Chupacabra and her/his truth serum

It sounds like a dirty word in Spanish to me, "chupacabra".  I am going to have to look that up so as not to offend any relatives.  I love my new buddy at Rmontalban.  Not only does she seem like a very funny woman you would want to hang out with but she seems to find herself in these fun places, funny places, and places you wish you could visit.  Her blog will amuse you so it's a must to check out.  This award does come with some work on my part - I must now admit 7 things I have not admitted on my blog thus far.  Hmmmm, so won't mention my dad, my cat, my art...Oh no...confessions.

1) I garden.  Have not in several months (baby and it's been too hot!) but I do.  I consider myself a gardener.

2) I like Vampire entertainment.  I can't believe I am going to admit this to the world but this is me being extremely, generously honest.  I watch and read waaayy too many vampire related things.  I don't know why.  I think it's that good stories I enjoy often revolve around characters that happen to be dead and require drinking a little blood from time to time.  What's so wrong with that??  This list includes and is not limited to- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which I would scream from the highest mountain, "I LOVE BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER!"  HA!!)  Some people do not know that Buffy continued on past the show's too early ending.  Season eight continues on through graphic novels.  I will include Angel and Spike in this listing too as I do read the comics they star in.  It's like a spin-off from the show Angel which I also love.  True Blood- I just started the C.Harris book and have the first comic on order.  (I guess this is a good time to add that I enjoy reading comics.) I watched the first season so please don't tell me what happens!  And, ahem, while I am being honest...  I, uh, will also admit that I may or may not enjoy the series, Twilight.  I do this mostly in secret.  Mostly.  I have also started reading American Vampire and watch a show on WB that I don't know if I am ready to admit to others although probably just did.  Look, we all have our guilty pleasures and I am lucky mine is as sweet as a little vampire drama.  Now would probably be a good time to skip to number 3.

3) I love to collaborate.  Wait, I guess this is known...Who cares?  I love to collaborate.  That means in music, art, cooking, whatever.  I love spending time with friendly people making something we can both enjoy.

4)  I am taking a sewing class.  I just enrolled in this cool online class via this blog.  I have not yet started because I think I joined in late so didn't feel pressure to stay up with most people.  I have always wanted to learn.  This class offers 5 projects that expand on skills needed to start being a seamstress.  I have a year to finish the project so I think I am up to the task.  Plus, I spent money to do it so I am basically forcing myself to do it.

5)I have started doing the 365 project but have not made my blog visible because I am worried I may not stick it through.  Man!!  This whole Chupacabra thing-it's like a truth serum!!  Somebody shut me up!!

6)  I won't lie to you.  It's a rule I have.  I may evade the truth or skirt an issue but I won't lie to you.  I'm not lying when I say this.

7)  I love blogging.  Not just as a record to keep history, to express myself, and to get over my issues of insecurity and procrastination but because I really enjoy meeting so many interesting people and seeing different parts of the world through their eyes.  I love seeing people's artwork and being inspired every day.  Thanks everyone.

Gosh Chupa...The definition of a Chupacabra is actually "Goat Sucker".  More like "Truth Sucker"!  I'm going to go take a nap!  Thanks again RMontalban!

Phonography #2

Here we go!  Time to connect that phone and upload some photos.  This is the weekly photos from your phone challenge.  (The linky will close at midnight on Thursday.)  Anyone can join up via the link below. Please link back to this post so that everyone can enjoy in others submissions.

This photo is via my lovely little iPhone- it doesn't get reception in 2 of the rooms in my house and decides when and who I can talk to but I love the camera apps.  I guess it a glorified camera.  Still, I am quite fond of it.

Thanks for looking/participating!





Here is a button should you care to use it.  Have a good week and happy snapping!

<br /> <br /> <a border="0" href="http://anikatoro.blogspot.com/2010/08/phonography-2.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/anikatoro/smallphotography.jpg"/></a><br /> <br />

Photo of the week #14

Where have the days gone?!  Lots to catch up on, read, and post...  First, here is my submission for this week's Photo of the Week Project.  I visited the UT Botanical Gardens again.  They have recently added three large container ponds.  They are beautiful.  That place always has the nicest ideas for gardening.  It's a relaxing and inspiring place to visit. 

