Archive for the ‘Kitchen Inspirations’ Category
In Jane’s Mug
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, Nature Notes, tagged flowers, Photography, pottery on March 13, 2011| Leave a Comment »
With Spring on the Horizon …
Posted in Branches, Guest Contributor, Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, Nature Notes, On the Road, Photography Exhibits, Postcards, tagged art, collaboration, family, nature, open studios, Photography on March 10, 2011| 3 Comments »
It was back in December that I last posted a Words+Images update. It focused on end of year inspirations. Now with spring on the horizon, I thought it time to share new updates. Let’s see … 😉
Preparing for Somerville Open Studios
Somerville Open Studios 2011 is rapidly approaching and so I am trying to get myself in gear. I’ve been sorting through images, selecting a set that will be turned into notecards and others that will be matted and framed. For the first time, I will also have postcards available for sale. The images will be representative of the changing seasons. Seasons is the theme of my collaboration with artist Zoe Langosy.
Leading up to show there are many wonderful opportunities to exhibit including the upcoming SOS2010 Volunteer Show.
Sharing Stories
My business cards say “writer/photographer.” A better title would be “storyteller.” That is what I do whether with words or with images. With the passing of my Aunt Thelma recently, those fires within have been stoked to listen closely to those around me and to tell their stories well.
Finding Perspective
There’s all sorts of things I could say about finding perspective this year. With my camera, at least, let’s just say I found perspective by getting up close and personal with house plants and cut flowers.
One snowy day, I found a lemon …
And when the sun came out, I spied this bird sitting high in a tree.
I think that’s about it. More to share in the spring … which is only 8 days away!
White Flowers in the Kitchen
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, Nature Notes, tagged flowers, Photography, white on February 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Creative Outlets
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, tagged Contributing Writer, creative inspirations, food, Photography on February 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »
So the way our schedules have been working out lately, Steve races off to work across town, leaving me to work from home on various writing projects. As he heads out the door, I toss him a lunch I’ve quickly prepared. Just leftovers pulled together from his fridge. Some sliced fruit. A bit of cheese. Nothing elaborate I thought. But recently he commented on the fanciness of these petite meals. I rolled my eyes. Me? Fancy? Not! But then this morning, a realization.
I had chopped sun-dried tomatoes, scallions and capers and then layered the concoction over cold pasta from last night’s dinner. After peeking in various cupboards, I decided to finish off the little dish with a bit of garlic and a little parmesan cheese. As I stepped back to admire the marriage of color and textures, it hit me. These lunches have become a creative outlet of sorts. Almost like culinary morning pages, warming up my mind and fingers for the day’s work.
Many of my current writing projects involve taking the basic ingredients that make up my clients’ programs and putting those ingredients together in a proposal or a report in such a way that they whet the appetite of a potential funder. Time will tell if I am successful in that endeavor. Meanwhile, Steve doesn’t seem to mind my morning experimentations.
The Blooming Has Begun
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, Nature Notes, tagged floral art, flowers, paperwhites, Photography on February 16, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Mid-Day Musings
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, tagged home, kitchens, musings on February 15, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Steve has two tables in his kitchen. There is the larger central table where meals are served, but against the wall near a window there is a smaller table and that’s the one that holds my attention at this moment. Sunlight pours through the window. A variety of plants bask in the warmth. Steve’s rosemary bushes. A mug of basil. A rather mutant African Violet, a gift from a friend, that he refuses to replant … he’s hoping it will break free of its clay pot, and like the plant in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, start shouting, “Feed me!” Then there’s a clear glass vase of lemon yellow mums and a red pot of soon-to-bloom paperwhites. Tucked here and there beneath the foliage small jewel-colored glass votives, a green bowl filled with oranges, and an empty mason jar that held sliced strawberries just yesterday.
Above the plants, through the window, the sky is the lightest blue. Seagulls fly all around, as do flocks of sparrows and pigeons. The hawks are not nearby. A gentle wind rocks the branches of the oak tree next to the house, and those of the maples across the street. It is still winter, of course, so far too soon, the sun will set spectacularly, casting a warm golden light across the kitchen walls. And then, even before I can race to grab my camera, everything will disappear into shadow. For a little while.
Lemon Slices
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, tagged food, fruit, lemons, Photography, visual art on February 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Just Light and Shadow
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, tagged color, illumination, light, Photography, visual art on January 27, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Lots of bright sunlight shining through the kitchen windows and then through empty glasses sitting on a table. The result: beautiful shadows and flashes of color.
In a Nutshell
Posted in Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, tagged chestnuts, cranberries, food, kitchen, Photography, pottery, spinach on November 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Monthly Updates: Japan and More
Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration, Kitchen Inspirations, On the Road, Photography, Photography Exhibits, Publication Updates, tagged Charles River, Festival of Ages, Fire Festival, flowers, food, guest contributors, Japan, kimonos, Kobe, Kurama, Kyoto, octopus balls, Orion Magazine, Photography, sushi, takoyaki, temples on October 31, 2010| 1 Comment »
First up, Japan! As mentioned in last month’s update, I had the unique opportunity to travel to Japan where I spent three days in Kobe and three days in Kyoto. View images here. Food was a highlight. While there, I was indeed introduced to takoyaki, also known as Octopus Balls. While I admired the satisfied looks on peoples’ faces as they popped the delicacies into their mouths, I decided to abstain until my next trip.
I did indulge in some of the best and freshest sushi I have ever eaten. Just before departing Japan, I saw a Michelin man dancing in front of a bookstore. Here’s why. My favorite food discovery was the art of preparing food for display.
An unexpected visual treat was to stumble upon the Festival of Ages, and to trek to Kurama outside of Kyoto to attend the annual Fire Festival. More pictures forthcoming.
Special thanks to recent guest contributors, friends and family who shared their images, including Lorraine’s Rainbow, Keith’s Sunrise and Frank’s Rose (below).
Publication Updates
- A Boston-based nonprofit serving the homeless has selected one of my photos for its walls, Harbor Rocks.
- Steve’s Kitchen Window appears in the November/December issue of Orion Magazine, in bookstores now.
- Monday, November 1st, visit the Evolving Critic for a guest blog about my photographic adventures along the Charles River.
Upcoming
- Inspired by his years of traveling in Japan, guest contributor Steve will write about sake.
- Photos of New England in autumn.
- Updates on winter sales events, silent auction participation, and other upcoming exhibits before year’s end.
And that’s the scoop, folks. Thanks for reading!
Words + Images 