Local Events!
I will be attending a couple Art Fairs/Events over the next couple months. I will be sharing a booth with Nature’s Angle Photography. If you haven’t check out their fine art photography prints, then you are missing out on some amazing Nature and Local Photography! We will both have a variety of prints available for purchase.
So if you are in the West Michigan area, come check us out!
Saturday August 25, 2012
Art Jam in Downtown Fennville, Mi
10am-6pm
Saturday September 8, 2012
Art in the Park in Rockford, Mi
9am-5pm
The annual Rockford Art in the Park exhibition takes place the Saturday after Labor Day in the Garden Club Park between the Rogue River Dam and the White Pines Trail in downtown Rockford. With the Rogue River as a backdrop, Garden Club Park is an idyllic spot for a fine arts celebration.
Artists from across the state of Michigan compete in this juried art exhibition, featuring works in pottery, stoneware, sculpture, jewelry. glassworks, painting, photography, fiber arts and more. Artists are on hand to showcase and sell their works. A “Best of Show” award as well as six “Best of Category” awards (Jewelry, Pottery/Stoneware/Sculpture, Glassworks, Painting, Photography, & Fiber Arts) is presented each year.
Exhibit at the Radix Tavern Opening
I was invited to to share some of my abstract work in the Radix Restaurant Gallery for their opening exhibit, located in Eastown (Grand Rapids, Mi) So if your in the mood, swing on in, enjoy the exhibit, have a nice meal, or have a few drinks.
The Radix Tavern is located at 1420 Lake Dr, Grand Rapids, Mi (Where the Queen’s Pub used to reside)
The pieces being shown are:
A Framed 24×12 print of Desire
A Framed 24×12 Print of A Pinch of Blue
A Framed 12×24 Print of Pale Perception
And a Framed 12×24 Print of Preconceived Illusions
All four prints will be on display over the next couple months, and are available for purchase at $200 a piece after the exhibit is over.
Photography (another non-cover post) WARNING LOTS OF PICS!
I’m not sure why I feel the need to add “another non-cover post” to my title. LOL Seems like all my posts are about covers lately. Used to be, all my posts were about photography or art. So once in a while I need to throw something non-cover related out there.
Most of my time now days is spent on doing cover art, but not all of it. I felt the need to get away from Photoshop a bit, and get in touch with my camera again, so I took a local photography workshop called “Critiquing Your Photography” instructed by Will Fields. If you’re in the area, and have an interest in photography, I highly recommend taking one of his classes. Will offers a variety of photography classes/workshops both here in Grand Rapids, Mi and in St. Louis. Varying from a 1hr Private Instruction classes, to Beginning Photography, to In Studio Lighting, to Nature Photography, to Critiquing your Photography, to weekend Photography Tours.
I had a great time, learned a lot, made a few friends, shared a bit of Photoshop knowledge, and took a bunch of pictures over the 4 week course.
Now I’m gonna share some of my pics!
I did do a post previously on the first assignment, which was called “A Non-cover Post” (go figure!) Though technically I wasn’t doing those pics FOR the assignment, I had it in mind, was sort of a practice/prelude. I had planned on doing something else, but life happened and I wound up using those shots anyways. The assignment was to pick a famous photography, and try and recreate their work/style. For those of you who don’t want to go back and read that post, just want to see pics, here are a couple from that. (no PS)
And more pics taken during the time frame of the workshop:
A Photowalk we did downtown (only cropping done)
Clouds:
An old school house one of my classmates and I found, working on shutter speed.
More shutter priority work, we were to capture motion, decided to go downtown at night, overlooking the highway.
(played with the color a bit in PS on this one)
Then I got a bit preoccupied by the way the light reflected off the Grand River, and ignored the whole motion thing:
I also tried having the kids play with flashlights at night:
And since I’m sharing pics, here are a few, not connected to the class, but a couple of us joined the Grand Rapids Flickr Group on their monthly Photowalk.
In case you missed the link above, this is Will Fields Photography website, and his Photography Workshops website.
It’s Been Over a Year!
I just received a notice of a comment, which happened to be spam, but realized I have not posted on here in over a year! I will admit, it’s been a fairly boring year. Just been lacking in inspiration I guess. I have a few new pieces recently, but not much. These are the most recent two:
I did some TTV last fall:
A lil bit of manipulation/scene creation:
And one Digital Abstract:
As for news, I entered 4 pieces in West Michigan’s Festival of the Arts 2010. Two of them were accepted, and each of those received purchase awards.
