We interupt your regularly sheduled blogging....





.....to bring you a news flash from PA.

My niece... who is fabulous is so many ways... not the least of which is that she is a mom, wife, artist, teacher, fabulous person and an all-round wonderful bit of humanity.......has now joined a Roller Derby Group !
All I can say is "Give 'em hell Meg !"

See this link for more info:: http://www.dutchlandrollers.com/
photos by Tony Gibble Photography


power


photo by Elaine A. Russell


I just love this photo. Taken yesterday, it is another in my series of photos that features the Factory on 5th. This is in the south end of the building.
I just love the grit in the photo.... kinda like life.

You've gotta have the grit to make the beauty.

~~~

and.. on an unrelated note.....
Check out this video !!!

Holly Dolly - The best home videos are here


.. and the website: www.holly-dolly.eu/

barriers



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

I've been thinking alot about barriers lately.
By definition...."barrier" (noun)(www.TheFreeDictionary.com)

1. anything that blocks a way or separates, such as a gate
2. anything that prevents progress: a barrier of distrust
3. anything that separates or hinders union: a language barrier [Old French barre bar]

Websters also adds:
1. A structure, such as a fence, built to bar passage.
2. Something immaterial that obstructs or impedes: Intolerance is a barrier to understanding.
3. A membrane, tissue, or mechanism that blocks the passage of certain substances.
4. physical or biological factor that limits the migration, interbreeding, or free movement of individuals or populations.
5. A boundary or limit.
6. Something that separates or holds apart.

Artists face barriers every day. Barriers based on their religion, color, race, even economics .....
And then there are the barriers based on the work of art itself ... is it too controversial? Political ? Sarcastic?, Erotic, etc
In alot of ways ... I am my own worst barrier. I self censor my art all the time. Is it good enough? Is it strong enough? Is the point of the art clear? Is the technique I used up to par? etc.
Many times I censor to the point of not being able to produce any art at all.
I think it all goes back to a primal fear of failure. I am afraid that other people won't like my work, so I intimidate myself to the point where I won't make anything at all. If I don't make it.. I cannot fail... I think to myself.
Any yet, by not even trying... I am failing.
So--- I am going to be making a concentrated effort to NOT censor myself. To NOT expect that everyone will hate it... to NOT care even if they do. To just DO IT for arts' sake. And because I can't live and not do art.

For Wednesday

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


So hey now.

I have been taking a series of photographs of the Factory on 5th --((http://www.factoryon5.com/)). It's a cool old building with a ton of local history attached.
I share a studio there with 3 other people, and the atmosphere of the place is fantastic.

We are hoping to garner a resurgence in the place. There will be upcoming shows and special events. The one end of the building is the home to The Church of Beethoven, ((http://churchofbeethoven.org/)) and they showcase special music events every Sunday.

The photos from today's blog are all ones I took at the factory. Enjoy......

For Tuesday

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

Not sure how I missed posting a blog for tuesday...

My schedule has been a bit off. Part of the problem is that I have been without a car during the day because my son takes it to school. So, I have been working at the studio late at night, and sleeping late into the daytime... so things are a bit out of whack.

Here is a photo of Kristin's "Inspiration Board" in her nook at the studio. It is soooo cool in person. Hopefully I caught a bit of the coolness in the photo....

Fire -- Chinese element

photo by Elaine A. Russell

Fire (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fire (Chinese: 火; pinyin: huǒ), is the prosper of the matter, or the matter's prosper stage.[1] Fire is the second one of Wu Xing.
Fire is yang in character, its motion is upward and its energy is expansive. It is associated with the planet Mars, summer, south, daylight and heat and the color red. (Red is associated with extreme luck). It also stands for the heart, tongue, and pulse. Its negative emotion is hate, while its positive emotion is joy. The Primal Spirit of fire is represented by the Red Pheasant or Phoenix.
In Chinese thought Fire is associated with the qualities of dynamism, strength and persistence; however, it is also connected to restlessness. The fire element provides, warmth, enthusiasm and creativity, however an excess of it can bring aggression, impatience and impulsive behavior. In the same way, fire provides heat and warmth, however an excess can also burn. In the conquest cycle, fire overcomes metal, and in turn is overcome by water. In the birth and nurturing cycle, fire burns to earth, and is sparked by wood igniting.

Metal -- Chinese Element

metal rods at the Factory on 5th, by Elaine A. Russell

Metal (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Metal (Chinese: 金; pinyin: jīn), is the decline of the matter, or the matter's decline stage.
Metal is the fourth phase of Wu Xing.
Metal is yin in character, its motion is inwards and its energy is contracting. It is associated with the west and autumn, old age, the planet Venus and the color white. The archetypal metals are silver and gold. Its Primal Spirit is represented by a White Tiger.

The qualities associated with metal are unyieldingness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The metal person that is controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also materialists, business oriented and good at organization and stability. However the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. Just as metal can conduct electricity, the Metal person has strong impulses and generative powers and can bring about changes and transformations for those who come into contact with them. Metal is believed to govern the lungs, nose and skin. The negative emotion associated with metal is grief, while the positive emotion is courage.

