Frozen Opportunities

                                                 Slick Twigs, my front yard, Wabash, IN

Maple Rhythms, my front yard.

     An opportunity to break out the camera presented itself this week in the form of a snow day.  Or, more aptly, an ice day.  As a front of winter weather passed through, it left crunchy snow and a layer of ice over everything in its wake.  As glad as I was that I didn't have to get out and drive in the icy conditions, I was delighted to try to capture the marvel of my sparkling trees.  At least that was my intention.  Many times over the last decade, I have wished that I had my camera in order to capture the fresh fallen snow or layers of ice sparkling in the brilliant winter sunshine, while backed by a crystalline blue sky.  So the vision I had of getting out and capturing a stunning photo of magnificent glittering trees encapsulated by winter's touch was squelched when I discovered how hard it was to photograph clear ice, backed by a dirty, white, cloudy sky and a white, crusty, snowy ground.  Dismal is the word that properly describes the feel of that day, the weather, and my mood.  I was not, however, going to give up without getting something decent in my camera.  As I moved around the yard, I discovered that if I used some of the evergreens on my property as a background, I could get the ice on the deciduous trees to become visible.  HA!

Red Branch, my front yard.

I snapped a few from different views, and decided to call it good when I could no longer feel my fingers.  Needless to say, spending 15 minutes in my front yard, snapping a few photos while still in my bath robe and slippers isn't a huge expedition, but I am feeling very encouraged in my endeavor to recapture my love of photography.  Next step, unearthing all my notes, books, and photos from college, and relearning how to use all the settings my camera has to offer.  (Any hints, ideas, tips, or critiques are welcome in the comments!)

Gotta stArt Somewhere...

American Beech Tree, at Charley Creek Gardens, Wabash, IN

     My name is Chelsea, and I am an elementary visual arts teacher, mom, and wandering artist.  I grew up in an incredibly artistic family.  When we were young my mom stayed home with us and caned chairs, wove baskets, and refinished furniture to help supplement the family income.  This was all aside from (or incorporated into) her other artistic endeavors.  Somewhere around age 6 (early 1980's) I made my first stamped leather belt.  Mom was into making leather purses and wallets, hand stitched with intricately stamped and dyed designs.  Wanting to get in on the fun, as any child would, Mom ordered my sister and I belts and let us choose the patterns and designs we stamped onto them.  She helped us center our names on the back of the belt and stamp it in with a classic country-western block font. With a finishing stain for color, we were done.  I have no idea where that belt is now, but the memory of making it has stuck with me all these years.  I can feel the steel stamping tools in my hands, the excitement of being allowed to work with them coursing through me.  I can hear my mom's patient voice as she checked my work and showed me how to line up my tool to re-stamp a design that was too shallow.  I can still remember the feeling of triumph at seeing my shell shaped pattern come alive as I worked.  I can feel the pride of looking upon my completed work and even then, with a self-critical eye because one of my E's was a little crooked.  I'm sure I had colored and drawn pictures before this, but this belt, this was the start of my search for creating, and fulfilling my creative drive.  It's been a winding road, and I've often left the path for long periods of time, but I'm finding my way back.  This blog will chronicle my journey and (hopefully) help me stay accountable in my attempt to find my focus as a producing artist.