crystal windows

photo by Elaine A. Russell

so very, very tired today.

Have the final class tonight with Cynthia Cook at the Harwood Art Center... which will no doubt be awesome. Am really looking forward to it.

Construction is still going.... slowly....ever so slowly.....

but we finally have kitchen cabinets and hope to have a sink, a dishwasher and lighting soon.

Still waiting on the cabinet and sink in the bathroom... and then... saving up for massive painting everywhere inside.

..and I hear a wonderful rumor that the weekend is coming :)

an interesting view

.....................................photo by Elaine A. Russell


everything often boils down to a matter of perspective... how we; as individuals, actually see things. how we perceive things to have transpired.... how our past experiences alter things and how we remember them on a daily basis.



photographing the railyards on Saturday was an awesome experience. What some people would see as urban decay in it's most unpleasant forms.... most of us there viewed with awe and wonder. The beauty of the architecture. The sun streaming through the windows... the light shadows on the wood brick floors....the graffiti ( which I personally LOVED)... the puddles and feathers and signs of time passing.. .weather beating down... people wandering through in the middle of the night....



So much of life is like that. You hear: "... don't move there.. the neighborhood is bad".... or ..." it's nothing but a slum in that section...don't go there..." Some of the best places I have lived have been in areas where people warned us not to go. Traveling is like that as well... people will recommend certain sites to visit... not realizing how much they are missing by not exploring and discovering neat little places on your own.



Sometimes it's a matter of clearing your mind of all previous expectations and perceptions to really really see what's in front of you... what's down that winding dirt road... what's off the beaten path. ...but it's worth it.

ABC Wednesday

photos by Elaine A. Russell

ABC Wednesday is a blog posting with a twist. The host (Mrs. Nesbitt) hails from Great Britain... and there are participants from all over the world. Each week, people focus their post on a letter of the alphabet. They started with the letter "A" --and each week you post something in regards to the next letter of the alphabet. It is a fun, imaginative exercise... and it is great to see what everyone comes up with. This week's letter is, "V".

I have chosen to "focus" on the word Vision. The word Vision, is both a noun and a verb.

Function: noun
Meanings:
1. a conception or image created by the imagination and having no objective reality
2. a series of often striking pictures created by the imagination during sleep
3. the ability to see
4. the soul of a dead person thought of especially as appearing to living people

Function: verb
Meaning: to form a mental picture of

I have always had issues with my vision. I started wearing glasses in 3rd grade because my teacher pointed out to my parents that even though I was in the front row of the class; that I could not see the chalkboards. Over the years, it progressed to the point where --for years now, I have been considered legally blind, with a fairly pronounced astigmatism.

Back in October, I went to my local eye doctor's... who told me that my eyesight was at the point where they could no longer give me an accurate prescription. So, I went to an eye surgeon. He clarified things for me. My prescription is such that I can no longer wear lightweight lens... which means coke bottle glass lenses. And... I am at the point where I probably would benefit from wearing trifocals. eesh.

But... my other choice... is eye surgery. Not Lasik ( my eyes wouldn't benefit from that particular surgery).. but another laser surgical procedure. With that surgery, my eyesight may not be perfect... but I would be able to see my clock when I wake up at night... which I have NEVER been able to do.

The catch? It's not a procedure covered by insurance, and I would have to come up with the money myself. The really good news?? Payment plans.

So... after the first of the year.. I will be making an appointment to see about having the surgery.

I mention this all.. not just because it's a perfect word for ABC Wednesday... but because I am an artist, photographer and jewelry maker. My vision (being able to see) is essential to my work. But also my vision (images created by the imagination) is foremost in my thoughts as I create pieces of art. Both have been a bit lacking lately... and it is my hope that with the new year coming.... this will be my new "focus."

resting and waiting

photo by Elaine A. Russell


If you ever get the opportunity to see the inside of the ATSF Rail Yards here in ABQ, I highly encourage you to go. It is the epitome of urban decay.... but it's grandeur and architecture will absolutely blow you away.

And while I am 57 shades of sore today.... it was well worth it.

99.9% of the time, the rail yards is closed to the public. It is intended to be the future home of the Wheels Museum; but for now... it sits silently... waiting... hoping..

You can see more here: http://www.wheelsmuseum.org/default.html

And today... I too am taking a little break. The remodel is not moving along much at all; and it is beginning to get a little frustrating. But... we are all safe, and warm, and have a roof over our heads... so in the whole scheme of things... it is all good. Resting... waiting .. .and hoping here as well :)

floored

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Those of you who know me really well; know that I run, run, run and then am down, down, down. Mostly, due to the Lupus. Well; I have been busy for several days now... coupled with still getting over the flu... and yesterday I was on a photo excursion for about 8hrs.. standing or walking in the cold...
Today I am down. Floored. Exhausted. .... but very happy.

I love being able to do my art on a regular basis. And being able to do photography ALL DAY was fabulous. I do try to take time to photograph every single day... but rarely, is it an all-day event. I also had the wonderful opportunity to try first-hand some of the coolest equipment that Nikon has to offer.

This late-afternoon/ early evening... the hubby and I are doing our weekly "date" of going to get a salad or soup or something lite for supper... and then going to Barnes and Noble for a Scrabble game and coffee. It is a wonderful ritual... and it makes me happy.

*photos are from yesterday's FlickR photo meet at the ABQ Railyards

FlickR meet

photos by Elaine A. Russell

Lots going on these past few days. ... Today there was a FlickR photo meet at the Railyards. I have only been to the ABQ railyards once previously, and it was awesome. Today, the group had reserved this historical site for the entire day; so there was more time to leisurely stroll around.

Needless to say, I took a ton of photos. I took most all of them on my little Kodak... but then one of the other photographers graciously loaned me his Nikon D300 to try out. This is my "if I had enough money" dream camera ... and it was awesome to be able to play with it.

Most of the photographers had also arranged and hired models who came for specific shoots... this was not something I normally would photograph. I have done weddings, portraits and such before...but it's just not my thing. That said... I did take a bunch today because I had the opportunity to play around with some very cool equipment which included flashes and lights and such. So -- now I have photos of bikers, babes and more...Not sure what I will do with those...but it was alot of fun.
And now I am off to bed... what a great day....

last night at the Harwood

This is a self portrait done by Cynthia when she was attending UNM

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend a class at the Harwood Art Center by Cynthia Cook.
I have posted on Cynthia before (http://moongipsies.blogspot.com/2009/11/baubles-bits-and-bites.html) and (http://moongipsies.blogspot.com/2009/12/abc-wednesday_08.html).
And, I have met her in person... at her show reception at Mariposa Gallery earlier this month, and at the Recycle Santa Fe Show (http://moongipsies.blogspot.com/2009/11/recycle-show-part-1.html).

But, that pales in comparison to actually being able to take one of her classes.
Ms. Cook is sort of an inigma. If you search for information on-line about her; she is essentially non-existant. Yet, she is an icon in the mixed media world.... and greatly sought after for classes and such.

So... about her class. This was a basic introduction to the wonderful world of collage/decoupage/ assemblage... mixed media. With a background that includes jewelry arts and metal-working.. I was hooked. Never mind that her talk focused on glues, tools, techniques.. and the chance to actually MAKE something .. coolness!

Anyway--- here are some photos from the class.

Thank you!!! to the folks at Harwood for providing such an awesome event.

a portion of one of her recent works showing at the Mariposa Gallery

an example of another one of her art pieces

giving a demonstration

working on a project during the class

**all photographs but the self portrait photo at the top, are by Elaine A. Russell