Ilka's Attic -- Photographer, Digital and Mixed-Media Artist Susan Tuttle

new day, fresh blog!

2011-12-21T10:09:00.003-05:00

I am pleased to invite you to the home of my new blog and website!

www.susantuttlephotography.com

Please come on over and join me:)

note: i will be keeping this old blog available to readers who wish to explore its archives.

xo

two special families

2011-12-12T14:37:00.006-05:00

It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with these lovely families, taking photographs for their holiday cards and personal collections (here are some samples from the lots). And, I have learned the perfect trick for getting beloved pets to cooperate and smile for the camera -- treats in my pocket, and calling the word "treat" just before i snap. And following through of course, being generous with the treats:)

One of my clients is a very talented woodworker.

Merry, merry!

the wild christmas tree

2011-12-06T10:45:00.006-05:00

We walked through our woods, scouting for the perfect, wild holiday tree. We dropped the notion of what a beautiful tree should look like, all pruned, full and shapely, and instead, we embraced the wild, imperfect, spindly qualities of the trees growing naturally in the forest. As we searched in the wood just outside our door, we could see our home, lit from within, all warm and welcoming, the smoke twirling out the top of the chimney.

We all had feelings of anticipation -- looking forward to decorating the tree, singing carols, while nibbling on some snacks I had simmering on the stove -- spicy meatballs and a pot of hot rum punch (sans alcohol for the kiddos). Good old-fashioned Christmas preparations! For real? For real. My dear cousin would jokingly call this a New England wet dream -- i hope i do not offend in saying that, but he is absolutely correct:) -- gotta love him. LOL.

oh, and yes, we found the perfect tree...

recipes:

Spicy Meatballs

1.5 lbs. ground beef
1 c. bread crumbs
3 eggs, beaten
6-oz. jar chili sauce
1 c. sauerkraut
1 c. cranberry sauce (I used actual cranberries instead)
1 c. brown sugar (I prefer dark brown for a richer flavor)

Form meatballs with first three ingredients. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 F until browned. Combine remaining ingredients to form a sauce. Place meatballs in large skillet and pour sauce on top. Simmer on stove for 1 1/2 hours. Serve warm with a bowl of hot rum punch close by.

Hot Rum Punch

2 c. regular brewed tea
1 c. apple juice
1 c. orange juice
1 c. pineapple juice
1 doz. whole cloves
1 stick cinnamon
2 tbsp. sugar (optional)
1 c. rum

In a saucepan, heat all ingredients except rum. Remove from heat and add rum. Serve hot.

*recipes taken from Coming Home for Christmas Cookbook by Patricia B. Mitchell*

going easy

2011-11-29T22:36:00.013-05:00

there is no trace of the snowstorm from last week. Weather is strange.

i am in a soft and quiet mood. There is a lot on my plate at the moment, but I am working slowly, enjoying, and taking breaks when i need them. this is not always my nature, so it takes me some practice, but one can only sit at a computer for so long, no?

these photos show a glimpse into my afternoon break for peppermint tea harvested and dried from my garden, followed by a good stretch of the legs with scented pine needles underfoot. don't these kinds of breathers make all the difference in a day? I have been working on a few large projects -- writing a magazine article, building my brand new website (which i hope to unveil and share with you before the new year), planning the beginning stages of my next online class which i expect to offer in February 2012 (thank you to those who inquired), and completing photography work for a client (which I hope they will allow me to show you, because i think there is such a tenderness that came through in the photographs). Do you like to work on one project at a time, or do you prefer to juggle many? I do like to focus, but i actually think i produce better work when i have multiple irons in the fire. I think many artists like working this way (in fact -- check out the video link below of an inspiring artist who does just that).

i hope you are not feeling too stressed as we enter the holiday season. My husband and I are making a conscious effort to make more gifts than we buy. It is transforming the holiday experience on many levels for us. More on that later lovelies. Thank you for stopping by.

xo

sharing:

i enjoy the spontaneity and raw beauty of this artist's work.

yes, snow for thanksgiving

2011-11-23T15:47:00.011-05:00

snowed last night! a bounty of it. making home still and quiet. pristine. i took a perfect morning winter walk, my head swirling with inhalations of sweet-smelling woodsmoke. squealing children. snow play! pink cheeks. hot cocoa for the kids and steaming buttered brandy with apples for the mum and pop. comfy. sipping by the toasty woodstove.

i feel like i am living in a painting today.

i'm making a homemade pumpkin pie from a local farm-bought pumpkin. Roasted, then cooked on the stove top, pureed, now cooling, almost ready to make me some pie! so much sweeter than the stuff in a can. i can't wait to mix in the spices and cream, close my eyes, and inhale.

sharing:

winterberry wreath how-to: take your 40% off coupon to Jo-Ann Fabrics and purchase a wreath form for under $5. Grab pruning sheers and mud boots and go to a wet spot in your woods, where you will be sure to find clusters of glorious winterberry bushes filled with ripe reds, depending on your geographical location of course. Cut small bunches and tuck them into the folds of the twig wreath form. so easy. so fun. so pretty.

all photos, except for the wreath, were taken with my lensbaby composer lens with double glass optic insert. You might need to pop a dramamine in order to view them:)

i was honored to be a guest on Creative Mojo with the fabulous Mark Lipinski. He featured Jenny Doh's new book, Art Saves, and talked with Jenny and contributing artists Michael deMeng, Suzi Blu, Lynn Whipple, and yours truly. Our podcast date is 11-16-11 and can be found at this link. You can also download the podcast for free at iTunes.

one of my favorite movies. perfect for this holiday. an artist in the kitchen.

Happy Thanksgiving! May you revel in the joy of a full tummy and a light heart:)

tender

2011-11-12T22:30:00.002-05:00

growing

2011-11-08T10:57:00.006-05:00

There is excitement, uncertainty, challenge and extreme joy in the journey of unearthing a new artistic style. I am on a path of creative change -- growing into this new range of my artistic voice, which I am exploring in addition to creating the types of photos you are accustomed to seeing on my blog and website. I have been delving into iphonography; mainly portraiture in monochromatic tones, and developing a worn, vintage, grungy feel to these photographs. At the same time that I began to connect with these new inner creative stirrings, the Universe magically gave me access to the tools I would need -- in the form of vintage dresses, ballerina tutus, fancy cocktail gowns, and masquerade-style masks:)

I refer to my iphonography photographs as my daydreams series, which I post to regularly on Instagram. Although I am the figure featured in these photographs, I don't tend to think of them as self-portraits, because by definition, a self-portrait involves exploring aspects of one's self through an artistic medium. For me, I am using my body as the model, for convenience's sake and because it's pure fun to dress-up and move in such a theatrical way.

I like to construct scenes, develop characters, and tell "stories" through these photographs -- stories that are personalized by you, the viewer. I ask you, "What do you see? Tell me your story. I wonder. I want to know."

As I work and grow in this new medium and share it with you, I feel myself reaching for a piece of the ethereal, while trying to convey a sense of timelessness. All else is a wild ride of surprise. Let's see what unfolds over time.

stoking the fires:

I am currently working on a brand new home for my website and blog, which I hope to unveil before the New Year. I think you will like it, as the new design will allow for display of larger photographs.

Thank you Vivienne McMaster for having me as a guest interviewee for your Fall You are Your Own Muse online workshop. I am very excited about the line-up of participating artists -- so inspirational Viv!

My VisualPoetry Fall online workshops are currently in session. A brand new online class will be coming your way this winter. If you are not currently on my mailing list to receive the latest workshop details, you can sign up by entering your email in the form located in my sidebar (in the "Take An Online Workshop With Me" section).

En-joy the day lovelies. I am going outside into the crisp, autumn air to continue putting my gardens to bed for the winter.

breathe deep, sigh, smile

2011-11-07T15:36:00.004-05:00

maine morning dressed in fog

a cackling overhead

a world unto itself

turnips -- a gift from my friend up the road

it was a dark and stormy night...

2011-11-01T21:40:00.001-04:00

good soup good bread

2011-10-31T22:19:00.005-04:00

outside my door there are final roses and early snow. the perfect bittersweet.

inside i begin working on my bread dough kneading technique, with the bible of all bread-baking books as my guide.

we gathered up the last of the harvest. we begin winter traditions of homemade bread and simmering pots of soup. my husband made the irish soda bread, i made the carrot mint soup. a welcoming meal. a warm fire in the wood stove. marking this transition with a celebration.

tomorrow, i will have halloween photographs for you. Visit me then.

sharing:

every meal should look like this

as the earth softly goes to sleep...