Honestly, I can't look at the image and not think of Pac-Man but I love the spots of red throughout the image.  I also like how I was able to use the lighting and depth to block out the pond color so as to have a black background. 

I have some other lily pad images I would like to share...  I will do that soon.  Should you like to see any of the other Photos of this week or join in the fun please do so over at Jessica Rogers Photo of the Week Project.  Thanks for looking!

Last night

Last night at Twila's bedtime we decided to do something uncommon for us...we went for a walk.  Risky, I know.  But she seemed awake, happy, and full of energy.  We walked three blocks down the street and then up a very steep (San Francisco steep) hill, and another 4 blocks to a friend's house.  For the first time ever she walked the entire way.  This was a big feat for those little legs and she loved it!  She especially loved hiking up that hill.  She would walk about five steps then look up to Doug and I and laugh, get back to walking a few steps and then look up and smile.  When we got to the top of the hill I wanted to take a photo of her with the hill behind but she was too set on walking more...so we did.  It was dark when we got home but she was thrilled to pieces.  I love her.

Here are four images from that walk up the hill.  After several smiles I decided to capture a couple...no editing needed to see that smile and feel how happy she was.  I went to the Slurping Life to see if I could submit this post to the Straight out of the Camera Challenge but I can't seem to find a linky to post it to.  So I decided I still am going to add my photo here- the unedited, naked image.   Here is the button to the site.  It's a pretty blog with beautiful photos, check it out!

Being Happy

The other morning, Twila was sleeping a bit later so I had time to check out some blogs and came across a very pretty one "Living in Berlin". Upon looking around I found this image.  You can link to the post here. It made me think. For me, being happy or sad, for the most part...like daily life stuff, is a choice.  Do I want to be happy or sad? Or, like E. Tolle writes, "Do you want to be friends with the present moment or not?". It makes sense. It sounds easy. Sounds easy.

I think that sometimes I feel strange sharing that I am happy.  How screwed up is that??   But for the last 15 years I have actively made the decision to work at being happy instead of sad, to be content. It's been a lot of work. And now am I starting to really recognize the payoff for all my diligence.  This past week I have felt and recognized that well, I am very happy...giddy-happy.  And I LIKE IT! 

When I was about 21-22 I decided to make some changes in my life.  I think I realised that I would rather feel happy than sad, content instead of angry, and that I never wanted to feel jealous.  For me that last one was easy to work on but beating sadness and not over reacting, well, those were harder and took a lot longer.  I'm not saying I am perfect and that those emotions never happen.  I'm just saying that I am happy without reason and am actually feeling relaxed.  When those emotions arise it's easier to catch myself and ask myself those two important questions:  1)Would you rather be happy or sad?  and 2)Do you want peace?"  The second one I read in an E. Tolle book (you may call me a hippy if you'd like) and it stood out to me.  He wrote that if you want peace then have it...it's that simple.  And I thought about that for a day or so...he's totally right.  It is that simple.  And when it doesn't feel that simple, make it that simple.  Those questions also seem to bring me back to the present moment which has been a helpful tactic for me.

So, here I was feeling really lucky, really happy, and I stumbled across this image above. I love it.  It can be that easy.  Being happy is so worth any work and it ends up feeling a lot easier than being sad or mad.  Oh, I stumbled across this image too...  I so wish I could remember which blog was sharing this...I'm sorry I didn't write that down!  I have never watched the show this comes from but I like N.P.Harris ever since I saw him play poker on tv and especially since Joss Whedon's Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog (a must see).  But it's a great poster isn't it??

So there it is.  I'm happy.  I hope you are too.

Macro Friday #3

Here is my submission for Blogging from Bolivia's Macro Friday Challenge.

