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.

Duck lake sunsets

Published

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.

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.

Below are images I was blessed to capture and deciding which ones to make into my photozaics.  Your comments are welcome if you have a favorite.

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”.

Solar Arts building

Published

Fox Den Gallery 2nd floor

Various May events:

Sneak peek first Thursday on May the fourth be with you! (May 4, 2023).

Artists Marketplace, Saturday the 6th.

Art- A- Whirl May 19th -21st  

https://solarartsbuilding.com/solar-arts-building-events/

I will have 10 works of my photozaics for sale in Fox Den for all three events.

Art- a – Whirl – I will also be on the 3rd floor “Mintahoe Catering”. 

The location I will have a mixture of my formal and commando series photozaics and hope to demonstrate my artistic creations that weekend.- stay tuned for updates on my selection of artwork for Art A Whirl.

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

Tribute to Small works 2023

Published

Dates: April 1st– 27th 2023

MVA Gallery

Location: 35 E. Elizabeth Ave. Suite 35, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Accepted photozaics (formal)

https://www.mvaartgallery.com/

White Daisies photoziac 14x16x1

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.

Sleeping Bear Beach

Your Work Here

Published

November 11 – December 18, 2022
Gallery reception: December 9th, 6-8pm

FPAC Gallery
300 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

Gallery hours: Friday through Sunday, 12 to 6 pm

website of all artwork

Your Work Here

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 adding the texture to my art.

Photozaic below is sized 20x17x1- All are unique works of art that are a must-see and feel!

Pine Edged Road
Sized medium PER20x17x12021-1

Pine Edged Road

Sometimes the path in life is not clearly defined.  The only thing you can do is breathe deeply, put your faith in the universe, and take the first step.  Life’s road will have curves, enjoy them as they will bring you to wonderful places if you surrender.  Road trips allow my mind to wander and absorb what Mother Nature shows me.  I especially love watching the landscape change from mountains to desert; from city to Rolling country farms; brightly colored flowers to drab gray foggy scenes.  All of these are gifts from her, so give thanks.  Get out in nature and recharge your soul!

War or Peace?

Published

By ART IMPACT® INTERNATIONAL

Thursday, September 15, 2022, to Saturday, December 31, 2022

Artists illustrate their creative thoughts on the subject of War

or Peace. Their talents are showcased to help raise funds for

Youth for Human Rights, Washington, D.C. Chapter.

3D Virtual gallery below:

https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/10658987/war-or-peace

online catalog of selected works links below

https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/10658987/catalog

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!   

Refugee Trees
Refugee Trees