I’m blessed to be one of the visiting artists for the 2024 Art Crawl at Schmidt Artists Lofts. So much talent is located in this historic Brewery! I will be in the atrium and will be demonstrating my commando photozaics showing my process. Along with my photozaics both Commando and Formal, I will have canvas-wrapped infrared photos. I will have matted prints in color and IR in various sizes (these are 50% off). I am introducing my dragonfly ornaments made from wire and various stones that help with, negative energy, prosperity, grounding, and protection!
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.
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
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.
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.
Orange Watercolor- Commando photozaic will grace New York’s Time Square area billboard.
When do you ask? July 19th, 2023
Time? 12:30 PM
Address: 1568 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Tips: The screen is in Times Square at the corner of 7th Avenue and West 47th Street. For the best view of the screen, go to the red steps in Father Duffy Square.
I am blessed to be one of the many talented artists at this prestigious location.
Orange Watercolor commando photozaic- small
About Orange Watercolor:
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 visit 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.
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
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
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
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”.
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.
Daisies are a true sign of spring: A lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.
Sleeping Bear Beach photozaic 16x14x1
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 a 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.
Continuing with Emily’s suggestions of going matte less here are a few more matted vs matte less works of art. Images Breakpoint at Racepoint and Pine Edged Road.
Co- exhibiting with Blue: an exploration of Color & Contemplation.
Eruption
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My image: Eruption
Photozaic 16x14x1
Let the Fire in the skylight the fire in your soul, let the beauty all around you inspire you! by Danett Britt- This image has been mistaken, by locals, for a Wildfire that took place in Forest Lake, MN. But instead, is a simple storm cloud developing overhead giving the impression of a Volcanic Eruption.