sandy
sandy

sandy
~ February
2010 ~
sandy sandy
February 4th ~ So Many Injustices
| I'd be even more
neurotic than I already am if I let all the horrific and unjust
current events on our planet really get to me. Emails flood my
inbox daily from numerous human rights, animal rights and citizen's
rights organizations as well as many forwards from friends and
acquaintances about all kinds of maladies and unsettling statistics.
How does one deal with all of this information overload? Any
reasonable ideas will be considered. At the moment I've got my
dander up about the BLM''s
Wild Mustang Roundups and the AIG's
outrageous bonuses. |
| "Getting bombarded
with information on the internet is lsimilar to constantly getting
blasted with a fire hose!" ~ Sandy Sandy |
| This image is one
of many available for licensing, found online in my microstock
portfolio. |
|
sandy sandy
February 1st ~ The Amazing Global Market
Place
| I am currently
post processing photos from a shoot I did a couple of weeks ago.
I found a professional imaging lab in Kansas that I am going
to use for my client's prints. In this day and age, if you can
navigate the web, the world is truly your oyster. It excites
me to think about the limitless opportunities that await us on
the iworld - wide horizon. |
|
"Give a person a fish and
you feed them for a day; teach that person to use the Internet
and they won't bother you for weeks." ~ Unknown
"Getting information off
the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant."
~ Mitchell Kapor
"The Internet is becoming
the town square for the global village of tomorrow." ~ Bill
Gates
|
| This image is one
of the many shots of "Elena", the very talented, photogenic
subject of my January 16th photo session. |
|
~ January
2010 ~
sandy sandy
January 28th ~ Education
| There is so little
time and so much to learn! I've been spending my days and nights
learning image editing software and photography lately. It is
often frustrating and I frequently try again and again
before I grasp the idea. However, there is a deep satisfaction
when I finally understand a method, develop a skill and produce
an acceptable end product. My friend, Nan Louie, says we must
continue to learn or we get "lazy brain". I do believe
that in some ways, the mind is like a muscle. The more we exercise
it, the stronger it gets and the more we are capable of. I strongly
believe one of the ways to stay young is to always continue to
challenge yourself by learning new things. I also believe that
the harder you struggle, the greater the satisfaction is in the
end. |
|
"A man's mind may be likened
to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed
to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and
will bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an
abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein, and will continue
to produce their kind." ~ James Allen
"The roots of education
are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. " ~ Aristotle
"For the things we have
to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them."
~ Aristotle
|
| Today's image is
what I was working on today in Photoshop. I isolated this hummingbird
and Columbine from their background and created clipping
paths. They are not completely finished as I have to go back
and refine my selections. I plan on uploading these and others
to my microstock sites. This will allow designers to change the
color of the background or add these elements to other images
with a couple of clicks of their mouse. See the original painting,
which is still available for sale, here. |
|
sandy sandy
January 25th ~ Affirmations
| Affirmations are
positive statements that express a desired situation. When repeated
many times, these words impress the idea as truth on the subconscious
mind. Formal declarations have been proven time after time to
generate a positive outcome when repeated with conviction and
emotion. It is said that the fastest way to make something happen
is to believe and act as if it is already so. |
|
"I figured that if I said
it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest."
~ Muhammad Ali
"Affirmations are not bound
up in rules. An affirmation can be long or short, poetic or plain.
If you love a phrase and find that it helps you, that is a valid
affirmation." ~ Eric Maisel
"Affirm it, visualize it,
and it will actualize itself." ~ unknown
|
|
sandy sandy
January 18th ~ Best Friends
| This past weekend
I had the pleasure of conducting a photo shoot here with a couple
of dear friends. It was fun, heartwarming and inspirational to
see the close relationship that a mother and daughter can have.
These two people are truly "best friends". I think
that their memories of our fun filled day of photography will
stay with them for a long time. It may even stand out as one
of life's wonderfully happy memories. I am honored to document
the transition of this lovely girl as she turns into a young
woman and be a witness to the genuine love, caring and respect
that they share for each other. |
|
"A daughter is the happy
memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and
the hope and promise of the future." ~ Author Unknown
"My mother wanted me to
be her wings, to fly as she never quite had the courage to do."
~ Erica Jong
"A daughter is a little
girl who grows up to be a friend." ~ Author Unknown
"My mother's my teacher,
my advisor, my greatest inspiration." ~ Whitney Houston
|
| This is the last
photo of our lengthy photo session. Although the shoot was for
her daughter, I convinced mom to join in for the last few. I
love this shot. For me it really portrays the essence and spirit
of mother/daughter love. |
|
sandy sandy
January 14th ~ Symbiotic Relationships
| The dictionary
defines symbiosis an interaction between two different
organisms living in close physical association, typically to
the advantage of both. In my last post, I mentioned that after
viewing a new PBS documentary about hummingbirds, I now understand
how so many multiply and thrive here. There has recently been
a discovery in Arizona which I am sure is also true here. Hummingbirds
build their nests in close proximity to those of Coopers Hawks,
of which we have plenty! This prevents or greatly reduces the
predation of the hummers' offspring by Crows, Blue Jays and others.
