Showing posts with label autobiographical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autobiographical. Show all posts

Thursday, December 2, 2010

A couple of firsts

I'm so happy to be able to have new experiences all the time, two of them in the past week, actually!

First #1: Whale Sharks at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
The day after Thanksgiving with my family in Chattanooga, Noah and I escaped to the Georgia Aquarium. It's been open for years now, but every time I go back to the Atlanta area I'm so bombarded with familial responsibilities that I haven't had the chance to visit. So this year, I planned to meet my awesome friend Beth, the coolest woman in the world, and go visit the fishes! The main reason I wanted to go to the aquarium was to see the Whale Shark exhibit. It did NOT disappoint. Here are some photos from that day:


























First #2: My first art show!
At the encouragement of Renee (an artist here in Redding with whom I walk my dog), Noah, and Lori, I entered a couple of paintings in the Mark Twain Library Art Show. I was a little reluctant at first. I mean, I don't really think of my art as Art... I just sort of paint or draw what I see and it never turns out quite like I'd hoped... This is a juried show, and when I brought my paintings to be judged, I felt like an ant standing in the presence of giants. There are some amazing artists in this show, and some amazing art did NOT get in. Which is why I'm doubly blessed that one of my paintings did get into the show. It's encouraging... I am a little closer to being able to call myself an artist :) not just one who dabbles in paint... So we get to get dressed up on Friday and go to the gala, and I get to stand by my painting, or hide behind Noah, depending on how confident I feel... and hopefully I'll meet some more kindred spirits in the process.
I painted this after seeing Invisible Children's Night Commuter documentary. If it sells, I'll donate the money to Invisible Children to use for advocacy for the rescue of and prevention of child soldiers.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A swan, a blue moon, and a trip to the city...

I got a new camera. Did I mention that? I'm very excited about it. It's a digital SLR, Canon Rebel T1i... and it has a zoom lens. I'm very happy with it so far. I've heard from all the experts that it's a good "teach you about digital SLR" camera. And that's what I wanted! So I've been playing with it the past week... and I'd like to post some of the pictures for you to view and comment on. If you don't want to comment publicly you can always e-mail me at fairbetty at gmail dot com. (saving myself from the spambots this way).

For  now, I'll leave you with photos to view (and comment on)... and then get on to my writing, because it's still November, no matter HOW much I want to procrastinate.

The swan is back
He spends a lot of time taking off and landing on our little pond.




 




Sunday evening was a blue moon rising. We went to watch it... and Noah built a sculpture while we waited.
 



Reflection in Factory Pond
Not sure why, but I love this shot of the city.
Alexander Hamilton

 




Thursday, November 18, 2010

Did I say 1000 words a day?

So, I decided to take a break from writing yesterday to do a quick painting. I have been sitting on this idea for a few days now... and needed to get it out on canvas. My style is, of course, rough and untrained, but... there you go. I feel better now :)






Also, I'm over 22,000 words! Just 8,000 more until my goal! Woo hoo!