It's almost St Paddy's day! In celebration, here's 13 images from my gallery entitled "The Emerald Isle". For more of Ireland, go to my website.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Contrails
Jan Armor
8 Indian Trail N.
Wakefield, RI 02879
401.783.8232 cell-441.5517
The Blog ------
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Getting itchy
This portrait of two Irish gardeners working at Glenveagh Castle, County Donegal, is one of my favorites from our travels to the Emerald Isle. It awakens in me "restless feet." We'd love to return to Ireland, and/or Scotland, again. These were two of our very favorite places. This is a land where folks will stop and talk for a while, where asking for directions leads to a good conversation, or at the very least the often asked question, "Oh, you're from America, are ya. Would you be happening to know my brother Tom Murphy in Boston?"
Jan Armor
8 Indian Trail N.
Wakefield, RI 02879
401.783.8232 cell-441.5517
The Blog ------
Monday, March 8, 2010
Like Weeds
These kids are growing so fast, like weeds... good weeds. Our grandchildren are a joy. To watch them grow and thrive is such a wonderful experience one can never appreciate until they are YOUR grandkids. Here's J as a tiny baby and now, blowing out nine candles. She always makes wonderful eye contact, right from the very beginning. Always has that adorable smile. We have always had a special connection, she and I, and it is one I cherish.
Happy birthday, Girl.
Jan Armor
8 Indian Trail N.
Wakefield, RI 02879
401.783.8232 cell-441.5517
The Blog ------
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Four Abstracts, Indian Lake
The weather has turned, again, this time pointing towards Spring. Wonderful day here on Indian Lake, and the sunset was spectacular, again.
We spent the day gardening and I spent the late afternoon making images of the water, the sky, and the sunset. Kathy was on grandson-sitting duty and I was alone with the setting sun.The whole southwestern shore turned orange, and a peace settles in over the lake. Once again I felt my connection to the earth. Once again I felt the universe tugging at my soul. I told Kathy later, "Spread my ashes here please."
Jan Armor
8 Indian Trail N.
Wakefield, RI 02879
401.783.8232 cell-441.5517
The Blog ------
Friday, March 5, 2010
Hoping
The Oaks of Goddark Park seem to be reaching for the sun, hoping for spring, like me. Recent Whine: "Are we ever going to see anything but this all too familiar sleet, snow, slush, rain, wind, cold, etc. etc?" Goddard is still stark and gray, with those withered oaks I love. However, the signs of the changing seasons are everywhere, giving me hope, even in today's slush storm...
Jan Armor
8 Indian Trail N.
Wakefield, RI 02879
401.783.8232 cell-441.5517
The Blog ------
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Longing
It has been a while since we've climbed the dunes in Death Valley, and at this time of year I'm longing for it. Here in Rhode Island Mother Nature is teasing us, gorgeous and balmy one day, then snow, sleet and rain for the next two. At dawn these hills are swept clean by the evening winds. I long to feel the cool sand in between my toes once again as I leave first prints up the side of a giant dune. Death Valley is calling us back to one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Jan Armor
8 Indian Trail N.
Wakefield, RI 02879
401.783.8232 cell-441.5517
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Transformations
I have been exploring motion in my photography for years. I love the ability of the camera's shutter to either stop action, or intentionally blur it. We can literally see the unseen. I have always admired the lovely murals on the walls and ceiling in the Young Building on the Salve University campus. While teaching there, I had the opportunity to photograph them. I crafted these images by shooting in the darkened ballroom using a slow shutter speed with a low ISO. The exposure was one half second at f/8. I held the camera in hand, and zoomed the lens during the exposure. Later, in Photoshop, I added grain and an texture overlay, as well as a wide border to further realize my vision.
Jan D Armor
401.783.8232 or 401.441.5517
8 Indian Trail North
Wakefield, RI 02879
Monday, March 1, 2010
Duck Days
Rainy gray day but the diving ducks are loving it. The dirty snow has washed away and we actually can see buds peeking out of the earth here and there. Spring IS on the way but it sure doesn't feel it.
Perfection
Once in a while the wind and the tide and the light come together to create a certain kind of perfection, for both the surfer, and the photographer. January 2oth at Narragansett Beach was just such a day. Wave after perfect wave rolled off the horizon, and I stood for a long while watching these beautiful shapes swell up and release themselves. Sensuous blue lines of quiet power and infinite grace that held me close and connected me to some ancient natural rhythm.
Jan D Armor
401.783.8232 or 401.441.5517
8 Indian Trail North
Wakefield, RI 02879
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
All tied up in knots.
Jan D Armor
401.783.8232 or 401.441.5517
8 Indian Trail North
Wakefield, RI 02879
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
So little time...
So much to do, so little time. Photographically, thinking negatively (pun).
I have China, Japan, Bristol, RI, Europe, Patagonia, etc. etc. etc. all to post up to the web.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Feeling like spring???
