My year of silence, actually a year of agonising pain, suffering from broken heart syndrome and wandering through the mist of grief has been soul destroying.
Slowly I am emerging and I hope that some sort of order will return to my existence. As photography is becoming an interest once again, I am tossing around ideas and starting on new art works and creating fotoart. Every little positiveness in my life now is more than welcome. Sleep does not elude as much and days are filled with much to do. A challenge I have set for myself was to create one image a day. Sort of a 365 day challenge. Whether straight photography, art or fotoart, this will keep me out of mischief.
This little image is an old painting of mine. Found these lovely frangipani blossoms on the footpath on my daily doggie walk. They are simply plain beautiful with scent to match.

The scent of tropical summers.

Sometimes you need to think outside the box.
Trying out different Canon lenses with the Speed Booster metabones adaptor ring on the Olympus camera. It was challenging and a fun project, especially incorporating some ICM.

Finally in post processing, with only four layers and various blend modes “Hidden” was born.
The birds themselves are an Italian Sculpture that has been in my possession for 35 years. With some gentle intentional camera movement, they blurred just enough, to create some moodiness.
The grasses in the background were perfect. These were captured on an empty building block. The wind was quite gusty, so they too created they own movement.
The other two textures were from an enlarged version of the bird wings and a simple cushion with a touch of colour from the lounge. The high key and reduced colour palette was intentional to suit the new decor of our home. Definitely cannot wait to print this one out.

Be gentle, be quiet and listen to the rustle in the reeds
with gentle cool tropical breezes.

 

The tropical winter was warm, bright and comforting. There was a promise of another very early tropical summer in the air. Then I found myself back at my favourite little patch…the Fitzalan Pond.
It is so peaceful and so quiet here. A place of solitude and time for reflections in more ways than one. Then a soft tropical breeze whispered and like a gentle hand, the water ripples, ever so softly and gently…and then magic starts to happen. A melody of colours merge, incredible patterns jump about and Mother Nature has created another fine piece of art.
This is my special little paradise. The grass is lush green, the tropical foliage beautiful, showing off new abundant bright coloured flora. The canopy of trees shelter and create their own reflections. If you are lucky the Damselflies and Dragonflies will tantalise you in the brightness of the day. Then when you think there could be no more, is a flash of bright blue. The magic of a Ulysses Butterfly will taunt you. All this makes me want to grow wings and just fly over this magical pond.

Make note to self:  Take camera with you all the time!

Every time I head into town there are new works, new buildings and new images to be found.  My challenge was going to be “Curves and Lines”.  The diversity that surrounds us is simply astounding.  So many different images, all showing curves and or lines.
The mind boggles what else can be found.  Why not set yourself a challenge like this and head out.  It is amazing what you will discover.

These are just some simple images created for a club competition. First and/or last light of the day. As I have not made the attempts to really be out and about at these times of late, I had to delve into some of my archives.
Creative edits are always fun to do. It is my little speciality. May not be to everyone’s taste, but it sure gives me pleasure. All these images are from Cairns and the Hinterland. Enjoy.

I am continually drawn back to nature.  The raw, the beautiful and sometimes the fun.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people just keep on walking by.  Their minds elsewhere and life seems to be just a blur for them.  How sad and regretful for them.  If only they stopped, took a deep breath, opened their eyes, their minds and just took a few minutes out of their busy days, that beauty is found everywhere.

Yes we are still alive and well.  My photography and art has been on the back burner, but I feel that incredible itch to sink my teeth into some serious art and photography once again.

Slowly the move is over and final boxes are unpacked.  There is light at the end of the tunnel and days are easier.  We do not miss the old place at all.  The new owners have destroyed all our beloved garden and with so many changes, it certainly does not feel like we ever lived there for 20 plus years.

The fur babies have settled in well and now it is time to start our new adventure, as well as us humans.  So the mind now turns to being creative once again.  With new decor, it beckons for new artworks.  There are plenty of paintings in the making (in the mind) and the camera is out and taking walks and doing some serious creative editing once again.  Ah, that feels good.

And I have to keep telling myself…even if it is broken, it is still beautiful.  This of course pertains to many things in my life right now.

I see beauty everywhere.