dreams of paris

i have this recurring dream: i finally make it to Paris but i can't get out of the hotel room  .the scenarios change each time...a different reason why i can't get out.

sometimes the doors and windows are locked.  i can see the iconic tower but i can't get to it. once the building was under terrorist 's control;once under government control.  often times its because i have no money and fear an encounter with the concierge . sometimes its just because of my daily living anxiety...how hard it is for me to just go outside.  those times i am alone,but occassionally i'm with someone who is preventing me from leaving the room.

always i am fully....achingly aware that i am only here for a short time which adds to the frustration and desperation to get out/ the time in paris won't last long and all i can do is gaze out the window and watch the city from inside.  how like life...so short...and still,i observe far more often than i participate.

black and white paintings

'

rooftop

i've lived most of my life in boxes...big brick buildings;tall, square rooms.;heavily .barricaded from the outside world.....except for the glorious years in national city where i had an outside life with real earth under my feet and space to make art everyday. many   thanks to jeanne and quentin where ever they are.'

i've hidden my self in boxes, too.  Large and sharp edged, packed in layers of flesh as substantial as brick.

christmas day 2016

libations!!'
yellowtail merlot and fireball whiskey. [ not together]

presents!!!

smiles!!!

rain falls in my thoughts today...;
a rare reflection; not quite dark, 
but shrouded

book review; Understanding Exposure

Understanding Exposure, by Brian Peterson, is just what I needed to get a grip on understanding the many important things about exposure; typically called The Exposure Triangle (apeture, speed, and ISO).
The book is filled with good photographs that give examples of how a picture can change when these settings are changed.  That was a good teaching tool.
As a beginner, all this information can be a bit overwhelming, but with a lot of practice (i.e. picture taking), and this tool in my pocket, I'm sure my photography will improve little by little over the years.
There is a good section in the book that explains some special techniques, using polarizing filters and graduated neutral density filters. 
There is also a comprehensive section on using different types of flash in your photography.
I'm sure I will refer to this book many times, and am glad to have it among my reference books on photography.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

caroline's birthday extravaganza

some photos from caroline's birthday bash

annette and donna

donna and susan

donna, annette, charlie and basha

birthday girl, caroline

book review:Wonderland

This book,Wonderland;a coloring book inspired by alice's adventures,by Amily Shen is just beautiful. The illustrations are whimsical and great fun to color. the pages are bright and the perfect weight for use with markers as well as pencils. Even the dust jacket can be colored.

i can't say enough great things about this book.  my only criticism  is the omission of a major Wonderland character , the caterpillar.  Aside from that, Wonderland is a very fun coloring book.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books, for the purpose of this review.

dancing; some watercolor sketches

coney island paintings

 madam zola
acrylic on board

 old steeplechase
watercolor on paper

 cyclone
acrylic on canvas

 you must be this high to ride
mixed media on canvas

the old parachute jump
ink on paper

Book Review:Paris Street Style

what can one say about a coloring book? this is an elite coloring book, as fun as it is charming.From it's gorgeous cover of gold on brown, Paris Street Style ,  a coloring book by zoe de las casas, is pure entertainment.. the book is an elegant size with the feel of a journal. complete with a bookmark and elastic band to keep it closed. once open, the pages are covered with whimsical drawings, detailed enough to be interesting but not so detailed as to make your eyes hurt. the fashions are diverse and beg for color!!

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once you've heard the blue guitar version five

Modern Printmaking A guide to traditional and digital techniques

This book, Modern Printmaking: A guide to traditional and digital techniques by Sylvie Covey is a comprehensive study and history of printmaking.The book is well presented, with easy to read ,informative text and many beautiful illustrations of the many different methods of printmaking. The book is printed on heavy weight, glossy paper, which compliments the prints.
I was a little disappointed that there was only one chapter focusing on  digital printmaking techniques which is my main interest. but all in all , this book is informative and beautiful.  I would recommend it to anyone interested in printmaking.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of this review.