Call me crazy but whenever I see this particular vine I can't help but shoot it.  I have several shots from different cities all of this same creeping vine.  It has these suckers at the end of its tendrils that remind me of some sort of animal...or a Snork.  (Yeah, Snorks.  I'm okay with that.)  Strangely the vine also reminds me of Japanese designs...don't ask me why.  Like I said, crazy.  Anyhoooo, I have not had much time out and about to shoot so here we are- a twisty, curvy vine on a wall with nice little spots of red.

For those of you who don't know what a Snork is please, indulge... I recommend a shot of something strong prior to viewing.  If you would like to join in the fun or see any of the other beautiful macro images please head on over to Blogging from Bolivia.

Whaaa?? Meee?? (Blush, Blush...)

As mentioned in the past, I fully acknowledge that I need a little positive feedback now and then.  It makes me happy and it's always nice to have a smile surprised onto my face.  Well, happy birthday to me! No, it's not actually my birthday but I do feel that same "I am special" feeling... I guess it's similar to finding 20 dollars on the street!  My new friend over at RMontalban is responsible for this giddiness.  (Be sure to check out her blog-great images,many from her phone, and a wonderful sense of humor!  She seems to be in the right place at the right time too- having her phone ready at hand to snap a man without trousers shopping for trousers for example.)  Recently Ashley at Ramblings and Photos introduced our blogs to each other. Well, lookie-lookie what Joanna has sent my way!  You can read what she had to say here.

In the fashion of this lovely smile-making button I am going to pass it along to five blogs that I love.

1)  I don't know if you have heard of  Dancing Hula in the Sunset District but not only does Andrea have the most interesting dreams to share, she is witty and very funny.  Her writing is inviting and impeccably punctuated.  She's awesome and I admire her greatly.  Topics range from new adventures in cooking and riding home on public transit, to her dreams and family.

2)  How can I not give this award to Ashley??  Her blog Ramblings and Photos has turned me onto so many inspirations and photo challenges.  Plus, her photos are always something beautiful to see.  You can learn editing tricks from her too!   She is one talented cookie.  You can see her work on the ACoLab too!  And I think her days must have like 8 extra hours in them because I have not ever met anyone as diligent with her camera and posting.   If she could bottle that up I would be an addict.

3)  Christopher & Tia.  This was the blog that introduced me to the idea of Photo Challenges.  I found her in the forums on Etsy.  I have loved reading her sweet stories about her family, laughing at her tales of pregnancy, and marveling at the way she puts her blog together (her photo montages and stills are beautifully sharp, clean, and interesting).  You should check out this blog as well as think about joining the fun Flashback Friday challenges.

4)  I only recently stumbled onto Lady Barnnet's blog "Living in Berlin".  I received a comment from her and the Yellow House challenge that Ashley was hosting.  I was drawn to the blog because of the artwork-layered photos, nice graphic design...eye candy.  But then as I started to read the blog I started to like even more than the look and feel of the blog.  You know how there are just some blogs that you enjoy checking in on everyday to read some new insight that you often seem to agree with?  This is one of those blogs for me.  I have always wanted to visit Berlin but after reading and seeing her observations I think I want to even more now.  I find myself thinking about this blog when I am out and about during the day...what's a better compliment than that??

5)  Sweet Fancy.  I don't know much about Fallon as I have only recently found her blog.  But, it's the cutest blog ever.  She's crafty and has great style.  I would love to have all her picks and creations!   Her blog is filled with wonderful photos and inspirations galore, check it out!

It's been nice thinking about all these special blogs.  It dawned on me as I wrote this post that the people I am drawn to all seem really giving with their imagination, inspiration, and honesty.  Ashley introducing people openly and thoughtfully to so many different inspirations, Lady Barnett with her life abroad and creativity, Andrea with her day to day insights and experiences, Tia sharing her personal life and photos, and Fallon's special eye...they are all creative women who are so open with offering that gift up to the world.  Thanks ladies!  And thanks again to my new iPhone buddy.  I look forward to getting to know you all even more. 

