Did I have a relaxing weekend?

In effort to put to rest any questions about the bliss of working and raising children, I am here to share my typical day. Weekends, weekdays time does not seem to matter much. I have an ongoing list of to do's that I am constantly multitasking just so I can use my BIG sharpie: declaring vistory on completing something. I am sorry to also say that for the majority of families out there men have an advantage of career advancing that women do not. I am not debating; it is a fact unless you can afford a full time nanny or are blessed with a grandparent/auntie/family member who would never accept money. Few professional women use their weekends or non-office days for personal work or time. So, on my Saturday, after early morning hours in the yard with the family, I rushed to get some work time in before the afternoon when I would be the primary parent again. My personal time is spent working on photography. I have the occasional mom friend's lunch; I take my son to play dates and places of interest. As I drink my 4th coffee of the day, I am off to the trenches of Photoshop-ing versus "Mom what should we do now?"

I love both my jobs, don't get me wrong. I just wish as women we had more of a chance to be a full time mother and a professional. In a recent article in Outside Magazine, many Olympic athletes had a blurb about being regular folk describing a a typical schedule. Each of the men stated they worked out extensively over the weekend. The only woman and only athlete that rose at 4am everyday to get her workouts in. For this alone, I think she should earn some sort of medal. She designed her day around the children and work.

As a working woman artist and mother, I too attest to the early morning opportunity to reclaim the person I am when I am not too busy being mom. All you Zen Masters will argue we are who we are all the time; maybe so, but in the misty morning watching the sunrise over the wetlands that were once Florida, I am truly myself. Ahhhh, feeling so free.

Florida is getting Eco-Yard Friendlier

Way to go Gov. Christ for passing new law that is a step towards changing our yardscape. With the drought who can watch all that fresh water maintain our browning lawns? As a homeowner here in Palm Beach County, if the rains are sparse then my green lawn not so green. We do plant heat tolerant low water plants and native trees.

Here's the link to the press release about the new law:

http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/news/article/1288/

So, get out there and plant, dig, and Generate Change for Florida!

Recent News and Publications

Upon returning from a family journey, I am pleased to announce:

The publication of Avian Wilds in both soft and hard-bound style through Blurb.com. The book is devoted to the shrinking bird populations of South Florida amidst the continued controversy preserving the Everglades. Do politicians realize that there will be no South Florida for their grandchildren if the footsie game continues. I say this with experience sharing what remains with my son and reminding him of what was. History is our crystal ball.

North American Nature Photography Ass. published an image entitled, "Banana Leaf Abstraction."

http://www.nanpa.org/docs/ripples/2009-0708.pdf#page=13

On a lighter note, I am looking forward to being a part of the Palm Beach Pet Society Annual. I had a wonderful time photographing the dogs last year and what a great team to work with.

Gallery Show with the Center for Fine Art Photography

I am pleased to announce that one of my favorite images is part of a Gallery Exhibition at the Center for Fine Art Photography. Out of over 2000 images, Ghost of the Woodstork (from the series Avian Wilds) was chosen.

You can click the link to view all 50 winners: https://c4fap.safesecureweb.com/exhibitors/2009BW/exhibitorsannounce.asp

I am especially excited as controversy continues to surround the Wood stork's current status as endangered versus threatened. One of the few remaining birds that have lived here for centuries, I express my disappointment in developers for pursuing the Wood stork as an obstacle to more development in the Everglades. As Florida's economy is stretched beyond thin, I'm watching the choices regarding the recent purchase of US Sugar's land made by South Florida Water Management with my breathe held. We can not afford any further development; Preserve and Restore.

Summer is here in South Florida

I spent a good part of yesterday at the beach. I say this not to incur any jealousy, but to remind myself that as summer is finally here in South Florida. To most, summer brings welcome warm weather, seasonal shops, tourists, and the like. Here in Florida that usually means rain mixed with muggy hot, hot days. I spend more days inside at the computer working on archiving, optimizing, and putting images together. As much as I love being in the field, I am looking forward to this summer as my studio begins to expand. I have my first book coming out this summer, entitled "Avian Wilds." My personal photography work is primarily conservation based. This particular series is a focus on South Florida's birds. I just sent the final proofing off to the publisher! Keep you posted. 

Write, Right?

The initial rule of blogging is you MUST write. I broke that rule over the holidays that seemed to grab me and distract me with "stuff." I offer my apology to those who are disappointed with only my recent return. Please stay tune as I post on  a bimonthly basis with some moonlighting by a few friends. 

Happy New Year! Happy Inauguration! 

 

Cleaning Digital Equipment

For those film gone digital users, I believe my story will get a resounding "Amen." The ever static charge digital sensor gets my goose. I am forever cleaning the mirror form dust, dog hair, even a fleck from the sensor cleaning brush itself. I do not ever remember cleaning my film cameras as often as I must with my digital equipment. My internal debate begins between leaving the digital for my commercial work and returning to the glory days of film. Sometimes I want to return to my Holga days; then, the inevitable question arises, " where do I go to process my film?"

Here I sit on a fence looking back at the days of innocence, slow moving, traditional photography. My Mamyia is lonely in a special plastic archival bag on a shelf with all the external hard drives. If a windfall of significant sum fell upon my bank account, I would be looking a medium format digital equipment. Until then, I am hunting for a dust free area to clean my sensor free of dog hair, couch fuzz, and sand tracked home from the beach.