2011-10-27T12:49:00.006-04:00

sharing:

There are still a few days left to register for my autumn online workshops HERE. Feel free to sign up for more than one class if you wish. It would be a pleasure to have you join us:)

My Fall Online Workshop Offerings!

2011-10-12T18:22:00.006-04:00

above are thumbnails of some of my recent iPhonography photos on Instagram.

Thank you for all of your inquiries about my online workshop offerings for this Fall. I was not sure if I was going to be able to offer any workshops this autum, as I am in the final stages of creating the manuscript for book #3, which is photography and mixed-media based and due to come out August 2012 -- and co-authored with the lovely Chrysti Hydeck. I made a last minute decision today to run FIVE of my previously offered online workshops, starting November 1st! A brand new workshop will be offered in January or February.

The line-up of my online workshop offerings can be viewed HERE. Registration is going on right now! Feel free to sign up for more than one class if you wish.

i can't resist sharing this with you:

Did i ever tell you that i am in love with the cello? well, i am, and i promise that i will learn to play upon its strings at some point in the future. I am a classically trained flutist, so i am hoping many of my skills will translate. Currently i am smitten with this Finnish band, a fusion of rock and classical music. And this remake piece of theirs -- i am so taken with the musicality, the depth of feeling, and... the hair:). I hope you will be moved.

persisting soul

2011-10-04T20:58:00.007-04:00

(photo credit: Madelyn Mulvaney)

If you have ever visited Madelyn Mulvaney's popular blog, Persisting Stars, or had the privilege of taking one of her e-courses, you will know that her soul sings and gives freely and generously of the creative energies inside her. I am very excited to announce that she is gearing up for yet another inspiring online workshop appropriately titled Persisting Soul. In her description of the class she writes:

"This five week course will help you discover the interesting places and answers that your life gifts you on your journey by exploring a series of thoughtful and transformative questions designed to nudge you along the path of a little soul digging. Sharing your ruminations through the art of photography you can shed light on your inner life and ultimately your connection to the world in the most reverent, imaginative way possible.

Breathing some of that delicious, golden soulful verve into your photographs!

Each week during this course a tribe of illuminating artists will share thoughts on what makes for a soulful life in their writing as well as a gallery of their photographs from a most passionate, keen, and sensitive wellspring of sharing."

I am delighted to be one of the Persisting Soul Creatives in this workshop -- in answering a series of questions, I offer up my innermost thoughts on what soul, art, and living a soulful life means to me. Maddie has a special way of coaxing the best out of me -- let her use her gifts to do that for you. Sign up for her gem of a class now, or gift it to someone who will enjoy it -- only 17 spots left. Make haste.

xo

in remembrance

2011-10-03T09:30:00.007-04:00

Today I am remembering a young man who is being laid to rest this morning, way too soon. I first met this special person about 13 years ago when he was a little boy in first grade, and I was the school's music teacher. He was gentle inside, strong, exuberant, enthusiastic, and caring. He always let you know what he thought and he was full of surprises -- a tough little guy who also enjoyed things like art and music. I knew his life was rough and that he had to endure things that a young boy should never have to, yet he always found a way to rise above and shine. That is how I am going to remember him today and always. rising! shining!

He accomplished so much in his short life, for which I am incredibly proud of him, and I am sad today because the world has lost a young man that was making a difference and had much to offer.

Please send him a prayer or good thought if you would, as he begins his new soul journey.

Rest in peace sweet soul.

Easy Canvas Prints

2011-09-30T21:48:00.001-04:00

I was given the opportunity to transform one of my treasured family photographs into a lovely canvas print, courtesy of Easy Canvas Prints. I am genuinely pleased with this product and would highly recommend this company. Ordering was a snap. I just uploaded a high-resolution photograph and chose a custom color for the side of my canvas (or you can choose to have the image wrap around the edge) -- that's it! My canvas arrived quickly in the mail and was very well-packaged. The quality of this product is excellent -- the colors on the canvas perfectly match my original photograph, there is an attractive subtle and natural sheen, clarity of image, the product is sturdy and well-made, and the canvas is tightly and neatly wrapped. This would make an excellent gift for any celebratory occasion, or to decorate your home with a special touch.

red lipstick

2011-09-23T15:26:00.002-04:00

sight

2011-09-22T12:02:00.005-04:00

i am gently being pulled into the mysterious visual world of black and white and monochromatic photography, where feeling and emotion come to life as the colors fade. As i work, manipulating darkness and light, i begin to see things that i did not notice before.

sharing:

the master of monochrome photography

and her portfolio.

40th. birthday weekend

2011-09-19T22:21:00.004-04:00

i have vivid memories of being a nine-year-old tomboy girl with stringy long blonde hair, plaid button-down shirts, and keen senses of adventure and imagination. And now, in what seems like a few blinks of the eye, i have become a 40 year-old woman with tomboy ways held intact:) i think i am really going to enjoy this new decade, full of life, love, authentic relationships, and new-found passions and callings. I am moving forward, feeling the path more solidly than ever before, seeking happiness in truth and simple life, exploring my senses, relishing adventure, with the compass that is my heart. And what a perfect way to begin this journey! -- on a birthday evening gest with my beloved in portland, maine...

now this was a serendipitous surprise -- heck, i couldn't resist the pink glow coming from behind the glass window of this martini bar as we passed by, treading the cobblestone streets of the Old Port. pink is an understatement, yes? it was psychedelic dreamy. hip-swirling dance music beat. twirling spinning light patterns on the floor. sexy black couch. sexy boy with the cutest smile. let me tell you, this shi shi venue is not usually my style, but fun, fun, fun to play in while succumbing to a yummy chocolate raspberry martini ♥

ozzy and van halen cloned hybrid spotted on a corner in the Old Port!

Sweetest hubby gifted me with new, loads-of-fun, toy camera lenses for my digital slr. I will have some shots for you soon dear lovelies:)

peace

septembers

2011-09-15T14:36:00.014-04:00

cribstone bridge, bailey island, maine

getting my charleston kicks

apples of my eye

2011-09-07T15:01:00.004-04:00

the best time to go to your local apple orchard in maine is early in the season, when it first opens. not too many folks are there and if you are as lucky as we were, you will have the orchard all to yourselves as you take in its magic.

preserving food is a daily act in our household this September -- bounty from our vegetable and herb garden, our local farm share and local orchard. i filled jam jars with honey processed from a beekeeper in town and infused the ambrosial golden liquid with peppermint from our herb garden. soon i will be straining out the leaves in this medicinal herbal cold remedy -- the perfect balm in a hot cup of tea this winter.

40 pounds of paula reds! the outdoor turkey fryer comes in handy for making applesauce. we softened the apples in the big vat and made batches of creamy, smooth and sweet tarty tasting applesauce with our fruit and veg strainer. you would not believe the taste -- i will never buy store-bought applesauce again.

upright freezer came today -- thank goodness! the regular freezer was packed to the gills and not to be opened under any circumstance:)

there's more. i made apple butter and dried apple rings over the weekend. i like to mix the cinnamony sweet butter in plain greek-style yogurt -- yum. next on the list is to make batches of apple pie filling to freeze, for a nice warm apple pie in the depths of winter.

this is special -- apple brandy infusion which will be ready to drink on my 40th. birthday this month...

canned spicy peach salsa made with a variety of cherry tomatoes from our garden -- i serve it up with chopped fresh cilantro and diced hot red pepper. perfect for dipping healthy flax corn chips in...

and a little surprise view into our orchard experience -- my daughter skipping happily through the orchard with a red juicy apple in hand...

i love to make...

2011-09-02T10:59:00.004-04:00

warm, juicy, comforting blueberry peach cobbler with wild blueberries picked from the bushes in our woods, and...

pizza pie from scratch. This one has our roma tomatoes that i sun-dried, onions from our farm share and fresh snips of oregano, thyme and basil from our veg garden.

and i love to indulge in my husband's tasty bruschetta, topped with newly-picked, ripe cherry tomatoes and pungent lime basil from our garden on slices of baguette from this stellar bakery.

announcing a winner!