PS- If you would like, copy the award badge above and place it in your blog proudly.  You can also pass along the badge to other blogs you enjoy if you feel so inclined.  These are just a few of the wonderful blogs I like to check-in on.  I am always excited to hop around in the photo challenges to see what everyone is up to and look at some new pretty photos, new inspirations!  Isn't the Internet great??

Phontography #1 - I want to be a hostess!

I love all of these weekly photo projects I am a part of.  Lately, I have been wanting to do some hosting.  So won't you join me for some Phontography fun?  Structured like most of the other weekly photo submissions, this is all about a photo from your phone.  I think there is sometimes a stigma that photos from a phone are something less worthy or impressive than photos from a camera.  Maybe that's because of it's quality.  Maybe it's because it's so accessible that some people feel you don't need the skill that an SLR requires.  But I disagree!  Photos from the phone are totally of the moment and sometimes, especially with all the new apps for phones, just the perfect tool for creating an image.  It's convenient and available at times when pulling a camera out can change the mood of the subject or be too time consuming.  So c'mon!  Share some of those spur of the moment or artful phone shots!  I think the deadline day will be on Thursdays.  I know that this will probably be a group of one, at least for awhile, but I am okay with that.  I really love taking photos so this is just another inspiration for me to keep shooting.  Oh, and not a lot of rules...just make sure your shot comes from a phone.  You can edit, crop...anything as long as it's a photo from your cell.  You can link to your post via the link below.  Please leave a link back to this post so that others may share in the fun.   Have fun!  I look forward to seeing where you've been!


<br /> <br /> <a border="0" href="http://anikatoro.blogspot.com/2010/08/phontography-1-i-want-to-be-hostess.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/anikatoro/smallphotography.jpg"/></a><br /> <br />

Yellow House Challenge - Trees

This week's Yellow House challenge is "Trees".
With Fall approaching I decided to use a photo that I have had rather than take a new one.  I have not really wanted to spend much time in the heat with the mosquitoes.  But it's getting cooler and I can sense fall coming closer.  Ahhhh...

Fall in TN is beautiful.

If you would like to join in the fun or look at the other photographs for this challenge please do!  Just click on the button below.

I Heart Faces - Fun at the Beach

This is Twila the day she discovered sand.  She had been to the beach before this but had never really taken an interest in sand before this moment.  Remarkable she didn't want to eat it but just examine it.  By the third day she really seemed to like digging, sitting in a deep hole, and crawling through the sand to chase birds or dogs that passed by.  It was a great time at the beach.  I can't wait to go back!




This photo is a submission for the I Heart Faces site.  If you would like to join or see any of the other submissions please do so by clicking the button to the right.

Photo of the week #13

I decided to send in my submission for this week's Photo of the Week a bit earlier than usual.  I have felt a little guilty the last few weeks submitting 30 minutes prior to the deadline.  Ah well...  So for this week here we have an antique car.  The story?  I was driving over to a friends house to go to a movie and passed by a business that was closed.  I'm not sure what they do here but it's a big wherehouse and it's kind of plain-jane so it seemed era-less.  The truck was so pretty.  I have included another version of this photo below so you can see the color of the truck, pretty.  To me, it just seemed like a nice little scene.  This is one of those moments where I kind of get the itch to shoot something without much reason except that I just want to capture the scene...it seemed like a nice memory.  I thought I could also have a little fun editing it and playing around. So I pulled over and got the shot.  I edited it and added a little frame. 

Here is the other shot.

If you would like to see the other submissions or add your own shot please head on over to Jessica Rogers Photo of the Week project.  Deadlines are on Tuesdays and posts are usually put up on Fridays.  Enjoy!

Long Overdue Praise

For last father's day, Doug's first real father's day, Twila (okay, we all know it's really me) wanted to give her papa something personal and funny, a keepsake worthy of keeping and treasuring.  Since Twila was born it seems like even gifts for ourselves are somehow really gifts to enjoy with the baby...this one I guess is no different but it did and does make us smile...a lot. 

