tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24124606561798180482024-03-13T06:04:00.687-04:00Greenspirit ArtsA place to learn about the Environmental art of Sally J SmithSally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.comBlogger560125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-16535636513776476892023-11-30T15:36:00.001-05:002023-11-30T15:36:19.459-05:00 Greetings and a Quick deal for you!<p> Greetings Everyone!</p><p><br /></p><p>I know it has been far too long since I've posted here but I have JUST learned about a great deal I thought I'd pass along.</p><p>But like everything these dizzy days of cyber deals, this one is very time sensitive!</p><p>If you would like to order any of my books over at Lulu.com, they have an impressive 20% off !</p><p><br /></p><p>Just use code <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial", sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">CHILLY20</span></b><span style="color: #222427; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p><b style="color: #38761d;">This code is good for thru till 11:59 PM on Friday.</b></p><p><br /></p><p>You may want to consider my latest book that comes in both softcover</p><p><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey-softcover-edition/paperback/product-kpp2g8.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank"> https://www.lulu.com/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey-softcover-edition/paperback/product-kpp2g8.html?page=1&pageSize=4</a></p><p>and hardcover versions:</p><p><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4">https://www.lulu.com/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4</a></p><p> <img alt="Enviramagination - An Artist's Journey - softcover edition" class="ProductThumbnail_coverImage__jYyHX" height="254" src="https://assets.lulu.com/cover_thumbs/k/p/kpp2g8-front-shortedge-384.jpg" width="197" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Both versions are really gorgeous and make a fabulous and unusual gift for your nature-loving friends and family, especially those who enjoy a bit of whimsy and excellent photography!</p><p> </p><p>If you want to see more images from the books, head on over to my website to see some of the interior pages....here is that link:</p><p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/shop/books/enviramagination/" target="_blank"> https://sallyjsmithart.com/shop/books/enviramagination/</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Thanks Everyone! And Enjoy!!</p><p> </p><p>Sally <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-8358100520286504222022-10-15T14:09:00.001-04:002022-10-15T14:09:49.594-04:00Campaign to help the honeybees of hurricane ravaged Florida<p> </p><p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/happy-honey-bees.png"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3690" height="226" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/happy-honey-bees.png" width="226" /></a></p>
<p>Dear Friends,</p>
<p>I'm using my blog for a very special purpose today. An organization that I belong to has a new campaign that has just announced a matching grant for a very special cause: feeding the decimated honeybees of Florida. Now more than ever, this is the time to learn about how important honeybees are to our food production system. The hurricane did immense damage to the bee yards of Florida and <a href="https://greatergood.org/disaster-relief-saving-the-bees?utm_campaign=Disaster%20FY23&utm_source=planet-disaster-subscribers&utm_medium=email&utm_term=10152022&utm_content=world-food-day-help-save-bees" target="_blank">THIS</a> organization is the only one I know if that is mobilizing to help.</p>
<p>You can read about the program <a href="https://greatergood.org/disaster-relief-saving-the-bees?utm_campaign=Disaster%20FY23&utm_source=planet-disaster-subscribers&utm_medium=email&utm_term=10152022&utm_content=world-food-day-help-save-bees" target="_blank">HERE</a> and if you can make a donation now, thank you, <b>it will be doubled</b>!</p>
<p>On my recent trip to the <a href="https://nebg.org/">NEBG</a> I was reminded of an absolute truth: that <i><b>everything</b></i> we eat and the air we breathe is a result of the plants of this earth. And nearly all of that food has needed pollinators to bring the food we need to our table. The honeybees of Florida suffered a devastating blow with the last hurricane. They lost their food sources and are now starving. Now is our time to help them back.</p>
<p><a href="https://greatergood.org/disaster-relief-saving-the-bees?utm_campaign=Disaster%20FY23&utm_source=planet-disaster-subscribers&utm_medium=email&utm_term=10152022&utm_content=world-food-day-help-save-bees" target="_blank">HERE</a> is the page that will tell you how.</p>
<p>Even if you cannot help at this time with a donation, you CAN help by sharing this message with your friends. Please pass along this important information.</p>
<p>Bright Blessings,</p>
<p>Sally</p>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-11067230079139816522022-10-04T18:16:00.003-04:002022-10-04T18:16:38.431-04:00<p> Greetings dear readers!</p>
<p>First I must apologize for my website being down for such a long time. It needed some upgrades and they took unexpectedly long to resolve. It is <i>GOOD</i> to be back!!!</p>
<p>The chance to catch up and share exciting news has finally arrived and there is sooooo much to share! Let’s dive right in with the first announcement since it is time-sensitive.</p>
<p>The really BIG news (and why you’ve not heard from me for many months) is this: in early June I was given an incredible opportunity by the New England Botanic Gardens ( <a href="https://nebg.org/">https://nebg.org/</a> ) just outside of Boston to help them create a magical fairyland experience in their newest garden which is called The Ramble. The space is very magical already - a 1.5 acre forest garden especially designed for children to romp and play. The exhibition is now up and running and is called “The Enchanted Forest”. This is the largest public display of my work thus far. <a href="https://nebg.org/enchanted-forest/">https://nebg.org/enchanted-forest/</a></p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/NEBG_sign__.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="enchanted forest sign Sally J Smith" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3667" height="207" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/NEBG_sign__.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>When they contacted me about the project I of course said “YES!” without quite realizing what a monumental task I had just agreed to undertake. What followed was 10 weeks of the hardest, most continuous creative work I’ve ever done before. It began with a trip to their garden to meet the team, explore the garden and make a plan.</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Ramble-plan_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3673" height="389" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Ramble-plan_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="443" /></a></p>
<p>Next, I needed to order a mountain of supplies, tools and more supplies! The parameters for this exhibition were quite challenging. Every house had to be weather-proof and able to withstand anything the changeable New England weather might dish up in the fall months - which can include the tail end of hurricanes like we will have this week! Also, each house had to be fully lighted with special LED lighting suitable for outdoors use that would plug into their system. Battery-powered lights were kept to a minimum for ease of maintenance.</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Behind-the-scenes-2_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3651" height="301" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Behind-the-scenes-2_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The houses needed to be of varying designs and needed to hold the attention of both adults and kids with lots of detail, color and variety. I needed to use as many natural materials as possible but also had to incorporate a lot of faux materials too to ensure that the houses would look fresh for the entire 2 months of the exhibition AND not be attractive to wildlife that might be visiting the gardens at night. Wilted flowers and half-eaten pumpkins on day 3 were just not going to cut it!</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Pumpkin-House-1_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3670" height="266" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Pumpkin-House-1_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The houses had to occupy a wide variety of placements: some on the ground, some at knee height, some head height and some hanging overhead. Finally, the houses needed to be larger than I generally make because the scale of the space required good sized sculptures for best visitor viewing experience. Phew!!
</p><p>Oh… and all 20+ needed to be made from scratch and be delivered in just over 2 months. (it usually takes me 4 weeks to make just ONE house) NO problem!!!</p>
<p>What followed was 10-14 hours of work every single day with no days off till delivery was made at the end of August. Then a week of installation with the crew (more on that in another post) then whisk back home (I live 5.5 hours from the garden) to finish the last 4 sculptures and get them delivered ASAP. There have also been several publicity interviews, publicity photo shoots that were up to me and an important interview for an article in the Boston Globe to let folks know about the exhibition. You can read the article <a href="https://www.horticulturecourses.info/transforming-a-botanical-garden-into-a-magical-forest-the-boston-globe/">HERE</a> if you want. (it has been re-printed by kind permission)</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Golden-Treehouse_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3657" height="301" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Golden-Treehouse_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Sunflower-trio_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3671" height="265" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Sunflower-trio_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Mossy-Roof-Cottage_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3661" height="278" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Mossy-Roof-Cottage_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>All the houses were designed for certain places in the garden. The garden has many special features within it for a delightful visitor experience all on its own but some of the features particularly inspired me. (more on this in later posts, hopefully) One feature that grabbed my inspiration was what they called a "rock stump". It was a sculpture made of stones that encircled an empty space so it looks a lot like a rotted out stump. All surrounded by a layer of packed stone dust with a final circle of cut and polished granite blocks. Yes I could imagine this as a rotted tree stump but to me it looked like a miniature volcano!
