39 days, Day 327

Life line, Day 248

?, Day 213

This looks nothing like the actual object....I think that's why I was so drawn to this image.

Little note, Day 200

I went to the University tonight to get a little work done and outside the entrance was a note. It made me laugh. We are in the process of moving out of our temporary art building into a massive new one. I can only imagine what the next occupants will be thinking about the art department as they begin to move in and see how the place has been modified. Artists always get a bad wrap.

shift/adjust, Day 186

It's amazing how one little thing can happen and my perspective can shift dramatically. I think it's about being open to those shifts and allowing them to seep in. My new mantra in life is: Change can be good! Actually it's not really new...it's just that I forget sometimes.

Encaustic, Day 185

I had the opportunity to take an encaustic workshop today. I cannot draw or paint, but I found applying hot wax to panels and manipulating it was very liberating. The class was with a fabulous Colorado artist Daisy McConnell. Even thought this was a true crash course in this ancient technique I felt that I could go off and experiment on my own with ease.

Surrealist games, Day 181

The Surrealists were famous for the games they played. The Exquisite Corpse is probably one that is most familiar to people. I feel as though I have been living this game for the past 181 days.

Mediated view, Day 180

I have been sharing an office with a colleague for many years at the University. Actually it is more like she has been kind enough to share it with me. Our current space has a lovely view of the mountains, but it is very difficult to open and close the blinds and my office mate prefers them closed, so they stay closed. For the past 2 1/2 years we have been in a temporary art building while our new building is being erected in the center of campus. I am excited to say that I will have my very own space in this new building. The only draw back to the move is that I will lose my view since my new office will be in the basement of the new building. I guess I can't have everything.

Struggle, Day 150

These past few week I have been feeling like I am having a tough time holding it all together. And to be honest I am not sure that I am doing the best job. I am struggling with my jobs, being an artist, a mother, a friend, and a spouse. Once school began in August my world changed drastically and I haven't adjusted yet. I can barely keep up with it all and this makes me feel frozen at times. I keep waiting for life to slow down, but it doesn't. If it did, would I feel bored? Or perhaps I wouldn't have anything to complain about...

Appreciation, Day 125

Today will never be like any other day on 09/09/09. But this goes for yesterday, and the day before that, and so on. Everything is in constant flux-moving, changing, shifting. It's just that some days are similar to others, or change moves at a slow rate so we are unaware. Because of this I need to remind myself to appreciate what I have in the moment, for today will never be like any other day.

Circles of confusion, Day 37

I teach beginning photography for Continuing Education at CU, Boulder. My favorite technical topic to discuss is aperture and how it relates to depth of field. Most students take the class because they have a new camera they want to learn how to use, so the first class can be a bit overwhelming. When I was sixteen I took a trip to Japan with my father and brother. I clearly remember my dad attempting to explain aperture and depth of field to me as we sat in a cafe...I didn't get it. It wasn't until many years later that I was thrust as a grad student into the world of teaching as a beginning photography instructor that I had to tackle my technophobia. So if you want to know what "circles of confusion" are and how they relate to depth of field I would be happy to discuss the subject with you.

Space, Day 26

How is space defined? This space is filled, but feels empty at the same time. Relationships are like this. My space seems to be defined by who is physically present. My husband and child fill up my space when we are together. Sometimes when I am with them I crave space-bathroom space, bed space, quiet space, me space. But when it is just me and I have my space I feel lost for a brief moment. I need to readjust myself and then I fill my space with other things-work, friends, relaxation, and quiet. My newly acquired space is defined in a different way, although it is still the same; I am still the same. When they return I will be ready to have them fill it again.

Seeing is believing, Day 18

Some days I can see what is right in front of me and it makes perfect sense (like yesterday), and other days I can't see anything at all (like today). I was really struggling with what today's image would be. I was mentally trying to force something that wasn't there; trying to create on demand versus relying on my intuition. So tonight I sat down to edit images and I have to admit that I was not excited at all by my prospects. All day long I had visually in mind the color green, the shape of a backwards "C", and the letter "X"....but nothing was visually connecting while I was photographing. I felt like I had "been there and done that." But everything changed when I cropped today's image and placed it next to the previous day's image. I began to see the subtle lines in the sheets that are now made more obvious by the shape of the highway above. These are visual connections that I cannot plan, they just happen. Today's lesson: the more I shoot, the more I can begin to trust in my third eye.

I See You, Day 10

Breath, blood, tubes, needles, bruising, clots, oxygen, cords, monitors, fluids, excretion, drugs, food, love, care, family, dialogue, change, healing, life.