So, this lady, Terri, makes very special puppets.  I was first drawn to her full size puppets.  But what Twila ordered were some special order finger puppets.  It's fun to watch her play with them.  But I thought that they could also be good ways to teach Twila the words for "Papa", "Mama", and for her kitties.  So here they are!  HA!!  Doesn't Doug's look perfect?? Whooo, I still get a kick out of these.


These puppets were very reasonably priced (I payed 25$ for 5 custom puppets plus she threw in an extra cute animal puppet!), Terri was a joy to do business with, and I am very happy with the quality of these little treasures.  Keep her in mind and be sure to check out her shop for all your puppet and smiling needs.

P.S.  For those of you who do not know us...these are very true to how we look...especially the cats!  Here, take a look at the bottom of this post!

Macro Friday 3

Here is my submission for this week's Macro Friday. 

If you would like to see any of the other submissions or leave your own photo head on over to Blogging from Bolivia.

Thanks for looking!

Flashback Friday - The first day home

Thinking about Christopher and Tia's new arrival and also having close friends who have just had a baby has made me think about when Twila was born.  Here is a photo from her first day at home.  Talking with Allison has made me remember so much of those first weeks with the baby that I have not thought about since then...did I block it out??  It was hard.  Those first couple of months were such a learning experience.  There will always be a lot of the unknown and there will always be plenty of learning but something seems easier now.  Maybe I worry less...or differently.  Maybe I feel like I know things will work themselves out.  (Maybe I am back on a regular sleeping pattern...Man, I loooove sleep!) Maybe I am already so proud of my little girl...maybe I am just truly happy.  Yeah, I think that must be it.  Even when times seem tough I still feel happy.  I think I just really love spending time with her.  She's fun.   So here we are, a flashback to the day we brought our sweet baby home.  The day when our new chapter began.  What a wonderful day to remember.  Good luck to Allison and Scotty, and also to Tia, Christopher, Eleanore, and Charlie.  Good luck too to those of you who are about to embark on your own new chapters.

If you would like to see all of the other flashbacks (or leave one of your own) please head on over to Christopher and Tia.  You will be happy you did.

The Day We Met Lillian

Congratulations to Scotty & Allison.  Lillian Sue is a sweet and healthy baby.  These photos are from just after she introduced herself to all of us. 

Side note: Twila seems happy and a bit interested in her new buddy to be.

Toot! Toot!!

What a great morning!  Got placed in a very pretty, thoughtful treasury and am featured in a lovely blog!
Vivilian had some flattering words and sweet thoughts about my photos.  Feels nice.  Her blog features cute and special items from Etsy and her shop.  I'd love for you to check it out!

Photo of the week #12

I just got back from a weekend in Indiana.  I have never been there before.  As Doug says, it's kind of like walking into a time portal to 1940...or some time there-about.  It is interesting that a place can remain as it was but age with time.  I guess that there was a big boom and a lot of money in the town of Fairmount with agriculture and the discovery of natural gas but then the age of industry added machinery to the agriculture industry and the gas dried up.  Those two ingredients were enough to change the town enough to force people to leave and find other pursuits.  I liked seeing the town.  I have never seen or played in corn fields before so that was a treat too.  The town of Fairmount is quite small and yet many famous people have come from there.  James Dean went to high school and grew up there.  We spoke to a lady that went to school with him.  That was sweet.  And Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield was from there.  It takes all kind of people everywhere...  So, this week's photo is from Fairmount Indiana.  If you would like to see some other submissions for this week (they are usually up by Friday) please head on over to Jessica Rogers Photo of the Week site. 

Acolab 5

I just posted this rounds submissions of the ACoLab.  There was a nice mixture of photos, painting, and music...although I have had problems loading the music this round. (Argh.)  The theme was Bits of the Past, Pieces of the Future.  I wanted to do something a bit autobiographical and I also wanted to use some vintage magazines.  So I took this ad to the right and removed the model and added some photos I have framed in my office, a photo of my daughter and me, and my husband and I are perhaps looking for a new home so I put one of the listings we have looked at in the frame above the bed.  So the past, present, and future are represented not only by the vintage ad but also with new photographs and content added.  So below you can see the final piece, my submission.  If you would like to join in the next round please do so! 

