13:365:2011


So much has happened in the last few months... that it is sometimes hard to fathom it all.

In the spirit of sharing... with the intent of perhaps helping someone else... I will be attempting to do some more "heavy" posts. Not all the time, mind you... as that too... would be overwhelming.

But... life is hard sometimes... and if there is some chance that there is a person out there who would potentially benefit from reading about my experiences... so be it.

To that end... I would like to share... that I had a fairly abusive childhood. There was lots of alcoholism, and violence, and more than a share of mental disorders in my family. I am not mentioning this out of pity... but to encourage people that things can be overcome. People do survive. Lives can be changed.

I was fortunate in that ... I married a wonderful man... who does not drink... who is not abusive in any way... and who; in fact.... is very loving and supportive of me. This could easily have not been the case. My first fiance was a fairly heavy drinker, and prone to a violent temper... and it was strictly thru grace that we did not marry.... although I was quite crushed at the time.
As it so happens... I am told that he is now quite happily married... and doing well... and I wish him the very best.
We... as it turns out... were definitely NOT to be... and that is a wonderful thing.
~~~~~

So... how does my photo... relate to the post for today?

Be "ram tough." Buck history if it doesn't fit you and what you want to do in life. Chew up and spit out anything that does not benefit you. And don't let others "get your goat" or take advantage of you. You deserve to be treated well... and with kindness... and compassion... and respect. And like the persevering goat... be joyful... be independent... be strong.


*photo by Elaine A. Russell

12:365:2011


Today was my first "artist date" of the year... one of those special days where I go out and submerse myself in the artistic side of the world. Sometimes I go to bookstores and read all the latest books and magazines... sometimes I wander about doing urban exploration... sometimes I go to museums or see shows...

Last year, I tried to do one at least once a week... that is... when I was actually here in NM. This year, I hope to continue having weekly artist dates... and hope to drag some friends along with me.

So. Today... my daughter and I picked up a friend... and we went roaming about the countryside a bit... driving around the city of Albuquerque a bit... stopping at a plant nursery, a music shop, and at Flying Star for dinner. From there... we spent a leisurely time looking at magazines whilst eating... having great conversation... and got some awesome art inspiration.

And along the way... I took a few photos... and did a few sketches :)



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

11:365:2011


One of my goals for this year, is to clean out my garage. Yes, I know. I've said it before.

My garage (like so many people's) tends to be the massive dumping ground for just about everything that comes into this house. Now... it is not "piled to the sky" or at a "Hoarders" level... but it is certainly too disorganized for my comfort level... which is all that really matters I guess.

One of the issues... is that I used to have a studio space *away from home*.... and thru one thing or another... everything ended up back in my garage. This is actually good, as I can access it whenever I feel the urge to make something... but it is also bad... as it is in complete disarray... and I can't find things (---> very frustrating).

Fortunately, I was once a professional organizer... so there is hope on the horizon. That said... it's also harder to go thru your own stuff as opposed to someone else's. It'll get there.

In the meantime... I began sorting out some of the stuff today... lots of which will (no doubt) end up on either Freecycle or on Etsy... stay tuned...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

10:365:2011


Relationships are hard. All too often, one person will sacrifice their beliefs, their ideals, their goals ... in favor of the other's. They think they are helping... or being kind... or even being selfless. But I think, more often than not... they end up losing their sense of self. Not gracious... not giving... just lost and a mere shadow of what they used to be. Oftentimes, resentment is a companion feeling to this sense of loss.

There aren't many examples today where there is genuine give and take in a relationship. Where one person truly cares as much for the other, as they are cared for by the other. It is sad.
All too often... we see a "what's in it for me" response.

Just look at a news segment... and you will have an instant reminder of the worst that humanity has to offer. Perhaps I am an idealist... but I think that NOW more than ever... we need to get back to simple kindness. Looking out for each other. Helping each other. And not because we might get some kind of reward... but because it's the right thing to do.

Tonight we all went out for dinner at the Route 66 Malt Shop here in ABQ. It was freezing balls out... and yet... there were instances when gentlemen still held open doors for "their girl" instead of rushing in for warmth... where waitresses were helpful and nice... where cooks sat down and chatted... where pleasant conversation was shared around a good meal.



...kindness matters... simplicity happens... love abounds... ((spread it around))


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

9:365:2011


Sometimes no matter how great your intentions are... things change... things evolve... situations fall apart. Today I woke up to some tragic news... and yet... perhaps... there will eventually be a silver lining in it all. I can't go into details right now... suffice it to say that things are going to be intense for awhile.

And in other news... I guess I should pay more attention to my "gut" instincts... as this black cloud that has surrounded me for the previous 3 days... had been sort of a premonition of things to come... and lifted as soon as the info slapped me in the face (so to speak)...

That said... I am ever hopeful... and concentrating on the positive... (and wasn't tonight's moon glorious?)...


*photo by Elaine A. Russell

8:365:2011


It's day 3 in a row of this amazingly negative energy cloud that seems to have engulfed me in it's snares.


First it was the news... sporting dismaying stories of dead birds, manatees, crab...
Then it was the incident yesterday at a local shop... people highly on edge and taking it out on innocent bystanders... spewing hatred and venom everywhere...
And now today... with the news of shootings and death in Arizona.

I am shocked and dismayed at today's news. It's not that these things don't happen every day. In fact... I am more in shock because these things DO indeed happen every day. It's like we as a human race have gotten so very far away from the good that we could be doing... and we are lost and confused.

It's like we, as a population... seem to be spinning out of control...

