Home is where the heart is!

I've been living in Boone, NC for 12 years now, and love it! Every day the view out my front door of the Blue Ridge Mts. brings such joy to the heart!

I've been working on a photo essay entitled: Turtle Island: Living Life off the Grid in Appalachia. My dear friend Eustace Conway owns over 1,000 acres of land just a mile down the mountain from my house, and calls this property Turtle Island Preserve. The book, "The Last American Man" by Elizabeth Gilbert was about Eustace. He lives and works the land just the way the settlers did during Daniel Boone's time. It's very inspiring and peaceful when you go there. Eustace calls me his 'neighbor lady'! When he comes over for a meal or party he and his apprentices usually ride their horses up to my house.

I'm putting together the book now of Turtle Island. Here are some of the photos that will be in it.

Through this Gate an Adventure Awaits, Enjoy!

144 - The Heartful Gate

Turtle Island

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Turtle Island

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Turtle Island

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Georgia On My Mind

This winter Obie and I are enjoying a warmer winter in Thomasville, Georgia. This is such a lovely small town. The outdoors are decorated by huge Living Oak trees with beautiful moss hanging from every limb and camellia flowers blooming year round. Everything is so green and lush. The people are so friendly and happy here, it's wonderful!

I've been making friends with some of the shop owners since I've been here because I started photographing storefronts in town. Some of the stores have such an 'old time' quality about them that's very quaint. I'm having postcards made up of my work and will be selling them in a lovely gift shop.

Here are some shots of the area for you to enjoy. If you happen to be in Thomasville anytime soon stop by and pick up one of my postcards at Joolz!

126: Living Oaks with Moss 127: Sparkle Goat

122: Rusty the Rooster 123: Relics 124: Buster Brown and Tige 125: Nancy's Other Boots

119: Relish 120: Mode 121: Joolz

116: Signs 117:Davis Shoe Repair 118:Maggie's Front Steps

Southern Maryland

Last winter I spent many months living with Obie at his family's vineyard, Jubilee Farm, in Southern Maryland. While he did the winter pruning, I went out most days exploring with my camera. The area is on the Potomac River.

Photographs name and number from top to bottom : Enjoy!
108- China Snow
109- Glass
110- Golden Mist
111- Dancing Girls
112- Agzigian
114- Vineyard Fog
115- Barbera

-My previous photography posts were also taken at Jubilee Farm and surrounding area.

-Soon I will post my latest photography that I have been working on here in Georgia.

-Please feel free to contact me via email at amwfinearts@gmail.com to purchase anything you have seen here, in large format, postcard or other. Custom orders accepted.

Elements at Play

When I shoot I'm always looking for different texture, pattern, lighting and color - and how they play with each other or oppose each other. I don't just shoot a scene. I always want some kind of play between with these elements. The more texture and pattern, the better for me. There are some very interesting barns in the area near Jubilee Farm that I shot. I liked the quality of the old wood and shape of the doors, hinges, rusting etc. that you can see on these barn sides.

Photographs Named From Top To Bottom:

Rusty Roof 104
Barn Doors 105
Barn Side at Mulberry 106
Barn Door 107

Location.

Last winter I spent many months living with Obie at his family's vineyard, Jubilee Farm, in Southern Maryland. While he did the winter pruning, I went out most days exploring with my camera. The area is on the Potomac River.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

There are some very beautiful flowers blooming in the spring that I shot, either in arrangement style or growing in the gardens. I made some studies of them for a while, and had fun with Nature's beauty, softness, and detail of color and design.

Photo Titles listed from top to bottom:

Peony Study 100
Peony Study 101
Still Life 102
Still Life 103

Thanks for visiting!

A bit about me.........................

I guess I've always thought of myself as an artist who enjoys so many areas of the fine arts as a means of expression and creativity. I enjoy and have studied painting, sculpture, photography, dance, pottery. I received my first bit of encouragement and recognition as an artist in kindergarten when my water color painting hung in the Principal's office for many months. Now, living in Boone,NC, I discovered Ray's Weather website that posts photographs that he receives daily from people like myself, who submit photos that he chooses to show as 'Photo of the Day'. When you get to be 'Photo of the Day' girl, you really feel great! Ray gives you a sense of great encouragement and you're instantly famous in the area for a day!!

I haven't always been able to be productive with my work though. Life keeps us busy. So many things come to occupy our time: jobs, marriage, child raising, divorce, caring for a love one dying of cancer, grieving, healing, and falling in love once again. But that's alright, because it has made me the very happy, creative, energetic,loving,cosmic, patient lady that I am today.

Almost 2 yrs ago, thanks to a Judy Collins concert, Obie, aka Mark O'Brien, and I have been sharing a wonderful life and his camera together. I thank him and so deeply appreciate him for his loving heart, patience, wisdom, and his enormous energy, that he shares with me daily. Our life together has opened up so many portholes into the beauty and wisdom that life holds. And now I am back to living life in a very creatively expressive way, wanting to share its expressions with all.

Enjoy!

Me and my wonderful Obie enjoying the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC

New to blogger land!!

Happy to be here and I look forward to sharing my artful adventures with all who check out my work.

Art is my passion and joy and as a global community we can share this journey through this beautiful world we live in.

Thanks for visiting!

Ann