Barn FX

So... This week's "Photo Friday" Challenge was:

'Photoshop Skills'

I sure hope those little ' '  marks meant 'or whatever photo editing program you have' cause this amateur photographer does not own Photohop! I guess they can just delete my link if that's not what the little ' ' marks meant...

I do love fiddling with layers and effects. Though I can't tell you exactly which ones I settled on for this barn image. I know there's some hard light... some overlays... and a whole mess of tweaking exposures, hues, saurations, and focus. I just like playing 'til it has the "feel" I'm searching for. I'm not tyring to win a prize; just enjoying experimenting :)

Here's the original barn shot:

PS... Yes, I know it's not Friday.

;)

"Mumzie's Girl"

When I learned I was going to be a grandmother for the first time, it was quite a traumatic experience. It's not even that the news was unexpected, and not the way I had always dreamed, but I don't need to get into all those details. I'm sure there are multitudes of moms who have walked in those shoes, and know that when things don't go the way you planned, you just "pull up your big girl panties" and deal.  The most important factor to me was that this precious little life was on it's way, and in the midst of all the emotion, there was nothing but love for our little grandbaby.

So, why the trauma? Oh... did I mention I was pregnant with my own precious little boy and was 43 years old? Ya. I won't get into every ugly detail, but let's just say no little home should ever have that many hormones exploding around at one time. I already thought my hubby was a saint, but surviving that experience definately seals that one. As always he was my rock.

But anywhooooo.... that's not even the point.

Here's the point...

Once I adjusted to the path we found ourselves on, I knew the only thing to do was focus on the positive, and the impending blessings of grandparenthood. I was excited to help my little grandaughter come into the world and envelop she and her mama with all the love and support in the world. Needless to say, there were challenges with my own newborn son, and the exhaustion that accompanies newborns. Did I mention their two births came at the height of swine flu season? And I have 3 school-aged children who all were sick and home from school for 3 months?

But again... that's not the point.

Here's the point... again...

The day my daughter came home with her precious little pink bundle, we were sitting on the family room floor just admiring every inch of the new princess' beauty. I was so happy to be her grandmother.

Then "it" happened.

My daughter (talking 3rd person on behalf of my 3 day old grandaughter) called me "grandma".

Good thing I was already on the floor.

How had I overlooked this? I was sooooo happy to have a grandbaby, but it never occured to me that I was in no way, shape or form ready to be "grandma".

My husband had always known that when the blessings of grandparenthood arrived, he would stick to his French/Canadian heritage and proudly embrace the title "Pepere". Having mostly the same heritage, I figured, I'd follow suit and be "Memere" so we could be a matching pair. However, it didn't take me long to realize that's just not "me". And besides, my mother-in-law is Memere to all of our children, and it just didn't feel right to share that honored title.

Grandma, like my mom was? Seemed natural until my daughter uttered the words.

Gram? Na... the paternal grandmother already snagged that cute lil' title and I didn't want to create a competitive atmosphere...

ugh... What to call a grandmother who's got her own newborn baby and is not quite ready to be labeled with the usual bun and rocking chair titles.

It came out of nowhere.

My daughter is a Brit-Com freak. Well... she's not a freak, but she has a passion for every Brit-Com carried on American television. You name it "Allo Allo", "Are You Being Served", "As Time Goes By", "Keeping Up Appearances", and a whole bunch I can't stand being in the room while they play.

Yes, this "IS" the point...

I blurted out in my best "uppity" British accent; "Why doesn't she just call me Mumzie?"

My daughter looked at me like she did when she was 3 and wanted a pony.

She said "Please tell me you're not kidding, and she can really call you that?!?!"

Why not?

And so... I... old fashioned, prim artisan, who loves everything Americana and traditional... am "Mumzie".

Should have looked it up first. Apparently it means "1: Dowdy: Unfashionable and dowdy." (they just had to get "dowdy" in there twice).

