Unity

My submission for Week #40 in 52 Frames -- Unity:

"Every particular in nature, a leaf, a drop, a crystal, a moment in time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the whole."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

A New Photo Project

I decided to join the 52 Frames community for a new photo project -- every week, there's a new theme and everyone (and it's a huge community!) submits to a shared photo album that he/she has taken in the week.   Last week, the theme was "Path".

This is the photo I chose...

And, this was the runner-up, which I love, but it didn't speak to me as clearly on the theme as the other one did.  Choices, choices...

All told, I probably had several hundred photos on the theme by the end of the week.  It's a total myth that photographers, or writers, or painters...don't revise, edit, and re-do!  

A Pot Rack Becomes a Back-Pack Rack!

Jeff made this pot rack a couple of years ago, but we've never used it for its intended purpose.  This fall, though, we discovered a wonderful use for it in our entry way!

It's Never Simple...

We have a blacksmithing demo this Saturday, but Jeff, his truck, and his trailer were rear-ended Monday evening.  This is the state of things... and we always make sure to get to our work, so we've figured out an answer!

Jeff's Demo at Manassas Civil War Days

Here are some scenes from Jeff's demo this weekend at Liberia Plantation for the Manassas Civil War Days:

Great Blue Heron, Huntley Meadows

Tomato Season

Judge's Choice Award

Honored that my photo received the 2016 TGOA/MGCA Judge's Choice Award!

Editing My Dad's Photos

I am working on a project involving my dad's photos from around 1973-1975.  Several caught my eye this morning...

Other Artists at ABANA

Although Jeff was working most of the conference, we did manage to stop by a few other tents.  These national conferences are basically a "who's who" in the metal artistry world and it's amazing to see such talent in one place. In a few tents, groups of smiths were working on large sculptures, and another group built a railing with some incredible detail work.  I didn't get many photos and I don't know many of the people in these photos except Tony Swatton....but here are a few:

Day 2 - ABANA Conference in Salt Lake City

Jeff, Jay and Bill (and others) worked non-stop on Thursday to give all their students a wonderful experience.  Everyone walked away with a fire rake and a back scratcher.  Their tent was so popular that they started running every class twice, which allowed more students to partcipate -- it also meant that they were exhausted!  Happy....but exhausted!

And, I took a few hours to tour the Temple, since I couldn't really go to Salt Lake City and not stop by (although Jeff, Jay, Bill and all the others did just that because they were working non-stop!).  While the Temple was interesting and beautiful, I was really taken by the modern art exhibited all over the downtown....and a little rainbow my son found as we walked back to the conference.  

Day 1 - Youth Teaching Tent at ABANA's Conference in Salt Lake City

We've just returned from the ABANA conference in Salt Lake City, where Jeff had the great pleasure of working alongside Jay Burnham Kidwell and Bill McMillon, as well as lots of other volunteers who helped make the tent a huge success.  It was a very busy week, as the tent was very, very popular.  On the first evening session, Jay led a class in making fire pokers.

Blacksmithing and History Camp Start Today at St. Albans

Jeff set up at St. Alban's last week and is starting to forge with the campers this morning.  What a great opportunity for the kids!  

Summer of 2016 Photo Project

I have started a summer photo project, giving myself a challenge to take a picture daily of something that reflects our summer.  Photos will be posted on my website every few days, and I'll share a few on the blog.  It's forcing me to think more proactively about my photography...and to remember to keep a camera with me at all times!  Most of the photos are being taken with my smaller (and lighter!) Fugi X100T camera, which I love....