morning cup

Today I began what will be a very long process....weaning myself off of coffee. I have been in love with coffee since I began working in a coffee shop in my college days. It actually took several years, and several coffee shop jobs, before I even took a sip of that hypnotizing chocolate-colored seductress, but once I did I was hooked. I've never been someone to drink more than one cup a day, but that one cup is something I savor every swallow of. I enjoy the entire experience: the earthy scent of the grinds as they are scooped into the filter, the sound of the coffee gurgling its way into the carafe, the strong aroma that begins to dance and swirl around the kitchen, seeping out down the hallways of your house until it finds your nose in the next room, filling one of my many favorite mugs (my current favorite posted above), feeling the gentle heat against my groggy hands, and the long journey as I sip my way into a new day. My goodness....why am I giving it up again?

forever drawn to wood

Leave it to me...I will always find a glorious looking piece of wood wherever I may be. I feel so much appreciation and awe for these beautiful beasts of nature. I can hardly explain it, I will continue to try repeatedly though (because it's often a topic roaming around my brain). At any rate, here are a few pieces of wood I found on a spontaneous hike taken along the Hudson River in Saugerties, NY.

genuine demeanor

Children might be the perfect blend of all that inspires me to take pictures. I cannot get enough of the genuine demeanor that paints itself across their faces, and the beautiful aliveness felt through their images. My little niece Lila is one of my favorite subjects because she not only embodies those attributes, but also possesses one of the most gentle, magnetic souls I've ever known on a human being (of any age).

Political Series

In December I began taking photographs at the Capitol in Hartford, CT. It had been 8 years since I'd returned to the building. I had been a legislative intern in college, back in the days where I imagined I'd follow in my father's footsteps and head to law school after graduation. Never would I have dreamt back then that I would walk the marble hallways of the Capitol again someday, but as a photographer. It's been an incredible experience and quite nostalgic.

It is nothing short of amazing to look back at my path and realize the intricacy of each of my experiences, decisions and interactions as far as my destiny was concerned. Every moment of life lines up in some magical way we never could have expected.

barns

I have a thing for barns. I'm sure the magnetic pull toward these rustic, wood laden structures stems from a childhood lived amongst trees, dirt roads, country stores and county fairs. My family always lived in small towns, but my original homestead, where I lived for the first 10 years of my life, was by far the most rural and remote. Our property was a vastitude of orchards, vegetable and herb gardens, sprawling lawns, playgrounds, forest, streams and....of course, 3 barns. These barns were foreign lands with endless crevices to explore, the places I could usually find my father working in his wood shop or rebuilding a car, the secret corners where my sister and I would play our games of make believe, and the hideaways I could always count on.

Today I am still drawn to barns, but my attraction is more aesthetic in nature. I am fascinated by the flawed ones, marvel at the new, modern ones and am comforted by the historic ones. When I passed by this particular barn with my fiance on a visit back to our hometown last week, I insisted he stop so I could capture this broken down barn I must've passed hundreds of times in my life without noticing. As I dodged traffic in my high heels and sunk into mud holes while attempting to capture this magnificent structure, I returned to that simple time.....when I was barefoot and a pile of wet dirt was something to delight in.

flowers

I love being with a man who lavishes me with flowers. The most meaningful bunch he ever gave me though, didn't cost a dime. It was a miniature bouquet of tiny wild flowers plucked from the front yard that he presented to me one day when he came in from getting the mail. I had just moved from California to Connecticut to be with him....and he certainly reminded me every day why he was worth it.

wish

I am quite obsessed with words, so it's only natural that I find written reminders or affirmations truly inspiring and powerful. One simple phrase can transform my attitude or mood so profoundly in just an instant. I suppose it could be the combination of two things that really grab at the core of my being: words and visual representations.

As a result of this love of mine, I've started to create these combination pieces and will soon be selling them in my Etsy shop. They are photographs (taken by me) that will be printed on stretched canvas with words or phrases superimposed on the image. The "wish" image above is one such creation (or will be once it is printed on canvas) and will be posted in my shop shortly.

The other examples above are some of my favorite reminders (from other fabulous Etsy sellers).

Keep calm and carry on by Queen's Order

Love by Restless Type

I am a successful artist by Linocut Boy

For more of my picks, visit my Favorites on Etsy.