“Rural Reminiscence” can now be found in Grand Valley State University’s Art Collection.
More recently, I entered two pieces into the West Michigan Regional Art Competition, hosted by the Lowell Area Arts Council. One was accepted, “Echinacea Dark Dreams”, and will be exhibited from Feb 22 – April 8, 2011.
High Key Themed Challenge: Animals
The lastest challenge in the High Key Group on Redbubble was Animals. There was a lot of great work submitted. Check out all the entries here.
The top 10:
1st place
2nd
3rd
What’s 4 Dinner Mum? by Cindy Perrinjaquet
4th
Heavy Traffic by J.Harris Blacklist
5th
Sweet by Ken Boxsell
6th
Come Make a Snowdog With Me! by Johanne Brunet
7th
animal instinct by Angel Warda
8th
Pure by deannedaffy
9th
10th
Don’t forget to check out these great photographer’s other works!
Themed Features – Flowers in High Key
The latest High Key challenge was Flowers. Check out these beautiful works of photography!
The Top 10:
lots of fun by gompo
Protea sugar and spice by Barb Leopold
Heart of a Magnolia by kilmann
Don’t forget to check out these artists’ other work too!!
Photomanipulations
I thought I’d do a post sharing some of my photomanipulations. If you’re wondering what a photomanipulation is, it’s just what it sounds like, manipulation of a photograph. Now granted, most of my work would technically be considered manipulated because I did manipulate it one way or the other. Some people can get picky with that, but most consider photomanipulation a style or category of art in which the artist generally takes more than one photograph, combines them and “photoshops” them to create a totally new image.
There are a lot of photographers who offer up their images to be used as stock for photomanipulation artists, as long as they get credit, and the end product is a completely different from the original image. Personally, I’m still not terribly comfortable using other peoples images for my own work, then taking credit. I don’t know why, it just feels weird, so I try to use as much as my own stuff as possible. However, that is not always possible, especially when it comes to models. I just don’t have anyone, nor the costumes for my own models. Recently, in my attempt to combat the winter blues, I have created a few images that are all stock, and I have to say, the results speak for themselves. Sometimes you just have to give in and go with the flow. Using stock is just so much easier. There is anendless amount to choose from, if you have something specific in mind, you can usually find it, and lets face it, using stock from photographers across the world opens you up to locations you could only dream to visit on your own. So let me take a minute here and say THANK YOU TO ALL YOU STOCK PHOTOGRAPHERS that allow us couped up, sun depraved, bored artists to create something we never could without you!
I suppose I should get on with it huh? A few of these I have had around for a while. The first 3 are my newest.
STOCK CREDIT:
Model: mizzd-stock Background: cave- steppelandstock combined with one of my own images.
STOCK CREDIT:
Models: woman- mizzd-stock, man – dragon-orb, wolf - breedstock
Background: nomuh
STOCK CREDIT:
Model: faestock
Background: all mine, that’s actually my front yard LOL!
The rest of these are a little older, you may or may not have seen them before.
No stock credit, all images were mine. Except for the brushes used for the butterflies. Unfortunantly, I don’t remember where I got those.
STOCK CREDIT:
Model: faestock Foilage Brushes: LadyVictoire Background: mine
STOCK CREDITS:
Model: faestock Background: mine
I hope you enjoyed!!
All of my work can be puchased as premium art cards, and most are available as matted prints, laminated prints, mounted prints, canvas prints, framed prints, and posters. All in varying sizes. To see more work and/or purchase click here. (or click on a particular image)
Example Card:
And most are avaible as various products at Karri’s Zazzle Store Front!
Feature: Out with the Old; In with the New.
The latest High Key Group challenge was Out with the Old, In with the New. (You know, to go along with the whole New Year thing) We left it open to interpretation.
The Top Ten:
First Place
snow in the field by muratodentro
The rest are as follows:
The Next Generation by Kristen Trapane
Keeping A Clean Act by Johanne Brunet
Don’t forget to check out these artist’s other great works!
Weekly Themed Features: Happy Holidays in High Key!
