Canvas Joy

Today, most stores are closed, and the day is set aside for celebrating miracles, community, faith, and family.  In Maryland, the weather is cloudy and overcast, yet I'm confident, that in homes, there is warmth, laughter, love and light.  My family is dispersed along the east coast (you have a great picture of my mom on my home page!), and I miss sharing time with them.  Still, my "extended family" is all around me, and I see them in cards, memories, music, shared spiritual reflections, and photographs. 

One dear friend shared a youtube video with me yesterday that I've passed along and wanted to share with you.  "The Lost Generation" is a pallindrome (same backwards as forwards) that was written by a 20 year old woman as a school project.  It will send chills down your spine and you will find yourself praying that her vision of hope becomes a reality.

As I think about the approaching New Year, I also reflect on this quote from Joseph Campbell:  "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."  My prayer for all of you, regardless of who or what surrounds you today, surround yourself with memories of loved ones, of reaching out in service to others, of simple pleasures of a hug, a smile, a "thank you," of the miracle of music, of nature, of hope and gratitude for what is possible.

Each one of us is more powerful that we dare to believe.....  on this day of miracles, believe that you can make a difference....  you do to me!

Blessings to all!

This was a question asked of me recently on my facebook posting..... what a perfect question!!  If I had "planted" the question, I couldn't have made it more perfect!  So, my response has to be "exactly!"

The quality of giclee canvas photographs is that they do look like paintings... the texture, the vivid colors..... as customers have told me: "the pictures come to life!"  I've been interested in photography and photographs for most of my life... yet, seeing my prints on canvas converted me......  and allowed me to think of myself as an "artist."  Yes, I know........  I should have been thinking that long ago...... (self concept continues as a work in progress......), yet, this medium gives "joy" and pleasure to behold....

I pray that it can have the same impact on you!

As always, would love to hear your thoughts!  ... and hope to see you at Holly Fest (Friends' School, North Charles St., Baltimore      ) next Saturday!

Just returned from a fabulous week in Santa Fe, New Mexico!  It was sunny, clear, in the 70's during the day and in the 40's at night..... just that perfect temperature to keep the windows open while you drift off to peaceful slumber.  Yes, new pictures will be coming soon, but the reason for my writing is to describe my morning last Monday.  I had downloaded an article on where to take pictures in Santa Fe and decided to head out early on Columbus Day to catch the early morning sun as it played with Santa Fe's immaculate and colorful architecture. 

Lest you think my version of "early" is before 5am (that was Sunday when we went to Balloon Park to catch the last morning of the Albuquerque Balloon Festival... too windy.....  :-(   ), I was up and out by 8:15am or so.  My mission:  "What's here to celebrate?"  It was a beautiful morning, I was dressed in layers and had by camera in hand, ready to shoot away at whatever caught my fancy.  Yes, I found some awesome art (sculptures, paintings-- all seen from doorways and windows as nothing was open), and some wonderful architecture... but what impressed me the most... was my attitude of: "looking for what's here to celebrate?"  What an awesome way to start your day... thinking... what am I going to encounter that is worth celebrating?  Have you ever noticed that when you set your mind to a certain intention, that intention becomes a reality??

Certainly, much has been written on the subject of intention (Wayne Dyer, Lynne McTaggart), yet, for some reason, it hit home for me as I walked around, with the explorer's eye, and no certain agenda or destination, to see what I could find.  I was alone (my husband is not an early riser.....), yet blissfully happy and content to be with camera in hand, admiring what nature and man created.

So, my challenge to you.............   can you greet each day with the same attitude......  what will be here to celebrate?  I look forward to hearing what you find!!

Not totally sure what this blog has to do with photography, canvas and art:  I guess, in my somewhat nutrient-starved state (I'll explain shortly), I think the perspective we photographers take on what we "see," and how we translate that into something beautiful and a "joy" for others, may provide the link. 

Since I turned 50 this year......  (hard to believe...), I have scheduled that oft-laughed at, avoided, yet essential test.... the colonoscopy!  Since many of my peers have experienced and lived to tell the story of the colonoscopy, I decided to schedule it and get it over with.
And, the stories I've heard say that it is the prep that is worse than the actual test.....

So, as I sit here typing, eating jello (I'm sure I've not had jello since adolescence!), drinking apple juice and longing for every other food item imaginable..... (OK, maybe not liver......), I await what I imagine to be the worst part of this experience.  If truth be known, I think my stomach has already gotten into "empathy mode," if you know what I mean..........

So what does this milestone have to do with inspirational canvases??  Don't worry, I'm not getting any crazy ideas........  only that, with every experience in life, we get to choose our perspective... what we "see," what we believe, and whether we can laugh at ourselves, see the possibility in the challenge, and rise above......

As I count down the hours until we go full throttle, I'm already imagining how much reading I'm going to get accomplished in the next several hours........   and, I think I'll spare you the details of the rest!

As always, I welcome your comments!

As I launch "Canvas Joy," I wanted to share more about the inspiration for this site.  What does a pre-school book: "The Little Engine That Could" (Piper and Long) have to do with Photographic Canvases??

Having a background in the health and healing arts, and a strong passion for the power of attitude, perspective, and belief, I believe that "what we think, we become."  Therefore, after many years of minimizing my talent with photography, I finally realized that "I think I can be a professional photographer and can make a positive difference in the world."  It was a mingling of timing and belief, that inspired this website. "I think I CAN, I think I CAN....."

Actually, the sage words from a friend: "And you're not doing this why???" finally hit home.

So, for all of you who may visit this site, or purchase a canvas, I would hope to inspire the belief in you that "I Know I Can" do whatever it is your heart desires.  I am reminded each day of how brief our time is here on this earth.  If we are not living our passion, then we are doing ourselves and others a great disservice.  And, for those of you who may have a spiritual passion, are we living our God-given purpose?

I welcome and look forward to your thoughts........

In community and peace,

Joy