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”.

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

Variations

Published

Marblehead Arts Association

Date: April 22nd through June 18th

Address: 8 Hooper Street, Marblehead, MA 01945

Work selected:

Green photoziac- commando series (matte less metal print)

Green water, green Cattails, green lily pads.  Green is the color of Harmony and health, it’s generous, relaxing color that revitalizes our mind, body, and soul.  It also gives us hope, with promises of growth and prosperity along with a little luck. 

The favorite photograph you took in 2022

Published

Favorite photo of 2022

Reflections of Fall, taken in Bolton, MA

Early in 2022, I was out with friends having dinner and I put my mirrored glasses down on the table and loved the reflected image.  That sparked the idea that I would do this on my travels and create a new collection of “Reflected” works.  The below image is filled with bright colors, shallow depth of field, and of course, no photographer reflected in the image.  This you must stand in just the right place to avoid “capture”, LOL.  I do most of my work in camera, so this has little editing down in Lightroom. 

Stay Tuned for more work to come…

The link below of all photographer’s submissions

https://lenscratch.com/2023/01/the-favorite-photograph-you-took-in-2022-exhibition/

Reflections of Fall- Taken Bolton, MA fall 2022

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.

Solar arts – ACW

Published

The Holiday Show – Light up the Night – Light up a life.

Location: Solar Arts Building

711 15th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Dates: December 1-4

Thursday 5-9 pm

Friday 5-10 pm

Saturday 12- 8 pm

Sunday 12- 5 pm

Website for more information: https://solarartsbuilding.com/

Hybrid exhibition Spirit of the land leads to Sanctuary for the Soul. This Exhibition is a mix of my Photozaics framed art offered in color and infrared photographs images with a sprinkle of my black n white Infrared photos matted in black with simple black framing. I’m sharing this space with a few other talented artists.

This is a must-see show and get your holiday shopping done simultaneously.

Small Stones Festival of the Arts

Published

The festival will once again be held at locations around the newly renovated Grafton Common including the Great Hall, Apple Tree Arts at One Grafton Common, the Grafton Public Library at 35 Grafton Common, and the Grafton Congregational church at 30 Grafton Common.

Dates: October 14th through October 23rd

Location:  One Grafton Common, Grafton, MA  

I will attend on opening night and will be available to chat, on October 14th starting at 7 PM.

Wishes or Weeds? Matted in black with simple satin black metal frame 16x20x1

This image reminds me of my childhood and every time I saw a Dandelion, I would pick it and make a wish.  So, in this image, I see wishes and choose to hold on to my innocent belief that they are not weeds but wishes delivered to the Universe via a simple breeze.  Next time you see a Dandelion, stop, pick it, and make your wish! Only true believers will see their wishes materialize!  Today I wish for peace and equality for all.

Wishes or Weeds?
Wishes or Weeds?

New Works of Art

Published

I’ve been busy in the studio creating more photozaics, some are as new as my recent trip to Michigan earlier this summer.  I love traveling to new places and note to all you New Englanders, I’m heading your way on October 8th and will spend the month of October in your area.  I can’t wait to see what New England offers an Artist… Stay tuned.

Also Gallery owners in New England area, I will have samples of my photozaics to view in person please reach out to me at nmcguirestudio@gmail.com to set up a time for personal viewing.

Small Stones Festival of the Arts

Published

The Festival will once again be held at locations around the newly renovated Grafton Common including the Great Hall, Apple Tree Arts at One Grafton Common, the Grafton Public Library at 35 Grafton Common, and the Grafton Congregational church at 30 Grafton Common.

Dates: October 14th through October 23rd

Location: One Grafton Common, Grafton, MA.

Wishes or Weeds?
Wishes or Weeds?

Wishes or Weeds? Matted in black with simple satin black metal frame 16x20x1

Wishes or Weeds?

This image reminded me of my childhood and every time I saw a Dandelion, I would pick it and make a wish.  So, in this image, I see wishes and choose to hold on to my innocent belief that they are not weeds but wishes delivered to the Universe via a simple breeze.  Next time you see a Dandelion, stop, pick it, and make your wish! Only true believers will see their wishes materialize!  Today I wish for peace and equality for all.

Gallery owners and art collectors I will be in Massachusetts from October 9th through 29th if you would like to see samples of my work, I will have some with me.   Some samples will be from both collections Spirit of the land Infrared images and Sanctuary for the soul photozaics.