Happy Valentine's Day!

Okay, so there is something you should know about me.  I collect stuff.  No, not like "hoarders" kind of stuff, though I am certain that is what the people on "Hoarders" say also...but small, memorable collections of significant items!  Heart rocks, for example, I collect heart-shaped rocks...and sea shells.  And, oh, I love projects!  I am sort of hopelessly hooked on taking on a variety of projects, in fact!  I have a room dedicated to those projects in my home.  Sadly, it is where some of those projects have gone to die!  Basically, what I just admitted to is that I collect projects?!
I am not alone in this addiction of never-ending projects.  I know I am not...pick any person on Pinterest and you will find an assortment of boards entitled "to-do" or "creativity" or "someday" or, my favorite, "when I have the time"!  And within those pin boards there are imaginative photos to take, slipcovers to sew, furniture to stain, crochet patterns to learn, books to read, stories to write, recipes to try (there are lots of those on Pinterest!), rooms to decorate, gardens to plant and parties to plan! 

What we crave, I am convinced, is not only the creative, but the time to dedicate ourselves to creative pursuits.  It makes us feel accomplished, alive and utterly unique!

So, it's Valentine's Day!  Happy day of love to all of you! 

Awhile ago I found a great little art project on a blog I love to stalk,  Deb Schwedhelm.   She is an amazingly creative woman and I am always finding inspiration in her words and in her art.  The first picture in the collage below is hers...a creation she made with her kids.  And, I loved it so much I decided to create my own!
So, every morning, for about a week, while I drank my coffee and watched the morning news programs (and yes, I like a little coffee with my cream!), I sat with scissors and old magazines and began cutting and collecting...letters.  Lots of letters!  At first, it was I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U...V's being the hardest to find, by the way.  And then, I decided to personalize my collage, with a few of my favorite quotes about love...and then a few special things we say to each other...  It was a LOT of cutting and a lot of sorting!  But kind of fun, like a scavenger hunt!
And then, on an old canvas I already had (a different project!) I began arranging and re-arranging, building a puzzle/collage...and then adhering the letters on with mod podge...line by line, section by section!  I do remember thinking, at one point, that I should've chosen a smaller canvas, but gradually, it filled in!  Then, layers and layers of mod podge...a canvas frame, I ordered online...and, in plenty of time for gift-giving on Valentine's Day...ta-da!!  Completion!!!!  It always feels good to complete a project!  Especially good because I made it for Mike for Valentine's Day...and he really liked it!  No, really, he DID! 
It's hanging in our bathroom now...fits perfectly on the wall over our tub (I think I originally bought that canvas for a project for that wall?!)...and it looks really nice...over my collection of seashells and rocks!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!  You are loved!

(Oh, and stay tuned...I have another project completed that I am dying to tell you about...!)

Yay!!!

I love it when I open my inbox and find fun stuff!!
This submission is from Gail Bolander, a Visual Arts student at Boise State University (Go Broncos!), who happens to be my fabulous niece! How appropriate for a college student, close to mid-terms, to choose the word HOPE!! She, however, does not simply "hope" for good things, but instead is working really hard in school and impresses me consistently with her creativity (I especially like the shadow, Gail!) and diligence!
Thanks Gail!! Love you!
Aunt Kris

more WoRd aRt!

I wish I could say that I was as diligent as Tyler who turned in two more fun pictures for my cREaTiVitY AsSiGNmEnt this weekend!
Instead, I was visiting my Grandma & Aunt in Southern California! I have some lovely beach sunset pictures, which I will post later, and am working on a project about my Grandma and her wonderful friends (speaking of "memories"), but since Tyler was so good about turning in his 'assignments' I thought the least I could do is to post them first! They are so cool!
He says his wife, Vashti, deserves some credit too, as they did it together...and spending time on a playground with your spouse sounds like a very "happy" idea indeed! Thanks Tyler!
(And thanks, everyone, for all the positive Facebook comments and emails about these assignments...looking forward to seeing what you all can do too! *hint*hint*)

iNSpirE!

Okay, so I was feeling pressured that Tyler had already turned in such a cool image...so here is my first attempt at the "Photograph a Word" assignment! Is it still homework when you assign it to yourself?!
Would love to see yours...?!

LOVE!

Thanks Tyler, for answering the challenge...and so quickly!!! I haven't even done my own assignment yet, but now you've inspired me to go out and shoot!!! Fun pictures! And how appropriate a word for Tyler, as he is married to one of my favorite people!
Stay tuned...more images to come! And please, take me up on the challenge...create and share your own images (email them to me @ heartandsoulimages@cableone.net)!! Get inspired!

Is it Spring yet?

It is snowing outside, again, still...and don't get me wrong...I do love the snow...at Christmas-time!!! This is definitely the time of year when I get a little antsy...awaiting Spring!

So, I've decided to challenge myself (and YOU, if you are willing) with some fun, experimental, weekly photography assignments...not just to pass the time while awaiting warmer days, but also to hone my (and your) skills as an artist...as a challenge to visualize things differently, creatively, uniquely. You can participate in these weekly exercises on your own and simply consider my suggestions a little creative push to get you through some of the doldrums of the in-between seasons...or, I would LOVE IT if you would participate actively in these exercises by emailing me your own photos (heartandsoulimages@cableone.net) ...and I will post them generously on my blog! Perhaps we'll even make a contest out of it!!! Prizes anyone?!
Let's have a little fun...!

Are you ready for your first photography assignment???

Okay, this is just a fun one...

Photograph a word!
The parameters...each photo must represent a letter (but never literally a letter!)...and the letters collectively must spell a word (more than 3 letters please, and no profanity!)...no Photoshop (or other software) manipulations...photograph what you SEE! Examples: have you ever noticed how many X's are on a tree? or that some doorknobs are a cool swirly S? That sometimes you see a C in the clouds? Get the picture?!
Choose a word that might tell something about yourself, or your mood, or where you are...choose items that exist naturally (rather than items that you've placed)...think outside of the box...look up or down, look at things differently...BE CREATIVE!!!
So, grab your cameras...you don't need anything fancy for these assignments...just a point and shoot will do...and go see what you can find! I'd love to be able to share your photos so please email me or tag me on Facebook (Heart & Soul Images) with your own interpretations!

My intention is to do a photographic assignment weekly, so check back often...and I'll be announcing prizes soon!!!