Some catching up to do

I've been so caught up in posting to our Facebook page that I haven't posted here in a while. Spend a lot of time on Facebook?! Really? Anyone else relate? So if you do relate click on that link and check us out there. You might even "Like" us. :) So here are the last two Friday Night Painting Party groups. They did an incredible job, as always!

This is the piece we're doing for this months party coming up on Friday. It's called Prairie Path and it's from a photo I took up in Paynes Prairie. My husband and I decided to explore the hiking trails on that trip. We didn't realize how late it had gotten or how far we had walked. The next thing we know it's getting to be dusk and we were pretty far from the visitor center. Thankfully hubby has a good sense of direction so we made it back without a problem. If it were just me, someone would have to send out a search party. I'd end up sleeping under a pine tree with the lizards and snakes and who knows what else is out there. Since I lived to tell the tale, I had to paint the scenery. Let me know ASAP if you want to paint it along with me. There are a few seats still available but the time is short. Send an email to hershbergerhuff@hotmail.com

Peace and creativity,
Carlynne

Word Out Wednesday - Brian Hershberger

Happy Wednesday! This week I want to introduce you to Brian Hershberger. Yes we're related, he's my brother-in-law and he takes the most beautiful photos.

Every time we see a photograph we're looking through the eyes of the photographer. Is it an art form? Does the camera do all the work? Anyone can push a button and sometimes even the most amateur among us get lucky. Yes, the type and quality of equipment used does make a difference but only the human behind the lens can decide on the subject and then make decisions about composition, lighting, color and exposure.

Many of Brian's photos are taken on the Silver River near our home in Florida. He recently put together a book called A DAY ON THE SILVER RIVER. In the back of his book he had this to say....

About the... Artist?

I have been making photos since childhood, and it's no wonder. Virtually every other member of my family is an accomplished artist in some medium. Many have made a living as such, others not so much, but it seems to be a genetic predisposition that I have yet to overcome.

After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcasting from the University of Florida, I worked in broadcast news, feature films, television series and specials in Los Angeles and Orlando. But now, under the guise of a mild-mannered businessman I have turned my lens to the abundant beauty of the Ocala National Forest. Specifically, the inhabitants of the 5 1/2 mile long Silver River. The photos in this book were all made on or around The River in May 2009. It is my hope that the little details in these candid portraits elicit a feeling, and if they do, then I guess I am an artist.

If you'd like more info about these amazing photos or Brian's book you can contact him here.

Peace and creativity! And, remember, we'll see you at the new studio soon.
Carlynne

Yellow Flower

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My sister and mother are the 2 gardeners in my family. In fact my mother is a Master Gardner. I'm the odd man out. I'd much rather be in my studio. I really don't mind yard work that much, I was always the one to do the mowing and trimming but they are the artists when it comes to growing things. This little yellow flower was growing in my sister's yard. It was so bright and proud standing there saying - look at me!

Earth Passage 11

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Well, you know me..... back to the rocks. I have rocks in my head, rocks in my studio, rocks in my paintings, just can't get away from them.

Mosaic 4

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This is one of the earlier pieces in the Mosaic series which is loosely based on satellite images of earth. Peeking through the mist are the colors and shapes we carve into the earth. It doesn't matter if it's earth from above or below, the patterns and colors fascinate me.

Peace,

Carlynne

A Diamond Day

I thought I'd continue on the theme of nature photos just for the heck of it. Amazing Hubby and I went out one day with our cameras. We rode out to the west coast and just wandered around, shooting whatever.....

I spotted this heron sitting way up high in a tree and since I had my long lens on the camera I thought I'd try to capture him. I was tickled with what I got. I'm a painter, not a photographer so to be able to catch him taking off like this was great fun - gotta love technology.

That wing span is amazing! There were more shots in this sequence but I didn't want the post to drag on forever. I just picked a few of my favorites. This last shot is dark on the underside but for the others I loved being able to see the details of his feathers. Like my friend Jolene says - some days are diamonds. That's how I felt about that day.

Hope you're having fun and staying cool,

Peace,

Carlynne

A Walk in The Forest

I have been staring at canvases and dabbing paint on them and then not being happy, painting over whatever I did. I am just not feeling the paint right now. Sometimes that makes me a little panicked, but always disappointed and unhappy. However, there are many ways to be creative and when the well is dry, it's time to fill it with an artists date. So, my husband Greg and I went for a drive into the National Forest and took photos.

We really liked the color in the thistle flowers. (Yes, I know it's a weed, but Nature makes no distinction, all plants and animals welcome.) The bright purples are the ones in full bloom and then they lose color and become paler as the bloom fades and dies. I like both. I will share more of these photos when I have a chance to look at all of them. Perhaps this will inspire me or you to do something creative.

Peace and Creativity,

Kelli