1:365:2011

Welcome to the New Year~ may yours be full of promise, joy, health, wonder, mindfulness, wanderings, poetry, art, music, dance, growth, spirit, passion, grace... beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and moonglow...

Yesterday, as we were all leaving Bodies: The Exhibition... we had to travel this tunnel-way to the car garage where we had parked. It is gorgeous. I was amazed at all the creativity that went into this somewhat austere concrete tunnel... and wanted to share the lights with you.

And for all of you who may be wondering... yes, I started a new 365 Photo-A-Day project today... my 3rd... and I am really looking forward to it. And, as my sets and such on FlickR seemed to be building up... I took some time tonight to clean out alot of photos... remove some album sets... and decrease the number of groups I belong to in FlickR-land.
Re-organization is good. Downsizing is good. Selective focus... even better :)

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

58:365

So ... February has been an interesting month.

I am applying for a photography grant... the deadline being in May. It is very exciting... and very intimidating at the same time. I have never applied for a grant before... so this is a first.
On the plus side... I was recently commissioned by a local group to take photos for them --- part of an on-going public relations kind of thing. This is extremely exciting, and I am so thrilled to be asked to participate... and today I worked on some photos for this project. Being as it is a potentially long-term project; it fits in nicely with my goals/ intentions for the grant. Funny how things work out like that.
And, provided I get the grant money... I will be able to replace at least some of the photography equipment I lost/sold last summer. That would be awesome.

I was "down" most of the month with my Lupus... which is frustrating... but not exactly critical. It had the bonus effect of forcing me to rest, re-group, reflect and re-organize a bit. I still have an awful lot I would like to do... and alot I am behind in doing... but at least I feel like I am moving in the right direction.

The book I was asked to participate in... and in which I have several photos being published...is almost ready to go to print. This is soooooooooo fabu. This will be my first publication in a book... but hopefully not my last.

I have been keeping steady with the FlickR 365 photo a day challenge, the 52 Weeks of Creations challenge, and the ECHO project bi-weekly photo challenges. It has been "challenging" some days... to say the least.... but I love photography, and these projects have been really encouraging me to stretch my creativity a bit.

But most on my mind these past few days have been family. My father was diagnosed with bone cancer... and recent reports from the doctors are not very promising at all. But I know my dad. I know that he is made of tougher fiber than most. In an essence, he said that he will "do whatever it takes"... in order to get better. He is strong, he has a great support system, and a profound faith.
My husband's sister was also in the hospital, very sick... with a staggeringly high blood pressure. She is home now... and hopefully well on the way to mending.
And I have seen 2 close family friends pass away this month.


Life is so short. Sometimes events make it feel even shorter and more precious. And that is good, I think. ... it keeps us from getting complacent... tired....weary... and numb of mind. For me, at least... it has encouraged me to keep life so much more sacred... to enjoy these moments... tough as they may be at times.

So. Here's to March. Let's see what March 2010 has in store....♥

(*photos by Elaine A. Russell)

15:365

(click on the photo, and you can see it larger )


Normally, today I would be posting an art gallery review. But I am sick today. I thought I was over it... and I was wrong. Coincidentally, my mother is in the hospital back in PA with breathing problems... so it's just an interesting day all around.

In lieu of the art gallery review (which I will hopefully be doing tomorrow)... I am posting a picture of the results of a collaborative venture between myself and a fellow photographer/artist who lives in Texas. We both decided to join the Echo Challenge group on FLickR (link: ECHO), and partnered together to form collaborative diptychs.

I am working with Brenda Seaholm-Wampler
(blog site: http://memoriesandtreasures.blogspot.com/).
Each couple of weeks; the theme changes, and we see what we can come up with separately; then we combine them. It is thrilling to see how well they come together.. and how the other participants interpret the theme. The challenge theme for this one is: MELODY.

transitions

photo by Elaine A. Russell

well. The biggest part of the remodel is done. This weekend I am re-stocking stuff back to where they were... cleaning, sorting, organizing, and giving stuff away. The hubby and I have spent the last couple of years downsizing and re-organizing our lifestyle.. and it's not stopping now. Our house is about 1350 square feet. And, in reality... when the kids move out... it will be way to big for just us. In anticipation of that... we have been getting rid of extraneous stuff. The kids are saving some of it for their future homes.... and that is cool.

As an example, all of our Christmas holiday decorations (ornaments and everything) all fit into one rubbermaid container... and this year we decided to get rid of about half of that. We just don't need it. Now.. books are a whole 'nuther country... we have tons. And craft stuff (eeks).... and apparently ( whilst unloading boxes from the kitchen) .. dishes. So. I am filling a HUGE box with household stuff to list on Craigslist. I am also filling another HUGE box with re-model stuff.... piping, caulk, screws, plaster mix, whatever... to give away.

I have always been an avid recycle type person. We have recycle bins for plastics, glass, metals, and papers... which we take to the centers weekly. When we approached doing this remodel... we wondered if we could potentially recycle everything. The contractors probably thought we were nuts. BUT... we have managed to recycle about 90% of it. The cupboards, mirrors, lighting, doors, etc.. went to a guy who takes things to Mexico for rehabbing homes. All the cardboard and packing stuff was recyclable. Same with the wood and glass. In fact, the only things so far that we haven't been able to recycle was some plaster and some grout that was leftover... but already mixed up. It's pretty amazing. So... we have one more pile of stuff to go through for recycling... and then everything will be hauled off on Monday.

It's been a huge learning experience... and very rewarding. Recycle, re-use, re-purpose...awesome...

