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(photo by Elaine A. Russell)



I often have very vivid dreams. As a kid/ teen/ young adult... I often had premonitions that came to me in my dreams. This came to an abrupt end; when a close friend passed away in a horrible fire...
just as I had dreamed only a few hours previously.

And so... as a result... I tend to have these very vivid dreams...
but they fade from memory almost as soon as I wake up. Gone. Lost.

Last night I actually remembered part of a dream... probably only because I was relaying it to my daughter as soon as I got up. It revolved around talking to this guy about art. I was in this pagoda type building... in a park... talking to someone casually about art and having this as my "calling." For some reason... I had 3 dogs with me *2 of which are dogs that I had in the past who have since passed on*... and my little Sabrina. All of the sudden, there was some chaos in the park. A "gang" of people had come to the area; sporting a cheetah on a leash. They were scooping up several roaming pets and dragging them off to a nearby house... drugging them... and letting them back loose as "sport" for their cheetah to chase and kill. I immediately began frantically searching for my dogs... focusing mainly (ironically?)... on Sabrina... the one pet who is in actuality... still alive. Finding her in the clutches of one of the people trying to drug her ... I smashed into the house... fearlessly punching 2 guys in the face, not even frazzled by the snarling cheetah... and rescuing my puppy.

I woke up in a cold sweat.

Relaying the dream... my daughter remarked that I seemed focused on the scary aspects of the dream... the cheetah... the fear of losing my dog, etc. She instead, seemed interested in the symbolic interpretation of me talking about art as my "calling"... and "punching" any nay-sayers who may be dissuading me...facing imminent failure... or harm... to rescue myself and those I love... for a lifestyle I wanted. I never saw that coming. But I think she is right.
Sometimes, as with the dream... it is all a matter of perspective. So...


Change your view... realize your potential... spread your wings... and FLY...

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One of the things that I think held me back artistically for a long time... was this preconceived notion I had, that to be an artist you had to specialize in something. ONE thing.
As in... I make jewelry. Or... I carve walking sticks. Or... I am a photographer.

Well... that is not me. Perhaps I have schizophrenic tendencies... but I feel like I wear alot of different hats. I am a photographer. Yes, I also draw. Oh... and I have been making jewelry since 1995. And... well... I have quilted and done embroidery of all kinds since the 70's. Plus.. wait... I have studied herbology and know how to make all kinds of potions and lotions that would make my Irish gypsy ancestors proud (I hope). I believe in recycling and re-purposing items... and incorporate them into all kinds of paper goods, mixed media, collage and more.

So where did that leave me?! Be it good or bad... this notion was also supported by several other artists I knew ... and it sort of re-enforced this idea ... which meant in my little brain... that I must not really be an artist. I was simply someone who liked to do alot of different stuff... but didn't really excel at much of anything.

Well. For those of you who may be reading this and wondering... yes, you can be an artist... and STILL do alot of different kinds of art/ craft.
And so... I bring you... samples of some of my "stuff"...


...jewelry (beading, wire-wrapping, metal fabrication, resin, altered and more)... and prayer beads of all faiths...


... all kinds of recycled paper goods such as envelopes, collage, mixed media, and more...


...making birdhouses, birdfeeders, and carved walking sticks...


...crochet... needlework... and quilting...
OH! ... and I like to take pictures :)


((all photos by Elaine A. Russell -- except the last one... which was taken by BAJ))

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I am an artist

to the very core of my being.

I love to look at art...

I love to make art...

I even love to talk about art.

(and as soon as I am feeling better... you betcha I am gonna be knee-deep in it again)
((some days ... I'm just "happy to be here..."))

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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One of the other articles I came across when looking at all the "keys to success" information out there on the internet... was an interesting piece by a creative life coach. The interesting part for me, was how some people can actually sort of sabotage their own success in life because deep down they believe they are not "worthy" of success.

I know, I know... but the more I thought about it... the more it made sense. In fact... it really made sense.

"Lack of self-love, self-acceptance and self-appreciation are issues that affect a majority of the population. I believe this is a silent epidemic. Nobody wants to admit that they don’t love themselves. Unfortunately, too many people have taken on other people’s negative observations and judgments about themselves and made them their own.