2011-08-29T22:09:00.005-04:00

congratulations to Sara Blackthorne!, whose name was drawn as the winner of my most recent give-away -- she has won a spot in the lovely, talented Madelyn Mulvaney's latest online workshop. Thank you to all who entered.

I will be hosting another give-away very soon, for something I know you will enjoy:)

Happiness to you.

we ♥ portland, maine

2011-08-28T21:08:00.005-04:00

sharing:

you have one day left to enter this very special give-away i am hosting for a spot in Maddie Mulvaney's latest online workshop. I will be drawing one random winner Monday, August 29th, 9PM EST and announcing the winner on my blog shortly after.

savory

2011-08-26T09:46:00.005-04:00

sharing:

i have something delicious for you -- there is still time to enter this special give-away i am hosting for a spot in Maddie Mulvaney's latest online workshop. I will be drawing one random winner this Monday, August 29th, 9PM EST and announcing the winner on my blog shortly after. We are expecting a big storm here in maine around that time, so if power is down i will post as soon as possible.

i am ♥ ing:

kinfolk

exploring color palettes

rose & crown

mmm

love to you lovelies

xo

2011-08-25T15:21:00.008-04:00

looking through a piece of daydreamy glass on my morning walk through the woods. it felt good to enjoy the sun before the skies turned a thick cloudy grey and opened up with pouring rain.

sharing:

don't pass up a chance to win -- there is still time to enter this stellar give-away i am hosting for a spot in Maddie Mulvaney's latest online workshop.

buckwheat for breakfast

2011-08-25T08:18:00.013-04:00

lately i've been going on adventures in the woods just outside my door. breathing in scents of fragrant pine, river water, black soil and rotting leaves. as you can see i have started a moss garden on my low-light kitchen windowsill. i collected my favorite specimens in the forest and placed them in jelly and canning jars with some river rocks and twigs. i spritz them twice a day to keep them happy. each one is like its own little miniature world.

i will be pulling on my army green rubber boots shortly and heading out for another woodsy walk -- check back later today for some photographs of my traipse, to see what kinds of magic i am sure to stumble upon. but before i go, i am dining on fresh-squeezed carrot orange juice and hot buckwheat with milk, brown sugar, melted butter and blackberries from the edge of the woods.

sharing:

don't forget about this dreamy give-away i am hosting for a spot in Maddie Mulvaney's latest online workshop.

my recent IG pics

a couple of InstaGrammers with still life photos that make me swoon, smile, giggle:

poidadi

gelda

happy to announce another give-away...

2011-08-22T14:41:00.019-04:00

When it comes to the lovely Madelyn Mulvaney, I experience warmth, admiration, awe, inspiration, delight, exuberance, and excitement for life and all of the simple, everyday miracles woven into its tapestry. Yes!

Maddie is offering a brand new e-course this Fall, called Photography and the "Wonder of Seeing." It is my pleasure to host this give-away for one spot in this special online class. All you have to do is leave a comment for this post (don't forget your contact information). Comments are moderated and will not show up immediately after you post it (so don't be worried). I will be doing a drawing for a random, lucky winner on Monday, August 29th. at 9PM EST and announcing the winner on my blog shortly after.

Good luck to you all!

xo

photo credit -- photo in this post is by Maddie Mulvaney

and the winner is...

2011-08-21T22:00:00.009-04:00

i want to take a moment to thank all of the beautiful souls that entered the give-away for Jenny Doh's book Art Saves. The stories you have shared are a true gift -- I guarantee you that others are reading them and that they are making a difference in someone's life. Keep telling your stories. Share your pain and spread your joy. Let others know how you have managed to find a way to hold both the joy and the pain and in the end let the joy take over. In this way we are generating healing and well-being amongst our friends (and sometimes strangers) and in turn they may pass it on. The beauty of the ripple effect. Yes!

Sending you all much love and wishing I had a copy to give away to all the wonderful folk who entered the giveaway.

I am happy to announce the winner, selected by a random number generator. Carlanda Brown Williamson you have won -- congratulations!

Some good news for you all -- I will be hosting another give-away this week for an e-course that will be given by the dear, sweet, amazing, talented, high-on-life Maddie Mulvaney.

Peace

Love

XO

2011-08-19T22:58:00.012-04:00

2011-08-17T07:11:00.012-04:00

it's the birthday boy! celebrating my dear's #42 was like biting into a big juicy plum, full of flavor! sumptuous. we went to the city of portland (maine that is). lot's of surprises, retina receptors in full tilt, taste buds blooming, bodies pulsating and swaying to drumbeats and mellifluous honey-filled sounds. carnival for the senses.

our waiter's body art...

a little street photography...

and to top off the date, we settled into a perfect coffee and chocolate-induced coma...

sharing:

I'm hosting a give-away for Jenny Doh's latest book, Art Saves. Just leave a comment HERE if you wish to enter to win. You have until Sunday, August 21st. at 9PM EST -- a random winner will be chosen at that time. I am being moved deeply and to tears by the heartfelt comments folks are leaving/gifting at the give-away post (please note that you are not required to share your personal story in your comment, but if you wish to, i believe it sends positive, inspiring, healing rhythms out into the world). Good luck and many thanks:)

Art Saves book give-away contest

2011-08-14T15:11:00.011-04:00

It's time folks!...

As promised I am doing a book give-away contest for my dear friend Jenny Doh's latest, incredibly inspiring book -- Art Saves! You can view my writeup of this wonderful book here.

To enter to win just leave me a comment for this post, and if you are so moved please write a few words about how art has "saved" you or someone you know (comments are moderated and do not show up right away). I will be choosing a random winner on Sunday, August 21st. at 9PM EST and announcing the winner shortly after the deadline. Be sure to include your contact information in your comment, so I can get in touch with you if you are the lucky winner.

I look forward to learning from your inspiring stories.

Good luck lovelies!

be a love artist

2011-08-08T19:43:00.011-04:00

as promised, here is the photograph of the beets we pickled and canned. beauties.

a bounty of squash from our veg garden. how on earth did they get so big? oh yes, i am enamored. thinking about how i started these babies from seed.

sharing:

very excited that i will be doing a give-away for Jenny Doh's latest book, Art Saves, in my next post!

my latest IG pics

enjoying funky_shin on IG

visiting north conway, new hampshire

2011-08-05T10:27:00.007-04:00

sharing:

the wind beneath my leaping feet and twirling body on this glorious maine summer day!

hugs to you lovelies

poetry

2011-08-02T12:00:00.010-04:00

i know you are looking for it, as am i

our eyes wide open.

XO

the harvest begins

2011-07-28T22:35:00.018-04:00

the perfect kale leaf, soaked in morning sun. i planted this from seed back in early spring, and now this gorgeous vegetable is gifting us with brilliant, green, tasty, vitamin-filled food. i am so happy, so grateful:) Kale is a perfect addition to almost any winter soup and my most favorite way to use the plant, so today i blanched and froze a bundle of it. I cooked most of the day -- banana berry muffins made with strawberries from my garden and wild raspberries from the woods, which i picked with my son. I'm in preservation mode, because there is no way we can consume everything fresh from the garden, and we don't want to waste a bit. I froze green beans, started drying German chamomile on screens, and canned pickled beets with my sweet one. I hope to show you a photo of them soon -- brilliant ruby when you hold a jar up to the light, like a fine red wine.

crimson clover picked straight from the fields nearby.

you will either take delight in this next story or think me a bit crazy. Our dirt road has a few crabapple trees along it and the apples are ready and singing. i sent my husband and son out to pick a bagfull today, and i proceeded to turn them into something we could enjoy. i made a spiced crabapple chutney that we put on slices of artisan bread with wedges of extra-sharp cheddar. i was becharmed at first bite, woozy with delight. on the floor spinning, dreaming, smiling.

sharing:

i "shazaamed" this one in a bathroom stall the other day. don't you love it?

summery sunday ooooh la la la la la la....

2011-07-24T22:38:00.006-04:00

globe thistle attracts so many beneficial bees to our gardens

wild honeysuckle

blue spruce

dried herbs for tea and culinary delights

lemon balm and borage flower tea ready for steeping

one of the many perennial gardens

veg garden

basil vinegar and orange mint vinegar infusions

summer buzz

i'm one proud momma:) and so in love!

got a juicer. made me some orange mango fresh-squeezed juice. Mmmmmm.

