Autumn's Palette

Aren't the display of colors just spectacular on this virginia creeper? I loved how it shows the range of autumn's palette all within one plant specimen. No, I did not alter it in any way, this is just how it caught my eye and yes, you can blame the muse. She made me look, turn around, stop and take the picture all while in the car heading home. I turned it horizontally so you could appreciate the blending of the colors without the distraction of looking at the vine. Notice the vibrant green at the top blending into yellow green then a touch of yellow. That yellow turns to yellow orange, orange then into a red orange. I'm still waiting for the other leaves to catch up to this little marvel. Believe me, I already have my camera loaded and ready to shoot. Enjoy being a witness to the color change, it only happens a couple times a year!

Decisions

Contemplating a new journey? Admiring the view? Searching for family and friends? Just hanging around?

Hum, I wonder which one of these this little guy is doing. I would be happy with any of the choices, how about you? I couldn't resist the shot. Not only is the shield bug very interesting to me but the shadows he is casting, just marvelous. Did you notice them? This was taken late in the afternoon, my favorite time for photos, because of the lowering sun. It always does magical things to the shadows - fat, longer, stretched - it's all good in my book. I'm just looking for an intriguing element to pull me closer for a more detailed view and believe me, the muse is there leading me around the yard until something wonderful happens by. Embrace it and let me know what you discover!

Fragments

Some Thesaurus words for "remnants" - balance, bit, dregs, dross, end, excess, fragment, heel, leavings, lees, orts, part, piece, remainder, residual, rest, rump, scrap, shred, surplus, survival, vestige.

The ultimate seed pod for me is the wonderfully complicated yet extremely organized yucca. Although it has its moments of beauty in the long pale silver sage leaves that end with a pointed spike. Or it's tall slender stalk of little plump white blossoms that hang down and move ever so graceful with the slightest breeze. Ending the season with my favorite shaped pods that stand straight up then pop open to show us the rows upon rows of seeds waiting for extraction. Oh yes, I cannot pass them by without sneaking a peek into their little orderly world. Each pod reveals six seed sections carefully encased with a textured form that just calls to me. Let's not even talk about the tiny black treasures inside all stacked up and ready to go into the atmosphere in a moments notice. Who knew they would give me such joy season after season? Thank you Mother Nature for making me take notice to your creation.

Word - Remnant

The word for this week is remnant.

Its noun meaning: a small part or trace remaining; an unsold or unused end of fabrics that are sold by the yard.

This photo represents what remains of my pink hydrangea. It is actually the time I love it the most because of the natural color and all the imperfections that are not usually visible. The dried texture shows off all the veining with extra emphasis adding nice dark values around the flower center and among all the petals. With the violet blue of the sky in the background, it sure gives these dried flowers a bit of life don't you think? A walk in the garden today is full of excitement for me because of all the interesting seed pods, spent flower shapes and the hope of what next year will bring. Don't let it fool you, there is still a lot to look and see in the garden, you just have to look a little closer for all the remnants of the season past.

The Steampunk Aviator

I have been enchanted with the whole steampunk movement mostly because of the combination of insects and mechanical parts like gears. With owls being such a huge trend right now I thought I would try my hand at making it into my version of a mixed media canvas with various texture and many layers of random techniques. I know he needs a lot of love but I'm so pleased with the way he turned out. Actually he is pretty close to what I envisioned in my head - I know, you are sooo glad you aren't trapped in there, right? He looks adventurous and rough from a night of flying, the only addition I will make, a rolled up document to stick inside the cage as if he was delivering an important message somewhere. Hope you take flight with your next project, whatever it may be and wherever it may take you!

Puddles

I've been playing with mixed media for the last couple of months and have to admit it is quite freeing just to have fun and play. This is part of my 52 pages that I'm taking at http://www.wildprecious.ning.com/ and it is one of my favorites so far. When was the last time you jumped in a puddle just because? That's right, jumped. Not worrying about your shoes, clothes or what someone else might think. I have to admit it's been a while but I can guarantee if I had cool yellow boots like this I would be wishing for rain every day :) It was a fun assignment and made me think about being a kid, doing things with reckless abandonment and for the purpose of just because. Be free and splash away, you never know who you might inspire with your joyful bliss!

Just Be...

Today I had the whole day to just play in the studio and follow my creative bliss. My only agenda was to play with a couple new art supplies I bought recently. So, I put in my favorite music, opened the windows for a gentle breeze, gathered the puppies close and went to work. The hours went quickly by as light turned to dusk lending the setting sun to further my distraction of the day. The face is done with art parts and I have to say, I loved working with it. I added the dimensional elements with paint, various scrapbook papers, a tag and a little jewelry piece. I adhered it all to an 8x10 canvas panel and have it hanging in my studio already because I enjoyed the freedom to well, just be.

Today

I have been working on these little art cards and am enjoying the freedom it is giving my creative spirit. Not only is the size limiting (5x3.5" playing cards) but the word prompts are making me think long and hard about what kind of art I want to create to represent it. So, what does the word "today" mean to you? For me, it means there is no time like the present. Finding the perfect tag and a clock face with Paris on it was just a special treat and a stroke of luck. This page went fast and furious and has so much texture combined on the front that I just love it! My wish for you, treasure today because tomorrow it is the past.

Heart Shaped Fruit

I was so excited to see the first bloom of our dogwoods but imagine my surprise when this showed up. I saw these little bumpy shapes in the most eye appealing red you had ever seen. They are actually the center of the flower - didn't know that did you? As the leaves fall off, these little centers start to fill out and develop into this interesting shaped that plumps over time and gets quite soft. It reminds me of little textured hearts that have great curled leaves sitting on top hanging from a nice crisp stem. I looked it up online and it says the fruit is edible once it is soft but right now it is really bitter.

Double Center

Our yard is still blooming with multi hued rose of sharons and white tardivas. This rose of sharon intrigued me with it's interesting center petals. I loved the shadow enhancing it even more bringing it into my focal point. The light was amazing, just before sunset so it set a nice glow and harsh shadows - all the better to take photos in my opinion. The hummingbirds have been loving these flowers so if you don't have any, plan on getting one for your yard next year. They don't take up much room and grow like a tree, I would say just perfect for any space.

What's the Buzz?

My muse drew me to the coneflowers today. Not only were there so many wonderful shades of pink and purple, there was something abuzz with the flower bed. Instantly drawn to the gentle hum and the sight of something darting from flower to flower, I was totally captivated. Here I was chasing this little hummingbird moth around the gardens and let me tell you, he's a fast one. Loved this photo because it showed the transparent wings, alert antennae and striped body. If you didn't know it, you would think it was a tiny hummingbird.

Face Forward

This was taken at the Brookfield Zoo butterfly house and I can honestly say it is a great shot. Not that that was my intention at all. These little orange butterflies were all over the place and well, I just happened to be in the right spot at the right moment. Kismet and chance lead us both to that timing and I'm very grateful. Now, let's talk about its perfect symmetry - look at the wings, antennae and eyes surrounded by the delicate balance shown here. I think we shared a common bond that day, one of acceptance. I of its astonishing beauty, it giving me tolerance to take its photo quickly before moving on :)

Rest Stop

We have so many sedums around the yard that anywhere you look there is some kind of flying insect around them. The pale greens are just lovely this time of year as they get ready to bloom into a deep lavender flower. This little damselfly is just hanging around enjoying the surroundings and found the perfect rest stop. Can you imagine what the world looks like through its eyes? I can't. Too much sensory overload for sure and where to look first, oh my. Flight would give you another perspective and our yard with its wonderful gardens would just be like finding a needle in a haystack. I sure hope it sees the world in color!