Feb 22... Melting ice... melting fast. Things are changing down here on Indian Lake. Everyday is different, just like our sunsets, different every night. Friday's high winds pushed the ice around, and longer days, with more sunshine, have combined with the warmer temperatures to open up large dark patches of open water. Flocks of ducks and geese are back in profusion, along with the gulls. They are fluttering black and white patterns out in the distance. I spotted a large hawk on the edge of the ice, dining on something delicious. However, he would have none of my camera and flew off. Bottom line, we do love it here.
Jan D Armor
401.783.8232 or 401.441.5517
8 Indian Trail North
Wakefield, RI 02879
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Matuneck Beach, South County, RI
I'm always drawn to the beach on a cold winter's day. The surf lifting in the wind, the light sparkling on the waves, the empty long lines that stretch out forever. It all appeals to my tragic romantic soul. Blow wind, blow...
Jan D Armor
401.783.8232 or 401.441.5517
8 Indian Trail North
Wakefield, RI 02879
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Dawn on Indian Lake
It was a lovely dawn down here in Wakefield, RI, Feb. 20. Soft pink clouds were clearing off to the southwest. We've noticed that the light on the lake is changing by the day. Our sunsets are shinning right into our kitchen. At sunrise the light is no longer skimming the far shore, rather coming right over our house and illuminating the trees across the way directly. It must make for a dramatic show to the few folks living way over there. And the ice is breaking up. yesterday the wind was howling but now has quieted down. Signs of spring! Kathy even found some mysterious buds popping up in the front yard.
Jan D Armor
401.783.8232 or 401.441.5517
8 Indian Trail North
Wakefield, RI 02879
Friday, February 19, 2010
Change you can believe in
The light is always changing on our lake. And moving from our southwestern window toward our western ones. We love it here. The shadows from the Oaks that pointed so diagonally across the lawn are now moving toward the house. The snow on the lake has turned to a ice cone crush. Drops of water from the melting snow are coming off the roof like rain. The wind was still blowing hard yesterday, and there was a chill, but Spring is in the air. It's change we can believe in...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Ireland, rediscovered
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Single Oak Leaf On White
Some famous artist (Picasso???) once said, "All art is play." and yesterday morning I got in some playing. While wandering in Goddard Park I was moved to toy with the double exposure feature built into my camera. One can double, triple, quadruple, or even lay up to 9 exposures on one image with the Nikon. Here are some of the results.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Ice is Nice!
Cold, cold, ice... but so visually very nice. Powerful forces have created myriad patterns, and crazed abstractions right out our back door! The ice along the lake mirrors the clouds, and reflects the colors of the sky at sunset. I am intrigued and amazed by the rich possibilities here at any time of day.
Recently I was out in the middle of the cove with the fishermen, and found large swaths of delicate cracks like giant needlework woven across the frozen water. Here were decorative designs created by some mysterious hand of nature. Here is yet another opportunity for fine art photography.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Perhaps a bit smaltzy but sunsets really are inspirational
Corny perhaps, but I am always awe struck, and feel moved in my heart when I experience a magnificent sunrise or sunset. I feel so fortunate now that we open out to the west, across Indian Lake. On Tuesday evening the combination of the contrails of airplanes, and a dusty gray sunset combined to create this spectacular visual scene. I wax philosophical when such beauty presents itself to me. I cannot help but think, "I have been alloted another special life moment. Thank you." And I am reminded once again, this is why I am a fine art photographer.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Spectacular sunset, again...
Last night we were overwhelmed by another spectacular sunset. Here three doves are enjoying the show with us. As I was about to put my camera away, the geese began to swarm in the southwest, and finally settled on the only patch of open water on Indian Lake. Totally quiet, everything glowing in the orange light, and a flock of geese gliding in for a landing. Perfect.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Winter Snow Storm in Wakefield, RI
Our driveway has disappeared and the cars are once again buried, and this is only Feb 11th. Time to brave the elements and clear the white stuff away. I was out yesterday PM doing some shots. This storm is lovely to look at, inspiring, in fact, but treacherous to drive in and difficult to deal with. I found a pretty little white church on a lonely road near the URI Oceanography campus. It looked beautiful, barely visible in the swirling storm. Right across the street there was a wonderful tangle of trees behind some ancient tombstones.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Light on the lake.
We have been living here on Indian Lake for about six weeks, and we are constantly amazed at how our view over the water is always changing. The early morning clouds above the far shore can be soft, pink, wisps, or dark warnings of a bleak day to come. As the sun raises higher our world lightens, our trees increasingly sharp and defined. In the afternoon the sun begins to fill the house with light, moving shadows across the walls. Each evening we wait for our sunset, usually with a glass of wine and conversation. The oaks on our lawn cast long diagonal shadows. Some days the sunset has been so spectacular I am compelled to take yet another picture. Other evenings, when it is cloudy, the lake darkens quietly, and the clouds turn a subtle violet. Finally, and rather quickly, the scene before us darkens, and another of our alloted days is done.
(See recent images of our lake on my website.)
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