Let me give you an outline ...

I seem to be off on a mannequin tangent of late. Today's photograph is of a head and a hat, but I liked the pattern cast on the mannequin's face by the sun through the weave of the hat. Then I threw on an outline effect filter. I rather like it.

So, I also applied the outline effect filter to a photograph of some shoes I shot in a thrift shop. I love how it makes the leopard pattern pop, and the infusion of blue.

I also had four of my Etsy photographs featured in Etsy Treasuries, which I've listed below, if you're of a mind to click on the links and check them out for yourself.

August 31, 2011 (oh my gosh! The LAST day of August!)

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTI4NzYwOXw2NTIxODM5MzA/music-to-my-ears

Music to My Ears (in commemoration of Itzhak Perlman’s birthday)

Curator: Lee Davis at http://www.catatmyfeet.etsy.com/

Photo:“Violin Repair Shoppe”

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTQ3NTA0MXw2Mzg3NTU2NzE/white-on-white?index=0

White on White

Curator: http://www.valeriephoto.etsy.com/

Photo: “White on White”

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTU2MjI0M3w2NDI3MjEwOTk/affordable-beach-front-property?index=0

Affordable Beachfront Property

Curator: http://www.purefections.etsy.com/

Photo: “One Eyed Seagull”

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTMwMTQ2MTl8NjQ2NTM5MTQy/autumn-delights

Autumn Delights

Curator: http://www.ajspatterns.etsy.com/

Photo: “Blue Birds Yellow Leaves”

But ... what does it mean?

I thoroughly enjoy photographing all things. I look at the world around me and I photograph. Sometimes a subject is chosen because it's lovely or pretty. We live in a gorgeous world!

Other times, I photograph something because it may exemplify the opposite of pretty. The viewer reacts. If we see pretty all of the time, might we become jaded, take beauty for granted and our reaction to it dull?

Most of the time, my eye is captured by patterns, repetition. And that's fun to an extent, until I think, "Another pattern? Really? So what?"

But, my favorite thing to photograph is the "What does it mean?" It makes the viewer stop and take another look. Today's photograph is one of those images for me. I started to write a description to include here with the photo, breaking down the whys and wherefores, and what motivated me to create an image of it. But, I deleted it. Just look at the photograph, without my judgment to color or affect your judgment.

Drop me an e-mail and tell me what YOU think about this photograph. Does it appeal to you? Are you confused or put off by it? What does it make you think, or do you simply reject it without a reason? Do you like it? Would you hang it in your living room over your sofa? (sorry ... inside joke) Does any story or scenario come to mind? Does it make you laugh? Does it creep you out? Are you totally unaffected by it? Reply with your suggestion for the title.

Day 242 ... But, what does it mean?





Day 241 and an hour or so at Spokane River

I miss daily walks along the beach in Birch Bay. There are small lakes I can drive to from my residence here in Spokane, and there's the Spokane River, but I'm spoiled. I have to get into my truck, drive through the city, get on the freeway, and drive some more. Yeah, big whoopee!

But I did all of that and Suki and I ended up walking along the Spokane River east out by Liberty Lake and Otis Orchard.

The other side of the river was obviously a popular entrance point to the river, as kids and families carried their inner tubes and inflatible boats down to the water's edge and with much laughing and shouting, hopped in and headed quickly downstream.

This river seemed very clean. I could see the river bottom and one or two little fishies swimming around the rocks. When I visited with my son, Owen, in Grand Junction, I found the Colorado River to be very muddy and murky. It wasn't pretty at all.

I was curious what kind of rocks I would find in a river compared to the cobble and pebbles I would find at Birch Bay.

So, I had fun looking at rocks and listening to the flow of the river. And Suki again proved herself to be THE best photographer's dog in the world. She just curled up on the riverbank and let me putter around to my heart's content.

August 29, 2011

Color My World Vibrant ...

The landscapes I've been uploading are lovely and ... okay ... rather dull and lacklustre. We all need a little color in our lives. Today I craved color! AND something a little silly or out-of-my-ordinary ...

