Nature Photography

I thought I would share some photography I took when visiting Healdsburg, CA. The fields are lush green, rocks covered in moss, roses frozen but on the vine and the air was crisp. How could you not be inspired?
Below is a collage of images that I took. 

 Then I thought I might take one of the  snapshots and alter it a few times to get some different looks and these are the photographs with some changes & what I used to achieve them.

This is almost true to the original image but I lightened the exposure.

This photograph I added contrast and adjusted the color a bit, fixed exposure and put a cinema scope frame on it.

This last one here has textures over laid and then I played with the exposure to give it a more forest feel.

Honestly I think I have just fallen in love with textures. I might have to take some other images and alter them now. Have you ever altered your photography? Played with textures? How does nature inspire you?

Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing the grass I can appreciate persistence. ~Hal Borland

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Journaling & Journal Prompt " Listen to Your Heart"

                         Listen To Your Heart Theresa Huse 2011       

This is a journal page that I created first by just layering on two different colored blues and then decided to create a face, after I thought why not a body holding a heart.Then I added the thoughts I was having.
Sometimes you just have to start playing in your journal and see where it takes you.
There are plenty of days I let things affect me, feel down, don't get off to a good start, am over inspired, tired or what ever and that is when thoughts just start to shut me down. But then I pick up my brushes, start to play with color have no expectations for what is to come and let things evolve. 
Your journals are for you. My journal is just for me. Yes it is fun to show and share pages that come out as beautiful,  or the way you want or have planned out. Yet, I think the greatest thing for me about journaling is when you don't have a clue what you are going to create, you let go and you just let things happen. After creating it has helped you change the way you feel, opened your soul , set your words connecting your intentions, thoughts, and even prayers.
Sometimes you just need to trust yourself, play, listen to your heart and your soul will sing.
So I hope you can just go to your journal, pick up your brush, paint some colors you love, write some of  your thoughts and layer any image that comes to mind. Listen to your heart~ 
Have you ever had to deal with things that set your heart racing? Have you ever just had to listen to your heart for the answers? Have you ever just gone to your page and let your creativity come from your heart?

Journal Prompt:   
Listen to your heart

Quotes: 
True creativity quite simply starts with balancing your emotions and activating the power of the heart. Through practicing emotional management from the heart, you tap into the highest form of creativity possible--recreating your perceptions of reality. ~Doc Childre

The heart has eyes which the brain knows nothing of.~ Charles H. Perkhurst

Food For Thought: free e book   -written by Doc Childre
Website I came across when researching the subject of heart and mind I journaled, HeartMath. 

 Thoughtful reading:







 More Thoughtful Readings~ 

My Favorite Month

Photography by Theresa Huse

One of my favorite times of year is right around the corner just as spring is settled in and the days are warm enough to see a rose in full bloom, hang out the clothes, catch a butterfly on a bush and celebrate family events, such as my youngest daughters birthdays & my oldest daughter getting married.  This year I would have to say my favorite month is going to be May~
What is your favorite month? and why? & if you would like to play along with Inspiration Avenue and their question just visit them.

Sweet spring,  full of sweet days and roses, a box where sweets compacted lie~  George Herbert,

She Had Stars In Her Pocket Acrylic Painting

"She had stars in her pocket and the moon on a string. " I don't know who wrote this but this is the inspiration for the acrylic painting I did. I tried to keep it simple in all respects and only use a few colors on this acrylic painting. Usually I love using colors, layers, papers.... but, this time I thought simple to capture the quote. I am happy with this acrylic paintings simplicity~

Yesterday I painted all day, after a long weekend reprieve. The acrylic painting was the opposite of this. I am not sure if I am done and I haven't been frustrated with a painting lately but this one was having me going there. I redid the face more than three times, finally I went to pick Sammie up from school and showed her the latest face and said what do you think. She liked her, ok with all frustration I thought to myself this is the face she will have. That way I can move on to another acrylic painting or work on the background some more. Honestly thanks for listening. I wish I had an image to show you but I have to purchase another memory card and haven't as of yet. Hopefully this weekend.

Quotes:
Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars. ~Les Brown 
For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream ~ Vincent Van Gogh

Supplies to get you started:  




I have used One Stroke brushes and loved them. This is the first time I have seen them in a set.  I have used canvas board for practicing and its a great way to start along with using journal or mixed media books. Sign up for my newsletter for more tips~

What Inspires You?

I decided to play along with Inspiration Avenue this week and touch on what inspires me. This would be a great prompt in your journals too. So without further adieu here is what inspires me~ 

                         

via we heart it

Things that inspire me and I love~       

Enchanting gardens

Books

Fashion

Nature

Illustration and Art

  

beach fun  image by me

Photography

Travel

Flowers and Botanical s image by me

Capturing my inner Frida by Painting 

Color

I hope you are inspired to record your inspiration~  Use photographs, words, images from magazines.
Create a journal page and a blog post about what inspires you~ 
What inspires you? I would love to know!

Work In Progress & My day

I just thought you might like to see a little work in progress of an acrylic painting on canvas I am doing. I have been painting a least a few hours a day. I am playing with style, color and pushing my drawing. I was inspired by a quote I found and thought was so simple yet beautiful. I will wait to share it when I post my final photographs for you from the work in progress. Yesterday I had one huge migraine by the end of my day and wasn't feeling quite up to par. Sure thing when I took my temp. a little fever. Today I am feeling better and back to painting. Happy to report that the sun is shining, the wind is blowing, I am hearing my chimes outside and I am letting go of the house work today. Paint, rest, pick up the kiddo from school and reading will be it for the day. I hope to soften the blow to hubby, yes another day of un done! But, maybe I can manage to cook the chicken in the oven for dinner? He did get us dinner last night when I was really not feeling well. Do you find it hard to let go of things? Even when you are under sick?  & Don't you just love wind chimes?
I wanted to share a png sound clip of the most amazing wind chimes but I couldn't figure out. So I found this on you tube and I hope you enjoy it. its short, but sweet and makes me want to visit Arizona again!

Reminding myself to Relax & listen  

Flower Photography

Today is cold and gray as the clouds have blown in. I will paint while remembering the colors from nature that inspire my canvas today~ These photographs are from just before the frost, the blooms and greenery that graced my yard have since died.
What will you be doing on your cold, winters day? What inspires you when its cold and gloomy outside?
The pine stay green in winter....wisdom in hardship~ Norman Douglas
Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories~ Author Unkown

Food for thought: Podcast via Jamie Ridler Studio with artist Laura Hollick