Winter Solstice 2023

Published

Various Artists

Exhibit dates: December 13, 2023 – January 7, 2024

Reception for the Artists – Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 4 to 6 pm

Under Exhbitions tab

Image selected this year Little Mechanic

natalie mcguire photography

Just a boy tinkering on his Jeep making sure it’s ready to drive.  Learning that it’s never too early to start working with your hands.

Sanctuary for the Soul – Commando Series PDF

Published

Photozaic Commando series

How can I construct an image that moves beyond the surface? Photozaics, of course!  My award-winning Photozaics are inspired where Van Gogh’s textures meet Ansel Adam’s simplicity near the intersection of Bob Ross’ healing vibes. This series I call commando as for me its liberating to see the photo dancing in sync with the frame.

New Commando works

Published

Newly completed Commando Photozaics are now ready for their new forever homes! Hint of Gold Sunset, Reflections on Wachusett’s II and End of Day.  Hint of Gold sunset taken on my parent’s shoreline in Northern Minnesota (AKA my happy place).  Reflections on Wachusett’s taken in Massachusetts (side note: I will be in MA for most of October again this year).  The collection is expanding; the works are all sized 16.5×13.5×1 long edge.

Hint of Gold Sunset

Robert Frost wrote this perfectly:  Nothing Gold Can Stay.  Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold.  Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then the leaf subsides to leaf So Eden Sank to grief, so dawn goes down today.  Nothing gold can Stay.  This view recharges my soul, I love sitting on my parent’s shoreline watching the sunsets and June didn’t disappoint. There’s no better way to reflect on a beautiful day than watching the sunset, knowing tomorrow is going to be just as amazing.  I enjoy my time spent with Mom especially after Dad passed away a few years back.  It’s funny how life’s perspectives change after you lose a parent.  I know that someday my time witnessing these beautiful sunsets on my parent’s shoreline will end but they will forever be locked inside my heart.

Reflections on Wachusett’s II

Like water which can clearly mirror the sky and the trees only so long as its surface is undisturbed, the mind can only reflect the true image of the self when it is tranquil and wholly relaxed. – Indra Devi.  This is image was taken at Wachusett’s Reservoir and I love the Natick Native American term which means “near the Mountain”.

End of Day
End of Day

Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully by Kristen Butler- Go out and be one with Mother Nature; allow her to show you we are all one with the universe.  So, fill your heart with beautiful images that keep your Soul’s light shining bright!  End of Day reminds me of a symphony, where all participants flow in harmony, my camera is the composer- one of the best gifts given to me from nature.  

New Commando Series photozaics

Published

Officially making their debut Alone in the Fog, Red Wood, Milky Way, and Remake Forest of Birch.  The collection is expanding; the works are all sized 16.5×13.5×1 long edge and are available for sale. 

Alone in the Fog

I found this scene peaceful and enjoyed watching the fog roll across the lake while listening to the loons call to each other.  The trees slowly fading into the abyss and all they can do is just sit and patiently wait for it to pass.    This quote from Mehmet Murat Ildan nailed it- “In nature, everything has a job. The job of the fog is to beautify further the existing beauties!

Milkyway

In the Hindu collection of stories called Bhagavata Purana, all the visible stars and planets moving through space are likened to a dolphin that swims through the water, and the heavens are called śiśumãra cakra, the dolphin disc. The Milky Way forms the abdomen of the dolphin and is called Akasaganga which means “The Ganges River of the Sky.  That’s why I feel like I’m sitting on the Ocean’s floor looking up to the sky viewing the Milky way.  According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu lies meditating on Shesha with his consort Lakshmi, in the Kshira Sagara (Sea of Milk)

Red Wood

To sit in solitude, to think in solitude with only the music of the stream and the forest to break the flow of silence, there lies the value of wilderness. -by John Muir  I love how this Red barked tree stands with others but has its own identity- not trying to fit in with the “crowd”, if I had to pick an image that fits me this would be it!

Forest of Birch

“In Celtic Mythology the silver birch tree is sacred and symbolizes new beginnings and protection.”  This quote speaks to me and helps me understand why I love Birch trees and my Irish Heritage.  This image was taken at Jay Cooke State Park in February 2012 just a few months before this region received an unpreceded amount of rain in a 24-hour period; forever changing the landscape of this park forever.

