Project 365 - Photo of the Day - January 31, 2009

Today is the last day of my Project 365. I am proud of myself for continuing this for an entire year. I feel that I have grown as a photographer. I am still an aspiring photographer, but I do believe that I have some good images that I am proud of. I am not sure what I will do next, but it will be something. Something a little less demanding perhaps. Maybe it will be themed. But I now know that I love to shoot nature and objects and close ups. I don't enjoy having to be spontaneous and having pressure of event photography. I will do it, but not for me.

These shot were taken in downtown Fort Lauderdale at the Museum of Art's National Art Festival. It was a crystal clear day that was a bit chilly to begin with but warmed up to about 60 degrees by the time I was leaving.

The life-like sculptures were amazing and reminded me of Duane Hanson's work. In fact he used the same materials that Duane used. In fact, the one photo shows the artist with himself from 20 years ago! He sculpted himself.

I was crawling around on the ground to get some of these shots and had a blast. I would have stayed longer but I was getting hungry and didn't want to eat festival food!

The very last photo is of Joel and my neighbor, Ronnie, moving the Inverrary sign out of the median while the police stopped the traffic. It was knocked down by a car and it needs to be replaced. Never a dull moment around here!

I do hope that you have enjoyed this blog. I know that I have enjoyed myself. And as my friend, Susan has said in her blog, I am not sure sure if I created this blog to show off my photos or to allow me to talk to whomever is reading this about my life and the processes going on in my head about taking these shots.

Stay tuned for my next blog.
Ciao!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - January 26, 2009

I wanted to get a few photos of the current exhibit in the art gallery that is located on the sixth floor of the Main Library. This exhibit is right outside our office. I walk through everyday and I forget to take photos. But today I finally did it.

This exhibit was curated by LeeAnna Yater, one of the artists that attended our Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute. She graduated and then attended again! She really wanted to make sure that she understood how to think more like a business person.

And here is the fruit of her labor!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - January 26, 2009

Adina has been telling us that she is interested in forensics. So Monday night Joel took Adina to a lecture by Dr. Henry Lee. He was the specialist on the OJ Simpson case and Jon Bennet Ramsey among others. He wrote a book and he did a book signing and a lecture. Joel said that she was mesmerized by his lecture! Well, maybe my daughter will be the next CSI???

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - January 25, 2009

January 25 . . . . Happy Birthday to Joel! Best way to celebrate??? At home.



We set up the web cam and called Joel's brother so that all the kids could wish Joel a happy birthday. Craig and Stacey have six children! They had four and then the twins came along this past August. I can't imagine how to raise that many kids. I couldn't do it. More power to them! They live in Levittown, NY and Craig recently retired from the NYC Paramedics and now is a nurse and Stacey is Physician's Assistant. The kids are adorable and love to talk via the webcam that we bought them for Christmas.

I was amazed at my father and Elaine as they were amazed at how the technology connected us visually 1,500 miles away. I caught this photo of them with wonder on their faces.

























My father selected this card for Joel. I got a chuckle out of it!



Oh Snap!

Rachel put these photos together in the frame for Joel. Joel and Rachel went to the oldtimeers' baseball game the day before at Lockhart Stadium. Joel was thrilled to meet Ed Kranepool and a bunch of others who I can't remember at the moment.



Gotta blow out those candles.



Rachel created these cupcakes too. They are supposed to be a TV dinner of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots and chocolate pudding!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - January 23, 2009

Day two in Naples started with a breakfast with the Foundation before they went into their board meeting. Before we left we asked Adina if she wanted to come with us. Obviously from her fashionable outfit you can tell that she didn't join us!
























During breakfast, Gene Crume, president of the Foundation, gave Rachel a gift bag complete with a tee shirt and other goodies. I do believe that Rachel was thrilled!

























Finally, we got someone to take our photo with John Newton! This is our friend, John, who our cat is named after! We have been friends since 1974. He is a great guy, a wonderful story teller, the most patient person I have ever met and I have NEVER seen him get upset, EVER!



This is Kim with Rachel. They will be working together in the Foundation office next year.



And here we are, home again and we immediately had to put the new license plate onto the car that Rachel drives everyday.

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - January 22, 2009

We were in Naples for two days because Rachel was invited to speak at the Indiana State University Foundation Board of Directors dinner. It was such an exciting two days and also very, very cold for us Floridians! We were staying at the Naples Beach and Golf Resort and it is right on the Gulf. Beautiful hotel and beautiful views. Same hotel where my nephew was married a few years ago.

So when we arrived we took a long walk up and down the beach. We didn't come in until the sun set so that I could continue shooting. The sunset was absolutely beautiful. The very last few seconds of the sunset were surreal. It was like the sun was being pulled down below the horizon in fast motion.

These are my beach photos. The west coast is so different than the east coast.