After several years of desperately wanting a digital SLR camera, I finally gave in and bought a Canon EOS 1000D.
I am having fun, and I actually do carry it everywhere with me. Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to take a ton of photos and really play with the camera, but I’m learning slowly, and luckily I’m surrounded by some patient photography-inclined friends who are willing to explain things to me.
I’m loving what I can do with these close-up shots, I took a whole series of photos at the Garfield Park Conservatory the other day (which, by the way, is fantastic, and FREE). It was a bee day, so there were people explaining bees, little kids running around, and honey tasting.
My problem is now that my photos are often better than they used to be, so I have trouble deciding which ones to post. I want to post all of them!
Occasionally I like to bring web sites to your attention. I don’t arbitrarily pick sites…these are hand-chosen, finely tempered sites with class and sophistication. This post’s theme is “art & education”.
First of all, my latest interview (in collaboration with Ramin), with artist Alberto Cerriteño, is up at Soulpancake. Go read it.
Progress Gallery is a fantastic business that I’ve had the pleasure of being acquainted with for a number of years now (I even helped them move into their current space several years ago). I was delighted to hear that they put up a website, opened an Etsy shop where you can buy prints and other things, and Bob Reddy, the owner/artist, did an interview with Soulpancake. Their gallery is located in Evanston, Illinois, so be sure to stop by if you’re in the area.
The Chicago Youth Animators“are a group of professionals from diverse ethnic, professional, and religious backgrounds who are interested in helping adolescents in Chicago schools develop the qualities and skills they will need to achieve their own life goals.” They use the junior youth materials published by Palabra, and combine “reading material, group activities, and community service projects.”
Misha is an artist who uses vibrant colors…whenever I see her art in someone’s home, I immediately know it is hers. She has an online store where you can see and purchase some of her work.
Andrew Johnson, (andropolis.org), has re-launched his site as a portfolio for his work. Go look.
we were always on an adventure
there were forests to explore, caverns deep underground
the swimming pool every day in the summer
the country back-roads, boiled peanuts on the way to Charleston
the city streets of Chicago and fireworks at night
every single road trip that took us to 40 states
homemade dinners and giving me a love for cooking
middle of the night conversations by the fireplace
and middle of the day conversations by phone
we are always on an adventure
and for that, I am so grateful.
O army of God! Beware lest ye harm any soul, or make any heart to sorrow; lest ye wound any man with your words, be he known to you or a stranger, be he friend or foe. Pray ye for all; ask ye that all be blessed, all be forgiven. Beware, beware, lest any of you seek vengeance, even against one who is thirsting for your blood. Beware, beware, lest ye offend the feelings of another, even though he be an evil-doer, and he wish you ill. Look ye not upon the creatures, turn ye to their Creator. See ye not the never-yielding people, see but the Lord of Hosts. Gaze ye not down upon the dust, gaze upward at the shining sun, which hath caused every patch of darksome earth to glow with light.
O army of God! When calamity striketh, be ye patient and composed. However afflictive your sufferings may be, stay ye undisturbed, and with perfect confidence in the abounding grace of God, brave ye the tempest of tribulations and fiery ordeals.
- Abdu’l-Baha
The seven Baha’is that have been in prison for over a year are supposed to go on trial in Iran in a few short hours. Pray for their safe return to their families and a stop to the persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
1. Gluten-free sugar cookies dipped in chocolate pudding are heavenly.
2. Aprons never fit me correctly. I always have to adjust them, which makes me ignore them altogether. But I really like the idea of an apron.
3. Driving a car means fixing it when parts wear out. Which means that my bank account complains to me of abuse. It also means that I have to deal with mechanics, which is always a funny experience because I really don’t know anything about cars.
4. An advantage to living in Chicago: there are always visitors coming through. It helps alleviate the missing-of-friends that happens when you are part of a community that is always moving across the world.
5. Really looking forward to the weekend. Work picnic, family, home. I desperately needed a 3 day break, and was kidding myself that I am not tired. I’m exhausted.
6. I had a few friends over the other night to help me finish off a tray of lasagna that I made. I highly recommend having a lasagna party, and close it out with ice cream or pudding if you can.
7. I really missed seeing live music over the last few years. It had been such a long time. Going to Summerfest and seeing Stevie Wonder & John Legend in concert was absolutely fantastic, and I need to take advantage of these opportunities.
8. I’m on my 6th wedding invitation of the year, and we’re only halfway through! Whew…
This post’s theme is “art & education”.
