Follow Your Dreams!

As a job I write and illustrate.

I love to see my ideas come to life in stories and in pictures.

The Good Samaritan movie poster

When we are young everything is new and interesting--everything is a first. As we grow, we become familiar with things in our lives. As we get older many of these things become more commonplace, and to keep things interesting and exciting we need to create our own firsts.

My latest first is to produce a short film.

This film is a mature thriller called The Good Samaritan, written and directed by Brooklyn Hudson. I supplied the art for this project, including the photography for the posters and campaign.

I am thrilled to be part of this project and can't wait to see it on the big screen. 

Life is short and precious. If you have something you want to do, do not hesitate. Create a first that you will never forget.

I hope some of you take advantage of the perks of this project which range from an advanced screening of the film, to an IMDb credit and personal thank you from the writer and director. There is even a Hollywood makeover and a chance to have your child in the film!

Click here to support women in film and to read about The Good Samaritan.

Then get out there and start following your dreams.

A Visit From a Deer

I was talking to a friend as I was driving home last week. I looked left and saw a deer approaching my car.

I slowed down, worried that he might run in front of me.

He didn't run out, in fact he walked right up to my window. I felt like he would have gotten in the car if I opened the door.

"He's literally inches from me," I said to my friend.

"Get the camera! Take a picture!" she said. I'm glad she did, I would have just stared at him.

I moved a bit and he started to walk away, but I was able to snap a few shots.

His mate started to run and hopped the fence, and he followed.

I felt like he had a message for me. My friend said it was a very special blessing.

I had to agree.

xo

November Haiku as We Wait for Christmas

This has been a glorious November. 

For the first time in many years it feels like we are having a fall. The leaves stayed green and on the trees for a bit longer than usual, and we were able to hold on to summer for a while.

But the wind came through the other night, and I thought I heard some freezing rain.

My yearly winter denial has once again been crushed, and Christmas is right around the corner.

I love the holidays, but there is still that tiny part of me that will be crossing my fingers for an early spring and looking forward to that first warm ray of sunshine.

Stay bundled up and cozy.

xo

My website.

UNUSUAL URGES~No! I Don't Want to Jump

About a week ago I was driving over the George Washington Bridge. Traffic slowed for a few seconds and I was able to look at the steel girders, beams, rivets, and thick wires that held the bridge together. My eyes followed the construction upwards and my mind put me somewhere out there about 100 feet up over the Hudson.

I could see the sparkling water below me and a seagull passed close to my right ear, and I could feel the grip of my left flip-flopped foot loose its traction--I could feel myself start to fall.

Just like in my dreams of falling, I jerked myself back to reality before I hit the chilly water, cursed aloud in the car and again wondered why my brain insists on playing these messed up games with me.

These odd moments do not happen infrequently.

When I was in Washington, D.C. I was strolling next to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool. I did not want to get wet, my balance is very good, yet as I walked hand in hand with my then boyfriend I was pretty sure if I stepped up onto the edge I would have a hard time keeping myself from jumping right in. Of course I would not drown there and most likely not even get hurt, but again--strange urge!

I have never wanted to kill or injure myself, and I do not fancy myself much of a physical daredevil with urges to climb slippery mountains or jump out of planes.

Then why, oh why do I have these odd urges and thoughts at such inopportune times?

Seems there is some real science behind this urge. A team in Florida State's psychology department gave this freaky feeling the name "high-place phenomenon." Over 400 people in the study were asked if they ever felt the urge to suddenly jump from a high place, and although people who had considered suicide in the past answered positively more often, over 50% of non-suicidal participants said they had experienced the phenomenon also.  (Complete article from NBC News here: http://bodyodd.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/03/13/10657767-that-weird-urge-to-jump-off-a-bridge-explained?lite )

Imagine you have just ascended the 217 steps to reach the top of the Barnegat Light House in Long Beach Island, NJ. You step onto the completely enclosed catwalk that encircles the top-most portion of the structure and you look down and panic. Even though it would be impossible to squeeze through the iron bars you find yourself stepping away from the edge, or even retreating to the perceived safety of the inner light room.

