Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve Is Here


I make my own card every Christmas. This year's just got done but won't be mailed on time. I wasn't going to make them because I was low on funds and low on time. I talked to a friend from Florida yesterday and he said, I can't wait to see your card, I look forward to them. At that moment I thought I have to make them, I can't let him down. I enjoy doing them and now I realize many people look forward to them. This is a card that I made for Christmas 2006. It is one of my favorites. This one is a mixed media collage. I photographed it and put the finishing touches on it in photoshop. Enjoy! Merry Christmas and don't forget to count your BLESSINGS! For anyone who celebrates Chanukah or Kwanza or any other tradition at this time of the year, may your holiday season be filled with joy and love!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Cleveland's Christmas Lighting Ceremony


It is always exciting to see the lighting ceremony in Cleveland......a flick of the switch and pubic square is transformed into a fantasy land of beautiful colors and dazzling designs. It is mesmerizing.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Halloween antics.


Even though Halloween was a little over a month ago, I felt compelled to post this.
My grandson (with white face, a vampire minus his cape and fangs), and some of his friends (they already ditched their costumes), hamming it up on Halloween. This one really is priceless! I couldn't resist putting the bubble caption on.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

The Last Day of November


Well...it's raining and cold outside. In 21 days the Solstice will occur and it will officially be winter. If you are like me, you will have to rely on memories and look at photos from summer and fall to help you get through the winter. Not to say that winter doesn't have its blessings too, but it's not one of my favorites. One of the blessings are the holiday gatherings with family and friends. Another blessing is getting magical pictures after a fresh snow or ice storm. And of course there are winter sports like cross country and downhill skiing to make up for the lack of warmth and sun. But still, winter will never be my favorite season.
If for no other reason, I hate driving in snow and ice and I hate cleaning my car off.
As I was looking at this picture, it filled me with 'warm' memories. It is one of several that I took while at Catawba Point in the late summer. It is a very contemplative sort of picture to me. I hope you find that quality in it also!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

A Day For Gratitude


Happy Thanksgiving!
We should be grateful every day but today is a good day to practice for the other 364 days of the year. I often have to remind myself that no matter how difficult things get, I always have something to be grateful for. Sometime I have to consciously think about it, but then I think of one or more things and that puts everything back in perspective. Have a Blessed Day!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Ivy, what it represents to me.


I was looking through a folder of pictures that I had recently taken, for today's post and I came across this one. It gave me a feeling of serenity. Maybe ivy is also equated with tenacity and proliferation. It keeps growing even if you accidentally mow it down. I am posting it because it is a personal symbol for me of serenity, strength and not to give up when things are tough. It will be an outward and visible sign that I want serenity in my life and that I will continually possess the qualities of strength and tenacity. And from a personal growth standpoint, that I will never lose the desire to keep learning new things.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Doggie in the window


Remember that song "How much is that doggie in the window, the one with the waggedy tail"? I loved that song when I was little and every time I see a dog in a window, even if it isn't for sale, that song replays in my mind. I took this picture of my doggie in the window, Faith (husky-collie mix), through my back door window in the summer of 2004, shortly after I rescued her from the Geauga County Animal Shelter, through a listing on petfinder.org and Jim Blum's Folk Music Show on weekend evenings on WKSU-FM (89.7). I love the look on her face, she was watching me take pictures of my patio garden and looking at me as if to say, "please let me come outside and play". I cropped it and digitally 'painted' it and here is my portrait of my "doggie in the window"!

Variations On A Theme


I love the art of collage. Taking pieces parts and making something new. For me, like most of my artistic endeavors, it is a very intuitive process. The process becomes a journey. The journey becomes a meditation. The meditation becomes a new creation.
This piece is a variation on a theme. The theme is randomness. It keeps evolving.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

It's time for ghosts, goblins and vampires!


Well it's that time again, ghosts, goblins, vampires and who knows what else will be roaming the streets trick or treating, hopefully just looking for treats, not trying to play tricks. But kids will be kids, so beware! My grandson is going to be a Vampire this year...I will post his picture as soon as I take it on Halloween. I'm sure he'll be blood sucking cute, of course I am a little biased...LOL!
Enjoy the season...I should say seasons because they'll all be here, one right after the other. The time of year to have fun, reflect, give thanks, reconnect with friends and loved ones, maybe make amends....

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The delights of autumn!


Pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bisque, pumpkin seeds, and jack o' lanterns. Whatever the sight of pumpkins conjures up, the season is here. I took this photo of these lovely pumpkins at a roadside stand about a month ago when we were up at Catawba Island for the weekend. They had all kinds of good stuff here, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. In the background of this photo you can see the row of bushel baskets overflowing with fresh ears of corn. We bought a dozen and they were so good, especially dripping with the fresh Amish butter we bought down the road at the cheese place. Of course we also bought 3 different kinds of fresh Amish cheese too. It was a high calorie weekend but hey, you have to splurge once in awhile!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Design for the season...


Fall is upon us and the leaves are changing into the palette of autumnal colors. This annual occurance has inspired me to paint this digital design. I selected a maple leaf from my photo archives and this is what I came up with.
We are kind of into our Indian Summer in northeast Ohio, several counties have experience their first frost. Although we are finding temperatures in the mid forties over night, the next several days will be sunny and in the low seventies.
Since gas prices are down a little, you might want to fill up your tank and take a little sightseeing excursion through some rural areas a little south of Cleveland and experience the magnificent colors of the turning foliage.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Sunset From Catawba Point


Since I talked about the sunset that I photographed in today's earlier post from 12:54 am, (which was actually my yesterday's post, posted late because I kept falling asleep as per usual by my computer), I figured it was only right to share it. It was a nice view after the blah rainy weather we had for the previous 24 hours. For any viewers who are not from this part of the country, or world for that matter, Catawba Point is in Ottawa County near Port Clinton, Ohio, (USA), and is part of the resort area know as The Lake Erie Islands. It is a very scenic place as you can see. It is not far from Cedar Point, one of the most popular amusement parks in the country. Make sure you look at the earlier post, "Parkbench At Catawba Point" because it relates to this post.

Parkbench at Catawba Point


The weekend before last we went to Catawba Point. It rained Friday and half of Saturday, then finally the rain stopped and the rest of the weekend wasn't too bad. We had a beautiful view of the lake and there was even a half way decent sunset. I got a few shots of the sunset and as I was heading back I noticed that this ornate iron parkbench was really lit nice by the setting sun. This is one of the shots I took of it. It was so peaceful being there with just the sound of the waves rolling in.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Ground Music


Everything vibrates at its own frequency, therefore music is everywhere, even in the silence. In the shadows and in the light, in the air and on the ground......listen and you might hear its sound!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Still Randomly Rolling...


This randomness thing is getting out of control....becoming obsessive......but been coming up with some cool abstracts!
This of course is "Randomness 3".

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Still More Randomness...


I am on a randomness roll....I guess Kim's blog tag with the randomness theme inspired me or I'm being obsessive compulsive or I just need to create randomness, is that an oxymoron? Can you create randomess? Who cares?
There isn't always rhyme or reason to what's inside our subconscious....it is in there and it has to come out. Getting deep...LOL!
Here is Randomness 2

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

More on Randomness...



On my previous post TAG....You are IT! I was tagged by Kim from Monaco Designs. The theme was randomness. We were to list 6 random things about ourselves and tag six other people on their blogs and ask them to do the same. I tried not to give this too much thought and picked things that popped into my mind. Of course, while participating in the "GAME OF TAG" I was pondering what randomness means. Being a creative person, one of the best ways to express myself is through my art. My pondering led to the creation of a series aptly titled Randomness. The first in the series "Randomness 1" is shown above. It is a digital painting and will probably end up on a canvas as a giclee.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

TAG....You are IT!

Randomness....
I've been tagged!!

I've officially been 'tagged' by Kim from Monaco Designs

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading)
3. Write 6 random things about yourself (see below)
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them (This is only a game)
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up

ok... this is actually harder than I thought!! hmmmm.....
Six Random Things About Me:

1. I only like shopping when I have money to spend, so therefore I hate window shopping.
2. I don't like that I'm unable to fix my 'being late most of the time' problem.
3. I love Art and Art History! I love that I am a creative person.
4. I love the smell of fresh pine and cedar trees, the real thing.
5. I love coffee. A good cup of java is so good for the tummy and the soul!
6. I can tread water, float and swim (but don't have the stamina of an Olympic swimmer)

ok... now I'm tagging six more people! Can't wait to read what you have to say...
Terri

Kim of Monaco Desings
Patricia of Clay Mouse Studio
Tracie of Tracie's Tri Adventures
Paula from Lake Erie Artists
Kathleen from Liquid Sky Arts
Paula from Reflections Under The Bodhi Tree

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

ART


QUOTE OF THE DAY
"There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun."
Pablo Picasso: was a Spanish Artist and Painter.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Floral Abstracts


This floral abstract is an exploration in digital painting. I started with a shot that I took of the inside of a tulip, one of my favorite spring flowers. I then painted and played in photoshop until I got what I visualized in my mind's eye. I am extremely happy with the result. I find it very intense and energizing. I am planning to put this on a large canvas.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Art and spirituality



