December 24, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas

Christmas Graphics

October 31, 2008

Moonlight Dreams

I have a new Etsy shop for all my non-photography handcrafted items. Drop by for a visit and see what's new! The address is: MoonlightDreams.etsy.com

I'm currently loading in items and I have a lot more to go, so please check back often.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
MoonlightDreams.etsy.com

October 16, 2008

McCain or Obama - either way, you'll like this!

It's been a long, tough presidential campaign, and it's good to see a different side of the candidates.

McCAIN ROASTS OBAMA:




OBAMA ROASTS McCAIN:




Make sure to vote.

B

I had some good news :-)

Someone bought an extended license of one of my stock pictures! That was a very happy surprise for me yesterday, and I just wanted to share.

(Yay!)

B

New Picture - "Los Rios Reverie"

October 14, 2008

Christian, the Hugging Lion : Full Ending

Enjoy.



PLEASE SUPPORT PROP. 2 WHICH GIVES ANIMALS SOME HUMANE TREATMENT.

Thank you,

B

October 08, 2008

New Picture - "Make a Wish"

I found this lovely fountain in the center of a peaceful autumn garden, and had to toss in a coin to make my wish.



Yes. It came true...

B

(All images are available in my Etsy shop)


xo

October 06, 2008

New Picture - "Epiphany"



My beautiful orchid in full bloom, against a cobalt background.

B

October 03, 2008

There's a NEW presidential candidate in town!!!

Just wanted you all to see why I haven't been blogging regularly - I've been VERY busy doing this...

I know it's a long shot - but I think I can win! :-D

Vote for me.

B

September 29, 2008

New Pictures - Laguna Beach

Some more views of beautiful Laguna Beach.

Thalia Street Mural
The Ruins and the Island
Laguna 10
Sun, Waves and a Grass Umbrella
Laguna Pier Memory
Laguna Tide Pools
Dolphin Mural

All are available in my Etsy shop or email me for direct sales.

Happy Looking!

B

September 09, 2008

Christian, the Hugging Lion : UPDATE

Apparently I was not the only one touched by the story of Christian, the hugging lion. There is a movie in the works.

Read about it HERE

Hugs,

B

September 05, 2008

Christian, the Hugging Lion

If you think animals aren't capable of love, and deserving of compassion, then watch this and think again.

September 02, 2008

Maybe the Solution is Aqua Globes

This past weekend we redecorated the bedroom (it's awesome, by the way!) and along with new bedding and drapes, we bought some really cool plants. I've had mixed luck with plants in the past - I do great with outdoor plants, but for some reason, my indoor plant luck has been a little less than stellar. I am a classic over-waterer, and that is probably more fatal than under-watering.

So, not wanting my new plants to die, but wanting large plants in my bedroom, I decided to give these Aqua Globes that I've seen on TV a try.

Before I bought them I poked around the Internet for some opinions, and the one that really convinced me was some nursery owner who experimented on six identical plants; two were not watered, two were watered when staff felt it was appropriate, and two had the Aqua Globes inserted.


The two that were not watered were, not surprisingly, dead after two weeks. The two that were watered by nursery staff were limp. The two with the Aqua Globes were in perfect condition.

Good enough for me.

So, next step - scour the Internet for the best prices. After searching the biggest and most obvious shopping sites, I was surprised to find that the official Aqua Globe site had the cheapest prices. However, once you added in shipping ($7.95) and tax in my state (California) the price began to climb. Still cheaper than any others I found online. Then I stumbled onto the fact that they are sold at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Bingo.

So, I trotted down to my local BB&B and there they were. A set of two for $9.99. So, even though that is a hair more than the official site price, once you exclude the cost of shipping the price becomes a couple dollars less.

I bought three sets, filled up three and put them in my new houseplants. And did I mention how cool looking they are? Well, if not - they are.

I did run into a minor snag right away. One of my plants had some really large potting material, apparently for extra-good drainage. My Aqua Globe placed into this plant pot slowly emptied all the way. I'm not worried or disappointed about that. My remedy is to re-pot the plant into denser soil. The drainage should be a non-issue because I won't be hand-watering, and I trust the Aqua Globes to do their job of dispensing only as much water as the plant needs.

