September 12, 2011

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    The Traveling Frame

    During the last weeks of the Sawdust Art Festival,
    I started carrying “the frame” around the show
    to photograph fellow artists in their own booths.
    Here are a few of my favorites:


    Cherril and Suzette
    Mixed Media
      
      
    Ora and Suzanne                                                     Susan
    Ceramics and Glass                                                  Painter

      
    Nikki                                                        Cindy   
    Jeweler                                                  Fused Glass

         
                                David                                                                  Martin
                                Wood Goblets                                                      Photography

            
    Drummer                                                   Jesse 
                         World Anthem                           Wood, Stained Glass and Painter


    Tom, Barbara and Barbara
    Pottery and Jeweler  

     
    Nadine                                                          Irene                     
         Ceramics                                                 Bronze Jewelry                   


    Michael
    Glass Blower

      
    Alex                                                           Davie 
                 Sales                                                     Bronze Jeweler    

      
    Hodel and Rachel                                                        Nicole
                 Jewelers                                                           Glass Blower

     
    Judy                                                                            Patty
         Painter                                                                    Polymer Clay

       
    David and Mike                                                                   Marsh
             Jewelers                                                                      Mixed Media


    James and Patti
    Sculptor and Jeweler

     
    Olivia and Victoria
    Silk Painter and Sales 
         

    David and Linda
    Husband and Photographer

      
    Rosanne and Paul                                                         Honda Sales Team              
    Photographers                                                      Sawdust Art Festival Sponsor

      
                                      Louie                                                        Doug
                                                         Pop Corn Booth                   Painter, Photographer and Musician


    Georgette, Marla and Louise
    Jewelers and super saleswoman

      
    Lauren                                                      September, Jeff and Gail
             Watercolors                                              Painter and Loyal Art Collectors     

        
    Bob and Maggie                                                Jenn 
       Painter and Fused Glass                                 Photographer


    Bruce
    Glass Blower

         
    Mary and Mary                                                    Don and Sheila                  
    Photographer and Sales                                       Husband and Mixed Media                  

    Yes, that’s me on the left.
    Someone finally grabbed my camera
    and made sure I was FRAMED!

September 10, 2011


  • September is already here,
    and our first cool weather     ripe with the promise of Autumn.
    A good day to look back at photos from the Sawdust Art Festival
    and to share with your my  summer “Portrait Project” known as



    FRAMED!

       
    Leia was my first “frame”                              Naya and Ryan were next!                        


       
    Beth and her girlfriends were willing to play along, as was Barb Schuppe!


     
    Not only was Michael framed, he double framed these two visiting art students.


     
    John part of our Security Team

      
                       The “new kid” and Randal


      
    Tovo and Pastor Jay



    A stylish visitor


      
    Photog from the OC Register                            Our friend Rachel


        
    Ed and Linda were so sweet                            Rosa had the attitude!                     



    Debra and Scott (one of my photography students)


     
                             Salesgirl Jan with artist Patrick                                   Emily and her mom

         
    Troy~Artist/ Tech Guy                              Artists  Patricia and James              
              
         

    Bonnie and my mom! I


      
                    Karen and Ret Talbot                                       Becker and his sweetheart
     


    Ron and Ronda


      
    Facepainter Star Sheilds                     Collette and Artist Nansea             



    Dear Darnell and his visiting sister   


       
    Linda and David                                         John and Lisa



    Two Guys and a Baby!


         
    Printmaker Hedy                                                     Painter Joie               



    This young couple totally got into the spirit
    and creativity of using the frame!


    As you may have notice, these pictures all have one thing in common:
    the trunk of a Eucalyptus Tree.
    It was right next to my booth and made a beautiful background.

    As for the frame, I’ve seen this prop used by other photographers
    and knew it would fit in perfectly at our art show.
    On my Facebook status I inquired if any friends has a funky frame
    I could borrow for the season…my hillside neighbor invited me to come by
     and choose from three her husband had brought home from a recent remodel.
    It was beyond perfect!
     







July 31, 2011

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    Greetings from the Sawdust Art Festival~

    I’m sitting in my mini-booth at the show on a lovely, summer’s day, enjoying the ocean breeze that has chased the morning thundershowers away. My booth is filled with photographs taken in Laguna Beach; images that capture all the seasons of my hometown, plus samples of my portrait work.

    When people ask if I have a studio, I love replying that ALL of Laguna is my studio, from the coastal hills, to the urban alleyways and of course the many rocky coves. But the blessing this year has been the positive response to my “Encouraging Word” series. Adding scripture or God’s truth to a pretty photograph draws people in, engaging their hearts and minds.

    I’ve taken hundred’s of images this past month of the show, posting them in albums on the Sawdust Art Festival Facebook page which I administer. I’d love to show you some of my favorites, but July is almost over and since I’m thankfully very busy,  I’ve chosen three of my newest designs to share with you for now.

    God bless and keep in touch,
    Mary


June 29, 2011



  • Another month has flown by,
    so before July arrives, here are
    June’s Highlights!