Wood -- Chinese element

Gorgeous tree in Old Towne... photo by Elaine A. Russell

Tree (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tree (Chinese: 木; pinyin: mù), traditionally translated as Wood, is the growing of the matter, or the matter's growing stage.[1] Tree is the first one of Wu Xing. Tree is yang in character, it stands for springtime, the east, the planet Jupiter, the color green, wind, and Qing Long in Four Symbols.
The Wu Xing are chiefly an ancient mnemonic device for systems with 5 stages; hence the preferred translation of "tree" over "wood".

In Chinese thought, Wood attributes are considered to be strength and flexibility, as with bamboo. It is also associated with qualities of warmth, generosity, co-operation and idealism. The Wood person will be expansive, outgoing and socially conscious. The wood element is one that seeks always to grow and expand. Wood heralds the beginning of life, springtime and buds, sensuality and fecundity. Wood needs moisture to thrive.
In Chinese medicine, wood is associated with negative feelings of anger, and positive feelings of patience and altruism. Organs associated with this element are the liver (yin) and the gall bladder (yang), the eyes and the tendons.

Earth -- Chinese element

foliage at the factory on 5th... photo by Elaine A. Russell

Earth (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Earth (Chinese: 土; pinyin: tǔ), is the changing point of the matter.[1] Earth is the third one of Wu Xing.
Earth is a balance of both yin and yang, the feminine and masculine together. Its motion is inward and centering, and its energy is stabilizing and conserving. It is associated with the color yellow and the planet Saturn, and it lies at the center of the compass in the Chinese cosmos. It is associated with the turn of each of the four seasons and with damp. It is believed to govern the spleen, stomach, mouth and muscles. Its negative emotion is anxiety and its positive emotion is empathy. Its Primal Spirit is represented by the Yellow Dragon.
In Chinese thought Earth is associated with the qualities of patience, thoughtfulness, practicality, hard work and stability. The earth element is also nurturing and seeks to draw all things together with itself, in order to bring harmony, rootedness and stability. Other attributes of the earth element include ambition, stubbornness, responsibility and long-term planning. In pathology, the earth can represent selfishness and self-centeredness. In the controlling cycle, earth controls water and is controlled by wood; while in the conducive cycle, earth is produced by fire, and in turn produces metal.

Water -- Chinese element

water feature in Old Towne. Photo by Elaine A. Russell

Water (Wu Xing)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Water (Chinese: 水; pinyin: shuǐ), is the low point of the matter, or the matter's dying or hiding stage.[1] Water is the fifth one of Wu Xing.
Water is yin in character, its energy is downward and its motion is stillness and conserving. It is associated with the planet Mercury, the north, winter and cold, darkness, night and the colour black. It is also associated with the moon, which was believed to cause the dew to fall at night. It is also believed to govern the kidneys, ears and bones. The negative emotion associated with water is fear, while the positive emotion is calmness. Its Primal Spirit is represented by the Black Tortoise.
In Chinese Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom, flexibility, softness and pliancy; however, an over-abundance of the element is said to cause difficulty in choosing something and sticking to it. In the same way, Water can be fluid and weak, but can also wield great power when it floods and overwhelms the land. In the birth and nurturing cycle, water spawns wood, and is spawned by metal. In the conquest cycle, water overcomes fire, and in turn is overcome by earth.

Ice cream and the Virgin Mary



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



so-- took a leisurely stroll around Old Towne yesterday and it was fabulous. The weather was perfect, and I got to play with my almost dead camera. It was awesome.

Along the way we saw art, ate ice cream, and stopped at the famous San Felipe de Neri Church.

It was great to see all the cool shoppes open -- and there were some new ones ! And to see all the people selling their wares in the plaza. A great day. Relaxing and fun.... just what I needed.

the lost weekend

photos by Elaine A. Russell

---also known as Memorial Day weekend. Not sure what happened... but I forgot to post on Sat and Sunday. ... so I am posting now.

These are photos I took in my new studio. It is a much bigger studio space, but I am now sharing it with 3 other people. It is going to help me save money monthly, plus I enjoy the camaraderie with the other artists. The light is good, and the space feels good. Being in a more compact area has forced me to go through some of my art stuff.. and I managed to get rid of alot of it. That was good too.
I am now taking that "clearing out" habit, and applying it to the rest of my house. I am hoping to list alot of stuff on Ebay... so be sure to check out the link to my Ebay page for some cool items at great prices.

all through the night




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

Couldn't sleep last night. Spent the majority of the night wandering around the house, taking experimental photographs in the dark... Sometimes it's good to just goof around. Fortunately, my lovely Brina was happy to snuggle, cuddle, and follow me around... so today we (after falling asleep around 7am) slept until about 3:30.

I love my puppy. Dogs are the best.