Great. Now "that's" what I was going for... LOL! My hubby in his ever loving manner said; "well, you'll just have to redefine it then". Love that guy.

Definition #2 was a little better; "2: Motherly: Kind and motherly in a gentle sweet-natured way".

Ok. I like that one better.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be known as "Mumzie". And I'm not sure my other five children will appreciate all of their children calling on me with a name inspired by their sister's love of goofy Brit-Coms, but... that's how things happen isn't it?

And somehow it fits so well. I love being her Mumzie...

Snapshot Saturday & Room Re-dos Are Coming!

I took this shot of Bekah pulling petals from a daisy recently. I love the contrast of the rustic ground and the delicate tulling all bathed in dappled sunlight. I'm working on some mixed media and/or digital artwork with this one.
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Other goings on around here are that we're attempting to do a major re-assigning of rooms, including having a permanent home for my studio. It will not be a fast process, but I'm really excited about it, and looking forward to organizing and decorating it... all in "Early American Flea Market" of course... LOL! I'll take pictures, I'm sure :)
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But more pressing is preparation for my Bekah's Birthday Party next weekend. Looks like we're having a "Tea Party"!!! (might be a Strawberry Shortcake or Hello Kitty Tea Party; the jury's still out... LOL) Oh, to be a little girl....

Photo Friday 7/16/2010

This week's Photo Friday theme is "Summer Fun". I have hundreds of favorite summer images, but when I think of summer fun, I always think of this photograph. No matter what wonderful destinations and adventures we plan for each summer vacation, they always have the most fun in our own backyard. Lots of giggles, splashes, races... and always a campfire for roasting marshmallows at the end of the day. I love hearing "this has been the best day ever" almost every day. And these two silly goobers are the King and Queen of backyard fun.

I wanted to grab the original without the watermark, but couldn't get to that computer today.

Check out Photo Friday by clicking on their button in my sidebar! Great pics from lots of talented pros and amateurs.

Black and White

You know, God always has a way of teaching me new lessons in areas I thought I already had a handle on :)

Years ago, when I was teaching art to grades pre-k through 8, I became passionate about working in pencil and charcoal. I was sketching every day and got pretty ok at it. The "secret" I learned back then, and the best advice I ever gave my students was "don't draw what you don't see". We are all so programmed to want to see the whole eye... for the skin to be creamy pink or rich brown. We have to force ourselves to leave out half an eye, or keep white where bright light is shining...

But anyway, that's not even my point... LOL.

After being away from intricate art for years due to my arthritis, I'm happy to be delving into it again. The thing is, while I was always a decent sketcher, I've never been very good at painting. So, I've been taking classes to try to learn some new skills and techniques. It's been great fun, and I love the classes.

But something "weird" is happening. I think I discovered it when one of the teachers said in her lesson that we could leave our work at the sketch phase, but black and white is "boring". Now... don't get critical here! I understand her point of view based on the class. It's all about color and layer. But it really tugged at my heart.

I always feel like my work is "ruined" as soon as I add color to it. There's just something so basic about the raw truth of black and white. It feels more real for me than when I add color.

Now, I LOVE color. Really, I do! And I do want to continue exploring the color and excitement of mixed media.But the more I take painting classes, the more I seem to be falling in love with sketching again!

And ironically, the photography I lean towards is black and white as well. Why? My house if full of color. Dining room walls are pumpkin color, living room walls are red... kitchen is vintage filled with aqua, pinks, and red... I love color.

But when I strip a photograph of all of it's colors, it comes to life for me. I think when the distracting mish-mash of color is removed, the truth of the photo is revealed. One focusses more on the expression, the beauty, the essense rather than the surroundings. I love black and white. Contrary to finding it boring, I find it captivating.

So... my time and energy spent on becoming a better painter seems to be leading me back to sketching. I don't mind my life going in circles when the journey is full of growth and connection to other people. I guess rediscovering how much you love something is more than worth the time it took to get around that circle!

Speaking of love...

Have a blessed Sunday dear friends

{{{Hugs}}}