I have been invited to join a rather exciting photography project called “Photography’s Traveling Journal – USA edition” and I have the privilege of representing Oklahoma. A beautiful handmade leather journal will travel to photographers all across the country over the course of 3 years and each photographer will add photos and journal entries about their state. I plan to write more about it as the project commences soon, but it has inspired two things: the first to get out and practice with my equipment; the second is to try to explore more within Oklahoma.
As a photographer, I am rusty. The camera has been a means to an ends, supplying reference photos for my paintings. My use has been basic with minimal use of filters and post-production. Believe it or not, I started my creative journey with a camera. I still have my Nikon FE from the ‘80’s and the manual lenses I stored away years ago when I went digital, work well with the digital. They will require me getting reacquainted with exposure times and light metering. I am hoping while I await my turn with the Journal, my skills will improve substantially.
What does this mean for the blog? Along with my regular art (I will be posting a finished 24×30 soon!), I will include specially titled blog posts of photographs, mixed media, paintings and writing on people and places of this state. I will create an Oklahoma list in the sidebar (right) and republish old articles on Google+ and FaceBook that are relevant, in case they were missed.
I hope my view as an outsider transitioning to life in Oklahoma will offer inspiration to those who have lived and loved this state their entire lives, as well as be of interest to other transplants . This journey, for me, is to understand the love and longing Oklahoma natives have for this place I now call home – a love that Oklahoma poet laureate 1940-2 Jennie Harris Oliver warns:
“Oh, do not seek this red land
When the red-bud lamps are burning —
(The rose-red lamps in leafless spring the gods go lighted by!) —
And do not seek affection
If you’ve any thought of turning;
For red-earth love will hold you till you die”
Happy Friday the 13th. Enjoy the full Honey moon tonight…
will be interesting to see the blog posts you post about life in Oklahoma 🙂
really like hearing stories and seeing places from places i will never visit 🙂
Thanks Jennifer Rose! I’ll try to get that sidebar list up ASAP.
Congratulations on being chosen to be the representative photographer for Oklahoma ….. I look forward to seeing what you bring forward . As I recall, you are also a very talented photographer . Oklahoma, as seen through your artistic eyes , will bring its beauty and uniqueness to light for all of us .
Hope so! Thanks!
Hi Michelle – you are a gifted painter and photographer.I would like to buy your book that has your paintings of my cousin Elva Stephens Bowes home , the door…I discovered my new cousin Elva in the early 2000s.I enjoyed her company immensely.What is the name of your book and where can I buy it? Keep up the great work.
Hi Sharon;
Thanks for the compliments! I am in the process of finding a publisher for the book, but when I do I will most certainly announce it. You can sign up for my newsletter and I’ll keep your e-mail on file!
Congratulations, this sounds soooo perfect for you! Are you itching to turn some of those photo’s into paintings though? Can’t wait to read your expanded blogging.
Thanks, Ingrid!
I will always be shooting for reference for paintings. 🙂
The sidebar on the right now lists all previous posts on Oklahoma and the posts associated with the echoes series too!