Category Archives: Checking In

The Passing of Time

“Time is the fire in which we burn”  ~ Scott Garrabrant

As another New Year rolls in, the emphasis on passing of time is on many people’s minds. We often reflect of what occurred the previous year and hopefully plan for the coming or current year. We all have our memorable moments ranging from intimate to entertaining to world events. For me, our family gained two new baby girls who are just a delight and of course beautiful. The St Louis Cardinals once again played some decent baseball, making it into the play-offs. I was stunned by Robin Williams death and to this day try to have more compassion for others, not knowing what demons they may be facing.  The Ebola outbreak and the three downed Asian commercial air crafts were scary and the landing of the Rosetta Space Craft after a 10 year journey astounding. They were many more moments all evoking an emotional response from us, all extracting time from us to process the events.  Some joyful, often they are painful or alarming.

This brings me back to my quote at the beginning of the post, “Time is the fire in which we burn”.  A very dramatic statement said by an often intense, fully alive person.

I vow this year in 2015 to be more conscious of my time, using it wisely not only in business but for fun and pleasure also. Appreciate the small stuff that happens each and every day. When I feel stuck, I want to push thru to the other side and not be such a perfectionist or fearful about the outcome.

We are all organisms here for a limited amount of time. Let us burn wisely.

Abstract Digital Time

Thanks for visiting and more of my Abstract portfolio can be viewed on my website

I have always been a big fan of trees. When I was in college I was so infatuated with trees, I took a 3 credit course. It was fascinating. As the season changes from summer to fall, I am reminded of just how majestic trees live their life. Many grow for decades, enduring extreme temperature and environmental changes and still manage to survive. Not too certain we humans would do as well. I came across this quote of Jeffrey McDaniel’s regarding trees and it really hit home.

“I realize there is something incredibly honest about trees in winter, how they’re experts at letting things go.” – Jeffrey McDaniel

 

tree at Fuji shoreline

 

Although this is not a fall foliage image, it does show the strength of this tree. The ability to endure coastal living with it’s sandy soil and constant salty conditions is just another way trees show their strength and honesty. Knowing when and how to conserve energy to endure.

Thanks for reading and check out more of my nature portfolio on my website.

Solo – New Image Uploaded

Solo is a new image I just uploaded to my website, www.susanmcanany.com. Since fall and cooler temperatures are right around the corner for most of the country, my mind and inspiration went to trees. Trees were something I had a bit of a love affair with in college and growing up in the midwest. I had books and identified them by bark and leaf structure whenever hiking or walking around campus. I am still in awe of them today and a part of nature I truly miss living in Florida. I stumbled across this image in my archives and went to work making it something special to me and hopefully you can appreciate it also. This tree stands solo in the green farmlands of Palouse, Washington area. I photographed in the late spring one year and was awed by the fullness and strength it displayed standing there alone in the rolling hills through all kinds of weather. It also made me appreciate just how fertile this landscape must be to keep this tree healthy and how fortunate we are to have such wealth in the USA.

“Solo”

Solo TreeThanks for reading and more of my images can be viewed on my website or at my Etsy Store.


As hockey’s Stanley Cup Play-offs come to the final round a quote of Wayne Gretzky comes to mind:

“One hundred percent of the shots you don’t take, don’t go in.”  Wayne Gretzky

In this year’s Stanley Cup the LA King and NY Rangers are matched up and this quote came to mind as Wayne Gretzky dropped the first puck of the series. Tonight maybe the deciding game of the Stanley Cup Winner as the Kings have dominated the series thus far.  I have to admire the efforts put forth by both teams; the incredible amount of shots at the net in pursuit of a goal, endless skates back and forth on the ice, and just the sheer number of games played to get to this point in the season. I have true admiration for both teams. I know I will be watching and I hope you do too.

Thanks for reading and more of my work can be viewed at www.susanmcanany.com.

