIBZEejg_rRd/s1600/5065.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: start;">The idea worked as advertised!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaHYF27ws_nd-GlJwoQcqzXiXgb2DdF-gg1te_Xpq2pLk6k78ezU9Uc2-Afh1MEVvRPk2Mgic_K0mlhZvGRsuQGrYwacThMYMfyBPpFS_dVNrhd7CaNalyItHEpqI-2RWzefmaEL06vwC/s1600/6176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaHYF27ws_nd-GlJwoQcqzXiXgb2DdF-gg1te_Xpq2pLk6k78ezU9Uc2-Afh1MEVvRPk2Mgic_K0mlhZvGRsuQGrYwacThMYMfyBPpFS_dVNrhd7CaNalyItHEpqI-2RWzefmaEL06vwC/s1600/6176.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4_FJwOYzh2OHWD3nPyU0w2CM9EKwg7jYf1OTNF5xBGqclowfPDZ7B4PlQb0CdFEcwCIRkq3Iyai35v0EZabLb-AfU4dsGcj5v-hqXAWVuzBhs60tFyniDNwZ2iUEGqv7O_Z5n1FJWFN4/s1600/6173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4_FJwOYzh2OHWD3nPyU0w2CM9EKwg7jYf1OTNF5xBGqclowfPDZ7B4PlQb0CdFEcwCIRkq3Iyai35v0EZabLb-AfU4dsGcj5v-hqXAWVuzBhs60tFyniDNwZ2iUEGqv7O_Z5n1FJWFN4/s1600/6173.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to thank my village for another wonderfully wacky weekend! As usual, you rock Kathie, Kiersten, Emma, and Audrey! And thank you Tenderly for the milk donation and for agreeing to my next water adventure!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzez5qxlF-9nlBzgZZnnqj4kgZQGm9XFKgDcpVPABJgH9mYdMf-eNmMfm_BJ43LLAvg6ucHekN55yZPWpleWXqhbRmMAjdughc6kHqlz-bfJa4SLLKK453oB_ZoUR4HHTpfydSMklGqe5-/s1600/4881Models3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzez5qxlF-9nlBzgZZnnqj4kgZQGm9XFKgDcpVPABJgH9mYdMf-eNmMfm_BJ43LLAvg6ucHekN55yZPWpleWXqhbRmMAjdughc6kHqlz-bfJa4SLLKK453oB_ZoUR4HHTpfydSMklGqe5-/s1600/4881Models3.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-6408916666749698342014-06-25T10:10:00.004-07:002014-06-25T11:32:20.448-07:00Self-Directed Artist Retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's rare in this life to meet people by chance and form a lasting bond. Two years ago I attended an encaustic workshop at Arrowmont in Tennessee. I've been fortunate and have kept up with several of the ladies from the workshop. We get together sporadically. Like a roving band of artistic vagabonds, we gather at a house and make camp for a rowdy weekend. The cast of characters for this particular trip included <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trish.o.korte" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Trish</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kevin.r.schultz.5" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Kevin</span></a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mayer-Studios/110668402328742" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Leah</span></a>. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShymPF5HLlNXS-Z7ZV0MKsQ8mlTFhQxAnqqrN1Xf_K-N16x1BEzrV_93qBoC4CARS5pKOW4dRPTpQ290YAyuIuj9VAf4urGTE8Olp_zP5MH0b_D5s97ooA5DvF6u1ko_0ZyM1x3Ozmqa7/s1600/_MG_2494Minion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShymPF5HLlNXS-Z7ZV0MKsQ8mlTFhQxAnqqrN1Xf_K-N16x1BEzrV_93qBoC4CARS5pKOW4dRPTpQ290YAyuIuj9VAf4urGTE8Olp_zP5MH0b_D5s97ooA5DvF6u1ko_0ZyM1x3Ozmqa7/s1600/_MG_2494Minion.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kevin and Trish made great minion - <br />I mean assistants while Leah posed for me!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We work together, soaking up the creative atmosphere, and share what we've learned since the last time we were assembled.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydxGFvOTC9_UL4f-U_GRjs1-A7K473G6WkD75w2Py7WjakEWOpGUj4o6oAUqmu0IQXw6aTCyxxbk2QqTesbAHkztlio0std0gg9iG0oCwPFRK-J_RNRs3pm2-__cu1N91r-QwququXK7D/s1600/_MG_2198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydxGFvOTC9_UL4f-U_GRjs1-A7K473G6WkD75w2Py7WjakEWOpGUj4o6oAUqmu0IQXw6aTCyxxbk2QqTesbAHkztlio0std0gg9iG0oCwPFRK-J_RNRs3pm2-__cu1N91r-QwququXK7D/s1600/_MG_2198.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpLaLTnuvUoZp36LhylBhvpoO2Tj_WVeZ8IhNuzSfh5nxsR23CqdZdqVXpW77Yc1VHPYmVxBqbmYi6OWL8ySmJHFA-x1IPsvOWVAc-jSyK2hP2JzK3vN1nItNs8m4avUsTXAupx_izTZQ/s1600/_MG_2199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpLaLTnuvUoZp36LhylBhvpoO2Tj_WVeZ8IhNuzSfh5nxsR23CqdZdqVXpW77Yc1VHPYmVxBqbmYi6OWL8ySmJHFA-x1IPsvOWVAc-jSyK2hP2JzK3vN1nItNs8m4avUsTXAupx_izTZQ/s1600/_MG_2199.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtE9aD8o6Ytzp0F33QixBET0tpvhMzbrKFeEIXZ6sEUBxFB8pIfNnO6XTaBV6fOkbQklPm6S8ewC2zN6fqGxE1crx3gDb1Sd2-3_srKkPg0ItImvgV1rsDGRn96f7rZ5EWciQFW6Q4tYP/s1600/_MG_2200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtE9aD8o6Ytzp0F33QixBET0tpvhMzbrKFeEIXZ6sEUBxFB8pIfNnO6XTaBV6fOkbQklPm6S8ewC2zN6fqGxE1crx3gDb1Sd2-3_srKkPg0ItImvgV1rsDGRn96f7rZ5EWciQFW6Q4tYP/s1600/_MG_2200.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24E13OpZ9_3ZawwcABALe1jXQgzGcPcMQUlmX9qr6D6Itb8uIhbuK6eUn_6n-UDG8GCbBDgU2JAS9GO7-Zmp8U4ihUD-t1Qn_S1NEs30_KtI76ibQAIQdf9aRqXS8LEgdoKGBC7EZzQsw/s1600/_MG_2257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24E13OpZ9_3ZawwcABALe1jXQgzGcPcMQUlmX9qr6D6Itb8uIhbuK6eUn_6n-UDG8GCbBDgU2JAS9GO7-Zmp8U4ihUD-t1Qn_S1NEs30_KtI76ibQAIQdf9aRqXS8LEgdoKGBC7EZzQsw/s1600/_MG_2257.jpg" height="127" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah's work. She works in 3D<br />quite often and it shows!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVihlriGrEyGC_V3EJ01bXWftqeG3jmhNKS39kVVtBD8XeRTa7Sc14pR-qWfOIiuWWpsD314MtEiUzWPpge72aXg1-TvHsO8UyF_E_54-dQBH_bwEr5HuCkCyFrpvPH2_qEfrq9K79Z4z/s1600/_MG_2260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVihlriGrEyGC_V3EJ01bXWftqeG3jmhNKS39kVVtBD8XeRTa7Sc14pR-qWfOIiuWWpsD314MtEiUzWPpge72aXg1-TvHsO8UyF_E_54-dQBH_bwEr5HuCkCyFrpvPH2_qEfrq9K79Z4z/s1600/_MG_2260.jpg" height="116" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kevin's wonderfully detailed work</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nVide_0gGtxGT3DWigWTrZj8AYYYSxIw8ac54nzEfoDX5Q5OhyphenhyphenGNAJxAvbEDeAufjyBZ2IqtI3n_Xw-8E9F_YFDeaSlMlouFQYcYkz37dNL3mwfDO4FdJJ7b1W5JCQn7jFfET5E7fAUJ/s1600/_MG_2268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nVide_0gGtxGT3DWigWTrZj8AYYYSxIw8ac54nzEfoDX5Q5OhyphenhyphenGNAJxAvbEDeAufjyBZ2IqtI3n_Xw-8E9F_YFDeaSlMlouFQYcYkz37dNL3mwfDO4FdJJ7b1W5JCQn7jFfET5E7fAUJ/s1600/_MG_2268.jpg" height="153" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trish's prolific awesome pile of work</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMFhot0MAB1XbPSu1TPw8L98b7FOESNmHYRexoPKNEUz_kRD-wBzd7tTFbRsguvF62qyKDlNHxF-NIp8tv5d5G8NdiYoczbLGYORGReUc6PW-gBIHVUMVARoyFUcN46aE8jIYchAHzdKX/s1600/_MG_2265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMFhot0MAB1XbPSu1TPw8L98b7FOESNmHYRexoPKNEUz_kRD-wBzd7tTFbRsguvF62qyKDlNHxF-NIp8tv5d5G8NdiYoczbLGYORGReUc6PW-gBIHVUMVARoyFUcN46aE8jIYchAHzdKX/s1600/_MG_2265.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah at work adding color to this marine inspired piece</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBtfr5wHO9JE_Bfvvp9hZCfrRreBiuOwGJMGTJBQgBZv1a2g7kzeLIJqW4G9ncm4idhm211WPnisOo_wqV-dALLxIr6FS_8PfvZcwhyphenhyphenbRVCcr230dphpVkW82QWLKzr-AocKVFjwe39NR/s1600/IMG_5397Sharing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBtfr5wHO9JE_Bfvvp9hZCfrRreBiuOwGJMGTJBQgBZv1a2g7kzeLIJqW4G9ncm4idhm211WPnisOo_wqV-dALLxIr6FS_8PfvZcwhyphenhyphenbRVCcr230dphpVkW82QWLKzr-AocKVFjwe39NR/s1600/IMG_5397Sharing.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To keep from flipping the breakers every other minute, we shared palette space.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5h6gO1neA3ZGfnbOgbC9XwZxe9Ca31VZ5K2aYunFbVH3oMUWfAw58OeoQPB8-2-02gdC26pp-Y5nuh0DlBL95x5DCzz9r4uyRH3_88YkXhWLg0UqWhyphenhyphenDOdN9Q1pKAhNQLGwfeh1vapqwe/s1600/IMG_5364scraping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5h6gO1neA3ZGfnbOgbC9XwZxe9Ca31VZ5K2aYunFbVH3oMUWfAw58OeoQPB8-2-02gdC26pp-Y5nuh0DlBL95x5DCzz9r4uyRH3_88YkXhWLg0UqWhyphenhyphenDOdN9Q1pKAhNQLGwfeh1vapqwe/s1600/IMG_5364scraping.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I scraped quite a bit.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFI8KNQcUPmM_rkp0-qw71vCDenjSRtqiD5HOonsu6Fgt8PbdRyYD82lyblmuiUkMyopgB5jXRaX582lVZCkXmFzDRVAJehSkmsFVI2za_gm0l6uccmDrGzp_R-aeoorg67b2JOPxPuW6/s1600/IMG_5350LeahTorch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFI8KNQcUPmM_rkp0-qw71vCDenjSRtqiD5HOonsu6Fgt8PbdRyYD82lyblmuiUkMyopgB5jXRaX582lVZCkXmFzDRVAJehSkmsFVI2za_gm0l6uccmDrGzp_R-aeoorg67b2JOPxPuW6/s1600/IMG_5350LeahTorch.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah fusing an very interesting piece of fiber art.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4A6BR10Dlk9iIpLi83zg1lFqiwfGFCnM2286IVyAuWRLC0bC8HbTxif3SUOeoHmZd1NlUMItk82Nel8brHnMOxIyaIBqGO8EPEh5La0RrGquMAag0Aj8T9nWrWsuLTxpKjW0nO4p49TW/s1600/IMG_5336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4A6BR10Dlk9iIpLi83zg1lFqiwfGFCnM2286IVyAuWRLC0bC8HbTxif3SUOeoHmZd1NlUMItk82Nel8brHnMOxIyaIBqGO8EPEh5La0RrGquMAag0Aj8T9nWrWsuLTxpKjW0nO4p49TW/s1600/IMG_5336.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My workspace</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKdlm2iKvMUbmPo0cghIW-bTFW_GuYuBDq22dYu9PhjmnrYd-eDTp6uJ-O_815lcV0vOAOK-1zc2qRxXDxKkuynvCcTkB3UC5ngnErph8VSIG1BdbchtVEcxm5S3UnmIOms-5cPEDvdUV/s1600/IMG_5333Paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKdlm2iKvMUbmPo0cghIW-bTFW_GuYuBDq22dYu9PhjmnrYd-eDTp6uJ-O_815lcV0vOAOK-1zc2qRxXDxKkuynvCcTkB3UC5ngnErph8VSIG1BdbchtVEcxm5S3UnmIOms-5cPEDvdUV/s1600/IMG_5333Paper.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah giving us an impromptu paper molding class.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the afternoon of our 2nd encaustic work day a thunderstorm rolled in. I had passed this interesting tidal marsh on the way to Leah's house each day and wanted to go shoot it when we had some interesting clouds. A plan for a quick field trip to play on the highway was hatched!