Weekend Well-Wishing

Coffee and tea on

a winter day; tea for you,

the other for me

~Charles de Lint

Sense of Style

I remember when I was in high school and would visit college friends in their apartments that one thing stuck in my mind: unlivable. Maybe its because I consider myself a creative person that craves to be surrounded by things that stimulate my creativity or that I want my room to feel "home-y." I don't know why I felt this way, all I knew was the beer-soaked carpets and boring walls with rapper posters wouldn't be in my room. When I finally moved into my first home away from home, I needed a theme to boost my sense of creativity as I spend my evenings editing photographs, printing, drawing, and writing. I decided on a mix of Mid-Century, Modern, and natural abstract styles.  Making a room more comfortable isn't expense you just have to know what you are looking for (and hope for a few surprises). Spray-painting a gnarly willow branch blue, organizing my nerdy rock collection in sweet patterns, and using other natural material to contrast against the clean lines of my modern-style dresser and side-tables. Here's just a few pictures of what I have done... Like I always say--"I'm the most sensitive straight guy your gonna meet."

Opportunities Ahead

How daunting! I decided I would start organizing some folders on my Mac to apply to some juried exhibitions for this spring, and boy-oh-boy was I surprised at how indecisive I would be. I realized how much is on the line (my reputation as an artist and as a good person, and financing). On top of the one show in Toledo, one in Findlay, another in Annapolis, MD., one in Youngstown, and two international shows (Washington D.C. and London), I also have a fellowship scholarship at a worth of $6000 to fund the Van Buren Elementary living sculpture that I am helping to design to complete by Friday! I will stay busy in the next few weeks :) Enjoy your weekend!

Gloomy Day Glimmer

I thought I would post an image that brightens anyone's day (especially during this grey, gloomy day in Ohio). I took this photo on my climb to the top of my first "fourteener" (a mountain above 14,000 ft in elevation). On this trip, I met up with my cousin Casey in Denver over the summer so we could climb Mount Bierstadt. At moments my heart and lungs raced so hard to keep up with the change in altitude that I thought I could have fainted. We made it to the top finally and to my excitement (I am such a nature-nerd) found LIFE! Marmots (like our groundhogs), pikas (indescribable little squealing rodents), and many species of alpine wildflowers such as this one thrived in the extreme habitat. What a delight! What memories have you experienced that you find yourself returning to on days like this?

Oh Winter

Isn't it pathetic to think that today's heat-wave is only 33 degrees Fahrenheit! Still, the walk to the bus stop is kind of peaceful on mornings like this. The crunch of the icy-snow beneath my feet, my foggy breath blowing back into my face... I love it. Every day the temperature raises a degree, my heart races in hopes that spring will arrive a little sooner. Until then I will spend my mornings staying toasty and enjoying my cup of house coffee at Grounds for Thought. I swear my European roots are showing because I need my dose of coffee, newspaper, and people-watching everyday. Well I am off to Findlay this afternoon to set up my photo "show" in the front windows of Imagine That! Photography on East Sandusky Street!

Foggy Afternoon

I have to admit although the winter months give me really bad cabin fever (or seasonal depression or whatever the heck you wanna call it), foggy days are my favorite! Today was one of those days! With snow partially melting, a bright gray sky, and a layer of thick, saturating fog, I was in paradise for a few good photo op's! I think I feel so alive when its foggy because when a layer of fog entrenches the landscape, the sky blends into the ground and my senses become more acute to the things closest in proximity to me. I am able to focus on the tree branches dripping with water, birds rustling in the bushes, or just listen to the silence of a fog. One of my favorites of the day is this scene I caught at the Findlay Reservoir. I've officially nicknamed this one "The Other Blue Man Group."

New Inspiration

Although this has been a while ago, I wanted to share a story that gave me the inspiration I needed while in the middle of my frequent "funks." About two weeks ago during an extremely cold Arctic spell, I was visiting my grandparents home. As I was coming outside to my truck that was already on, I heard a God-awful racket that was louder than the engine of my little old blue. I thought for sure that it was done in this time... but then this strange feeling inside me told me to stop worrying and look up. To my amazement there was a flock of about seventy-five sandhill cranes raising hell as they conversed among one another on their trip south. The hair on my neck stood up and I felt a feeling of unexplainable happiness, creativity, and warmth throughout my body. My wintertime "funk" was hushed for the few minutes that I witnessed this beautiful scene that I was able to share with my grandparents. I included a photo of a white-napped crane that I took while at the Toledo Zoo last week to try to show the impressiveness of cranes.

Guiding My Journey

Recently I got a tattoo of a compass inscribed on my shoulder. This tattoo is my first and probably my last but I want to point out that I did not get this done out of an impulse (although the timing may have been a little spontaneous). I got this to symbolize the focus that I need to keep when it comes to my spirituality, family & friend relationships, and goals wherever my life compass leads me. It will stay relevant all my life and thats what I love about it.

First Posting

I am getting ready to set up a professional website to exhibit my photography to a broader audience and thought that I could set up a blog that would give a little more insight to my thoughts and processes about my photography and travels. I am not too familiar with web/blog design so hopefully I will get used to it quickly!

Cheers!
Ty