Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Abstract flower art . . . and random stuff


It's Photo Art Friday this week, the monthly theme is . . . abstract flowers!
And well, abstract just happens to be my fancy right now.

Rather than working with textures to make the photos abstract, I chose to
abstract the flowers and then add textures to enhance the photo.
All three of these photos are ICM (in camera movement) in combination with
slow shutter speed and manual focus. Yes, there is a lot of practice needed
with this technique and a lot of clicks to get the right one.


{I used Bonnie's texture creative canvas}


I hope you don't fall off your chair from the exciting things I have to share with you . . . it's been a rather slow week.

1. It was nearly 80 degrees this weekend, and we got quite a lot of garden clean up done. Trimmed 2 oak trees, 2 palm trees (okay, I watched), and I trimmed nearly 30 bushes. On Sunday night, we dropped down to 20 degrees....WHAT?

2. Yep, I've got another sinus and double ear infection. I think this is number 5 since last November and
it's getting really old. But, the steroid shot I got has really helped my wrist after all that trimming, bonus!


{This is a combination of three very similar ICM photos also with her textures creative canvas, vintage craquelure and antique me}


3. It would be safe to say that we have a huge, gigantic, enormous problem in this country with health care costs when the cost of your son's ongoing treatment (for one day and before "insurance adjustments") are the same as a new car, let's say a Hyundai Accent. And since I don't have anything else nice to say about that, I'll just leave it ... at that.

4. I was extremely happy to see all my lizard friends this weekend sunning themselves. I had to relocate some of them that my husband found still in the palm fronds that had been trimmed off and set out for
the garbage. This time of year they seem to especially love sitting on my hand or arm because of the warmth.


{Bonnie's textures meadow grasses, flowering texture and sunset supreme}

5. This is the best one of all - Spring break is next week so you know what that means . . . my girl is coming home. We will just be spending it at home and hopefully we can make it to the Houston Livestock and Rodeo while she is here. Turkey legs and funnel cake, yum!

You may not see me here next week as I think I'm going to take a blog Spring break with my kids.
One of the things I would love to do is drive down to Victoria to see the head stone of someone (of whom I can't remember, lol) that my daughter found in our family tree! :)

So, until next time....
Love, Kim xo


sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Photo Art Friday
Random Five Friday

54 comments:

Miriam said...

These are wonderful abstracts Kim and you have inspired me this morning. Have a good week.

Kathryn Dyche said...

If you're prone to having sinus infections have you thought about having sinus surgery? Not fun but it does help. Have fun with the family, I know you will.

Snap said...

Beautiful beautiful abstract images. Enjoy spring break!

Tamar SB said...

These are gorgeous. Feels like the belong in a art museum with the Monets and Renoirs!

Waldameise Andrea said...

So schön. Wahrlich Bilder, die man an die Wand hängen möchte.

Nicki said...

These are amazing pieces of art. Enjoy your time off with your daughter and hopefully that sinus / ear infection will take a hike.

Barbara said...

so so so love what you have been doing, did I say I so love what you have been doing. It deserved repeating because I do. Sorry about the ills and the cost of your sons health care. Have fun with your family next week. Get some rest.

Adrienne said...

I'm with Tamar and the Monet comment! And...I won't add anything to the health care comment cause the flowers are too pretty to be near negative energy;-) Enjoy time with your girl!!

Katherines Corner said...

Kim these are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop ♥

Dotti said...

Oh, Kim! All the photos are stunningly lovely but that top one ... oh, yes. That's the one that calls to me. {And no, we'd best not get started on health care costs.}

Anonymous said...

Absolutely gorgeous Kim! I think my fav is the second one…reminds me of a vintage/shabby chic painting!
Have fun with your kiddos, hope your meds kick in soon:)

I Just Want A Cup Of Coffee said...

That second one is my FAVE! Gorgeous. It's like you're painting with your camera. Very lovely. Also, if you consume dairy, you may want to try taking it out of your diet to see if there's any impact on the ear/sinus issue. I've had to do this, and it's amazing how much it helps. I also use a large variety of 100% pure therapeutic essential oils along with other natural remedies. Feel free to message me on e-mail. I hope you are all better soon! And, I'm jealous that you have fun things to do in your yard. Can't wait until Spring to get some pretty flowers in here! Though I still have to figure out how to keep the deer away. Oh, dear.

Kim Cunningham said...

You are such an artist. I love seeing your gorgeous images. I would love to try this technique some day. I hope you enjoy some time with your kids next week. Sounds wonderful relaxing and fun.

Anonymous said...

Totally in love with your abstract flowers, Kim. Hope you keep doing more! They are amazing and frame-worthy for sure. I empathize with the cost of health care here in the US. I don't know how regular families do it when confronted with major treatment needs. Tommy Douglas in Canada is one of our heroes because he believed that no family should ever struggle with the cost of health care -- we as a society should all share it -- and he made that happen for us. Now, it's not perfect, of course, nothing is, but we don't have the extreme worry that I see here in the US. All the best to you, my friend.

A Garden of Threads said...

These are stunning Kim. Fabulous job.

Gail Dixon said...

Oh, my! Gorgeous images!!! Enjoy time with your girl. I know you will. :)

Mascha said...

The pictures are amazing, really artful.
Good improvement to you

Leovi said...

Beautiful photos, is wonderful as you catch the colors and textures in these flowers, pleasantly intoxicating!

Unknown said...

Beautiful work. I enjoy doing in camera abstracts but you are so right the technique does take a lot of practice. You obviously have the technique down. These are wonderful. Hope you are feeling better soon, and enjoy your spring break.
:)

Katarina said...

Beautiful and very lovely pictures! The middle one is my favourite - it's like a romantic dream!

kathyinozarks said...

