books

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This has been a very trying couple of weeks... but... these things make us stronger, right?
I will expand on that sometime... but right now it is still fresh and somewhat painful
... and so I don't want to muddle it all with my emotions.

Tonight... we (BAJ, the daughter, and I) went out for dinner... and then we stopped at the most fabulous book shop EVER! ... right here in downtown ABQ. It was amazing... and I am delighted to have found it open and waiting for me to browse amongst the glorious stacks of books.


These last 3 photos were taken at Saggio's Restaurant here on Central Ave. We had a fabulous dinner (as always... the food is awesome!)... and I got to take a couple photos of the food (there is a shot of the canoli above) and the cacti that are right out front of the restaurant. It always amazes me that people will "graffiti" the cacti... but then... I suppose I shouldn't be surprised...



This one (above) became my photo for the day. I altered it slightly ...
changed some of the color a bit... added some flavor/grunge a little...

... and this one (below) was taken of those same cacti from inside the restaurant. It was getting quite dark outside, and the lights from inside the restaurant were being reflected in the window... making the cacti look like they were having their own little party going on right there...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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All day today... I kept thinking it was Sunday. Partly because my hubby is on vacation... and so it still feels like the weekend to me... and partly because we chose to do things today that are normally Sunday type of activities for us.

For lunch... we went to Winning Coffee Co... which is one of my favorite places to go. We got a most excellent Peruvian coffee, as well as Quiche for me and a beef and green chile sandwich for him. Bradley... of Bradley's Books was there... and we had a great time perusing his vast selection of books while we sipped our coffee (and got a couple great books!).

Afterwards... we headed up to Barnes and Noble where we spent several hours enjoying a small mocha... and looking at a huge selection of books and magazines. I love to go and get ideas for artwork... crafts... all kinds of projects. One of the artists whose work I came upon is Takato Yamamoto... and a portion of one of his art pieces is shown below...fabulous stuff...



For my photo for the day project today, I chose to alter a Polaroid shot of the gates to Old Towne here in Albuquerque. I altered the color slightly, and tried to give it sort of a glowing effect. I wanted the photo to feel as magical as the place... (shown below)

And tonight I am finishing up an art piece to mail out to a New York City gallery tomorrow. I have printed off one of my square format photos, and used a transfer technique to mount it to a small 6x6 inch framed canvas. I have painted the sides, and plan to speckle the print slightly with paint for a cohesive, yet rustic look.

I love days like this.... photography... art... books... good food... good coffee... good company... and inspiration!


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Somehow, I have managed to lose the better part of this weekend, although I am not sure how this has happened. I have been sick... headache, body aches, and with a fever off and on for several days now. Little things seem to take me forever to finish. It is very frustrating. I am sure it is my Lupus... agitated and spurred into action by allergies.
On the plus side... at least it is a familiar problem... and one I can deal with, no matter how annoying.

Today we had a wonderful visit from my fav aunt and uncle... and I have started reading a couple new books, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, and "Secrets of the Fire King" by Kim Edwards... and tonight I stopped at a local fav place of mine to take my photo for the day...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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As Batman says in "Batman: The Movie"... "...some days you can't get rid of a bomb!"
Today felt like that in alot of ways. It was one of those days when things just kept cropping up... and no matter how much you think you already did... there was always more. Actually... yesterday was worse..... so everything in perspective.
Some days are like that.

On the plus side... when we were "hanging out" at one of the doctor appointments, there was a huge window that gave us the view of a lovely garden... and we had a great time watching all the birds, as well as several chipmunks flitting about.

I think we are beginning to make some head-way on what seems to be an endless list of people and organizations that need notified after the death of a loved one. There is just a little bit more to go. Some of the info needs to be changed via snail mail... so that is coming as well.

And at night, as there is no TV here... and quite often no internet (ie: at my mother's house); I have been reading. This is not a bad thing. I have read several books as of late... most recently finishing one called "A HomeMade Life" by Molly Wizenberg. It was a very good read. As a bonus... each chapter includes at least one delicious recipe... which is just awesome. Makes me wish I was a better cook... or at least... at home. At any rate... I highly recommend it.
And now I am reading "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. So far... really good.
Both of these books talk about food... travel... and enriching your life in ways that are meaningful to you. Life is so short... and can really be complicated at times... and how wonderful is it that even in the worst of times, something as simple as a well made cup of tea ... or a scone... or even a salad... can make the whole day seem a bit more hopeful.



