Falling for Autumm

How are you spending this warm fall weekend?

Traveling Thursday: Fort Walton Beach

Sunset at Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

I miss the quaint and quiet beach town, like a good old friend.

Patience in Pink

Isn't it amazing how each bud 

Has it's time to bloom?  

That's patience made into something beautiful.  

The wait might seem longer

But soon, your time will come

To bloom.

Hang in there.

An inspiration post for a dear friend.

Little Photo: Show is Over

Don't miss the little precious moments before it's over.

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots 

using the Little Photo mobile app.

Life is Like a Wheel

'Rotation'

Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier, Chicago

A Fine Art Photograph by Sherie Sloane

Life is like a wheel.  Sometimes we're up and sometimes we're at the bottom.  We all agree to that.  But what we seldom realize is that the people we ride with as we go around in our wheels also move along.  Our time with them are just here for the moment and will soon pass.

So take more time to enjoy your journeys with them.  Cheer when you're both up and hold on to each other when you're down.  For not too long, those times will be over.

To all of you who has, and still sharing this wonderful ride with me, Thank You.  You make the views up there even more beautiful.

Little Photo: Fear

We all have one.  What's yours?

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots 
using the Little Photo mobile app.

Friday Feature: Noreen Ang Photography

The Intensity 

by Noreen Ang

 

The Portrait

by Noreen Ang

Z

by Noreen Ang

Surreal and charming doesn't usually come together.  This week's featured artist succeeds in blending the two styles in fine art photography.  Meet Noreen Ang.  A finance professional from Texas who just added 'portrait photographer' in her laurels.  Crunching numbers during the day and snapping award-winning shots in her spare time - talk about maximizing both sides of the brain.  

The Portrait, one of her best take on portraiture, recently caught the eyes of digital photographers and emerged as one of the Finalists in a national photo contest.  My personal favorite is 'Z', a portrait she took of her own baby and favorite model. Everything about it is endearing.  The color contrast, the feel of spontaneity and how it makes one wonder what she's doing (sleeping or playing) is truly an art form.

To learn more about Noreen and her work, please visit her website.

If you want to be featured in The Morning Artist Blog, please drop me a note. 

Friday Feature: Tracey Capone Photography

 From the Loop 

by Tracey Capone

Smoke
by Tracey Capone

Wearable Art
by Tracey Capone

I love photography and how it allows us to capture special moments, places and people.  Taking great photos isn't just about clicking the shutter on a right angle or with perfect lighting.  Composing the right shot, knowing when to take it and how is an art form by itself.  And this is where my fellow Chicago artist and photographer, Tracey Capone excels.  Not only do I love her photographs, but I love her story.  A self-taught photographer who followed her passion after spending a good amount of years plugging away in the corporate world (just like me).  Her works and story are outstanding reminders that it's never too late to chase your dreams and the endless possibilities that will happen with it.

To learn more about Tracey, please visit her blog 'Life Through a Lens'.

If you want to be featured in The Morning Artist Blog, please drop me a note. 

Crustless Vegan Mini Quiche

Crustless Vegan Mini Quiche. 

Roasted asparagus and onion with gruyere cheese and tarragon garnish. I put my muffin pans into good use, aside from making cupcakes.  My own recipe was a success!

Quiche bites for our little boys. 

Tiny versions of vegan roasted asaparagus and onion quiche.

Perfectly paired with home brewed mango peach iced tea. 

I'll post the recipe tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Little Photo: Giant

Have you taken a look at things differently?

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots using the Little Photo mobile app.

Little Photo: Handmade Train

Handmade wood train built by one of our neighbors for his grandchildren.

My boys loved it!  Me too.

The rustic metal bell detail makes this handmade chugger even more interesting.

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots using the Little Photo mobile app.

Little Photo: Breakfast Blossoms

Fresh cut blooms in our breakfast table.  

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots using the Little Photo mobile app.

Little Photo: Road Two

Taken today when I unexpectedly changed course.  It was the serene skies like this that inspired me to try watercolor the first time eleven years ago.

'Little Photo' Series are low resolution, tiny photo snapshots using the Little Photo mobile app.

Blooming

Back to the lenses I go. Here's a quick straight out of the camera (SOTC) shot I took of my niece. She happily posed for this playful shot while we were celebrating her mom's birthday. We pulled out some roses (real ones) from grandma's vase. The blooms complemented the blush in her complexion.

