Portrait of My Grandmother

Last week, in the unfortunate event of multiple deaths in my family, I had the good fortune to spend a couple of days with just my mom and grandmother.  The three of us hung out, went to my grandmother's favorite restaurants, watched some of "The Roosevelts" on PBS.  If not for the sadness of our unexpected losses, it would have been a great week.

My grandmother Daun is eighty-six years old and still feisty.  Her body may be a bit frail, but her mind is as strong and sound as it ever was.  She gave rise to four generations of intelligent, strong-willed, competent women.  We are blessed to be her daughters, her grand-daughters, her great-grand-daughters.

With a little bit of grumbling from her and some gentle coaxing from me, she agreed to allow me to take her portrait.  It is with honor that I share this with you today.

Grandma Daun

My grandma taught me to appreciate classical music, bird-watching, and gardening.  She and I played endless games of gin rummy, which I then played with my children (my daughter beats me every time).  She was still pretty young when I was born, and my brother and I were the only grandchildren for several years.  I was fortunate to get to know her as a young woman and to have had so much time with her while I was growing up.  

And at eighty-six, she's still a beauty! 

Sometimes, in the event of a tragedy, there is a tiny seed of light shining into the heart of the darkness.  My time with my mother and grandmother (and my daughter and her beau, who came into town for a day and a half) was that light last week.

Until next time...

Anne



Gold

In the part of the world where I live, we are in the midst of that golden season, when fields are emblazoned with panicles of various goldenrods (solidago ssp.), whose loose flower scapes billow on the breeze, and native sun flowers (helianthus giganteum), whose flower heads actually track the sun the sun as it traverses the sky.  Even on the cloudiest of days, there is a luminescence to the landscape, a softness, with the intensity of summer light gradually subsiding, as the wheel of the year turns slowly toward autumn.

 

'Neath Darkening Skies

Fields of Gold

At Summer's End

Gold doesn't just glitter. When nature wields her paintbrush, the entire landscape is aglow, radiating warmth, healing, and peaceful energy.  

Until next time...

Anne

Black Umbrella

Black umbrellas have long been a favorite theme of mine in both paintings and photography.  The first time I saw the painting Paris Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte I was mesmerized.  There is something about the way the light kisses the umbrellas in that painting that captivates me.  

I have always had an affinity for umbrellas anyway.  They embody the romance of a rainy day and seem to be among the most feminine of utilitarian objects, with their sensuous lines; fabric stretched tightly over sheltering ribs, like a corset; the perfect curve of the wooden handle, the elongated tip at the top pulling it all together.

This series of photographs pays homage to the umbrella, to its flirtation with the morning light, and the mystery created beneath its protective arms.

Lady with Black Umbrella I

Lady with Black Umbrella II

Lady with Black Umbrella III

Lady with Black Umbrella IV

The lake in which I am standing in these photographs further adds to the mystery, the whimsy, and the painterly quality of these images.  And the umbrella brings a new element to my Ladies of the Lake Series.  To me, this seems the perfect marriage of light and shadow, of depth and atmosphere, of the practical and the improbable.

Until next time...

Anne

Ladies of the Lake-- Part II

The second installment of my Ladies of the Lake Series depicts women in the same four dress colors, but this time, their heads are visible.  In these images, part of the story is told in the Ladies' hairstyles and facial expressions, in addition to the color of the dresses.  The mood of the photograph and the nature of each photographic subject changes depending on whether the hair is long and loose or neatly pinned, whether she is looking down or off to the side.  Unencumbered hair has a naturalness, a sensuality to it.  Upturned hair has a polish and an elegance to it.  Flowers remain a predominant theme in these images.  

As always, morning light adds magic to the scene, similar to sprinkling everything with pixie dust.  The lake changes every time I venture out, even though I am out there at the same time for each shoot.  The light has a huge impact on the color tone of the lake.  Cool, overcast mornings produce a mist that rises in thin plumes and murky blue-grey water.  Clearer mornings result in water that appears very green.  

Lady in White I

Lady in Pink VII

Lady in Grey III

Lady in Black I

When out in the water, I feel myself becoming a part of the lake itself.  At those moments, it is not just something that envelops me, but I take on its liquidity, its luminescence, allowing them to soak into my being, as I stand submerged, completely still, waiting for the shutter to click. The herons at the shoreline, the occasional jumping fish, the flock of geese overhead all seem to accept my presence there as the most natural thing.   And so, each morning at dawn, she calls to me, this lake, luring me from the comfort of my bed to venture out into her green waters and become one with her, if only for a little while.  Though sleep still tugs as me, though my dreams remain unfinished, I happily oblige.

By the way, if you wish to see an enlarged version of each image, simply click on it, and it will open in a lightbox.

Until next time...

Anne

Ladies of the Lake

Since childhood, I have been enthralled with the mythical Lady of the Lake, a magical creature from the Arthurian legends.  She is known by different names in different legends, including Viviane, Ninianne, and Nimue, which, for me, furthers the mystery surrounding her.  Her most notable feat is rising from the lake to bestow upon Arthur the enchanted sword, Excalibur.  She is also known to bewitch Merlin, who is completely enamored with her, and persuade him to share the secrets of his magic.  Following a battle in which King Arthur is wounded, the Lady of the Lake is one of four queens who deliver his body to Avalon, a mystical island, so that he can heal.  In all tales she is powerful, smart, and beautiful.