♥♥♥...time for a song from one of my most FAV singers .... ♥♥♥

pipe dreams

photo by Elaine A. Russell


So when we started the "remodel project" .. it was back in September. We had a new front door installed and new french doors to replace the sliding doors to the back yard and patio. Then we had a new sink, mirror, tub/shower unit installed in the hallway bathroom. Then a shower stall in the master bathroom. As of today we now have a new cabinet and sink in the master bathroom.
We also got new lights in the hallway and entryway.

Then the kitchen was basically gutted, a door moved, cabinets removed and new ones installed with a new configuration. New counter tops, new dishwasher, new garbage disposal, and an over the stove microwave. As of today we now also have a new kitchen sink and running water.

We now have to wait until after the holidays to get our reverse osmosis system hooked back up. However, today was the major PLUMBING day.. with most everything water related getting done.

After weeks of not really being able to use the kitchen, I am not sure how to behave... but I'm sure I will figure it out.

There are still alot of projects that need done around the house...but this was the BIG one.

Painting everywhere, yardwork, some little odds and ends... it will all get done.

Time for some celebrations :)

crystal windows

photo by Elaine A. Russell

so very, very tired today.

Have the final class tonight with Cynthia Cook at the Harwood Art Center... which will no doubt be awesome. Am really looking forward to it.

Construction is still going.... slowly....ever so slowly.....

but we finally have kitchen cabinets and hope to have a sink, a dishwasher and lighting soon.

Still waiting on the cabinet and sink in the bathroom... and then... saving up for massive painting everywhere inside.

..and I hear a wonderful rumor that the weekend is coming :)

an interesting view

.....................................photo by Elaine A. Russell


everything often boils down to a matter of perspective... how we; as individuals, actually see things. how we perceive things to have transpired.... how our past experiences alter things and how we remember them on a daily basis.



photographing the railyards on Saturday was an awesome experience. What some people would see as urban decay in it's most unpleasant forms.... most of us there viewed with awe and wonder. The beauty of the architecture. The sun streaming through the windows... the light shadows on the wood brick floors....the graffiti ( which I personally LOVED)... the puddles and feathers and signs of time passing.. .weather beating down... people wandering through in the middle of the night....



So much of life is like that. You hear: "... don't move there.. the neighborhood is bad".... or ..." it's nothing but a slum in that section...don't go there..." Some of the best places I have lived have been in areas where people warned us not to go. Traveling is like that as well... people will recommend certain sites to visit... not realizing how much they are missing by not exploring and discovering neat little places on your own.



Sometimes it's a matter of clearing your mind of all previous expectations and perceptions to really really see what's in front of you... what's down that winding dirt road... what's off the beaten path. ...but it's worth it.

FlickR meet

photos by Elaine A. Russell

Lots going on these past few days. ... Today there was a FlickR photo meet at the Railyards. I have only been to the ABQ railyards once previously, and it was awesome. Today, the group had reserved this historical site for the entire day; so there was more time to leisurely stroll around.

Needless to say, I took a ton of photos. I took most all of them on my little Kodak... but then one of the other photographers graciously loaned me his Nikon D300 to try out. This is my "if I had enough money" dream camera ... and it was awesome to be able to play with it.

Most of the photographers had also arranged and hired models who came for specific shoots... this was not something I normally would photograph. I have done weddings, portraits and such before...but it's just not my thing. That said... I did take a bunch today because I had the opportunity to play around with some very cool equipment which included flashes and lights and such. So -- now I have photos of bikers, babes and more...Not sure what I will do with those...but it was alot of fun.
And now I am off to bed... what a great day....

imprisonment

-------photo and self portrait done by Elaine A. Russell

There was a period in my life when I certainly felt imprisoned. It is a time I tend to not think about or dwell on, and most of the people involved are long gone.

I felt trapped, imprisoned, held captive by rules and responsibilities way beyond the norm. I was working as a waitress, going to school, taking care of my invalid grandmother from 4pm-midnight, and doing chores and more around the house. It began when I was barely 12-13, and stopped when I left for college at 19.

It was a horrible, horrible time on many levels. And yet, it made me stronger --and more compassionate-- and gave me a strong work ethic to which I still hold fast today.

I have read, "that which does not kill us, makes us stronger." I believe it is by Nietzsche.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Nietzsche

Sounds trite.. but it is true.... at least in my case.

Photos are from my photo trip to the NM State Penitentiary in December.

NM State Penitentiary visit

-------------------------side view of the prison

---------------------my fav shot. View from inside the prison.

-----------------------the locked up Psych Ward.

-------------------a creative soul's cell.

............................................shell casings in C block.

===============all photos by Elaine A. Russell

So. Back on December 14, I went with a very small contingency of the FlickR photo group, and we went to the NM State Penitentiary up in Santa Fe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_State_Penitentiary_Riot

The prison is the site of one of the worst prison riots in US history, and certainly a bad memory here locally. I personally, have taken care of some of the survivors of that riot, and even years later.. it is still something.

On that day in December, it was so cold and windy that most of the FlickR members decided to go another time, but a few of us went, and I'm glad I did. It is a grand place... huge, confusing, damp, and disturbing. The guide (Rick) was awesome.

Having recently aquired a mangled Nikon D70, I didn't really know the controls on the camera.. so I managed to take all my shots from the day in RAW format. I didn't have the appropriate software to edit my photos.. but thanks to this awesome FREE program online... I can now post them ! WOOT !
So-- better late than never... and here are a couple shots from the day.
If you want to see more.. see the link ---> to my FlickR page.

Tunnels of ABQ

-------------------------------------------------photos by Elaine A. Russell

Went on a FlickR photo shoot today through the tunnels of ABQ. There are lots of runoff water tunnels... especially around I-40, and today I got to explore a few of them.

It was cold, very wet, slippery ..... and totally awesome.