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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--->photos by Elaine A. Russell


Today ... got a great small painting from a local artist.... went to Talin Market and got some awesome groceries...went to Winning Coffee (which is awesome) for lunch... and then picked up a stack of used books at a local book sale. I haven't been sleeping as well as I would like to.... and have generally been feeling blah... .so today was a great day to take a nap... and to try to recoup.

(photo shows the Mediterranean plate from Winning Coffee....humus, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, peppers and a bagel with cream cheese. I added fresh squeezed orange juice and an iced coffee for a complete meal)

~~~
Supper was a feast of fresh fruit ... mangoes, papaya, peaches, nectarines, apples, oranges, plums, grapes, melon, blackberries... it was awesome. Paired with a fabulous grilled steak... and ta-da!
~~~

Some days may seem rather boring..... but they are still important. Like the photo you take that may seem like a loser... you may come to find that it really speaks to you later on. I am not suggesting that you keep every single photo you take... but sometimes it is the ones you least expect that turn out ultra cool....

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One of the assets of living here is that we have a pretty good library system. The library here has always been really good about trying to get new and sought-after books and media... and often have to rely on annual sales to supplement funding. I am not sure how they do what they do.

My family has always been full of readers. I remember being quite young, and taking my weekly walk to the library to get a paper bag full of paperbacks for my grandmother to read. My father often times would read at least one book a day... even after working long hours at the factory. My sister and my brother both loved to read; and passed on that love to their kids. I am a big reader myself... and try to read at least 10-20 books a month. I actually prefer magazines alot of the time... and usually on the weekly dates with my hubby, we go thru the magazines for the month over a cup of coffee or two.

I believe that the library here is having a book sale tomorrow... and I wish them the very best... and hope to get up there myself at some point. For it is partially thru reading... that we continue to learn and grow as a people.... something I think we all tend to take for granted at times.

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----------------------------------->all photos by Elaine A. Russell


...today was an incredibly busy... but totally awesome day. It started off with a full body massage by Masterpiece Massage on Carlisle. The owner, Karla Linden is a very skilled therapist... and I left feeling refreshed and in less pain than I have been in weeks.

From there I went to an Art Sale near UNM, and got a fabulous art piece by Thomas Christopher Haag! He is one of my fav artists here in Albuquerque... and I am honored to have the opportunity to own a piece of his work.


On my way back home... I saw a demonstration on the UNM campus... providing info on medical marijuana... lots of peace and love, folks :).... and a great photo op. I have my own opinions on the subject... and having been a cancer survivor... have some real experience as well.



Later on this afternoon.... the hubby and I went to La Parada where the "Cinco de Mayo Folk Art & Music Festival" was in full swing. It was awesome. It will also be the main topic for tomorrow's post... so check back for lots of cool photos of some fab art by some awesome artists!

(Aaron Campbell)

And... before we headed home for the evening... we stopped at Astro Zombies on Central Ave; as it was their "Free Comic Book Day." We got to meet comic artists Aaron Campbell (Green Hornet Year One) and Andy Kuhn (Firebreather), and were even lucky enough to get signed comics and photos! WOOT!


It was an insanely busy day... and my back may kill me for it tomorrow... but in the meantime... it was feckin awesome :)

Gotta love Albuquerque in the Springtime

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---------------------------------->all photos by Elaine A. Russell


So... I have finally caught up on all my posts from traveling back to NM. So... If you are interested, check out the previous week's worth of posts of updated pics and such...I have added to the posts...

Today was a wonderful day. With the help of Vicodin (yes, narcotics are my friend)... I am able to move about without too much pain... and it is a "good thing." I have been going thru our DVD collection... and will be selling off about half of it soon on Ebay.. stay tuned for some fabulous auctions folks...


