Photoshoot Time!

 I just love getting together with other photographers!

 Both amateur and professional with their own idea and style.  Each on their own journey. 

Acrylic Secrets

I am working on a few projects right now.  This is one I am currently working on and I am not quite sure how it is going to turn out.   I feel she has a secret to tell!  A depressing and tragic secret I do not believe it to be.  I'm sure she will be whispering it to me soon.



This is also my very first Blog from Blogger App on my phone.  So, we shall see how this turns out!

Hafla

Has anyone ever been to a Hafla? Dancers take their turns performing for each other.  During the intermission there is open floor dancing available for those who would like to participate.  There are costumes that you can buy! Above all, the main focus, is belly dancing! 

Each dance is so different!

So colorful!  I love the expression on her face.

This dance was so graceful!  Perhaps, an elegant imitation of a butterfly!

Some are so very powerful and moving.  Amost taking you to another time and place. 

Little Whittled Whale

I just had to share with everyone the talents of my sweet hubby!  Everyone who knows me, knows how much I absolutely adore Orca whales.    I love so many animals, but, Orcas are on the top of  "My favorite things" list!   This morning my sweetie gave me this Orca whale that he whittled just for me. 

A lovely little Hike

We live in such a beautiful place out here in the Great Pacific Northwest. My husband and I took a very enjoyable little hike through the woods.

Beneath the trees, on the forest floor we found some wondrous things. Such as this yellow mushroom. It almost looks as though it could be made of glass.

I also found a dark little mushroom as black as a moonless night.

Look how this red and brown mushroom stands out against the green carpet.

I'm not sure if I crossed his path or if he crossed mine. This little Salamander just sat on his log waiting for me leave. I wonder how far he travels each day?

Has anyone ever cooked a plantain? I cooked one for the first time. Plantains are a staple crop in many parts of Africa. Hearing and reading how many different ways and how often plantains are prepared throughout Africa and much of the tropical world. I decided to try it myself. Although, Plantains look very much like Bananas. They are very starchy instead of being sweet.

I decided to fry my Plantain. First, you have to peel it. Which was not an easy task. It definately makes it a lot easier it you first cut off both ends.

Next, I sliced the Plantain into rounds and sprinkled lemon Juice over the pieces. Stirring until the rounds are moistened.

Next, heat some oil in a heavy skillet.

In another bowl, I mixed equal parts of curry powder and ground ginger. Then one by one, I rolled each piece of plantain in the spice mixture.

Then transfer to the skillet and fry until golden brown.

I was pleasantly surprised! A very simular taste to a potato.

Seattle winter snow storm of 2012

Earlier this month, I was feeling greatly deprived of our lack of snow out here in Western Washington.  Not only did we receive snow, it turned into an ice storm.  We haven't had anything like this since 1996.  Many thousands of people were left without power ( my husband and I included ).  Even now, many are still without power.  This ice storm led to many winter woes!  Between my house and my mothers house which is only a very small five minute drive.  Fifteen trees had come crashing down across the road.  At night, it was very strange to hear trees falling and snapping and crashing due to all the ice that was in cased around them. 

The best part, some of the photos I was able to take! 

There was ice everywhere.  Still, we have a lot of ice.  I am surprised how long it is taking to melt.

This storm created some extremely intriguing ice formations.

I just had to post this one.  My very curious cat Sir. Earl Grey sitting on the window sill staring up and facinated by the snow that was falling. 

My backyard

Well, I did get my wish today!  It snowed!  I love it!  I can't believe that this is in my backyard.  Western Washington is very beautiful. 

                                       
                                 I love the crunching sound the snow makes underfoot.  The snow makes everything so clean and soft.  Even now, although, it is dark outside now.  Looking out my window, my whole outside world is all aglow!  I adore seeing all this snow out my window while sipping on delicious hot chocolate in my favorite mug.  So cozy!                                

Charcole Sketch

I haven't posted anything in a while and it makes me feel bad.  So, I wanted to show you what I have been doing.  This is a charcoal sketch of Elizabeth Taylor.  It is still a working progress.  As I am typing, I am noticing some things that I am not happy with.  My portrait likeness abilities needs some work.   