Macro Friday #2

I had so much fun with Macro Friday last week that I decided to try my hand again.  I wanted to shoot more than I was able to but here is my submission.  I enjoyed meeting some friendly and talented photographers over at Blogging from Bolivia.  You can see all the other submissions or leave your own by clicking here.

I like the design of textures in this image.  It's obvious what it is but the different levels and shapes are appealing to me.  Happy Friday everyone!

Photo of the week #11

This was another week I kind of wanted to use something other than what I shot this week.  I have been busy these last few weeks so I have not gotten to shoot as much as I would like.  But keeping photo projects like this in mind have been really great for me.  I find myself using my surroundings in a different way... taking shots of objects I would not have thought of taking if it were not for these projects.  This is just such an image.  I was walking downtown and really liked the texture of a metal sculpture on the street.  The way in which it was polished and the time of day made for a very interesting light and texture.  The metal became extra shiny and metallic while making it seem less like metal...weird. 

If you would like to see any of the other submissions or visit the site where you can join the fun please see Jessica Rogers Photo of the Week Project.  Until next time...

I got a shout out!

About three weeks ago I started selling some of my work in a really great shop downtown.  The owner calls the store a "shoppery" - part gallery and part shop.  It's such a great place to walk into.  There is always something I had not seen the last time I was in, there is always something I want to take home with me, and it always smells so good!  The store sells art, soaps, and housewares from local artists.  There is a lot of talent in Knoxville - if you are in town you should definitely check out Rala!

I just noticed on the Rala blog that they did a nice little shout out to my 3D Heartsphere card.

Macro Friday

More photo challenge fun.  Every time I visit Ramblings and Photos I seem to get inspired to enter another photo.   This one is for close-ups.  Thanks to Blogging from Bolivia for hosting the fun!  You can see other entries here.


I call this photo "Counting by Fives"

Flashback Friday - Blossom

I was flipping through some photos trying to find an image I had misplaced and came across this one.  This is Blossom.  Before her I don't think I would ever would have thought that I would be writing about a cat 3 years after her passing.  Don't get me wrong, I love animals and always have...sometimes more than people.   I think growing up I was more of a dog person but then I met Bloss.  I went through around 14 years (pivotal years) of changes with her.  Living on my own, moving across the country, moving in with my now husband (who she also charmed)... lots of life changes and she was always with me.  She was family, snuggly family.  So, I still think of her all the time.  She was about 6 or 7 when I got her at the Vet that I worked at.  She was just so cool.  The first week I had her in my studio in SF someone was climbing up the fire escape outside because they had locked themselves out.  She went over to the window, got up on her hind legs, and growled.  Over the years she became very close.  She seemed to know me well and would comfort me when needed, make me laugh, she was just the best cat.  We could wear her like a hat and she would just sit there, she would fall asleep under the flowers, she was a great pal.

We have since adopted Lewis and Louise from outside.  Louise is kind of naughty and kind of crazy.  Lewis is a scaredy-cat who is still learning how to do basic cat things like play and clean.  But he sits on my lap as I write this while trying to type a few letters here and there.  They are both special in their own ways but there will always be just one Blossom.  Happy Friday everyone!

For more Flashbacks please see Christopher and Tia's site...a wonderful blog and gluten free recipe site! A special shout out to Tia and her whole family as they are going to have a baby on Monday.  Congratulations Tia!  You're beautiful family just got even better.  Best of luck to you!

New Photo Challenge

Tonight I went to one of my favorite blogs to visit.  She loves photo challenges and takes great photos...plus I think she seems like a nice person.  Oh!  She also participated in the ACoLab!  So, instant friend.  Anyways, she has turned me onto a lot of different photo challenge ideas and for me, to keep me motivated, it's a lot of fun.  So tonight she spoke about a site Mama & Dudes (it may have the cutest banner for a blog I may have ever seen).  Her photo challenge is feet.  So, I know you have seen this before but I like it and am going to get some use out of it.  Enjoy...again.