AND I have been watching and listening to the wind today. The wind here is absolutely amazing... and today was a prime example of the wild winds here in New Mexico. Accoring to the weather channel... they were blowing at 36mph with gusting up to 44mph....and the skies were just awesome.
And so... I took this opportunity to spend a few leisurely hours looking up fun info on the web... talking with my daughter... and nibbling on alot of interesting candy that we have around the house.
(we have: donuts, spicy peach rings, English tea biscuits, Mexican chile candy, Lego sweet tarts, Dutch mints, burnt candy peanuts, India sesame cookies, gummy sharks, German blueberry and raspberry treats, French pastel mints, sesame sticks, Swedish fish, sour peach and watermelon gum drops, and honey roasted almonds... )


I also received a brand new copy of this book: Look HERE.... of which I am one of the featured photographers. I was very honored to have been selected as one of only about 50 photographers from around the world to be featured in this publication... AND... I was lucky to have gotten a larger 6 picture spread. I am deeply honored... and personally, I think the book is pretty fabulous.
It is the first book I have ever been featured in... so it is really exciting! .... and I am hoping that it won't be the last...
I was SO excited when my book came...and then...to sit and actually be able to flip through the pages, and see all the amazing shots submitted for this project...well, I don't have words to describe the feeling.
Thank you to all who helped put this amazing piece of work together.... YEAH!
All proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated to "Doctors Without Borders".


------------------------------------>freakin awesome!

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Today we left Coudersport, and are on our way back to New Mexico.
We left rather late... and we have stopped for the night at a Days Inn in Ohio....

It has been a fun day for the most part....although leaving my parents was hard. I can only hope that I have helped them a bit... and that from here on... they will get some additional help from people they know.

We stopped in Burtville, only about 10 minutes away from Coudersport at this little book store. It looked a little "worse for the wear" on the outside... but had an incredible selection of books inside. The owners were really nice... and I was able to buy a fantastic book of Tennyson's poems. Turns out that one of the owners is also a painter -- her name is Pat Bosworth... and she runs the "Galloping Gallery" from the back room of the book shop; which is also a framing shop. I have included a couple shots of the book areas, and one of one of her paintings as an example. Pat does not have a website... but you can reach her at galgal@zitomedia.net .




For a late dinner... we stopped at a Waffle House. The staff there was absolutely fabulous.
We had a terrific meal *$24 for 2 people* and some great conversation as well....
And we saw this stunning magnolia tree on the way,
and I couldn't resist stopping and taking a photo....

-----------------> all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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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)

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(all photos by Elaine A. Russell)

In the past 24hours... I have learned that my friend's (from high school) mother passed away.... that my husband's sister is in the hospital with a possible heart attack... and I've learned more about bone cancer than I ever care to know.
Crazy how things seem to "dogpile" when they hit like that....

And yet the world goes round... and it goes on. I had a fabulous lunch with my daughter at Kelly's Pub in Nob Hill.
It is a really cool place... and the food portions are not only HUGE... but they taste awesome.

From there... we went to a great local gallery (which will be featured on Friday's blog "sneak peak")...stopped at Cafe Giuseppe for a hot chai ( totally awesome!! and the place is really cool).... and then we stopped at this incredible little bookstore "The Book Stop," where we found the most amazing selection of books (new and old).




I was able to take a few pictures while roaming about... and then we made a quick stop at Albertson's grocery store for a few items; where I saw the most beautiful orchids in their floral area. WOW.





And now I am home. And it is late. And I can't help but think about how crazy life can be. Life doesn't just stop... even when you want it to... if only for a minute while you catch your breathe. Illness and tragedy rains on everyone. ... and can... seemingly out of the blue...
And just as miraculously... good and great things happen as well. We may never know why things happen the way they do... and perhaps that is a good thing.



Living Simply Tip for the Day:
Enjoy life. Have good coffee. See good art. Read a good book. Enjoy time with loved ones every chance you get. Buy yourself flowers. Yes, it's more than worth it.... and these are the things you will reflect upon when the rough times sometimes hit you, or someone you love.

----------------------------------------------------------------
LINKS:

Kelly's Brew Pub -- fabulous food, great service, big screen Tv's, billiards and more!

Cafe Giuseppe -- awesome coffee... tea... and a neat little lounge area

The Book Stop -- hidden TREASURE! Great little book shop.

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January has simply flown by. This new year is moving so quickly.
I have had a lot of blessings this month...

For this year, 2010... I declared that the word I was going to focus on was the word "Potential." Who knew it would already have such a huge impact on me? By simply narrowing my focus a bit... so many wonderful happenings came into view. ..and keep on coming...

I have been asked to participate in a book that is being published... an account of photos from 2009 .. sort of a "day in the life" kind of thing. I was asked to include several of my photos; and I really couldn't be more honored. More news on this as things progress along....