My other two plants are doing what they're supposed to. A couple of air bubbles, a little water dispensed, and the globes worked like a charm.

So, the experiment is on...

More on this in two weeks.

B

Something to Reflect On

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:13-16 NLT

September 01, 2008

And We're Off!

Happy Labor Day!

We are now officially into the 2008 Holiday Season.

This is my favorite time of year because from now through January there are major holidays every month. I love that!

So, happy holiday season everyone :-)

B

August 29, 2008

My Gift from the Islands

I love tropical flowers and plants, and being in Hawaii is like heaven on earth when it comes to beautiful plants. Wild orchids grow along the sides of roads, and the high-end / high-dollar plants you might be lucky enough to find in some nurseries and florists are yours for the picking there.

I can't resist stocking up on the (legally) exportable cuttings you can bring home, and have done so on every trip. I'm also lucky enough that my friends and family who travel to Hawaii usually bring a little something home for me.

My Hawaiian White Ginger plant, which was a small cutting when I received it as a gift from Hawaii, is blooming like crazy. (Yay!) Not only are the flowers delicately beautiful, but they are so highly fragranced that one small flower can perfume a small backyard.

This morning I couldn't resist picking a couple to bring inside. I don't know how these blossoms will do once picked, but I will within the next day or so.

Here is a photograph of my morning bounty of Hawaiian White Ginger...

Aloha...

August 28, 2008

Back to School

Yep, it's that time of year again, folks. Everyone back to school.

Hub is on the last leg of his Master's - which is finishing up his thesis. The soccer moms are not quite ready to rock the roads, but we're waiting for the local elementary school grand prix to begin any day now. (Is that the sound of SUV engines revving in the distance??) And I have managed to commit the negative time I have into a little more negative time by signing up for a portrait class.

I haven't taken classes for awhile now, and I really kind of miss it. I also miss having access to the darkroom, so that was a big plus in my decision to go back to school.

Why a portrait class?

I want to learn some new lighting techniques, and I love having assignments that force me out of my comfort zone.

Off I go...

The Student

August 27, 2008

New Picture - "The Secret Door"

While walking to the beach I stumbled upon this secret door, almost totally hidden from view by foliage.

August 25, 2008

Seal Beach Boogie!

Took a little mini-adventure up to Seal Beach yesterday - mostly, because I realized a few weeks ago that I did not have any pictures of the Seal Beach Pier.

Problem solved.

I'll be adding these pictures to my website shortly, but I wanted to share them on my blog first.



August 22, 2008

Australia - Yeah, baby!


Finally...a vacation! I'm so looking forward to seeing this awesome place. I've been scouring the Internet to make sure I get pictures of as many places as I can.

Wait, is it still a vacation when I plan on taking a gabillion pictures?

Hmm...


G'day!

B

July 29, 2008

Very Scary - The Schapelle Corby Story

Sometimes we forget that each decision and action in our lives, whether by choice or chance, takes us on very specific paths in our life journey. Sometimes we don't know the outcome for decades, if ever, but sometimes the results are hard, fast and vivid.

When you see what has happened to this poor girl it will probably terrify you, like it has me. What started out as a great vacation, ends up being the nightmare to end all nightmares.

For more info check these links:

http://www.freeschapelle.com.au/forum

Schapelle's book - No More Tomorrows


July 26, 2008

New Pictures :-)

CAMBRIA COAST SUNSET
SUNSET SKIMBOARDER
TEMPTRESS
BESO (KISS)

July 19, 2008

New Pictures - Pacific Sunsets Collages

Here's a little something different. Three different collages made up of my Pacific Sunsets series of images.

You can see larger versions on my website




July 07, 2008

"Grandeur" Wins First Place!

I just got back from the Orange County Fairgrounds to get my picture taken with my winning entry, and I found out that my winning picture is Grandeur!