The hawks don't seem to take much interest in their tiny neighbors.
The comparative giants probably see them as just too small, feisty
and agile to bother with. If this is a true symbiotic relationship
however, the hawks must get something out of it too. This little
example reminds me that there are so many natural mysteries and
lessons yet to be discovered! |
|
"The world basically and
fundamentally is constituted on the basis of harmony. Everything
works in co-operation with something else." ~ Preston Bradley
"It is probably not
love that makes the world go around, but rather those mutually
supportive alliances through which partners recognize their dependence
on each other for the achievement of shared and private goals."
~ Fred A. Allen
"Nothing in the universe
exists alone. Every drop of water, every human being, all creatures
in the web of life, and all ideas in the web of knowledge are
part of an immense, evolving, dynamic whole as old, and as young,
as the universe itself." ~ Unknown
|
|
sandy sandy
January 11th ~ Magic In The Air
| I had the good
fortune to catch a wonderful premier film on PBS last night called;
Hummingbirds,
Magic In The Air. It really got me pumped up because it verified
some of my own findings and solved the big mystery about how
I attract an ever expanding number of hummers to my yard year
after year. This one particular amazing fact blew me away and
I will share it with you in my next post. I finally understand
why I have SO MANY here! You Spirit Art followers know what
a hummer lover I am. Although maintaining my huge
colony is a lot of work in the summer, the birds are a great
source of joy, inspiration and encouragement to me. This stunningly
beautiful documentary really got me missing my little flying
friends; (Munchkin, Yard Dog, Mommy Girl and all the many others)
but I felt much better after I went through all my hummingbird
images and ordered the
DVD for myself. |
| Today's Image is
from my August
2007 Drawing Everyday Blog 8/30/07 ~ Hummingbirds And
Columbine ~ I got a little carried away with this idea sketch,
but I was having so much fun! Crossing a fine line between a
sketch and a painting, this was created in my sketchbook, so
it's more a study than a painting. Besides, tomorrow's the end
of the Drawing Everyday Blog for this summer and I'd like to
go out in style! |
I can hardley wait until
the return of my hummers and Drawing Everyday 2010!
See My Hummer
Feeding Frenzy video from 2008 here.
|
sandy sandy
January 7th ~ The New Age
| As I see it, our
planet and it's inhabitants are simply moving into the next stage
of evolution. This age is one which embraces personal spiritual
development. I was delighted to find an enlightening article
by Andrew Lutts online which simplified and clarified many New
Age beliefs for me. |
|
"This New Age is one of
awakened consciousness where people give up their limited third-dimensional
survival mode of existence and awaken to a higher, more enlightened
world. This coming New Age is an era of harmony, progress, knowing,
and enlightenment." ~ Andrew Lutts
"What is most important
is that an effort is being made to transcend our limitations
and seek out a higher good." ~ Andrew Lutts
"One reason the New Age
path is popular is that it is more concerned with the ultimate
truths themselves, rather than the process of how they are arrived
at." ~ Andrew Lutts
Andrew Lutts / What Is The New Age?
|
8" x 10" ~
Silver Level ~ original watercolor
Double Matted and Framed ~ $149.00
"Friends Are Treasures"
(painting is without text)
|
sandy sandy
January 4th ~ Kindness
| Various "old
standby" emails have been circulating this holiday season
pertaining to kindness and making a difference in people's lives.
Today I got the one about the kid who offers assistance
and befriends the "nerd" who was about to commit suicide.
The moral of this story is that small gestures of friendship
often mean far more to someone than we can imagine. It reminded
me of my Christmas Eve incident and instills in me a desire to
better recognize opportunities where I can be more thoughtful
and kind. |
|
"Today, give a stranger
one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees
all day." ~ Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
"Treat everyone with politeness,
even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but
because you are." ~ Author Unknown
"What this world needs is
a new kind of army - the army of the kind." ~ Cleveland
Amory
|
s
|
~ December
2009 ~
sandy sandy
December 31st ~ Happy New Year
| Cheers and Happy
New Year one and all!
I know this is going to be a great beginning to a new decade.
Be prepared for happiness and success and expect the best in
every situation, because we can influence the favorable
outcome of events with our positive thoughts. See things turning
out the way you want them to in 2010! Visualize it, feel
it, believe it's already a done deal and I promise, you won't
be disappointed! |
|
"New Year's eve is like
every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe,
no breathless moment of silence among created things that the
passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man
has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming
of darkness on other nights." ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie
"Cheers to a new year and
another chance for us to get it right." ~ Oprah Winfrey
"Every man should be born
again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page.
Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down
one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January
let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front,
and take no interest in the things that were and are past."
~ Henry Ward Beecher
"New Year's Day is every
man's birthday." ~ Charles Lamb
|
s
and
|
sandy sandy
December 24th ~ Christmas Eve
| Oh My Gosh, here
it is another Christmas Eve! Running various holiday errands
this afternoon, I encountered a young man ahead of me in a line
who didn't have the right change. He would have had to break
a twenty which he really didn't seem to want to do, since it
looked like the last one in his wallet. Without thinking, I dug
out some coins for him. He was so impressed by such a small gesture,
that he thanked me several times. It caused the cashier to really
break a smile and I in turn felt good about helping out. I vowed
then to "pay it forward" not just at Christmastime,
but throughout the coming year in small ways at every opportunity.
