Audubon Insectarium & Contest Result

Charles & I successfully went to the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans today. Here are a few pictures.



A spotted gar.







A historical plaque (click to read.)

Seagull and brown pelican (along the Causeway bridge on our way home.)

I didn't win the "Fall Colors" art contest, but thanks to everyone for the support! The winner was a copy of a work by Melendez.

Art & Photography Contests, Shows & Play

Apologies for the long delay between posts, but I've been busy. Although I still haven't had time to watch the instructional video for my digital EOS Rebel camera, I have played with the camera a bit more. Here's a recent favorite--a chipping sparrow outside my back window (click for larger image);
I've sent this to Birder's World magazine's "photo of the week" contest. Wish me luck! (Update, 12/29/08; I didn't win.)
For those of you who voted &/or might remember the contest my other photo was in, although winners were to be announced 9 days ago now, we're all still waiting. From what I understand, they're supposed to announce the winner by the end of the week, but considering it's Xmas, I'm not holding my breath. I'll keep y'all posted, at any rate.
On Jan. 3rd I'll be participating in "Festinblanc" at LaProvence in Lacombe, LA. They're holding a contest for mostly white art, so I'm going to enter a couple of paintings. I recently sent off some samples to a local art gallery, also. Wish me luck on these, as well!
The last Abita Artists art market at the Berkeley Gallery is this coming Sunday. Past that, the next main event coming up for me is an "Artist of the Month" (of February,) display at Mandeville City Hall.

My best wishes to all of my readers, friends & family for a prosperous 2009!

SkyWatch

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Abstract Photos

Can you guess what these are pictures of?

Hike at Northlake

From today's hike at Northlake Nature Center...

Witch hazel


2 yellow bellied turtles

Great (white) egret

American robins (there were hundreds of them around, picking seeds from pine cones.) I have a short video uploaded here.

Eastern hophornbeam (aka "ironwood".)

OMG!!!

I woke this morning in horror...











Can't speak...brain exploding...oh, the HORROR!!!

New Painting (from a dream)

"November"
Acrylic on 14x18" canvasboard

A few more recent shots...

Chipping (left) & white throated (right) sparrows.

The local mob shaking us down for sunflower seeds.

Blue jay.

Last night's moon, draped in a thin veil of cloud. Note that this Friday's full moon is the biggest & brightest of the year.

My New Camera + Art

I picked up my new (to me, used by someone else,) SLR camera the other day. It's a Canon EOS Digital Rebel 300D & it came will all kinds of extras. My current digital point & shoot's a Canon, too, so things are already slightly familiar. Of course, there are PLENTY of differences with this unit, so I've ordered an instructional DVD (which will certainly be as helpful as the one I'd purchased for my PowerShot.) Took a few shots out the backdoor today;





You don't realize how much you've missed a telephoto lens until you have one again. 4x optical zoom just ISN'T enough! I can already tell I'm going to love this camera, & I barely even know it's functions yet!

In other news, tomorrow I'll be selling my art (with others,) on the grounds of the Berkeley Gallery & Studio here in Abita Springs again, from 9am 'til 2pm. Stop by, say "hi" & take full advantage of my recession/holiday-slashed prices!

SkyWatch

Part of last night's sunset, taken from the Flatwoods...


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New Painting

"Jeopardy"
Acrylic on 8x10" gallery-wrapped canvas

Art Contest Finalist/Your Vote Needed!

This photo has made it to the finals of an online "Fall Colors" contest.
Update (12/26/08); I didn't win the contest, but thanks to everyone for the support!

Art Sale & Conjunction

The rest of this month I'm holding a sale on my artwork. If there's something in particular you've liked, now's the time to make an offer. To access posts with my art in them, click the "My art" label on the right hand sidebar. There may be a few posts in there about dreams or news about my art, but they're quickly scrolled over.

The picture is of last night's conjunction of Venus & Jupiter w/the Moon nearby (w/Earthshine prominent.) Tonight they're all slated to be even closer. Venus will be occulted by the Moon (check local sources for correct times.)
UPDATE--Here's a picture of the conjunction on Dec. 1st (through slightly cloudier skies);