The high key group at redbubble just finished off their latest challenge just in time for the holidays! Properly titled Happy Holidays, this challenge turned out some beautiful holiday images.
First place went to monocotylidono with Guided by the Light
The rest are as followed:
All Decked Up for Christmas by Johanne Brunet
Robin in Woolies by Honor Kyne
Blind Rapture by Susan Bergstrom
Happy Holidays!
Feature: The Innocence of Youth- A Child’s Portrait
For those of you who don’t know, I also am one of the hosts of Redbubble’s High Key group. High Key is a style of photography/editing in which the image has prominant high key tones. If you would like to learn more about it, check out the groups forum.
The High Key Group just finished it’s first challenge, The Innocence of Youth- A Child’s Portrait. The rules were simple, all entries had to be high key, and a picture of a child(ren).
The Top 10
1st Place: My Dance by Rosina Lamberti
Such Potential by Damian Riches
Every Little Girl Should Have Fairy Wings… by Martie Venter
Beautiful Dreamer by Corinne Noon
Sibling Love by Karri Klawiter
Congratulations to winners!
Be sure to check out the artists other works too!!
Arachnid Feature – Color on Color: Camouflage
I am one of the hosts from Redbubble’s Arachnid Group. We recently hosted a challenge titled Color on Color: Camouflage. The rules to this challenge was to take or create (we welcome all art, just ends up mostly photographs) an image, in which the Arachnid had to be the same color as its background. i.e. A green spider on a green leaf, or a brown scorpion on brown dirt. You get the gist of it.
We only had 18 entries this time around, but they were a great 18 entries. If you would like to see all the entries, follow this link. Don’t forget to take a look at the artist’s other work. Their linked names will take you to their profiles.
On to the top 10 images:
1st place went to Gozza with her beautiful piece, Practically Invisible
The rest are as followed:
You Have to Look Twice… by Ann Palframan
Color Coordinated Spider by LoisBryan
Goldenrod Crab Spider #3 by KaneSlater
Goldenrod Crab Spider by Leyla S. Ismet
Come Closer…I’m waiting… by Yool
I would like to thank the participants for their outstanding work!
Congratulations to you all!
New Calendar: Flora
I just put together a new floral calendar called Flora. I have been holding off on doing a floral calendar because I wanted it to have a theme. I wanted it to have simular editing, either all manipulated, or all natural photography. But then I thought, huh, I constantly change my techniques, bouncing back and forth from this style to that, so why not allow my calendar to reflect that too? So I bring you my latest calendar Flora!
Additionally, I have added my lattest Digital Abstract, Techno Luminescence, to my Digital Abstract Calendar.
Almost all of my images in these calendars can be puchased as premium art cards, matted prints, laminated prints, mounted prints, canvas prints, framed prints, and posters. All in varying sizes. To see more work and/or purchase click here.
Example Card:
The Challenge: A Light bulb, A String, and A Key
Who doesn’t love a good challenge? Especially a photography challenge. It makes you think, it broadens your horizon, it pushes you outside your comfort limit. Recently I participated in a challenged hosted by APC. The challenge, of which I chose to except, was to make a creative image using a light bulb, a piece of string, and a key. You could add anything else to the image, just as long as those 3 images were clearly visible.
Although there was not a huge turn out in the challenge, some amazing images were created. All different approaches and all different styles.
My original idea was to take a light bulb, and try to stab a key into it. Or at the very least, get a whole in the light bulb, and stick the key into it. Then I was going to set it up to look like it is laying in blood. Well if you know anything about light bulbs, they don’t break with a nice neat whole, they shatter. So I ended up working with a shattered light bulb. I set out some plastic bags, covered w/ white paper, layed out the light bulb, well the pieces at least, and created my pool of blood. I knew I was planning on taking the image in black and white, so I used good old fashioned maple syrup for blood. Since I had to have the key and string in the image, I tied the string to the key, and carefully layed on my bloody scene. Then I set my camera to the sharpest, highest contrast, black and white setting, then upped the exposure. (I was also going for a high key look. ) Set it on the tripod (I was working inside with poor lighting) and started shooting at several different angles. After a short trip in Photoshop, honestly, I did some minor editing, decreased contrast, cleaned up the edges, where the sheet of paper ended, etc. This was my final image (You might recognise it from my new banner above):
I took 2nd place in the challenge. First place went to Adriana Glackin.
