Getting Ready for the Farmers' Market

I'm so excited to make my debut at the Andover Historical Society Farmer's Market this Saturday from 12:30-3:30pm. I've been working with AHS to photograph the rooms of the Amos Blanchard House as well as items from their collections, and they have been kind enough to have me join the Market this summer.

I'll have prints and note cards available as well as examples of gallery wraps in case anyone would like to order one. Please stop by and say hello -- I'll be outside near the barn next to the Historical Society table and hope to see lots of friendly faces! Don't miss the other artisan vendors, who will be displaying their work inside the Amos Blanchard House this year.

Here's a sneak peak at just some of the notecards I'll have available. Each package of six is $12.00.

Set of six Floral note cards:

Set of six Paris notecards:

Set of six Cape & Islands Notecards: 

Set of six Fruit & Veggies notecards:

The Vermont I Love.

The streets of Paris and the mountains of Vermont couldn't be more different. But I love them both. Perhaps it is the Gemini in me that is at once attracted to both the history and mystery and sophistication of Paris, and the snow-capped peaks, flowing rivers, and laid back feel of the Green Mountains. Vermont for me is like Martha's Vineyard. A place that's a little bit caught in the past, and steeped in natural beauty, quiet, and simplicity so that it calms the soul.

I grew up minutes away from Vermont, and spent many weekends skiing there with friends or family. My parents would often take us on Sunday drives to leaf peep or visit flea markets or ride a gondola, and we'd watch John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl play tennis at Stratton in the summer.

Recently I found a poem I wrote at the end of college, as I was torn about what do do when I graduated. Move to the mountains, or get a job that actually paid me to live was the decision I had to make. I chose the practical route and moved to Boston, which, in the end, led me to the happy life I have now, but clearly I was torn at the time...

It's just slightly embarrassing to reveal my poetry from the age of 20 (and yes, there is more where this came from -- I was 20, what can I say.) but I'll share this little excerpt because it's perfect for this post about a place I have loved for a very long time.

"Looming ahead up this winding pass
graceful, powerful, snow-capped peaks
their access blocked by nature's fury 
and reality's restraint.


I gather my thoughts and tune out the hopes
of a quiet life among the trees.
Practicality grasps me and whispers in my ears. 
Stability is what the World calls for
Not the flightiness of taking off into nature.


But happiness beckons in the distance
It is in the form of tall evergreens
and cool splashing brooks
and moss covered rocks on which tiny insects lie.
Quiet stillness drowns out the World.
I close my eyes and I am free here..." 


And now, I will leave the bad poetry aside and share the Vermont I love in pictures. Click here to view the entire Vermont gallery.

Paris is beautiful even in on the grayest of days.

Often, I'll go back through a catalog of images I haven't looked at in a while and see a a few that I completely overlooked when I made my first pass at editing. I spent some time going through my Paris photographs this morning to see if I had anything new for Etsy, and found some shots that caught my eye.

While the weather was not bad while we were there, it was pretty overcast at times, and one day we had fairly steady rain (though not enough to spoil our fun!). However, I think the gray of the skies really brought out the beauty in some of the Parisian buildings. I love the blue gray rooftops and the color of the stone set against the back drop of a cloudy day. All of these shots can now be found in my Etsy Shop. 

A Wonderful Change of Scenery

 I can always find something to photograph, but come late winter, appealing subjects take a little more effort to find. Thankfully, Jeff and I planned a trip to Paris in February, which of course provided just the kind of inspiration I needed.

We had been to Paris before, but I don't think we fully appreciated it when we were just 27.  This time, we truly enjoyed the food, the wine, the sights, and interacting with the people. Throughout the trip we kept trying to nail down exactly what it is that makes the city of Paris so special, or give it that "Je ne sais quoi". In many ways it's like any other big city -- with its dirt, stuffy subway cars, traffic, and pickpockets.

But as you let yourself sink into Parisian life you begin to notice what sets this place apart. There are the perfect rows of little macaroons in every color in the patisseries and bright displays of fresh produce in the outdoor markets. Each shop perfectly shows off its product, whether it be wine, cheese, bread, chocolate, pastry, ham or fish -- (and each purveyor is an expert in what he or she sells). The flea market vendors set out their wares as if they are setting up a still life for a painting or photograph. Everything appears so well thought out.

And everywhere you turn, you know you could be no where else in the World. There are streets in Montmartre that look like movie sets. Cats sitting in windows that couldn't be more French. Little jazz bands playing as people stroll on a Sunday. And the Eiffel Tower that peeks up above the skyline from everywhere you look.

Oh, and that tower -- as if it is not pretty enough -- actually twinkles for five minutes every hour just to push it over the top.

Here are a few of my favorite photos, and a link to the my Paris photo gallery.

      

                        

   

Kitchen Art

20x24 Gallery Wrap

How did I start photographing my kitchen tools? At one point over the summer I was short on ideas for my daily 365 Project photo. So, I started poking around the house for a subject, and caught the sunlight hitting the Kitchen Aid mixer by the window. I took it outside for better light and began snapping away.

I loved the result of the light glinting off the shiny metal --  and dove into the kitchen drawers for more.  I was soon shooting the whisk, the melon scoop, and various other objects. So, now I have a series that lots of people have commented on and many suggested would make great wall art for a kitchen. 

Recently I had my first customer purchase a 20x24 gallery wrap of one of my whisk shots for their newly renovated kitchen (Thanks Don & Misty!) I was beyond thrilled that anyone would want my photograph hanging on their wall! And they even asked me to sign it. 

I picked the wrap up from the lab today and really love it -- I might need to have one made for myself. It would also look great as part of a series of smaller wraps grouped together on a wall.

Let me know if you are interested in something similar for your kitchen or would like a gallery wrap of one of my other photographs. Prices are listed on the right.

Thanks for checking out my website...Next post will surely be full of photographs from my upcoming Paris trip!

Original Photograph

                                                     

           

                                       

The Old and the New

Happy New Year...Wow. 2011 means I will soon have a daughter whose age is in the double digits. Crazy. But I am feeling positive about the coming year and looking forward to plenty of fun and lots of photo ops, including our trip to Paris, and two more weeks in Martha's Vineyard.

While we are all celebrating the new year, I thought I'd look at some of the old things I love to photograph. People who know me well, or have been around me when I'm taking pictures, know I love things that are old, rusty, beat up, etc. Kind of like the house we bought 8 years ago (though it's come a long way since then). To me, the wear of time means something has a story and gives an object (or even a face) character and life that something new and pristine has difficulty conveying.

I love old door latches, made of rough-hewn iron, with thumb plates that are polished smooth from years of use. Or the layers of rust built up on an old fishing boat that leads one to imagine many trips to sea and long harsh winters in the water. I once found a set of old skeleton keys in my attic; hung from a gold cord on a rusty nail -- who knows how many years ago -- and still holding the mystery of what they once unlocked. And then there are old houses, full of history and old objects and built during a time when there were no power tools to help get the job done easier or faster.

So as we look ahead to the rest of 2011, here's an appreciative look back at the past. Wishing you health and happiness in the New Year.