</p><p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Crystal-Fire-circle_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3674" height="300" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Crystal-Fire-circle_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The image is a bit deceptive because the enclosed circle here is about 18 ft in diameter. The interior space within the "volcano" was about 24 inches across and deep. I have always wanted to make a fairy house dedicated to the elements of Crystal and Fire. This seemed like a perfect place to try something far outside my comfort zone. After much research and experimentation, I found a way! I used epoxy resin to create sheets of clear materials which I could then cut into panels like stained glass. I could also pour crystals of my own color choosing.</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Behind-the-scenes-3_new-materials_sallyjsmith__.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3652" height="266" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Behind-the-scenes-3_new-materials_sallyjsmith__.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>However, the sculpture needed to be rock solid stable but UP and out of reach from curious kiddos. I hired the local blacksmith to create a spiraling tower to invoke the feeling of rising smoke and designed the house to perch (very securely) on top.</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Crystal-Fire-site_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3656" height="243" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Crystal-Fire-site_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Now you can get a better sense of scale.... the tower is over 6 ft tall. But it is the "house" in top that is really special. It does have a sparkling entrance door-space with stairs and tower "rooms" but this is for the Fire Fairies so naturally it has to look a bit edgy and dangerous!</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Crystal-fire-fairy-house_day_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3654" height="248" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Crystal-fire-fairy-house_day_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>and it ALL of it had to be lighted, of course!</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Crystal-fire-fairy-house_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3655" height="320" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Crystal-fire-fairy-house_sallyjsmith_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>
<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This is just one example of the many unique sculptures I have created for this garden.</p>
<p>If you are able, I urge you to come and visit the gardens as soon as you can to see the display as well as the other incredible features they have in other parts of the entire complex. It is a stunning place and well worth a day for visiting. The whole experience is magical and a great outing for people of all ages. I’ve heard nothing but positive reactions from the staff at the gardens who have said this is wildly successful. Here again is their website for more details: <a href="https://nebg.org/planyourvisit/">https://nebg.org/planyourvisit/</a> </p>
<p><span style="color: #b404db; font-size: large;"><b>If you are able to visit and want your <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Houses-Create-Whimsical-Homes/dp/1591866723/">book</a> signed, or want to pick up a copy from their gift shop and have it signed, I will be there on Friday October 7th from 1-3PM at or near the gift shop on the main level.</b></span></p>
<p>I hope to see you there!</p>
<p>The show lasts until the end of October. I hope you have the chance to get there and see it!</p>
<p>In future posts I will let you know about the latest calendar that is now out and additional media from the show. We did a 25 minute interview with a local web-tv producer and it will be great to share that once they make it live.</p>
<p>Also, I AM planning on have a sale of some of my sculptures for this holiday season. Some of the houses from this exhibition may be in the sale.... stay tuned!</p><p>And, with apologies, I have disabled comments for this blog. You can leave comments on the same content which is now on my official website which you can find <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/news/new-exhibition-fairy-houses-by-sally-j-smith/" target="_blank">HERE:</a> <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/news/new-exhibition-fairy-houses-by-sally-j-smith/"> https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/news/new-exhibition-fairy-houses-by-sally-j-smith/</a><br /></p>
<p> </p>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0West Boylston, MA, USA42.3667589 -71.78562699999999114.056525063821155 -106.94187699999999 70.676992736178846 -36.629376999999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-7855005376259521792022-04-25T14:52:00.003-04:002022-04-25T14:52:54.107-04:00Anticipating Early Spring<p>( latest post from my website <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/greenspirit-arts/faerie-houses/anticipating-spring/" target="_blank">blog</a> )</p><p>In my garden, the first big rush of color is blue. Scilla Siberica. Siberian Squill.<br /></p>
<p><a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Squill_-plant_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3640" height="315" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Squill_-plant_.jpg" width="315" /></a></p>
<p>April is a challenging month here in the north-country. We’ve just
come out of a third of a year living in the grip of winter. Then comes
April, and we think our trials should be over. But snow and wind and
cold can return any day and stay far longer than we wish. The ground
that has been frozen to a depth of 2 to 3 feet takes a long time to
thaw, but the lengthening days work their magic and soon green shoots
begin to push up the leaf mulch and insist on emerging.</p>
<p>After months of tending to the chores of winter and anticipating the
arrival of the blue, the creative juices begin to stir in me as well.
With a nice cup of tea in hand I got out my sketchbook and visited my
storage area of supplies to see what might spark some inspiration. I
found a box of Cypress knees that had been sent to me by a fan in Texas
several years ago. They still had the bark on, which I really enjoyed
for its texture. The smallest one, only about 6 inches tall might be the
perfect size to nestle amongst the Squill with a tiny house perched
upon the top.</p>
<p><a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Base_blog_sallyjsmithart_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3638" height="372" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Base_blog_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" width="309" /></a></p>
<p>Out came the sketchbook and an idea quickly developed. This could be fun!</p>
<p><a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bluebell-sketch_blog_sallyjsmithart_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3635" height="365" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bluebell-sketch_blog_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" width="309" /></a></p>
<p>I gathered up fresh pieces of birch bark, golden birch bark, the
cypress knee and other materials I would need for the project and got to
work. The first step was to make a paper model to make sure I had the
scale of each little piece in correct relation to the others. Also, I
needed to work out how and where to attach the house to the base without
damaging the fragile bark. Making a paper model first helps resolve
these problems so I won’t waste the birch bark when building the real
house. I knew that the roofs would be made of felted wool so I’d leave
that for last.</p>
<p><a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Paper-model_blog_sallyjsmith_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3634" height="436" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Paper-model_blog_sallyjsmith_.jpg" width="310" /></a></p>
<p>Once I was satisfied with the paper model, I cut it apart to use it
as a pattern for the bark pieces. The build went well but fabricating at
this very small scale is quite challenging. Everything is sooo tiny and
fragile! The windows ended up being so small that they were about 1/2
inch tall. Fitting all the tiny pieces together took time and
concentration, but eventually I had what I wanted. You can see some of
the left-over pattern pieces in the image.</p>
<p><a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/First-build_blog_sallyjsmithart_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3633" height="342" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/First-build_blog_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" width="312" /></a></p>
<p>At this point I was so excited and taken-over by the process that I
just charged ahead and worked for several more days to complete the tiny
house and the fun felted roofs. The urge to complete the project
quickly meant that I forgot about taking any additional in-process
images…. all I knew was that I needed to finish this soon. Suddenly, as I
was nearing completion, the clouds outdoors began to clear and I knew a
rare sunny break was coming. I quickly finished the project, grabbed my
camera and dashed out to the garden. I found a welcoming placement for
the fresh little house and began joyfully capturing images before I lost
the sunlight. The biggest challenge were my cats who were curious about
what I was doing and kept walking in front of the camera! Thankfully
they left me alone long enough to get the rest of the images I wanted
before the sun slipped behind another round of grey clouds for the rest
of the day… in fact I’ve not seen the sun for several more days since
and we may get more snow this week!</p>
<p>But for this small window of time, it had all come together…
anticipating the blue flowers, working towards a creative vision, having
the affirmative response from Nature, and being ready for the moment
when it came. The results were very pleasing indeed.</p>
<p><a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bluebell-Castle_blog_sallyjsmithart_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3632" height="639" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bluebell-Castle_blog_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" width="424" /></a></p>
<p>It’s wonderful when we can follow our impulses, apply our gifts and enjoy the outcome!</p>
<p>Happy Early Spring everyone!</p>
<p> </p>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-73616842066042232242021-12-13T12:57:00.003-05:002021-12-13T12:57:53.601-05:00<p> </p><p>Greetings Friends!</p>
<p>I'm so pleased to announce that my <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4">NEW BOOK</a> is now on a special discounted price! I was able to discount the hardcover book for a limited time down from $55 to <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4"><span style="color: purple;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">$48!</span></strong></span></a> This offer is exclusively available only by purchasing the book <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4">HERE</a>. </p><p>Now for the extra good news: Lulu just announced a special coupon good for an additional <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="color: red;">15% off!!! </span></strong></span></p>