New Works- Photozaics Commando Series

Published

Three more works completed and up for adoption to their forever homes.  I will continue with the Commando Series photoziacs and yes I do commission work.  Feel free to reach out to me via email or phone #.

Harriet Island Eagle small commando photozaic
Harriet Island Eagle small commando photozaic

This statement by -Jamie Sams, Seneca/Choctaw, and David Carson, Choctaw really hits home on how I view a Bald Eagle’s presence in this world.            

Eagle Medicine is the power of the Great Spirit, the connection to the Divine. It is the ability to live in the realm of spirit, and yet remain connected and balanced within the realm of Earth. Eagle soars and is quick to observe expansiveness within the overall pattern of life. From the heights of the clouds, Eagle is close to the heavens where the Great Spirit dwells.    

I hope the next time you witness a Bald Eagle in the wilderness you think of how Choctaw people view this majestic creature!

Orange Watercolor commando photozaic- small
Orange Watercolor commando photozaic- small

The sunset silhouettes of the islands have been like no other I’ve seen on my travels, knowing you are in borderland country (Minnesota/Canada) when you see the trees bouncing off the evening sky.  In my eyes each sunset is unique and unlike the previous day.  Colors from sunsets change just like the seasons.  Late summer sunsets have the deepest orange fading into twilight blue.

Reflections on Wachusett's Resvervoir Commando photozaic- Medium
Reflections on Wachusett’s Resvervoir Commando photozaic- Medium

Like water which can clearly mirror the sky and the trees only so long as its surface is undisturbed, the mind can only reflect the true image of the self when it is tranquil and wholly relaxed. – Indra Devi.  This image was taken at Wachusett’s Reservoir and I love the Natick Native American term which means “near the Mountain”.

St. Paul Art Crawl

Published

Schmidt Artists’ Lofts

900 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN

Dates: April 21st– 23rd

I will be selling my photoziacs (mixed media) artwork along with infrared photography framed in simple black matting and frames.  Come check out my new line of photozaics I call the commando series- these are matte-less photographs printed on metal. 

This is a month-long event that happens over the weekends- I will be at Schmidt Artists lofts the weekend of April 21st. as stated above

Examples below:

Works of Excellence

Published

update!!!

Reception May 20th 6-9pm

The Studio Door
3867 4th Avenue San Diego, CA 92103
Exhibition Dates: April 27 – May 27, 2023

Website: http://thestudiodoor.com/

Youtube video of the exhibition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5Y8wwJI-Mg

My work is mixed media joining together my two loves of photography and mosaics that I call Photozaics.  Just recently I experimented with matte-less print as has been suggested in the past, but this time I listened to Emily Schiffer’s suggestion from a recent portfolio review, and this is the result.  This line of photozaics, which I’m calling commando-as for me is liberating to see my photo dancing in sync with the frame.

Four of my Commando photozaics were accepted into Works of Excellence exhibition at The Studio Door gallery.  Wolf n Bear will be physically in the gallery; Gateway to Racepoint beach will be on their website and Breakpoint at Racepoint and Forest of Birch will be included in the catalog.   Honored and humbled to not have just one accepted but four works accepted into this exhibition.

Wolf n Bear

Some people come into our lives and quickly go, some stay for a while, leaving footprints on our hearts and we are never the same- by Flavia Weedn.  This image reminds me of the ones that left their footprints on my soul.

Wolf-n-bear WNBml7.5x13.5x12023-1
Wolf-n-bear WNBml7.5×13.5×12023-1

Gateway to Racepoint Beach

Gateway can offer up an over-welcoming feeling of “come on in”.  This scene offers that feeling with a side of warning to those that don’t pay attention to their environment.  I don’t mind the locals and will respect their home.  If I’m not meant to be in the ocean I will sit quietly on the shore watching a movie of waves play on repeat for my pleasure.

Gateway to Race point Beach
Gateway to Race point Beach

Breakpoint at Racepoint Beach

Dance with the waves, move with the sea.  Let the rhythm of the water set your soul free. – Christy Ann Martine.  Sitting at the ocean’s beach I spend hours just zoning out to the sounds and everchanging views of waves crashing the shore to help recharge my soul.  It’s nature’s symphony that warms my heart.

Breakpoint matte less

Forest of Birch

SOLD!!!