Sharing:

Lesley Riley's SEEK series is now underway. I am honored to be a part of the broadcast. Be sure to get your free ticket at the aforementioned link, which allows you access to all podcasts for a limited time only, before the package goes on sale. My interview airs July 26th. at 4:30p.m. EST -- with your ticket you have free access to all podcasts for up to 48 hours after they air.

more than sometimes

2011-07-18T17:00:00.010-04:00

fairly soon i will have more luscious tomatoes than i will know what to do with. plum, roma and a variety of cherry tomatoes including chocolate cherry and sun gold.

something sweet and magical is in the air today. unique, little odd happenings have peppered my day and left me in a dreamy state that i will carry with me to bed. as i was getting the mail, i saw two bald eagles flying together, "singing" directly over my head. i know there is a pair of them on an island in the river just across from my home, and i've seen them on rare occasions, but never together like this, flying so low, angel white heads atop magnificent benighted wingspans, making glorious sounds at me. The sight was spectacular. i thought of my soulmate.

And, i might add, that this was not the only enchanting part of getting the mail. I could hear my neighbor serenading the birds from his yard, playing a french musette on his accordion -- a waltz that sounded something like this.

i put the mail on my kitchen counter and went to the garden to pick a few tomatoes and what do you know, one of our neighbors flew overhead in his orange plane, circling and circling as i waved and waved and jumped up and down. flight is such a miracle.

sometimes i am mesmerized by the world in which i live. well, more than sometimes. most times.

delicious day:) oh yes.

fun tidbits to share:

lilybily makes me smile. big. she is so beautiful, quirky, artistic, scientific -- all good things wrapped into this bundle of a gift.

my latest IG pics

i just bought this dishy vintage dress on etsy (perhaps something my mother would have worn when i was a little bean) to wear in a photoshoot for a photography project that will be in my next book. it looks a bit like fabric for a curtain, so i'm hoping i can pull it off. it is a delight to be working daily on this book with my talented co-author and dear friend Chrysti. She lives in Virginia and I am in Maine, but the internet provides for amazing connections and collaborations. Expect the book to be out in August 2012. We are most excited to share it with you and hope you will enjoy it!

one more tidbit. a delectable one for your tongue. want to make chocolate mint whipped cream? It's easier than you think. Pick about 1/4 cup of chocolate mint leaves from your garden (or regular mint from the market) and place in a pint of whipping cream, steeping for the afternoon. strain (make sure to press out all that good juice from the leaves) and whip up to beautiful peaks of white in your mixer. serve over your favorite dessert -- goes so well with strawberries. Mmmmmmm. Do it! it's that good:) and super easy.

Hugs and Kisses lovelies.

Art Saves

2011-07-17T00:40:00.007-04:00

Jenny Doh's most recent book, Art Saves, has been released! I am most excited about this book and let me tell you why. It is down-to-earth, real, and takes a unique angle. Her book features 20 artists, all who discovered that the creative process is a profound way with which to connect to life -- to self, to others. Jenny explains that through the creative process we come to find meaning, hope, beauty, spirituality and even salvation.

Artists within the book share their personal stories, becoming candid and vulnerable, digging deep and revealing how art "saved" them, as well as others they share their creativity with. There is also a mix of inspiring technique-based projects in a variety of mediums, executed with clear instructions.

Jenny invites the reader to mirror these artists in their own unique ways, with their own voice. This book is all about community and fostering creative spirit by delving into it and sharing it. Spreading the word.

One of the reasons I believe this book is so very important is because if we are basking in the creative process, sharing it, and inviting others to do the same, we are promoting and spreading life, not destroying it.

Thank you Jenny for including me in your book. I am proud to be a part of your life's work.

So folks, grab a copy up as quickly as you can!

I'll be doing a book giveaway of Art Saves very soon, so stay tuned.

in love with home

2011-07-12T10:16:00.007-04:00

pemaquid point

2011-07-08T22:27:00.007-04:00

Lobstering is a hard way of life. I am intrigued; as are many that visit the docks and stop to watch the lobster boats come in near sunset. Lobstermen and women unload their catches, some returning home from as far as 30 miles offshore. They set sea before morning's first light and return as the sun begins its descent back into the sea.

float

2011-07-07T23:19:00.009-04:00

reid state park and five islands

2011-07-02T23:10:00.007-04:00

sharing:

It is a pleasure and honor to be a part of Lesley Riley's SEEK series. Be sure to get your free ticket at the aforementioned link, which allows you access to all podcasts for a limited time only, before the package goes on sale. My interview airs July 26th. at 4:30p.m. EST -- with your ticket you have free access to all podcasts for up to 48 hours after they air.

grace

2011-07-02T00:14:00.007-04:00

for our 13th. wedding anniversary, howie and i went to our favorite portland restaurant for dinner, followed by a sinful chocolate espresso dessert drink at grace -- an old catholic church converted artfully and meticulously into a fine dining restaurant. we walked into the grand space and i gasped at the most amazing transformation.

the environment was welcoming and warm, with a jazz trio playing this classic.

we admired large scale paintings hung throughout the space by contemporary, mixed-media artist Traeger di Pietro.

and I handled with the utmost of care an incredible gift from my sweet, thoughtful, generous, out of this world husband. its range allows for wide angle capability (which i heart), as well as being perfect for portrait photography -- i can zoom in close without getting right in the subject's face.

you could say i am majorly spoiled. i would not disagree in this case.

morning light

2011-06-30T23:30:00.004-04:00

purple and white bellflower

white double feverfew

gifts

2011-06-27T11:42:00.009-04:00

happy anniversary to my sweetheart. 13 years today. i love you.

i harvested mint from the garden yesterday. there are 9 bunches drying. fresh sprigs in milk glass vases sitting on the kitchen windowsill. fragrant crushed leaves in pretty vintage tea saucers all throughout the house; simple, minty potpourri.

i stayed up past midnight making apple mint jelly, stirring patiently, sipping homemade hot mint herbal tea with honey, leafing through this scrumptious book. i think i will be taking my watercolor tubes out of the drawer very soon.

for breakfast i smoothed the sweet-scented jelly over whole grain toast with a pat of melted butter. earthy. savory. close your eyes and slow down time kind of good.

happiness is experimenting with a Creative Effects System Kit from Lensbaby! i am swimming in a blissful little pond of discovery here as you can see below (more to come soon)...

i am delighted to share with you my interview over at 52 Photos Project. A big thank you to hostess, Bella, who is warm and charming. And as a surprise, you will find one of my latest, never-seen-before digital pieces contained within the interview.

wishing you joy today.

strawberry afternoon delight

2011-06-24T12:59:00.012-04:00

stumbling upon something precious:

my lastest IG photos

you are beautiful

2011-06-22T11:26:00.005-04:00

We are here to make a difference in the world. My dear friend, beautiful soul, Nathan Thomas is doing just that -- so inspiring! He was featured as the "Making a Difference" person last night on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Have a look.

peaks island, maine

2011-06-20T07:50:00.006-04:00

taking the short ferry ride from portland to the beautiful peaks island

♥

magical day

new tune i discovered through shazam whilst in portland

xo

portland, maine

2011-06-20T07:40:00.008-04:00

harpswell by the sea

2011-06-14T20:01:00.005-04:00

cake and book giveaway winner

2011-06-12T22:18:00.006-04:00

i made a cake to celebrate a special occasion -- my daughter's last day of preschool. it happens to be our favorite recipe for vanilla cake from this cookbook. we also had a lobster dinner down by the ocean, which I will share photographs of soon:)

as i post this i recall fond memories of the time i spent with dear susanna, munching on cupcakes from the Magnolia Bakery in the Village. i thought you might like to take a looksee back in time -- i especially love the series of her enjoying a chocolate buttercream cupcake.

a handful of buttercups to make you smile. i am delighted by the whimsical shapes of the stems that accompany flowers that look so prim and proper.

Announcing the winner of the book giveaway contest for Tammy Kushnir's book The Elemental Journal...

...and the winner, selected by random number generator is...