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXMb9g57koHZa9Buf5QGsxQl5AmXUIz8Fq4Et3XPAruxpJxR5V6DbqAVVOkxhhLuc6eKNnmB7tCG85w7zR6t3nSKsYQu2Ykifl7NLobLFWP96V4DySI9s_mD6vTMrNDmHGqmbMUUKsDPl/s1600/_MG_2205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXMb9g57koHZa9Buf5QGsxQl5AmXUIz8Fq4Et3XPAruxpJxR5V6DbqAVVOkxhhLuc6eKNnmB7tCG85w7zR6t3nSKsYQu2Ykifl7NLobLFWP96V4DySI9s_mD6vTMrNDmHGqmbMUUKsDPl/s1600/_MG_2205.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, we looked like nutters, but that isn't all that unusual for me now is it?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIPDz3KYbI_G2yxqvadelS4o6pZ4_xbGAU1cMG8k_upHXEX2y3VlxuWtf1UJoCcBQl0G7iaT1FiiOrmCDIaYfoV_Rt_WFi9WW5UNReDc-ZXdlshpzD_6484Ge3rWHCjyonjGdL4U7n9CQ/s1600/1819River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIPDz3KYbI_G2yxqvadelS4o6pZ4_xbGAU1cMG8k_upHXEX2y3VlxuWtf1UJoCcBQl0G7iaT1FiiOrmCDIaYfoV_Rt_WFi9WW5UNReDc-ZXdlshpzD_6484Ge3rWHCjyonjGdL4U7n9CQ/s1600/1819River.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now these are clouds!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a side note, Leah's most excellent husband, John was wonderful! He fetched food and supplies and even packed us a picnic to take to the beach!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_1WI0yM5UG6bQUkY1SLPq7AUNMHRhICOTXvCIVnc3BClFWhmnohotmub8C7W0ivPP365ten1kuK3SNQmWCt9mHlX572TL1ra1Zu-sjzvcxCHnlbWeP9eQ2adP9SRh5Bvopterji5-ELa/s1600/IMG_5473John.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_1WI0yM5UG6bQUkY1SLPq7AUNMHRhICOTXvCIVnc3BClFWhmnohotmub8C7W0ivPP365ten1kuK3SNQmWCt9mHlX572TL1ra1Zu-sjzvcxCHnlbWeP9eQ2adP9SRh5Bvopterji5-ELa/s1600/IMG_5473John.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was definitely a mixed-purpose trip for me. I shoehorned a photoshoot into the already tight weekend of hot wax.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To start off the day of photography, we simply had to walk across the street from Leah's house to this charming little path through some wonderfully large, Spanish moss-dripping live oaks. Kevin brought the most amazing vintage dress with rhinestone buttons. It was wonderful of her to share it and the dress was the perfect fit for this oh so Southern location.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNewT3e-ZoAmqmrhZuwQDxUeZvggm_oESD2DPW40Z1IYM4QJkae74LQTlL5_ug0TxD4_aT4W8ecrVJhoMQBtHNhyf4VHov6asTZ4YHbl1flRuNWiG6zhFf6PyCi18DII6eBs1oPL6IjKH/s1600/IMG_5761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNewT3e-ZoAmqmrhZuwQDxUeZvggm_oESD2DPW40Z1IYM4QJkae74LQTlL5_ug0TxD4_aT4W8ecrVJhoMQBtHNhyf4VHov6asTZ4YHbl1flRuNWiG6zhFf6PyCi18DII6eBs1oPL6IjKH/s1600/IMG_5761.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kevin directing Leah</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRWtWVBRDEKFdfsfr3ZNqw2OjyhJef5gdE17IFyhVbbsBrOA_KKmRNkqhTL3fj7ojngBsmLTzfZIHU3c-w93wL1hs38Pg1kX1rwRqhyxrbuiebtMcGhk0Ik3xZE39hVFkwnQqsqyY7So-/s1600/_MG_2575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRWtWVBRDEKFdfsfr3ZNqw2OjyhJef5gdE17IFyhVbbsBrOA_KKmRNkqhTL3fj7ojngBsmLTzfZIHU3c-w93wL1hs38Pg1kX1rwRqhyxrbuiebtMcGhk0Ik3xZE39hVFkwnQqsqyY7So-/s1600/_MG_2575.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next stop - the historic Bonaventure Cemetery! We spent what now feels like a really short time at the cemetery. At some point I'd like to come back with a map and some free time to explore more. Especially if it was cooler! Did I mention that it was hot? It was like standing in Hell and being handed a blow torch kind of hot! Just keeping it real...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The infrared camera definitely came out for this location.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtUXLx0OtdbPOp5GXhvJJf3ktXDkZ6mMS6rc844uhsJ_vABldNoPkCLk0C6gDeD-JRh8p9hoGuvF2-87rUsvmiJ8T5pVdic9J6FkvwvbymLZc8qQwMFnCem8Wc1Vd7bx9QBQ0nzv5COPV/s1600/1882PalmAngel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtUXLx0OtdbPOp5GXhvJJf3ktXDkZ6mMS6rc844uhsJ_vABldNoPkCLk0C6gDeD-JRh8p9hoGuvF2-87rUsvmiJ8T5pVdic9J6FkvwvbymLZc8qQwMFnCem8Wc1Vd7bx9QBQ0nzv5COPV/s1600/1882PalmAngel.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkIE-8cG4Gna1qsHXcEZEPwM9_DKF0eRvhk_C56YlOsRhqsKRzgsQ3FY5ab3kbpZXAG6_OI-n8nP6ZS0kVcTCPXxFuGmsoge6e3roy5ZvaZzSbGxJJAYLAnQFY9YpIHPXDMbpKa58pUcb/s1600/1893CemeteryOak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkIE-8cG4Gna1qsHXcEZEPwM9_DKF0eRvhk_C56YlOsRhqsKRzgsQ3FY5ab3kbpZXAG6_OI-n8nP6ZS0kVcTCPXxFuGmsoge6e3roy5ZvaZzSbGxJJAYLAnQFY9YpIHPXDMbpKa58pUcb/s1600/1893CemeteryOak.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeqy2bk9qzjTMlGL8NlOJEfuzwFAgsvSPfCttn1WCxZBh4CX156l5sRtfiYwRde55OVAoo37n8k7k4dD5ibCEOP85YhS_Gbzgxv1jcrhkLd9_lqVP5IfjA4gisoRqrKusLKqZBMaPfZw7/s1600/1889LeahCemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeqy2bk9qzjTMlGL8NlOJEfuzwFAgsvSPfCttn1WCxZBh4CX156l5sRtfiYwRde55OVAoo37n8k7k4dD5ibCEOP85YhS_Gbzgxv1jcrhkLd9_lqVP5IfjA4gisoRqrKusLKqZBMaPfZw7/s1600/1889LeahCemetery.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our last location of the day blew my mind. It was quite a drive, but certainly worth it! We went to Hunting Island in South Carolina. I will qualify this by saying that I am not the most traveled person in the world. My experience with beaches is limited to Myrtle Beach and the middle section of Florida's eastern coast, which all look pretty much alike. This was a beast of different proportions all together! On this lovely little island, the beach was eroding a forest leaving great hulks of dead trees like prehistoric skeletons emerging from it's white sandy surface. My tiny photographer's mind simply imploded! I kept bouncing back and forth between what I had planned on shooting and just taking landscape shots.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasC_9zCyc4LZRFpygEkiouFUA8wyjRY5qIDoY4tye__KVKwist3jby7o072J3DNFQIEFc1YxWS_SZFLAJcOYN7xNoULisKgyDQXT8-9Fgzr7HUy_sa8AQbMMszAhGnmyhz1tkMbsP4yXV/s1600/_MG_2773TrishBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasC_9zCyc4LZRFpygEkiouFUA8wyjRY5qIDoY4tye__KVKwist3jby7o072J3DNFQIEFc1YxWS_SZFLAJcOYN7xNoULisKgyDQXT8-9Fgzr7HUy_sa8AQbMMszAhGnmyhz1tkMbsP4yXV/s1600/_MG_2773TrishBeach.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trish set off to explore.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9PEkNFard8rw5MJM4Q_2Hd0rnBdOvCLOkchX6GbCXQrp8KrxTpvLKsaO_-1gqrIZhouu5HtU-0DQyDqkoMiPPysTzV3_deHHfasbtvqKjLWMi1-4dWLofIiRrVoNkV0pBUAmFinwKuwZ/s1600/5727Chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9PEkNFard8rw5MJM4Q_2Hd0rnBdOvCLOkchX6GbCXQrp8KrxTpvLKsaO_-1gqrIZhouu5HtU-0DQyDqkoMiPPysTzV3_deHHfasbtvqKjLWMi1-4dWLofIiRrVoNkV0pBUAmFinwKuwZ/s1600/5727Chair.jpg" height="200" width="199" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwO9Blvdsdg-rr6TCcEjrmMH7DF8O-vWMrwvWiroYeBRigUEf0mELAqE_jTHS6oYPwngJ7mE8pp3gh-8MFCsluqKyanHdEVIC6NM_7fvOU5k2yvpcD6SvGYk0uJT-f6sJ3S28Duyw6R60/s1600/IMG_5732Crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwO9Blvdsdg-rr6TCcEjrmMH7DF8O-vWMrwvWiroYeBRigUEf0mELAqE_jTHS6oYPwngJ7mE8pp3gh-8MFCsluqKyanHdEVIC6NM_7fvOU5k2yvpcD6SvGYk0uJT-f6sJ3S28Duyw6R60/s1600/IMG_5732Crab.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaurhREhp0Wr5ckUqd8BkOAuigaZrOtSYLE4HaBzz0Cn2bsNqvNkni68vJyH-o73KxuOz1sEfdIjuEWuStqgFcHxoFJQ3KENAYeK7qqFDZFBM5IB_3nGBu4KOAqoDdRASiTX3Gjlj2NRJU/s1600/IMG_5752BeachTexture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaurhREhp0Wr5ckUqd8BkOAuigaZrOtSYLE4HaBzz0Cn2bsNqvNkni68vJyH-o73KxuOz1sEfdIjuEWuStqgFcHxoFJQ3KENAYeK7qqFDZFBM5IB_3nGBu4KOAqoDdRASiTX3Gjlj2NRJU/s1600/IMG_5752BeachTexture.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtWav0jSqFHmlfO2E3TK4WZPMzp1ILw55fiBYAVbb8xAY5xlq1RwFkPdCFKiZWVk4N0wa3Jjyl0_TMg2yPfDz0SdXMUQLSCeQeeJQkGe2uehYq9HCrnlhV0w-YdWhbeWvkaU1oN_GeTZ4/s1600/IMG_5735TurtlePower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtWav0jSqFHmlfO2E3TK4WZPMzp1ILw55fiBYAVbb8xAY5xlq1RwFkPdCFKiZWVk4N0wa3Jjyl0_TMg2yPfDz0SdXMUQLSCeQeeJQkGe2uehYq9HCrnlhV0w-YdWhbeWvkaU1oN_GeTZ4/s1600/IMG_5735TurtlePower.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw0BnJc6mVQEh3R6g_U39J33g6YYmahPYT8CMq1Jc6hLwlXalHiWmZjNplEwTra6bciL2kejfjlaDSpfMOKco8EYE8iYmCG0LR0HIqwsu3g0kjuWTBaFBISlg1PfQopvm6b9ur6OOJ-Hv/s1600/IMG_5736TreeProof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw0BnJc6mVQEh3R6g_U39J33g6YYmahPYT8CMq1Jc6hLwlXalHiWmZjNplEwTra6bciL2kejfjlaDSpfMOKco8EYE8iYmCG0LR0HIqwsu3g0kjuWTBaFBISlg1PfQopvm6b9ur6OOJ-Hv/s1600/IMG_5736TreeProof.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leah posing for her other photographer friend, Kelly Roetto.<br />I took this shot to prove that the tree in the surf was really there,<br />not something I added in Photoshop.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4SJ6GMHP-Zvv3ax_1sgZs-N_Cs5rtvCXMiLAzZRh3e5q-iPNyCK-3bYzj5iZgamtat5k7XvLlT4RHyiX-Ztj8KrMZoi_iSeGTsCuFXKqayGENZSnr9TdqLs-JaPn6myuGsvK_ohIq7jz/s1600/5648Driftwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4SJ6GMHP-Zvv3ax_1sgZs-N_Cs5rtvCXMiLAzZRh3e5q-iPNyCK-3bYzj5iZgamtat5k7XvLlT4RHyiX-Ztj8KrMZoi_iSeGTsCuFXKqayGENZSnr9TdqLs-JaPn6myuGsvK_ohIq7jz/s1600/5648Driftwood.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_DydIe5XAnW6n7-WngCBm2sYdYcBz5BivJRfMgtYwMXo90E3hkhkuiisi_csFSuM8Wp_Q4IuEN5xr3tiMYx9W5K5qVPVeWYOWjjWJC_VBez8Bwj4RKyyyDY3FTXJx5ISRFUUd2dyuMtJ/s1600/5669TreesWater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_DydIe5XAnW6n7-WngCBm2sYdYcBz5BivJRfMgtYwMXo90E3hkhkuiisi_csFSuM8Wp_Q4IuEN5xr3tiMYx9W5K5qVPVeWYOWjjWJC_VBez8Bwj4RKyyyDY3FTXJx5ISRFUUd2dyuMtJ/s1600/5669TreesWater.