Hopefully, soon I will have some beautiful snow pictures to post.  I am waiting for some more snow to fall at this very moment!

It doesn't matter how much distance there was between me and this tiger.  I was completely devoured.  Superlative in his prideful profession of dominance.  I was entranced by his splendour. 

I just wanted to show you that I have been working.  Sometimes the creative process is quite challenging.. So far this painting isn't turning out like I had hoped. This is all you get to see for now... I will keep you posted.  Just a little more despair and desperation to muddle through! 

So, I have been working even though I have had a lot going on in my life right now.  I think that I am at the point of saying that this painting is done.  I keep staring at it hopeing that I will see one more thing that it needs, but, I see nothing. So,time to sign! Oh, Happiness!

Here it is! Finished. 

Progress.  It's been a couple of days of work on this.  Finally, this shark ( I believe ) is starting to take some form.  Still, a lot of work to do.  It's very dull to look at right now.  So much more needs to be going on. 

I love Autumn, but, now all the bursts of color and changing leaves are falling to the ground.  The air is carrying with it a potent chill.  A transformation is beginning. Winter is on it's way. 

I have been commissioned to do a painting.  Even though, this is what I want to do.  It is difficult to paint for someone else because not only do I have myself to please, but, I am also worried that the recipient will enjoy my work.  Also, the subject may not be one that I personally would have chosen . Such as a shark.  I do not like sharks myself.  So, I did a really quick sketch of what I think this is going to look like.  This will be going onto a 16 x 20 canvas. 

Elephants in the Water

So, I have never posted any of my paintings or drawings up on my site before.  Up to now, I've done nothing but post my photography.  I enjoy many forms of art!  I think that it is kind of odd that I have chosen to put up a photo of this abstract painting that I am still working on, because of the fact, that this is the very first abstract that I have ever painted.  The reason that I have decided to paint an abstract is that I really need to step out of my box. All previous works of mine have been more realism. This is not at the point of being finished yet! 

 I think it is good to document the progress of a painting.  So, here it is.  5 x 7 Canvas. Acrylic.

Hippopotamus.  They are fascinating creatures.  I had to linger at the Hippo pool for quite some time in order to actually shoot a photo.  Just when I was about to give up all hope of ever seeing this animal swim to the surface, he came bounding up and out of the water. 

I just shot this photo a little bit ago as my little kitty and I were settling down for the evening!  I couldn't resist, I had to put this one on my blog!  I think it impossible for him to be any more content. 

~ Cats are connoisseurs of comfort ~  James Harriot

A Middle Eastern Dance Artist from Moscow.  She gave an amazing performance and truely captivated her audience.   

A different view!  How often do we enjoy the scenery from this level?

Dancing Elephants

To me, these elephants seemed to be dancing!  To bad I couldn't hear what music they were listening to. 

I so love the big Cats!  So magnificent.  Such beauty which you are and forever will be completely unprepared for.  I could never tire of these gorgeous animals. 

I could walk for miles along the beach.  If only grains of sand could speak.  The stories they would tell. 

This photograph makes me think of one word.  Idle.

The sound of a waterfall is not a noiseless sound.  It's the sound of contemplation. 

A scene that causes you to take ease. 

Even the wind loves art!  Creating ripples in the sand as it blows across it.

What makes us so intrigued in these abandoned buildings?  To have such an extreme attraction that we hunt them down and off we go to the most remote places that we can find!  Walking past forsaken walls, enjoying every moment feeling like an explorer.

An early 1900's shipwreck slowly being buried at sea.  Very little now remains, except for the bow and a few ribs.  Without words, stories are still being spoken.  It makes you wonder, what else is silently being carried to the grave?

So I've just come back from a trip and I have collected some new Photos!  This photo is one of my favorites.  In photography, there definitely is an art in the way you observe things.  Taking the ordinary and finding something intriguing about it. 

The same sail boat that came to our beach last month came back today.  This time, I tried doing Dutch Angle.