...Cat & Cricket! Congratulations and thank you to all who entered. I wish I could give away a copy to each and every one of you.

xo

constant blooms

2011-06-07T09:48:00.009-04:00

coral bells bathed in morning dew

columbine

buttercups at midday

emerging daisies

iris in late afternoon

magical flora springing up through woodsy moss at sunset

Sharing:

enter the book-giveaway contest here!

listening to land of talk

book give-away

2011-06-04T22:59:00.006-04:00

One of the aspects I love about summer are the yard sale and outdoor flea market adventures. And if you are reading this blog, I bet there is a strong chance you enjoy them too! Tammy Kushnir's new book, The Elemental Journal; Composing Artful Expressions from Items Cast Aside, will be the perfect companion for many of your thrifted finds that you can convert into mixed-media journal art. Her book contains 15 stepped-out journaling projects that incorporate unusual materials and found objects (some to be discovered right in our very own attics and trash cans), from tree bark to dismantled photo albums to tin boxes. Tammy gives you tips for seeking out those yard sale and flea market treasures, so you will be sure to find those thrifty gems. There are a handful of contributing artist projects in the book as well, including a polaroid journal of mine.

I am thrilled to host a giveaway contest where one lucky, random winner will receive a copy of Tammy's new book. Just enter a comment and you will be added to the pool -- please be sure to include contact information. I will draw the winner in one week, on Sunday, June 12th. You must be a US resident to enter. Good luck to you.

gardens alive

2011-06-03T13:16:00.016-04:00

buttercups

allium

blue iris

wild phlox

valerian

sunset over the fields

reflected on my face

thank you for all the get well wishes ♥

dancin' lightly in the kitchen to this tune -- thank you to the sweetie who turned me on to this musician -- you know who you are :)

XO

unearthing

2011-05-30T22:43:00.009-04:00

hello friends. as i sit here at my computer, dreamy little bits of my weekend wander through my mind, revealing the gems worth sharing, like filtering through silt, searching for the tiny specks of golden dust. what comes to mind, strongly, is a vision of the elderly Mainer I saw placing flags at old, historic graves of veterans in a roadside, tiny cemetery where only a few are buried, just up the road from my home. probably young men who once farmed the land here. touched my heart. helped me to explain the meaning of Memorial Day to my kids.

the apple blossoms are falling, creating magical carpets; soft downy feather-like beds for my imaginative little ones to roll in.

dream. i dreamt about rocks and concentric circles on Friday night. over Saturday morning coffee my mind threw sparks and i began to plan an herb garden in this very design. two concentric circles, the interior one higher than the base circle. anchor points of large stones to sit and lean on, with smaller stones filling the spaces in between them. determined, i set out in my back woods with my son on a quest for rocks. we have lots, as our home is built on the land of an old homestead with many stone walls, but they are quite far away from the house. i made a decision to go a new way through the woods and to my surprise, just yards from the edge of our lawn, we came across a bridge of rocks, placed over a small stream. i had never noticed it before. my heart leapt. i felt as if a presence were showing me these rocks, leading me to them, so that i could use them to realize the garden design in my head. i enjoyed feeling my strength as i hauled rocks out of the woods. as i pulled them from the clay-filled earth, i began to surmise that the bridge was designed for the sheep that once grazed there, so that they could cross the marshy areas with ease. as i filled my bucket with smaller stones i began to find treasures beneath them, bathing in the trickling water and clinging moss -- the remains of an old cooking pot, rusty cans, bits of blue and green glass, the bottom of a Ball jar from the early 1900's, and a vintage ketchup bottle left beside a tree trunk, unbroken; perfect. i will use it to hold flowering herbs that come from my garden.

the stone herb garden is complete after a day's work and sits in the center of our vegetable garden. savory and tarragon seeds are planted and the remaining spots are waiting for the herb seedlings emerging in my greenhouse. i have plans to make a walking path around it, filled with Maine slate and remnants of smooth blue and green glass that i found alongside these marvelous stones. paying homage. appropriate. fitting for this Memorial Day weekend. remembrance. thanks. blessings.

love

so many wonderful souls in the town in which i live. just through the woods, on the other side of the stone wall, our neighbors threw their annual Memorial Day party. Practically everyone in our tiny town congregates at this event. The light shines bright in my town. not sure what draws us all here to this special place, but there is definitely something in the air. let me share with you a slice of real life from the day...

xo

visual storytelling

2011-05-27T23:17:00.003-04:00

the art of taking care

2011-05-26T22:59:00.010-04:00

slow. slowing down, dealing with post-concussion symptoms.

to encourage healing i am...

...bathing in the light of delicious sun after days of rain here in Maine, drinking fresh lemon sun tea with mint and lemon balm from the garden, smelling the emerging lilacs -- mmmm -- deep inhalations that transport to a state of bliss -- do you know what i mean?, sowing a few seeds in black worm-wiggly soil, watching the colors and textures unfurl in my various perennial gardens...

...speaking of unfurling:)...

...this gorgeous book just arrived on my doorstep. congratulations to my sweet friend Misty. As you are probably aware, her work is full of soul; and absolutely exquisite. The projects and inspiration in this book will delight you -- so many mediums to explore from paint, to paper, to clay.

and one more thing...

... i am so so honored to be a Fly on the Wall artist over at dear, sweet, talented friend Maddie's blog -- Persisting Stars. Please stop in if you get a chance.

wishing you all simple pleasures daily ♥

dirty

2011-05-23T10:16:00.019-04:00

i am hoping you lovelies are well and sipping in the life around you.

i've been digging in the dirt. dirty girl. glorious mud-caked steel-toed #$%^*!kickers and my soiled gardening jeans and T. freeing garb. for the past three years i have been one of the top big spenders at my town's annual plant sale -- funds supporting our public library. i did not disappoint this year and had a parade of six helpers ushering my purchases to the back of my mini van on Saturday. wild phlox, black eyed susans, echinacea coneflower, tall rudbeckia, veronica, lambs ears, primrose, astilbe, artemesia, violets of every variety, forget-me-nots in pink and blue,...

... and intriguing, unique names like maltese cross, leopard's bane, and black scallop ajuga.

starting a mint garden -- giving them their own raised bed as they are known to multiply insanely -- apple mint, orange mint, chocolate mint.

starting other herbs from seed like lovage, betony, savory, thyme, oregano, basil, cilantro, tarragon, tansy, pennyroyal, chamomile, sweet cicely, angelica, lemon balm and anise.

gardening. making me dizzy with pleasure. so much life. so good for the soul to engage in the process of nurturing plants. mmmmm.

what is growing in your garden?

sharing:

date night with dear hubby at Frontier on Saturday was special. Front row seats at a fairly intimate singer-song-writer concert given by the talented, noteworthy Pete Kilpatrick Band (love this song of his), with additional soul stirring performances by Marie Moreshead and Sara Hallie Richardson. Awesomeness! I loved their rapport with and engaging of the audience -- pulling conversation and commentary in from the listeners. And I must admit when I hear good tunes, flow jammin' between talented musicians on stage, I am not one to keep my glee inside. I will be your biggest fan in the stand. and i certainly was on Saturday -- my husband can attest to that:)

some BIG NEWS:

- it is a pleasure and honor to announce that Chrysti Hydeck and I will be having an Instagram art exhibit right here in Maine at Frontier in May of 2012 -- we just got official word that it's a go! Instagram photos from around the world, from various photographers, as well as our own IG photos will be displayed. There will be an interactive audience component to the show where viewers can "follow" these Instagram artists with their iPhones and even become IG photographers themselves. It is such a treasure to be the mediums through which this art show will take place. To be a part of connecting others through art. beautiful. powerful. More news to come on that in the future.

- book number three is in the works folks! It's official. I am excited to announce I will be co-authoring with the lovely, talented Chrysti Hydeck and the content will be photography and mixed-media based. We have so many ideas we want to share with you in this book:) It's to be published by North Light Books and released August 2012. More word to come on that subject as it unfolds.

