A virtual blog tour . . .

"To be an artist it is not necessary to make a living from our

creations. Nor is it necessary to have work hanging in fine museums

or the praise of critics . . . To be an artist it is necessary to live with

our eyes wide open, to breathe in the colors of the mountain and sky,

to know the sound of leaves rustling, the smell of the snow, the textures of

bark . . . To be an artist is to notice every beautiful and tragic thing, to cry

freely, to collect experience and shape it into forms that others can share."

- Jan Phillips

Good morning friends, today I'm pausing to participate in a virtual blog tour, invited by my sweet blogging friend Cathy. The idea is that the same four questions will be answered by a lot of other lovely, creative souls and then linked together, kinda like a trail of bread crumbs (or M&M's).

I would love to invite you to check out Cathy's answers here at her blog My Corner Through My Lens, where you can also find links to more goodness. No worries, I"ll wait right here. And at the end, I will introduce you to three more beautiful people who will continue the tour a week from today.

Okay, here we go . . . 

1. What am I working on?

I'm not sure it's something I'm "working" on, but rather something I feel I've been shifting towards for some time now. Being more receptive to what is around me rather than reactive. Being more reflective rather than having preconceptions, which seems to almost always make me miss something in the process. Especially when I "expect" a certain outcome. I've learned that too many expectations can end in disappointment. And that's in life as well as through the lens. At the beginning of the year Intention was the word I chose, or maybe it chose me, to be a sort of guide through the year. So I guess in a way I'm trying to be more intentional about receiving from my heart in a way that is slow and spacious, allowing myself to see what is there and not forcing what is not. For me, abstract is a form of contemplative photography and meditation that helps me to do just that . . . as I'm mindful of the aspects of an objects essence broken down into parts.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Hmmm, is this a trick question? lol

To be honest this is a difficult, and a bit of an uncomfortable question for me. And I feel like in order to answer I would have to make assumptions and that is something in my photography that I'm not willing to do with others. I'm not even sure what genre I would put myself in. What I do know is that as individuals we all come to our crafts with different life experiences and visions that makes what each of us does very unique provided we all follow our own hearts and our own visions. What I hope though, is that my voice comes across as authentic and true to myself, to who I am as a creative soul, and not only my love for nature, but my love for sharing it as well.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I don't know anything else. And I suppose most of us will say we do, because we have to. Like breathing air.

I have, ever since I can remember always created in some way and it may not have been on the same scale as my photography is now, but the need to express myself has appeared through the years in many forms. For me, creating, whether it be in jewelry or photographs, allows me to express myself in ways that aren't always possible any other way. It's my way of working through life, its ups and downs . . .trying to find the beauty in the process through my lens and on paper, and moving from moment to moment.


4. How does your writing/creative process work?

Hmmm, how does your writing/creative process work. Well that kinda makes it sound like there might be a little planning that goes along with that. Something I'm not so good at these days. I probably fit the definition of "artist" in that I'm somewhat scattered and fly by the seat of pants most of the time. When I get an idea for something or want to try a new technique I often just dive in. When it comes to my writing, that just shows up when it wants to most of the time. I do have spiral notebooks that I keep for writing down ideas, although trying to go back to find something is like looking for a needle in a haystack! lol

I have to say that also being a jewelry maker, it has taught me to be flexible in the creative process. I can start with a sketch or an idea, which may morph 10 fold before I'm done. Or I may run into technical difficulty which means temporarily back to the drawing board so to speak.

Yes, patience is a virtue for a creative soul, it allows us freedom for the ride and fuel for the destination.

And now, drum roll please . . . three of my amazing friends, bloggers and creative souls who will continue this blog tour next week, same time....on May 12th. But you don't have to wait until then to visit . . .


Kathryn Dyche Dechairo is a self taught mixed media artist and poet living in South Ohio. Kathryn's work has been published in The Pulse of Mixed Media, Artful Blogging 2012, Poetry Nook Vol 3 with her debut collection of poetry and prose 'The Edge of Silence' self published this February.

To learn more about the artist and her creative journey visit her blog www.dychedesigns.blogspot.com .


Hello, my name is Kim Cunningham. I am the author of Little by Little. I am a mom who homeschools and runs a photography business during my day. I blog about Life, Learning and Light. I'm seeking to capture it all, Little by Little, and one frame at a time.


Kelly Kardos is a photo hobbyist that is always striving for a clear vision in her natural light photography. Life events have helped her to pay close attention to the little things that make up the big picture that often get overlooked if one doesn't' slow down and enjoy the journey. She believes that a photograph should tell a story without words and she has found her "style" by practicing this in her everyday existence and most certainly when she's out shooting. You can find her blogging here: Just a Click Away


Until next time
Love, Kim