Month: July 2012

In honor of my birthday month, I will be shaking things up a little bit, Waldo-style! For this month’s Nature Challenge, we will be exploring the environment through the creation of a “Where’s Waldo”-style drawing!

Unfortunately (sort of) I will be living the unplugged life on a beach in Mexico during this challenge, so will not be able to post my daily challenges. I will, however, still be participating in the challenge during my trip. When I return from my vacation, I will post my results of the challenge! Since I won’t be able to post a daily tip for the challenge, I’ve included a tip for each day below:

DAY ONE: Since your drawing is going to be fairly detailed for this challenge, begin with a smaller paper (no bigger than 6″X6″…unless you are inspired to work on a larger canvas!) Today, focus on your background. Try to draw…

A mountainous landscape in some far away place.  Stars shine in the dark waters flowing past rocky shores.  At least that’s what I see on screen.

But in reality?

In fact, the landscape is two pieces of paper juxtaposed.  I had been working with paper on the kitchen table when afternoon sunlight hit these two — a textured brown and a sheet of black — in such a way that I could not help but snap a photo.  Later, on the computer, I desaturated the color and then my imagination took over. 😉

A leaf found in a field on the way home.  I let it sit in the window a few days to dry.  I still have it, tucked safely away, so we’ll see how it continues to evolve.

When I made my way to the Charles River Esplanade after lunch, I anticipated photographing a few ducks, a tree or two and some reflections in the water.  Amazingly enough, my plans went awry as I found myself mostly fascinated by blades of grass.  Imagine that. 😉

My second favorite time of the day (sunrise FTW) and a fantastic time to wander around town with my camera.

I will say this about photog friends: they keep you in it. My friend from Denver Joseph Kreydatus inspired me to get out tonight and a post from Carissa Snedeker got me to notice the tree in the very last shot and inspired that photograph and also inspired me to talk to some people and get a few candid shots. It’s so important to keep friends in your craft and to always look for inspiration.

First stop was a local farm.

Then driving under an overpass I was drawn by the supports and its shadows.

Finally, on to the riverfront right in town, one of my very favorite places to photograph.

I am loving this cool rainy day but there was a price to pay for these droplet photos: a new collection of mosquito bites. Oh, to suffer for one’s art.

Lucky duck:

The farm fair, of course!