Day 240 of Project 365



Damsel Flies
Film Grain Effect




Window Garden




Orchids and Oriental Paper Lanterns




White Wicker Bouquet




The Purple People Eater
(Garland Day Vintage Car Show)



Where was I?

Suki and I went for a drive-about this afternoon. It was just that sort of day when I absolutely had to get out of the house and fill my lungs with sun-warmed fresh air and see something other than four walls closing in on me.

I put some gas in the tank because I didn't know what to expect or what would be available where I ended up. I'm still learning my way around. It felt exhiliarating spinning along the highway out of town, away from the congested neighborhoods, traffic, old brick buildings, the shopping malls, the drive-thru eateries. I pointed the truck toward Deer Park today and had a jolly good time of it.

Just that sort of day.

I am uploading a photograph I took a week or so ago while driving up beyond Liberty Lake. I'm attracted to this photograph on a couple of different levels.

First, I like the movement in the composition, the curve in the road, the heading down and the landscape background continuing up and beyond.

Second, where I stood to take the photograph is in the state of Washington, and somewhere in the fields in the background is the state of Idaho. It's a distinction made by man, just like the measurement of time, or the asphalt roads, the utility poles. The trees don't give a diddly in which state they have their roots, nor do the pastures of golden hay, or the timid deer, the vigilant hawks overhead.

It was just Suki, the landscape, and me standing in the middle of a road taking a photograph.

Day 239 of Project 365

Two of my photographs at http://www.kweststudio8.etsy.com/ were included in Etsy Treasuries today:

"Waiting at the Curtain"

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTI3NDE2OTV8NjMxODg2Nzk1/here-waiting

Curated by http://www.shirleybemine.etsy.com/

"Flaming Floral" 

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODgwNjczNXw2MzYxMzkyODY/september-color

Curated by http://www.jollyjuli.etsy.com/

Marks of destruction

I frequently find my camera lens focusing on something that was bruised, dented, marred, defaced. I think perhaps it is the unexpectedness of it that attracts me. Yes, I admire and value smooth, polished perfection. BUT, there's an almost "Hey! Look at that! It's damaged, but it's so cool!"

Today's, er ...  yesterday's ... uploads are examples of those photographic subjects that I thought were cool, even though scored or scratched or such. 

You be the judge.

August 26, 2011 ... I'll add more for Saturday later in the day



Damaged metal guardrail




Same metal guardrail




Rockface scored to make room for a road




Bicycle tire marks on sidewalk
my favorite!



These wheels just keep taking me places ...

I climb up into my truck and I just open myself to whatever comes down the road. Yes, there are days when I think of a specific subject I want to photograph, but a great majority of the time I haven't a clue what's going to find its way in my camera. It's fun to bump into the unexpected.

Case in point are the two images I bumped into and am uploading today. I pulled into a parking spot and directly ahead of me was a brick building a tagger had painted. I am drawn to meters with their pipes and gauges and moving parts. So, to find one directly in front of my truck, and painted no less, I was in heaven.

No less fun was the back of the truck I stared at when stopped at a traffic light. I'm not sure what the cartoon is, perhaps a pie-eyed coo coo. But I was entranced by the lines and lights of the truck, the patterns, the number, the license plate AND the coo coo.

A successful Day 236! Enjoy ...

August 24, 2011



Cropped image with Film Grain effect




Film Grain effect



Spokane Landscapes NE

I wanted to drive to Sandpoint, Idaho and see what there was to see there. It's about a 90-minute drive from Spokane. I knew my sister had a day off, so Mel and Steve accompanied me. They hadn't been up there in years and we decided to make an afternoon of it and have a picnic at the lake.

My photo opportunities are different when I'm traveling with others, and I was in their car. I feel awkward shouting out, "Stop here! Immediately!" and then jumping out to snap some photographs. I like to take my time and mull it over if I have that luxury. Mel kept telling me to just let them know when I wanted to stop, but it just isn't a comfortable position to be in. If all three of us were photographers that would be a different situation, but only one of us was a photographer.

So, this trip to Sandpoint was strictly as a passenger in the backseat. I'm not complaining, it was interesting and I didn't have to drive ... although I love to drive. Sandpoint was interesting, although not much there other than the lake. We were just sightseeing, not fishing, swimming or boating, or attending any event.