In addition, for many people, there can be a huge gap between the image they have of themselves and the image they present to the world. This gap leads to disharmony and creates constant tension within the person. They sit and wait for the bottom to fall out and the world to discover how defective or inadequate they really feel. "

Now... I am not a shrink... and I do not play one on TV... *he he*.... but there is a sort of logic to this. If I try hard to do things that will lead me towards my goals... and yet... deep down... I don't really feel like I deserve it... then it is bound to fail. Call it "sending out mixed signals"... or whatever...

The life coach goes on to describe how she feels that you can have a more positive/ accurate picture of who you really are... so that you don't sabotage yourself... but there are lots of avenues a person could take to discover their true self. Here again... it seems to be a matter of introspection... and really thinking and being honest with yourself; about yourself. OR... talk to someone you trust to give you honest feedback about how you present yourself.

For me... I know that I have a somewhat *poor* self esteem... that is not shocking news. What was sort of shocking though was that my poor image could actually have an impact on the success of some of my ventures. ... food for thought...


*photo by Elaine A. Russell

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Looking at yet another article on "how to succeed"... I noticed that it outlined several steps. Now... I really don't know if I completely agree with all of them per se... but in a nutshell... here they are:

1. Positive thinking. Lots of plans that plot avenues to take towards success in life tout the importance of positive thinking. In fact; the whole SECRET phenomenon wraps itself around the power of intention... which is similar. Now... this is not to say that you should become blind to the reality of the situation at hand.

2. Stay fit. The article states the importance of eating as well as you can afford... and exercising regularly. Nuf said.

3. Upgrade your value. This one talks about increasing your own value by continuing education in your chosen field... constantly trying to improve your techniques, etc. Not sure I feel like my self-worth is wrapped up in my education or talents alone... but ... I do understand the importance of continuing to improve and learn.

4. Evaluate the status quo. I think this one goes back to step #1... where you get the occasional reality check so to speak...

5. Take action. Ie: success won't come to you... you have to go out and get it. And if you really really want it... you will keep going after it.

6. Persist. As in try, try, again.


Looking thru these articles... has been a learning process for me. It's not that the information is new to me... in fact... alot of it is simply common sense. However, what I did learn was from taking these concepts to heart... and really sitting down and applying them to my current situation and figuring out how that applies to ME. NoW.


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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OK. Now you've broken your goal down into a list of "easy" tasks. Now comes the relatively hard part (at least for me)... which is staying motivated and energized enough to get the tasks done.

Accoring to one website; now is when you nee to call in your reserves of:

1. Determination and Commitment
2. Will and Desire
3. Do and Dare
4. Vision
5. Go-get-it-ness

And... you also need to be prepared to cut yourself some slack. Allow yourself to "fail." Several of the articles make a point of mentioning how crucial failure can be if you allow it. After all, you have to stumble and fall a grazillion times before you actually learn to walk... why would this be any different? Rare is the person who actually gets things perfect "straight out of the gate."
So ... allow yourself to slip a little... slide a little... fall into the abyss a little if it happens... just remember to get back up and TRY AGAIN.


(photo by Elaine A. Russell)

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OK... So... you have an idea of how you define success for you in your life.
You know what you want to do... but how to do it?

First... set a goal. It could be just a small one at first... say... I want to get "project x" done.
Break it down. What are the little steps that lead up to getting this project done?
I make a list...

For example (I have used my latest solo show project at CCMH in PA as an example):

1. select photos for the project
2. print photos ( can be further broken down... get ink, get paper, make sure printer is working)
3. cut mattes ( get matte board, find cutter, get ruler )
4. Package products ( get paper, archival tape, archival sleeves, boxes, cover sheet, etc)
5. mail (get insurance)


Things always seem much more manageable once you break it down...
(photos by Elaine A. Russell)

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“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.” ~ John Wooden

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what success means to me.” ~ Steve Jobs

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be” ~ George Sheehan

~~~~~

But wait... let's go back a minute. What is success?
According to Wikipedia... Success may mean, but is not limited to:

-a level of social status
-achievement of an objective/goal
-the opposite of failure

~~~~~


Basically... there are as many definitions and markers of what is successful... as there are different kinds of donuts. ie: ALOT.

So... how do you determine what success means to you? That is the real question. And it definitely takes some thought. Do you measure success by the dollars in your checking account? By the number of people you help on a day to day basis? By how many times you are published? By who collects your work? or by how many galleries you are featured in?