I get inspired in many different ways, and many times art connects me to the realm of Spirit and Wholeness. Very often the creative experience is very intuitive. I was playing around with an image I shot of a very colorful mobile in the shape of a spiral. I like the shape of a spiral, it is a great symbol of eternity, maybe even the energy of the soul. I took the spiral and transformed it into a pattern of ovals, and even though it doesn't look like the original spiral it still has the essence of spiraling. It has become a mandala for me.

man·da·la [muhn-dl-uh] -noun
1. Oriental Art. a schematized representation of the cosmos, chiefly characterized by a concentric configuration of geometric shapes, each of which contains an image of a deity or an attribute of a deity.
2. (in Jungian psychology) a symbol representing the effort to reunify the self.
[Origin: 1855-60; Sanskrit]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Symbols can be universal or personal. A personal symbol can mean something special to just one person. Maybe this image will become a personal transformative symbol for you.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The Month of August


Okay, it is August 6th and I just realized I haven't posted anything this month yet, so here is my first one.
AUGUST - 8th Month Of The Year
August is a good month, summer is winding down and the cooler temperatures of fall will soon be upon us, but there is still some time for seasonal outdoor activities. Maybe camping, canoeing, cycling or horseback riding, a backyard barbecue or roasting marshmallows by a campfire. Or how about a hike in one of your favorite city parks. In Cleveland, OHIO we are blessed with a beautiful System of Metroparks also known as The Emerald Necklace for the way they drape around the greater Cleveland area in the shape of a necklace, each one a gem with many things to see and discover. Hiking Trail Locations They are my favorite places to go for a quick nature fix. If you haven't been to one lately, here is a reminder to do so! Of course you can go any time of the year!
I'm rediscovering how much fun it is to take a child to the park. I used to take my daughter when she was little, now I have the opportunity to take my grandson Bobby. He loves the park and all the creepy crawlers that you can find there. Here is a pic of him from our most recent trip earlier in the summer. He is hamming it up in front of the frog sculpture at The Rocky River Reservation Interpretive Center.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Last Day of July!


Fireworks, fireflies, blueberry pies, a fresh fruit salad, barbecues, a cold brew, ice cream cones, lemonade, graduation parties, or Christmas in July, whatever images or memories the month of July conjures up, I hope you had a good one this year!
These fireworks are some of my memories!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Sunflowers


I can't believe that July is almost over. It seems like time is speeding up! Anyway, I'm pondering what kind of flowers are growing at this time of the year and thought about sunflowers. These have got to be some of the coolest flowers, they are so tall and seem to almost have a 'personality'. Well of course I have several of these in my archives. This is one that I liked a lot and have revisited and added some texture to it.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Art and Accounting....what's this?


Today's What The Duck Comic Strip.
Anyone who is an Artist will appreciate this one! If you aren't viewing this on the original post date go back to archives and look for #527 for July 24, 2008.
Art and Accounting are like Oil and Vinegar, they don't mix!
Besides, it is more fun creating art than crunching numbers.
Here is a shot I took at Lorain County Metroparks, Sandy Ridge Reservation, shortly before sunset. I got frustrated working on my bookkeeping, so I went out and took pictures instead...LOL! Yes, that is the moon rising. I seem to be lucky and capture a lot of moonrises. I have to make up for not getting any sunrises. What's a sunrise?.....another LOL!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Moonrise at Monument Valley, Arizona


There are some places on this planet that no matter how they are described by words or pictures, their true essence can not truly be known unless you experience them directly in person. Monument Valley is one of those places, especially at moonrise. With that being said, I am still going to try to find some words that will at least come close. Sublime, timeless, eternal, grand, magnificent, wow! You just have to be there and absorb it all. If you have an opportunity to visit, I would highly recommend along with several other places in the great state of Arizona, like The Grand Canyon and Sedona.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Buds and Bloom


Beautiful, pink, lovely, sublime! No matter what words you choose to describe it, a rose is a 'poem' of nature that speaks to the soul!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Great Blue Heron


The Great Blue Heron is one of my favorite birds. They are so majestic and really neat to watch. This one was taken at Put in Bay while we were waiting for the boat to take us over to Gibralter Island. It was sitting on the dock and I was able to get within six feet of him. He wasn't afraid and sat there and posed for me. It was awesome because I've been waiting to get a picture like this for over 30 years. I got several good ones. It was hard to choose.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Another Cleveland Photo


"West Bank at Dusk" - The Flats, Cleveland, Ohio. I had to capture this magnificent sky at sunset and the reflections in the river!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Wall-E and Bobby