Here are the rest of the entries:
Are you up to the challenge?
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All of my work can be puchased as premium art cards, and most are available as matted prints, laminated prints, mounted prints, canvas prints, framed prints, and posters. All in varying sizes. To see more work and/or purchase click here. (or click on a particular image)
Example Card:
TTV: Through the Viewfinder
What is TTV: Through the Viewfinder?
Well, it’s pretty much what it says. It’s a technique using two cameras, an old box camera and the camera you actually take pictures with, in which you take a picture of what you see through the other camera’s viewfinder. Make sense?
What is the point you ask?
For me, I love the aged retro look you get with TTV. Yeah, you can make an image look aged or antiqued using textures and filter in Photoshop, but it’s just not the same. Most of the old box cameras are dirty, covered in dust, maybe some scratches, all of which add to the character of the image. (The dirtier the better I say!) Not to mention the challenge of balancing 2 cameras, and the whole flip flop issue. Most box camera’s used have a top viewfinder, that uses mirrors, so you have to keep your good camera at a 90 degree angle to what you want to photograph. Oh, and everything is reversed. Do you know how confusing that can get, you keep turning the direction you need to to center the image, yet in the viewfinder it’s going the other way?!?
So what do you need to get started?
First off, you need a camera to actually take the picture. I’ll assume if you are reading this, you already have one of those 
And to get a nice close-up shot of the viewfinder, you will need a macro lens, or zoom filters. You will need to be able to take a picture a few inches away from the object. If your camera has a macro setting that you are happy with, then by all means, just use that! Besides that, you will need some sort of old camera with a large viewfinder, and then something to block out the light between the 2 cameras.
After you have what you need, honestly, all you do is take a picture of the viewfinder.
Obviously the image above doesn’t have the light blocked out between the two cameras. I just wanted to show you the viewfinder.
My set up:
I have my Canon Rebel XTi for my primary camera (we’ll call this camera #1 from now on), an old box Argus 75 for my secondary camera (camera #2), my stackable zoom filters (I don’t have a macro lens), and my Tube of Darkness. Put together it looks like this:
You can pick up an old box camera fairly cheap at flea markets, antique stores, or ebay. Cameras like the Argus 75 were so overly mass produced in the 40′s, 50′s, and 60′s, you can find them all over the place. I picked mine up on ebay for $4.99 plus shipping!
Here it is pulled apart:
The Tube of Darkness:
To block out the light between cameras, I used a 3 inch cardboard tube that I cut down to 6 inches long, and a black (fuzzy) sock (lost the match) of which I cut the toe off. I slipped the black sock over the cardboard tube, so that there is equal excess material at the top and bottom of the tube. Then I slipped the tube over the open viewfinder on camera #2, and used saftey pins to secure it around camera #2′s straps, making sure it’s pulled tight, yet not to cover camera #2′s lens. And viola! a Tube of Darkness!
And since I use an SLR camera, I just dip my lens into the tube, and pull the top excess sock material over camera #1′s lens. The sock works great because of the elasticity, it keeps a snug fit over the camera’s, keeping out the light. Sorry, I can’t show you a picture of the SLR in the Tube of Darkness because I only have one camera!
I took the picture, now what?
Honestly, that’s up to you and your taste! First off, crop off all that excess around the image. Most people leave a small border around though. After that, editing is all up to you! I have heard that a lot of people like to used the Urban Acid Photoshop Action. I have tried it, but usually end up just playing with the tones and colors on my own, so I can’t give you an example of it. Then why not upload it to Flickr? There are a ton of TTV Flickr groups! Not to mention the ton of information you can find in those groups! The largest one, Through the Viewfinder, has a blog with a ton of information, including a list of a variety of different secondary (base) cameras that can be used. Check that out here.
I hope you enjoyed my lil tutorial/informative blog! Now I’m gonna shamelessly self-promote
More of my TTV images
This is the very first TTV I took. This is my daughter. What I love about this image, is that it looks like a picture that fell out of my baby book!
This picture was actually chosen as the picture of the day on Absolute Michigan’s Michigan in Pictures Blog!