    A Baby Shower
    for Rachel at her parent’s home on June 1st.
    Bri, Casey and Katrina hammed it up for the camera.


    Alyssa and Derek’s Wedding
    June 5th in San Juan Capistrano.
    Our daughter Bri was one of the bridesmaid’s too.


    The Coleman Farewell Party
    Our pastor and family are moving to Chicago
    so on June 6th the church
     gathered for dinner, fellowship and musical tributes at 7 Degrees


    Audrey’s Portrait Session
    On June 9th, I followed Audrey and her mommy around as they went to
    the beach park, shoe shopping and the cupcake store.


    Gospel Music Night
    June 12th at the Little Church by the Sea


    Genevieve and Shae Bridal Portraits
    Early on June 17th I met this couple at the beach
    before they were married
    at the Old Santa Ana Courthouse


    Sawdust Preview Night
    June 21st Invitation Only party for clients and friends.
    The toe ring booth theme this year is Toe Story

             
    Opening Day at the Sawdust Art Festival
    My friend Art and I had a lot of fun photographing the festivities on June 24th



    Kimberly and Justin’s Wedding
    Later in the day, Spence and I attended our dear Justin’s wedding ceremony and reception.
    After dating for 4 years, with long separations, while Kim was going to college in Scotland,
    their joy at finally getting married was wonderful to behold.





    Deborah and Tim’s Wedding Day
    June 25th


    Heather’s Maternity Portrait Session
    Shaw’s Cove, the evening of the 28th





June 21, 2011

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    “Look at the world, everything all around us
    Look at the world and marvel every day.
    Look at the world: so many joys and wonders,
    So many miracles along our way

    Praise to thee, O Lord for all creation.
    Give us thankful hearts that we may see
    All the gifts we share, and every blessing,
    All things come of Thee.

    Look at the earth bringing forth fruit and flower,
    Look at the sky the sunshine and the rain.
    Look at the hills, look at the trees and mountains,
    Valley and flowing river, field and plain.

    Think of the spring, think of the warmth of summer
    Bringing the harvest before winter’s cold.
    Everything grows, everything has a season,
    till it is gathered to the Father’s fold:

    Every good gift, all that we need and cherish.
    Comes from the Lord in token of His love
    We are His hands, stewards of all His bounty
    His is the earth and His the heavens above.”

    ~ John Rutter








June 2, 2011

  •   
    Wow, the month of May flew by…
    So many activities and jobs, beautiful spring weather while continuing to grow in my faith,
    relationships and talents. I’m so very grateful for all these blessings.
    But since it’s already June, I’ve opted to just blog my favorite image
    from each May photo session so I can catch up!

    May Portraits

     
     Booth Pick Day
    Capturing the moment for the Sawdust Art Festival Facebook Page.
    Fellow photographer Cliff was a willing subject
    when I pointed out he was standing in beautiful reflected light.

    And I’m happy to report I got the same great booth space as last year!
    Makes it easy…just rebuild the desk, add a fresh coat of paint,
    and I’m ready to go.


    Imagination Celebration
    Snapped this cute little guy with his art project
    while on assignment for LOCA
    (Laguna Outreach for Community Arts)


    Hiking Laurel Canyon
    with my nephew Daniel and his wife Heidi,
    who blessed me with their passion for and stories about
    teaching English to students while in Korea.


    Karin and Sonsette
    walking along Modjeska Canyon


    Reception for the film screening of
    “Collecting Dust”
    The director’s dad was looking proudly at his son.

       
    Little Levi is now One Years Old!
    I was pleased to pull off a cute portrait session
    right in our living room. 


    The Castro Family
    Josh is in a rock band, Annette’s a model and Aiden is totally two!
    I loved the urban theme they wanted for their maternity session…
    there were so many great images it was hard to just choose one.

     
    High School Senior Portrait
    I held Christa French, a.k.a. Critter, in my arms when she was a newborn,
    now she as tall and lovely as a European model!


    Dating Intentionally
    Eric decided they needed some nice photos together,
    Leah agreed.


    50′s Style Birthday Bash!
    Charlie with his daughter Bekah


    By the Sea
    Rach and Aaron joyfully anticipating their 1st child.

    That’s all for now, but stayed tuned..
    I have 4 Weddings,
    a Farewell Party,
    plus the Sawdust Festival Preview Night
    for the month of June!

May 30, 2011

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    It’s New, It’s BLUE and it’s Ours!

     


     


      







    A 2012 Ford Mustang Premium V6
    in Grabber Blue!







    Our “94 Bronco and new “Pony”



    This is the first new car Spence has had
    since he bought his “72 El Camino




    Let the fun begin!
















  • The Views from our Home in
    Rim Rock Canyon

     

May 21, 2011

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    “Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
    Let Your glory be above all the earth.”

    Psalm 57:5


May 12, 2011

  • “The Egret and the Seal”
    Pacific Marine Mammal Center

     
    a sanctuary for healing


    elephant seal bliss


    an opportunist


    a little harbor seal with its meal

     

    locked on target
     


    duck and swiped


    score

        
    protest!

     

    and escape