Monday, October 25, 2010

action begets inspiration

tawny hills

Put on your shoes.
It's become a mantra of sorts for me, to combat feeling creatively stifled when snowed under by the daily grind, by health issues or bouts of the blues that make the light at the end of the tunnel sometimes elusive.    Photography gives me an excellent reason to employ that mantra, which should be followed by part two - get out the door.  Inspiration can't happen without overcoming inertia. Although endless re-runs of Project Runway and Top Chef are hard to pass up.

I took this photo of my daughter leaping (then sliding) down a slope about four months ago while driving home from a day outing with my family.  The "tawny hills" of my county, like the pelt of a lion, remind me of the hills of Sonoma that MFK Fisher wrote about in her memoirs.  It was just a stop on the side of the road but evokes the joy my daughter can find in any situation and which I try my best to emulate.

I also adore this "art is cheap" photo by Leslie - the diffused light, the delicious depth of field, the message, the fact it includes her son in frame choosing art from a bus/art store in Vermont.  When I asked Leslie why it's one of her own favorites, she responded in a way that resounds with me.  The photo is poignant since it represents her son becoming a man, on his first trip to the East Coast, scouting colleges and picking out "left leaning political art for his room that makes me a proud mama bear".  But aside from that personal connection, she says "I also love the storytelling potential here - even if you don't know the person in the shot. This was one of those instances where I looked at the back of the camera and got that thrill. You know the one? Where you see something you've gotten and just KNOW?"

Yes! It doesn't happen often enough for me just yet, but the more I put my shoes on and get out the door, those moments will happen. 

cheers,
mosey

my favorite
my favorite by leslie sophia lindell

__________________________

road trip



Today I'm giving away an 11x14 Fracture-mounted print of
my photo "Roadtrip", one of which will also be auctioned at The Mother Hen Project benefit in support of Chicks In Crisis.




This is just one of NINE days of giveaways and special guests. We will be drawing the winners from the comments  during the entire 9 Days Of Inspiration from all three pages and announcing them in a special *muse flash* on October 31. Visit the Everyday Beauty and More Musing pages and comment each day for more chances to win.  Good Luck!

39 comments:

blue elephant photography said...

oooh i love the photos =) i super love the one of your daughter it makes me happy!

Justine said...

these are such great pictures.

Anonymous said...

love the message for today and I really needed that. The pictures are great!

Unknown said...

The "Art is Cheap" photo is really inspiring for me today - just perfect. Thank you!

JLC said...

Oh, her hair and the hills.

GailO said...

One reason I have been enjoying sites like Mortal Muses and Picture Fall is that they inspire me to "put on my shoes" and get out and take pictures.

You live in a beatuful part of the world...what an incredible photo!

gina said...

When I saw your photo I immediately thought it was Northern California, where I live. I love the colors and the little peek of the land beyond the hills.

leslie said...

a lovely post Kim :) thank you for including my shot and giving me my own little boost today!

Kim Mailhot said...

I just got back from a walk that I really needed this morning. So agree with your "put your shoes on" truth !
Gorgeous photos too !

Amy P. said...

Love it! I love stopping by the side of road and grabbing shots... :0)

xanthe said...

wonderful! i love that shot of leslie's :)

Jamie said...

Two amazing photos and I live the message - get out and experience and explore - nothing is better for our art.

Tammy Lee Bradley said...

I want to run those hills with sweetpea!! I feel free just looking at the picture. Leslie's photo is very compelling.

Cara Lopez Lee said...

Both of the photos you chose are, indeed, inspiring. I love your two-line mantra, and I'm going to repeat it to myself often: "Put on your shoes. Get out the door... Put on your shoes. Get out the door." For me, inspiration comes from my experiences, and how can I have experiences unless I do those two things? Though I suppose sometimes getting out the door and taking off my shoes could also lead to some fun experiences...

Christy said...

Great photos, and the one you're giving away is one of my faves. That one of sweetpea on the hill takes my breath away.

Denise | Chez Danisse said...

You are so right, putting shoes on and getting out the door should never be underrated.

Kirstin said...

Put on your shoes, grab your camera and run out of that door. So true. Beautiful pictures. Love all the gold in your pic and all those amazing words in Leslie's....

Kathryn said...

This a great Blog...thanks for directing me here (from Flickr). Love your photos and thoughts!

Melinda said...

what a lovely photo! and inspiring text!

Melinda

Aimee said...

I agree with Gina. I also live in Northern Cal., and thought the picture was here. Nothing like the color of those hills when the heats hits them and they shimmer gold.

Marji said...

wowie! very cool

Maureen said...

I love that photo of your daughter and the landscape. What a wonderful way to describe it “like the pelt of a lion”
That is a good reminder, to get up and get out, clear your head and see the beauty around you, wherever you may be.
xo
mo

Haley said...

I love the "art is cheap" photo...and the left leaning poiltical art quote :)

Lianne said...

I love how the photos are both different, but both centre on the children of the photographers. My girls inspire me often.

The action thing...yep, need that as well!

urban muser said...

i remember when you put that photo of sweetpea on your blog. loved it then and love it now. definitely perfect for the inspiration theme.

Anonymous said...

beautiful hills and cool "art is cheap" shot - and yes love, love that feeling of looking at the back of the camera and knowing - inspires me to keep shooting for the next one ;)

Chelsea said...

Photography has been great for getting me outside, for seeing new places, getting great shots, and even though sometimes I don't feel like it I am always glad I did!! Love the photos!

April said...

"Inspiration can't happen without overcoming inertia" Perfect! These images are beautiful

Anonymous said...

stunning work by both of you, the light in the first and the scene in the second. just wonderful. i can see i'll be coming back to these posts when i hit my inspiration rutt. thank you ladies!

Holly { Soupatraveler } said...

oops...still don't have the hang of this "profile thingy here...sorry, not anonymous, just me, : )

Anonymous said...

I love the photo of your daughter running down the hill where the vast area is just right on the front. To me your photo conveys "freedom". I usually get inspirations when my mind is wandering free, even better if I put on my shoes and be out of the house.

Michelle said...

That is so like a child to have fun anywhere- though that is an extra beautiful roadside stop. My children reminded me to be that free with joy when they were little and sometimes I even find myself reminding them now that they're older.

oh, and Leslie's photo is too cool!

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Love the photo of the golden hills that go on and on with the water in the distance. The art is cheap photo is wonderful as well. Love the colors.

kt said...

I love both of these photos, they show children in their elements how wonderful to capture these moments for them.

Jan said...

Putting my shoes on right now... I really need to remember this!

angelandspot said...

Love the photos. That top one is so fun.

dbalyoz said...

your photos are amazing. so inspiring! :)

Crafty Girl said...

great stuff

DnSmum said...

Lovely...and I needed that reminder to put on my shoes and get out today... It's perhaps the best advice ever...

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