“Museum of Newaygo”
All of my work can be puchased as premium art cards, and most are available as matted prints, laminated prints, mounted prints, canvas prints, framed prints, and posters. All in varying sizes. To see more work and/or purchase click here. (or click on a particular image)
Example Card:
Once Upon a Time, A Photographic Series
Recently I had the privelage to explore an abandoned house I came upon. The house looks to me to be turn of the century, and was obviously at one time a gorgeous home. Once upon a time this house was a home, now it is just remnents of the past. Images are in HDR.
All of my work can be puchased as premium art cards, and most are available as matted prints, laminated prints, mounted prints, canvas prints, framed prints, and posters. All in varying sizes. To see more work and/or purchase click here. (or click on a particular image)
Example Card:
Don’t forget to visit The Gift of Art, where all proceeds go to the National Cancer Institue, to help fund cancer research.
Weekly Themed Features – Still Life
Sorry, I have been a little behind on these here. I have had a lot going on in life. This weeks featured theme is Still Life. These beautiful works of art were chosen from A Photographer’s Craft. Please enjoy these works, and don’t forget to check out the artist’s personal pages, where you can view more of their gorgeous work!
“Harmonious Shells”
by Maria Medeiros
An instant classic. Huddled together, these shells make a beautiful image. Maria Medeiros washes you away to a sunny beach full of relaxation.
“Nails and Nuts Figure”
by VashR31
Funny, adorable, and an eye catcher for almost anyone. These everyday items come together in an imaginative piece of art caught on camera by VashR31.
“Want a Bagel”
by Miron Abramovici
Although this is not your typical still life, Miron Abramovici captures a wonderful, artistic, almost primal vision within a pair of rocks. Who doesn’t want a bagel?
“Still Life”
by Adriana Glackin
Adriana Glackin creativily captures the classic fruit bowel still life using the unique technique of painting with light, giving an old classic, and stunning new look.
“Lilies”
by Rose Atkinson
With beautiful composure and great lighting, Rose Atkinson gives us a gorgeous piece of Lilies in a window sill.
“Still Hooked”
by Debbie Black
Using amazing perspection and great use of negative space, Debbie Black takes an everyday, normal item, and turns it into a wonderful piece of art.
Don’t forget to visit The Gift of Art, where all proceeds go to charity.
Interview with Featured Artist…ME!
No I didn’t interview myself! Come on now! I was interviewed by shawhouse as the current featured artist with A Photographer’s Craft. I thought I would brag and post the interview 
Interview of photographer Karri Klawiter by Shawhouse
Every once in a great while one encounters an artist whose body of work reveals such surpassing clarity, focus and sophistication that the images should not merely be referred to as “Art,” but as “Arthur.” I recently cyber-sat down with Karri Klawiter to discuss her Arthur… Luckily, Ms. Klawiter agreed to the interview before reading my questions.
How long have you been practicing photography?
Art has been a part of my life since I can remember. Doodling as a child, late in high school I discovered I could paint, and now as an adult I’ve moved to photography. I really started practicing photography in January 2008. Before that, I dabbled a little bit here and there with a 35 mm, but nothing serious, and not very often because of the whole processing film thing. I would make one roll of film last months. Every shot I took was planned out, because I would only take one. My husband bought me a digital SLR for Christmas this past year, and that has seriously opened the world to me. I love my new camera, and with it being digital, I can take as many as I want! Then Photoshop entered my world in April….ah…life will never be the same!
What was your first camera, and how have you progressed with respect to photographic equipment?
My first camera was one of those long, flat, black and blue, 110 film Kodak cameras. Remember those? Do they even sell 110 anymore? I loved that thing. I would carry it around everywhere when I was little. But I tell you what, I think don’t the pictures were ever in focus, much less had the subject fully visible. I couldn’t tell you what cameras I’ve had after that and before my first SLR.
My husband came home one day with a Canon Rebel SLR he picked up at a pawn shop. The intention was that he was going to take up photography as a hobby. He read the manual from front to cover (yes, he actually read the whole thing), played with it a bit, took it on a hiking trip, took 10 rolls of film worth of pictures, packed it away, and never touched it again. I would pull it occasionally, for holidays and such, but it really didn’t get much use till last summer.