Ever Since I saw a movie trailer about 4 months ago about a really cute looking junkyard robot, I've been wanting to see Wall-E.
I immediately knew that it would be a great movie to see with my soon to be 8 years old, grandson. We went to see it on July 2nd downtown at the theater in Tower City since I had to drop off some of my greeting cards at Lake Erie Artists' Gallery. It is an animated sci-fi that takes place 700 years into the future. It has all the elements of a great flick, great visual effects, good sound track, humor and it is very thought provoking. And of course Wall-e is a hero and helps save the planet by compacting junk and finding love along the way.
After the movie we walked around and experienced the hustle and bustle of the pre holiday festivities that were underway. I had to get my camera out of my car and while we were walking back up to Tower City Centre, I was taking pictures of Bobby, who is one of my ongoing favorite subjects to photograph. These were taken in the parking garage, which I am discovering is a really cool place to take pictures. I would describe it as a subterranean odyssey of concrete and metal. Kind of a continuation of Wall-E's environment.

Watch Wall-E Trailer

Friday, July 4, 2008



Today is a good day to celebrate our freedom and also to give THANKS to all our troops who are sacrificing for us, and not forget the ones who gave their lives for us!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Don't get used to a name, it might change!


This goes to show that nothing stays the same, especially a name. We have three newer sports venues in Cleveland. Two of them don't have their original names. I guess that is one of the many reasons I am a photographer, always something new to photograph! Here is the newly named Home of The Cleveland Indians.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Cleveland has some great architecture!



The Federal Court House is a very fascinating architectural work. I've been photographing it from many different angles. Some of my shots have it incorporated into the Cleveland Skyline, like the one shown in the previous post below. This particular shot was taken from right in the front from Huron looking straight up. I intentionally used a wider angle to get this unique perspective. I chose not to get the very bottom of the building because I didn't want the sculpture to be lost. I think it has a nice counterbalance to the unique roof line. And yes, that little white thing on the right about a third of the way up is the moon.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Shooting at sunset...



Last Friday evening I was doing a photo assignment and I needed some inspiration. I was cold and hungry and I wasn't getting the desired results that I was trying to capture. I was shooting, walking, observing, shooting some more, walking some more, observing some more, deciding to stay or go and then the sun started its magic with the magnificent light it provides for such a short duration. I didn't give up, I stayed and kept shooting and it paid off! This image above is one of my rewards!

Federal Court House and Reflection at Sunset
Cleveland, Ohio

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Amidst the tension of rush hour...




Maybe it is because we go all winter without seeing any flowers that we are so drawn to the first flowers of spring. First the crocus, then daffodils, and then the tulips, so many pretty petals dancing in the wind. And just peak inside and you will find the neatest design. A few weeks ago, I stopped at a gas station in the middle of the noisy city in the middle of a chaotic rush hour and lo and behold, I found a reprieve from it all. While I was filling up my car, I was watching the tulips dancing in the wind, beckoning to me. Of course I had to walk over and take a closer look and take some pictures. It took me away for 15 minutes from all the noise and gave me back some balance & peace. So now I want to share.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

When Art and Science meet!

When Art and Science meet!

It never ceases to amaze me what flows out of the minds of creative thinkers!

See these awesome mandalas and Zen like images created by using Algorithmic Art, by Jean-Pierre Hebert a 68 year old French artist now working as Artist-in Residence at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at UC Santa Barbara, California.

Jean-Pierre Hebert Algorithmic Art

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Change

Quote of the Day
Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times.
Niccolo Machiavelli

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Is spring really here?


This is a neat time of the year. It is a new season, full of hope. I guess the changing of the seasons is a good thing, a necessary thing, because it reminds us that everything cycles and comes full circle. Things have to die for new life to begin. We survived another winter so that we may enjoy another spring. If we need to undergo a transformation, wether it be to rid ourself of a negative habit, exercise more, go back to school or take up a new hobby, whatever we need to do to keep evolving, we know that we must shed our old self, to find our new self.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Today's Quotes


Quote of the Day
Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.
Andre Gide

Follow Your Bliss!
Joseph Campbell

Success is working hard, living right, dreaming big, and being the best we can be.
A. Tennille

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Stormy Nights



You've probably heard the phrase Every cloud has a silver lining! Well, stormy nights have silver linings also, except they are disguised as photo opportunities if you are so inclined to look for them. Some of the best pictures are shot in adverse weather conditions. So another lesson that I learned from being a photographer, everything that happens that seems like it is a challenge or painful or a struggle, has some hidden element that causes us to evolve, get stronger or capture an awesome moment, like I did in the above photo - "North Coast Harbor On A Stormy Night"

Terri's philosophy lesson for the day!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

North Coast Windmill...A 'Green' Work of Art


When I shot this image, I was in awe of it's quiet but sublime beauty. It is functional, good for the environment and a Sculpture, all at the same time. How cool is that! And it is right here for all to observe, on our beautiful North Coast of Cleveland.