:-D

July 03, 2008

New Pictures :-)

LAGUNA COAST

CRASH

WHITE WATER

CRESCENT BAY SUNSET

LAGUNA GLOW

WE THREE


Cool water and peaceful sunsets!

B

July 02, 2008

I WON!

Remember I told you a few postings ago that I had two pictures juried into the 2008 Orange County Fair?

Well, yesterday I was lucky enought to get a phone call from a very nice lady from the Visual Arts Department telling me I had won FIRST PLACE!

Whoo-hoo!

I'm not sure which of my entries won (she didn't know either), but I'll find out on Monday and you'll be the second to know, after me!

It's one of these two...






I'M...SOOO....HAPPY!!!!

:-D

July News...

HAPPY JULY, EVERYONE!

I hope you all have lots of fun plans coming up, including the many art walks and street fairs in the area.

June was a wonderful month for me, with great sales and meeting some really nice people. The new coordinator of the Village Art Fair in San Clemente is an absolute "dream" to work with, and, as always, the ladies of the Newport Beach Arts Foundation put on a great Art in the Park. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with these fine people.

JUNE WINNERS

Congrats to

CINNAMON STANLOW
of Cinnamon Jewelry

She was the 10,000th hit on my blog and won a print of her choice from my website. She chose this one:



ANNIE GATES, DOMINIC GALPIN and ANNE COLEMAN

for winning this month's drawing for a gallery print of MOM'S MOTEL



JULY GIVEAWAY

In honor of meeting a SUPER nice lady named Sandy Miller, who is the new owner of my large canvas of Tower Window, July's print giveaway will be for a print of Tower Window!



If you'd like to be entered in my monthly drawings, and have not signed my official guestbook at an event, simply leave a comment or send me an email and you'll be entered!

Good luck, everyone!

Remember, to purchase any of my work simply contact me by email or phone, and we'll work together to create something you'll love and be proud to display in your home or office.

NO RISK!

Last, but not least, ask me about NO FEE commission work! Ever wanted a particular piece of photographic art, but never quite found what you were looking for? I take the risk out of commissioning custom imaging. ~ Ask me how ~

That's it for this month. I hope to see you at one of my July events. Make sure you come up and say hi!

Memento Vivere!

Barbara

WHERE I’LL BE IN JULY

JULY 3, 2008 (Thurs)
1st THURSDAY ART WALK - LAGUNA BEACH

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Artist Eye Laguna Gallery
1294 S. Coast Hwy. #A, Laguna Beach
(949) 497-5898
(PCH @ Cress)

CHECK THIS SITE FOR FREE ENTRY TO SAWDUST FESTIVAL
AND FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS:

JULY 6, 2008 (Sunday)
VILLAGE ART FAIR - SAN CLEMENTE

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
111 Del Mar Street, San Clemente
(In front of Billy's Deli)

JULY 12, 2008 (Saturday)
2nd SATURDAY ART WALK, LONG BEACH

4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(Find me in Space 22)
East Village Arts District, Long Beach
(Linden Street between First and Broadway)

June 23, 2008

Hungry Baby

Prepare for an "Awe..." moment!

June 22, 2008

Saturday in the Park, Hot! Hot! Hot!

Art in the Park in Corona Del Mar / Newport Beach has come and gone, and it was a very successful day! The people in Newport Beach are very friendly and are great art lovers. I sold quite a few pieces, and I have a special thank you to my lovely customer, Sandy, for buying my large canvas of the Tower Window. Thank you, Sandy, for loving my picture as much as I do, and for giving it a great home. It was a pleasure meeting you :-)



She absolutely fell in love with it and knew it would fit in perfectly in her home, and she's promised to send me pics when it's hung.

All in all, except for the 1,000 (!!) degree heat, it was a perfect day!

B

June 19, 2008

Countdown: Two Days Until Art in the Park - Newport Beach!

I'll be here on Saturday.

ART IN THE PARK

Saturday - June 21st
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Grant Howald Park
(Iris Avenue @ 5th Avenue)
Corona del Mar - Newport Beach
Near the Oasis Senior Center

FIND ME IN SPACE 38

Hope to see you there!