If you would like to join the fun or see the other submissions please visit Mama and her dudes by using this button. 

New Memory - San Jose

Here is the latest addition to the Memories Series.  "San Jose".  I like the pops of color, the contrast of metal and white, it's sci-fi-y.  My friend said it made her think about computer parts.  I guess that's appropriate for the area actually.  Someone online thought that I had done something to the image to make it look like this but actually I did very little to the image after it was shot.  I did bump the contrast up a bit as I like to do.  I wanted the whites to intensify a bit so that the edges would bleed identifiably with the white border of the image.  I prefer that the orange be the focus.  I may mess around with it a bit more as I would like the center square to pop a bit more of it's brown tones.  However, in the print version it seems to do that...  It is nice to have gone to a new place and come home with a new Memory.  I have a few more to share.  Soon.

Photo of the week #10

Here is my photo for this week's Photo of the Week. It's a couple days over a week since I shot it but I am saying it counts.  It is after all a project to keep me shooting and thinking about my photos...which it does and I have.  Do I at least get credit for honesty?

This photo is called "Kathleen, Perfume, and Tea".  My cousin set up this nice little arrangement.  But this photo does bring up the whole photo within a photo theme.  I LOVE photos of other photos or photos that somehow use other photographs.  When I was in college I remember this one class I loved.  It was all about the use of imagery within imagery.  We watched movies in which photographs were used as symbols or as re-occurring themes, we took photos, talked about photographs as memory tools...it was food for thought that I am still digesting.  (In a good way.)

When I look at this photo so many different ideas and thoughts come to mind.   I see the whole set-up and it makes me think about my cousin and why she chose those particular items to place together.  I enjoy the theme she created, the mood.  I also think about the image of my aunt-the photo within the photo.  I know the story behind the photo and remember seeing it throughout my childhood.  I think about the photographer of the image and what my aunt must have been like then.  I think about the past. It makes me think about technique too.  It's a great portrait.  And now that I have taken this photo, I think about re-visiting my aunt's home.  The present moments seem more meshed with those of the past.  I had not been in her house in years so creating new memories so far apart from the old ones has made a strong feeling of present.  Isn't that odd?  Even though I reflect on the past, I feel more grounded to the present or would that be the future??  Anyways, this picture of a picture makes me think...a lot.  I love that one photo can have such a powerful effect... such a simple little tool.

For more Photo of the week submissions please check out Jessica Rogers Photo of the Week Project.  Posts usually go up on Friday but you can submit an image by Tuesday.

Mind's Eye - Manipulated Stories

It's that time of the month again.  I have posted the latest "Mind's Eye" column to the Photographers of Etsy (POE) blog.  I am loving writing as well as looking through tons of talent on Etsy.  The last couple rounds (Mind's Eye 1 "Inspiration" and Mind's Eye 2 "Memories") I have written for the POE blog I have also posted on this one as well.  (For "Inspiration" and to go along with "Memories") I guess I feel like I can babble on about the thoughts of the theme less concisely here, it's like the safe zone.  In the past I have posted examples of my own work but this week I thought I would post some examples from other Etsy artists I am fond of.  I only post fellow POE group members on the other blog but while searching for images that related to my topic I came across some great non-POE examples.  So, I thought I would showcase them here.

The theme I decided to write about was the photograph as a story.  In particular how manipulated/altered photography is such a strong tool for conveying exactly what an artist imagines. Think about it-  Instead of just straight shooting something that catches your eye you imagine an idea or concept and no matter how outlandish you can piece it together using photography and a little fancy footwork.  Here are a few examples of photographs that do a great job of telling a story...purposefully.  These skilled artists also do a superb job of sharing a bit of their imagination.  All of their shops are a must see.

 "Telling Tales to Faries" by mfayrephoto

"Merry Go Round" by ThisYearsGirl

"Reading Gustave Caillebotte" by ImagineStudio