<p>Use the code <span style="color: magenta; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>SNOW15</strong></span> to get your additional discount. But you'll have to hurry, the coupon is good until the end of the day Dec 17th.</p>
<p>You can see <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/?page_id=3599">additional pages from the book HERE</a>.</p>
<p>This book has been a labor of love. It represents all of the best land art sculptures of my work for over the last decade and more - both the Fairy Houses and the environmental sculptures. The quality of the book is gorgeous. Clean, elegant design which shows off the photos to their absolute best. It's a great book for gift-giving, or simply taking yourself on a journey with me as I explore the creative inspirations and fabrications made with Nature thru the cycle of a single year here in the north woods of the Adirondacks.</p>
<p>Of course there are enchanting fairy houses:</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/3j_Lighting1_.png"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3542" height="300" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/3j_Lighting1_.png" width="256" /> </a><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sunflower-Cottage.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-2646" height="302" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sunflower-Cottage.jpg" width="252" /></a></p>
<p>and spiral constructions:</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/13-Stone-spiral_-.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3605" height="184" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/13-Stone-spiral_-.jpg" width="258" /> </a><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Maples-seed-spiral_-.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3604" height="186" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Maples-seed-spiral_-.jpg" width="260" /></a></p>
<p>and magical land art sculptures that mesmerize and dazzle:</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dandinet-in-hedgerow_sallyjsmithart_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3606" height="188" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dandinet-in-hedgerow_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" width="263" /> </a><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Sunwheel_sallyjsmithart_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3607" height="188" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Sunwheel_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" width="263" /></a></p>
<p>Take advantage of this great double discount while you can! </p>
<p>PS, the discount code <span style="color: magenta;"><strong>SNOW15</strong></span> can also be applied to my delightful self-published <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/2022-faerie-houses-by-sally-j-smith/paperback/product-yqd45y.html?page=1&pageSize=4">2022 Fairy Houses calendar</a> which you can find <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/2022-faerie-houses-by-sally-j-smith/paperback/product-yqd45y.html?page=1&pageSize=4">HERE</a></p>
<p><span style="color: red;"><b>Don't miss out! The 15% off discount expires this Friday!!</b></span></p>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-77160160539632888152021-11-28T05:47:00.001-05:002021-11-28T05:47:47.465-05:0030% off sale for a VERY limited time!!! HURRY!!!<p> </p><p>Greetings Everyone!</p>
<p>At long last Lulu is having their BEST sale offer of the year….<span style="color: red;"><strong>30% off</strong></span> but it is for an incredibly short time. <em>This offer expires at 11:59 Nov 29th</em> so get your order in NOW if you want this great deal!</p>
<p>The coupon code is : <span style="color: red;"><strong>SAVE30</strong></span></p>
<p>You can get my new Fairy Houses calendar <a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/sally-j-smith/shop/sally-j-smith/2022-faerie-houses-by-sally-j-smith/paperback/product-yqd45y.html?page=1&pageSize=4">HERE</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/sally-j-smith/shop/sally-j-smith/2022-faerie-houses-by-sally-j-smith/paperback/product-yqd45y.html?page=1&pageSize=4"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3357" height="367" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/01_Cover-2021_2_BLOG_.jpg" width="472" /></a></p>
<p>You can see all the interior pages over here on my shop page: <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/shop/calendars/">2022 Fairy Houses calendar</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4"><strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: 14pt;">VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:</span></strong></a></p>
<p>For my loyal fans only, you can apply the <span style="color: red;"><strong>30% discount</strong></span> to my <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4" target="_blank"><em>newest book</em></a> which has not yet been released for global distribution but you can buy it NOW!!</p>
<p>The new book is called <a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4">Enviramagination</a>
and is a compilation of all the best images from the last decade+ of
both my land art images and my fairy house works. The book is a
hardcover edition printed on premium 80# paper with high quality color
processing. It is 124 pages in 8.5 x 11 inch tall format.</p>
<p>Here is the cover:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3337" height="416" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2021_Enviramaginations-COVER_FRONT_low_.jpg" width="319" /></a></p>
<p>(Please note: this image includes a watermark which is NOT on the actual book)</p>
<p><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/?page_id=3599">Click HERE to see a few pages from the book </a> </p>
<p>As with the cover image, the preview images contain watermarks which are not on the actual book pages.</p>
<p>This pre-release sale of <strong><span style="color: red;">30% off</span></strong> is a great discount… the best I’ll ever be able to offer on this book.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sally-j-smith/enviramagination-an-artists-journey/hardcover/product-5ny76m.html?page=1&pageSize=4" style="color: red;">To get it NOW just click HERE</a></span></strong>
and you’ll be sent to my Lulu storefront page where you can order your
own copy. You can also order and have it shipped directly to another
address, but act now because the discount goes away at midnight on
Monday.</p>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-19776009270786530232020-10-03T17:46:00.001-04:002020-10-03T17:46:52.355-04:00Sitting on the cusp of The Deep - a long reflection about where we are<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oBgdBxCqF2Szlmw6m2Ceqd3dm5zrmJY8nAE6-rn9boIgTVYrmPb2J5mEg9vvrFqmO3gGLejxvkIgEgE5n30Mv2sYFAl_P4iolUzuiJku0TFNlSp12d1je9uLrvsmWuL5paf0RmhUfy0/s1250/River+of+Gold_copyright_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="1250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1oBgdBxCqF2Szlmw6m2Ceqd3dm5zrmJY8nAE6-rn9boIgTVYrmPb2J5mEg9vvrFqmO3gGLejxvkIgEgE5n30Mv2sYFAl_P4iolUzuiJku0TFNlSp12d1je9uLrvsmWuL5paf0RmhUfy0/s320/River+of+Gold_copyright_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>
<p>Greetings Everyone,</p>
<p>Warning... this is a rant of sorts which I have posted on my <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/from-the-heart/sitting-on-the-cusp-of-the-deep-a-long-reflection-about-where-we-are/" target="_blank">website blog </a><br /></p>
<p>Like so many who are navigating these unknown and sometimes dark waters, I'm having trouble staying on course. Staying afloat. Keeping connected to what matters. What <em>needs</em> to be done. Mainly because there is a dissonance between what this artificial, built-society says I must do and what the Natural World is saying, whisper soft, to my heart that we now <em>must</em> do if this world as we know and love it, is to survive.</p>
<p>Sometimes it's as if I'm sailing thru the mists, hand on a slack tiller, no wind to fill all the sails I try to raise to find a breath to get me moving once more. But the mists are thick. The stillness relentless. The uncertainty and fear rising up in my gut seems to be the only things that are moving. I know the safe passage is out there, I just can't find it in this fog that now envelopes much of our collective.</p>
<p>To be a creative person right now is more challenging than ever. To be a creative person who deals in the art of sweetness and light while (much of ) the world is plunged into murky gloom seems a Herculean effort at times. To be a creative person who relies on moss and green and flowers in a literal drought that has seen the hottest summer on record dehydrate the familiar places in the beloved forest to a crackling brown... nearly did me in this year.</p>
<p>I work with the spirits of the place, the Elementals and Energy Beings of the landscape and I'm here to say that they are suffering too....but mostly we are so caught up in our own dramas that we cannot hear their soft voices in our din. The Earth is in great need. <em>GREAT</em> need. This I believe is what "The Great Pause" (as some have called this past 9 months) has been about. I do not pretend to know how these things work, but the message for this pivotal time for our humanity and for the glorious garden we call Earth, our only home, is that we must make different choices. Now. We must stop thinking we are helpless victims, small ants in a relentless machine that knows only how to grind us up. For money. To line the pockets and bank accounts of the rich and powerful. Unable to stop our own destruction.</p>
<p>This is the one truth we all spend a great deal of effort and time denying: we have only one Earth. We all arrived here full of the purity and innocence that blesses each new life. A fresh start. A clean slate. What have we done with our greatest gift? We've fallen under the hypnotic spell of the economic machinery that sucks resources out of everything (our own souls included) and converts those resources into this thing we call money. The purpose of the machine is to convert everything into money. Trees, fish, minerals, animals, view-scapes, creativity, your own children and time itself. The Machine will convert it all into money and money-making. It's what our society is hell-bent on doing and it tells us relentlessly that we must comply, we must participate, we must play by it's rules or we are losers. We will be a failure, a reject, a nobody if we don't play along and do our part to make money for the machine.</p>
<p>This myth has been driving our collective for hundreds perhaps thousands of years. Certainly it took a big leap forward with the rise of the Industrial revolution when the machine got hold of our great-great-grandparents bodies and took them off the land and put them to work in the factories. That was the beginning of the Great unrooting, when we began to lose our vital linkage with the Earth, our home. We started to think that our little buildings and towns and cities were "home" and we called them that, forgetting that ALL of it, everything that we make or manufacture comes from Mother Earth. We fell under the spell of the machine mind and began to equate money with happiness.</p>
