Earthworks

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Penni and Dewey of Earthworks, a new gallery in Leesburg, Virginia.  Their store celebrates the work of local artists and the handmade community with unique one-of-a-kind gifts that include art, photography, pottery, jewelry, wood crafts, stained glass and more.

I am excited to announce that several pieces of my work will be joining that of the other artisans on display there.  It was my first time doing consignment and they made the process relaxed, fun and straight forward.

If you're in the local area be sure to stop by, you won't leave disappointed.

Off The Hook {#reverb11}

Prompt: What can you let yourself off the hook for?

This reverb prompt really had me thinking.  I'm extremely adept at beating myself up, focusing in on all the area where I'm less than perfect so letting myself off the hook for anything feels a little alien and kind of wrong somehow.

But here I am, taking a deep breath and for today I'm choosing to let myself off the hook for being an unsociable, emotionable misfit who is unfit, overweight, a terrible cook and a less than perfect housewife. 

Come tomorrow . . . . . well that's a different story.

What would you let yourself off the hook for?

Texture Tuesday - Golden

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.

Bugs, Bikes & Brushstrokes

Apologies if I've been creeping you out with all the bug photos.  They usually creep me out too but seeing them magnified through the macro lens has me fascinated.

Who knew that a common fly had so much detail? 

 

 

For those of you who prefer some flowers with your dose of insects I tried to combine the two in the image below.  Our buddlea is looking beautiful right now and is growing like crazy.

I also tried capturing these red ants.  It's hard trying to focus on a subject that stays relatively still but when they're scurrying about all over the place it's near on impossible. 

Still you'll be pleased to know that my weekend wasn't all bugs . . . . .

My husband and I headed out for a bike ride along the C&O Canal Path on Saturday.  With decent temps and low humidity it couldn't have been more perfect.

We surprised ourselves by making it all the way to Brunswick where we stopped for some refreshments at this neat converted church called 'Beans In The Belfry'.  We managed to cover 14 miles in total (that's 4 miles more than I managed last time - woooo hoooo)!

The celebrations didn't end there.  I recently completed two commissioned canvases for a work colleague of my husbands and was so excited when I found out that she loved them.  It's always nerve racking creating custom pieces but so rewarding when they bring joy to someone.

I finished the weekend off by working on a couple of new art paintings.  So tell me, how was your weekend?

Great Falls & Weekend Reflections

Yesterday I blew off the cleaning and ironing and headed to that favorite spot of mine . . . . Great Falls.  I'd barely got out of my car when  I saw this female deer walking across the path.

She didn't seem bothered by me at all and just leisurely continued on her journey.

  

She wasn't the only creature I encountered on my walk . . . . .  there were lots of spiders and squirrels too.  I loved the expression on this little guy's face right before he scampered off up the tree.

I walked past the old canal . . . . .

. . . . . and along the River Trail.

I decided to try something I hadn't done before . . . holding my camera at waist hight and just shooting randomly from the hip.  It was an interesting experiment.

 

 

Seeing the falls at the end of my walk was like icing on the cake.

. . . . . and now for a splash of color as I link up with James for this weeks' Weekend Reflections.
 

Some of you may have noticed that I've had a bit of a bug theme going on this week so it seemed fitting to add some beetle reflection shots into the mix.  If you look closey you'll see my reflection in their irridescent shell.

 

 

Have a great weekend everyone, see you on the other side.

All A Buzz

When I head outside to practice my macro skills I'm on the lookout for any particpant that's willing to stay still long enough for me to try and get a few shots off.  Yesterday I stumbled upon this fly that was happy to strike a pose for me out on our deck.

Looking through the macro lens can get a little scary though. When he turned to look directly at me with those huge eyes I freaked out and he flew away.  The same thing happens when a spider looks at me too, I run away screaming.

 



Looking through a lens may make me a little braver than normal but ultimately I'm still a big girls blouse when it comes to all things creepy and crawly.

Determination

I've tried many things to keep the squirrels at bay but nothing really works.  Over time I've learned to admire their intelligence, their perseverance, and their agility all in the pursuit of some bird seed.

 

 

It's a good reminder that where there's a will there's a way.

Texture Tuesday - People

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.

I find it interesting that as photographers we all gravitate towards different subjects.  Be it vintage or modern, food or fashion, architecture or landscapes, the list is endless but like many others I'm instinctively drawn to nature and wildlife. 

It was an interesting challenge this week . . . people!  Maybe it's because I don't have children, maybe it's because I'm unphotogenic, or maybe it's because I'm a self confessed hermit but I have to admit that people photography is about as foreign to me as a non-subtitled Japanese film.

Image created by combining two images (a portrait and water droplets) with Kim's pourvous texture.

As I sat and pondered, I realized that being pushed outside of my comfort zone is a good thing.  Challenges that stretch us are what enable us to change and grow.

After some experimenting I finally created a piece that I was happy with.  To me this image represents the camouflage that we hide behind, showing only the pieces of ourselves that we want others to see.  What does this image convey to you?

Bug Eyed

This weekend consisted mainly of running errands and hanging around at home although we did enjoy having friends over to dinner on Saturday night.

Our buddlea bush has only just started flowering and I've been waiting anxiously for the butterflies to discover it.  I headed outside with my macro lens and was pleased to find this little guy getting his fill of nectar.



What did you get up to this weekend?

In Your Absence

Father's Day is always a tough one for me.  Each time I pass row after row of father's day cards it's like a body blow, a harsh reminder that another year has passed without him.  He's been gone for eight years now but there are days when his loss is every bit as raw and real as it was when we first passed away.

My father smoked a pipe for as long as I can remember.  What's strange is this past week I've kept smelling the scent of tobacco.  It's been oddly comforting.



"Never part without loving words to think of during your absence.

It may be that you will not meet again in this life."

J P Richter

Father's Day Sale

  

  

  

20% OFF your entire order.  Simply enter coupon code FATHERSDAY2011 during checkout to receive your discount.  Offer excludes shipping.

Textured Art Painting and Digitial Art Prints

DYCHE DESIGNS

http://www.dychedesigns.com/

Weekend Reflections

Linking with James for this weeks' Weekend Reflections.

This image was shot from my husband's boat as we cruised up the Potomac a few weeks ago.  I have no idea what this structure is but I love the way it looked tucked in amongst the foliage at the waters edge.

This shot is of the Monocacy Aqueduct which was taken about a month ago after some heavy rainfall.  The river had burst the banks and the surrounding area was flooded.

I'm interested to know which is your favorite shot, the color or the black and white?

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Where's My Jewelry Gone?

Over the past few months I've been gradually moving my jewelry over to my ArtFire Shop, so that eventually I'll have just artwork on Etsy.

  

  

  

Dyche Designs on ArtFire



Quite a few of my items there are on sale so there's some bargains to be had.  You'll also find bags and cushion covers in my ArtFire Shop too.