To make this portrait shot interesting, I applied the 'rule of thirds' as I would in a painting. Fill 2/3 of the frame with your subject, find the right lighting (or set up one), then snap away. This was taken in the evening, thus the warm ambient lighting.

Looking at this portrait made me realized how grown up she is now. Years do go by quick indeed. It was just yesterday when she was just a wobbly toddler. Look at her now.

Trail Tales

I love biking and the way it allows me to explore new places. Last weekend, we drove to Geneva and biked along the Fox Riverside Trail.




This is where our adventure brought us to. The historic Fabyan Village, where an old Japanese Tea Garden rests.

How timely for my ongoing 'hundred gardens' project. I can't wait to jump to the seventh painting. Right now, it's time to resume working on the sixth.

But wait, you still have to see the fifth.

- Posted from my iPhone

Hundred Gardens Project

Photographers and Garden Enthusiasts Wanted! Want to see your gardens turn into visual art? Then join the hundred paintings project.

I'm starting a new painting project: 'Hundred Gardens'.

How you can participate: Send me a photo of your garden and I'll paint it. Even if you're not a professional photographer, you may send your digital or scanned photos. You will be given credits if your photo is selected. The artistic the shot is, the better chance it will have to be chosen and painted among the firsts. Let me know which town, state or country your garden is located. Consider it a virtual global garden tour for online viewers to see.

Thanks and I look forward to seeing your beautiful gardens. It's time to show off your green thumbs and let your hard work be seen.

Have a question? Just drop me a line.

Dad

A Father's Day Poem  by Sherie Sloane

Dad and our little man, watching the sunset.

One of my favorite random shot.

Because of you

I am steadfast and strong

Carrying on through the storm

Because of you

I knew right from wrong

Learning when to drift along

Because of you

I found courage in fear

Daring trepidation in tiers

Because of you

I stood up after a fall

Recognizing I never lost it all

Because of you

I triumphed after each loss

Applauding wisdom amidst the cost

Because of you

I am cherished and spirit's free

Living and loving in higher degree

Advance Happy Father's Day to all dads out there.  

I wrote this poem last year, thinking about my own Dad and all the years he stood by us through good times and tough ones.  

Dad, this is for you.  May our love reach you in heaven.  I miss you, we all do.

Feel free to copy the poem (please include author's name) and give it to the special men in your lives.

 

Wordless Wednesday

A Foot Away

Fine Art Photograph

Up Close and Wordless?

Find out more about this photo tomorrow.

What's For Breakfast?

The Artist's Cereal Mix

We started this morning with an 'oh-so-summer' breakfast, packed with lots of flavor and nutrition.  The refreshing colors are so irresistible, I had to take a photo of it.

Want to make yours?  Here's how:

Mix the following in your favorite bowl:

- cup of homemade granola cereal (we got ours from the local French Market)

- walnuts

- raisins and/ or plums

- sliced fresh cantaloupes

- sliced melons

- lastly, pour milk (we added vanilla almond milk for added flavor)

Yum! We love the crunchiness and juiciness in every spoonful. Enjoy your breakfast!  

Let me know how you like it.

Warning:  Not for those who have 'nut' allergies.

What's in the Photo?

Tulips along Michigan Avenue.

Last week, I promised to tell you about the photo I posted for Wordless Wednesday.  Here's the scoop about those beautiful tulips.

After my first mile run during the Mother's Day 5K, I was gasping for air.  Before our little man passed the official 'toddler' mark, I didn't have much time to run.  So, you can imagine the shock in my body when we woke up that day at 5am and announced we're going for a run, a 5K run.

Back to the first mile, I decided to take the very premature breather I was saving for the third mile.  I didn't want to seem too weak, too soon.  So I found my excuse - the lovely rows of tulips along Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.

Mustering a huge smile, I waved to hubby who's strolling the little man in his uber-comfy jogger (we call it 'buggy').  Give me the camera!  These flowers are b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l (spoken lengthily and slowly to emphasize how mesmerized I was).  Come on, I know you do that sometimes too.

I can see the perplexed look in hubby's eyes.  Handing the camera won't be an easy feat, especially with the thickening crowd between us.  We are several feet away by now, so I squeezed myself through the anthill of walkers and runners. Camera on hand, I set to complete my little mission to sneak a 'break'.

Snap.  Wait, this angle is better.  Ooopps, focal point out of scale.  Click.  Hmmmm.  I think this bunch will look better.  

There. Perfect.  Mission accomplished!  Breathe.....