- I have had many inquiries about when I will be teaching more online digital art/photography classes with Photoshop. I will be offering previous classes as well as brand new ones starting in late Fall/early Winter. Right now my focus is on creating the best book I possibly can for you. Be sure to sign up for my VisualPoetry online workshop mailing list if you haven't already (sign up in my sidebar) to receive the latest workshop information.

have a lovely day filled with ♥

the music of raindrops

2011-05-19T09:18:00.012-04:00

what have you been up to lovelies? i have been listening to the rain. for nearly a week. relaxing pitter patters on the shingles. and enjoying the rich, vibrant colors of the blooming tulips and azaleas coated in dewey, glassy raindrops. for the sake of my emerging perennials i am wishing for sun, to compliment (perhaps counteract is the proper word) their exorbitant intake of drink. hoping the tender leaves will not begin to turn yellow and that powdery mildew will be kept at bay.

i continue to deal with my concussion. symptoms coming in a variety of waves. headaches. vertigo. screens look blurry. brain overload. difficulty concentrating. i am remaining positive and trying to move forward each day.

for today, i will take time to hang some of my IG prints on the wall of my studio, sipping tea as i move along. i will show you the results soon:)

wishing you a happy day.

sharing:

more of my IG recent photos -- lots of colorful spring foliage to share with you.

instagrammers i am indulging in:

kiccyomu -- flora joy!

JongHo Park -- dreamy with a subtle vintage flavor

Riho -- pure sweetness and beautiful, simple home design

me 'ol noggin

2011-05-15T22:18:00.008-04:00

injuries to the head are no joke (read my previous post if you are at a loss here). this has been quite the week peeps -- concussions can really do a number on the body -- headaches, feeling like you are in a fog, dizzy spells, hot, pulsing sensations all over the head, to feeling like your brain is short-circuiting in the midst of over-stimulation. scary. i worked hard to remain positive all week. truth be told, i am scared you-know-what-less.

hugs to you all.

sharing:

more photos from my IG

some instagrammers i am hearting:

sandra juto

jamie oliver (yes, the foodie, famous chef from the UK -- gosh, he has photography talent as well as culinary gifts)

bbbbbbbbbb

dearemilie

seeing stars

2011-05-11T11:04:00.010-04:00

i'm taking it easy with myself and feeling very lucky; blessed. long story short -- never offer to help the tree delivery guy with his out-of-control giant, metal dolly. i learned my lesson the hard way, as the equipment slipped and came down square on my head, knocked me to the ground, and pinned me there. not the kind of stars i enjoy seeing. normal CT scan to rule out the scariest of the scaries. diagnosed concussion. dealing with a rattled achy head feeling and spaciness. rest and tea.

also hoping you are well lovelies:)

sharing:

Guest Curator alumni spot at Crescendoh this week

Crescendoh Alumni Spot

2011-05-09T11:45:00.008-04:00

life is a journey. you may choose to sit it out. and oh yes, sometimes we do. i find myself in that corner at times. but there always seems to be a little voice inside telling me to get up and move. dance. dance the journey -- through the joyful experiences that elate and the painful ones that scratch at your heart. and in those moments when you ache and you feel like giving up, that is when you must draw up your innermost strength and go. dance. keep dancing. move forward.

I am happy to share with you my Crescendoh Alumni Spot.

foraging for a tasty salad right in my own yard: tender baby dandelion leaves, pear, and violets topped with a dressing made of balsamic vinegar and honey. Next time i would like to add some spinach leaves, stilton cheese, raisins and walnuts.

full-bodied day

2011-05-05T12:41:00.010-04:00

crayola markers paper and glue, reading beatrix potter stories to my daughter, rising bread dough under the checkered tea cloth, raw rainy day fire in the woodstove, hot coffee with milk and sugar in my favorite blue pottery mug, Sarah Ahearn Bellemare's Painted Pages to inspire, addictive instagramming, garden design planning, reading up on herbs and herb drying, and tending to my studio simplification/overhaul work-in-progress. i have recently painted the walls, cabinets, shelving and work stool bright white. like fresh linen sheets. neat, clean and the perfect backdrop for my natural finds from the outdoors. one empty wall begs for a display. i have been pondering how to decorate it for nearly 3 months -- the other day i had the light bulb moment -- to cover it with at least 100 4x4 prints of my Instagram photos. ordered:) please hurry mr. postman.

two bright yellow goldfinches have been darting about my yard all day, feverishly gathering nesting materials, nourishing themselves; working, building. coaxing me to do the same.

sharing:

i am completely in love. sarah moon. oh, oh, sweet sighs, swoon. this slideshow of her photography is mystical.

green at last

2011-05-03T20:07:00.009-04:00

where have i been you may ask? exerting every cell of my body. digging in the dirt. turning soil. preparing the vegetable beds. fertilizing perennials. weed pulling. ordering seeds. hauling fallen branches, sticks, and logs from the woods and chipping them. floating in hot baths. soaking in massage oil to soothe my aching muscles thanks to my dh. taking in the joy of it all.

gardening is a gift for the soul.

tomorrow we are expecting a delivery -- 10 yards of lush soil, three yards of gravel, and three yards of mulch. on Saturday we are renting a backhoe to form two additional perennial gardens, a retaining wall garden, slate walkways, more areas for raised beds and pretty ornamentals in the veg garden, and my favorite of all -- a spot for the Merrill magnolia tree that will be delivered on Monday. It is about 10 feet tall and will grow to be 30 ft. tall and 30 ft. wide -- glorious!

forget-me-nots are popping up in my perennial gardens. last year at this time i found the sweetest, heart-warming short film, featuring this very flower. enjoy.

my new greenhouse! -- i'll be seed starting chocolate cherry heirloom tomatoes, sun gold tomatoes, yarrow, black-eyed susans and echinacea coneflower.

and, mmm, the strawberry plants are well on their way.

green:)

at last!

soup for supper tonight

2011-04-26T17:03:00.010-04:00

you can follow me on Instagram. username: ilkasatticdotcom

and, have a look-see at some of my IG pics if you wish.

today i cut the easter ham off the bone and chopped the tasty meat into bite-sized morsels. tossed them into a slow cooker with white cannellini beans, stock, and a variety of vegetables left over from our winter share, like potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and onions, added a fresh bay leaf, and a bit of dried lemon balm from last year's garden. salt and pepper for taste.

spring evenings in maine are still a bit chilly, so a bowl of hot soup and warm bread still please at suppertime.

at bedtime i crack the window, despite chill, so we can fall asleep to the chorus of belting peepers in the pond just through the woods. the song gives spring fever, comforts, and lulls my body to sleep.

wishing you a most beautiful day. evening. morning. whatever time of day it is for you in this moment.

call on that saint...

2011-04-25T18:38:00.007-04:00

a beautiful tribute: a song about St. Clare, the protector

believe in magic

2011-04-24T22:50:00.003-04:00

sharing:

more recent photos

with grains of rice

2011-04-21T19:15:00.007-04:00

an iPhone update for you: in the previous post i told the story of how i accidentally sent my brand new iPhone through the washing machine. hopeful and despaired, i placed it in a container of rice for many hours to absorb the moisture and tried it last night for the first time. got nothing. plugged it into the charger and placed it back in the rice. about an hour later we heard a chirp coming from the rice -- the familiar sound of the iPhone receiving a charge. amazement! long story short; it works, kinda sorta. the lcd screen has wet marks on it and the camera takes very interesting dreamy, streaked shots which i shall coin the drowned iPhone effect:) it looks like i will be keeping the replacement phone i mentioned in the earlier post. and, miraculously, i was able to get that self-portrait from the wet phone -- the one that my husband wants for his desk...

good news!:

for a while there, the "older post" link at the bottom of my blog was not functioning. with a little tinkering of code and some divine intervention, i was able to get it back in working order, so you can once again scroll through older posts with ease, without having to utilize the archive.

sharing:

i am delighting in the fresh style of this painter -- like blurry, dreamy photographs.

and this woman's evocative paintings. i am completely taken by her mixed-media painting a tender patch of grass.

lovely

2011-04-20T13:51:00.007-04:00

guess what i did last night? some laundry. i washed my children's winter coats, as they were showing the wears and tears of mud season in maine. and. at the last minute, i decided to put my own jacket into the machine. had forgotten that i put my brand new iPhone in the jacket pocket whilst bringing in the groceries. now. my iPhone is really clean. but most likely busted. it is sitting in a container of rice, absorbing moisture. i was in the middle of photomanipulating an iPhoneography self-portrait -- one that my husband loved and wanted to put on his desk at his office.

my husband is at target right now. with the kids. buying me a new iPhone. his idea. i love this man. lovely man. he does not allow my creative passions to wane. if my drowned phone recovers we can return the new, new one. i keep imagining, hoping that when i turn the damaged phone on a few days from now, it will come back to life and there on the screen will be the portrait i was working on. a gift to my husband in return for the gift he is now giving me.

