Changing the flight pattern

Posted on October 21, 2010 by larablair

Funniest thing…my handsome PH was standing behind me at the studio laughing as I added some birds into this image. He’s not impressed with “unreal photography” and always teases me about how nothing in photography is “real anymore”.

I digress.

The funny part was that I was making the birds fly away from the Blue Belle Princess…flapping their wings in her face and escaping.

PH said, “Why don’t you have the birds fly TO her…landing peacefully on her hand? She looks like she’s wanting them to come land on her, not fly away.”

Well…why, yes…why not?

It seemed a bit metaphorical me…..and forgive me for being such a read-into-things-lately-girl…must be the turning 40 thing. It’s the wanting something that may seem elusive…”flapping and flying” away into the trees when all I really want is for it to land quietly in the palm of my hand.

I like that someone I love and trust so much said those words, even though he wasn’t aware of the meaning for me.

This photo shoot was the beginning of a project I’m loosely calling “Keeper of the Birds” and it’s all I can do not to chuck all responsibility and work on it all week, but I’m excited to give it a name…

a direction…

a set of to-do’s (because I’m a Type A list-girl, afterall) to make it happen.

Here are some other images from this set…the model, Jennie, is an absolute stunner in every way..and a complete delight to joke around with. Just loved, loved working with her…she’s an LBI muse for life, I believe—those eyes! wow.

Don’t you think it’s a bit serendipitous that the woman I choose to model for this bird project has a flying bird tattoo?

Seriously!!

I hope you have a lovely, lovely weekend…

OX.

p.s. Happy Tiara Friday, Elena!!!

Posted in Fab MPG women, IGNITE THE ARTIST, MPG quote and wisdom, MPG stirrings, My photography world | Tagged , | 7 Comments

The road before us….

Posted on October 19, 2010 by larablair

…the road within us.

Do not be afraid to go out on a limb … That’s where the fruit is.

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I’m not sure, but I think I might be on a limb right now.

An art limb in unchartered territory and I’m so excited…like a kid with a new 64 box of crayons on the first day of school. I have a huge project brewing that involves mess-making and I need time to devote to it…but this is the studio busy season.

I missed Art Tuesday yesterday….so sad. I had gobs of editing and ordering and I felt guilty closing myself into the art room when so much needed to be done.

I should have kept the appointment with the muse.

It’s ENCAUSTIC WEEK, afterall!

I have wax to melt!!

I have a floor to dirty!!

I have paintbrushes to ruin!!

sigh.

Next week…I’m there.

Are you on a limb of some sort right now?

Unchartered territory?

Do you wish you were creeping out on that branch just a little?

What’s stopping you?

Hugs to you, sweet lovelies…

OX.

Posted in IGNITE THE ARTIST, MPG quote and wisdom, MPG stirrings | Tagged | 5 Comments

Love this time of year

Posted on October 17, 2010 by larablair

via Country Living.

We had our own pumpkin carving extravaganza last week in the garage.

A rare moment of Rach letting me capture her smile…love this smile.

Katie Kat, sporting her new hat and gloves.

Okay..so this picture just about sums up PH…always the goofball (those of you who have listened to our home phone message know this). Always finding a way to be random in my family photo opps…ha!

The “official” shot…

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A couple of fun autumn finds I always bust out in October…

Trader Joe’s pumpkin pancake mix—DEE-LISH~

via.

…and what’s keeping you from taking a bite out of yourself in the shower with this bad boy?

find it here.

‘Spent a small fortune on Ghost pumpkins in the past month…seriously..do they NEED to be that expensive just because they go with decor so well? Curse that Martha Stewart!

via.

I’ve officially fallen for felt flowers…I think I need this fall-inspired one from Rusty Rose on Etsy~

I never bought one of these chapeaus for my girls when they were tiny kidlets, but I’m wondering if a grown woman can get away with it..how cute is this from Karlan Knits on Etsy~

Now for my just-wearing-an-apron-date-night-plans (which I’m never brave enough to do), there’s this little sweetie from Geneva Designs on Etsy~

Aaah, Fall…you come and go way too fast before the NW slop sets in.

I will love you while you’re here.

Go frolick in some leaves, lovelies!!

OX.

Posted in Fabulous family time, Fun MPG FINDS, Good Design | 8 Comments

Makin’ art!

Posted on October 14, 2010 by larablair

We had a really cool project at BGC that many of us completed. It revolved around the metaphor of us (Brave Girls) being a house…with a lovely fence around it. The idea is that we can “invite people on the porch for tea” or even “invite them in for dinner“, but no one has the right to dump trash in our yards. I’m a visual girl and I really like this concept for explaining how to keep our lives free from situations we just don’t want to be in.

Here is my happy house…Oregon Duck colors, of course :)   Funny, I didn’t start out with buttons or fabric in my hands, but it just kind of evolved and finally was completed at 2:15 a.m.

I am keeping it in my art studio to remind myself to keep my yard beautiful and peaceful.

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So…Art Tuesday, thankfully, came this week…I was bursting at the seams with ideas of what to make after last week. I even dreamt about something the night before that I’m pretty excited about….and then I actually went in on A.T. and made it..finished it, which is a first for Art Tuesday. It’s actually a gift for a certain Brave Girl and I don’t want to post it until she gets it in the mail.

BUT..I did finish a couple of pieces I’ve been working on.

The two pieces go together…they’re called “A little Bird Told Me”. They are forest muses, I guess…Brave Girls, for sure. This was an adventure in encaustic painting and I must say I think I’m addicted to wax! I love it!

I just put them in the Etsy shop, if you’d like a little art for a small space in your abode.

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A couple of weeks ago, I finished these little guys…


..they also go together, but can be solo too. Obviously feeling the “bird leaving the nest” thing lately (ha!) and wanting to express it in these little collages (they’re on Etsy too).


So, so fun…did I say I love having art studio time? It’s such a luxury right now (and there are some Tuesdays I feel like I’m playing hooky on my day job and I feel a little guilty), but honestly, I feel like I can’t not take this time…

I’m trying to figure this out…

…what it’s supposed to be.

It will most definitely involve digital imagery and collage. I had an epiphany at camp (thanks Jeanne) and I’m going for it.

Feels so great to finally make a move.

My word was “action” for 2010…bustin’ a move on my word, yes, sirree, I am.

What are you creating these days? And I don’t mean just art…what is your masterpiece? I have a pal whose masterpiece is her kids’ lunches…these are the coolest things you’ve ever seen complete with star shaped sandwiches. Also know someone whose masterpiece is her incredible endurance for running and biking…I love that we can express ourselves creatively in the most every-day ways.

What’s your masterpiece, lovelies?

Wishing a wonderful, smashingly fun weekend~

OX.

Posted in Events for the MPG, IGNITE THE ARTIST, Prairie Girl Dreams | Tagged | 9 Comments

Happy October

Posted on October 12, 2010 by larablair

Finally uploaded new gear into my Etsy shop.

See what’s new here.

Fun art post planned for Friday! Happy Wednesday.

OX.

Posted in Fun MPG FINDS, IGNITE THE ARTIST, My photography world, Pretty paper stuff. | Tagged | 1 Comment