My camera battery again pooped out on me, but I did manage to snap a few shots with my iPhone.

So, today's upload is of some landscapes I snapped with my iPhone from the backseat on the way back from Sandpoint, just northeast of Spokane.

August 23, 2011




Evergreens on a Hill
iPhoto




I rather liked the horizontal of the window
and the asphalt
iPhoto




Film Grain effect
iPhoto




This one I did crop off the road and car interior
iPhoto with Film Grain effect




 Photo was intentionally taken at a slant
to enhance that rolling impression
iPhoto with Film Grain effect



Fumus (genitive fumi) ablative fumo

Eh? Fumus ... Latin for smoke. Today's upload are things having to do with fumus.

I don't happen to be one who smokes, but there was a very short time as a young woman that I smoked a dainty little pipe. I stopped almost as soon as I started, as it didn't taste as good as it smelled.

I came across some objects lately that reminded me of a time long ago when my ex-husband smoked beautiful pipes. My sister, Joan, and her husband, Dale, are avid fans of a good cigar. I enjoy the aroma of pipe tobacco. Sometimes I like the aroma of a cigar. But I love all the accouterments and the rituals of smoking.

I still remember the sound of my parents clicking open their metal lighters with their thumbs, and the little flint producing a spark to light their Lucky Strike cigarettes. My son, Owen, has one of Dad's old lighters, a memento of the grandfather who died before Owen was born.

That first lighting of a cigarette smells familiar, comforting. After that first whiff, I have no use for smoking. Smoking is bad for your health, and second hand smoke is unhealthy for me.

But ...

Smoking is intertwined throughout our history. As an example, look at the old movies where everyone smoked, bad boys rolled a pack of cigarettes in their t-shirt sleeve, romantic leading men lit a cigarette for their love interest, soldiers lit a last cig for their dying buddy.

But ...

I'm not here to give a lesson in history. These were just thoughts that flit through my head when I saw and photographed the following images.

August 20, 2011



Thrift Store Pipes ... love the carved bear (?)




Cigar Boxes
iPhoto




Tobacco Shoppe Carved Indian
iPhoto




More Cigar Boxes
iPhoto



Lost?

How can it possibly be 10:48 pm on a Friday night? It "feels" much earlier in the week and much earlier in the evening. Oh my! Does this mean I'm getting old and am losing track of time?

Perhaps.

Perhaps I'm just involved in what I'm doing, focused on and savoring each moment, oblivious to day and time. Yes! That's it!

I intended to upload a different photograph for today, but I seem grounded in this time meditation, which prompted me to upload this image to my Etsy shop this morning.




Lost in Time

OK ... the time thingy is outta my system--yeah, right--and here is the image I wanted to use as today's Project 365 upload. I loved the asymmetry of the large mass of trunk on the right and the delicate touch of finer branches and leaves on the left side.
August 19, 2011


Complement
(iPhoto)



Rasta, In Memoriam



Rasta Wortman
This is the photo Antje had on
her Facebook, which I've slightly edited
for this memoriam



Tuesday I got word that Rasta, a dear 4-legged companion of Antje, a dear 2-legged friend of mine, passed away from lymphoma. I don't know what I would do without my Suki Kabuki, and I knew Antje was just as bonded with Rasta.

It's difficult to be of comfort to someone when they are on the other side of the United States, and three time zones away. It was heartwarming to see how many of Antje's friends sent condolences via Facebook, and without a doubt many more called her personally. Antje gives as greatly as she gets, and the depth of feeling expressed by her friends and relatives was directly indicative of the depth of feeling she had for her constant companion, Rasta.

My friend seems to be working through her grief, with more difficult moments still to come. She has lost a loved one before, and I don't mean to minimize that incredible loss of her husband, but I know how important a role Rasta played in the life of Antje Wortman.

Rasta will be well-remembered.



Me and Antje



Marking Time ...

While doing a wee little banking this afternoon, I passed a shop where I saw an old Underwood typewriter through the plate glass window. I like to think about all of the different ways mankind has devised to make his or her mark ... chiseling rock, papyrus, quill pens, leaded pencils, ballpoint pens, typesetting machines, typewriters, computers. Really amazing history, and I do like the distinctive striking sound of a typewriter and the ding of the carriage return. But, I digress.