Think about it. Long and hard. This will ultimately steer you in the direction of your goal. For instance... if you measure success by having a photo featured in National Geographic Magazine... then you set your goal around the ultimate prize of getting published in an oncoming issue. The steps to that, then lay themselves out in a clear and logical pattern towards submission of a great photo and hopeful acceptance for publication.

If your definition of success revolves around a more *cough* balanced checking account... then... there are steps that one would logically follow in increasing your marketing exposure... the number of people who are able to view and purchase your product... and making the best possible product that will be wanted by the most amount of people.

Or is it: being able to do what you love AND make a little money? This is a little more complicated... but certainly do-able in the grand scheme of things. It will take a little more tweaking of your goals so that there is a balance between making money... and making time for doing what you love...but it can be done.


Assignment #1: What does success mean to you...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Seems like we are all moving on towards something... even if we don't always really know what that something is. I have a dear friend who is moving away. And while I don't want her to move... I completely understand why she is. Things are not working out for her here in New Mexico, and she feels it is time to move on. She is moving towards her goals.

And so I began to think about what success is... and what makes one successful. (...because I believe she will be successful in what she wants to do... no matter where that takes her).

1. First of all... you need to have a goal. Without a goal... we just wander through life... and perhaps that is enough... but for those of you for whom it's not...

Various motivational speakers will lay out a plan on how to proceed from there. All day... off and on... I have been perusing the net looking at some of these sites, and through some books I have in my own library... and I have narrowed things down to a few steps that they all seem to ((mostly)) agree on.

And so... over the next few days... I hope to lay out some of those ideas. How to succeed... what does success mean to you... how does one proceed towards what really wants in life... (as noted by these various motivational experts and authorities on the subject)...

SO... first. Pick a goal. What is it you really want to achieve? As artists and lovers of life... sometimes we can be spread way too thin by enjoying way to much... and perhaps even... by being talented in way too much... that we can't decide what it is we actually want. This may actually be the hardest part of the whole thing. So .... think about it. Make sure it is the right thing for you. Make sure it fits in with your lifestyle, your particular talents, your true desires...but... pick a goal. Big or small.



((the photos for today's post are based on the theme: Planes, trains, and automobiles. All photos I took over the past year or so. I picked them because they seemed to speak on "moving on" in life. Metaphorically... and perhaps even... in reality))

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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It always amazes me how quickly the Christmas season comes upon us. It seems like every year it comes as soon as the Halloween decorations are barely off the shelves. I could blame all the hype that is thrown at us via the media about shopping and buying... and whatever... in fact, I do remember seeing commercials for Christmas back in October...

...but I think it also has to do with the fact that time for me this year has gone by very, very quickly. Time has simply flown by in alot of areas... that it is hard to imagine that it is already nigh unto December here.

And so... today ... as we sat around and talked about things we were grateful for this year (and there was alot)... I also wanted to mention how grateful I am that we are doing our best as a family to avoid all the hype that is the holiday season to come. We have pledged again this year to make as many of the gifts as we can... and buy what we can't make from local sellers as much as we are able to. Not only will it be a benefit to those local families who own stores and work so very hard to keep afloat... but it also gives us the "warm fuzzies" to know we are doing what we can to re-use, re-purpose, and re-cycle... as well as make some really cool stuff.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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This week I have been writing about thankfulness... and ... it is no surprise that my daily thoughts have revolved around what I am grateful for. Yesterday I mentioned a few of the "little things" that I am grateful for... but today... I wanted to mention some of the "big things"...


Five BIG things I am thankful for:

1. LOVE... unconditional and all encompassing.
2. Faith... and the opportunity to worship any way I choose.
3. Compassion and kindness. From friends and family... and from perfect strangers.
4. Imagination and Creativity... a spark in my soul that will not be quenched.
5. Grace and Forgiveness.... cuz we all screw up.


About the photos for today's post: The top photo is of the outside of a Catholic Church here in downtown ABQ. The photo shows just the one corner of the church... but I love the way the Saints are fixed on the corners of the outside of the building.

The last photo, is of a statue in the gardens of another Catholic church in the town of Los Lunas, NM. A friend was kind enough to point it out to me... and I am very grateful.