For some reason I can’t remember now, I was taking a lot of flower pictures, and they were actually turning out nice! (My pictures never turned out growing up, I always had a secret passion for photography, but never thought I was any good at it.) That summer I used a whopping 3 rolls of film! Hey, that’s the most I had ever used. But to be fair, I also had a cheap little digital camera that I was using constantly too. That cheap little digital camera died after my 2 yr old dropped it. So I started dropping hints to my husband about getting a Canon Rebel Digital SLR. My biggest argument was that we already had filters and lenses that were interchangable with it, so why would we buy another cheap digital that will barely get used. His argument was that I already had an SLR that worked perfectly fine. Much to my surprise, the very last present I opened Christmas morning (I must add here, that I was deeply depressed by then, I thought he took the hint, but it wasn’t looking good) was my digital SLR! I cried and cried. Such a stupid thing to cry about huh?
So…my photographic equipment is still limited, but it does include: Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xti, Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens, Canon EF 35-80 mm lens, Canon EF 100-300mm zoom lens, 3 (1x, 2x, 4x) zoom filters (I really want a macro lens), and various other filters.
Do you have a favorite image in your own gallery? What is it, and why is it your favorite?
I think my favorite image is “Abandoned.” I am not really sure why. It really isn’t anything special, but I love it all the same.
Have you ever done anything extreme to get that “ultimate shot” – or have you traveled anywhere remote to take photographs?
I haven’t really done anything extreme, yet. But I did get chased off private property for taking pictures of an old school house. Honestly, I did not know it was private property, it wasn’t marked, it sat on the side of the road and there were 3 fences and a good 10 acres between it and the next house. Man was the owner mad! By the way, that old school house is the one in “School House Rot” and “School of Time Past.”
Which image from my body of work has most inspired you? Take as long as you need.
Oh sure, this question you say take as long as you need, could have used that on the camera question! It is a hard question too.
I think it would be “Lost” though. I woke up one morning, realizing that day was a deadline for a competition I wanted to enter, but I didn’t have anything to submit. I started going through all those old pictures saved on the computer I never did anything with. You know, the rejects. I came across one that was already merged into HDR of a tree. Very boring, I know. At that time, things weren’t going very great in life; I was in a dark mood. So I thought, hey, what would it look like in black in white?
That started the snowball effect. I took all that recessed dark depression and anger, and put it into the image. When I first thought it was done, it still didn’t feel right, until I added the girl. I guess she symbolized me, because I was feeling quite lost at the time. Creating it really made me feel better. Isn’t art a great stress reliever? I submitted, thinking there is no way this picture is going to win, it doesn’t have the feel any of the other entries did. It won. I was shocked and happy; I even did a little dance of joy.
Wonderful story. Truly inspiring… .But, I was referring to my body of work. Take as long as –
What was your name again?
Ed. Note – The interview resumed the next afternoon.
Have you got your own website, if so what is the url and how long have you had it?
I do not have my own website as of yet. (outside of my Redbubble site.) Though, I do have a blog I just started that is based on art. It’s address is http://artbykarri.wordpress.com
Film or Digital?
Digital! Hands down digital! You can take as many pictures as you want, and get rid of those you don’t with just a click of a button. No wasted film!
JPEG or RAW?
I’ve tried RAW, truly, but JPEG seems to work best for me. I can’t explain it. Everyone says ALWAYS use RAW, especially with HDR images, but for me RAW images merged into HDR end up with a lot of noise. I must be doing something wrong…
For here or to go?
Unfortunately, to go. Two young children, a husband, school, and other responsibilities, I rarely get to say for here.
Are you a member of Gift of Art where all proceeds from art sales go to cancer research? What would you say to help promote the charity account?
I think the art speaks for itself. It is an amazing collection, plus the proceeds go to help research cancer. Why would you buy art elsewhere? Yes, I am a member, and I am not just saying this to promote my work. It really is an amazing thing they are doing. I was honored to donate a couple of my most popular works. We all know someone in which cancer has affected their lives, if not lost a loved one to it. It is an unbiased killer. It doesn’t care what color your skin is, if you are a child or 120 years old. We need all the help we can get to fight it. Someday there will be a cure.
What is your favorite subject to photograph (and why)?
That is a hard one. My subjects change like the wind, but if I had to pick one (and it is probably because of withdrawal, haven’t been able to get to any recently) it would be dilapidated, abandoned buildings. They have such character and history. How many families have lived in this house? Where they happy? What did it look like new? How many people over so many years stood in this spot, or looking out that window? I find it all so fascinating. Of course I also love genealogy, so there you go!
