Getting back out there...

I have been shooting. Anything and everything. I recently bought the Fujifilm X20, a lovely little camera. I bought it specifically to catch all those precious moments that occur once our baby arrives... But it is so compact and powerful I carry it everywhere NOW. It is super cute, and its a fantastic camera. I usually don't use in-camera filters but this one has filters that mimics Fuji film, and I was a fan of Velvia so I use that one. A lot. The ISO is impressive, as well as the 2.5 lens. Its the fastest lens I own!

With my D60, I shot whales during a whale watch and got some fantastic pics. Heading out again over Memorial Day weekend, I think.  Also got some pics of Peoples State Park in CT, where my husband was fishing. My friend Christine, snapped a pic of me with TEMPLE GRANDIN, with the X20. I had the ISO set high so the flash would not bother Temple. It came out great.

Its good to be shooting on a regular basis, I know it (the photos) may not be "artsy", just the everyday. Its not avant garde and borderlines on kitsch, which I remember my college prof. telling me was the worse thing to be. But you know what? It makes me damn happy. And that is what art is supposed to do. Bring you pleasure, enjoyment and happiness. So while I (we) sit and wait for our baby to come, I will snap pictures of living life. And while I am at, be happy.

A view from the parking lot, with

the Velvia filter on. X20 camera

The lake across the street from us, in the parking lot

at Bickford's. X20.

Me, meeting Temple Grandin, and her book that she

signed. X20, ISO at 1000.

Along the river by the Ovation Guitar Company, CT.

X20

Humpback whales, bubble net feeding.

D60.

Humpback fluke. 

D60.

Fishing along the river, Peoples State Forest, CT.

D60

Mike and Kelly fishing.

D60

It is official! We are pregnant on paper!

So my Christmas gift from Mike was the funds to start the adoption process!
It took a long time and we only have 2 pieces of paperwork to go but its been confirmed by our social worker that, as she says, are pregnant on paper!

So very excited. And after a really awful year last year, this makes it all worth it.

Goodbye March, Hello April

Not much happened in the month of March.
I had another surgery, because apparently I cannot go into a new year without having one. But it was a minor procedure and quite frankly, I feel much better because of it.

We are almost all done with the paperwork that we need to do. Still not saying anything until its official. But very encouraged by an email from our ... "consultant".

Just realized that not an art or artist entry today or lately... Is that ok when you are a suburban artist? On the plus side, sold a custom order of 6 double wrap Ovarian Cancer Awareness bracelets...starting that order today. So there,  small entry on what I am creating :)

Websites

I have been busy at getting myself out there.

I entered a few gallery competitions. We will see. These are some huge ones so not that hopeful. But all of the applications said: "Website name:_____".

So I built myself a website. Other People's Pixels is a great site, and I have to thank my friend Morgan who introduced them to me years ago. For 160$ you get your own domain name and with EASE can make your own site. The ONLY drawback is that you cannot upload your own background, which you can you do here on blogger.  I have made my jewelry site with them and when I did photography trying to be a pro had my site with them as well. BTW the jewelry site is updated with my most recent work and its linked to the etsy shop.

This time picking a name was hard. Puzzle Piece Studios was taken, although I searched and even Go Daddy said it was free I couldn't use it. Puzzle Piece Photos was also taken and I had used that before and yes other sites said it was free. So I decided on PhotographybySa.   "Sa" is my childhood nickname and my artist's signature as wel.. For a few years in high school it was SAM my initials but in college I changed it to Sa. I also thought that IF I ever do enter the world of having a pro studio, I can keep Photography By Sa as my artist site.

The site is not done but its looking good. Please let me know what you think!

PhotographyBySa
Puzzle Piece Jewelry

Wish me luck...

I just submitted some of my work that I did this past summer to the 2013 Chelsea International Fine Art Competition. This is an extremely difficult competition. But I think that this year I may have a chance. So, please wish me luck :)

I am heading out for a lovely suburban day with my husband and a late lunch with friends. Yes, this Suburban Artist is very happy.

Inspiration and a Migraine

Chatting with my brother today, I was inspired to do 2 things.

1. Loose the obscene weight I have gained post cancer recovery. Basically I gained like 15 pound while on chemo, all the while nauseous and not eating, and when I could eat I was like "F it, I am eating whatever I want".  I then gained about 5-10 more pounds. Now resemble a circle. Or a beached whale.

2. Blog more often. So I really want to, and I really want to talk about my Christmas gift, but can't yet...so.... What to blog about? Hmm. Art? I mean this IS supposed to be my art blog. I will make a concerted effort to be more of an artist. Am currently pondering "re-opening" my photo studio project.

WHAT studio you may ask?
Well. When I lived in Virginia I actually started shooting events. And I GOT PAID. I did three weddings. A few children sessions as well. If I could re-do any of them it would be the one I did for a friend and her baby. Would have done a much better job today. But that was 4 years ago already.

I digress.

I did 2 weddings with Mike, as I was A) nervous and B) the 2nd one was for friends of ours and we both wanted to do it. The 3rd wedding was great but again, would have been much better at it now.  I didn't resume it when we moved to Massachusetts because the idea of getting a new job, making new friends and not know the area seemed extremely overwhelming. And then time moved on. And then as I got back into my art I got sick. So...

So today, I have been battling a migraine (I lost) and now, in the migraine after affects of feeling like a limp rag and the brightness on my laptop screen dulled to near blackness, I am just pondering.

About life. About art. About everything and maybe I shouldn't and just, as Mike says, to relax. I def don't want the migraine to return.

So, thank you PJ for chatting this morning and motivating me to loose weight as to not be the husky sibling and to blog more often.

1 Year Ago

1 year ago I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, stage 1C. 

Well, here I am 1 year later. Happy. Healthy.

My jewelry making is going well, I average about 2-3 sales a month. Yes, I know compared to others this is not a lot but for me, its enough. 

I got a new camera for Christmas. So once it gets nice out, I plan on moving forward with my town fair series.

1 year. It comes and goes so freaking fast. And I am grateful. So very grateful.