autumn in the woods :: nature photography

it's a cold, yet beautiful time of year here in the midwest. how are you enjoying it?

handprint tree :: project with kids

i don't know about the kiddos in your life, but my boys love to finger paint.  i guess it's the mess they enjoy!

the other day, the "monster" created this tree and i thought it was such a fantastic idea!  i've seen handprint trees before where leaves are painted with cue tips or thumbprints, but i had never seen branches created by  tracing the creases in a hand.

anyway... i wanted to share (and brag a bit too).  xoxo

composite kick :: composite photography

i've been on a composite kick lately.  i think because the things i am photographing are so... well... blah.  it's the time of year.  i tend to look towards nature for my inspiration and when nature is windy, cold and rainy, i don't pack up the camera and go scene hunting much.

i do love a bleak and spooky photo though!  by adding a bit of texture and color, my 'blah' photographs can take on an interest that otherwise could be looked over.

i know many photographers that don't believe in adding layers of texture... or really, manipulating the photograph at all.  i get that.  i follow that rule most of the time actually... but i also think there is an art to seeing something beyond what you are given.

what about you?  do you prefer a photo in it's natural state?  or artistically touched up?

beautifully bleak :: nature photography

when i first began my photography hobby, i didn't really shoot much during winter.  i didn't see much that inspired me.

now-a-days, however, i think bleak can be beautiful.  and eerie.  and intriguing.  and, well, inspirational.

october wallpaper calendar :: mixed media

i came across this tree in my sketchpad... it's from over a year ago.  i love it though and i'm not sure why i abandoned it.  in any case, i'm glad he's been found and i have hung him on an inspiration clipboard in my studio.  if i ever get an idea to finish the piece up, i'll let you know.  until then, enjoy!

download your free desktop background here for widescreen and here for fullscreen.

nature hike :: nature photography

this week, we went back to our old neighorhood to visit with some friends and go for a hike.  it was lovely being back.  we walked deep into the woods and along the lake... and then i carried my tired boys out.  it was a perfect morning.

p.s.  did i tell you we're moving to the farmhouse this weekend?!  plans have changed a bit on the remodel, which is why we are ahead of schedule.  i look forward to sharing some pictures of our new home with you soon, but it may be kinda lonely on the blog next week.  now... onto packing...

tree of love :: photography

i love a tree of love.

art on book pages :: mixed media

art on old book pages makes me happy.  cute children's art makes me happy.  what a perfect combo... xoxo

simple branch necklace :: diy

i'm a girly-girl nature lover.  i can tent camp and hike with the best of them, but i will always look good doing it!  anyway, i think the simple branch necklace above matches my style perfectly.  originally, i had planned on walking thru my backyard and collecting a few sticks, however, most seemed too big or didn't have a great shape to them.  i ended up using the stems of some fake flowers i had saved from a previous project.

i choose a copper coloring, but i think silver would look pretty glam too...  and maybe even smothered in glitter?!

spring sunrise :: nature photography

i love being the first one awake in the morning...

morning fog :: landscape photography

we woke to a morning fog today.  fitting for a monday, don't you think?