Creativity Bootcamp

For the next couple of weeks I’m participating in a “Creativity Bootcamp” designed by my bloging friend Maegan.  It’s designed to help us stretch our creative muscles – something I’m in desperate need of.  I missed the first assignment on Sunday, thanks to my weekend trip to Nashville to catch up with one of my best friends, so I’m picking up today instead.  I’d probably feel a bit more guilt about that – but I’m remembering Maegan’s advice to be kind to our creative soul – so this is a guilt free post.

Day two’s assignment encourages us to get comfortable with calling ourselves artists.  I’ll admit when I read that line my first thought was to wonder if I belong in Creativity Bootcamp.  I’ve never considered myself an artist.   I’m more the professional type who likes to have little projects around to allow myself some color and creativity in my life.  But as I’ve pondered the concept throughout the day it has started to resonate with me. 

While I’m not quite ready to call myself an artist – I realize I’ve started to take some of those first steps.  I’ve admitted publically (here on this blog) that I’m developing my skill as a photographer.  I’m experimenting with different techniques and tools.  I’m publically sharing my work; I spend time reading about how to improve my skill and I have a long list of photography blogs I read each day to  see the work of artists I admire.  So if nothing else I’m moving in the right direction.  Best of all, I have a support group of friends and family who encourage me and take the time to comment on my photos – which is just the kind of thing an aspiring artist needs to keep going.

I’m getting braver as I explore my artistic side – so maybe being able to call myself artist isn’t as far off as I think it is.

Today’s exercise prompt is picnic – and since I'm in Lexington for a couple more days with no models and very few props I decided to use an old photo and today focus on how I could improve it using Photoshop - a tool I've been teaching myself for the past several weeks.  The photo was taken last summer during a unplanned picnic on my back porch for my niece Miss M.  \  My photos of the picnic are average at best - but I think a little photo shop magic made a difference.  What do you think?  And, if you have mad Photoshop skills, I'd love some suggestions for my next attempts.

Before

After

Can you imagine a better setting for a picnic that a evening with a beautiful orange sky?  This song not only provides a great setting for a picnic, it inspires me which makes it perfect to kick of my Creativity Bootcamp adventure.

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Weekend Plans

What am I doing this weekend?  Here's a hint:

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Wildflowers

On my way to Asheville I drove past Dolly Parton's hometown:  Sevierville.  I love Dolly (her "Light of a Clear Blue Morning" is one of my all time favorite songs) but had no idea we came from counties with the same name on different sides of the country.  I think a trip to Dollywood might be in my future.

I also drove past some places I've only heard about in country music - the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg and the Cumberland Gap.  Three more places I've added to my list of places to visit while I live in this part of the world.

Here's a little Dolly along with my favorite wildflowers from Asheville.

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Top of the Mountain

I can now say I've been to the highest peak in the West and the East - I made my way to Mount Mitchell during my time on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I had lunch at the restaurant at the top - the food was so-so but the view was amazing.

What I loved the most were the trees up at the top - the wind, weather and pollution had all had an impact on the way they grow - making for some very interesting looking trees.

I've been waiting for weeks for this album to come out - I can't wait to download it next week and the song is a perfect fit for my time spent on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Blue Ridge Parkway

Driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway was one of the highlights of my visit in Asheville.  I always breathe a bit easier when I'm near the mountains, and after months spent with not a hill in sight, it was wonderful to get back to nature.  I spent the day driving along the parkway, stopping whenever I got the urge, doing a tiny bit of hiking and testing out my new camera lens.

The only thing that could have made the day better was having my dad along - it was just his type of ride - he would have loved it.  And he would have wanted to drive, which would have made it easier for me to watch the scenery.

This song was the last song of my body sculpting class today and it make me happy - my happiness had a bit to do with the song and a bit to do with the fact that I knew the song signaled the end of the pain.

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Asheville, NC

A few weeks ago I started asking around the office for ideas of places to get away over Memorial Weekend - Asheville, NC ended up at the top of the list.  I was told it was a cool little city surrounded by beautiful mountains with a funky, arty downtown.  Turns out it more than lived up to its reputation - I instantly felt at home - and could even see myself living here someday.  In fact, I haven't felt so instantly at home since the first time I visited Seattle.

The downtown area was full of great, independent shops, friendly people and good food.  It was one of those great places where you could spend entire days wandering and always find something new to see.  The people were unique, welcoming and quick with a smile.

I tried to find a great song to go with this post by an artist out of Asheville - but decided to just go with the song stuck in my head, even though it has nothing to go with Asheville - Jerrod Niemann with "Lover, Lover" it just makes me want to dance around the house.

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Happy Memorial Day

I hope you were able to spend the day relaxing with friends and family and took a moment to remember those you've lost, and especially those who have served our country.

I celebrated this year with a road trip to Asheville, NC (more on that tomorrow) and as I drove I listened to Sirius Radio's Highway Country station.  I started listening because Country seem the appropriate type of music for my trip, but I kept listening because of a great program they had going to honor the military men and women.  They invited people all over the country to call in and honor their friends and family who have served.  I loved hearing the stories they told and I loved the great songs Sirius played after each message.

One of my favorite songs was unexpected, a song I'd never heard before, from an artist I've heard of but never spent much time listening too.  However I found myself in tears by the time it was over and decided it was the song I'd share today - David Ball's "Riding with Private Malone."  it is a story song - something that country music was built on, but you don't hear as much anymore.  

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In the neighborhood

Over the weekend I had some meetings at the main office, and I finally remembered to take my camera with me so I could get a couple of pictures of the surrounding area.  It was a perfect day - bright blue sky, grass that has seen recent rain so it was bright and vibrant.  The horses were out enjoying the day.

I hope I never get used to driving through this amazing part of the country, I hope I always remember to look around and take in the beauty of this place I'm lucky enough to call home for a few months.

In the same area there is a tiny rock church that makes me smile every time I drive past.  It is meticulously maintained and oh, so beautiful.

In honor of the lovely blue sky that allowed me to collect these photos, here's Joshua Radin & Ingrid Michaelson's "Sky"

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Deep Thoughts

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw

During my teenage years my favorite movie was "Sabrina" I loved the idea that an ugly duckling could run away to a foreign land, find herself and become the beautiful swan that all the boys fell in love with.  


It's taken me years and a few escapes to new places in search of myself, to realize how true Mr. Shaw's quote is - life doesn't magically change and improve become of something you find - it changes because of the steps taken every day to become the best possible person.  


I still have a long way to go in my journey, but it feels good to know I'm firmly in control and am not waiting for the fates to guide me in the right direction.


While this is a beautiful song - I'm happy to say that I'm not waiting for my life to begin - I'm living it.


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I Pray for You

This song and video made me smile through a couple of tough days last week.  Listen to at least the first minute - trust me you'll get at least a grin out of it.

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