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccOVqrx7WyR9EWSko8L7v99lUqUwtQjoyHWbk7UDRzZqTMNZQiqBo6nmGhGdjVCj96j1YdIV6sEeqGtqIIedrdf26OtyMantBCKzBgXckVh7j4kQf98B6pm5xJWnG3k3eAPU8BJyAKsU9/s1600/5745YogaPose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccOVqrx7WyR9EWSko8L7v99lUqUwtQjoyHWbk7UDRzZqTMNZQiqBo6nmGhGdjVCj96j1YdIV6sEeqGtqIIedrdf26OtyMantBCKzBgXckVh7j4kQf98B6pm5xJWnG3k3eAPU8BJyAKsU9/s1600/5745YogaPose.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This particular tree's claw-like shape inspired some Fay Wray-esque posing.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzkujpBhfqr5ONKhyFzlPj8hG6PcJzh2Ezm-5R8NfrNz1VJnKG-eX2ZodLeDGgO3onprrdiROT-4uvSwqnaJEXT83EWCbKaD1jSdqP7oupZJ9xDHv9NZiUaGShc5cvZuF9tNp9dZ6VSwp/s1600/2971Claw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzkujpBhfqr5ONKhyFzlPj8hG6PcJzh2Ezm-5R8NfrNz1VJnKG-eX2ZodLeDGgO3onprrdiROT-4uvSwqnaJEXT83EWCbKaD1jSdqP7oupZJ9xDHv9NZiUaGShc5cvZuF9tNp9dZ6VSwp/s1600/2971Claw.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOSZV4w1Hz7XEzENNSUZ27OChbAuun9aiF_cZ-wVF5YwIjtpqCLoyg4lUUnPYBXJAzRnFdYEUyDAyH150adETcGCvRU710l-Ar5yiT7xmSeqPpIZjfg032_Cb-2V0cTolHVDJyrw66Yit/s1600/3139GoldenHour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOSZV4w1Hz7XEzENNSUZ27OChbAuun9aiF_cZ-wVF5YwIjtpqCLoyg4lUUnPYBXJAzRnFdYEUyDAyH150adETcGCvRU710l-Ar5yiT7xmSeqPpIZjfg032_Cb-2V0cTolHVDJyrw66Yit/s1600/3139GoldenHour.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx_YTKXyM_nPW3gjHT8OFE6_5NXHaFY0Kf5HzyaK0YAm6wIMh-JLZ8DS0p5eVymF-iGIwoiEmV7JvAEvqHY1U41vY56U5bcacaDmNKNO1QyiWfta_sjRoPthQOg4aCa33WBWlzFpGotlO/s1600/1930LeahScarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx_YTKXyM_nPW3gjHT8OFE6_5NXHaFY0Kf5HzyaK0YAm6wIMh-JLZ8DS0p5eVymF-iGIwoiEmV7JvAEvqHY1U41vY56U5bcacaDmNKNO1QyiWfta_sjRoPthQOg4aCa33WBWlzFpGotlO/s1600/1930LeahScarf.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREkFsN7izD8TAMkwzFWQ3M4FfLoMCkkvEGAPaFx5FVzjc7tQbmBWW0SRzriwzn7g-XyW8JwjDTfx85DtVReo-fMO6I7a2UNV3dqLIehOptseLMLHbnniTmqKF7XLIXpTIfgfJ7rbQO4HN/s1600/3299LeahTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREkFsN7izD8TAMkwzFWQ3M4FfLoMCkkvEGAPaFx5FVzjc7tQbmBWW0SRzriwzn7g-XyW8JwjDTfx85DtVReo-fMO6I7a2UNV3dqLIehOptseLMLHbnniTmqKF7XLIXpTIfgfJ7rbQO4HN/s1600/3299LeahTree.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Mother Nature was particularly kind to me on the day of the photoshoot (except for the heat and humidity). We had beautiful clouds and the tide coming in on the beach made for some exciting shots. I'm already planning a trip back to this spot for another photoshoot with a particular ballerina friend if I can talk her into it... Oh the possibilities!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks ladies for the continuing fun and inspiration!</span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-34498073495403135762014-05-29T08:07:00.000-07:002014-05-29T08:12:34.783-07:00Not So Tasty Paste<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a quickie process update. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54S8i8kMTPZdvYhpeAWhIm2Z6pGss-Zr4goo_q-12txi2-_M4Key4dRwKfamFyxrCzn-qiTUTB1NXoOEZOdyeR-QlQZeN73zFg3oCD_tk9D5OlTCRtQkB-jXWi-3NcHg4XZe5-qh55Q5b/s1600/5099YesPaste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54S8i8kMTPZdvYhpeAWhIm2Z6pGss-Zr4goo_q-12txi2-_M4Key4dRwKfamFyxrCzn-qiTUTB1NXoOEZOdyeR-QlQZeN73zFg3oCD_tk9D5OlTCRtQkB-jXWi-3NcHg4XZe5-qh55Q5b/s1600/5099YesPaste.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had been taught to use Yes Paste when gluing down larger prints to cradled wooden boards. Well, time moves on and Yes Paste is getting hard to find. Both Dick Blick and Michaels have stopped carrying it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0GLFEK9SSSvcnfjg0KKC2ioY5ZNCjjeGp_VgM5E-1nVC1CSDD9t01GUaNe4wmFvQ2NlBYRe9JjJQ8d9mfwfvAqQeloaeE8rS9LY_0F5pZhlINPi35FQwwWretUhMB0XU1o-sqr5iSJ3O/s1600/3MAdhesive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0GLFEK9SSSvcnfjg0KKC2ioY5ZNCjjeGp_VgM5E-1nVC1CSDD9t01GUaNe4wmFvQ2NlBYRe9JjJQ8d9mfwfvAqQeloaeE8rS9LY_0F5pZhlINPi35FQwwWretUhMB0XU1o-sqr5iSJ3O/s1600/3MAdhesive.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night I tried a product by 3M - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00023JK8I/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">3M(TM) Positionable Mounting Adhesive 568</span></a>.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead of writing out a tutorial, I am going to link you to the wonderful <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvz3X2MAtJY" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Greg Noblin video</span></a> I watched. He takes you through adhering a print to a cradled birch board step by step. Check out his <a href="http://gregnoblin.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">work</span></a> too - it's wonderful.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nNS_eAn6yESR9zUHjw-1DARBLGg6upEa3YCRU5rL0Giput6f4weJlhLej5vk_z1BCtIjJ58L_KvIWviHn9IuV3MsyaBZdMHORTQb4wnwGAFOvUqOrGf-gLMMlFUaHq04wUd5MjS6vwQu/s1600/5095NewAdhesive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nNS_eAn6yESR9zUHjw-1DARBLGg6upEa3YCRU5rL0Giput6f4weJlhLej5vk_z1BCtIjJ58L_KvIWviHn9IuV3MsyaBZdMHORTQb4wnwGAFOvUqOrGf-gLMMlFUaHq04wUd5MjS6vwQu/s1600/5095NewAdhesive.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit, I'm in love! In the time it took me to adhere 3 prints, I probably wouldn't have completed the gluing process for 1 piece using the paste. It also appears with the mounting adhesive, the possibilities for air bubbles decreases. Yay to that! After mounting the first print, I tugged around a bit on the corners. Everything stayed down and seemed to have a really solid attachment. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I followed Greg Noblin's procedure of first placing the adhesive to the board. After using the squeegie to makes sure it was down, I found that it was easier to go ahead and trim the film to the size of the board using an exacto blade. That seemed to make it less likely to pull up the sticky part on the corners when removing the film.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At least one part of my process will be sped up!</span></div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-47642855587860798492014-05-14T05:45:00.000-07:002014-05-14T07:40:52.714-07:00Swimming with the Fishies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DVY8a__MiHL-bV4DTrADDWo0GM3TkZwFu3hFKaBf0g93w4iyS6Fz3rB9P2fHB4gV9yWkiGDXprtqIPl0K4VgaZLxj6GhlOJ6lEAm7Qvrm1aamIE_jbcgAy5cI9_qZ6Ea4lhhLet2qcaK/s1600/4750Selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DVY8a__MiHL-bV4DTrADDWo0GM3TkZwFu3hFKaBf0g93w4iyS6Fz3rB9P2fHB4gV9yWkiGDXprtqIPl0K4VgaZLxj6GhlOJ6lEAm7Qvrm1aamIE_jbcgAy5cI9_qZ6Ea4lhhLet2qcaK/s1600/4750Selfie.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hallelujah for new experiences! Last weekend I got to experience my first underwater photo shoot and it was a wild ride.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last year my friend and fellow photographer <a href="http://suzanneclements.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Suzanne Clements</span></a> had a pool installed in her backyard in Florida. In her words, she "hounded and hounded" me with the possibility of exploring under water photography. I don't remember it as hounding, I just remember setting a date as soon as the pool would be warm enough!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In preparation for this undertaking, I studied Brook Shaden's wonderful <a href="http://www.promotingpassion.com/promoting-passion-video-blog-underwater-how-to/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">video</span></a> about shooting in a pool as well as Jennifer Thoreson's <a href="http://www.creativelive.com/courses/fine-art-portraits-location-jennifer-hudson" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">workshop</span></a> on Create Live! where she shoots in a shallow, constructed baby pool-esque container. I even made an underwater Pinterest <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/melissathall/underwater-inspiration/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">board</span></a> to collect ideas and see what was possible. There's a lot of amazing underwater work out there that I respect even more now that I've tried it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found a few vintage dresses with full skirts and bright colors with this shoot in mind. My iPhone got a brand new shiny underwater housing. I justified this by rationalizing that I could use it when kayaking too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirWklaFzPKiRZVXso4T-I3z20QvfzxsHUNgPnQg5efZOcHi8RdXeQarCbUSBR17kCzNORcdUxxe8wj4OpNw_8hH8VcoLTDM0op5Sdt2y3gIR5fLcNxhfCHtP97mb9kdR9uZV1LktyFxQQ/s1600/MeGoggles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirWklaFzPKiRZVXso4T-I3z20QvfzxsHUNgPnQg5efZOcHi8RdXeQarCbUSBR17kCzNORcdUxxe8wj4OpNw_8hH8VcoLTDM0op5Sdt2y3gIR5fLcNxhfCHtP97mb9kdR9uZV1LktyFxQQ/s1600/MeGoggles.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It turns out thinking about a project can be quite different from the actual experience! I can't remember the last time I went swimming, but I remember enjoying it years ago... Super excited, I got into the pool and pulled down the mask to cover my eyes and my nose since I figured I didn't need to think about getting water where it didn't belong AND dealing with a camera. At that point I had a little panic/claustrophobic attack. That was unexpected! After a few stern words to myself, I went underwater and shot a few frames. Once I saw the possibilities, my fear evaporated and the right side of my mind said water - what water - get to work?!? