Variations on a Theme and Beyond

It seemed last year as if my photography literally took off 52 weeks ago when starting an e-course by Kim Klassen, Beyond Layers.  Sadly, it has come to an end...

But...now we are on to a new journey, Beyond Beyond, which I'll be sharing with you over the next year.

Week 1 - Take a series of photographs of a setting, from different angles, perspectives, etc.  Pay attention to each photograph with intention.

Stealing an idea from the infamous Viv Halliwell of Desktop Dreams, I'm going to digitally journal my assignments, so I can print them into a scrapbook at the end of the year.

Here's my result from this week:

paper from Teri Hanson's Serenity kit; frames from Katie Pertiet

I made a still using a cup I bought as a prop from TJMaxx, a stone heart from our pediatric palliative care retreat last summer, a few peachy-coral carnations from a boquet Edster got me for my birthday last week, an inexpensive, heart-shaped glass vase from Pat Catan's, and Julia Cameron's wonderful book, The Prosperous Heart: Creating a Life of Enough.

Additionally...

Kim shared her recent thoughts about being present...

And asked us to consider the following:

• Did you enjoy the challenge, did you discover anything new about yourself, why is your favourite your favourite? What do you love most about it?
• Was it difficult to find time for the exercise, did you feel rushed…..
• Consider printing a small version of your fav and taping/gluing it inside your journal.

I did enjoy the challenge...very much.  I loved the colors and how so many items tied together.  I loved the different angles and then the creative rush that comes as I process them.  (I'll show you my favorite at the end.)

I did feel rushed...in fact, I feel rushed most of the time.  I still recall Anythony Hopkins, playing C. S. Lewis in the movie, Shadowlands (A MUST SEE), "We live in the shadowlands.  Always wanting to be somewhere else...around the next bend...over the next hill." 

The problem with that is...we don't live where we are...in the moment...in the now...seeing the abundant mercies of God He has lavished on us today, right now...

I am tempted, working full time, to want to rush the week away to the weekend.  It is the weekend when I have more flexibility to create, do indoor shooting (more light), do more writing, spending unscheduled time with my husband, dogs, and in solitude with my Savior.

And yet...even on the weekends...I feel this rush.  Hurry...you may not fit everything in by the time Monday comes around again,says the Committee in my head.  (Sidenote:  This "committee" in my head is a recent epiphany which I'll write more about in future postings.)

As I write this, I'm feeling this pressure to get outside and take some snow photos, since it is the weekend and I have daylight available.  And yet...it keeps me from being totally present in my writing right now.  STOP IT!

Edster and I were going to go down to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park to do some photography today...

And there was discussion of possibly going to a matinee...

But his neuralgia pain from his 14 knee surgeries flares up horrendously with the bitter cold, and he's had to be off of his feet most of the day.

So he lays on the bed, I'm propped up with pillows sitting next to him with Arthur and Bruno on the bed as well...and my one camera with the 300mm lens beside me where I've captured some photos of birds that have shown up at the feeders...

I may do a still shot later...

Edster and I may walk the neighborhood with the dogs and camera if his knee feels better...

But whatever...it is enough...I am present, I'm relishing in just having unscheduled, unfettered time...embracing (there's that word) so much right where I am, right now!

So here is my favorite shot...

Why?  I like the light...the kind of painterly, scratch effect...I used Kim's texture called "Italy" in my processing.

So I embrace today...whatever it holds...knowing that no matter what...God's gifts are mine.  And all is as it should be.