~~~

I feel like (for me at least)... it is time to take a huge step back... rest. Clear the air. Say some prayers. Think good thoughts. It's time to throw something positive back out and into the world.


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

7:365:2011


Sometimes it's the littlest of things that can throw you off. Today I had the misfortune of being on the receiving end of what I can only assume was some one's very bad day. Apparently, in this particular person's life... manners are an option. And my encounter with this person threw me completely off... and basically ruined my evening. That said... as I was reeling from that experience... I had to stop at a different place on my way home, and encountered a simply wonderful person who went out of their way to be nice.

And it got me thinking. How is it that one seemingly small incident... can really change your whole outlook on something. Now... it had gotten me so upset... that I allowed it to ruin an otherwise great day out. And... that certainly is my fault. I had absorbed so much of this person's bad energy and hatred... and it so effected me.

Thinking back on it... there was nothing I could have done to have avoided the situation... but I definitely could have done better about my reaction to it.

Life is short. In fact, too short to allow other people to hurt me in this fashion... especially from a complete stranger. The "good" part is... as I was mostly unaware of the situation until after the fact... I did not react to this person's drama at all at the time... this situation could easily have escalated if I had known comments were directed at me... and lashed back.

I have always been a sort of "emotional sponge"... picking up on other people's energy all too easily.
I think part of becoming more mindful (*my word for the year)... is to not only be aware of other people around me so that I can avoid certain situations and drama... but also to be aware of when I get upset... IE: is this my emotion... or something I am getting from someone else.
Then... I can take a step back... clear the air... clear the potentially negative energy... and move on. Knowing that
a. if the situation IS due to a fault of mine... I can rectify whatever I have done... OR
b. if this is something I have no control or responsibility for... move on. Let it go.


And on a completely separate note.... the other night I was visiting Old Towne... and was fortunate enough to get these photos (just above.. and just below). The top photo is from my drive in Placitas the other day...
As a tie-in... they are all "blue"... and remind me tonight that I can't let other people get me down (or blue)...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

6:365:2011


I am not a horrifically politically oriented person, although once upon a time I did participate in a march on White House grounds... and talk before the Senate.

I am not a horrifically religious person... although I am very spiritually oriented, and have a strong belief system.

I am not prone to rants and raves... and yet... something has got to be done. Perhaps it is too late.
I am distressed beyond measure about the bees... the manatees... the fish... the crab... and the massive flocks of birds that have been dying in record number across the world. More so in the past few years.

It could be pollution, HAARP theories, radiation, sonic waves, some kind of weird experimentation or testing... who knows. It may just be as "simple" as man being so egotistical as a species ... that everything else is just running out of room and life by our own greed and consumption.
Who knows.
The point is... it's gotta stop. We must all be motivated to do what we can to limit our degradation of the world. We must take to heart, the re-use... re-purpose... recycle... mindset. To change our way of thinking... to change our way of living... to accomodate ALL living things.