My quote for today!
I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes.
Edna St. Vincent Millay

Saturday, April 5, 2008

My Art Quote For Today and always, really!

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
Michelangelo Buonarroti

This help's explain the intuitive process that many artists experience when in the creative zone. I've experienced it so it is second nature for me. I hope this helps anyone who is a non-artist to glean a little understanding of the creative process. A thought just came to me though, that it might be futile to try to explain, it may just have to be experienced. So maybe that is why we have such wonderful places all over the world to visit that we call Art Museums. So the observer can maybe experience a brief minute glimpse of the AWE.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

My Art Show Opening Is Today!



April 3, 2008 - Thursday evening 6pm - 8pm

Opening Reception for a show by Terri Harper. Her realistic still lifes, landscapes, Cleveland scenes and floral photographs will be on display through April 27th.

"Chicago Street Musician" Shown on left, is one of my new featured images. I photograph people too. LOL!

Gallery Hours
Monday - Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 12noon - 6pm

Lake Erie Artists Gallery
Tower City
230 W. Huron Rd. #72-08
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 664-9920
www.lakeerieartists.com

Lake Erie Artists Gallery is located in Tower City Center on Level M1, (which is the same level as the fountains), next to The Sweet Factory Candy Store.

Parking is available in the Tower City Center Garage at a reduced rate (after 4 p.m.) The entrance is on Huron, at Ontario across from the Quicken Loans Arena.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Believe and You Will See



I will let this new post speak for itself. Well almost...I have to say a little....I wrote the verse in 2002 as I was pondering the meaning of believing and seeing instead of seeing and believing, I was looking for an appropriate image to put it with, I finally came up with this picture of marigolds that I took in front of the north entrance of the new Cleveland Browns stadium, laying on my stomach on the ground, so I could make the small bed of marigolds, look as big as a field of sunflowers. It is all perspective....so this is just another lesson in all things are possible and when you believe it you will see it!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Mermaids By The Pond


Mermaids are believed to be mythological but there is always some truth in myth, it just depends on how you define truth. A myth can have many levels of symbolism and meaning, and you can always find some truth when you delve into peeling away the layers. All the religions of the world have stories, myths and ideologies that have commom threads that show up over and over again in cultures all over the planet since history has been recorded...things that we can connect with in our innermost beings....if we listen to and recognize them. So - my photo of the mermaids sculpture was taken by water, at a really neat place, a place that has a lot of truth, beauty and symbolism, The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Renovation


Well - Spring will be here soon, hopefully, and that means it is a good time to clean and get rid of stuff, getting rid of stuff is very hard for me, anyone who knows me, knows how hard it is for me to throw anything away! So when we clean and purge, we can begin anew, we can renovate, give our home a face lift, modernize, brighten things up, and beautify. However you define it, it is good for you and good for your soul. I chose a picture to post that I titled "Tower Under Repair" which I took last summer. It reminds me that renovating is a constant process, you can always find something, somewhere that is being changed or fixed. In this image you can see the scaffolding on the Terminal Tower, (Cleveland, Ohio) even so there is still beauty to be seen. The picture was shot during the time right before dusk, when everything is painted with the 'sweet light'. It makes everything pretty and really accentuates texture in buildings and objects. Being a photographer has many blessings.....a big one for me is how it helps me connect to my environment, people and to my inner self, and sometimes even helps me solve conflicts.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Artistic and Unique greeting cards


Need an artistic, unique or original greeting card for that someone special? Visit Lake Erie Artist's new on line card store. Featuring the talent of local Cleveland artists.
Featured are greeting cards with fine art photos and reproductions of original drawings and paintings of Cleveland scenes, Lake Erie, architecture, nature and much much more......
Shown above is one of my images that you can purchase at the online store.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

The Art & Science of Origami

Visit this link for a look at a unique use of the Art of Origami...really terrific!
Origami created by a scientist
Being a creative person myself, I am always amazed at what other people come up with!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Happy New Year!


"SNOWBIRD"
Happy New Year! This picture I took in the late winter of 2007 amazed me when I looked at it on screen. It looked like a bird carved out of snow. So I did some photoshop magic and added a beak, an eye and extended the tail. I thought this would be a good image that shows that all things are possible if we are willing to try and adapt.