It’s a steamy Monday morning here in Cabin Country, Minnesota. At first glance, this looks dreary, but find the peace this dew-covered window gives. Mother Nature grabs my attention again and gives me something to see that I haven’t paid attention to in the past. I give thanks for simple blessings like this image. I find beauty in the storm; I find my inner peace.
The great news just keeps pouring in! I have two more works accepted into the Cabin Art show just minutes from my home!
Accepted works:
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 and my camera is the composer- one of the best gifts given to me from nature.
Beach Life
Life is like an Ocean or in this case a Great Lake; sometimes it can be calm, rough waves, gorgeous blue waters, or jet black with white caps but at the end of the day it is always beautiful. Simple views like this help me recharge my soul, releasing creativity like endorphins after a workout so I can share my visual art to the world.
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.
My image selected is Refugee Trees- Story unedited
The Trees are walking away from the forest they’ve only known, fleeing invasive species that are killing them. Like refugees wandering into the unknown seeking safe grounds to flourish. I dedicate this picture to all the refugees worldwide who have endured this journey’s pain. I’ve donated money to humanitarian aides but still feel helpless as I watch this war unfold on Tv in my safe home. I will pay higher gas prices and bite my tongue as this is a small price for what Putin is doing to Ukraine and the world. I will cut back on other areas, like dining out, and buying unnecessary “stuff” and put that money towards Humanitarian Aid to help the people of Ukraine. I write that because I saw a Ukrainian woman on the news say to the world, “appreciate the little things in life like seeing blue skies and breathing fresh air.” I do appreciate the little things in life and do this also in honor of her request, as I have a roof over my head and food in my fridge and for that I’m grateful. My advice to you, the next time you bitch about inflation for the cost of food and gas think of Ukraine and what they are going through, and SHUT UP!
An image is of a man and his best girl named Summit. This was her first time jumping off the pontoon to retrieve her favorite toy and my cousin, Tim wouldn’t allow her to swim on her own until she was ready! So, he jumped in grabbed the other end of the toy and they both Doggie paddled to the boat.
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 framed with satin black metal frame- anti-reflective Plexi glass with acid-free matting.
Skeleton Rafters- 16×20 simple black matt and frame
Skeleton Rafters
As the wood rafters decay, they provide a source of life for future plants to grow on. Mother Nature has been working hard to eliminate the man-made structure but it’s not going down without a fight. Awe-inspiring to see nature reclaiming Her space that humans abandoned a long time ago. My eye immediately caught sight of the lime green moss, but when I approached to get a closer look, I was surprised that the nails were still intact, standing the test of time.
This scene captivated my eyes as the hint of lime green sprouts just breaking the jet-black soil accompanied the Seeds Mother Nature planted earlier in the Spring.
I’m humbled and honored to be a part of this event. I will have one of my photographs located at the Gallery (967 Payne Ave) and two photographs printed on large vinyl hanging outside Wilbur’s Auto Service.
Below are the images I captured in my hometown of Saint Paul; both were taken at the Mounds Park area.
Chugging into Fog and Saint Paul view with Prairie grasses.