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-s0vewbiUpOeotbko67REody7J8xn2RUkY4DcyHpn8T04iE_L0_d2JxhEA3goM45jsdtfDiCp9ClN-KlOeipzs5Vk0td6_5QubdpAx-Dea5s7kLHlfj9TyWaitg7JNy2g2f5E0bluwGx/s1600/3918TangledDress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-s0vewbiUpOeotbko67REody7J8xn2RUkY4DcyHpn8T04iE_L0_d2JxhEA3goM45jsdtfDiCp9ClN-KlOeipzs5Vk0td6_5QubdpAx-Dea5s7kLHlfj9TyWaitg7JNy2g2f5E0bluwGx/s1600/3918TangledDress.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a huge potential for happy accidents when shooting under water. I wish I could say that I saw this shot, carefully composed it, and shot exactly what I wanted, but that would be a big 'ole lie! The truth is I was quickly floating back to the surface in dire need of a breath and using the spray and pray method of shooting. Whatever works, right?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dealing with the color shifts and changing light was a challenge. With full sun we had the typical pool water highlights. I was delighted at the difference in the feel of the shots when the clouds came out. We were only shooting in a pool that was 6 feet deep at the far end but with the super soft light, the background in the images appeared to stretch out much farther. Without the water highlights on the floor of the pool, I could stretch that effect out even more in post processing quite easily.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqsf7WfmY8aWlIQka8ZefnWdZ3_p0S1iQRDOoO7Aj7X9JhqVvCOFXFSN_liHPIpz34ddk8f5Jil8svbhY3vTUKFpHSMmk8iedQu0-KRUIrv1AbVvbmud3PoFja3JeLS3f6KbNH4mORYY1/s1600/WithLight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqsf7WfmY8aWlIQka8ZefnWdZ3_p0S1iQRDOoO7Aj7X9JhqVvCOFXFSN_liHPIpz34ddk8f5Jil8svbhY3vTUKFpHSMmk8iedQu0-KRUIrv1AbVvbmud3PoFja3JeLS3f6KbNH4mORYY1/s1600/WithLight.jpg" height="320" width="183" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lfp-U-gzRBD-2VwqfbGBWA_NN9s5QNhGgb3jsL1yrt1brrhHT4V6r3n4N4MSTIrA_ovgUOBpL8HKT_u40gI7fxzRNf527OWhCz8oo63ey2KqbdCS2l45tiLTOAlVNYBRk5gL10scr3c5/s1600/WithOvercast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Lfp-U-gzRBD-2VwqfbGBWA_NN9s5QNhGgb3jsL1yrt1brrhHT4V6r3n4N4MSTIrA_ovgUOBpL8HKT_u40gI7fxzRNf527OWhCz8oo63ey2KqbdCS2l45tiLTOAlVNYBRk5gL10scr3c5/s1600/WithOvercast.jpg" height="320" width="183" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also - remember to shake things up. Shoot from outside the water too. Have the model outside and shoot up through the water. The possibilities seem limitless.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCgE8hS8y_sQu1Q6a-YdfKPjX9hdZJ1io1zSOWTyxf-bhjACCyFuQwEIj0rMeAfr0kDPa2R3Xj_czdQboQRWGXgBhSLbK6bcmzVBVSHhW8PI522a3f4RG9IaToqAQYauVjNQj9xqR0HC9/s1600/3272AboveWater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCgE8hS8y_sQu1Q6a-YdfKPjX9hdZJ1io1zSOWTyxf-bhjACCyFuQwEIj0rMeAfr0kDPa2R3Xj_czdQboQRWGXgBhSLbK6bcmzVBVSHhW8PI522a3f4RG9IaToqAQYauVjNQj9xqR0HC9/s1600/3272AboveWater.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now for some of my lessons learned:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are using a new camera or an old camera with a new housing - it pays to practice before you even come close to the water.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take a few minutes to get accustomed to shooting under water. Figure out your ISO and f stops to make sure your images won't be a blurry mess. Then start to notice your background and reflections. It took me a lot of trial and error to get my framing correct so I caught those amazing reflections on the surface of the water.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember to give it a second after your model goes under to let the bubbles dissipate.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check your camera for water drops on the lens or housing if you start shooting out of the water or you will have random white blobs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sinking to the bottom or floating to the top - just keep shooting!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was so much to think about that I thought my head might explode! Taking the occasional break to examine what you've shot and do a little on the spot critique will help to fine tune what you are doing. It felt like a 500 mile race. The shots started out a little wacky but I kept making changes until I was getting more consistent results.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below are some lessons learned from the model's perspective:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little goes a long way… there's probably no need to spastically flail around… think slow, steady movement.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't worry about trying to actually swim - you will not succeed… the clothing will drag you around. Instead figure out what the clothing will allow you to do and find a way to work with it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget to pause here and there for the benefit of your photographer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check back frequently with your photographer to find out what's working and what's not. (Melissa comment - especially if your photographer gets lost in the big picture and instead of giving you instructions just keeps muttering to herself ooooh pretty!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Explore with different depths… you might not actually have to drown yourself for a great photo.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take occasional breaks to drain ALL the water from your sinuses ;)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh and don't forget ear drops. Those are good for after the shoot to get water out of them ears of yers.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1399602808791_6507">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When underwater, concentrate on softening your expression. Plenty of us squint hard to keep water out of our eyes and noses… try to just let go and think soft.</span></div>
</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EhlwCldK_iE3hu_kmp9RK-1bPPRkTj9_3Ydh4FycBNf4dj-8Vwo_f3lEF5JNHuHuuDFTnwC5qsU2CPCO3AyKNs1RHaxZ7AePcl01dx4Tk9ffVUp_GkECdVoUuH0kgj0fFnzwoInE7zwc/s1600/2569Noodles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EhlwCldK_iE3hu_kmp9RK-1bPPRkTj9_3Ydh4FycBNf4dj-8Vwo_f3lEF5JNHuHuuDFTnwC5qsU2CPCO3AyKNs1RHaxZ7AePcl01dx4Tk9ffVUp_GkECdVoUuH0kgj0fFnzwoInE7zwc/s1600/2569Noodles.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suzanne's cat Mr. Noodles did an excellent job <br />supervising our photo shoot. I was <br />precariously balanced on this ledge when he <br />decided that I was in his way!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upcoming Exhibition Schedule</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Friday June 20, 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be the featured artist at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WaltonAndMainStudios" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Walton and Main Studios</span></a> for Lexington's Gallery Hop, 5:00 to 8:00pm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>June 1, 2014 - July 30, 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://310art.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">310 Art Gallery</span></a>, Asheville, NC</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An Invitational Exhibition of National Artists working in Encaustic and Cold Wax - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have three pieces in this show.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>September 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three person show - "Remnants" at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/MS-Rezny-StudioGallery/175953912476057" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">MS Rezny Studio and Gallery</span></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>March 2015</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Solo show at the <a href="http://fifthavenueartgallery.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Fifth Avenue Art Gallery</span></a> in Melbourne, FL.</span></div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-79067554483294601292014-05-12T15:44:00.002-07:002014-05-13T12:24:49.718-07:00Focus!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm finally posting this delayed snippet to my blog. It was one of those things I started but never really finished. I'm tossing it up on the blog though for continuity's sake and to remind me next Winter not to take things so seriously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*************************************************************</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">March 2014</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pk_FMif2zqPnfQJAXZ5mhNHOMi9AH2XVcRZJ4g7LhNp_kKHTLTiaeIBGojnuyaI4RdN9Aejk4N2bWD2dEVZU2n_Q78edpe8nQZIfdCrKZv-bAk15Zgz6ervaafk3-msQflymR-22OUTX/s1600/0181Bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pk_FMif2zqPnfQJAXZ5mhNHOMi9AH2XVcRZJ4g7LhNp_kKHTLTiaeIBGojnuyaI4RdN9Aejk4N2bWD2dEVZU2n_Q78edpe8nQZIfdCrKZv-bAk15Zgz6ervaafk3-msQflymR-22OUTX/s1600/0181Bird.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my Winter projects <br />ended up being shots of <br />this poor little mocking bird <br />who I found passed away on <br />my front porch during the<br />coldest week of the year.