<p>"If only you had more money, then you'd be happy/safe/secure and loved" became the drumbeat of the machine and we listened....oh how we listened. And we became believers - big time.</p>
<p>We now stand at the most pivotal crossroads of our human experiment. We now are so many and so inculcated into the machine mind that science can confirm that we alone, the human beings on this planet are killing the very home we need to survive. If we were the only thing that relied upon this earth that might be a just ending to our little story, but the real crime here is that we are not alone. Millions upon millions of other creatures, from fungi to great Blue Whales also call this place home and we are killing them too.</p>
<p>I believe that Nature Herself has given us this moment, this virus to stop us in our tracks and give us a space, a pause to reflect and realize that we <em>can</em> chose a different path from this point forward. Many in Europe have embraced this moment and are making real, honest and deeply meaningful changes in how they live their lives so that they generate less waste and pollution than they did before. They understand that if we live in democracies then we must chose better representatives and leaders who will work <em>for</em> the planet, <em>for</em> our values of mutual justice and equality. We stand poised at the cross-roads, especially here in America.</p>
<p>In one month Americans will chose down which path we want to go. The choice is simple and clear. One path will be towards our own oblivion having capitulated to the powers of the righteous individualists who think they are above the laws of karma and Justice-for-all. They are cult followers of the Machine Mind and they believe their destination of power and wealth over all others is what their patriarchal god has ordained for them. The other path, though quite imperfect, has the glimmer of hope twinkling in the distance, enticing us forward into a new reality, one where we confront the machine mind and start to dismantle it at every opportunity.</p>
<p>I believe in the inherent goodness of the human heart. I believe that we all come here wanting to make this a better place. I believe that we all want to give and receive love, security, respect, justice, and meaningful purpose to our lives. I believe we all come into this earth loving our fellow creatures and that we are living our best lives when we are living in harmony with the natural rhythms and laws of Nature. I believe we are all hearing this calling now that we have been temporarily stilled by the virus that has stopped our entire built world in it's tracks.</p>
<p>What will you do to answer this call? What will you do to bring the world back into balance - your own world and the greater one we all live within? For Americans, we have a pivotal choice to make in the coming days. Who will we elect to speak for us? For the Earth? For our future?</p>
<p>To quote the great spoken word poet Shane Koyczan from his piece titled "A Tomorrow" ( which I invite you to hear by clicking on this link <a href="https://shanekoyczan.com/album/1733466/a-tomorrow" target="_blank">HERE </a>) listen when he says:</p>
<p>… “This is just a reminder that depression is a self-loading gun</p>
<p> we all have to keep checking the safety on</p>
<p>because when indifference has drawn</p>
<p>a chalk outline around our compassion</p>
<p>it means the next thing we lose</p>
<p>is each other.” ….</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Chose wisely my friends. Chose as if your life depends on it, for it does. Chose as if the lives of your grand-children depend on your choice now, for they do. Chose now to believe the science, that the Earth is in great need and we can turn this trajectory around if we all work together and be our best selves. We can.</p>
<p>We have but one home. It is beautiful. It is magical. We must do better to respect and protect it. We start now.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLG4W7m6JvMMG0xKNUl_knL9J5B8f-gGk-cegkvSCcKrMD2IMi86K9S_2Po_pUoH_nRwsS7m6y0zx8lOwbb0anXMTjvSNSyp08y4mP6zauRGDJ-TgFdYHMS-FxY3d76dOMTjTiW1RS2o/s910/Lilypad+Cottage_SallyJSmith-Greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLG4W7m6JvMMG0xKNUl_knL9J5B8f-gGk-cegkvSCcKrMD2IMi86K9S_2Po_pUoH_nRwsS7m6y0zx8lOwbb0anXMTjvSNSyp08y4mP6zauRGDJ-TgFdYHMS-FxY3d76dOMTjTiW1RS2o/s320/Lilypad+Cottage_SallyJSmith-Greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-38533346409210577342020-08-08T14:44:00.005-04:002020-08-08T14:47:18.205-04:00An invitation to join a world-wide meditation TONIGHT at 8 pm local time<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2GKE8ShRGPYzp0MUVcSO-vGOZwtXbvBxnuVU5Buqe9Zfm08Vszsfi2ChrkoA_HEOS2XRoyBWER1K_D64rPi1R1kxmhc4wtAoQ-10i5b6_WlzisFfS05LvF9t0tElpHr8EAKaq0XYd-g/s420/Meditations+invitation_thumb_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="420" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2GKE8ShRGPYzp0MUVcSO-vGOZwtXbvBxnuVU5Buqe9Zfm08Vszsfi2ChrkoA_HEOS2XRoyBWER1K_D64rPi1R1kxmhc4wtAoQ-10i5b6_WlzisFfS05LvF9t0tElpHr8EAKaq0XYd-g/s0/Meditations+invitation_thumb_.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Greetings Everyone,</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know this is very short notice. I literally <i>JUST</i> found out myself. There is an open invitation to join a world-wide group to meditate for the healing of our world. If you would like to join in with us, there is a specific format we are all asked to observe. The details can be found <a href="http://www.lifenet.si/2020/08/06/telepathic-workshop-at-the-crossroads/">HERE</a>.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Come join us if you can. The program-workshop will be repeated tomorrow on August 9th in case you miss tonight's event.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you want to read this in your home language, <a href="http://www.lifenet.si/meditations/">this link</a> takes you to their webpage that offers the same information in a variety of languages</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is the core of the invitation from their website:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333399;">" Our intuition, dreams and exchange tell us that <b>right now humanity</b> stands at one of the decisive crossroads. One road leads towards a complete robotisation of our society and control over the individual. The other road leads towards co-creation with the beings of this wonderful Earth, those visible and invisible, and towards peace among peoples of the human race. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #333399;">A relatively large group is needed to express the decision, which of the two paths we want to walk in the next years and onward towards the future. We believe that each of us collaborating here already made her or his decision to follow the path of life and freedom. The purpose of this telepathic workshop is to communicate our decision to the beings of the Earth and the Universe and to ground it in the body of the planet as well as within our body. We do this as a holographic piece (fractal) of humanity as a whole. " </span> -from "Telepathic workshop "At the Crossroads"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.lifenet.si/2020/08/06/telepathic-workshop-at-the-crossroads/" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="1755" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnqwow7E64pgV3VHfnNhA08-zTZx6_vfiuEkOlpAByNDKYIUgmfRn852tcZZD3iR5vgdry7ba6G2wM527h96TskNaGYYzypJq3uiirq6zk-smoPNjSqvtxYPCIv7c8dflWGpUOx_GWGo/w512-h127/Meditations+invitation.jpg" width="512" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-13873196621240139632020-08-01T13:02:00.000-04:002020-08-01T13:02:10.157-04:00SUPER 30% off sale for a limited time! Stock up now!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Like you I've been challenged in learning how to live with the new parameters of life due to this pandemic. But creativity has been my guideline when all else seemed unfamiliar. I'll have more to share shortly on the goings on here in my studio but I've JUST received word this morning about a super duper sale at <a href="https://www.amberlotus.com/">Amber Lotus</a>, the wonderful company that publishes my calendars and I HAD to let you know! Here's the scoop:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can order any calendar related products from <a href="https://www.amberlotus.com/">Amber Lotus</a> from now till August 5th at 10 pm, pacific time and get <span style="color: red;"><strong>THIRTY</strong></span> <span style="color: red;">percent off </span>!!! This is as big as it gets when it comes to discounts! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can get my latest calendars, of course:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The NEW 2021 Wall Calendar is only <strong><span style="color: red;">$10.50</span></strong> !! (click on the image to see more)</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amberlotus.com/fairy-houses-2021-wall-calendar" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.amberlotus.com/fairy-houses-2021-wall-calendar" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKYunCHGyfJEhSI62bg3-_Oiwj6TlvdrhEc43PLKE28y0mkmhRaiZ70DYTv91KnWpHalexvCK_O5D3dZ37yWSXwl9ztuzS2SZxdDAubUWZDIVkwaeh7jt0LexTvR_zMenQL9Dtevfds0/s320/2021+Wall+Calendar+cover_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Or the New 2021 Mini Calendar is only <span style="color: red;">$5.60 <span style="color: black;">!!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amberlotus.com/fairy-houses-2021-mini-wall-calendar" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.amberlotus.com/fairy-houses-2021-mini-wall-calendar" border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="658" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfjDp0Tzyh-j81j9XrF_5yFF8FTEvALrlWO8SKffNkrPZAf_WODv-vfl0gfpmL9tH5jCipQjtTJb5TlG7mlITOLkkYLPZpl2RBJOeeGqpuosbRYySUtweQ8olkEQcfb8py8wBMrFFKhY/s320/2021+Mini+Calendar_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">There are loads more items available at this great sale price and you can read all about them in my new blog post on my website <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Don't miss this generous sale! Calendars make wonderful gifts and these will surely uplift the spirits of friends and family near and far.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Stay safe,</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Bright Blessings</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span> </span>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-89489772040548906462020-05-06T19:10:00.000-04:002020-05-06T19:10:02.749-04:00Of Reliquaries and the Sacred Time we are navigating together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE-qj0e3KDCnSX7odjYW6yl1ghsERYEXFzUgo4ntFH8ndeF3gGyfv1c_FryLKU6ctUipO9-5nbNg8UORTAZz1qYkg7Y-hqCdJlDJxlbPT9WXg5QRT4-ISd0UMC5qwFGkjD6hTxPPAHAY/s1600/Spring+Crocus_2020_SallyJSmithart_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE-qj0e3KDCnSX7odjYW6yl1ghsERYEXFzUgo4ntFH8ndeF3gGyfv1c_FryLKU6ctUipO9-5nbNg8UORTAZz1qYkg7Y-hqCdJlDJxlbPT9WXg5QRT4-ISd0UMC5qwFGkjD6hTxPPAHAY/s320/Spring+Crocus_2020_SallyJSmithart_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I must confess that the desire or ability to do any writing for this