In my series, there are four Ladies of the Lake.  Each Lady is characterized by a dress of a different color-- grey, pink, white, and black-- which evokes a different mood.  The grey dress is ethereal as it emerges from the pearly water.  The pink dress is soft, romantic.  The white dress speaks of innocence. The black one is seductive.  The Ladies also emerge from the lake bearing a bouquet of flowers, including pink roses.  Pink roses happen to be among my favorite flowers and are said to symbolize gratitude and love.  I associate flowers in general with youth, beauty, life, and feminine sexuality, making them the perfect symbol for my other-worldly women.

 

 

 

More Ladies of the Lake photographs to follow in upcoming posts.  Stay tuned.

Until next time...

Anne

 

Rainy Day Images

Rain fell softly, early that morning.  Mist spilled across the bluff top, rising from the fertile valley below, enveloping the tree canopy in a cloak of wonder.  The ancient bluffs barely took notice.  How many rain showers had they seen during the eons of their existence, gently wearing away their grey sandstone, layer after layer, a geological shedding of the skin? They stood stoically by as the drizzle fell, immune to its magic.  I, on the other hand, rejoiced.  

There is a certain enchantment in the air which I only feel during times of rain.  Perhaps it is the charge of electricity in the air that accompanies a lightening storm, when atmospheric nitrogen becomes available to plants, nourishing them with every flash of light .  Perhaps it is the way that rain is the great sustainer of life as we know it.  After a rain, everything is renewed.  Or perhaps it is the way the light is softer, lacking harsh pockets of sun and shadow that accompany the sunniest of days.  I feel a greater connection to both the rhythms of nature and to my inner world during a rain shower.  Some rainy days are an invitation to stay indoors, to indulge my contemplative side.  Other rainy days beckon me to come out to play.  This particular day was one of those.  

 

Promontory

Parasol

Grounded

Leaning In

 

Until next time...

Anne

 

Great-Grandma Esther's Apron

In these images, which were taken last week, I am wearing an apron that had belonged to my great-grandmother, Esther.  She died in 1972 when I was a small child, and unfortunately, I have no memory of her.  My mom has told me over the years that I am similar to her in some key ways.  I find it fascinating how some traits that we think are uniquely ours actually are passed down through the genetic code.  I look at my grandma, my mom, my daughter, my aunts, my cousins, and I see the physical resemblances.  Those are obvious and understandable to me.  It is the personality traits that interest me more.  Both Grandma Esther and I shared a deep fondness for beauty and have a way bringing that in our homes and our lives.  And so, I have always felt this connection with her.  These images honor that connection.  

These photographs also celebrate morning light, and the rural landscape that surrounds me.  Grandma Esther lived in rural areas of both southern Wisconsin and northern Wisconsin, and so we have that in common also.  The photos seem to speak of times past, yet I am unable to place them in a specific era.

Smelling the Roses

The Long Walk Home

Gather Ye Rosebuds

Until next time...

Anne

 

A Change in the Air

As one who lives way out in the country, I am much more deeply connected to the changing seasons than when I lived in town.  Although it is early August, the air already speaks of the coming autumn.  The nights have been cooler, the light more golden.  The meadow that comprises a large part of my yard, my own little wildlife habitat, is preparing itself for the dance of the goldenrods.  When these native plants come out to play, entire fields and hillsides rejoice.  It is the last hurrah before the blaze of autumn and the hush of winter, almost a season in itself.  

These photographs celebrate this slight change in the air as time marches forward and honor a moment of solitude in the natural world.

Until next time...

Anne

 

 

Luminous

Most of the photographs I create are shot at dawn.  The light of dawn is softer, dreamier than at any other time of the day.  When mist hangs over the land, the effect like atmospheric alchemy.  Everything it touches turns to gold.

 

 

Seeing Double

This morning, after a rather fit-ful night's sleep, I awoke with a burning to create some new images that represent communion with the soul or over-self.  This series consists of composites that were created in the camera, not during post-processing.  It tells the story of encountering, making contact, and ultimately embracing the spirit-self.  

Even in the throes of fatigue, inspiration can strike.  Every time I heed its call, I feel more deeply in touch with those deeper parts of myself, as if the process unfolding in this new photo series is actually occurring on another level within my being.  Art mimics life, and life mimics art.

Until next time...

Anne









Launching a Dream

Today marks the first big step toward realizing a dream I have held for most of my life.  My earliest, and even then fondest, memories involve the process of creating art.  When inspiration slips in through the back door, I am struck with a burning to create.  It becomes like a living being inside of me, pulsating with life, and breathes life into me.  When under the spell of inspiration, my senses become heightened.  It is much like being in love.  Everything tastes better, smells better, sounds better.  Life is richer, and I am a happier person.

May inspiration come knocking at your door, and may you be brave enough to open it and let her in.  If you decide to follow her lead, your life will never be the same.

Until next time...

Anne