I was invited to participate in 52 Weeks of Creations; an art project/ challenge...started by Julia D'Arcy. Each week, each of the participants is asked to submit a photo of an art piece that they have worked on. I am submitting photos... that will eventually be published in a book. I am concentrating these photos on the theme, "an exploration of religion, philosophy and spirituality.... through photography."

I am continuing with the ECHO project... a bi-weekly photo challenge where the theme changes every 2 weeks. I am partnered with the wonderful Brenda Seaholm-Wampler (an artist in Texas). Here is our latest submission... the theme was "Face."


And I have joined the 365: Daily Photo/ 2010 Year in Pictures photo challenge on FlickR. I am taking a photo each and every day for the year 2010. So far; some days are easier than others... but the point (at least for me) is to spend time on my photography every day. Having only a simple Kodak... sometimes the challenge is to get what I want to express within the confines of a point and shoot camera.... but ... even that is causing me to expand and grow as a photographer.
And I am grateful.

I revamped this blog-site... and have had lots of wonderful feedback from my readers. I had my first ever "Give-Away" in celebration of having posted each and every day for the past year....and I started a weekly review of local art galleries here in ABQ. You can see those posts listed in the sidebar to the left.

The windows of opportunity have expanded for me locally as well. I have been approached by several local businesses and organizations that want to use my photos for advertising and promos. It has been simply overwhelming... and I am so completely honored and thankful. As an artist... the most important thing for me is that people actually see my work, and through these organizations and businesses; more people will be able to see what I am creating.. and that is awesome.

I had the opportunity and pleasure of helping to teach and give demonstrations at an art venue. I haven't taught in a long time; and it was alot of fun.

And-- I had the awesome pleasure of taking some fabulous classes through the Harwood Art Center. Teaching and learning.... they go hand in hand.

On a more personal level... we have been fixing up our house with plans to sell later on in the year. It is going very well so far, and we are right on track with our goal to move to a more ideal house for just the hubby and I.

We have also made great strides in tweaking our finances, downsizing our belongings... and in general; lightening our "load."


...PLUS... I have had the opportunity to take a roadtrip or two. I am (after all).. a gypsy at heart. And I love to travel and see new places.. even if those places aren't really that far away at all. This month I got to go to Socorro, Bosque del Apache, and the VLA. Who knows where I will go next month... but ... I know I will be going.

Wonderful January..... thank you so much.

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Laura's house....


*photo by Elaine A. Russell



So... Laura is a very interesting person. The daughter of 2 avid antique collectors... she said she never anticipated going into the "family business." In fact, she said she went in the opposite direction, becoming a clinical psychologist. She has 4 degrees, and an insatiable curiosity about the world.. and the people in it. She is also a fantastic artist herself.
Her home is also her place of business, with several rooms devoted to the "collections" that people come from far and wide to see and buy portions of. She caters primarily to collectors, enthusiasts, and artists. Drawers, shelves, cupboards, closets... even entire rooms are full of interesting items.

It is easy to lose track of time in a place like this. Believe me. Hours went by like mere minutes.
More tomorrow.. but in the meantime.. enjoy :)

I am also including a link to a video from YouTube that shows an interview with Laura.. and it helps explain things so much better than I could.

YouTube Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alwqmjdH9fM

where the wild things are


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

So -- when I was a kid, I never had the opportunity to read "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. It was published in 1963, and won a major award in 1964... the year I was born.
I think I may have read it to my neices when they were little, but I am not sure. Anyway... I was able to read it the last time I was at Barnes and Noble.
It is a very short book, really... but wow. The artwork is what gets me though.

It was on this trip to Barnes and Noble that I took a couple of happy snaps ( before the manager told me NO PICTURE TAKING IN THE STORE ). One of those shots is used for this post.

The other photo in this post was taken on Sunday when I was walking around Nob Hill. There was this awesome Japanese style home, and on the fence was a picture of one of the monsters from "Where the Wild Things Are !"
I swear these guys are following me around.......

It's monday

------------------------------------------------photo by Elaine Russell

So I was wandering around Barnes & Noble last evening... and taking happy snaps. I was approached by the manager.. and told I was not allowed to take photos in the store. Who knew ?
Kinda bummed me out.
I had always considered stores like that to be the perfect place to take random photos.. and it is a public place ? So I thought there was no problem. hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
That makes the 2nd time I've been asked to not take photos in a public place. The other place was a grocery store. Does anyone know the rulings on this ?