sharing:

feel like making something today?

listening to soul. the history behind it.

beauty

i smell like. a luxurious gift given to me. i am in love with the scent. and have never owned a fancy perfume until now and i am nearly 40.

we enjoyed this the other night with friends, chilled in the freezer, after having a sumptuous, authentic Italiano dinner. The hostess and cook extraordinaire was born and raised in Italy, so you can imagine the tongue titillating gastro dreamy state she put us in with her flavorful homemade meat sauce over pasta, homespun deliciously seasoned salami, and freshly-grated parmigiano cheese straight from Rome. heaven.

fun with family portraits

2011-04-17T12:48:00.015-04:00

the color version of this one on my often-neglected photoblog

sharing:

more recent photos

bein' a little rocker girl today

and a few instagrammers i am hearting:

cirkeline

melnyk

gulnara

kosh dp

chiesuicide

a river of birds

2011-04-13T18:28:00.017-04:00

sharing:

i have been watching several videos about painter Jonas Gerard. His approach to creating is immensely down-to-earth, unpretentious, and connected to soul -- his own as well as other. He imparts much wisdom regarding the creative process in this video.

Music largely influences the marks Jonas makes on the fresh canvas. Enjoy this performance, where he paints to enchanting, live indian music -- vocables, didgeridoo, singing bowl, and a variety of other auxiliary percussion instruments. The entire process is spontaneous, connected, organic and full of life.

As the birds come back to Maine, i find myself remembering one of my favorite pieces of music. i want to share this most beautiful song and tell you a story about it. When I taught elementary school music, I was privileged to lead a choral group of fifth grade girls in performing this piece. They stood in a formation of a bird's wings, and one girl, an old soul named Katherine, who had long blonde hair and soulful brown eyes, began to sing alone. More beautiful voices joined her in song, breaking out into a simple harmony that stirs the heart's depths, chanting together, growing, building, soaring, then alighting to a hush, a whisper. The audience went completely still. only the drumming of beating hearts. breath. and tears on cheeks.

grape crush + the joy of mark-making

2011-04-12T15:06:00.012-04:00

prosciutto and d' anjou pear on homemade honey whole wheat bread with fresh basil, whipped bleu cheese and honey walnut pesto.

washing it down with fruity, sweet grape soda over ice. Mmmm. like a lollipop.

my yummy lunch brought to you by this fabulous establishment.

sharing my stumble-upons:

fun for writing in

unique candles

watch live painting -- what a treat to observe this artist's organic creative process. he allows the music to move through his body as he paints, essentially dancing the marks and color onto the canvas. makes me want to blast some tunes, line up my gallons of old paint on a tarp, and lose myself in the blissful act of dancing, splashing, splattering, pushing, scraping, and pulling paint -- drawing out all that i am onto the canvas.

sapid sunday

2011-04-10T19:39:00.007-04:00

The outfits that my five-year-old puts together are so wrong they are right:) She finds a way to successfully combine every possible color, multiplicity of pattern, and mix of genre -- a true artist at heart.

Today was mostly about food. Gorgeous, springlike weather and food. For breakfast a treat of light and airy Stonewall Kitchen pancakes topped with blueberry syrup. Mr. Tuttle and I sipped hot, strong, flavorful coffee poured from our new french coffee press. If you've never tried coffee from a press, you must, as the intense flavor is out of this world.

For lunch/dinner I concocted a flavor fest of artisan cheeses (including super sharp aged cheddar blended with horseradish and a swiss cheese smoked with apple and hardwood), rosemary crackers, hard salami, mango hot pepper jelly, plum fruit spread from New Zealand, pistachios, white seedless grapes, fine dark chocolate and claret wine.

The way to do the cracker/cheese thing to make your mouth sing: place a slice of horseradish cheddar on the rosemary cracker and top with a slice of hard salami and a dollop of mango hot pepper jelly. The flavors will burst in your mouth at varying intervals. Better than fireworks. Good. So good.

Then take a sip of claret wine and a nibble of fine dark chocolate. The combination is mirific!

One word. Heaven.

We didn't allow the fun to end there. After putting the kids to bed, Mr. Tuttle and I started a fire in the woodstove and are currently sipping tuscan lemonades topped with fresh mint sprigs.

Note: a flavor fest will definitely banish any and all cases of the Sunday blues:)

Happy tasting!

art at the speed of life

2011-04-08T10:50:00.004-04:00

What a joy to receive Pam Carriker's brand new gem of a book Art at the Speed of Life.

I was very excited to do this review and sing her praises:

This book is a beauty from cover to cover -- that is what first struck me as I leafed through it. The art-filled pages drip with gorgeous color, interesting textures, striking imagery, and provide an appealing array of projects for various mediums. Pam is a master artist as well as an excellent teacher to boot. As I probed the book further it quickly became apparent that the projects (by both Pam and a variety of other talented mixed-media artists) are abound with fresh techniques and inspiring ideas that will motivate artists of all backgrounds and levels to experiment and attempt something new. Pam's book gives excellent tips for weaving art into our everyday lives, no matter how busy they may be, and provides a plethora of ideas on nurturing the creative self. I highly recommend this book for your library -- I think it will quickly become a favorite of yours.

friday breakfast treat

2011-04-08T10:48:00.003-04:00

color thirsty

2011-04-07T20:04:00.006-04:00

it's mud season in maine. if you are familiar with this phenomenon you know that the landscape consists of brown, grey, and extremely faded yellows and reds. which of course can be beautiful. but can also leave one starving for color come springtime. craving it.

i'm being drawn to our orange shag rug bath mat, purchasing miniature daffodils in a sunny yellow pot, tossing the less-than-vibrant, worn kitchen mat and freshening up the space with a lime green rag rug, appreciating the bookshelves painted a school bus yellow, and treating my husband and i to a bright ruby-red coffee press.

sharing:

more daily shots

dreamy

2011-04-06T18:19:00.003-04:00

the scent of a hyacinth

wednesday morning

2011-04-06T10:45:00.009-04:00

warmed buttery, chocolate croissant. coffee with tones of chocolate, lemon, stone fruit and aromatic wood. good morning loves:)

I am so drawn to this photographer's work. he has a gift -- an ability to capture a person's soul through his lens. breathtakingly beautiful. no words for it.

some more of my recent photos

music

2011-04-06T10:15:00.007-04:00

listen. a gift. this human ability to hear, feel and interpret the sounds of music; organized tones, shape, form, line, voice, harmony, timbres of instruments, and the gorgeous human breath and emotion behind each phrase. Mmmmm. soul.

cloud watching and sidewalk hopping

2011-04-03T18:49:00.007-04:00

i never tire of cloud watching. it is like people watching. each one is unique and like no other.

buoyant, natural, radiant, happy and full of genuine smiles. that is what i see when i look at these photographs my husband took of me in golden, late afternoon light. there is something special about allowing someone you love to photograph you. it is a gift to get a glimpse into your own soul, from the outside looking in.

sharing:

more of my daily instagram photos -- if you have an iPhone, you can get the app for free.

some instagram photographers i am hearting:

chrysti

tonydetroit

Devyn Caldwell

juri1224

kiccyomu

shigechan

hot -n- spicy

2011-04-01T18:16:00.010-04:00

snow. lots. heavy and wet. falling all the day long -- sigh. it looks like christmas. all white. all. white.