:-)

June 17, 2008

And We Have a Winner!!

Cinnamon, of Cinnamon Jewelry, was visitor number 10,000!

Congrats!

I have invited her to visit my website and/or my Etsy shop and pick out any print she likes and I will ship it to her for free!

Congrats to us both!

I really had fun with this, so I think I'll be doing it more often.

Please check back for spontaneous giveaways!

Happy Gifting!

B

9,999 !!!

I just checked my stats for my blog, and I am at 9,999 visitors!

So, whoever checks my blog next will be number 10,000!

Unfortunately, I do not know "who" checks my blog, only that "someone" does.

So, whoever checks my blog next, please leave a comment and maybe you'll end up with a little "surprise" for being my 10,000 visitor :-D

June 14, 2008

New Picture - The inn was large and welcoming

"It was cold and I'd lost my way. But then in the middle of the forest was hope! I came upon an inn, which was large and welcoming."

For a larger view please visit my website

Barbara

June 13, 2008

I MADE IT INTO THE ORANGE COUNTY FAIR

I had two of my pictures make it into the 2008 Orange County Fair!

Grandeur

San Diego Skyline at Night

They'll be on exhibit while the fair's on.

June 07, 2008

New Picture - The Racers

Fantasy racers on a dreamy magical carousel



You can see this image on my website HERE

Hope you like it!

B

June 02, 2008

Art Fair Season is Officially Started!

The weather's a bit more stable, the sun is shining and tourists are coming to visit.

Yesterday was my first art fair since Christmas.

I was in Downtown San Clemente on Del Mar Street at the Village Art Fair, and I had an absolutely splendid day! I was in my new "permanent" location, (111 Del Mar, in front of Billy's Deli) - which I am thrilled to have (Thank you, Colby!) -- and while I'll miss my old neighbor, my new neighbors are a mother/daughter team of crafters, who are super friendly and fun.

I sold a ton of artwork, which was a great way to begin for the year. A special thanks to the kind lady from Moorpark who bought an armload of my pictures for her office!

All in all, the day was fantastic, and so far the year has been, too!

Next stop:

June 14, 2008 - Long Beach Art Walk!

Okay, how lucky am I?!?! Well, let me tell you:

This will be my first time at Long Beach Art Walk, and I just happened to unknowingly time it with the once-a-year Tour Des Artistes! It is a very big live arts and music festival in the East Village Arts District of Long Beach.

I absolutely cannot wait to get there!

B

May 29, 2008

Recent Sale - Beach Couple Paperweight

Thank you to the nice lady in La Jolla who recently purchased this paperweight from me! I hope it brings you happy beach thoughts on a daily basis :-)

New Picture - Eat, Coffee Shop

I took some really cool shots on my last road trip. Unfortunately, I've been really busy and haven't had a chance to work on much lately. Here's one that I finished. I'm loving the vintage look these days. Hope you do, too!

May 10, 2008

Celebrating My Mom!

Good morning, and happy day before Mother's Day to you and your moms! In a few minutes I'll be jumping in the shower, loading up my car with the plants I bought yesterday, and I'm off on a road trip to spend Mother's Day with my mom.

This year for her gift I'm planting a new garden in her little backyard. She's been a little under-the-weather this year, so I think she needs a little something to keep her busy and give her some peace. What better to do that than a garden?

Here's the plan; Two large night blooming jasmine plants against her back fence, for privacy and to perfume the evening breeze that comes into her bedroom window. Star jasmine for fragrant days. A rainbow of geraniums and a heliotrope plant to give glorious color.

It's a small little backyard, so this will be plenty for her to take care of and will give her a Mother's Day gift that will last and hopefully remind her of her daughter who loves her when I'm not there to tell her.

Mother's Day Glitter Graphics

May 07, 2008

New Pictures - "Liliana" "Landscape of My Dreams" "My Memories of the Sea"

I have three new pictures in my Etsy shop and on my website. Hope you like them!

LILIANA
LANDSCAPE OF MY DREAMS
MY MEMORIES OF THE SEA