Giant Head Planter that greeted us at the Entrance to the Chicago Flower & Garden Show

This giant planter greeted us at the entrance to the Chicago Flower and Garden Show today.  I think it's about 10 feet tall.  I take most of my pictures of "pretty" "feminine" or of the botanical "details" and landscapes.  Every year, though, I find a few funky sculptures that I just love.  This is one of them. 

I took over a thousand pictures today.  At least 700 are for my own reference (how a flower bud opens, what happens as the flower dies back, what the flower looks like from the back, how the stem emerges from the base of the leaves, etc.)  But that leaves 500 more to go through and delete or edit as finished photographs. 

The lighting in an exhibit hall isn't the best for natural color but but by changing camera settings and taking your time to focus you could leave with some great art photography.  There were several photographers there today with tripods, zoom lenses and special lighting.  That's not why I attend the show though.  I want to be inspired, absorb the beautiful sights and smells of spring and get a few ideas for my art and garden.  I keep my camera on a macro setting most of the time (for all the close ups) and switch the settings for light, apeture and focus a few times during the day.  I get lost behind the lens and click, click, click away.  I'm still using my Sony Cyber-shot with the glue dot and thumbtack shutter button (which has been upgraded with the addition of a strip of Scotch Tape.)

I have fun, relax and get lost in the beautiful sights, scents and thoughts.  It's a great part of my job as a botanical artist. 

Flowers made my spirit happy today!

 “Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture your heart.”
Indian saying

The Art of Gardening - Counting down to the Flower Show.

Image sources: www.chicagoflower.com and www.reflectionswaterlightstone.com

I attend the Chicago Flower and Garden Show every year.  I'm really looking forward to the displays this year because the theme is "The Art of Gardening".  Art, Flowers, opportunities for Photography.... a perfect combination for me!  As a botanical artist I need to study flowers.

The newsletter arrived yesterday with  of a few of the displays.  The "Research Queen" side of me couldn't check it out fast enough! I made the collage above with research from the sites.

Here's an exerpt from the newsletter of the “Jardin d'impressionisme” by Reflections Water Light Stone. 

"When Monet was young he bought a piece of land that contained a small brook. He dug a pond and created what we now know as the gardens at Giverny, paying tribute to the Japanese gardens Monet loved so passionately. As you wander through “Jardin d'impressionisme” by Reflections Water Light Stone, you’ll see it the way Monet did, through all five senses. This garden is a monument to the power of nature, water and their connection, interpreting Monet’s gardens into Midwest reality."

Are you planning on attending a spring flower show near you?

 Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting
and autumn a mosaic of them all.  Stanley Horowitz

Pink Valentine's Day

Hugs and Kisses to my family and friends for Valentine's Day ©CindyRippe2013

I hope you all had at least one opportunity to say  I love you to someone today.  Even if it was just to recognize that you are all special and need to remind yourself of that once in a while.  I am very lucky to have a wonderful husband and family and I'm grateful for that EVERY day, not just on Valentine's Day.  

This wreath hangs in my studio year round but I thought it would be perfect for today's photo.  I added the little hearts (bokeh effect), the banner and the message on PicMonkey.  

Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life. Leo Buscaglia

Finding Peace in Forest memories

Tree limb at Rim Rock National Park ©CindyRippe2013

I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the organization, paperwork and errands that I've been doing lately.  No time to be creative.  I found myself longing for the peace and quiet of the woodlands in part of the Shawnee National Forest.

I softened this image a little with PicMonkey but it pretty much looks as it did in the Forest..  Love all the texture on the fallen tree trunk.  All of those organisms coexisting on the same tree. I hope you can find your quiet place today.  

The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.-   John Muir

I love finding the details

Amaryllis flower center shot with Macro lens ©CindyRippe2013

With camera in hand, I can't help zooming in on the flowers and have always been intrigued with the details.  It started when I got my first camera with a macro lens.  Before that every time I tried to get close the photos were blurry. The macro lens is made to capture details as close as an inch away.  It has allowed me to enlarge images and see things that I can't with aging eyes :)  I also love that the symbol for the macro lens is a flower.  Most of the time I take 10-20 shots of each flower or plant that catches my eyes with the thought that it will be reference material for drawing and painting.  Over the years, however, I find that I prefer to draw from a live specimen and just enjoy the photos for digital art and viewing.  My students have enjoyed them as reference though.  I think I'll pick out my favorites for the website as digital prints, stationary and maybe even a calendar.  Maybe you'd like to suggest your favorites??   That would be fun!

The intricate network of veins to feed a plant, the dusting of pollen spread by busy bees, and the repeating patterns found in many living organisms (not just plants and flowers) is a continual source of pleasure for me.  So many times I think "How can anyone NOT believe in God since he created such amazing beauty for us to enjoy?"

Today I'm grateful for the sunlight and macro lens that allowed me to enjoy the colors that glow through each petal of the amaryllis.

Nature is a revelation of God; Art a revelation of mankind.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Rose Love - Easy Photo Editing with PicMonkey

I took this pink garden rose photo at the Chicago Botanical Garden.  Adding overlays and text made it even more romantic!

Many of my friends have been asking advice about digital photos and editing.  Some of the things I take for granted are new to them. I have so much fun sharing tips and techniques for all of those pictures that are still on their camera.

Even though I've used Photoshop for many years I find myself using PicMonkey.com more often now.  It's fast for me and easy for anyone to learn. PicMonkey has a large selection of free editing tools (along with an option to upgrade for more), and several tutorials on their blog.  Note: The tools with the CROWN symbol are only available in the paid version.

Since they updated the site with Valentine themed tools this week I decided to create a romantic image for you.  Here's how I did it:

1 - I clicked EDIT a photo (selecting my Pink Garden Roses from a file on my computer)
2 - I CROPPED it to size in the BASIC EDITS section
3 - Added the two CUPIDS from the Cupidity files in THEMES (this is on the bottom left side - a heart symbol right now because it's new)

The new "Sweethearts" editing tools on PicMonkey were the perfect addition to my rose photo.

4 - I changed the color to WHITE with the color slider A that shows up when you click on the CUPID.
5 - I flipped both of the CUPIDS with the left-right arrow tool. B

The option to recolor, flip and re-size overlays is really easy.  You always get the option to "apply or cancel".

6 - I added text by clicking on the P symbol on the left which opens a drop box.  I wanted to try the new free font "Sacramento".  After you choose the font you want to use, click on the box at the top that says ADD TEXT.  A new box opens over your photo.  Click on that and start typing. 

Select fonts, along with many other editing tools on the left side of the screen.

A box will open on the right side again which allows you to change the color, size and transparency of the font.  If you want to change it after you've typed you can highlight the words and make changes as many times as you want to.  This works for all the elements that you add.

Please let me know if you tried this, especially if you had fun or have questions.  ENJOY!

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.  Hebrews 13:16

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