Looking back outside and realize you would be 100% safe walking around out there and enjoying the view--so why did you run in? Possibly because we had some type of urge to jump?

We test ourselves in many ways. Some climb Everest, or base jump, or search for paranormal activity with EVP equipment and infrared cameras, some use Xbox for vicarious wars and battles. We want to feel brave and get a thrill, and we all do it differently.

When I was younger I used to go to graveyards at night with my camera and some friends to try and capture something otherworldly on film. We did see some other darkly dressed characters that we called grave robbers, and we were chased away by the police, but the only thing we managed to get on film was each other.

So my personal "thrill" is discovering and exploring the dark and scary. I do NOT like heights, yet I'm sure I will find myself once again daydreaming about being far to high above my comfort zone of sea level.

I would love to know if you have ever experienced the high place phenomenon, or anything like it.

I also like to stir the pot in conversations a bit--but I think that is something different... :)

You Never Know

A wise person once told me just do it, you never know what will come of it.

I heard those words as a young person, and they stuck.

Yes, we should make the most out of every situation and try and look to the bright side, but I'm talking about looking at more than just one side of the thing you are doing.

For instance, yesterday I went to a conference/meeting of illustrators in Pennsylvania. Needless to say, I did not want to go. I was tired, a bit under the weather, behind in every chore, and just a little crabby. But I paid for it, and I went.

The conference was actually great, but there was another side to it that was also great.

The event was located in the middle of a farm that was surrounded by cornfields. Reminded me a bit of New Hampshire. It was overcast, and a storm was brewing in the distance. Some of the dilapidated buildings on the premises looked ominous. It was the perfect setting for a horror story, and the perfect setting for taking pictures.

Although bucolic and lovely in spots, the other areas could have been straight out of Night of the Living Dead, so I snapped away.

I did not have a camera, so I used my iPhone.

Look for the funny within the serious, the hidden within the obvious, the emotional withing the stoic, or the love within the hate.

To me there are many sides to every moment.

Look for them--they are many times better than the obvious.

xo

Introduce Your Kids to Photography

My dad was an electrical engineer when I was growing up. I probably know a bit more about capacitors, diodes, vacuum tubes and cathodes than your average bear. 

His other interest, and by default mine, was photography.

Never one to withhold information, my father brought us on endless hikes into the forests and parks that surrounded our neighborhood.

I learned about F-stops, lenses, and developed what I consider a relatively good eye for composition.

Although my dad used a Nikon and I used a Canon, times have changed a bit and many of us use our iPhones or other digital tech toys for photography these days. Thankfully the technology has advanced to the point where the pictures come out pretty good.

We used film when I was young, and one of the first things I became aware of was the number of pix on the roll. Twenty four or thirty six shots, then the film went to be developed--unless you were lucky enough to have another roll. We were very concerned about getting the perfect shot, or at least trying to. Not anymore.

Plan a little field trip then tell kids:

1. TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES. The difference between a great shot and a so-so shot could be a millisecond, so let them take as many shots as they want. 

2. PERSPECTIVE. Almost everyone, when given a camera, takes a direct shot, with the subject centered. Encourage kids to discover new angles--take the subject not only from the front, but from the side, or even above or below. They can even get in super close and only take a portion of the subject. 

3. HOLD CAMERA STRAIGHT. When we take pictures of something with a horizon line it is especially important to hold the camera straight. Although we have an opportunity to EDIT with much of today's technology, it is a good thing to practice and get used to.

The first lesson is simple, but it should be. Go out and have some fun. 

When you are done review the pictures with them. They will like to show you what they did. Ask them what they think of the pix.

Next Wednesday I will do another Photography for Kids post and go a bit more in depth. The Rule of Thirds and finding a Focal Point will be introduced.