The importance of loving mentors ~ May 17th

[Fred Schoch September 29, 1927-May 17, 1992]

If we're lucky, we find someone in our lives to act as a mentor. In my case, from day one I had a mentor who taught me so many, many valuable lessons, all delivered with great love and support. He taught me about uncondional love. He taught me about using my imagination and how much creativity can lead to a joyful life. And he taught me how to follow my own path rather than following the crowd. I'm a lucky, lucky person to be the daughter of Fred Schoch, and today I post this blog in his memory.

Thanks, Daddy! You're the greatest!!

Vintage Vignettes: Still Life with Trading Cards ~ May 9th

I realized the other day that Art in the Park is little more than 3 months away. Yikes! I'm exhibiting there, and it's my first art fair. I really need to get my act together.



Right now I'm working on a new series called Vintage Vignettes. Self-explanatory, I guess. I started when it was still winter and it was hard to get outside to shoot.



I like to play photo stylist. I just look around my house for interesting vintage items and see what I can do with them. I love these trading cards -- still so colorful, even though they're about 100 years old.

I'll be posting more of my photos as the weeks go by and I continue to gather images together for the art show. Please let me know if you see any you like. I'd appreciate feedback -- it'll help me narrow down the choices and figure out which photos to exhibit.

Easter ~ April 24th

Happy Easter!
Happy Passover!
Happy Spring!



Whatever you're celebrating today, I hope you have a joyful & relaxing Sunday!

Seaside Saturday: Images of the Maine Coast ~ April 2nd

I haven't been out shooting pictures since the night of the super moon, so I dipped into the archives once again and came up with these images from a foggy day at the Maine Coast in late March of 2009.



[Please click on each photo for a better view.]



That last picture must be similar to how it looks today after our small snowstorm. It's already melting, and hopefully, HOPEFULLY, it really will be spring soon. Then I can get out and about and get some fresh photos for Seaside Saturday. Enjoy your day!

Seaside Saturday: Images of the Maine Coast ~ March 26th

Things I’m dreaming about on a Friday afternoon… ~ March 25th

The calendar says spring, but in Maine, I’m sorry to say, it still feels just like winter. But spring is coming – I’m sure it will be here soon, in fact – and so my thoughts are drifting to warmer days, more chances to get outdoors, and the fresh start of a new season.

Here are just a few of the things I’m dreaming about today:

Still all excited that I got to see the super moon from the Coast of Maine last Saturday.



Looking forward to many walks on my favorite beach in the very near future.




I'm definitely feeling at a crossroads in my life. I think I need to send myself this note card: Hecate - Goddess of Crossroads -

I’m planning to move soon, and I have not begun searching yet for the exact right apartment, but I dream of a loft done up in industrial décor. Wouldn’t these fit right in?


East Side, West Side poster

Industrial Art Deco bookend

Art Deco luncheon set

Red and white diner chairs

You know, I love interior decorating, and I’ve been wanting to post about it for a while now. The problem is I don’t know what to use for images. I refuse to steal photos – which is what many bloggers seem to do. I think that I’ll have to gather together all of the vintage things I own that have a bit of an industrial flavor and do my own photo styling. Stay tuned for that! First up is a big spring cleaning and decluttering project at home. Once I whip my current place into shape, I’ll see what I can do about creating a post or two that shows the kind of interior I like.

How about you? What are you dreaming about today?

In search of the super moon ~ March 20th

As you probably know, last night was the first time in 18 years that we experienced what is called a super moon, or perigee moon, which appears bigger and brighter than what we normally see. If you'd like to read more about it, go here.




To witness this spectacular full moon, I decided to head up the Coast to my favorite place, Reid State Park, for an evening visit.


On the way down to the park, I stopped by a swampy area to watch and photograph 3 Canada geese.



I reached the park about 1.25 hours before moonrise so I was able to walk about a bit taking photos while it was still daylight.



There were quite a few people gathered to watch the big, orange orb rise above the sea.



I enjoyed walking the beach and scrambling over the rocks. The sunset skies were lovely.





I eventually decided to take a spot on the rocks just in front of a rocky island. From this spot, I watched the moon begin its ascent into the sky.



After a bit, I dashed over to Mile Beach for a different perspective.



What an experience!

My photos of the moon are not very good. You know, I only work with a point-and-shoot, and sometimes it's just not up to the task at hand. But nevertheless, I'm sharing some photos here. (Please click on each photo for a better view.) You can see many more images online when you search on super moon.



I found out that Reid was staying open late last night through a Maine photographer named Christopher O'Donnell. He'll be posting images soon, and I'm sure they'll be impressive. To see the super moon through Christopher's eyes, visit his website.



This was the first time in my life I was ever in Reid Park after dark. Normally, the park closes at sunset. But they made an exception yesterday so that people like me could enjoy this rare event.

I hope that you were able to catch a glimpse of the super moon! Mother Nature put on a fantastic show to welcome spring. May this be a season of wonderful adventures for all of us.