I love taking religious themed photographs...

and I love to read about various religions, faiths and traditions from all over the world.



((*photos by Elaine A. Russell)

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Who does not thank for little, will not thank for much.--Estonian Proverb


Sometimes it's hard to notice the "little things" in life to be grateful for... until something happens to them. For instance... taking the dryer for granted until the heating element suddenly quits working... and then you realize how very much you use your dryer... and how nice it is to have one that works. Just an example... but it happened to us earlier this year... and now every time I do a load of laundry... I am thankful for my washer and dryer and the fact that they work.

And so... here are FIVE "little things" I am grateful for today:
1. heat. I am grateful for a working heating system in my house... and in my car.
2. adequate plumbing. Toilets that flush... sinks that drain... faucets that shower me with fresh water.
3. electricity. Lights that allow me to work late at night... a refrigerator that keeps my food from spoiling.
4. fresh air.
5. fresh foods available at my local stores... many of it organic. I am so grateful for the farmers who provide me with great local produce.


And so... the top photo is from Los Poblanos... where tons of fresh produce is gently farmed and gathered for local people to buy. And the bottom two photos are from Trader Joe's... a local (fantastic) chain of shops where I can get lots of fresh, organic... healthy, whole foods.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is thursday... already. This year has been so very full of chaos... and growth... and loss... and well... everything...

In honor of Thanksgiving (*also known in our house as the forgotten holiday)... I will be posting on topics such as thankfulness and gratefulness this week.

FIVE things I am grateful for this year:
1. that my family is safe and well and happy. I love you BAJ, kids, and little Sophia...
2. that we have shelter... food ... and the perks of living in a country where it is safe to live as we please
3. fresh coffee and fresh flowers in the house
4. freedom to make art... no matter what the subject matter
5. my lovely little Sabrina.. who brightens every single day for me


The photos for today's post... are ones I took back in April when I was in PA. I had gone to the Recycle Center over in Gold, PA... and there was this awesome little farm right on the "main drag" there in town. Right by the road, was a small-ish pen that had a male turkey and a few gorgeous ducks. He was stunning... and I took that golden opportunity to take a few photos of him. And no... I don't want to even think about if he is still there today...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Tonight is the full moon for the month of November. Looking on-line; there are some who call this the True Blue Moon... although a "blue moon" generally refers to a full moon that happens for the second time during the course of the month.

According to one on-line source:..."This Taurus Full Moon, the second in our current series at 29 degrees, is asking you to look at what is of true value in your life. It is about your material environment and how that enhances your sense of self or diminishes you. It is about your sense of self worth and how you feel empowered in your life. It is about identifying what your inner talents are and releasing any blocks that prevent you from expressing your creative gifts. Ask yourself am I ready to release whatever stops me from being fully my Soul Essence Self? Am I ready to release what no longer supports my Divine Path?"

And yet another source; refers to this full moon as the Full Beaver Moon. Historically, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

In any case... it appears (at least for me)... to be a time of reflection... a time for releasing all the unnecessary things from my life (perhaps even this damned pneumonia?!)... and embracing the fully creative person I am becoming.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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I find that I am good for about an hour... and then I am pretty much useless for the rest of the day/evening/night. It is very frustrating. But... it is alse teaching me what is of a priority in my life at the moment... or not, as the case may be.

Over the past several days... I have discovered that I can basically do the minimum around the house (wash a few dishes, feed the dogs, throw some clothing in the washer), and take a shower... and that is usually it.

I have continued to take my photos for the "photo a day" challenge... but I have also discovered that with the massive "virus attack" on the laptop... I lost 2 full days worth of photos that I had downloaded and edited on my laptop... most of them being from the UNM/ downtown area when the daughter and I went out for lunch. Murals... and art ... and... ah well. There is only so much I can do. Fortunately, there were a couple of photos still on my little Kodak...


Thankfully... I have some very supportive friends and family... who are willing to help me with the slack around the house ... and I am very grateful for that.

Photos for today's post were all taken at Octopus Car Wash... while I was getting Roxanne (the Jeep) a thorough cleaning...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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*photo by Elaine A. Russell


One of the first photos I ever sold was this photo (above). I took this photograph on an early morning in 1986, just after a very heavy snowfall that came earlier than usual that year. The photo features a snow covered dirt road, that led to the home of one of my favorite people... her name was Ruth.

