Here it is...

My new blog is up and running... you can check it out here:

Nicole Rae Studio Blog

You can subscribe to the feed at the bottom of the page. I am still trying to put in an email subscription button - it should be coming soon. The best thing about it is no annoying ads below my posts!

Getting Political

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

New Blog!

Almost....

I'm getting ready to launch it in the next couple of days. I'm very excited about it - it's so pretty! I'll be redirecting you soon so stay tuned!

Blown Away

Listen! the wind is rising,
and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
now for October eves!
~ Humbert Wolfe

Sunset at Starbucks

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got till it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot...
~ Counting Crows

Lavender

Ladies fair, I bring to you
lavender with spikes of blue;
sweeter plant was never found
growing on our English ground.
~ Caryl Battersby

Sunrise

There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope.
~ Bern Williams

Yellow Gold

He lowered the window, and looked out at the rising sun. There was a ridge of ploughed land, with a plough upon it where it had been left last night when the horses were unyoked; beyond, a quiet coppice-wood, in which many leaves of burning red and golden yellow still remained upon the trees. Though the earth was cold and wet, the sky was clear, and the sun rose bright, placid, and beautiful.
~ Charles Dickens

Dawn...

I decided to start hauling my camera with me when I ride my bike on the weekends. It's a bit cumbersome, but I've been missing all the good morning light. I just have to remember to get back on the bike and ride instead of getting caught up in taking pictures.



Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow but a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day. Such is the salutation to the dawn.
~ Sanskrit Proverb

Break Away

This is my latest attempt. I think this is my favorite of all of them so far. Maybe it's the brightness of the colors... I don't know. I do like it though. :)

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
~ Anais Nin

Covert Art

E had me go with him today to the grocery store for a covert art operation. He made these blob creatures for an art class last semester and wanted photos of them in their "natural environment". He also made these "Love" boxes and left them on the shelves. You can see more shots at my Flickr.



Making beautiful things for everyday use is a wonderful thing to do.. making life flow more easily... but art confronts life, allowing it to stop and perhaps change direction... they are completely different.
~ Antony Gormley

Waiting

Here is another new piece done on the same 12x12 mdf as the others. I transfered a photo I took in Mt. Baldy to the board after it had been painted and textured a bit.

How much of human life is lost in waiting.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Instant Grant Program

Maybe it's time to change my blog a little bit and not just post photos I've taken. I came across this video this morning. What a wonderful idea! This is what the website says:

We all learn art in school. Every kid loves to draw at some point. People get fascinated with the details of their new camera, or spend free time writing poems. But eventually, there’s a not a teacher telling you how great your are, or the camera gets put away, or you just plain get busy and stop. Years could go by before you start again, if you ever do at all.

The FSNUA aims to re-inspire creative thinking and action in everyday people by removing a small barrier and providing encouragement. We give small, unsecured grants in the form of $10-$60 for creative projects thought up on the spot by everyday people. In the past this has included a merchant marine, two 10 year old girls, a US soldier on leave from Iraq, an accordion player from Alaska, and around 40 others. We funded their new paintings, drawings, knitting, and photojournalism projects, and the repair of one accordion. Projects that may not have happened had they not come across 10 people in the park to support and inspire the thought.

Beyond the small amount of money, the project encourages people to see themselves as something other than workers or consumers even if it just for the length of time required to apply for the FSNUA grant. We also hope to re-inspire dormant desires to create while presenting an example of generosity without an ulterior motive.

It’s fair to say the result is beautiful, motivating, friendly and a bit chaotic (in an exciting way).

The Generosity Foundation


Instant Grant Program from Steve Lambert on Vimeo.

Don't Vote

I don't usually get into politics on this blog, but had to post this video. There is some profanity so viewer beware...and then share with five friends.

Dancers on Olvera Street

We came across these dancers right before our train was supposed to leave on Sunday. I was able to grab a few shots before running off. We barely made it!


Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
~ Chief Seattle, 1854