My Bay Area Life

Water! Among my favorite reasons to live in the Bay Area. I enjoy the site of it each and every day. I Thought I'd share this charming little tug I spotted over the weekend -- I've always had a thing for tugs and their unassuming character.

"My Bay Area Life" will be a fun new weekly feature, serving up snapshots of familiar sites, beautiful oddities, and anything in between.

100% Recycled Mount Board and The Spring Ballet

I've been savoring the lighter side of Spring, but today I'm in the mood for drama akin to a crisp wind or rainy crescendo. I looked outside to find a California blue sky, so I decided to create my own dramatic scene in "Spring Ballet."

This photograph is part of my seasonal collection titled "The Natural World" and will be available through April 17 in my Etsy shop.

And... At Last... An Eco-Friendly Addition to my Work!

I'm excited to have discovered a 100% Recycled Wood Pulp Mount Board, with a newspaper core. This board is Acid-Free and Archival, and will provide your photograph with a safe and eco-friendly home. I think it's a perfect addition to "The Natural World" Collection!

"Within Reach" New to My Shop

I have this photo hanging in my studio, slightly above eye level. Many times when I look at a photograph, my mind is so full of associations that it's difficult to try to see it through another's eyes.

This photograph happened so naturally, I have few of these associations. I look at it and I feel inspired. The abundant and gentle light reminds me that there are other forces contributing to my efforts, and sometimes those other forces like to play along.

I shot this photo with film, and was utterly shocked when the roll was developed. I could not have imagined the intense sun flare and radiant light that would appear. That's the magic of photography. I was literally underground when I shot this photo, peering up through an opening, toward trees and sky.

"Within Reach" is one of those photographs that hasn't seen much of the outside world. Aside from being included in one exhibition, it has held a quiet and constant post in my studio.

I've decided to include this photograph in my shop, in hopes that it may provide you with that same quiet and constant inspiration...

Edition Limited to 50, matted to 8x10 or 11x14.

A Most Interesting Sign

Look at this gem of a sign I found on my morning excursion. I'm attracted to this sign for many reasons -- the angles, the colors, the "Supreme"...

The sign has held up beautifully in contrast to the littered, sorrowful shop to which it's affixed.

I admit I was startled by the blunt usage of "Chicken Parts." Gross. I wondered if the term ever evoked pleasant or appetizing images.

I'm fascinated by this sort of thing, and love the fact that during a certain period of time, people made lovely signs to serve a simple, straightforward purpose. They skipped the fancy wordplay to focus on the fancy aesthetic. Turns out I think the "Chicken Parts" are the cherry-on-top! What do you think?

Simply Spring

I spent the weekend working on photographs for two upcoming Exhibitions.

I felt a little off this weekend, and despite hours of work, I did not "finish" any new photographs. The prints were either too much of this or too little of that. Don't worry, I'm off to a good start. I've learned by now that sometimes you just have to walk away, and start fresh in the morning... You know the feeling?

My hours of photoplay left me tired of color, saturation and desaturation. I knew my remedy for refreshment would be simple -- all I needed to see something was something natural and beautiful, perfect just the way I found it, without interpretation or manipulation.

So here you go... Sweet...Simple... Spring!

Street Scenes...

Our weekend has been a mix of light rain, sunshine and wind so strong I think I'm back in Chicago.

I drove by this brilliant field of yellow, surrounded on all sides by a chain link fence. Such is life in the big City...

"Paper Work" at The Hive Gallery Oakland

I'm excited to participate in "Paper Work" a group exhibition at The Hive Space Gallery in Oakland.


Check out work by the featured Artists here.

The Hive Space Gallery
301 Jefferson Street, Oakland
April 1 -17, 1009

Reception:
Friday, April 3rd
6 – 9 pm

Mister and Misses

If you've visited my home, you know that while there may be a shortage of, well nothing really, there's definitely no shortage of vintage toys. My talented husband has even designed and built beautiful cabinets to showcase our little gems. Cars, trucks, trains, we love them all.

Lately I've been photographing these toys - I started the series a couple of years ago, got distracted, and shelved the idea. Spring is here, and I want to play, so the toys are back in action.

To start off the series I give you "Mister and Misses" now available in my Etsy store. I found these two waiting patiently in a quaint little antique shop in Paris. They've been with me for a couple of years and are quite photogenic, don't you think?