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish my brain had the same automatic focus my camera does. It's been a struggle all winter to feel like I'm making any meaningful progress in the studio. I keep making busy work for myself since I can't seem to find my mojo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my artist friends (Leah) called me out of the blue last week and we talked about how each of us was experiencing an over abundance of negative voices right now. It was a relief to hear someone else say it. I can only blame this crazy Winter and the odd colds I keep catching. I've been stuck inside from either the icy roads or the hacking cough for what seems like months now. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehbSoI-Np6M4l6htBnIbX6hvArQ96POIaP1egX0HQw3Y_z_RTDMULwzpd3uACsdNo_tWYwPloGOHmjIpUrq-Zl7Uo6pkJqhm_FNVhbnVVcljypbPpP6gL35OQJeBUhAyi73uOa1vqqOFK/s1600/BirdBranches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehbSoI-Np6M4l6htBnIbX6hvArQ96POIaP1egX0HQw3Y_z_RTDMULwzpd3uACsdNo_tWYwPloGOHmjIpUrq-Zl7Uo6pkJqhm_FNVhbnVVcljypbPpP6gL35OQJeBUhAyi73uOa1vqqOFK/s1600/BirdBranches.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't want to go out in the cold?<br />Fine - shoot in the backyard!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I saw my first daffodil bloom in the front yard and it was shocking! Oh yes - the wheel does turn! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe now Mother Nature will grudgingly return my higher brain functions to me and I can get on with it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to move forward but there is no progress without making time to play. April will be that time!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_gnVDreEx9dn2d25nozKMMXCFQkMwLT64lRRQlTs3DmJM1PeBnT4lGS6kUTv150AvUEi9MkbSQ-kD4Xwxwi_8CRRdxjbCTOp5kBbG51Nv_5lbE90eSSrBeTYQw_9n2GxF3rnceMhSf09/s1600/4296Hiding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_gnVDreEx9dn2d25nozKMMXCFQkMwLT64lRRQlTs3DmJM1PeBnT4lGS6kUTv150AvUEi9MkbSQ-kD4Xwxwi_8CRRdxjbCTOp5kBbG51Nv_5lbE90eSSrBeTYQw_9n2GxF3rnceMhSf09/s1600/4296Hiding.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*************************************************************</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time jump back to May 2014...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm happy to report that April and Spring did indeed cure my lack of gumption malaise. The ideas started flowing, the negative-voice monster was back to more normal proportions, and the work started getting made with a vengeance again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_we86c-1_NN_KBHkVSsGjcIeUyAaJLV2Hb8XWXnrpUdaDY9TDE5N1Qckh2i7kCvc9P0UezUjUASb7K_L9DRVRQDlT0mm1Fe9wGuPVZCZvRY8-EIZLg5NtFcGXT8kyt0R3hUjKxk8bve0/s1600/0286BWRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_we86c-1_NN_KBHkVSsGjcIeUyAaJLV2Hb8XWXnrpUdaDY9TDE5N1Qckh2i7kCvc9P0UezUjUASb7K_L9DRVRQDlT0mm1Fe9wGuPVZCZvRY8-EIZLg5NtFcGXT8kyt0R3hUjKxk8bve0/s1600/0286BWRoom.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've started shooting at my studio with <br />it's variety of flooring options.<br />The model Lauren brought the shoes <br />and the excellent hot pink tube socks.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photo shoots in my studio, Florida, and an upcoming trip to Savannah helped me get back on track creatively. I'm going to try to remember this next Winter when I'm stuck in the house and feeling like nothing is going to ever be right again. Make a cup of hot tea and quit stewing - Oh the drama!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnvmkxYTCBsP9K0otHkC4BsRHvhcky71-LZsSDj1F6mP3iy0cBrmFvHfK9RQRF1vbVRuOA1Kbi2ZUTLV2xKnV8yQVaAq4VlCjPpBK3PI7lEqYFm19FhPjETdnym6eoqyUoO3_Ro3OnI2N/s1600/IMG_4521TeresaLuggage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnvmkxYTCBsP9K0otHkC4BsRHvhcky71-LZsSDj1F6mP3iy0cBrmFvHfK9RQRF1vbVRuOA1Kbi2ZUTLV2xKnV8yQVaAq4VlCjPpBK3PI7lEqYFm19FhPjETdnym6eoqyUoO3_Ro3OnI2N/s1600/IMG_4521TeresaLuggage.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many pieces of vintage luggage <br />can you fit in Teresa's Jeep Wrangler? <br />More than you'd ever guess!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RLE4JXwXsEW9U995FE98gAu9I1gi2zlCm4W7AZVF0MZnPfzNlo7FCCvLKuNoq4zHb4F3ZB0zBEEua1Pdd0aWsOd2nUIchR5IR401x-ltfRNDl17uu7f7qcwa-_EAsn3yHxddzWeA_Rhk/s1600/0838Anna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RLE4JXwXsEW9U995FE98gAu9I1gi2zlCm4W7AZVF0MZnPfzNlo7FCCvLKuNoq4zHb4F3ZB0zBEEua1Pdd0aWsOd2nUIchR5IR401x-ltfRNDl17uu7f7qcwa-_EAsn3yHxddzWeA_Rhk/s1600/0838Anna.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anna on location</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ2-gl0u_QeMFa13EFCTMGjHg1qUkkH1pS9oG96OJBqHw1gOSvlDhsO6TJBdINMnCH94C0AWkNnTjzlZBUMuume37muhysgmL48muBxhosPAOOpruZjsMJ9FUUkqBOUDY7lB_zHa0WlyT/s1600/_MG_0656WmChris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ2-gl0u_QeMFa13EFCTMGjHg1qUkkH1pS9oG96OJBqHw1gOSvlDhsO6TJBdINMnCH94C0AWkNnTjzlZBUMuume37muhysgmL48muBxhosPAOOpruZjsMJ9FUUkqBOUDY7lB_zHa0WlyT/s1600/_MG_0656WmChris.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">William and Chris make wonderful minion on a cold photo shoot at the beach.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZVsWCH4T6Fz5c5DpwFB_Kyxr1PoSlPY07seLgKcTFd2ohj0f_Hr99pEhakEDisTnIJ83utoMJr1CJLzjZBm6_1h0ErMZ7wBeYYis8O_RqK2hZi1-sk0o-OkM44MlpR7ayJHED9YafuZ1/s1600/0646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZVsWCH4T6Fz5c5DpwFB_Kyxr1PoSlPY07seLgKcTFd2ohj0f_Hr99pEhakEDisTnIJ83utoMJr1CJLzjZBm6_1h0ErMZ7wBeYYis8O_RqK2hZi1-sk0o-OkM44MlpR7ayJHED9YafuZ1/s1600/0646.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxxi2Nxgm7ztieUUDff-c0ff1fEGpxtillSlDU8mDQeDaKUTRrLXp-2ULt0iFYUsBxRmxcHaIL0-UZyUES7cMi_ck2L6W9JBM8aU_OoexRngvO5BIm8a_o-xrPNn0GF8cs7su_8IqioyF/s1600/0868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxxi2Nxgm7ztieUUDff-c0ff1fEGpxtillSlDU8mDQeDaKUTRrLXp-2ULt0iFYUsBxRmxcHaIL0-UZyUES7cMi_ck2L6W9JBM8aU_OoexRngvO5BIm8a_o-xrPNn0GF8cs7su_8IqioyF/s1600/0868.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Once again thanks to my friends and family for not only saying yes so often when I have a hair-brained idea, but pitching in and making it happen... XXXOOO</span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-10832181815136641722014-01-31T09:37:00.000-08:002014-01-31T09:37:39.007-08:00Catching Up and a Workshop First<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know about the rest of my artist buddies out there, but January has been a frustrating time of wanting to get work done but not having the where with all to make it happen. The spirit is willing but the mind is fuzzy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, at the tail end of the month, I have taken a couple steps to break out of the January doldrums. I reached out to friends to set up a couple photo shoots and worked on projects that only needed busy-type work for completion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I removed the pressure a tad but starting a fun project with no expectations. Here's a couple of the new book covers:<br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTb886iWnlZWJYv0AEso7D8EWzgXN39x8rRqzv6HiuxhfcL3IVE2a7QKW1ZX2P1jmP9phUj0Pa0MZQtMzdtDgsngA-eQaoE9IWYu785m4qjl5R8Zkg2j4xxzwj30SnoxyFgvAFo4GGPy6b/s1600/4109SantosBookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTb886iWnlZWJYv0AEso7D8EWzgXN39x8rRqzv6HiuxhfcL3IVE2a7QKW1ZX2P1jmP9phUj0Pa0MZQtMzdtDgsngA-eQaoE9IWYu785m4qjl5R8Zkg2j4xxzwj30SnoxyFgvAFo4GGPy6b/s1600/4109SantosBookcover.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGjCMW2aEkqif1P1i182EL8RemiYRCr-4JLlaYJNUOsMF9rsLZ0HPRtGCAfPMpdlmRZNKV4GePOx_02CcgcZc2qUHnB6keHMgUd_w_HWoc2UzE5BT7zHDqRJZJlNjMwvfRyRT_fGvL8-h/s1600/4183BookInProg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGjCMW2aEkqif1P1i182EL8RemiYRCr-4JLlaYJNUOsMF9rsLZ0HPRtGCAfPMpdlmRZNKV4GePOx_02CcgcZc2qUHnB6keHMgUd_w_HWoc2UzE5BT7zHDqRJZJlNjMwvfRyRT_fGvL8-h/s1600/4183BookInProg.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How come cleaning the studio is much more fun than cleaning at home? I made huge inroads on tidying up the studio in preparation for giving my very first Beginning Encaustic Photography workshop! Woo Whoo! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXvZqKXPJSTe1nhpKgiGDPsnQrJWA7ilvxRQT7fyVehCf_Pco5Oy00OvAIZaOOfooZi6VoJ-sBCXvdkHpdp-uZWz8znUsZMr1vqSsQSfCZru8W49RRFYKJFgQFON7bgyb9pNDLPAlnivd/s1600/4232CleanStudio.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXvZqKXPJSTe1nhpKgiGDPsnQrJWA7ilvxRQT7fyVehCf_Pco5Oy00OvAIZaOOfooZi6VoJ-sBCXvdkHpdp-uZWz8znUsZMr1vqSsQSfCZru8W49RRFYKJFgQFON7bgyb9pNDLPAlnivd/s1600/4232CleanStudio.jpg" height="200" width="152" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />The clean studio space certainly feels unnatural! Notice the new light fixture on the workbench. It took awhile, but I finally figured out where I needed some permanent light available. I was delighted after working up the courage to drill holes into the new workbench. The lamp made a huge difference working in the area, especially at night. It covers the hot wax area and some of the other horizontal space of the work table. For the rest of the space, right now I'm dragging around an old tripod and a clamp lamp. Whatever works right?</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Students Libbie and Melissa were very gentle with me while I figured out my pacing and which projects were better off left for a later workshop...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ-0SVpML3bgFKiwKn29pZnNhWpra-J_AiUmL1jcd8-d61jyK7uHQzNFlpNFT3lJrrk-w4r9AS4760n99ZR5AZpvlAnVgkZmeMYONNH0dVzHMoW4Xo2fdghfHtWa-KYZNYbDnhwZ_wGrn/s1600/4237FirstWkSp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ-0SVpML3bgFKiwKn29pZnNhWpra-J_AiUmL1jcd8-d61jyK7uHQzNFlpNFT3lJrrk-w4r9AS4760n99ZR5AZpvlAnVgkZmeMYONNH0dVzHMoW4Xo2fdghfHtWa-KYZNYbDnhwZ_wGrn/s1600/4237FirstWkSp.