I agree health care costs are just ridiculous.
I love the second one the best of all-what a cool technique enjoy your spring break

Anonymous said...

I love how you've done this with the photos. They are all so great. I think I like the middle one of the flowers best. Very nice. Love your abstract sharings. :)

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Beautiful photos. We would never be able to afford all the medical costs that my husband's cancer diagnosis has incurred if we lived in the US. One of the good things that Canadians are glad for. Valerie

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Linda/patchwork said...

Oh, wow! I love all of these. Good job.
I agree that health care costs are out of sight. I don't see any 'reform', taking place with that.
Have a great Spring Break. Hope the weather is kind.

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Nice pictures.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Unknown said...

Kim! Fabulous photos. That first one is so soft and feminine. Yeah for Spring Break!! BOOOO on being sick.Fell better soon and enjoy your blog break! xo

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

I fell in love with the first one when I saw it on my dashboard. They are all beautiful and uplifting ... exactly what I would expect from you. And, I have to say that all of the Bonnie textures that you used, I don't have or haven't heard of ... I will have to see if they are still available and where was I when they were published ... hmmmm. You cerainly make it worth while to come see your blog Kim. I always feel good while I'm here.

Andrea @ From The Sol

Inspired By June said...

Wow, you are really "painting" some beautiful pictures here, Kim. The 2nd one is my personal favorite. If you decide to produce greeting cards from these images, let me know. I don't need to tell you to have a fabulous week - how could you not? Blessings!

Sarah Huizenga said...

Enjoy your time with your daughter, the week goes much too quickly. Lovely flowers, you did an awesome job.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

WOW, Kim. These pieces of photo art are extraordinary! What a great skill set you have. To pair the ICM with the digital editing is such a winning combo. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

Hope you feel better soon - especially before your get-away with your kids!

abrianna said...

Lovely abstracts.

I had a cough from Nov. until last month-most of the time it was in my chest. It does appear to be gone now, however.

Enjoy your time with your blessing!

tiarastantrums said...

your images are so lovely . . . you have the most patience with your camera!! {ps. 80's - I gasped I tell you! 26 degrees for us and that was so lovely and warm!!}

Jeanne said...

Kim I absolutely love your abstracts here, and the second especially is just awesome. I love what you do with the motion in your camera. Sorry about the terrible medical bills with your son's treatments, but you have to consider that in many places where the costs are less, the treatment is not even available. I hope that he is doing better and the infusions are helping again. Such a hard situation. Know you will enjoy your daughter being home. First thing you know she'll be home for the summer. Hugs from your northern friend....

Ida said...

These are all quite lovely. I think the 2nd one was my favorite. Sort of reminded me of a Monet.
So sorry to hear you were sick with Sinus problems and such, so not fun. But with that crazy weather it's little wonder.
Hope you have an awesome Spring break with your daughter.

SKCPhotos said...

These are beautiful works of art. Great work.

Brenda said...

Kim - I am completely in awe of these images - you captured the essential essence of the flowers, with their color and delicacy, yet transformed them into abstract masterpieces. I can't think of anything else to say because my mouth is still hanging open. Bravo to you for your successful experimentation.

Karen said...

Your photos are beautiful! You lost me at having temps in the 80s. I dream of those days. Enjoy Spring break with your daughter!!!

Deanna said...

Oh crap, all those medical costs really suck, but at least it's there and hopefully helping you and your son. I am sure that with spring break next week your heart will lighten!!

NatureFootstep said...

great work with all three images. Love the way you handled them. :)

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Your middle image is beautiful. It looks like a watercolor painting

Joyce said...

I don't know what one i like most!! all very awesome - magic with camera and textures

Berta said...

Gorgeous photo art!!!

Sharon said...

These look like Monet paintings! Lovely! I hope you get to feeling better and have a wonderful break week with your kids. Enjoy!

Currie Silver said...

glorious one and all and I loved hearing about the lizards!!! your post just made me smile, all the lemonade you made out of lemon-ish stuff...
the results of your exploration with ICM and then your edits and abstracting really inspire me.
enJOY the girl and the Time together.

Andrea Dawn said...

Kim, your beautiful work is such a reflection of who you are. I love how you process the mysteries in your life,texturing with layers of faith, hope and love.

Anonymous said...

Your images are so fresh and creative! And I can relate to health care costs! Chronic Lyme is not covered and we could literally pay for a summer vacation cottage with the money we spend on medical bills. I'm so sorry this is happening to your son. Hugs.

Nancy said...

Such a cool effect and you've perfect it -- kudos to you with all you have going on.

Enjoy your daughter's visit and your break. See you on the flip side my friend. xo

Beverly said...

The world of abstract has definitely found a new home with your camera, eye, and talented hands Kim!! Wow, these are so beautiful. I'm patiently waiting for flowers to bloom so I can practice more with the techniques.

Anita Johnson said...

These are such beautiful shots. I'll have to try some when our snow melts...something else to look forward too. I'll have to check your archives and see if you have texture tutorials, I haven't done well with those. I hope you feel better. 4 years ago I had such bad ear infections I had to have a tube put it...I was 50! Now I know why babies cry with ear infections.

Cathy H. said...

Oh my, these are breathtaking! You have perfected the ICM effect! Hope by now you're feeling much better and will soon be enjoying your daughter.

Unknown said...

Your images look amazing! You sure do know how to use that camera! It has been warm here in San Diego as well! Have fun with your daughter!

Hugs~

Ross said...

Wow! So great Kim! Understanding your camera is so key and you certainly know how to use yours! Very beautiful image. Hope your weekend has been great!

Liz said...

Those textures are divine!!

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