"please melt quickly," repeating in my head as i warm my bones by the woodstove, wrapped in a wool blanket, sipping hot tea. in april.

spring snow in maine puts my mind to wandering; ruminating over words and visuals like heat, spicy, orange, lemon light, sultry, lush, blooms, pale ale, lobster and yellow sun dress.

did i tell you, i own a pair of red orange pumps?

and today, they are not collecting dust in the bottom of my closet.

some hot links for your pleasure:

an iPhone photography exhibition

a most excellent flick

and a little Charlie Mars -- perfect for dancin' to in these shoes:)

hooked

2011-03-31T17:17:00.006-04:00

iPhoneography addict. that is what i have become. see the effects of my disease.

breakfast

2011-03-30T10:16:00.008-04:00

it is a clear, sunny spring morning and i am feeling cheery and light. nibble, nibble -- i'm enjoying my breakfast all laid out in shiny white tableware -- a perfectly-rendered scone, moist on the inside, crunchy on the outside, filled with tarty cranberry, bittersweet orange zest, topped with pretty raw sugar sprinkles. the hot coffee has cherry and chocolate tones that are making my tongue and belly very happy. i am sitting in the air, at a coffee shop in an old brick mill that houses many an artist's studio, on a floor high above the ground. through tall windows i see a fast-flowing white-capped river, jagged grey rock formations, and rushing pure white waterfalls. birds. mmmm. there are so many flocks weaving in between the fluffy, pudgy small cloud puffs, alighting on top of the big green bridge that crosses the river. this song is playing -- oh how i love this band and played their cassette tape over and over in my walkman when i was a high school girl in the late 80's.

you may have heard of Instagram, an iPhone app that allows you to take a photo, apply a photo filter and then post it to the instagram feed that people across the globe can access via their iPhone. My dear friend Chrysti, a most talented photographer and Instagram pro, has recently gotten me hooked:) i am not joking when i say that -- it did not take long for me to become an iPhone photography addict. completely. in addition to the instagram app, my phone is now loaded with all kinds of photo apps with which to photomanipulate the images i capture via my phone cam.

the process goes something like this: snap the photo with my iPhone, run it through a variety of apps to achieve the look i want, then post it to the world of Instagram. the entire process rendered on the iPhone -- amazing! my beloved real camera has been sitting patiently in her bag, left wondering when i will be coming back again:) no worries, she won't be lonely for long, as i love her dearly.

If you have an iPhone you can follow me on Instagram (you need to get the app first). My username is ilkasatticdotcom. If you don't have an iPhone, you can still view my instagram photos at my webstagram (there's a link to it in my sidebar as well). some of my phone photos make it on my blog and some i reserve solely for my instagram feed -- trying to keep things fresh for y'all.

XO

hymn

2011-03-29T21:56:00.005-04:00

eyes. what have they seen? what sights have been captured, burned into your mind's eye? memory. some you have tied up all pretty in brown paper packages. your favorite things. dreamy. light. playing themselves out movie reel style. what do you remember? but also, what do you want to forget? and maybe, you should not forget.

last night, beneath warm, woolen and down blankets, my eyes were drawn. absolutely drawn. to a magnificent array of stars outside my window. bright, magical, twinkling, glittery clusters of light. "for real?!" -- that is what i thought. because there have never been so many. they have never been so bright. there must have been angels dancing in the sky. just outside my window. yes. they were angels. indeed.

memory.

remember.

yes.

remember.

the things you don't want to forget.

as well as those you want to forget.

they are a part of you; where you came from and where you are going.

love, love.

sharing:

we own the sky

sweet eats

2011-03-28T20:28:00.009-04:00

...and a couple random views from the car windows.

optic bliss

2011-03-26T23:03:00.006-04:00

this is what happens when...

2011-03-26T22:13:00.003-04:00

...you get your husband all app happy and hooked on iPhone photography. Truth be told, i am blown away by his hidden talents. These are two of my favs that he took yesterday.

sun, rain, snow in 1 day

2011-03-26T21:47:00.003-04:00

lightleaks

2011-03-24T22:17:00.003-04:00

2011-03-22T13:56:00.001-04:00

spring snow

2011-03-22T09:54:00.003-04:00

it happens. spring snow in maine. two days ago i was digging in my garden, waking the earthworms from their winter slumber, inhaling the clean, sweet scent of black soil, feeling the pleasure of dirt under my fingernails once again. dreamy. i am looking out the window this morning and cannot find even a hint of my work beneath the blanket of fresh fallen snow. so, i will keep the woodstove burning, sip hot coffee with vanilla hues and leaf through my glossy-photoed garden book treasures which i found at the thrift shop for a few dollars. dreamy.

at the makery

2011-03-20T11:18:00.006-04:00

My lovely, talented artist friends Leslie and Hannah are the proud purveyors of the Beattie Chicks Makery in Brunswick, Maine. They have a wide variety of unique and fun arts and crafts classes for both adults and children of all ages. They also do parties/group events. Their space, located at 14 Maine Street, Suite 0222 (Fort Andross) is incredible! -- spacious, filled with light, inspiring art on the walls, a ton of art and craft supplies to use, as well as items for sale: beautiful art, felted and sock toys, jewelry and couture accessories (like gorgeous felted handbags). Enjoy some photographs I took of their open house last weekend.

Leslie and Hannah -- can't you just sense their wonderful energy:)

soul peace

2011-03-18T19:56:00.009-04:00

age 9. silvery flute. filling it with warm breath that came from me. creating tones that brought pleasure to my ears and felt good to produce. i was falling in love. and began to realize that these sounds i was making were coming from my soul and some place greater than myself.

as i grew doors opened. i connected with other souls that also made this music, and together we learned that we could create something glorious.

i began to listen. really listen to the music. that is joy. that is pain. and the key to my soul. when i listen to certain pieces of music i can actually feel the contents of my soul. the joy, the pain, the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly. and ultimately the music calls me, to my higher self, to be the best soul that i can be.

what does that mean?

it means

love

giving love

acting unselfish

embracing truth

feeling empathy

these things will ultimately lead to

peace

peace within

so that there may be peace without, in the world.

one of my favorite pieces of music is Symphony No. 3 by Polish composer Henryk Gorecki. I own a recording of this symphony featuring angelic-voiced soprano Dawn Upshaw. If you choose to listen to the links below of this piece, know that it will be an intense experience. it builds, layer by layer from a single strand to a place where tears will pour.

light a single candle. turn down the lights. sit. alone with yourself. with your heart. close your eyes. journey through the layers of sound. through the layers of soul. feel. let go.

peace

movement 1
movement 2
movement 3

fly

2011-03-17T22:16:00.000-04:00

waiting for spring

2011-03-16T15:10:00.012-04:00

mud season

2011-03-15T22:23:00.004-04:00

melting. mud. march in maine! i notice more patches of emerging green. less and less of the snow.

{Echo} Week 29 - Flight

2011-03-15T15:07:00.006-04:00

Chrysti and I are back with our photo challenge, Echo, and are sharing our 29th. bi-weekly prompt with you -- flight.

Instead of doing the collaboration every other week, we have decided to post our collaborative photos and invite you to join in on the 15th. of each month.

My interpretation is on the left, Chrysti's on the right.

Be sure to visit Chrysti's blog to view our other diptych.

Join us!:) You can post your contribution over at our Flickr group. If you want to leave a link to your interpretation, you can do so over at Chrysti's blog. For more information on the collaboration, be sure to read the instructions over at our Flickr group.

We are looking forward to seeing your flight interpretations:))

bookish

2011-03-14T18:11:00.008-04:00

every bookish girl has another side. and this tune goes out to all my gals who can relate:)

reading minds

2011-03-13T17:15:00.005-04:00

news:

dear readers, i am going to try something new with my blog. for now i will be turning off the comment feature, but i still wish to connect with you lovelies. please drop me an email anytime (see the "drop me a line" link in my sidebar). or, leave me a comment via my facebook page. and i very much look forward to my continued visits to your cyber necks of the woods.

boda

2011-03-12T23:34:00.018-05:00

jazzed, hooked, completely hearting the instagram app for iPhone. thank you to my dear friend Chrysti for tipping me off to all the fun this app has to offer. the photos in this post were taken with my trusty little iPhone and the app.

i took a trip to heaven tonight with my husband, as seen in the little windows to our world in the montage. we are both foodies in constant search of delectables to rock our senses of taste. tonight we topped all past culinary experiences... holy! we dined on tapas of "kanom-krok" quail eggs seasoned with soy sauce and scallions, "gaeng-kua” Prince Edward Island mussels in curry broth served with sticky rice, pork satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad, “miang kum som-oh” bite-sizes of pummelo fruit salad on betel leaves with toasted coconut, peanut, lime, ginger, shrimp, and shallots in a flavorful palm sugar dressing... and the best was the oyster dish, bursting with scintillating tones of lime, ginger and coconut. i am still pleasantly whipped, under a spell.

goodies to share:

Chrysti is having a giveaway for a copy of Pam Carriker's latest book -- don't miss this great contest!

me likes this photographer

singing along to a sweet tune