Light a candle... say a prayer... do something pro-active.



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

5:365:2011


Today I helped a friend move to the fabulous town of Placitas.
Old Placitas is a fantastic village... and if you ever get the chance... it's a "must see" kind of place.
That said... I didn't have the opportunity to take any photos until I was on my way home... and it was very quickly getting dark.
So... here are a few from the ride home...♥



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

4:365:2011


From sunrise (above)... to sunset (below)... I am trying to be more mindful of my surroundings. With being sick... it has been doubly hard, in the sense that my sleeping hours are really jumbled... and when I am awake... I am exhausted... so I don't always get much of anything done. It can be very frustrating... especially on those days when I feel like my only accomplishment for the day is feeding the dogs...

This morning, however, I was up early-- as I wanted to say "so long for now... and safe travels"... to a dear friend who is moving out of state. I wish him the very best life has to offer. And while I will miss him; it is incredible to me how he is taking life "by the horns" ... and moving to a dream location... no job, no preconceived notions, no phone, and very little money... and traveling only with what he can stuff in his car. I have complete and utter faith that he will not only be OK... but that he will somehow blossom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And in other news... I was contacted by a fellow 365 Project photographer... and thru a series of emails... am featured on this blogpost in recognition for completing my 2nd Photo-A-Day project.
How cool is that?!

Rest well my friends... and safe journeys wherever you roam...


*photos by Elaine A. Russell

2:365:2011


A friend got me started on the idea of picking a word to focus on each year... and last year my word was potential. I thought it was an innocent word... one that could only highlight the good in life... and it did... but like so much in life... it was very, very much more.

Potential... was me realizing that no matter the situation (good and bad)... that I could survive...perhaps even rise... above whatever was going on.
Potential was... getting acknowledgement of my photography... and my "coming out" as an artist.
Potential was... almost a "letting go" of everything I had learned or experienced... and making way for the new and different.


This year... my word is mindfulness.

According to Wiki... mindfulness is:

*bringing one’s complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis
*or involves ... paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally
*or involves... a kind of non-elaborative, nonjudgmental, present-centered awareness in which each thought, feeling, or sensation that arises in the attentional field is acknowledged and accepted as it is
*and always invites... curiosity, openness, and acceptance


And so... with a thought towards mindfulness and being more aware of one's surroundings... the daughter and I headed off to Old Towne late at night... to absorb all that it is. The cold... the crisp air... the cooing of sleeping doves... the sacredness of the San Felipe de Neri church.... the whiteness of the holiday lights glowing in the darkness... the sound of the older man walking his dog in the park... the rush of traffic on Route66 only a block away... the smell of snow in the air...



*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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

BONUS POST

As a New Year's Eve BONUS...
I am including an extra post that shows a simple video of the photographs
I have on display at CCMH in Coudersport, PA.
(sort of an Ultimate Sneak Peak!)

This is the solo photography show I worked on and submitted earlier this month.
All of the photographs were taken this year, in and around Coudersport, PA... my hometown.


All proceeds from the sales of any photographs will be directly donated to
the Patterson Cancer Care Center in Coudersport
... in loving memory of my sister and my father... who have both passed away due to cancer...


May CANCER someday be a disease of the past...


365:365


Today, I was fortunate enough to be able to see Bodies: The Exhibition here at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The show is continuing on thru January 9th, so if you happen to be able to go... GO.

This is not a show for the faint of heart... as it shows several dozen bodies in various states of dismemberment and scientific preservation... in order to highlight different body systems, organs, and functions. As a former nurse, this was obviously not a factor for me... or for the people I went to see the show with. For me, it was glorious... and stupendous... and awesome... and definitely a work of art. Each figure was displayed with dignity and grace. Docents gave tons of information, as well as the Exhibit providing audio guides, and having knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions.

So... here are some "Sneak Peaks" into the Exhibit... courtesy of some pics I found on the Internet...




364:365


Life is full of irony...

