daily

31:365

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

24:365

*photo of the VLA.... by Elaine A. Russell





I won't talk much... cuz frankly; I am exhausted. I had a wonderful weekend... and will no doubt tell more about it this week. Suffice it to say, that I needed a roadtrip... and it was good.

Today's adventures took me to the towns of Magdalena & Socorro, to the VLA (very large array), and to Bosque del Apache... then back to Albuquerque.

Now ... 'tis time for a shower, a cup of tea, bed... and maybe a little Leonard Cohen (as sung by Jeff Buckley)..... Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

13:365

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell


Today I went to Artisans, a local art supply company... for the first time. This New Mexico business has been serving the art community since 1975. It is pretty darn cool. I went, because my daughter had to get some supplies for her college art class, and I wanted to see what all they had --- needless to say; we found alot of cool stuff... and got more than we probably should have. The selection of supplies was awesome, and the staff there was extremely helpful.



Additionally, I was able to get a couple of shots for today's post... as well as for my 365 Photo a Day project. This was really cool because I wasn't feeling very well.. and the idea of trying to come up with something potentially interesting... would most likely have been beyond me at that point.




So here I am (after having eaten and taken more allergy medicine)...editing pix and posting. The photos themselves got me thinking about color theory, and how it applies in a medical/ emotional way.
Color Theory is a formal approach that describes how colors mix together and interact with one another from a design perspective. The history of color theory began with Aristotle; and in 1630, Englishman Robert Fludd created the first printed color wheel in a medical journal.
Different theories have abounded since then... hence the "craze" of painting prisons and hospital wards specific colors to calm people down and help them to relax. Different colors are thought to bring out certain moods, affects... emotions in people. And... they are also thought now to actually induce healing for certain physical and emotional problems.


Now... if I can just find the right color to get rid of my allergies.....


Living Simply: tip for the day......
If you believe in the whole concept of color theory effecting your mood... put it into action. Paint the walls of different rooms to bring out your best. Blue walls for relaxing in your bedroom, green in your bathroom for renewal and balance, yellow in your office for inspiration and wisdom....see what colors will work for you :)



Here are some cool links:
http://www.artisan-santafe.com/index.cfm

http://www.therapycolor.com/

http://www.color-medicine.com/

http://www.colorglasses.com/Emotions/

11:365

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

It's definitely a Monday. Too much to do this week... and not enough time or (at least at the moment ) ... the energy to do it.
And so... I ran around trying to catch up on things that refused to co-operate. I spent way too much time trying to wrap up some things to get in the mail. I did way too much laundry. I spent way too much time trying to get a hold of a company via the phone.... and was unsuccessful at that. I did get a photo done for my daily photo project... but frankly, wasn't that happy with it. However, I was quickly running out of time...



I need a road trip. I need an excuse to get in the car and go in no particular direction to an unknown destination. I need the wind in my face...a bag of pita chips... some Starbucks coffee...and a happy puppy at my side. Also some good music. Not just some random radio station where I end up with a thousand bad songs in a row....



I am plotting... ....but in the meantime... here are some photos from my trip cross country last summer. These 3 photos were taken somewhere in Texas...as I was going in and out of this cool thunderstorm. The clouds were impressive....the wind was incredible... and the rain was imminent.


Living Simply tip for the day: when you can... travel. Even if it's just down the road a few miles.

"The health benefits of travel are as extensive as the world itself. A vacation can give you a much-needed break from the stresses of your life and rejuvenate your spirit. Plus, it will save valuable money in the long run by preventing doctor bills, sick days and the buildup of stress that can hijack your life."
"Taking a break from the daily routine relieves stress simply by providing a change of scenery. The excitement of getting ready for a trip can be a euphoric experience and the anticipation will take your mind off daily petty problems that often seem larger than life. Getting away from your daily experience helps to put your life in crystal clear terms and allows you to redefine what you find important." --- these are from the AMA

5:365

**photos by Elaine A. Russell



I know that the new year is all about beginnings... new birth so to speak... creativity... that spark that starts things rolling. Well... most times you can't have beginnings without endings as well.
I am not a morbid person. Anything but.
I have certainly had my share of loved ones who have passed on ... and having had cancer; I understand first hand the realization that life truly is short. For me though... it is not a scary, hush-hush topic. It is a reality that life as we know it does come to an end at some point... usually, not a point we necessarily expect...nor one we generally plan for. I also like to think of it as actually a more joyous time... a time when we get to be with our loved ones who have already passed... a time away from the pain, misery, and whatever else was our trial in this lifetime.


Today I stopped at the San Jose del El Rosario Cemetery. It is just off the I-25 south freeway onto Gibson Ave. When the highway was built in the 1960's... it looks like they literally shoved this cemetery to the side... It is very sad... Very unkempt... quite ... forgotten looking. Most of the graves are not even standing, let alone have any readable markers... The wear and tear of the desert winds and sun have taken a huge toll on this place. And yet... it is still being used.

In the midst of some of the weathered and worn sites, is a boxing ring – a memorial to a boxer, Vicente “Picosito” Garcia, who died at age 20 in 2006.

Most of the grave sights are outlined with rocks. Some are accented with bottles, flowers, even a toy car or two. Graves of little children are often surrounded by the sides of cribs. And there are alot of them. What would those children have gone on to do? What was their potential that somehow got misplaced ? or perhaps it was their goal to teach us more about death... and about life. To enjoy it while we have it. To live life to it's fullest. To become our absolute best... to live up to our innate potential.

And so ... that is my word for this year... Potential. What will be yours?


To see more about this cemetery:

http://www.interment.net/data/us/nm/bernalillo/sanjose/index.htm

http://www.dukecityfix.com/profiles/blogs/resting-places-and-an-appeal