So remember, love will be in the room with you at Christmas if
you stop opening presents and listen. Take the time to remember
the true meaning of the day. Love is what we all want and need.
When you make someone feel special, it can make you feel wonderful
too. Thanks to all of you for your greetings of the season! Your
well wishes are welcomed and appreciated more than ever! May the beauty and peace
of these holidays remain with you each day of the coming year. |
|
It is Christmas in the heart
that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis
I will honor Christmas in my
heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens
|
sand
See
photos of A NJ Winter Wonderland.
"After The Storm" slide show
here:
|
sandy sandy
December 21st ~ Christmas Time
| With the onslaught
of 21" snow here and much time devoted to shoveling the
stuff over the past weekend, I am more behind than ever in my
Christmas obligations and preparations. I know most of it will
get done if I take it one step at a time. This season is a time
of great fun and excitement. It can also be a time of stress
if we allow it. Today I'm just going to turn up the Christmas
music and plow ahead. With my Santa's helper hat on, I'll be
savoring the season and whistling, singing and dancing as I work. |
|
"Christmas is the gentlest,
loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that,
when it speaks, its voice has strong authority." ~
W.J. Cameron
"The best of all gifts around
any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all
wrapped up in each other." ~ Burton Hillis
"Happy, happy Christmas,
that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that
can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can
transport the sailor and the traveler, thousands of miles away,
back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!" ~ Charles
Dickens
|
sand
This is one of the photos I shot
last week of Sam,
a cute Santa's helper and a wonderful model.
|
sandy sandy
December 17th ~ A White Christmas
| Will you be waking
up to a winter wonderland this Christmas? See the Weather
Channel's White Christmas Probability Maps here. Although
it's cold enough, it says there's only a 10% chance we will
be waking up to the white stuff covering the ground here on December
25th. Check out the map, it's fun. Even if you live in Florida,
hey, anything can happen on Christmas if you believe, right? |
|
"Christmas is a time when
you get homesick - even when you're home." ~ Carol
Nelson
"He who has not Christmas
in his heart will never find it under a tree." ~ Roy
L. Smith
"Christmas, children, is
not a date. It is a state of mind." ~ Mary Ellen
Chase
|
san d
Original Watercolor ~ "Winter
Friends" ~ 8" x 10" ~ $149. framed y
|
sandy sandy
December 10th ~ Correspondence
| Yesterday I received
a hand written letter from E. A.Whitney student and my previous
instructor, Joan Rudman. It has been over six years since that
week long workshop in Vermont with her, however I vividly remember
how I relished Joan's stories about the old days with the famous
watercolor instructor. Ed Whitney is renowned for his motivational
wit and a unique approach to teaching watercolor technique, philosophy
and design. He produced some of the foremost contemporary watercolor
painters and instructors alive today. A sincere handwritten note
is just the spark I needed to rekindle my relationship
with Joan and possibly continue on to another chapter of the
Edgar A. Whitney
legacy. |
|
"In an age like ours, which
is not given to letter-writing, we forget what an important part
it used to play in people's lives." ~ Anatole Broyard
"It seems a long time since
the morning mail could be called correspondence." ~
Jacques Barzun
"Letter writing is the only
device for combining solitude with good company." ~
Lord Byron
"What a lot we lost when
we stopped writing letters. You can't reread a phone call."
~ Liz Carpenter
|
san dy
|
sandy sandy
December 7th ~ The First Snowfall
| We had our first
snowfall here over the weekend. Although it was mixed with rain
and sleet, and lasted only a short time, it beautified everything
it covered all the same. |
| "The first
fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You
go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite
different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to
be found?" ~ J.B. Priestley |
sandy
|
sandy sandy
December 3rd ~ The Future
| Mark Victor Hansen
said; "You control your future, your destiny. What you think
about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper,
you set into motion the process of becoming the person you most
want to be. Put your future in good hands your own."
I think this is good advice for us all to consider. The future
is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating everyday
in the here and now. So dream big, live better and really believe
that you can create the future you desire. |
|
"Nothing we can do can change
the past, but everything we do changes the future." ~ Ashleigh
Brilliant
"The future belongs to those
who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
"This next Age is about
each of us recognizing the Inner Fire of Creativity at the core
of our being, and living and creating very different life experiences
by being focused enough to make the connections to spirit."
~ J. Bruce Wilcox
|

sandy
|
~ November 2009 ~
Get inspirational
emails with images delivered free to your mailbox every Monday
and Thursday.
Just email
me
with "spirit
art subscribe" in your email. ~ Sandy
This blog is updated
twice a week, so please bookmark this page.sandy
|
Attention Designers - See Sandy's
Royalty-Free Images:
See my iStock
portfolio here.
and
Shutterstock
Gallery Here
Prints Of Some Of Sandy's
Paintings And Drawings
Are Now Available Through FAA.
 |
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