Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Reviving in Southern Utah


I just had the chance - no I should say that I made the chance - to go to Southern Utah to a National Monument called Natural Bridges. My awesome hubby drove from 1 AM through the night just so we could make the beautiful early morning light since he had to work the evening before.


So, what did we get? A calmness and serenity that I rarely see in my life. And, I got to photograph it. What a gift.
The area is arid, hot and dry. But a small stream runs in a gully a hundred yards or so from the bridge. There, a small pool has formed surrounded by rock. Finding my way around the pool and on to a ledge, I found the shot I knew was right for this place. And then, I sat and listened to the silence that enveloped the place. Life is good.


Thursday, February 5, 2009

Book Cover Draft


February 5, 2009 Book Cover Draft


I work with aspiring novelist, Rob Goble. When he found his book was going to be published, he knew exactly the image he wanted for the cover and who would model. Luckily, for me, he also knew exactly who he wanted to bring that image to life. ME!


Rob wanted an image with a young man reaching out to touch finger tips with a girl who lived next door, through the old window. And while the boy reached out, he also looked away, expressing a reservation with the bond. That vision, along with his daughter, a neighbor and my expertise, brought forth this image which has been mocked up for the upcoming book publishing of A Winter Morning's Sun.


Not too shabby.

Valley of the Gods


January 28, 2009 Valley of the Gods


It was a tremendous experience to see the balloons inflate and rise above the desert floor of Valley of the Gods near Monument Valley, Utah. The air was still with enough of a nip to need gloves. We watched three of the balloons for over an hour, then went up the dirt road to check out the scenery. While we knew there were a few more balloons up the road, we didn't know there were nearly 20! I doubt that I will ever see hot air balloons fly in any more beautiful place than we did that morning.

Trip to Moab


January 28, 2009 Trip to Moab


I was falling apart. I was feeling so isolated, mostly by my own actions, that I was ready to crawl in my shell and rail at everyone around me. But, I've gotten smarter over the years and recognized what was going on. When I told my husband Gred that I wanted to talk to him, I scared him with my intensity, but once he recovered and found that I wanted to take time with him and reconnect while taking pictures, we went along with the trip.


We spent a day in Moab and one in the southeast corner of Utah, watching the Balloon Festival in Valley of the Gods, but most of all, being together. It was wonder! And ther weather wasn't too bad for mid January in the mountains.


Greg and I at Mesa Arch.


Sassy


January 21, 2009 Sassy


Mom and dad are serving am LDS mission in Puerto Rico, so I inherited their dog, Sassy, for a couple of years. Sassy is such a sweetheart. She would love to sit in my lap and cuddle, but obviously is too big for my lap. Instead, she gets the special chair in my room for her own.


This chair belonged to my grandmother. Back in the early '60's when my father was stationed at Fort Ord, we lived with my grandparents for a month. We also attended school; me in 1st grade and my brother in my grandmother's Kindergarten class. Because the California coast often gets fog, the mornings were usually cold in my grandparent's house. The best place to be in the morning was in their papasan chair in front of the fire. I would race to get the chair and would get dressed there in front of the fire.


When my grandparents passed away, among the things I chose to have was the papasan chair. While the cushion has been recovered, it remains much the same and seems an appropriate place for Sassy to call her own while she waits for my parents to return.

Katie's Birthday Portrait


January 14, 2009 Birthday Portrait


Katie, my daughter, had her 14th birthday this week, so I made her pose for a quick protrait. She also go the braces this past week, which she was really jazzed to get. It's funny. We both got our braces at the same time, but she is doing so well with them. Here teeth are hardly sore, the spacers moved her teeth easily and she looks darling in them. Not so with me. Although I look cute, it's not been easy or comfortable. I guess that's what happens when you are "ancient".


Katie and a friend.

Gallery Showing


January 7, 2009 Gallery Showing:


My dad, George "Two Hawks" , has been creating replicas of Crow artifacts since he was a boy. He took off some years after we children came along, but started back up about 35 years ago. He has such a tremendous collection and his craftsmanship is incredible. So, when the opportunity came to showcase some of his work for the Granite School District, I volunteered his work.


This image is just a taste of the exhibit being held at the GEC (Granite Education Center) in Salt Lake City.