Wednesday, June 30, 2010

the past month

the opportunity to learn, to be challenged, to rethink our understanding is something that we take for granted, that it will always be there, that it's boring. as a mom and having the chance to step back into the academic world, i wish i could covey in some way to others in the midst of their studies to soak it in, take each word or idea expressed by your professor and glean from it, challenge it, research it. spend time in the library, (i love the library) enjoy where you are at, because it is not always a possibility to be in this place, to have these opportunities. so many never have the chance to study. i am thankful for this place, a place where knowledge is nearly played with, where conversations are always engaging and the name C.S. Lewis is sure to make it's way into your sentence.
ART 230; photography. my latest challenge
Assignment; using the cameras frame
visually exploring one scene
Assignment; pinhole camera
Assignment; composition
a choice between the eight different compositional elements to photograph
element - content and meaning
“Charlee”
A child of God, created in His image, beautiful and free. She is innocent and courageous, lovely and believing. She knows who she is.
“Hands”
The understanding that there is importance in generations; things to learn about, people to learn from, we are empowered and grown by those who build us, whose hands love, protect, discipline and guard us. We depend on hands that work hard, that show their age and beauty. We take joy in hands that are developing that are soft to touch and cling to the strength of another.
“Homeless”
Alone and on the street while others meet together to eat and build community in the comfort of warm buildings and great ambience. This man sits with his dog with a cold street for a chair, for a home, waiting on the compassion of strangers to fill his needs. Lights on in the windows above him indicate homes lived in or businesses making a living - contrast to all that this man knows. I wonder, how many people in one day walked pass, around or even over him?
“Our Heart”
The discussion of women in leadership inside the Christian context. The open space beside the church indicates communication between the woman and God as she discovers who she has been created to be and the gifts she has received. The absence of others speaks to the understanding that this discussion is for only she and her Creator.
Assignment; photoshop
Assignment; photo essay
a photography genre including artist statement
genre - documentary.
Community
we ask people to join us on our adventures, our journey through life.
we will accept their love and in return offer our own.
it is created through different aspects of life;
it can finds us on our knees or crumpled on the floor.
it can find us with our arms raised high dancing in the rain.
community comes in different sizes and shapes, it holds to no boundaries.
those that make up our community will;
challenge, strengthen, encourage, and love us.
they will laugh or cry with us depending on the day.
they do not define us, instead develop us.
the ones we choose to surround ourselves with are small and beautiful blessings.
this is a document of the ones i see daily,
the ones i hold dear to my heart.
these are a few of the ones that i pour into and in return pour into me,
this is a piece of my community.
these are a few of the projects or assignments i have been challenged with this past month. not only the technical aspect, but developing the content of the image. i truly enjoy learning, and i am really thankful for this opportunity.

Monday, June 7, 2010

the annual trip

during the past four years we have taken the same trip with the same people at the same time...well mostly the same people. families have grown, some can't always be there, but we try, this year was no different. wednesday night we headed for the island. by thursday we were enjoying companionships, treats and waves. we spent the next three days sitting on the beach, building sandcastles and forts, playing chase, eating, wiping sand out of eyes and mouths, sharing stories, sitting around the camp fire, laughing, eating a little more and building memories with people who have blessed us and built into us. three families, seven kids, two campsites, four days, too many marshmallows, nine loads of laundry, two dish loads, and a few good waves...these are the images and memories we made.
friends
four crazy girls
sinking in the sand
surf time with dad
this kid can't get enough of the water
michael and sophie
hard work, all this playing
emily and markie
olivia and jack
there was a lot of sand to clean up at the end of the day
it is hard to look cute in a wet suit...especially with the hood up
the girls
morning at the rocks
swollen eye and face due to bug bites
all seven of them
olivia and her dad
emily and her dad
dude, these girls can rock it out
last surf, great waves, even better friend for putting on a soaking wet wetsuit with me
sitting around the campfire
makes me smile just looking over the pictures. i truly am so blessed. what a beautiful little family i have been given, thank you Father.