Blog

Impressions and Expression

This morning as I was looking out at the pond behind our house I saw the most beautiful abstract reflections in the pond. The light was just right for making photographs of the pond playing with Impressions and Expression of all the beauty I saw. Movement, softness, blur, and color moving and mixing before my eyes. Sometimes the surface of the pond looked like a Monet painting in the soft morning light. It was another reminder that I can find beauty here, at home, as well as out in the woods. (Though I know that we are so lucky to Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Camera Movement and Abstraction

Thursday morning I visited the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) with a photographer friend. I wanted to photograph color, movement, gesture, and form. While respecting the artistic creations exhibited there, I hoped to find ways to show beauty through using Camera Movement and Abstraction as well as from examining the textures and rhythms in the art that I saw there. When I arrived at MIA I realized that though I had brought my camera, I had forgotten to put the memory card back in the camera the day before. So using my camera was not an option. Instead I used Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

The Queen of Summer

I love photographing Queen Anne’s Lace flowers. So this morning I went in search of them at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. And I found a huge patch of them thanks to a tip from a photographer friend. I think of this flower as The Queen of Summer blooming as she does in late July or early August. She is so feminine, delicate, and interesting. I love the lacy shape of the flower, the funky looking buds, and the way I can photograph her from different directions and angles and always see something new. It was a couple of years ago Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Peace Like a River

Yesterday morning I listened to a meditation led by meditation teacher, writer, and psychologist, Tara Brach. In it Ms. Brach asked listeners to hold a hand over their heart and ask themselves, “Why am I meditating? What is it I am seeking today?” My answer to both those questions was simple — peace. I am seeking to experience Peace Like a River in these moments and throughout my day. Initially the words, “Seeking peace,” or “Looking for peace” came to me. But I realized that the idea of being peaceful, and seeking or looking for peace were somewhat antithetical. What Read more…

By Marilyn, ago

Creative Play

This morning I happened upon a small notebook of watercolor paintings I made several years ago. And I realized that it has been about three years since I did any watercolor painting. Though I didn’t immediately get out my paint and brushes, I did decide to commit to more time to Creative Play in my life, like painting with watercolors. Today I photographed some of my previous watercolor paintings and then played around with combining those photos with nature photographs that I made recently. Layering a photograph with a photo of a painting that I made, and then playing with Read more…

By Marilyn, ago