blog has been most elusive in the past 6-7 weeks. Like everyone else
I’ve watched in profound sadness and with feelings of helplessness as so
many families have faced such loss and tragedy dealing with this new
pandemic. The loss comes in many forms and no matter what sort of
shadows of sorrow, fear or disorientation have crossed your doorway, we
are all in a profound moment of pause.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It seems to be an opportunity most of all (for those of us who have
the luxury to not be on the actual front lines of this ravaging virus or
the economic shock waves that will be difficult to ride out in the
coming months) to take stock and ask ourselves some crucial questions
about just exactly how are we going to take up our lives again when are
able to do so.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As an observer of the intersection of the visible and invisible worlds, I
cannot help but notice a few things about this moment…and yet finding
the words to articulate what I am seeing and sensing is very
difficult….but I shall try. Modern human beings have been hypnotized by
the hollow promises of capitalism as it is currently imposed upon the
globe for nearly 150 years now. The decision to value money(and
therefore profit) more than the vital, living resources of this planet
will be our doom if we do not change our ways. This moment of global
pause comes just as the global movement towards questioning capitalistic
values and Ecocide was starting to take hold in the likes of Greta
Thunberg, the Green New Deal, Polly Higgins and all the other voices
which were beginning to rise up and speak out (and be heard) on behalf
of the planet. I do not think this is an accident.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Invisible forces have a way of reaching into the psyche of human beings
and teaching from within. That process works best when human beings slow
down, disengage from the busy outer world and take a pause. It can be
in a few minutes of deep breathing. A dozen minutes of meditation, or
yoga. An hours-long quiet walk in a park or out in nature as you can
find it. It can be in a day off from one’s normal routine brought on by
illness or unexpected weather events. We’ve all experienced times in our
lives where we took a “time out” and allowed ourselves to connect with
our inner thoughts and feelings. It is in that liminal space which opens
up in those quiet moments when the invisible forces can speak to us and
move us to make deep and lasting changes in our lives…usually for the
better.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> We are currently collectively experiencing a “time out” like no other in
living memory. That this moment comes when all of those who speak for
the Earth are saying that we are poised on an edge like no other cannot
be “just” a coincidence. I believe we are being asked by Nature itself
to stop and listen… to pay attention to what we know is true and have
not been able to face: that modern life as we currently live it will
kill our beloved home and the plants and animals with which we are
supposed to co-exist. I know this is difficult to hear. Like everyone
else, when I face the facts of climate change I feel overwhelmed and
powerless. I feel guilt and shame. I feel that no matter what I may do
it won’t make a difference.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’m here to tell you that those feelings, while they may feel real
are not true. Nature has profound capacity for healing if it is just
given a chance to do so. We have been shown that over and over again in
these past few weeks as news reports came in talking about all the
positive effects people were noticing in their immediate environments
due to the shut-down of “normal life”. The canals of Venice were
transformed and wildlife was cautiously returning to the tranquil
waters. The air in Delhi and Beijing were clearer than anyone could
remember. The trampled vegetation of Instagram hot spots was recovering
to lushness once more thanks to a lack of too many tourists. Birds were
being seen and heard in places where no one thought they lived. There
are literally hundreds of such stories all around the world. Nature is
speaking loudly thru these examples saying : “Look how I can heal if you
just give me a chance!”</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So we have to ask ourselves: When we start back up with our daily
lives what are we going to differently so that our lives can be a more
cooperative/harmonious collaboration that respects the Earth, her
resources, her creatures AND all human lives across the globe? What are
we going to commit to radically changing in our own lives to bring
ourselves back from the brink of Ecocide?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What needs to change is us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(To read the rest of this post, please head on over to my website to read the full blog and watch a movie from the Findhorn Foundation that I think you will enjoy. Just follow the link below)</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/from-the-heart/of-reliquaries-and-the-sacred-time-we-are-navigating-together/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/from-the-heart/of-reliquaries-and-the-sacred-time-we-are-navigating-together/ </span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-51431599558920104122020-01-07T04:31:00.000-05:002020-01-07T04:31:51.168-05:00A time for Prayer and action<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(From my new blog which you can find <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/" target="_blank">HERE</a> )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Like many sensitive souls around the world, I am feeling overwhelmed
with the suffering and turbulence that is our lived experience at this
time. To give some perspective – there are people that I know, you
probably do as well, who can ignore the raucous sounds around them and
filter them out with relative ease. The radio or TV can be blaring and
overwhelming to my ears when I walk into their space, but they don’t
even hear it and begin carrying on a conversation. I cannot filter noise
in that way. It is painful to me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> In the same way, when there is great suffering on the planet and
great loss of life, particularly the loss of animal and plant life due
to natural or human-made events, I FEEL it in my soul. It is a weight
and a pain in my heart that I cannot lift or ignore or deny. This, I
know is the shadow side of being able to feel the beauty of nature to
such a profound level… it is the cost, the price of that gift. I know
most folks can feel a certain sense of loss for human life when tragedy
strikes some person or group of people…and we all mourn these losses
together especially if we feel identified somehow with the loss. For me,
because so much of my heart is wrapped up in the natural world, I feel
the grief more acutely than most when Nature is in pain and struggling.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> When the Tsunamis hit Indonesia and Japan, I was in deep despair for a
long time. When the oil well burst in the Gulf of Mexico deep sadness
prevailed for many weeks. When Hawaii was altered by the volcano burning
and birthing the land it affected me too. The same thing can happen to
me when I hear of massive agricultural losses due to flood or fire…it is
a strange form of suffering that affects me and mostly I don’t speak of
it much…but try just to work my way thru the passage knowing that all
things change and that no matter how dark and gloomy it may feel now, it
will be better eventually… until the next thing arises…but it too will
pass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> But things are speeding up now it seems. The pauses and respites
between calamities and disasters seems to get shorter, the tragedies
deeper and some of the losses, due to extinction level events are almost
impossible to bear. What is happening now in Australia is hitting me
(and MANY people like me) extremely hard … and I live on the other side
of the planet! I cannot imagine how those on the front lines of this
devastation are coping.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> So, to turn my grief into action (always a good healing tactic) I
have created a small piece of art which you are welcomed to share and
use if you like. In addition, I’d like to share some reputable charities
that could use our help if you have the means to make donations. If
not, Prayers from the heart are equally valuable if not more so and cost
nothing only a moment of your time. The power of Prayer cannot be
discounted… there are many anecdotal stories and actual scientific
studies that affirm the power of prayer, especially collective prayer…
so perhaps this is a good time to be reminded of that power and
participate if one can.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is a list of organizations that are in need:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Kangaroo Island holds a special reserve where rare species are
nurtured and helped towards recovery. Unfortunately they were his hard
by a big fire. You can read about their sanctuary and their efforts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/07/kangaroo-island-bushfires-grave-fears-for-unique-wildlife-after-estimated-25000-koalas-killed" target="_blank">HERE</a> and donate <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-kangaroo-islands-koalas-and-wildlife">HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital specializes in Koala rescue and rehabilitation. You can read more <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-thirsty-koalas-devastated-by-recent-fires">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">WIRES native animal rescue has a useful information page with many ways to donate <a href="https://www.wires.org.au/blog/emergency-donations-to-help-wildlife">HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The RSPCA of New South Wales is fighting to save wildlife, pets and all domestic animals who have been affected by the fires. <a href="https://www.rspcansw.org.au/bushfire-appeal/">HERE</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once the fires have passed there will still be years of recovery work
ahead for these organizations. The land will not be able to support the
animals for a long time ahead, so expensive restoration and relocation
projects will be needed. Please do not be swayed if it seems they have
already received considerable support – the need will be ongoing. Or you
can find other organizations that perhaps are not as well advertised
that still need help. And equally important is to pass along this
information to your own social networks, it really makes a difference.
