Break Forth in Song!

Break Forth in Song
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains...
Doesn't she just make you want to belt out a tune? You all know the chorus, and a, one and a, two and a, three.
This is one of my hand-sculpted angels. Her face is made out of air drying clay and her body fashioned out of electrical wire. Now for the best part, her dress is made of sheets from a convent in Newport, Rhode Island. The vintage cotton was so soft and of great virgin quality. Now really, what else would you do with this kind of fabric other than angle clothes?

Refrain

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Creative Seasons!

                               Father Christmas click photo for larger view
This is a photo of one of my hand-sculpted Santa's.  He lives in a plastic bin most of the year and makes his yearly debut just after Thanksgiving Day.

For many years I collected beautiful fabric remnants from my family's upholstery business, hunted down all sorts of trinkets, old costume jewelry, visited many second hand shops for pieces of handmade lace and tattered fur coats beyond repair to make just one and loved every minute of it.

Creating something from nothing is probably my most favorite things to do, giving life to discarded objects while fully realizing that most of the fun is always in the hunt of treasure.

Selling them was bitter sweet as I had a story for every fabric and embellishment. When I decided to stop my obsession with my elaborate collections it took me two years to part with my treasured, treasures. It was a season in my creative life.

These days I just point and shoot it seems to fit the age and also the stamina!

OH Very Young One!

Oh very young one...
You're only dancing on this earth for a short while Cat Stevens
 Not so long ago I can remember someone in my family having a victrola and all we cousins jumping up and down, screaming in anticipation for the arrival of a chubby old man bearing gifts. The front parlor was opened and we danced and laughed without a care in the world. The reality was the chubby old man usually showed up full of liquid cheer and a bit tattered too. What wonderful memories! 
I wish for everyone this Holiday Season to scream in anticipation, dance, laugh, fill your life with genuine cheer and know that it's OK to be a little tattered too! We are only here for a very short while.
Photo was taken at the Burroughs Estate in Fort Myers Florida.

Serenity!

                        On the Brink of Winter click photo for larger view
This photo was taken in Massachusetts in the early part of fall. October is a month that fills us with anticipation of what is yet to come! The harvest, holidays and hopefully a mild winter with a little snow just to make our Christmas white! This day was overcast, the air heavy with that muggy New England feel and the silence was deafening! Mother Nature teasing us with her last hurrah of warmth and serenity!
I added a texture layer to this photo, courtesy of Jerry Jones. 

Photoshop Junky!

Stand Tall click on photo for larger view
This photo was taken on my daughter's back deck earlier this summer. This very sweet and tender little zinnia had just been transplanted into a flower box. She stood tall as if to say, "I really like it here, with a little water and some good food a Zinnia could really get used to this place." She did thrive and this invited guest brightened our summer into early fall. Flower Power, it just gets to me every time!
The background for this photo was created by the use of 5 texture layers and several blending modes using different opacities. Wow, I can't believe I said all that. The tutorial for this look is courtesy of,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skeletalmess/4460319787. Thank you Jerry Jones for your technical expertise. Your genius has enlightened many and I can't wait to learn more!

Delicate Beauty!

Duranta Bush click photo for larger view
 This photo was taken at the Butterfly Estates in Fort Myers, Florida. With no big surprise to anyone the Duranta Bush attracts butterflies and was strategically placed in the garden. This protruding vine was showing proud, her delicate beauty, when I captured this shot.
I used textures and layers to create the mood.

Bosom Blossoms!

Side by Side
click photo for larger view
This photo was taken at the Butterfly Estates in Fort Myers, Florida. The day was overcast and I was in a very large greenhouse! The lighting could not have been more perfect! There were so many photo opportunities and I took advantage of this not so, beach like Florida day.
I have used several texture layers and blending modes here.