Birthday Doggie!

Do you celebrate your pets' birthdays?  I have been told that I am silly for doing just that, but aren't our pets parts of the family?  It is doubtful they have any sort of idea about what a birthday is, or care in the least how old they are, but why shouldn't we mark and celebrate each year they are around to bring us joy and light?

Last Sunday was my dog, Abby the Labby's fourth birthday.  We partied!  She got some doggie ice cream, extra treats, and several new toys.  We pampered her and gave even more snuggles than we usually do. (Which is hard, since on the weekends, she is attached to me... LOL)  And to top it off, we did some portraits.  It was so hard to get her to sit, but we got a few good ones. 

Sitting Pretty

 

 "Go Ahead.  Make My (Birth)Day."

 "Get this thing off of me!"

 Hahahahahahaahaaaaaa!!!

 "Cheese"

"Bacon!"

Not too bad for an impromptu shoot using a bedsheet for a backdrop :)  It was fun, though!  

Cheers!  

Until next time,

Keep Creating! :) 

 

Instagram Love

It's been a busy week!  Trying to keep my mind open and creativity flowing, finding great photo opportunities as often as I can, and creating them as well. I use my box of ideas, things that pop into my head, suggestions from others, and even iPhone apps to keep me thinking creatively.

 Instagram is one that I use.  It's a great app to create inspire and encourage not just me, but from what I see, millions of others!  I love to see what they create, and love the feedback I get.  I also love the designers' "Weekend Hashtag Projects"  They challenge users to create unique photos based on a theme that is announced on Friday afternoons.  Love it!!!!

Last weekend's project was "Still Life."  I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and had a blast doing it.  My theme was

COFFEE

Here are some of my creations 

I didn't end up winning or getting my photos posted as part of the project, but it was so much fun!!! 

Cheers!  Until next time.... 

Keep creating!

 

Downtown Milford Photo Walk

Earlier this week I attended the Downtown Milford Photo walk, sponsored by The Milford Bank and led by local professional photographer Robert Harrington.  It was a blast!  I would recommend it to anyone, and will watch for the next one and promote it here.  There were so many different people; from kids to teens to older persons.  Even one lady in a wheelchair was able to participate!  The cameras ranged from simple point-and -click to large format, (all digital, though.)  The equipment didn't matter, it was all about the fun and creativity.

Here are a few of the photos I took:

                                 Crabapples on the Green in color and B&W.  Which do you prefer?

                                                    We are a very patriotic community! 

                                                        Two views of the Masonic Lodge

                                                                       Mum's the Word! 

And the best part of the whole event was when I was on the Green near High Street and I heard my name called.  I swung around with my camera and saw my hubby and doggie driving by!  <3

If you have never explored your town with a camera, I would suggest getting out, walking around, and shooting anything that catches your eye.  The best part about digital is that we can just delete what we don't like and keep what we do.  You never know what kind of interesting photos you will take!  And to add to the fun, get some friends and do it together.  If you do, and you post them to a blog or anything, e-mail me and I will put a link up here and on Twitter!  My e-mail is shaileenh@gmail.com. 

Happy Shooting!!!!

September's Theme

Creative spark- everyone can use one on a regular basis, right?  I sure can, so instead of just wishing for one, I decided to become a bit proactive.   I have been writing different potential themes on little slips of paper and putting them in a bin.  When I need a spark, my hand goes in, and a theme comes out!

One way I plan on using this is a monthly theme.  Anything creative goes.  Writing, sculpting, drawing, poetry, painting, knitting, collage, cooking, photography... The sky is the limit!

This month's theme is Density.

"The University of Nebraska says that elderly people that drink beer or wine at least four times a week have the highest bone density. They need it - they're the ones falling down the most. "
Jay Leno

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/density.html#LVs5Zd2orDillB7X.99

Hahaha!  Cute bone density quote from Leno.


I noticed the density of a pile of shells at the Audubon Coastal Center in Milford, CT.  

As the month goes, my mind will be coming up with more ideas (hopefully!) on the theme of density.

Do you want to participate?  E-mail your ideas, poetry, stories, photos of your creations, to me at shaileenh@gmail.com.  As long as they are G or PG rated, (we're keepin' it clean here...)  I'll post them on the blog!  I'll also add a link to your own website or blog as well. You will be credited and you keep the copyright to everything you send. 
So, go ahead and begin creating!  Remember, September's theme is Density.  And anything (remember, G or PG rated,) goes!

Happy Creating! 

Noticing

I read somewhere that one way to get ideas is to notice.  Yep notice everything in your surroundings.  We get so used to what is around us that we often don't even really see it, let alone notice it.  I raise my hand and admit that on this I am guilty as charged!

Vowing to notice everything right away is a bit daunting, but maybe a good way to start is by letting myself notice at least one thing every day.  Just one little thing!  I doesn't even have to be a big thing.  Allow myself to use my five senses, (or all those that are appropriate; I wouldn't want to be tasting rotting seaweed at low tide, for example,) and drink in all I can about that one thing, no matter what it happens to be.

Some things will be unpleasant, I imagine, although I am drawn to the nicer, happier things around me.  Unpleasantness can add to creativity as well, though.

So off I go, ready to notice.  You can, too!  Let me know what kind of things come to your attention, and share their descriptions here.  Who knows how it will open up your imagination and allow to create!

Create what, you ask?

Anything you want!!!!!  :)

Yours in Creation,

Shaileen 

Welcome!!!

Welcome to my new blog!  I am planning on making this a happy blog, where I can invite everyone to stop by to celebrate my art, others' art, (with their permission, of course!) and explore creativity and observation. 

I hope you visit often! 

:) Shaileen

Double High Five For Art!!!!