The photographs are printed on a Metallic paper, which really brings out their vintage charm. Stay tuned as the series unfolds, it's sure to be a good time...

The Basics of Spring

I've been in a flowery mood lately-- A fresh departure from the urban subjects I normally enjoy.

I spent the weekend visiting family and photographing a sea of daisies in my parent's backyard. I'll post some photos soon.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these two tulips. I photographed them
on a Spring day, in Monet's garden, Giverny, France.

Monet's garden was as you might expect, lushly serene, and a wave of color. I'm not sure whether his paintings inspired the collection of plantings, or vise versa... either way, I loved it.

You'll find these photographs and other Spring-themed images at my Poppytalk GreenPop! table and Etsy shop. Enjoy!

The Two Pinkies

Check out "The Two Pinkies" and other Spring-themed photos at the Poppytalk Handmade "Green Pop!" Marketplace.

My Green Pop! array contains everything from roadside signs, to flowers, toys, and of course flamingos. I can find Springtime inspiration in so many places!

I plan to add new photographs over the weekend, so remember to re-visit Poppytalk early next week...

Bel Air Bon Voyage...

I just heard that my beloved Bel Air was demolished yesterday! Could it be true?

Such is the nature of things I suppose, but oh, it hurts. The Bel Air was my inspriation for the Olive Avenue series and I'm grateful to her...

West Oakland Love

I stumbled upon this lovely proposal while walking through West Oakland. Made me smile.

Check out the full story, writeup and comments at The English Muse.

A Clearer View

I'm in the process of looking through photos, trying to select twelve new images for next week's Popppytalk Market.

The theme is Spring, and my mind is whirling with ideas. I'm not sure how deep into the archives I'll dig, but there are a couple of old old photos I may include. Some of those old photos are still among my favorite, and when I look at them I'm transported back to Fresno, with my macro lens, photographing interesting toys up in my room, or flowers in my parent's backyard.

As you probably know, the process of sorting through photos can be a profound experience. Sometimes it reminds me how much I love the people I love, other times it reminds me that while I may not feel like I've traveled, I really have been some places. Today I've looked through ten years of changing seasons, and caught a glimpse of my evolving abilities as a photographer.

I'm happy to find myself here, with a reason to sort through these photographs. I feel a calm sense of satisfaction, ready to pick up my camera and head out to discover what I'll discover next. "Museum Girl" is one of my favorite photographs so far, and today I've had a chance to step from my spot as the Photographer, into her spot, for a clearer view.

So be sure to visit my new Spring-themed Table at the Poppytalk Market. You'll find twelve photographs that have made me really happy over the years, for one reason or another. In the meantime, you still have a few days to check out my Table in the Poppytalk "Affordable Art Market." Enjoy!

California and The English Muse

Photographs from my California Collection and Olive Avenue Series were recently featured on The English Muse, a personal style + photo blog by Tina, a writer and celebrity columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

Stop on by to check out my photographs, but make sure you have time to stay a while. I've been reading her blog for a couple of weeks, and am loving the diversity of images, articles, and inspirations.

Treat yourself to The English Muse, a cup of tea and a cookie. Another simple recipe for a lovely afternoon.

New to My Shop

The Photojojo writeup brought a wave of activity to my Etsy shop. In celebration, I've added two additional images to the "Paperback Prints" Collection.

I created this Collection as a means of offering affordable versions of some of my most popular photographs. At 6x9 matted to 11x14, their small size lets you hang one, two, three, or more on a wall. And, they're printed on a Metallic paper, which gives them the feel of vintage postcard.

Visit my Etsy shop to see The Checkered Path and The Gardenway Passage. Both of these photos were shot in France, during a fantastic traveling adventure I experienced with my Mom. Because we traveled in Spring, everytime I get a Spring-time inkling, I can't help but dream of Paris...

Getting Noticed! Photojojo's 20 Photographers...

Photojojo, an "insanely great" newsletter on photography, has just published

"20 Photographers Whose Work You Can Actually Afford"

And #20 goes to.... the Photographer whose last name begins
with a " Z. "

I'm in some talented company here... Check out work by Trampoline, Elizabeth Soule, Sharon Montrose, and Alicia Bock to name just a few.

Thank you Photojojo!

Mammoth Orange gets the Cover

Mammoth Orange got the coveted cover of this week's Poppytalk Newsletter.

So proud...