I went out and about in the late afternoon to pick up an item off of Freecycle... and had to stop and get some dog food and such... so I stopped at a small "catch-all" type of Mart in a somewhat seedy part of town. Walking in... it was a visual feast... especially compared to the very drab and grey-with-barred-windows.. and door-only-slightly ajar... exterior.
Inside... were brightly colored pinatas... next to canned food... next to cheap Barbie knock-offs... which were next to the pot pipes and various tobaccos...

As I was getting my items (and chatting with the very nice clerk)... a gangster wanna-be looking youth came in... sheepishly carrying a dozen beautiful roses ("for my moms" he said)... while he casually asked another guy about buying a small machine gun. Yes... machine gun. I will assume a toy one.

Life is strange... and wonderful. Like today... when I went to get some chicken wings for dinner... picked up my weekly ALIBI newspaper... and discovered I was the "Shutterbug" photo winner for the week... this always surprises me... but really makes me happy :)

And tomorrow... I am going to see the BODIES Exhibit here in ABQ. It was commented to me that it was interesting how I was going to see an exhibit full of dead bodies... at the dead end of the year... and how ironic it was that those bodies lived on... past their time... and how things are beginning again soon with the new year... and it was all so ironic ... and interesting... and strange... and wonderful.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

363:365


I have only 2 more days until the end of this year's Photo A Day Project.
It's hard to believe that I am almost done with 2010. I also did one in 2009; so I am officially finishing up 2 years worth... and I am eager to start a 3rd year in 2011.
I can't say that I like all the photos I have taken... in fact... there are several that I downright dislike... but some days are like that. And, conversely, there are ones that I really love...

So what have I learned from all this?

  • that "the best camera is the one you have with you"... really is true. It doesn't matter the mega pixels... or the lens... or the gadgets... heck... you can even take great shots with a Polaroid (or a Kodak point and shoot)...
  • that it is most important to be doing something YOU LOVE ...
  • that art/ photography... can help you thru most anything (illness, travel, death, marriage, babies, money problems... etc)
  • that you can find beauty in everything if you look hard enough
  • that there are moments in my life that I really don't see or pay attention to... those quiet understated moments that I would otherwise have neglected if I hadn't been paying attention more by taking photos... I guess... to be more mindful... if you will...

--and so very much more. I hope you have enjoyed the shots... and I hope you will stay with me for another round in 2011...


For links to my photos from 2010... look HERE
*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

362:365



...please join me in ... lighting a candle... saying a prayer... sending healing thoughts
... and surrounding my friend, Allegra, with white light...
Allegra is a wonderful, delightful, caring soul that I met thru her blog... and she is gravely ill.
...please also send warm, and caring thoughts to her husband and family...


see more here...


*photo by Elaine A. Russell

361:365


I know I've mentioned it before... but I LOVE GRAFFITI...
murals... art... spray paint... the works...
And here is some awesome work I saw whilst
wandering about downtown a few days ago...




*photos by Elaine A. Russell

360:365


I have been procrastinating writing this post... because I'm sorta at a loss as to what to say.
I am humbled... and thankful; as today is my "anniversary" of sorts... having written this blog, every day... for 2 full years now. I hope you are enjoying it.... THANK YOU so much for reading.

When I first started writing this blog... I really didn't expect it to last. I figured... that I would run out of things to say... or just sound like an idiot... and it would fade into the sunset. Over time... it carried me thru alot. My kids graduating... my son getting married... gaining a grandchild... starting and running a gallery.... leaving the gallery... starting an Etsy store... more or less "coming into my own" as an artist... focusing on my photography... getting published!... winning awards... having shows... traveling...traveling some more... and traveling even more... my parents being sickly... my father getting cancer... and passing away... It's all been so much. Thru it all... has been my wonderful hubby (BAJ), my awesome kids and fur faced kiddos... my faith... my friends... my photography... and this blog (and all the wonderful people I have "met" on-line here).

The blog too... has evolved. Featuring some original Haiku... "Sneak Peaks" into local art shows/ venues/ galleries... my 365 Photo A Day Project... and tabs and links to other places you can see my stuff...

And so... as we enter a 3rd year... I am taking suggestions from you... the readers.
Is there anything you would like to see more of or have featured?


*photos by Elaine A. Russell