In 2007, Tim and I went to a writer's conference in California. I was working as a contractor for a company writing content for their massive database website. When my boss learned we were coming to the west coast, she invited me to come tour their offices, meet everyone, and they'd pick up the tab for an overnight stay. She recommended we stay in La Jolla, which was a short taxi ride from their offices. [Side note - she tried to talk us into moving there, to take advantage of the benefits they offered the office employees: free lunch every day, free massages - neck or full body - any time I wanted, a free gym, free healthcare, a free coffee and snack bar, and the latest and greatest computers at my disposal.]
This was our first trip to the west coast, and we loved it. La Jolla is such a beautiful place. We stayed in a boutique kind of hotel - at the time, it billed itself as a b&b, but it was nothing like any b&b I'd ever experienced. There was a problem with the tub in our room, and we discovered it moments after checking in, so they moved us to another room. The new room had some odd angles in it (those who know me well know how much I loved that aspect - I hate cookie-cutter anything), and it had a romantic flair to it - a plush wedding ring quilt on the bed, low lighting, and such a view. This was our view:
We went walking later in the day and discovered this beautiful rock formation. I snapped several photos, and this one was my favorite.
This past week, I toyed with the picture in my software and created this "painting" from it - and fell in love with the image even more!
You can find this latest design on the following products:
Going barefooted for the first time last week made me start dreaming of the summer months. I love warm weather, and I start getting happy as soon as temps rise about 60!
In my happy mode, I created a new collection called Vacation Time!
In this collection, I offer flip flops, beach towels, and beach bags right now, but will be adding more products and more designs each week. Aren't the flip flops cute?
Perfect for the beach, lake, pool or every day wear, they still scream VACATION, don't they?
I buy beach towels for our regular, everyday use because they're larger than most towels. (I don't like little towels!)
I can't draw anything more than a stick man. Seriously. And even he might be pretty questionable.
But inside me, there's an inner artist who deeply appreciates all the colors and textures and forms that art can take - paintings, sculpture, photography, textiles, music, architecture, and the written word - just to name a few.
When I'm not focused on words - written by clients in my role as book publisher, or written by myself in my role as screenwriter and freelance writer - I need an outlet besides reading and somehow color and art always come into play. I've always had a good eye for photography, but I've never done much with it, until now!
A few months ago, I opened an Etsy shop to sell photographic prints and canvases. I loved the process, but felt I needed to do something a bit more, something that offered a little more creativity for more of my images. A friend, Ms. Contrary, talked me into opening a Zazzle shop and I've been amazed at how much fun it is to figure out what to do next. (It could actually be two full-time jobs, it's rather addictive!)
Last night, I created a couple of pieces that gave me such great delight. I took a photo, then turned it into this funky art. Now, at my TMPixArtstore, you can find this art on some fun and practical items. Here's are two bathroom sets I created with two very different kinds of art work I created last night from a single photo.
The great thing about Zazzle is that the designs can be offered on such a wide variety of products, and most of my designs can be customized to fit your needs. You can add your own text, like names to notebooks or mouse pads or contact information to luggage tags and tablet covers. You can even choose background colors or different sizes on some items.
Cabin fever set in hard this week, so yesterday, Tim and I decided to get outside a bit. I declared that we were "in search of Spring."
We went to the Chattahoochee National Park and hiked (walked, actually) a short, easy trail. Few people were out - mostly dog walkers or dedicated hikers, so it was peaceful.
Did we find Spring? Cloudy skies spit a little mist, but nothing that soaked us. Temps stayed in the high 60s, so we're finally thawing out! We took a picnic lunch and ate at one of the tables after we finished our walk. (Note to self: next time take ponchos or the picnic blanket - either would prevent damp bottoms on the ride home.) I spotted a few clumps of daffodils, but only one bloom - and it was too far away to get a decent picture.
Still a bit bleak out there, but the warmth was a relief and the fresh air wiped out the cabin fever.
My favorite photo of the day is this pine tree. Growing up, we had a dozen or more pine trees in our backyard, and I loved them. As an adult, everywhere I've ever lived, folks have said, "chop down the pines, you don't want them falling into your house." [Not that I listened. And I've never had one fall on my house.] So I love pine trees, and the ones we saw today were massive.
I saw this tree and went over to rub its bark. So pretty, so smooth. The minute I touched the tree, it "threw" a pine cone down at us - missing Tim's head by a whisper. I was shocked, and he said, "You tickled that tree!" I laughed, and rubbed the tree again, and sure enough, another pine cone fell - but this one away from us.
Memory makers.
The Chattahoochee was full and flowing, the air crisp and clean. Here are a few more photos of our outing.
I'll be adding some photos to my Etsy shop this week, and will also soon be announcing a Zazzle shop as well, so if any of my photos intrigue you, I'll love for you to check them out. I'd be honored to have some of my art in your house!
Just in case you need a song stuck in your head after viewing these photos:
On the way to the river, we listened to another of Alan Jackson's albums: Precious Memories. If you're a fan of hymns, you'll want to listen to this album. I can't get enough of it. I discovered it on Amazon Music, so I stream it on the app all the time.