Thank you.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKxUSnHwRk75-FWYKUNaF9RtCG6ip2ODpcgn62G15xjhLJ-TnNdK2DrTtsMKUgMVFWzFg4IOrRgTkVAgw3i4JnqkduDaNpilqFkJ6Y9dUeERnfiXxkXiN1CpTdcKy2qrJ0l3tbPeUfGE/s1600/Prayer+for+Australia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1434" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKxUSnHwRk75-FWYKUNaF9RtCG6ip2ODpcgn62G15xjhLJ-TnNdK2DrTtsMKUgMVFWzFg4IOrRgTkVAgw3i4JnqkduDaNpilqFkJ6Y9dUeERnfiXxkXiN1CpTdcKy2qrJ0l3tbPeUfGE/s320/Prayer+for+Australia.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-53599161994527011082019-09-23T10:43:00.001-04:002019-09-23T10:43:30.660-04:00Holocene Twilight<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This post may be disturbing for some readers. I make no apologies. As
an artist who creates visions of idyllic fantasies I often question my
purpose and my work. I have spent much time “soul wrestling” as one of
my teachers calls it… the process that happens when we are waking up to
an uncomfortable truth yet we do not yet have our course of new
action/purpose fully charted yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Watching and listening to the Climate Crisis protests this week-end
has been so deeply moving. That this was conceived of and organized by
the youngest members of our global humanity was so inspiring. Greta’s
fearlessness and tenacity show us that nothing is impossible if we just
decide to make a difference, be mindful of our choices and then take
persistent, focused action. And do not give up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I dedicate this work to her spirit and to all the people who are
rising up, speaking up, and supporting policies and people who are on
the frothy edge of this transition…may the wave continue to build and
may we all pull together to change our course before it is too late.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">EDEN HOUSE:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">An idyllic home set in an abundant, lush location brimming with life.
Golden sunshine dappled thru the apple tree on the edge of the clear
water, dragonflies hovered and zoomed… it was heaven on earth and we had
our place in it all beautifully made.</span><br />
<br />
<a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eden-House-1_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_sig_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Holocene Twilight" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3107" height="265" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eden-House-1_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_sig_.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As twilight settled, we were blissfully unaware… but something was wrong and it was of our own making.</span><br />
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<a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eden-House-2_holocene-twilight_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg"><img alt="Holocene Twilight" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3108" height="266" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eden-House-2_holocene-twilight_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At first the shock of what was happening so suddenly made it
impossible to focus or understand… was this a dream? How did this
happen? Yet it was clear…. our home is burning.</span><br />
<br />
<a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eden-House-3_transition_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Holocene Twilight" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3109" height="284" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eden-House-3_transition_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Will it be too late?</span><br />
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<a class="fbx-link fbx-instance" href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eden-House-4_anthropocine_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Holocene Twilight" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3110" height="265" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eden-House-4_anthropocine_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I urge everyone:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">educate yourself to what the science is saying</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">stop denying what is happening to our planet, to the oceans and to wildlife</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">figure out what you can do in your own life to make positive choices that support a better future</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">read, read read. Listen, listen, listen. Be humble.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Be fearless. You are not alone.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">support politicians who support policies that protect the earth, wildlife and indigenous cultures</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">use your power as a consumer to bring about positive change.
Plant-based dining is here now because consumers demand it. Electric
vehicles are here now because consumers demand it. The cost of solar
panels has dropped phenomenally in the past decade because consumer
demand has businesses scrambling to make a good, clean living.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">question all the ways you have been programmed to want “stuff”. Capitalism as it is currently built is unsustainable.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">do not give in to hopelessness. We built this problem, we can solve it. The time to act is now.</span></li>
</ul>
Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-87227240553491601232019-09-09T18:10:00.001-04:002019-09-09T18:10:20.811-04:00Too close for comfort<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Greetings Everyone!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have a new post in my blog over on my website. I'll let you know why I sometimes make Faerie house images that look like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-wvvUa1-7dsAhOlXarsO3UdmzqA5II8hwfncCb6DXHI1nktoG_nq30hyphenhyphen5-sxlxsnpBYQR3rThXHreFtimcftWpR9e7DWg6LFXNb3biM8hkK1jn90pE8WREfciICMa2uOCRaHAtTcRu8/s1600/Upside+down+shooting_SallyjSmith_Greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1000" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-wvvUa1-7dsAhOlXarsO3UdmzqA5II8hwfncCb6DXHI1nktoG_nq30hyphenhyphen5-sxlxsnpBYQR3rThXHreFtimcftWpR9e7DWg6LFXNb3biM8hkK1jn90pE8WREfciICMa2uOCRaHAtTcRu8/s320/Upside+down+shooting_SallyjSmith_Greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Come check it out by clicking <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/greenspirit-arts/too-close-for-comfort/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have a great week!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlANTo_W88h8Iz6EGWiWMCKe33wkB2DDwl3Z_Hh1ZrsZLM5M1A8bHqxLDIEzU0RLIzfTQSmgbdL6sQwMq7qDfu-CgQ9dZgarO7d_qwwOp8ly0SH_Hb3-JEVY5Zp29SgBwrGVSYz1dxmjk/s1600/Sig+_sally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="217" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlANTo_W88h8Iz6EGWiWMCKe33wkB2DDwl3Z_Hh1ZrsZLM5M1A8bHqxLDIEzU0RLIzfTQSmgbdL6sQwMq7qDfu-CgQ9dZgarO7d_qwwOp8ly0SH_Hb3-JEVY5Zp29SgBwrGVSYz1dxmjk/s200/Sig+_sally.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-9031710461917583912019-09-02T22:41:00.001-04:002019-09-02T22:41:38.590-04:00A new post about my photo editing process<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Greetings Everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I've just written a <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/news/photo-editing-a-before-and-after-example/" target="_blank">new post over on my website blog</a> which talks about how I go from this image:</span><br />
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<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Rose-Cottage-in-the-garden-2_Before__sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-3094 alignnone" height="212" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Rose-Cottage-in-the-garden-2_Before__sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to this one:</span><br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Rose-Cottage-in-the-garden-2_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-3095 alignnone" height="240" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Rose-Cottage-in-the-garden-2_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As well as a few other tidbits of news. Come and check it out!</span><br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/news/photo-editing-a-before-and-after-example/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/news/photo-editing-a-before-and-after-example/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cheers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sally </span>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-82023725046388639542019-08-26T17:34:00.000-04:002019-08-26T17:34:11.688-04:00New post available now in my website blog<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Greetings Everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have a new post available in my blog on my website. Here is the link:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/greenspirit-arts/faerie-houses/the-haicyon-hydrangea-days-of-summer-fairy-house/">https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/greenspirit-arts/faerie-houses/the-haicyon-hydrangea-days-of-summer-fairy-house/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And here is the image...enjoy!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo3EqYB9wMf2SEiIRXbiBZWvZNdk08648Ysd4YYD2mWje1eVfja-Err_L9bfNSbcDcgSTVtU0vTc5hV2BgMjcZM4bF6eapvwd8VI-ODWJXGk9t2dUgGKT3wmdKNMMsIWdMWBDuh-DQSw/s1600/High+Summer+Blue+Hydrangea+Cottage_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="940" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbo3EqYB9wMf2SEiIRXbiBZWvZNdk08648Ysd4YYD2mWje1eVfja-Err_L9bfNSbcDcgSTVtU0vTc5hV2BgMjcZM4bF6eapvwd8VI-ODWJXGk9t2dUgGKT3wmdKNMMsIWdMWBDuh-DQSw/s320/High+Summer+Blue+Hydrangea+Cottage_sallyjsmithart_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-Qw0pjfH-2UOgcFvA8hPfeaqcl9e703IuNdj1WweBWtw3KNyX-k68zoOtI3RpJ1cvxhmZwG-Sax8Y6xRPB6Z83aS5gxAiS74UznoVfG_MgnKfm9TNoQbZPtXhfW4-8bzA3q_id-_tU0/s1600/Sig+_sally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="217" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-Qw0pjfH-2UOgcFvA8hPfeaqcl9e703IuNdj1WweBWtw3KNyX-k68zoOtI3RpJ1cvxhmZwG-Sax8Y6xRPB6Z83aS5gxAiS74UznoVfG_MgnKfm9TNoQbZPtXhfW4-8bzA3q_id-_tU0/s200/Sig+_sally.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-36145879300600765402019-08-03T14:04:00.000-04:002019-08-03T14:04:03.894-04:00The Rose Cottage<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Greetings Everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So sorry for the long gap in adding new posts to this blog....I don't mean to be leaving my fans in the dark, it's just that I am making fewer posts here because I am posting more over on my new website. If you'd like to catch up with my latest blog entries over there, please come and visit me at:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/">https://sallyjsmithart.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have a new Faerie House that I've just completed, the Rose Cottage. My first blog post about it is <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/greenspirit-arts/faerie-houses/the-rose-cottage-faerie-house/">HERE.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And I've also posted a new video about it on youtube which you can watch <a href="https://youtu.be/CFEqjcDRLCQ">HERE</a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzTy64n_INSwx54lhnb_SAt7hH2o68EeG6T2VvEE61Od_VZnLJSCTf2uvMiXy04X_grICsxXMRuSqTYpQclSBCBijtN0DMDV781ugWPugis6KG4iNhyphenhyphenK6vPK9_ZGSSSXAzn8bsy-4Y2c/s1600/Rose+cottage_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzTy64n_INSwx54lhnb_SAt7hH2o68EeG6T2VvEE61Od_VZnLJSCTf2uvMiXy04X_grICsxXMRuSqTYpQclSBCBijtN0DMDV781ugWPugis6KG4iNhyphenhyphenK6vPK9_ZGSSSXAzn8bsy-4Y2c/s320/Rose+cottage_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And if you want to get all my latest blog posts, I hope you'll sign up over at my new blog... to get to the sign-up page, just click <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/subscribe-to-blog/">HERE.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The sign-up process has to be EU compliant so don't let the big form scare you off! :-) It just means that your data is very safe with me and that I will never sell your data to another company or have 3rd party advertising on my website that might capture your data as you visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'll try to continue to provide updates here for when I post over at my new blog, but as you can already see, I'm not always good at following thru on that process. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bright Blessings to All </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-71055053916615352092019-06-04T15:48:00.000-04:002019-06-04T15:49:18.359-04:00A rare opportunity to win one of my houses!!!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Greetings Everyone!</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is time now to reveal something I've been working on for a wee while...and this is your chance at something special!