Deer Central

We have so many deers visiting our yard right now it's crazy, definitely a lot more than last year.

 Even though they eat everything in sight all is forgiven when I see the bambi's, they are just so darn cute.

While they graze, a protective mother keeps an eye on me.

It looks as though she had something to say!

New This Week - Sketchbook Art Journal

I'm starting to get a nice collection together of sketchbook art journals.  My latest 'Gold Heart Journal' can now be found in my Etsy Shop.

Gold Heart Sketchbook Art Journal

Linking up with Artists In Blogland for this weeks' Show & Tell.

Texture Tuesday - Orange

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.

Some of you may recognize this image from a previous post but I loved how completely different it looks when different textures are applied.  This image consists of two overlapping photos and Kim's Aurora texture.

The Pulse Of Mixed Media by Seth Apter

At the end of 2010 Seth Apter of The Altered Page set some pretty incredible wheels in motion when he put out a call inviting entries for a mixed media art book that he was working to have published.

Little did I know that by taking a chance and sending Seth my entry that I would be fortunate enough to be included in such an amazing project.

For those of you unfamiliar with Seth's work, his aim has been to "take the pulse" of the online mixed media artist community through a series of projects that include both questions and answers as well as the presentation of artwork created specifically for the book. While the book will include practical, art-related information, it will primarily focus on more personal and provocative issues.  His end goal is to provide readers with a window into the creative hearts and minds of the participants and offer a snapshot of the state of our community today.

The image you see here is a sneak peek of the front cover of his book titled 'The Pulse of Mixed Media' which is set to be released by North Light Books in March 2012.  There will be additional details coming soon but in the meantime simply sign up to Seth's mailing list and be among the first to receive exciting news on his upcoming events and book updates.

Saturday Salon Feature With Marci Scudder

Each month Marcie Scudder runs a feature called 'Saturday Salon' where she interviews other artists that she's met online. I was honored to be invited as this months guest and would love it if you'd join us today over at her blog, Daily Practice.

Image courtesy of Marcie Scudder



When I first stumbled upon Marcie's blog I immediately fell in love with her photography and unique writing style.  With each post Marcie creates a little piece of magic.  The stories that accompany her photos give voice to self expression and through her imagery and writing she shares a unique talent for finding the extrordinary in the ordinary everyday moments.  

To learn more about Marcie you can visit her at www.marciescudderphotography.com.  Marcie can also be found at Vision and Verb where she serves as the co-author of this wonderfully diverse blog.

A Big Thank You For Your Love & Support

I have to say I'm looking much like this butterfly at the moment, definitely battered and bruised and a little worse for wear.

I just wanted to say a big thank you to each of you who stopped by this past week to wish me well and check up on me post surgery.

The surgery ended up being pretty rough.  It was more involved than they first thought.  I had to have a deviated septum straightened, a bone spure removed, additional bone trimmed, my left sinus cavity opened up and also the top sinus cavity enlarged that goes up past your eye (which they'd hoped they wouldn't have to do).

I was in a lot of pain following the procedure and spent close to 4 hours in the initial recovery room before being taken through to see my husband.  After having the lower packs removed from my nose on Tuesday, I then spent Wednesday in excruciating pain from the pressure of all the packing that remains at the top of my nose.

I will be going to have the remainder of stuff removed tomorow but fear that I will be out of action for several more days yet.  I just couldn't let the week go by without saying thank you and how all your comments have meant so much to me.

That said, don't forget to stop by on Saturday where I hope to be linking up with Marcie Scudder for a pre-arranged interview over at her blog http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/.

Take care my friends and I hope to be back here more fully and a little less drug induced next week.

Just A Little Scared . . . . .

Those of you who are regular follows of my blog will know that I have been suffering with acute sinus pain for close to eight weeks now.  After my ENT Specialist failed to come up with any answers I was finally referred to an incredible doctor at Georgetown University Hospital.

This Monday I will be having surgery to trim a bone spur in my nose, fix my deviated septum and open up my left maxillary sinus which we are hoping will alleviate the pain (please keep everything crossed). 

To say that I'm petrified of hospitals, needles and procedures would be an understatement but at this point I would do just about anything to make the pain go away.

I just wanted to let you know that I may be absent for several days while I recover.

Wishing you all an amazing weekend.

A Sneak Peak

Today I thought I'd give you a sneak peak at some of the projects I'm currently working on.

Some textured art journals . . . . . .

a large textured art painting . . . . .



. . . . . and a few other fun items because I have to have several items on the go at any one time.

Robber Fly

WARNING, some of you may find the following images disturbing.

I'd been getting cabin fever lately so my husband took me to one of my favorite local spots this weekend, the Monocacy Aqueduct.  It's somewhere I just love to go and sit a while, it's so peaceful there.

As we were walking back to the car I noticed a large insect hanging onto a railing.  Armed with my macro lens I decided to go in for a closer look.  I'd never seen anything like it!  When I realized it was feasting on something I didn't know whether to be blown away or completely grossed out.

After a little research I found out that this strange looking creature is a Robber Fly.  As you can see from the images once they capture their prey they bite into them with their sharp proboscis and inject them with saliva that contains a nerve poison. I was thankful to learn that paralysis is quick before the powerful digestive enzymes they inject begin to break down their prey's internal tissues.

Grossed out yet?  I was.  I had to keep looking away inbetween shots.  While all this is happening they carry their prey off to a quiet spot where they can consume it in safety.  Apparently this is done by sucking out the resultant liquid meal via their hollow proboscis.

Viewing life through a macro lens has really opened my eyes and I've already learnt so much about the animals and insects in my local area.  The images I see through my viewfinder aren't always pretty but there's something powerful about seeing the natural order of things up close and personal.

Linking up with Nancy for Your Sunday Best.

Texture Tuesday - Movie

Linking up with Kim for this weeks' Texture Tuesday.  The challenge was to create an image to go with a movie title, I chose to go with 'Predator'.

image of praying mantis overlaid with clouds and stained linen texture

Predator may not be one of my favorite movies, but it seemed to go perfectly with this image.

Macro Monday - Damselflies

It was only recently that I learned the difference between dragonflies and damselflies.



Damselflies are very similar to dragonflies but one of the main differences are that they are able to fold their wings along their back when at rest.

Their bodies are also a lot more slender and, whereas dragonflies have large eyes that cover their entire head, damselflies have smaller eyes and usually have a gap between them.

Aren't they beautiful?

Digital Art Prints - SALE

  

  

  

Print Sale

This weekend you'll find 20% of all my 8"x10" Digital Art Prints.  Offer ends at midnight this Sunday.  Simply enter coupon code ARTPRINTS0810 during checkout to receive your discount.

Weekend Reflections - Cats Eye

They say that eyes are the windows to the soul . . . . .

macro shots of a cats eye

What I love about these images are the different elements at play.  From the way in which the windows are reflected, how the veins seem to mirror the trees outside, to the pupil that looks like a radiating black hole.  What do you see when you look at these images? 

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

Linking up with James for this weeks' Weekend Reflections'.