In Search of a Picture
On Saturday morning we went with a group from the Roswell Photographic Society to the Sunflower Farm in Rutledge. Our day started at a very ungodly hour; everybody who knows me knows that I’m not a fan of the early hours of the morning, preferring to work late at night and sleep late the next day.
It started cloudy but somehow it got sunny around mid morning. I didn’t get to see or photograph the dawn as I was planning. After all, making such an effort should at least count towards getting one of my rare dawn pictures.
Once there, as you can imagine, there were sunflowers everywhere, tons of them ranging from a soft yellow to a dark orange, 15 acres full of sunflowers. And almost as many photographers with cameras and tripods.
In the pursuit of my artistic endeavor I was bitten on my left hand by a small spider. Very itchy and two small blisters but nothing major.
On our way back home we saw a sign about a "Wildlife Center" and, of course, we decided to explore it. Twelve miles off Route 20 is the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center in Mansfield. About 6,400 acres where you can fish, hunt, camp, fire your gun or rifle at its open range, walk its trails or take photographs. Guess which of these activities we did?
We took lots of photos of a flock of geese. And, as it's customary, the closer I tried to get to them, the further they went from me. Even so I think I got a couple of nice shots, if you like photos of birds and of geese in particular. I also took some photos of textures to use as backgrounds. No bites there, no even a mosquito bite. But wait, there is more.
The photo of the day, I'm sure, will be one of the many I took of blue dragonflies at one of its ponds. Like any other accomplishment in life you have to pay the price and it seems that I did. Trying not to fall into the water and not paying much attention to anything else, I stepped on an ant hill.
My right foot soon became aware of my blunder. More blisters and more itch. This time the itching was worse and I'm still suffering it. If memory serves, it’s going to take some time for it to subside. By now I’m sure you realize that this was not my first time and probably will not be the last one.
After this long story I'm sure you're itching (no pun intended) to see the photos! 🙂
From the Blue Ridge Art Center Exhibit Catalog
“In assigning the awards I chose to reward artists who not only possess formal excellence but also have the sensitivity to use it with elegance and purpose. The 3rd place award goes to Celia Durand whose piece titled ‘Creation Cathedral’ conveys a sense of luminosity through digital veils of color. Like stained glass, the image uses textures and shapes to organize and direct the ephemera."
Todd McDonald, Associate Professor of Painting at Clemson University.
Juror
22nd Annual Juried Exhibit at the Blue Ridge Art Center in Seneca, SC.
Juried Exhibit at The Blue Ridge Arts Center in Seneca, SC
The two PixelGraphs I submitted to The Blue Ridge Arts Center were accepted into their 2013 Juried Exhibit “Framed”.
One of them “Creation – Cathedral” received a third overall place award.
This is my second entry: Blush Orchids
Acworth Art Fest 2013
This past weekend was our first spring festival this year. Beautiful weather on Saturday, not so good on Sunday, but lots of people looking and buying. All in all a good show.
Our booth
A photograph of the windows of this church in Acworth (on the right) was the inspiration and main component of Creation - Cathedral.
Anderson 38th Annual Juried Show
I just found out that one of my PixelGraphs, Pink Mums, was accepted into the Anderson Arts Center 38th Annual Juried Show. The show will run from April 12 to May 31.
Circle of Life - Pink Mums
FUMC Festival of Arts
One of my PixelGraphs, Candy Stripe Orchids, was accepted into the FUMC Festival of Arts. It will be on display from April 14 to 28 at the Cumming First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton Hwy. Cumming.
Flower Portraits - Candy Stripe Orchids
Third Place Ribbon at the 2013 Southeastern Flower Show
"Winter Cardinals' got a third place ribbon in the People and Other Critters Category at the 2013 Southeastern Flower Show.
Juror comment:
Wonderful quality of light.
Contrast of monochromatic environment and vibrant birds works well.
