Living In the Moment

I am so excited to feature Kiki Halbert this week, for Heart Monday ...  The day I came across her beautiful art, I knew I would like to feature her on my blog ...  We connected - She agreed  and the rest is history ... I love the beautiful hues and colors she uses in her work ... She has a unique style, that I know many of you will just love ...  So please take a look at her original artwork above ...  She can be found on Facebook and she also has a blog at kiki-halbert.blogspot.com ...  Please stop by and mention that you saw her work here at Living in the Moment ... 

This past week has been one of "Collaborations" with many different artists ... It has been such a thrill for me to discuss how we can/will work together, sharing ideas etc. I have found a connection with other creative people, I feel like I have found where I belong. This group of women came to mind when I came across this picture above ... I am hoping to display this work on my blog in the upcoming weeks ... Stay Tuned ...  What have you created lately? Painted? Drawn? Written?

I have been thinking of what I need in this New Year ... I need to break through the fear of not asking for what I want ... My word along with "CREATE" for 2012 is "TRY" ... I have noticed that I am on a natural high when I am collaborating with other artists. Everyone brings something different and unique to each of us. I have been connecting with Writers, Photographers, Painters, Weavers, Embroiderers, Etc. I love how art offers so many platforms! What gives you a natural high? 

I have been busy making some changes to LIVING IN THE MOMENT ... I am thinking of changing Mondays to "Heart Monday" going forward, Wednesdays will remain "Whimsical Wednesday" and Fridays will remain "Poetry Friday" ... What do you think? Hearts were never really favorite object of mine, but in the past year I have been looking at them differently. I love them - They really seems to be the center of our lives - They beat to help us throughout our day, they hurt when we feel for others, relationships break them etc ...   What Makes your Heart - Skip a Beat? 

So, These are the benefits of having your own blog - Usually, On Fridays it is Poetry Friday but I wanted to change things up a bit. I thought I would write regarding a question I have been asked quite frequently these days. How do I decide the a photo is worth taking? Or how do I know that it will be a good shot? I came across this photograph (above) and thought this would be perfect to help me explain. Many times I have an imaginary frame in my mind of what I want my photo to look like. Off to the left a bit, off to the right, etc - I also tape the LCD display before I go out shooting. I learned this years ago, and it has really improved my work.  (It keeps me shooting - An average shoot on any given day is approximately 100 shots.)This way, I do not waste time checking photos. It forces you to save that work for when you return home. This way, you are not deleting pictures that may please you on the computer, but not in the camera. Hoping these tricks and tips help you,...

Over the past few days, I have been reading friends blogs speaking of what they expect in the New Year. Some have resolutions, some have wishes of a creative year ahead, while others just hope that it is a good year for all. I thought Whimsical Wednesday was a good time to ask what wish would you have, if you could have anything come true? I think I would like to have met my Dad's Mom. I wish I would have had a bit more time with my Mom's Mom. I think I could have learned so much from these incredible women. Looking forward to hearing from you ... 

CREATE ~ is the word I chose for 2012, as many of you already know. I hope to CREATE more with my photography and writing this year. Breakthrough some fears, and share my work with others. I hope to write for someone other than myself - Perhaps I could write a column (as I did years ago, and loved it!) OR write more poetry to be published OR get my photography submitted to a gift shop to sell as stationery ... I am thinking of new ways to make this happen ... New ways to CREATE. What does a New Year make you think of? What do you hope for in 2012?