Friday Favorites - Trees

In the Presence of Trees

(Oak)

Tree
I named you once.
Oldest soul I have ever known,
standing sentry over the sunflower
field behind the school, your rings were
innumerable. Tree I named you, but that
name is long forgotten, a secret only the slow
stumble of childhood retains. Adults cannot know
the names of the trees. Not the true names
bestowed by fey children with grass
in their hair.
If they knew
they would
never be able to replace them with subdivisions.

(c) 2008 T. Soulen

Kenna Foster



Clancy's Classics



The Eye




Gary Heller Photography


For more Friday Favorites visit:

Allie Art: Photography Benefitting Children
Handicrafts

Remember that if you start your own Friday Favorite blog to send me your link. I will add it to my post and we can start a "gallery walk" on Fridays!

2009 Paws for Charity Art Book

The 2009 Paws For Charity Art Book is now on sale! I have my order in and can not wait to receive my copy. The cover of the book below provides a link for a free look at the first fifteen pages of the book. So be sure and click on the link, or go to www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/606337 to preview and/or order.

Remember, all funds raised from the sale of this book are directly donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade by blurb.com, our book publisher.

2009 Art Book ...

37 artists raise fu...

By pawsforcharity.bl...

Book Preview

This photograph that I took of Champ a couple years ago is included in this wonderful collection of photographs and original art. To have a closer look at this print click on the photo below. To purchase go to Julie Magers Soulen Photography.

Sunday Morning Gallery - A Photographic Study of Canadian Geese

My fascination with birds continues. I took these photos on a warm balmy February day. Thinking back, our winter was much warmer than our spring! But I digress. My friend and I found ourselves heading to a local park after our lunch. We just could not stay inside on such a beautiful day. I had my camera with me and as we talked quietly at the water's edge a pair of geese took a liking to our voices. They swam closer and closer and then just floated peacefully sleeping not more than a few feet away. It was endearing to see such trust in a wild creature. They did come ashore finally and the male, at least the larger one, laid at my feet like the family dog. Now tell me, who could not find that touching and sweet!

Friday Favorites - Using Shape and Form in Photography

I love the dynamic movement of these following three photographs. The old Packard seems to be flying down a Chicago street on a get away. My eye is naturally drawn to the back of the car perpetuating the forward motion. "Noctournal Stucco" beckons me to go around that corner as my eye follows the curving archway. And "Galaxies" bursts like the Fourth of July, coming right off the page at you!

They are all very different but all are excellently composed using form and shape to accentuate motion. The black and white nature of each encourages the eye to follow the form giving them an even greater impact. These photographers have mastered shape and form!

The last photograph of the turbulent water is my own contribution.  The solid rock and swirling water lend the illusion of movement to a static art form.  I hope you like it!

Celticcatphotos
Classic Packard Automobile 5 x 7 Photograph

Pleyades
Noctournal Stucco - 8x12 Photographic Print

JoannasPhotography
Galaxies- Fine Art Print-8x8

And here is an example of my own work using shape and form. Hope you like it!

Rushing Water
Colorado river rapids photo, of swirling rapids of water around a rock in a turbulent wild mountain river. Perfect for adding the dynamic power of a wild mountain river to your home, office, or bathroom decor. St. Vrain River, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.

purchase information

We Have a Winner!

First I want to thank all of you for participating! I hope it has been as much fun for you as it has been for me!

Our winner is Allie of allieart4children. She guessed Vietnam Veterans National Memorial located near Angel Fire, New Mexico which is correct. My husband and I stopped there on a road trip to Taos a couple years ago. It is so beautiful and honors the men who died in Vietnam. As a woman who grew up in that era I was deeply touched.

Allie has chosen my bluebird for her winning prize. Congratulations Allie!

What the Heck is That? Contest

Yesterday I showed you some of the outside. Today I'll let you see some inside.

Did I mention that the person that comes closest to guessing what this is will win their choice of any 5x7 or 5x5 photo, a $15.00 value, from my Etsy Shop! To enter please leave your photo choice and a way to contact you.

Yes it is a memorial, in fact, a national memorial. Now can you tell me the name and where it is?