Scenes like this have always inspired me... and I was fortunate to have grown up around some of the most beautiful countryside on this planet. Taking photographs, for me; was always an attempt to try to convey to other people the way I feel about places like this... and it is still what I strive for in my photography today.



((and in other news ... BAJ is making progress on the whole laptop virus tragedy))

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I have always taken photos. I think I was around 6 years old when I was "elected" as the family photographer. My dad was the only other person really inclined to take pictures, and he had a habit of cutting people accidentally out of the shots... and so...

Over the years, I used a vintage Brownie Hawkeye, a Polaroid Instant camera, a pocket Kodak that took 126 film... and when I graduated from Nursing School; one of the first things I bought was a Ricoh 35mm film camera with a short zoom lens. It was awesome.

That first fall working as a nurse; I took my parents on a vacation to Nova Scotia, Canada. It was a spur of the moment kind of trip... and one I will always remember. Nova Scotia is gorgeous. Simply stunning. There is this feeling of being on the edge of the world there... and it is breathtaking.


Some of the photos from that trip are some of the first photos I ever sold... and it was really the beginning of my freelance career as a photographer. The scenery, and the fabulous results I was getting from the camera spurred me on to study more... and led me to eventually get a diploma from the NYI of Photography.
And so... I thought I would show a couple of the photos from that trip here...((and in the meantime.... BAJ is still working at trying to get my laptop fixed... so... stay tuned...))

**photos by Elaine A. Russell

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I believe things happen for a reason. As of today; I have been home a month from my last visit to PA. In that 4 weeks... so very much has happened; that it is sometimes hard to fathom.

The intention was... that as soon as I got back home here to ABQ... that I was going to decide on photos for a solo show in PA... get them printed and matted... and sent off. And yet... it seems as though the universe has conspired against me on it. Seems like everything that can go wrong... has gone wrong... and I haven't been able to get it done. I am now 2 weeks late in getting the items mailed... and it bothers me no end. I absolutely detest being late on anything... and so this really bothers me.

That said... I am determined NOT to let this overwhelm me... and to get everything done and in the mail in the next day or so. It is late. It is sad and unfortunate... and yet.. there is nothing that can be done about it except to plod on at this point and hope that the powers that be are OK with it.



The latest fiasco in this process is that my computer suddenly got violated with a virus ... and none of my photos were accessible. In fact... I was frantic that they were lost forever. 3 days later... that is fixed and they are recovered... ( BAJ IS AWESOME)... but there is something still wrong with my laptop and I have no Internet capabilities (except when I can use someone else's computer).

and ... apparently my pneumonia is worse... and I am now on a new antibiotic.



And so... I am unable to access any of my digital photos to publish on my blog... and I am unable to update my photo for the year project photos on-line... although I am still taking photos.
I will get caught up eventually.

In the meantime; I found these photos I had taken of my son when he was very little... and those are my photos for today's blog post. Proof that:
a. he was... and continues to be ... adorable
b. that I have always been a photographer down to my soul
c. that life indeed does go on... even when you get bogged down in the muck of everyday existence and the foils of "stuff"...


* all photos by Elaine A. Russell

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I wish this was my photo of the day... but it's not. I actually took this photo back in April, on one of my trips to PA. It was taken at the Gold General Store (in Gold, PA)... and this gorgeous nest was sitting on a window sill near the front door.


According to Wikipedia... "A nest is a place of refuge to hold an animal's eggs and/or provide a place to live or raise offspring. They are usually made of some organic material such as twigs, grass, and leaves; or may simply be a depression in the ground, or a hole in a tree, rock or building. Human-made materials, such as string, plastic, cloth, hair or paper, may be used.

Generally each species has a distinctive style of nest. Nests can be found in many different habitats. They are built primarily by birds, but also by mammals (e.g. squirrels), fish, insects (e.g. wasps and termites) and reptiles (e.g. snakes and turtles).

The urge to prepare an area for the building of a nest is referred to as the nesting instinct and may occur in both mammals and birds."

I have found, being so sick as of late, that I am in some form of nesting pattern myself.

I want to gather myself in a place of refuge... protected from all the elements and the world outside. I want to be safe, warm and happy... and watch the world from a distant perch...



(photo by Elaine A. Russell)