</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been invited by the <a href="http://henrysheldonmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Sheldon Museum in Middlebury VT</a> to exhibit my Fairy Houses in conjunction with a very special retrospective exhibition featuring the work of <a href="http://henrysheldonmuseum.org/exhibits/the-landscape-architecture-legacy-of-dan-kiley/" target="_blank">American Landscape Architect Dan Kiley</a>. As part of this special exhibition, one of my best (and diminutive) fairy houses is being raffled off by and to benefit the Sheldon Museum. I've made a very <a href="https://youtu.be/isTwLsZDIRw" target="_blank">short little video</a> showing the little house from many angles and showing the TWO lighting options that will extend your enjoyment of the house should you be so lucky to win it. I've never made a house with white AND colored lights before so this makes it truly a one-of-a-kind....though to be fair, <b><i>ALL</i></b> of my fairy houses are one-of-a-kind!</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is the video:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/isTwLsZDIRw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/isTwLsZDIRw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is the direct link to purchase raffle tickets: <a href="http://henrysheldonmuseum.org/events/the-dewdrop-bungalow-fairy-house-raffle/">http://henrysheldonmuseum.org/events/the-dewdrop-bungalow-fairy-house-raffle/</a></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is the link for more information on my show: <a href="http://henrysheldonmuseum.org/exhibits/whimsical-wonders-fairy-houses-from-nature-by-sally-j-smith/">http://henrysheldonmuseum.org/exhibits/whimsical-wonders-fairy-houses-from-nature-by-sally-j-smith/</a></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you happen to be traveling to the area, and Middlebury is a magical little Vermont village with LOADS of things to see and do, then be sure to stop by the museum to see all my houses that are on display AND catch the Kiley exhibition...it is extraordinary and well worth the visit. The photography alone is breathtaking. The images on the web page do not do justice to the clarity and beauty of the actual prints...they are mesmerizing! The museum also houses a great kids activity area so parents can stroll thru the collection while the kids are playing in the children's area. It's very sweet and cozy.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you are unable to travel to the museum but would still like a detailed description of all my houses that are on display, you can download this PDF of the catalog of my works presently on exhibit. <span style="color: red;">Please</span> note - the highlighted links in the PDF do <span style="color: red;">not</span> work as links.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019-Fairy-Houses-for-Sheldon-Museum-Show_updated-5-22_.pdf">2019 Fairy Houses for Sheldon Museum Show_updated 5-22_</a></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: magenta;"><i><b>Anyone</b></i></span> can purchase tickets for the raffle as the house is small enough to ship. I wish everyone the best of luck... someone WILL win this sweet little house! AND you'll get bragging rights too because it will be in the 2020 Amber Lotus calendar which will be available later this summer. When the calendar comes out, I'll show you what I mean. Until then, enjoy the video and give it a "like" if you can. It helps in the world of Youtube.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Bright Blessings Everyone!</span></span><br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sig-_sally.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-3051" height="100" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Sig-_sally.jpg" width="136" /></a>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-33652114790760581062019-03-06T14:23:00.000-05:002019-03-06T14:23:45.271-05:00Re-starting my art book project (This post is re-printed from my <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/news/re-starting-my-art-book-project/" target="_blank">blog on my new website</a>: https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/news/re-starting-my-art-book-project/<br />
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I hope you will come over to my new website if you've not already visited before to see what I've made for you!) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcLUD276O_kNk_S8MxWhoACKQBY5996BQlZH7ctV2OAEauEtk6MLTswMrBrySoPE6H6jasARhrp3HMVh-9v0Q6G-FUDgUEIK3reALrrRlLwrIHqVJcJWChmEhWIoyccovr-IxIUiCKQ4/s1600/_Wintersleep_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="800" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcLUD276O_kNk_S8MxWhoACKQBY5996BQlZH7ctV2OAEauEtk6MLTswMrBrySoPE6H6jasARhrp3HMVh-9v0Q6G-FUDgUEIK3reALrrRlLwrIHqVJcJWChmEhWIoyccovr-IxIUiCKQ4/s320/_Wintersleep_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Winter is the quiet time in this part of the world. But that does not mean work stops for anyone who is awake and needs to keep warm! The daily rhythm of feeding the woodstove, the cats, the birds and then sitting down to do my work has a comforting and simple cadence. When warmer weather comes, it will be more of a speedy dash to just keep up with spring bursting forth, but for now, we who live close to the earth know that this is the time to take on important projects, dive deep into thoughtful reflection and if at all possible, finish creative efforts that were put on hold.<br />
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I have just such a project which has been on a back-burner for far too long. It began years ago with a Kickstarter fund-raiser and I've had to put the project on and off again so many times it's begun to sulk in the corner, feeling as if it will never have wings. I knew that when I said "Yes" to my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Houses-Create-Whimsical-Homes/dp/1591866723/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Fairy Houses book</a> with Quarto publishing, that my own personal book would have to take a back seat...but I never imagined it would take this long to bring back into active status once more.<br />
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Thankfully, the experience of working with my editor and all the production crew for the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Houses-Create-Whimsical-Homes/dp/1591866723/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Fairy Houses book</a> has taught me a lot. AND, what is also true is that my fairy house and environmental art-making never stopped, so there are literally hundreds of new images that need to be reviewed and considered for inclusion in my new book which I have titled "Enviramagination". This has meant basically going back and starting over...never a fun way to pick up an on-going project, but it was necessary this time.<br />
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My original image collection for the book was going to have to be reconfigured to make room for dozens and dozens of new images.<br />
The first iteration looked like this in miniature:<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-Book-Layout_thumbs_sallyjsmithart_blog.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2996" height="196" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-Book-Layout_thumbs_sallyjsmithart_blog-300x196.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
I used hundreds of tiny thumbnail cut-outs to assist with the selecting process and to figure out how to piece them together to achieve the flow of images that I wanted. I had decided to use only two basic formats: either a large vertical or paired horizontals that would be on any page. But as I looked closer I realized that switching back and forth between only these two options made for choppy viewing...at least it felt that way to me. I tried adding a third squarish frame option and that helped smooth the transitions between strong vertical and strong horizontal images.<br />
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Next I tackled the backgrounds. Here is an example of one of the backgrounds I had previously developed for the book:<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-spread_FH_older-version_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-3001" height="333" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-spread_FH_older-version_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="510" /></a><br />
I had made dozens of these patterned backgrounds to echo the subtle transitions across all the seasons. While I loved the details and textures that went into making the various backgrounds, I made a sobering discovery: though they looked great on my monitor, when printed, the pages all became darker, muddied and the central images lost their power. This was <em>very</em> discouraging because I had invested a LOT of time in making over 2 dozen backgrounds that I thought were going to make a magical book. Instead, as watercolour painters will understand, I had too much "paint" in the visual mix and the results were a muddy mess. Production on the project halted while I assessed what to do. It was rather disheartening because I so wanted to complete the project, but it was a mess and I knew it.<br />
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Then Quarto approached me with their Fairy Houses how-to book concept, the contract deal was signed and I had to focus all my attention on that book. My own book project would have to wait. But waiting has brought many benefits.<br />
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With the new moon of last month I gave a serious review to all the old files and decided to send them all to the virtual shredder so I could begin with a fresh, clean slate. I had an idea to use very faint whispers of design elements in simple, pearl greys which would appear behind some, but not all of the page spreads.<br />
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<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-spread-10_11_snowflakes_new-verson-in-process_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-2999" height="263" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-spread-10_11_snowflakes_new-verson-in-process_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="467" /></a><br />
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I set about making some test pages and seeing how they looked on the screen <em>and</em> printed on the page. I am pleased to say that this approach has proven to be fresh and exciting and I'm now forging ahead with new vigor and enthusiasm.<br />
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Here is an example of an old background (above) compared to the new background (below) :<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-page_right_old-version_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignleft wp-image-3011" height="402" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-page_right_old-version_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="308" /></a><a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-page_right-side_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-3010 aligncenter" height="399" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-page_right-side_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="306" /></a><br />
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Here is another example with multiple images:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-spread_snow-spirals_old-version_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="wp-image-3002 aligncenter" height="253" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-spread_snow-spirals_old-version_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="386" /></a><br />
<br />
and here is the new layout with the fresh background:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-spread-10_11_snowflakes_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-3012" height="299" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-spread-10_11_snowflakes_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="459" /></a><br />
I think this approach works much better as now all the color on the page is concentrated in the images which is where you want the eye to focus. And the subtle greyed design motifs will soften the overall presentation and add dream-like whispers to tie the pages together to follow the ebb and flow of the seasons in a more subtle way.<br />
<br />
What is also of great benefit is that I have acquired some new photo-processing software by <a href="https://www.on1.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">On1</a> which I have taken many months to learn how to use and it has enabled me to refine my images to a much higher degree and make them glow with depth and detail that I was unable to produce before.<br />
<br />
So not only will there be better backgrounds, but there will be more images which are distinctly better in quality than what I would have been able to produce a few years ago. I know the wait has been too long, but I hope that with all these improvements, the wait will have been worth it.<br />
<br />
Now I must get back to work.... I have a book to create!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-Book-cover-V5_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-2995" height="387" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Sample-Book-cover-V5_sallyjsmithart_blog_.jpg" width="301" /></a><br />
Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-40616003107152649532019-02-07T14:41:00.000-05:002019-02-07T14:41:28.353-05:00Of Ice Discs and Blood Moons(Apologies in advance-
this post was written earlier and did not get published immediately.