What is your favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical (and why do you have a favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical?)
Who? I’m gonna have to Google this one! Hey, I’m just a small town country girl!
Is there anything you would like to add about the Photographers Craft group or anything else?
The Photographer’s Craft is a wonderful group of amazing photographers. Not only do they have talent, but they have the heart to go with it. Just look at The Gift of Art.
You going to eat those fries?
Dang straight!
Dang!
Weekly Themed Features – Symbols of Hope
This week’s feature theme is Symbols of Hope. These beautiful works of art were chosen from A Photographer’s Craft. Please enjoy these works, and don’t forget to check out the artist’s personal pages, where you can view more of their gorgeous work!
A symbol of hope can mean a number of things to any individual person. If you were asked to take one picture creating a symbol of hope, what would it be?
Would it be a white dove in mid-flight as it was for Mark German?
(This image can also be purchased at The Gift of Art)
How about a symbolic lone tree as in Dana DiPasquale’s “Maybe This Year Will Be Better Than The Last”?
Or maybe it would be a serene landscape image like Adrian Rachele’s “Ode to Life” or “Breaking Through” by Tom Vaughan.
(“Breaking Through” can also be purchase at The Gift of Art)
Or a glorious start to a new day like it was for Sue Wickham?
What about a symbol of faith as it was for lallymac?
“And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews and they smote Him with their hands.” John 19:2-4
Maybe it’s the ever watchful guardian angel in “S A C R E D” by Redtempa?
For me, through my eyes…the symbol of hope was the innocent smile of my daughter, my future, my hope.
What is your Symbol of Hope?
Don’t forget to visit The Gift of Art, where all proceeds go to the National Cancer Institue, to help fund cancer research, and give hope to others.
Weekly Themed Features-Emotional Attachment
This week’s feature theme is Emotional Attachment. These beautiful works of art were chosen from A Photographer’s Craft. Please enjoy these works, and don’t forget to check out the artist’s personal pages, where you can view more of their gorgeous work!
“Sister Two” by Adrian Rachele
“This image was taken of my sister-in-law after our visit to Auschwitz.
We went to a bar in the old Jewish quarter of Krakow, to have a drink and reflect.
I think this image best displays our feelings at the time. A feeling none of us had ever experienced before. To have been, too see, to smell such a place of despair and death.” – Adrian Rachele
“Waiting to Say Goodbye” 
by Dana DiPasquale
“This photograph has a very special meaning to me. I was visiting with my aunt and uncle, the family gathered, waiting to attend funeral services for a beloved uncle that has passed away. The night before we did our best to enjoy each other’s company and joke around like we usually do, but mostly we were just trying to get through the night so we could say our goodbyes in the morning. I saw these antique children’s chairs that my aunt had and decided to spend some time taking photos of them to get my mind off of things. I brought the chair out to the garage so that the smooth, rich wood would be in stark contrast to the rough, stained concrete floor. A running theme throughout my photography is viewing objects from new perspectives, so as I stood on a ladder that I found and tried taking photographs without falling, my uncle walked by and laughed at me. “You’re taking a picture of a chair?” he said. I told him “You just wait – this will be a masterpiece!” but I am pretty sure he didn’t believe me. The photograph turned out exactly the way I had envisoned, a sense of being in a room but high above it like an omnipotent source, alone, expecting someone to be there who isn’t, a bit of a faded memory. This fine art piece hangs on my own wall, and I smile when I see it for it is a reminder of the family I love.” – Dana DiPasquale
“On Her Way”
by Sue Wickham
“THIS WAS THE LAST PHOTO I TOOK OF OUR DAUGHTER BEFORE SHE LEFT IN THE CAR ON HER WAY TO THE CHURCH WITH HER DAD…
And she is on her way, The veil conceals a single tear, Her Father holds a shaking hand and the limousine pulls away.
They talk of nothing really, “You’ll always be my little girl”, he says, as they pull into the Church, and the veil conceals a single tear.
The organist plays, and everyone stands, This time she holds her Dad’s shaking hand, There is no veil to conceal his tears, and the longest walk of his life begins.
“Who gives this Woman”, a nod of consent, A secret glance, and exchange of vows, For now and forever, for better for worse, And she is on her way…” -Sue Wickham