 

Abandoned Door Featured on Etsy Treasury

My print Abandoned Door has been featured on the Etsy Treasury “The Silver Lining”. Actually many of my prints have been included in Treasuries in the past and I am gratefully to each and every Curator and Treasury. However, every once in awhile a truly creative vision occurs in a Treasury.  What makes this one great is the collection of eclectic items linked together by the muted colors of brown, gray and black. This gives the collection a very mysterious feeling and demands some thought and appreciation. I myself have created very few Treasuries on Etsy so I know coming up with a unique idea and searching for stunning items requires time and thought outside the box. This is a fabulous collection, so take a few moments and check it out. If you care to leave a comment, favorite it or post it to your facebook page, I am sure the Creator would appreciate it. While you are there, check out my art, Abandoned Door which is featured in the Etsy Treasury, The Silver Lining.

Treasury: The Silver Lining

“Abandoned Door” by Susan McAnany

Abandoned DoorThanks for stopping by.  View more images from my Prison Life project on my Portfolio.

 

 


Birth Control

My print titled Birth Control was including in this stunning Etsy Treasury today. The collection makes interesting use of cool color of blue and monotone. Birth Control has always been a favorite of mine. Done in studio, using acrylic cubes long with a reflective surface on late night when creative juices were flowing. This is a great collection on Etsy  which I am very happy to be a part of. Please check it out.

Title: Birth Control

birth control fine art print

Close up of ice cubes on reflective surface

Etsy Treasury “Frosting” by Carrie Norberg

 More of my work can be seen on my website or at my Etsy store.


Wind Swept – Newly Uploaded Print

Just uploaded “Wind Swept” from a recent trip out west to susanmcanany.com and my Etsy store.  Although it was rather overcast the day I shot this, the use of color and textures in post processing has turned this image into one of my favorites. Often doing the exact opposite of what is expected stimulates my creativity and creates a very interesting piece; one that grows on you as time goes on. It is very hard to get out of your box but as we all know, that is the only way growth occurs. Thanks for reading and visit my website to view more of my work.

Wind Swept


Thankful for my studio space

As the year comes to an end and I count my blessings, one thing for sure I am thankful for is my studio space.  I work out of my home and although the room is not enormous, only 15 ft x 15 ft, it has met my needs. I was able to black out the windows and the 10 ft ceiling allowed me ample height for studio portraits. I hung a 10 foot seem-less paper dividing the room and allowing for storage of my framed prints and some accessories. I have enough space for a work table on one side and small alcoves on the other side allow shelving of unframed prints, props and equipment.  I have shot thousands of images in this room, used it for shipping and receiving and also made money shooting everything from stock to magazine layout pages, portraits and my creative fine art pieces. I am truly thankful for my studio space.

I am currently looking to move and one thing I know I am going to miss, is my in home studio.

My point is regardless of whether the space where you create is a spare bedroom, a basement space with maybe not quite the ceiling height you want, be thankful. It is a space to store your gear, make art and maybe even some money.

Thanks for reading and more of my work can be found at www.susanmcanany.com.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving – Kick off the Holiday Season

thanksgiving holiday

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving that along with being a great holiday is also the kick off of the big holiday season. I try hard to take one holiday at a time and of the two, Thanksgiving is quickly becoming more of a favorite. Without all of the Christmas retail hoopla it is easier to take time and appreciate all of the wonderful things I have in my life. This year I will be spending it with my family, which, will make it extra special. Along with giving thanks or as my Mom used to say “count your blessings”, I always love the fabulous smells that come with Thanksgiving. From the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg in the baking pumpkin pies to the spices of the dressing to the roasting turkey it is one great day of sensory overload for our olfactory perception.

So remember to kiss your loved ones, appreciate all that you have and enjoy the day!

More of my work can be viewed on my on line gallery.

 


Happy Halloween

Boo … Just wanted to say Happy Halloween. I have my costume and psyche ready to move into another dimension this evening. One of my most favorite holidays in the year!  Maybe I will make a visit to the local haunted graveyard this evening and really scare myself.

Happy Halloween

halloween candle photograph

Thanks for visiting and more of my work may be viewed at www.susanmcanany.com.

 

Image © Susan McAnany – All rights are reserved.