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0__yCx0ZCPZwPoFOqyi5XvyJiXkauBqjeTuJRxI0EXjzuX3kbDtN-Bq88LF06B5MPs2uaoTQbABw8s626LfYuKj5AIKAekencsliwDdgp4AYONpiU8N6IqaPS0XN6-RoZjHR7JfY43xa/s1600/4238FirstWkSp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0__yCx0ZCPZwPoFOqyi5XvyJiXkauBqjeTuJRxI0EXjzuX3kbDtN-Bq88LF06B5MPs2uaoTQbABw8s626LfYuKj5AIKAekencsliwDdgp4AYONpiU8N6IqaPS0XN6-RoZjHR7JfY43xa/s1600/4238FirstWkSp.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unlike my usual modus operandi, I took very few pictures since I was busy teaching. It was definitely strange but enjoyable to be on the other side of the workshop experience. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was happy to see that there was some beautiful work produced over the weekend!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-59631061127187659852013-12-17T05:54:00.000-08:002013-12-17T05:54:13.023-08:00Adventures in Asheville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbn08ZzTprDReqQn8kbAk5AaSfiK8lMWP_gKac9jXsL_oC364Y0cqHq5RW255X5FrrS2AftVf76DzcUY_Fnnm46ifKrMLooupvzqGezK-Hs7sThfHVq_kNAC9FKvMHlhMahaZk0AZiEB7/s1600/IMG_3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbn08ZzTprDReqQn8kbAk5AaSfiK8lMWP_gKac9jXsL_oC364Y0cqHq5RW255X5FrrS2AftVf76DzcUY_Fnnm46ifKrMLooupvzqGezK-Hs7sThfHVq_kNAC9FKvMHlhMahaZk0AZiEB7/s200/IMG_3967.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWrfaZE_SNSoLsAyj2WXYEetiVNy0lP5hLFs7CPTveP_lI4z_VkZRcG0Omu0ERNbFMsIbm63WPM912hbKZUP24buLP3GrFB4eXXbMKgFtOPQtRqq9K0K4X-MOiFj_IEBmaM10Npuoq2vr/s1600/IMG_4014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWrfaZE_SNSoLsAyj2WXYEetiVNy0lP5hLFs7CPTveP_lI4z_VkZRcG0Omu0ERNbFMsIbm63WPM912hbKZUP24buLP3GrFB4eXXbMKgFtOPQtRqq9K0K4X-MOiFj_IEBmaM10Npuoq2vr/s200/IMG_4014.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEkGy9cuomVUqpEP0CHr8cOOzsT5te_ork4EuZ2MrsUnBXQsDMI9pCl6JZXWEcNyCU9FLI3uR-CM5tlUTp0IaQFuP0PnJYsLtcXb5Frn6hZ7AU3m9F5oZvy3HvlPk3IL83wj2__Jtg_Pp/s1600/IMG_4043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEkGy9cuomVUqpEP0CHr8cOOzsT5te_ork4EuZ2MrsUnBXQsDMI9pCl6JZXWEcNyCU9FLI3uR-CM5tlUTp0IaQFuP0PnJYsLtcXb5Frn6hZ7AU3m9F5oZvy3HvlPk3IL83wj2__Jtg_Pp/s200/IMG_4043.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week I was in Asheville spending time with my talented and incredibly organized friend <a href="http://www.art-is-try-studio.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Erin Keane</span></a>. It was a mixed purpose trip designed </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">around art. Oh joyous day!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY17msppJ2VcEDYCONOkROAVgHddJopHNJoXwGXV3pZ0B98WDvhKPKZzbYimgu4n2hIoNfl7E4CK7J2BENqEn6QeFWmVrJdxvBLpCNQUAfthjcYRiE-AqPKZe3WxvYPLDVLLIcvz4AypSZ/s1600/9409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY17msppJ2VcEDYCONOkROAVgHddJopHNJoXwGXV3pZ0B98WDvhKPKZzbYimgu4n2hIoNfl7E4CK7J2BENqEn6QeFWmVrJdxvBLpCNQUAfthjcYRiE-AqPKZe3WxvYPLDVLLIcvz4AypSZ/s200/9409.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Erin graciously modeled for me in the muddy woods, we had a photo walk in the River Arts District, and I got to take her innovative encaustic + bookmaking workshop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the first day of Erin's 2-day workshop, fellow classmates <a href="http://jdallenstudio.com/"><span style="color: cyan;">Jacque Allen</span></a>, <a href="http://www.laureysyum.com/"><span style="color: cyan;">Laurey Masterton</span></a>, and I prepped wood boards, made image transfers, and finished up with some encaustic medium.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvV28yjW6NI-3JgwEL9Kl5zelVrRvlVsoYvgvlp7H2Xz4Okkv_EDP7B5MVoHIV5lobZt8mTrlK9jNdJXL6GW7YBcJx6eWPgZAjERYcudnB2c4yLMAbH7I5MzOxAQzc7eM7stteFj6Ftfu-/s1600/_MG_9504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvV28yjW6NI-3JgwEL9Kl5zelVrRvlVsoYvgvlp7H2Xz4Okkv_EDP7B5MVoHIV5lobZt8mTrlK9jNdJXL6GW7YBcJx6eWPgZAjERYcudnB2c4yLMAbH7I5MzOxAQzc7eM7stteFj6Ftfu-/s200/_MG_9504.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz95N6gTR0Nf6rrvhtwi2A5sZ3Q3WSVGneDri_mJGR08f7GzSwY5Bgx52a_m-YGLc5_EoCkRG53ULmRFktxMfcgIYVyxW2dz7EeZ2WlO115WmK26bs7lJxZLAO1RUR0VDWJW_9onwjzLx/s1600/_MG_9518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz95N6gTR0Nf6rrvhtwi2A5sZ3Q3WSVGneDri_mJGR08f7GzSwY5Bgx52a_m-YGLc5_EoCkRG53ULmRFktxMfcgIYVyxW2dz7EeZ2WlO115WmK26bs7lJxZLAO1RUR0VDWJW_9onwjzLx/s200/_MG_9518.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t_m71zSVPoGELRGzaIM2__n-9cSefighx6E9LHR4qcVRMRvSmyIcDeM7Dr6J6nl95EAhwNzqk-DAtgcZxKNAvWoNe8XsoDzEAbY7c1LLJelSAvnmZN1J_pgRvZcvkJ6JgADWXs8SEi2o/s1600/_MG_9530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t_m71zSVPoGELRGzaIM2__n-9cSefighx6E9LHR4qcVRMRvSmyIcDeM7Dr6J6nl95EAhwNzqk-DAtgcZxKNAvWoNe8XsoDzEAbY7c1LLJelSAvnmZN1J_pgRvZcvkJ6JgADWXs8SEi2o/s200/_MG_9530.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmcl9j4ETE4GaYw3AKdLl20OPkwRko6z8N38nHbENLqEdQ97pylJBlCxKLUtAD5D3UqtgE_dRz7ZP5JO3hij_Cqh2-c9m9NaDidiaMs_hSwb1B_GdQth0IZKHKJTNRnk-PqZmQgbGDojk/s1600/_MG_9542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmcl9j4ETE4GaYw3AKdLl20OPkwRko6z8N38nHbENLqEdQ97pylJBlCxKLUtAD5D3UqtgE_dRz7ZP5JO3hij_Cqh2-c9m9NaDidiaMs_hSwb1B_GdQth0IZKHKJTNRnk-PqZmQgbGDojk/s200/_MG_9542.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYPiroWSB3W8vOknJDK5uSSUhxAFJaeJJHjjwgTZJuVe8KSetx6HBiMdYB-5K3SCQBoBwPU7CEbVIQP8QGNRhl6NebmwJ0-mOgCQ3LZWxo4Z6cD5EsoxC1Z1NlcrVy4jr8PW5Hyo29nnH/s1600/_MG_9531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYPiroWSB3W8vOknJDK5uSSUhxAFJaeJJHjjwgTZJuVe8KSetx6HBiMdYB-5K3SCQBoBwPU7CEbVIQP8QGNRhl6NebmwJ0-mOgCQ3LZWxo4Z6cD5EsoxC1Z1NlcrVy4jr8PW5Hyo29nnH/s200/_MG_9531.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsp0lX6onBH8MifeIFZUGq0QUqs5HghsLmeD-AqGiZONGUaHt3YkoS2kRCyeLAiGFQr9ehlWPMqJJZHXH2UjpOoPN-rLbycYW4XJSyissnrnEkyq-j0HCH6nxXZDT6j74GBC_KeXDE0eg/s1600/_MG_9545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrsp0lX6onBH8MifeIFZUGq0QUqs5HghsLmeD-AqGiZONGUaHt3YkoS2kRCyeLAiGFQr9ehlWPMqJJZHXH2UjpOoPN-rLbycYW4XJSyissnrnEkyq-j0HCH6nxXZDT6j74GBC_KeXDE0eg/s200/_MG_9545.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5mHL3iXfErduazGaUVij5HMO68zva1FKUPGIkPbppdd34T99AoOFFPUXDAPUFTGsum2YqhRSiyFjiD0iwmIHQq-S-03Ki3LZ7K-Fa3ZEU0NiSlAYh49ZgiRvqo3LSSOZvICaHhUM0cXw/s1600/_MG_9577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5mHL3iXfErduazGaUVij5HMO68zva1FKUPGIkPbppdd34T99AoOFFPUXDAPUFTGsum2YqhRSiyFjiD0iwmIHQq-S-03Ki3LZ7K-Fa3ZEU0NiSlAYh49ZgiRvqo3LSSOZvICaHhUM0cXw/s200/_MG_9577.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacque achieved some beautiful color on her pieces using the pastels combined with encaustic medium.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know it's a serious workshop when the power tools come out... Notice Laurey's awesome knit beehive cap. On the second day of the workshop, we drilled holes in our covers, hand tore pages for our books, and learned how to use the coptic stitch to bind them all together.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFQw83nL3aA8dztBfSbCpHkarDgN2r1ri-WZyCmALlghmeWwErbN0CX88El-ZXCQF0sIaIq8tT5yUMifyxzQORCGxvl3wuMwKcgyua41Fyhz2jhJc5R7GNeIGrB47rKILG1wafIm8s8u_/s1600/_MG_9654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFQw83nL3aA8dztBfSbCpHkarDgN2r1ri-WZyCmALlghmeWwErbN0CX88El-ZXCQF0sIaIq8tT5yUMifyxzQORCGxvl3wuMwKcgyua41Fyhz2jhJc5R7GNeIGrB47rKILG1wafIm8s8u_/s200/_MG_9654.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Erin had quite the selection when it came time to choose our thread to bind our books.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh-jVRHm-sHKYO42BA22U0pKlqtoFUIhgM57gyJZE74qc1sUUMez-Ib9icxlbv8vW8G_VoNe2VxfgPOZ3ef_vLHVfxils63DZoRvZKYaeMFcl1JT3fVqHzKmWrlkW3mLMQaBw8IH15HHV/s1600/_MG_9640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh-jVRHm-sHKYO42BA22U0pKlqtoFUIhgM57gyJZE74qc1sUUMez-Ib9icxlbv8vW8G_VoNe2VxfgPOZ3ef_vLHVfxils63DZoRvZKYaeMFcl1JT3fVqHzKmWrlkW3mLMQaBw8IH15HHV/s200/_MG_9640.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kD44ym-zFnG7l80C7DhmgLi2JWZHV6jW3vx_NMtP85KFh8ka5ckdylhLp3DW-md3MgsogCv2kviGf3P2SKP12NTbdObRpTPVCiGHORGp6ygkkVNYZgyyYoBlXdXvjTvRLXHM1xngsIJn/s1600/_MG_9655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kD44ym-zFnG7l80C7DhmgLi2JWZHV6jW3vx_NMtP85KFh8ka5ckdylhLp3DW-md3MgsogCv2kviGf3P2SKP12NTbdObRpTPVCiGHORGp6ygkkVNYZgyyYoBlXdXvjTvRLXHM1xngsIJn/s200/_MG_9655.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvr5Kvf0Fm0hiGmyO0cWemjSFxZd0RP6EeOIZ8gCaWD7tD4Pe26fLn2i8CQIFTaf6S5gyaiznUpJMTIXXS0QL0diMMfUstrw4SqYSUdSC2k43qiYBEh-hsZQu2WXBwfH7k0aOkJyvOOSV/s1600/9657BookWThread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvr5Kvf0Fm0hiGmyO0cWemjSFxZd0RP6EeOIZ8gCaWD7tD4Pe26fLn2i8CQIFTaf6S5gyaiznUpJMTIXXS0QL0diMMfUstrw4SqYSUdSC2k43qiYBEh-hsZQu2WXBwfH7k0aOkJyvOOSV/s320/9657BookWThread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn66Vd1aSZ6NoBmbMqsjTCXmtQ9kaFh_WcEa3UR85q7MPj3FlIc95Qm9khkFop86geaRo2ds-RMoVojZ81wjOne05X2P9XHGmecrJtbMmonbwzxAXImlL2pWMinDofDoFvf7O-MVikWW4/s1600/9665FinishedBooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGn66Vd1aSZ6NoBmbMqsjTCXmtQ9kaFh_WcEa3UR85q7MPj3FlIc95Qm9khkFop86geaRo2ds-RMoVojZ81wjOne05X2P9XHGmecrJtbMmonbwzxAXImlL2pWMinDofDoFvf7O-MVikWW4/s320/9665FinishedBooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are the three books I created during the workshop. Although its definitely going to take some practice, this is a skill I would like to take the time to perfect. It turns out, a book with an encaustic cover is a delight to the senses. It is visually interesting, you can smell that lovely beeswax scent, plus it is a piece of art that the viewer will feel encouraged to touch. