Since it’s World 🌍 Art Day here’s a look into how I created my artwork called “Thankful”.
Step 1 Original Daffodil Bouquet Photo in Natural light 📸
Step 2 Composite of two photos 🌼 Second photo is of dewdrops on a cobweb
Step 3 Digital Watercolor effect in Photoshop 🖼
Prints of the final artwork are now for sale on Fine Art America https://fineartamerica.com/featured/2-thankful-vanessa-thomas.html
What will you create?
Photographing flowers is how I like to share moments of beauty in nature. When these photographs inspire others to create it brings deep joy to my being!
As Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman said in her recent interview with Trevor Noah – “some cleanse with water but I cleanse with words.”
These words from my yoga-loving friend Danai Christelis speak to the joy that the wonder and beauty of flowers bring to our lives and I am grateful for her gift.
This is the message I received from her…
Your beautiful photography inspired me to write this poem..enjoy!
Those Seeds We Need to Sow.
By Danai Christelis
“Like petals of a flower
What is the intent?
To brighten someone’s sorrow
Apologies not said?
Carnivals and canopies
Fading in the snow
Those petals of the flower
Are they just for show?
Like petals of a flower
What is it all meant?
Words not written by a loved one
Memories of time spent?
Wedding bells and baby showers
Celebrations far and near
Those petals of the flower
Serene and oh so dear
Scattered in a milk bath
Pressed inside a book
Sketched onto a canvas
Left wild to create that look
A pocket full of fantasies
Nature at its best
Ladybirds and dragon flies
Looking for a nest
Like petals of a flower
Where does it all go?
When all things said are forgotten
Those seeds we need to sow!”
“In joy and in sadness, flowers are our constant friends.”
Fables and Flora was born out of a love of stories and flowers. Through this symbiosis there are opportunities to connect, reflect and do work that allows us to grow and learn.
Services include passions and projects workshops, art classes and artwork photography for artists.
email info@fablesandflora.com
It’s been great to connect to fellow artists during shelter-in-place and some of us shared our thoughts with the Pleasanton Art League.
Our vulnerability has been highlighted in no uncertain terms in the current pandemic and rapid and complex changes have placed us in extraordinarily stressful times. Yet in the midst of it I am recalling quotes that have inspired and motivated me and I hope that by sharing them they can lighten your load a bit as well.
Pink Spring Blossoms in our neighborhood
Quote 1: The first was shared by my artist friend, Sawsan, who was making some jewelry and found an inscription on a piece of metal which read: “Every problem has a gift for you in its hands.” (Richard Bach) When I set aside my anxiety and looked for a gift in this unprecedented situation I came to realize that there were indeed gifts – closeness of family that I don’t usually get to enjoy, stepping off the hamster- wheel of meetings and events and finding quiet spaces to connect with my passions of writing and floral photography.
To read further please visit the Pleasanton Art League website and click here.
My Facebook Page has just gone over the 5400 Likes mark – and I am delighted! I also however recall the days when I posted a floral photo and got more than 1 like and was thrilled!
The “liking’ culture is complex – but I think of it like grading exam papers. There are always those who instinctively are critical and judgmental and would never give anyone an “A” as they feel it is unattainable and then there are those with rose-tinted glasses who think everyone deserves some sort of acknowledgement just for putting in the effort. So it’s no surprise that the number of followers outrank the number of likes but that’s ok.
Granted when photos are amazing I am more likely to ‘like’ them but sometimes just getting someone to share a pic of a bloom they noticed while out walking or gardening is even more beautiful. They were captivated and for a brief moment they could rest and breathe in the beauty.
If you’re new to blogging and sharing what you care about it takes time to find your tribe – it’s taken me 5 years to get this far – so don’t be discouraged – just keep shipping.
In a world where kindness, compassion and encouragement are rarely seen how hard is it for you to like the photo your friend or family member just posted about something creative they made? We can fuel each other’s endeavors to bring more beauty into the world.
I love flowers – always have and always will – they give me a chance to pause and appreciate simple moments of nature’s beauty. It’s why I share photos of them – I think my photography skills have loads of room for improvement – but I still love to share blooms that make me stop, pay attention and show appreciation.
Have a fabulously floral day!
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Dr. Seuss
My thought for today – we are fueled by the things we care about and we benefit from things that others care about.
Nature nurtures us all and we will all be better if we care about and for her a whole awful lot.
Photo 1: Better is Beautiful
Photo 2: Daisy Profusion
This year has gotten off to a great start as I take my floral photography to the next level. I have entered several competitions and submitted my work to a number of groups on Fine Art America.
I am thrilled to have been featured several times including two featured on the same day! Here they are:
Photo 1: ‘Floating Water Lily’ featured on ‘Images that excite you’ group
Photo 2: ‘Orchid Spray’ featured on ‘Flowers on Black’ Group
Photo 3: ‘Gerbera on Black’ featured on ‘Your very best photography’
Photo 4: ‘Seeds of Wonder’ featured on ‘Nuts, seeds and berries’ group
Thanks for supporting this blog, your comments, likes and follows have kept me motivated!
The closer you look, the more you see.
I often marvel at the intricate details of nature. You don’t have to go far to see beauty close-up. Since it has been raining heavily this week I have been going through my archives of floral photos and found these.
Photo 1: Poppy Central
Photo 2: Black-eyed Susan
Photo 3: Dahlia details
Photo 4: Fern frond
It’s the first day of winter and although we are not expecting snow here we have had some very welcome rain showers. Was a great opportunity to capture some raindrops on petals. They remind me of one of my favorite quotes.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Photo 1: Raindrops on Geraniums
Photo 2 Society Garlic in the rain
Photo 3: Rain kissed Geraniums
“Keep your face to the sunshine, and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
There are certain times when finding the silver lining is tough but it does the soul good to find them even on our most challenging days. Being thankful on those days and expressing gratitude to those who bring sunshine into our lives is a way to keep the shadows at bay.
These images are from my Sunflower bouquet at Thanksgiving. Wishing you well this Thanksgiving weekend!
Photo 1: Sunflowers
Photo 2: Sunflowers and Chrysanthemums
Photo 3: Face to the Sunshine
Photo 4: Gratitude