“In Celtic Mythology the silver birch tree is sacred and symbolizes new beginnings and protection.”  This quote speaks to me and helping me understand why I love Birch trees and my Irish Heritage.  This image was taken at Jay Cooke State Park in February 2012 just a few months before this region received an unpreceded amount of rain in a 24-hour period; forever changing the landscape of this park forever.

Forest of Birch FOBml7.5x13.5x12023-1
Forest of Birch FOBml7.5×13.5×12023-1

WINTER SOLSTICE SHOW: Griffin Museum of Photography’s ALL Members Show

Published

The Griffin Museum of Photography 10th Annual Winter Solstice Exhibition. Held in the main gallery from early December through early January.

Exhibit dates: December 8, 2022 – January 8, 2023

Reception: Thursday, December 10, 2022, from 4 – 6:00 pm

Website for more information about Show

https://griffinmuseum.org/show/ws_2022/

Image selected: Sleeping Bear beach -Photozaic

Sized 16x14x1 one-of-a-kind art

Image Title: Sleeping Bear Beach

The Ashininaabek people used the Mother Bear as a landmark and tell the story about how she came to be there.  Long ago, along the Wisconsin shoreline, a mother bear and her two cubs were driven into Lake Michigan by a raging forest fire. The bears swam for many hours, but soon the cubs tired. Mother bear reached the shore first and climbed to the top of a high bluff to watch and wait for her cubs. The cubs drowned within sight of the shore. The Great Spirit created two islands to mark the spot where the cubs disappeared and then created a solitary dune to represent the eternal vigil of mother bear.  

These images reminded me of the gulf coast just minus the salty ocean air. 

I watched as morning fog kissed the landscape, slowly burning off showing Lake Michigan’s beautiful teal-blue waters.  While I was exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes, I had the story above playing around in my head; carefully documenting the landscape with both color and infrared cameras.

Sleeping Bear Beach

Photozaic statement:

How can I construct an image that moves beyond the surface? Photozaics, of course!

My award-winning Photozaics are inspired where Van Gogh’s textures meet Ansel Adam’s simplicity near the intersection of Bob Ross’ healing vibes. This technique is a labor-intensive multi-step process and starts out with my journey into nature; recording the landscapes that spark my eye may it be rolling hills or a babbling brook.  After modifying the composition, I take the print and head to the stained-glass shop to find matching colors.  I cut the glass by hand taking smaller shards, and placing them in a rock tumbler to remove sharp edges while larger pieces are sanded by hand and assembled the frame.  Grouting finishes the artwork allowing the detail of each cut glass shape to add texture to my art.

Art heals the mind, body, and soul.  Research has shown a correlation between participating in cultural activities, like Crafting, visiting art galleries, and attending concerts have increased rates of good health.  By creating Photozaics, it is my hope to connect with you through a multi-sensory mixed media presentation that tickles sight and encourages your touch.

Griffin Museum presents- Vantage Point Exhibition

Published

Dates: June 21st- September 12th, 2022

Downtown Boston’s Lafayette City Center, MA

Online: https://griffinmuseum.org/show/vantage-point-the-view-from-here/

16×20 metal Frame only- Crissy Beach Digital infrared bnw photograph

Price $499.00

Crissy Beach

Sometimes you just need to surrender to the scene and get pulled into the wonders it has to offer your senses.  That is what happened to me when I came upon this boardwalk while walking the beaches in San Francisco’s Marina District.  The boardwalk pulls me to the water and my eyes circle around the remnants of old docks, Sausalito, and Alcatraz off in the distance.  I can still smell the salty sea air and hear the foghorn sounding off warning ships of the bridge when I look at this photo.

Crissy Beach
Crissy Beach
Crissy Beach framed with satin black metal frame- anti-reflective Plexi glass with acid-free matting.

Griffin Museum of Photography

Published

This event presented by Winchester Cultural District and the Griffin Museum of Photography.

Images by Griffin Museum photography members across the world.

Date: September 11th,2021

Time: music starts 5:30 pm Projections of photographers’ images at 7 pm

Location: Griffin Museum of Photography

67 Shore Road, Winchester MA 01890

https://www.facebook.com/events/4359385814125439?ref=newsfeed

more to come- hoping they have an online live stream so stay tuned for more information as it’s presented to me.

Below are the images selected that will be projected on the outside wall of the museum.

Color images selected