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks Erin for such a lovely art filled week and for being so generous with your time and knowledge!</span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-1102215129810625012013-11-15T19:30:00.000-08:002013-11-15T19:30:15.420-08:00Location, location, location<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is happy news t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">o report! I now have studio space in downtown Lexington! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some before shots:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26cGhtLHPR6378dlD8MJLIX6OvvyQv_uyL22BGtaH6Af4V2_cJE5xolpbL3A2C_9tv8GQA2qe61v-8BWr2x-2JEDuBgiVXGtnLjNcHniuwi8RbeGIoB94-M51WQ4dekj1lqSH3wrEU819/s1600/9194StudioFarWall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26cGhtLHPR6378dlD8MJLIX6OvvyQv_uyL22BGtaH6Af4V2_cJE5xolpbL3A2C_9tv8GQA2qe61v-8BWr2x-2JEDuBgiVXGtnLjNcHniuwi8RbeGIoB94-M51WQ4dekj1lqSH3wrEU819/s200/9194StudioFarWall.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl52Z1Sfz_v_tgGkm7d-X9lY6g5z4kLTNB0y7GjCLE1htl1snfjSC6dxNPdui5amKCdGFlRoGk4o4_Ebg9_C_qYj6ktlu-2JDEaA3M1tuBjJoL80o-QZFCdR2BEXVeZ6invNit7aC2Fi_9/s1600/9200StudioShot3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl52Z1Sfz_v_tgGkm7d-X9lY6g5z4kLTNB0y7GjCLE1htl1snfjSC6dxNPdui5amKCdGFlRoGk4o4_Ebg9_C_qYj6ktlu-2JDEaA3M1tuBjJoL80o-QZFCdR2BEXVeZ6invNit7aC2Fi_9/s200/9200StudioShot3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truth in advertising time - It's not as big as it looks in the photos due to the super wide angle lens I was using to get the whole room in the shot. This will be an interesting experiment on just how creatively organized I can be. The ideas are already pouring in and I'm sure as I start working in the space, other ideas will present themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I knew the first thing I wanted to do was paint those walls but I love the creaky argyle floor! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My parental units graciously came to help with the installation of my solo show at the MS Rezny Gallery and then stayed to begin the process of sprucing up the studio space. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejROXGPcYD3-aX-vJwVT8_UR0y1Jaj_fohqvxgQO0xe0eyRhG0XhBWlwzNkdCGPb34CiIS6dIDe7s1GowDuqaIl-c43IM7VBgg5sqQHJAwRWM5G12CjwXV-JBl0njZ3bk0NrCg9xVrzzE/s1600/3770DadStudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejROXGPcYD3-aX-vJwVT8_UR0y1Jaj_fohqvxgQO0xe0eyRhG0XhBWlwzNkdCGPb34CiIS6dIDe7s1GowDuqaIl-c43IM7VBgg5sqQHJAwRWM5G12CjwXV-JBl0njZ3bk0NrCg9xVrzzE/s200/3770DadStudio.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Dad thinking dark thoughts about the light fixture I bought...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfvp2_EjYQB-U8Cb3pHOR9aMV09rolsJ7OJyb36b-o2pDVbpX73Lh-FXy1Z8HdCUgegF079-MxZQt-IfbqguqnHLd2eg6e7ReLFEH5Gsk_w_1sg-kfdx8YccxWImVkAWlrf_vLNQrTLn1/s1600/IMG_3768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfvp2_EjYQB-U8Cb3pHOR9aMV09rolsJ7OJyb36b-o2pDVbpX73Lh-FXy1Z8HdCUgegF079-MxZQt-IfbqguqnHLd2eg6e7ReLFEH5Gsk_w_1sg-kfdx8YccxWImVkAWlrf_vLNQrTLn1/s200/IMG_3768.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Success!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily my father is a patient man. The new light fixture I got to replace the chandelier fought it's installation every step of the way. I was so glad that two people could climb my ladder at once because it took at least 3 hands to get this crazy thing up on the ceiling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here's what the new studio space looks like so far. I have a ton more supplies to bring up. This is probably the neatest it will ever be! I can't wait to get in there and start making a mess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsGKIwcSGTyQkBjuvRdpFAIEOS7w0yc-kJ1hGXunk93y20EPA6e5Emcux988Z2LcdYz2XyGY-TK7kCdk8uQtkwRP0FUoGLQkVMSAe4Q73u6s-z-SvvQQ6w5TWgMPRRp44QQrd77aIIkK7/s1600/9279Studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsGKIwcSGTyQkBjuvRdpFAIEOS7w0yc-kJ1hGXunk93y20EPA6e5Emcux988Z2LcdYz2XyGY-TK7kCdk8uQtkwRP0FUoGLQkVMSAe4Q73u6s-z-SvvQQ6w5TWgMPRRp44QQrd77aIIkK7/s320/9279Studio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFyW6VU-4GbslM247UsJs9DTneek9oT0isRxc_dAKKA8GYy6ttIQhk-kCdrnmgiXmyxrbJekPAt3cDHrw7oAePaNdh9-NV8dhCjEv8SBZzSB1-ewFS5rNJmvbJLsttq-cqN4JSFWxRRXI/s1600/9281Studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFyW6VU-4GbslM247UsJs9DTneek9oT0isRxc_dAKKA8GYy6ttIQhk-kCdrnmgiXmyxrbJekPAt3cDHrw7oAePaNdh9-NV8dhCjEv8SBZzSB1-ewFS5rNJmvbJLsttq-cqN4JSFWxRRXI/s320/9281Studio.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-37013996467227819592013-09-05T14:05:00.001-07:002013-09-05T14:05:35.817-07:00Encaustic and Spackle, BFFs - Who Knew?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Running up to working on the solo show next month, I experimented a little with some new ideas. (I'm hoping to get back to that after the chaos has died down...) In the Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch <a href="http://melissathall.blogspot.com/2012/02/asheville-workshop.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">workshop</span></a> from almost 2 years ago, we played with joint compound or drywall spackle on the wood supports underneath the encaustic paint and medium. That idea has been rattling around in my head for awhile and I finally found a piece that sort of screamed for me to explore it more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD_9SzjCFHoG8IAE8oyMQAvtcCXzfWvsNhqbYjWNEVgBIPvmkguY1Pnbhv690fMKvP4O3taOTQrAsznjmcA79sOwJJgyy05auCv0OAuURJmaqI9H7KsegRG1Xsau993or5MmtjHjsHPNw/s1600/Tangled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD_9SzjCFHoG8IAE8oyMQAvtcCXzfWvsNhqbYjWNEVgBIPvmkguY1Pnbhv690fMKvP4O3taOTQrAsznjmcA79sOwJJgyy05auCv0OAuURJmaqI9H7KsegRG1Xsau993or5MmtjHjsHPNw/s320/Tangled.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tangled - finished piece</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me back up to the start of this image. I was editing some shots from a photoshoot with my long time model, muse, and friend Anna. There were several from this one location where I had fallen in love with the color and texture on a concrete block wall. Not being able to decide which shot to use, I dabbled in Photoshop for awhile. Here are the original shots:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO76eLFSD1_PNM9d_IWN-p_8dWi7QW36xkVx5G264ae7y0ZYJPOK7NN3cfsQLawQncgP4FO6DmIClGptJdg8S3DgCBoS1ZlMunAb6nrE-1o71qAzNBlRv16BQE4PSpe3NzXAxVenuDAjtK/s1600/0245OrigAnna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO76eLFSD1_PNM9d_IWN-p_8dWi7QW36xkVx5G264ae7y0ZYJPOK7NN3cfsQLawQncgP4FO6DmIClGptJdg8S3DgCBoS1ZlMunAb6nrE-1o71qAzNBlRv16BQE4PSpe3NzXAxVenuDAjtK/s200/0245OrigAnna.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wGMFEuGdb6uqCEMdb5g9Z4M4DHEfZdplpesmSVDKH7jQb2exb2M51Gxf8jOlbExX_fynIS9yIU9ee6Xx5j7c2d7mSkVl-Mfm7zs5c2IK25688GKtnzG3IePEdaj67qXehrULyOxMKJIH/s1600/0257OrigAnna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wGMFEuGdb6uqCEMdb5g9Z4M4DHEfZdplpesmSVDKH7jQb2exb2M51Gxf8jOlbExX_fynIS9yIU9ee6Xx5j7c2d7mSkVl-Mfm7zs5c2IK25688GKtnzG3IePEdaj67qXehrULyOxMKJIH/s200/0257OrigAnna.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj846k3eN5BnWEPqoCDtY26ZC27To6QhdkvV117h6whGGHca0b0_8vpnFASqIM9pc-MTiXTxOnydtffY3jx5bXymT_EgmYL1GrRlTIM4ULdHTmY9nkj7EjmffaWSnkjqoKxN8OGGnU2wF4v/s1600/0258OrigAnna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj846k3eN5BnWEPqoCDtY26ZC27To6QhdkvV117h6whGGHca0b0_8vpnFASqIM9pc-MTiXTxOnydtffY3jx5bXymT_EgmYL1GrRlTIM4ULdHTmY9nkj7EjmffaWSnkjqoKxN8OGGnU2wF4v/s200/0258OrigAnna.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I finally got over the love for that sickly green color and converted one of the images to black and white. Then the ideas started flowing! At some point late that night of processing, I finally realized that I was being a silly </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">left-brained photographer - thinking I could only use one image at a time. I converted all 3 to black and white and combined them into one long image.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next hurdle was to decide how to approach a substrate for such an oddly sized, super-long image. This was an opportunity for some growth on my part. I had a 12 x 24 inch cradled birch board so I glued down the prints. I carefully pieced the first two images and the last one together into a line because the largest paper I had was 13x19. That left most of the upper third of the board above the image raw wood. I knew that I wanted to extend the idea of being tangled and stuck in that empty space above but I wanted to find a less expensive approach to filling that area than just using encaustic paint.<br /><br />Earlier that week, I had seen a wonderful blog post from artist <a href="http://lisakairos.wordpress.com/category/encaustic-technique/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Lisa Kairos</span></a> where she discussed how she tinted encaustic gesso for her underpainting. I didn't have any encaustic gesso at the house, so that lead me back to thinking about the bucket of spackle just hanging out in the garage without any drywall to be repairing. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gcl6b7uJdvC7hwOcgtY5zdYSgeZ1NxXEjwPy2mF3e8zHlhYp8DNb0aA4J2ToOaymX00GvFDP_TAcTwjAwgfxAWmlgZow0p6zesgi3_EokvTk0uWZ8U_D5lcA8k882MCI2te7_CMoDJKw/s1600/2637TangledJointCompound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gcl6b7uJdvC7hwOcgtY5zdYSgeZ1NxXEjwPy2mF3e8zHlhYp8DNb0aA4J2ToOaymX00GvFDP_TAcTwjAwgfxAWmlgZow0p6zesgi3_EokvTk0uWZ8U_D5lcA8k882MCI2te7_CMoDJKw/s320/2637TangledJointCompound.