I was taken with the image of the old typewriter THROUGH the plate glass. With the reflections, it was slightly distorted, almost like the image was disintegrating or becoming a negative. I imagined it in a time warp. I know, nut case, right?

Anyway, it is today's image. Oh, I think I'm a day behind. Well, this is it for today. I'll look back to see what I photographed yesterday.

August 17, 2011


Universal Underwood



My image "Hobbit Chair" was curated by Carole into "So What's In Your Garden"

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTYxMDA1NTV8NTkwNDQyMDUz/so-whats-in-your-garden

FAST, Give me SPEED!

I came across a table of used roller skates and inline skates and was immediately transported back in time to when I kept a skate key on a length of bright pink yarn around my neck. I was about nine and we lived in Ogden, Utah where Dad was stationed at Hill Air Force Base. I remember using my key to screw my metal skates onto my sneakers—we called them tennies or vans—and clanking down the sidewalk! The skates always came off, and I’d have to clamp them onto my shoes again. It didn’t matter, I loved to roller skate … fast!

At the skating rink in San Bernardino, CA back in 1964-65, I had an unfortunate skating accident, crashing onto my knees, and I've not been on skates since.

Here’s to skating … F-A-S-T

August 15, 2011



If only I had THESE kinds of skates!



Follow the Yellow Brick Road

... to the Garland District today, that is. Because today was their annual parade and block event. This year's theme was The Wizard of Oz. There was a parade and contests, like who was the best  Dorothy and Toto, I missed that part of the program. But I thoroughly enjoyed wandering along the yellow brick road that "someone" had painted meandering all over the main street.

There were fun concessions, games and booths, people-watching opportunities galore, munchkins and old farts and everyone in between!

I snapped a bunch of shots, but I'm just tossing two online tonight ... oops, this morning! I need my beauty sleep.

So, here are today's uploads:

August 14, 2011



Who knew I would find a ruby slipper
among the gee-gaws for sale
in front of the thrift shop



Cinder blocks a building make ...

Finished a neckpiece, finally, and went out for a little ride and change of scenery this afternoon. Ran some errands, checked my post office box, washed Hi Ho Silverado. Enjoyed my little roll through the Garland district. Don't know why those few city blocks beckon to me. But it was fun driving through today.

It will be closed off tomorrow for their annual parade and fun nonsense. I think I'll check it out.

One of the old brick buildings there has a rather fresh painting along the wall in the alley. I asked one of the folks about it and was told someone didn't quite make the turn and crashed into the building. I'll have to find out more details, but the building owner, if I understood correctly, decided to have a local artist adorn his reconstructed wall with a painting. I liked how the utility pole lines added a diagonal to the composition, and the cinder blocks also added more geometry.

Because I took a photo of this Garland building, I'm also uploading three other buildings I came across over on Market, which were vacant and falling into disrepair. Again, the repetitive pattern, the strong color fields, and their abandonment appealed to me.

I'm having a devil of a time with faltering camera and unreliable computer. I need to find another computer to see how these images appear on stable equipment. Bear with me as I wing it here, folks!

In any case, today's photographs are all four iPhotos:

August 12, 2011

Treasury Link Correction ... I hope ...

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzE1MjQ0Mnw1NjU3NTc3MjA/when-softness-falls

Bali Bali in come free ...

From kitchenware fun yesterday to exotic Balinese masks, Chinese dragons and Tibetan singing meditation bowls for today's upload! In The Flour Mill yesterday, I went into a shop that had an incredible assortment of gift items from all over the globe. Much of it was just touristy stuff, but there were a couple of images that caught my eye. There was also an Ethiopian restaurant down the hall that looked interesting. I'll have to add it to my list of places to explore a little more in depth.

Today Courtney with raspberryswirl81.etsy.com featured my photograph "Kitty Dream" in the treasury she curated at http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzE1MjQ0Mnw1NjU3NTcMjA/when-softness-falls

Here are today's Project 365 upload for today:

August 11, 2011