For the Record

"for the record":

personal posting~ journaling

recording~ documenting

moments and movements

along my way

who knew the deep orange wall would be perfect for these images?
the hand over heart, the hand holding onto the stable tree.

small, sweet glimpses of HOME....
 places here and now and then and there.

and winter landscapes into spring...mist became a theme.

a year ago to the date, two graces gallery in ranchos de taos, included my photographs in a four person exhibit. this year, a few new images were included in the exhibit showcasing Mary Witkop's pottery, in memoriam.

 here in kalamazoo, i was pleased to be part of "Picturing Home" with four other artists, as well as  a showcase featuring works from the "Personal Landscape" winter group.
working with friends, friends working hard.

that smile as summary

OH, SHOOT

BIG QUESTION MARK? WRITINGS IN THE SAND? DIZZY FROM THE LONG HIKE THROUGH TWISTED PATHS IN THE WOODS TO THE WATER?

 

TRIPOD PROBLEMS?

THE NEW LENS IN MY GLASSES?

all of the above CAN TURN A photo 'shoot' into a SHOE-T!!!

{aw, shoot. just relax}

MEETING MYSELF

I was at a new member's home for the last book group meeting.

Greetings around the dining room table, snacking and sipping wine, taking in the pieces around the room....I WAS STUNNED to look up and see this painting.

I HAD GIVEN IT AWAY IN 1999 to the owner of the Heritage Co. (architectural salvage)  a friend and historic preservationist....with a few other items from the farm where I grew up. My father had died the year before, and my brother and I finally sold the property and house. 

 It was the only original painting in our house. It was painted for my BIRTH, December 11, 1945, for my mother by a local friend in the tiny 'town' of Riverside, about 3 miles from us. I never knew what his story was, just that his name was Danny, and that he'd been a clown. . .and enjoyed painting.

 Over the years I've asked myself "WHY DID I GIVE THAT AWAY?" I'd brought it home and it  stayed in our utility room for over a year. Mixed feelings about it, the past, mostly. Well, I was THRILLED to find it again, and in the home of our new member, Martine', who'd moved here from France years ago. She assured me that if I wanted it back, she'd certainly give it to me. But, it seems to be in the PERFECT place, cherished and surrounded by lovely pieces. SO I MOVED MYSELF TO  THE NEXT ROOM AND JOINED THE DISCUSSION WITH THE OTHER WOMEN.      

I CAN ALWAYS VISIT! 

the camera paints a mysterious picture

       Noting.
        Show up. Witness Early rising magic.
        The crispness of frost on grasses leads
         to the lushness of steam rising and rushing along the surface.
          Mix in just a little light....and sit still.

paintings happen

 

without photoshop layering

the way it was just twelve hours ago

love the looking back

reflecting on the reflections

the sounds 

the suggestions

and remembering soft shadings of greens through the veiling

Spring HAPPENS....whenever it wants

The last 'winter shoot' had to happen in the middle of the week and near the end of the day. Last Wednesday. March 21st. according to the calendar, it was official. very vernal. but not our usual weather...it felt more like summer, in the 80s, with bugs bugging me. hot. sweaty. it was nonetheless a sweet pleasure to veer off the worn path in these woods and find the light waiting, while i basked in the shade of the big old trees with the wicking of green.

twelve weeks of camera work. falling way in love with winter. weekend 'shoots' have been so exciting to me.
being up very early to 'catch the first light'
 found me throwing on my warm gear
and driving off to meet the group in 15 degree temps. 

that seems to have ended rather abruptly in Michigan. 

                     

WICK comes to mind from the book "The Secret Garden"

the drama of Michigan's seasons and seasonal surprises.

all beautiful when we stop and look

"catching up" to my brother Michael 25 years later...

 

Kodak Gallery: NancyNeva's http://pix.kg/p/792591405409%3A1886098358/sct
the link above shows some of my brother Michael's drawings, news posts about his show at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art in 1986, where we were raised, a few snaps.
he was happiest with his natural 'art spirit' .... in the FLOW.
never a 'mistake' stopping him...just perhaps an "oops, i goofed" as he picked up his crayons again.

i think i may have wanted to follow his lead all these years, how to freely feel that creativity he possessed.
i'm not there yet, i don't feel all that comfortable putting pen or pencil or paint to paper, but i have found an expression this last year via my photography and alternative printing methods.

so finally, i'm in that same venue where his 30 pieces were shown...with my one small golden print of the church in ranchos de taos accepted into the juried area show...opening this friday. 14 counties, 600+ entries, 100+ accepted.

thank you, darling Michael, for loving and inspiring me!

NEVER SEEN...

UNTIL YESTERDAY MORNING,

I'D NEVER SEEN A FLOCK OF CRANES.

FLYING IN FROM THE EAST

TOWARD WHERE I STOOD 

IN THE SAND DUNES 

AT THE EDGE OF OUR BIG LAKE,

THEIR CALLS TOOK ME TO MY KNEES

and made me

COMPLETELY PRESENT

falling in love with color

i've fallen in love with rising early on 19 degree mornings

to capture light 

and color

like a friend said: a new camera 

is like corrected lenses on old glasses.

suddenly seeing more clearly.

perhaps. 

but 

being in

good company helps.

when trees talk...

 

 WHEN TREES TALK, LISTEN,

ESPECIALLY DURING THE SILENCE OF WINTER

WHEN
 BARE BONES
  REVEAL

THEIR SOULS

& YOURS

flying toward summer skies

....noting the day, the moment,
       the shift of what was the wind
         frozen into nature's sculpture.

     the pause.
     the stretch.
     stepping into
       personal changes of heart:
         :of whim,
         :of will.