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a closeup of the board after I applied the spackle. I put it on with a palette knife and ran the end of a brush through it to create more lines like the ones in the images. After that dried and no longer felt cool to the touch, I decided to hit it with some watercolor to see if I could mimic the color and texture of the wall in the image. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauFI3UaOkiO0UngUd_1PjE_AMapH5nlkHRtd9SIsL8eKaDfjOKjm16-Yjj13STw0B2mwm24p4oITNxgIDQnunYk7U_Id7PVna9ZrQgky-9XiSRg-rJ9kTQdDeZImEBI-rYVD3zgRgBgDO/s1600/2646TangledWatercolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauFI3UaOkiO0UngUd_1PjE_AMapH5nlkHRtd9SIsL8eKaDfjOKjm16-Yjj13STw0B2mwm24p4oITNxgIDQnunYk7U_Id7PVna9ZrQgky-9XiSRg-rJ9kTQdDeZImEBI-rYVD3zgRgBgDO/s320/2646TangledWatercolor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> After the watercolor dried, I sanded the spackle to bring back some of the white and add even more mottling. Then I started adding washes of very thin encaustic paint, medium, and used neocolor crayons to add more tangled wires above the image.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpFFqnPuzRl-qsh_fITrwa58zf7QQptruSu02ad8cwNMpzqQpPcPL9wqbWyzG8eJd0B6WnWb0iaf02vX_Jpf7SXra-wPWl9DWT3yaO5Fif6gQTMOMulOg5x2mLTkADCxGePpbin4GDCPs/s1600/2646TangledThinPaint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpFFqnPuzRl-qsh_fITrwa58zf7QQptruSu02ad8cwNMpzqQpPcPL9wqbWyzG8eJd0B6WnWb0iaf02vX_Jpf7SXra-wPWl9DWT3yaO5Fif6gQTMOMulOg5x2mLTkADCxGePpbin4GDCPs/s320/2646TangledThinPaint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I lost count of how many layers where finally added and carefully fused so I didn't mess up my lines and the delicate neocolor crayon additions. This was a good learning experience for me. It has already sparked more ideas of working outside of the space provided by the image alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6000445218708269463.post-66363109181229721582013-07-06T21:56:00.001-07:002013-07-06T22:07:51.156-07:00Obsessions with a Butterfly<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had this blue morpho butterfly piece kicking around the studio for the better part of a year at least. It started as a 6"x6" little <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/melissathall/6609075069/in/set-72157628655627481" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">test piece</span></a> that turned out pretty well when I was first starting out. I decided to go nuts and have it printed at 24" by 24" and glued it to a new cradled birch board. In the midst of producing work for shows and attempting to put in the requisite studio time to learn some new skills, this large canvas has been quietly waiting for me to get brave. My goal, since I started studying how to use encaustic processes with my photography, was to find ways to integrate painting and my photography work. I admit that I am still a complete neophyte but there's finally some progress to report!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what the image looked like after 3 layers of encaustic medium, a few swipes of paint on the background behind the butterfly, and a small amount of mark making with a blue grease pencil.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguohqpulAvuJ2d6HMkef67NUcbDnKJ5mlHOzyJeKQFWUyNFEjOJFY_SB5i8EFxr1x7ageqPY95PrKPxbnDh60l7UUGV6TJMYsvjZy5E2u9zQlzphs-OujbVw0dv7RsslZwTDcc_K98aFnU/s1600/BlueMorphoStart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguohqpulAvuJ2d6HMkef67NUcbDnKJ5mlHOzyJeKQFWUyNFEjOJFY_SB5i8EFxr1x7ageqPY95PrKPxbnDh60l7UUGV6TJMYsvjZy5E2u9zQlzphs-OujbVw0dv7RsslZwTDcc_K98aFnU/s320/BlueMorphoStart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliGwfgb9CgLmJZP7Alk3G1Cr-6dmHzyLXtnRY_J7dD_krUltlorEj6ZjadBlJCK_B8mMVcUQEj9qiWiz-SgdCNhpzdhBDmjTUmnAk3VIpMmoNVx7ir7CyKr928y5DlfuLLOmOM4DY4tEx/s1600/BlueMorphoFirstMarks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliGwfgb9CgLmJZP7Alk3G1Cr-6dmHzyLXtnRY_J7dD_krUltlorEj6ZjadBlJCK_B8mMVcUQEj9qiWiz-SgdCNhpzdhBDmjTUmnAk3VIpMmoNVx7ir7CyKr928y5DlfuLLOmOM4DY4tEx/s200/BlueMorphoFirstMarks.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First Marks and Background Paint</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I liked the effect of making the background more abstract than the original photo. It pushed the background back farther visually. I also used my heat gun to move the paint around on the background to even increase the abstract qualities. At this point I was also thinking the mark making had potential but was going to need a lot more layers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ended up using grease pencils, oil pastels, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Caran d'Ache Neocolor I Wax Pastels. Finding the neocolor pastels was an answer to a big problem! On cool wax they make a wonderfully distinct mark without the residue of an oil pastel. Because I didn't have a large set of colors in the neocolors, I ended up figuring out a way to work with the oil pastels too. After I had finished a round with the oil pastels, I would fuse ever so carefully and then come back with a little mineral oil and a paper towel to remove whatever hadn't fused. I learned my lesson the hard way on a previous piece about leftovers and smearing once you come back in to do any work with a brush!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5bfrYvA3AgSL6d5hdyxD5qID_L9qmFh8ChOAJ2vCN_4zzT-AoI4GT07HlWNisnVA1-cgZe8k6FnKDkdxxfQmt1HHfir2YTYfgENYXZ2ODqVulsK1UMMBZdC43gi90GRPketbtKOcBS1q/s1600/BlueMorphoOilPastels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5bfrYvA3AgSL6d5hdyxD5qID_L9qmFh8ChOAJ2vCN_4zzT-AoI4GT07HlWNisnVA1-cgZe8k6FnKDkdxxfQmt1HHfir2YTYfgENYXZ2ODqVulsK1UMMBZdC43gi90GRPketbtKOcBS1q/s320/BlueMorphoOilPastels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A new R&F paint had come in the mail around this time. I used their graphite gray on the body and this was a turning point for me figuring out how I wanted to finish the piece. The almost sculptural quality of the way encaustic paint can be applied is definitely fun. I liked the 3D feel it gave to the body of the butterfly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9SNzZD1DNqnTwC46fWU685QIJqFYLII1R50nuhP4Vxl1pMqTbdNoK5rM_q-ivejnMvZNm6IEpC1Jz1e2g6wTgl1l1iDHJdWN8zughU_-Nrnqefz-_EhvdxtA-LNlXWaqKcl4L8stwIp8/s1600/BlueMorphoBody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9SNzZD1DNqnTwC46fWU685QIJqFYLII1R50nuhP4Vxl1pMqTbdNoK5rM_q-ivejnMvZNm6IEpC1Jz1e2g6wTgl1l1iDHJdWN8zughU_-Nrnqefz-_EhvdxtA-LNlXWaqKcl4L8stwIp8/s320/BlueMorphoBody.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around this point, I decided that I wanted to knock back the mark making under some layers of transparent paint. I laid out every shade of blue I owned and starting mixing news ones too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The painting and drawing classes I have attended in the past have taught me that I work kind of tightly. I've admired others broad expressive strokes with vine charcoal while working away with a sharp pencil... Encaustic painting has forced me to cut loose a little. You can certainly make sharp lines but working with larger brushes has forced me to rethink things. Part of loosening up is to try to listen to my gut. The first dots and drips of paint were a happy accident, but they mirrored the scaled texture in the wings so I started dripping more purposefully. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN80loKHh9UKlgAQRdt68XiWpM6Q7k5PDyWbpho50uSAuGWSX0E4dv8QkbuS0IBW1bLBJl37pXt3dWkqrOAyEPcLob3TcarCaS5xzqVCUO0z4-XylKH7e4hcbKL9d_eNgcmDOdSS5_7mND/s1600/BlueMorphoDotsDrips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN80loKHh9UKlgAQRdt68XiWpM6Q7k5PDyWbpho50uSAuGWSX0E4dv8QkbuS0IBW1bLBJl37pXt3dWkqrOAyEPcLob3TcarCaS5xzqVCUO0z4-XylKH7e4hcbKL9d_eNgcmDOdSS5_7mND/s320/BlueMorphoDotsDrips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To finish off the piece, I added many layers of translucent paint to build in more of the highlights and shadows and to push the marks back a bit. The fusing I was doing at this point on top of the butterfly was taking a lot of patience!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having more room to work on a larger piece was helpful in the learning process and I'm now in love with the neocolor crayons. Being able to draw on the wax surface is definitely going to get more exploration. Here's the final piece and a detail shot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfohfXyx09tVgj1Vkq8gAXCoD9CFO_LNOy308IiWeVAj7mG5hP_Z3yG451g9bR8WW9Iy6X24j8aUKYwuKPaX4NC0oT8JjL8UHgfQG9tEj5JLmAuJOUTS2Ez0FzrxRBmpFcQFctXRTd3ii/s1600/BlueMorphoDetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfohfXyx09tVgj1Vkq8gAXCoD9CFO_LNOy308IiWeVAj7mG5hP_Z3yG451g9bR8WW9Iy6X24j8aUKYwuKPaX4NC0oT8JjL8UHgfQG9tEj5JLmAuJOUTS2Ez0FzrxRBmpFcQFctXRTd3ii/s320/BlueMorphoDetail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKchdh3zuzheLzv7glC7Q1lakb3mT69v685bS9_PmR5qRxv_Y84pupugpdGrRZBxWvvicSq8EJNd7H86PEqdj1lBEefM09yQO-HyE1HbsZRmWhjMG6_lghp1Qu3kskjbim6W_MJMLzUXZ/s1600/BlueMorphoDone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKchdh3zuzheLzv7glC7Q1lakb3mT69v685bS9_PmR5qRxv_Y84pupugpdGrRZBxWvvicSq8EJNd7H86PEqdj1lBEefM09yQO-HyE1HbsZRmWhjMG6_lghp1Qu3kskjbim6W_MJMLzUXZ/s320/BlueMorphoDone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Melissa the Magnificenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08441495609098980536noreply@blogger.com0