Garden Chair

Polaroid Manipulation

When I was young I drew all of the time but knew I could never be an artist (whatever that means) because I could not draw a nice picture that looked like a photograph. So, I started taking photographs when I was about 12. As my photography progressed I noticed than it was becoming more painterly. I would paint my photos or use Polaroid methods that allowed for that effect.

Frustrated with the end of Polaroid film I decided to try to paint again. I have had no training in painting except for two classes. Those classes taught me to let go of my notion of a painting as a photograph. So I am painting and photographing and sometimes combining the two. Not sure what will happen but I'm enjoying the journey.

By the way. I have decided that everyone is "an artist". To me to be an artist is to create in life. We do that with our children, our gardens, even our relationships with others. I try to be that kind of artist as well.

Garden Dreams

Polaroid Manipulation

See what I mean. This looks like a dang painting. This is the front garden area of Stacy's Greenhouse in York, SC. I scribbled and scribbled on the Polaroid until I thought that I had destroyed the picture. This is what I came up with. I like it.

Potting Shed

Polaroid Manipulation

This is my grandmother's potting shed. I remember playing in it on her big farm. My mother use to do the same thing. This is a special photograph.

Queen of the Sea

Polaroid Manipulation

Traveling around Nova Scotia I was struck by so many boats that sat up on the shore but seem to hold on to to the majesty that they once held while roaming the sea.

Sunrise

This is an HDR image. It allows for expansion of tonal range from light to dark. I'm having fun with these. This was early about 6:30 in Cherry Grove SC. The light is magical at that time.

Dancing Peppers

Acrylic

There's something about hot peppers. I remember eating the tip off a jalapeno pepper when I was twelve. I was dancing for sure.

Tree

Bouquet

Polaroid Transfer

Wildflowers and blueberries. My favorites

The Old Truck

Polaroid Transfer

This is a friend's truck. He loves this truck. I don't think it runs any more but he likes to go out and look at it once in a while.

Cat's-eye View

Polaroid Transfer
Tinted with inks.

Sammy was a beautiful Maine Coon Mix who left us too soon.

Roses

Polaroid Transfer

Who doesn't like roses?

Sleeping Panda

I love Pandas. I have a webcam on my computer where I watch the Pandas eating bamboo, sleeping and playing. To live so simply they seem very happy. Maybe we could learn from them.

Lupine

Polaroid Manipulation

Riding out to Bethel, a comunity outside of Boone, NC I noticed this shed with the lupine flower around it. The owners were in the yard and I asked them if I could photograph the shed. They thought that was pretty strange but I went back and gave them this picture. I think they still thought it was strange.

Flamingo Party

Polaroid Transfer
Hand-tinted with pastels

It just seemed to me that this group of Flamingos were enjoying one another's company.

Evangaline

Acrylic
Here are some of my paintings. I had Angels stuck on the brain and this is what followed.

Chloe

Acrylic
Chloe is the "earth sister" type that has a little difficulty getting off of the ground

Carolyn

Martini Time

Acrylic

Spring Tree

Acrylic

I love trees. The Celtic tradition, art and religion are rich in tree symbols. Trees were sacred to the Celts, who depended on them for shelter, warmth, furniture, tools and weapons. Different trees had different powers and traits, according to their various uses and levels of importance, as well as their geographical position and physical characteristics. In Celtic creation stories, moreover, trees were said to be the ancestors of mankind. http://www.celticsymbols.net/tree-symbols.html

Tree

Acrylic