Life got busy and the eclipse is long passed.)<br />
<br />
As I write this, the full moon has begun her passage into the shadow
of the earth and we, in this part of the country have just endured our
fist big snowstorm in several years. It is bitterly cold outside and we
thought we would still be enshrouded by the storm and miss the eclipse
event, but it has passed and the velvety black of night holds the moon
as she makes her way into the veil of the earth. Such magic this is!<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter fbx-instance" id="attachment_2988" style="width: 160px;">
<img alt="Circling Circles" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-2988" height="200" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Lunar-Eclipse_NASA_40_bloodmoon-150x150.jpg" width="200" />Total Lunar Eclipse_NASA</div>
I have been of few words here in my blog of late and to my readers, I
apologize. Life in the north woods has been more challenging as I
slowly relinquish the strength and vigor of my youth to advanced
“middle” age. Things take longer to accomplish than they did a decade
ago. The weather is not as reliable and predictable as it once was. And
all the chores of winter still must be done. Heating with wood takes a
great deal of time and effort but I enjoy most of the ritual. Preparing
for winter requires many steps and tasks that cannot be overlooked or
you will not do well once the deep cold hits. Fortunately there was just
enough time to complete all the vital chores before the big snows came
this week-end. Tomorrow will be the big dig-out, but for right now, the
woodstove is pumping the heat of the sun which the trees stored in their
limbs and trunks and I am very grateful to have the gift of that stored
energy warming my home now.<br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter fbx-instance" id="attachment_2989" style="width: 160px;">
<img alt="Circling Circles" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-2989" height="320" src="https://3vjlfxx79f61idzhz2s43hhv-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Woodstove-fire_sallyjsmithart_-150x150.jpg" width="320" /><div class="wp-caption-text">
Pinecone fire in the woodstove</div>
</div>
There have been a predominance of ice circles in the news these past
weeks. If you are not familiar with the phenomenon,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpUOaVsopqKQaM9DRvc0ap3zsxGLmOn5cpSxhyphenhyphenf5c2twPHN-LpJd-xmjLIC6eqvADmeww281uHMkdIHRvVSW-1_g4M_9mwAR2LOvSl-fjU3yC81HTSL7mhc5CncymBBWWX-LDqUJwLsA/s1600/ice-disk-02-rtr-jc-190116_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="992" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpUOaVsopqKQaM9DRvc0ap3zsxGLmOn5cpSxhyphenhyphenf5c2twPHN-LpJd-xmjLIC6eqvADmeww281uHMkdIHRvVSW-1_g4M_9mwAR2LOvSl-fjU3yC81HTSL7mhc5CncymBBWWX-LDqUJwLsA/s320/ice-disk-02-rtr-jc-190116_hpEmbed_3x2_992.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
here is a link to a
big one that formed in a river in Maine:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://bangordailynews.com/2019/01/14/news/portland/giant-ice-disc-in-maine-river-attracts-attention/">https://bangordailynews.com/2019/01/14/news/portland/giant-ice-disc-in-maine-river-attracts-attention/</a><br />
and here is one of the earlier ones that was discovered in Scotland:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINbdS_9Rmmz23X5tRM9n-z55bm80AbU9IFXi7E9RIrdCEd94XulRngj88KEr1DuKi-IFEs8aajtlZg3rJiBASiEYj6tUZI5WtONJcWIvNXCr02o4cEfDNByTPC698Nn8kJybns44TPqY/s1600/_105062810_icepancakes_MichaelTraill_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="660" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINbdS_9Rmmz23X5tRM9n-z55bm80AbU9IFXi7E9RIrdCEd94XulRngj88KEr1DuKi-IFEs8aajtlZg3rJiBASiEYj6tUZI5WtONJcWIvNXCr02o4cEfDNByTPC698Nn8kJybns44TPqY/s320/_105062810_icepancakes_MichaelTraill_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice pancake photo by Michael Traill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-46757826">https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-46757826</a><br />
We had one too under the bridge that goes over the Boquet river just
down the road from my house. Unfortunately, it had grown too big and the
air had became too cold and it stopped spinning and froze up. I got to
see it the next day and even though it was no longer spinning, it was
still eerily magical. The lines you see in the snow were there when I
took the photo….the last remnants of the flowing water was just able to
seep up the edge of the wheel to mark the snow above.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8QGiGR9RNBxR9UY3Mp3ONiAoyYvOv8Ppk89U5SUb5q5M-HxKAmBIVGvcfDC5FXFCh_zrGcXvgeVnBrYOev9LbhL_6TIX-FOt09oaRUYZMGw43sDDl2euk45mmGzWxCdaonmjmT_db7A/s1600/When+the+wheel+stopped+turning_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8QGiGR9RNBxR9UY3Mp3ONiAoyYvOv8Ppk89U5SUb5q5M-HxKAmBIVGvcfDC5FXFCh_zrGcXvgeVnBrYOev9LbhL_6TIX-FOt09oaRUYZMGw43sDDl2euk45mmGzWxCdaonmjmT_db7A/s320/When+the+wheel+stopped+turning_sallyjsmithart_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter fbx-instance" id="attachment_2992" style="width: 340px;">
<div class="wp-caption-text">
When the wheel stopped turning – click on image to see full size</div>
</div>
<br />
So as the moon dons her deep red cloak overhead and the formerly
bright shadows on the snow dim and shudder in the howling cold, I am
feeling humbled and blessed to simply be alive and able to witness these
enchanting moments of haunting beauty.<br />
As for my work, the making of Fairy Houses continues. I have a very
special one I hope to photograph soon. I have been needing good snow for
the image and so far our winter has been rather brown and drab. After
this week-end and 16 inches of fresh, glittering powder I am eager to
find just the right place to take the photos.<br />
I am continuing to work on the Kickstarter book as that project has
been way, way overdue. There are so many great news images to put into
the book that I’ve had to anguish over which images to let go of in
order to bring the new ones in. It’s a bit like trying to freeze the
river of time…you cannot, you can only make adjustments to each new bend
in the river and keep doing your best.<br />
There is another very large, long-term project that I am embarking on
as well, but I am unable to discuss it right now but eventually I hope
to share it all with you. My readers and supporters have been so kind
and generous to support my work year after year… it means more than you
know. Recently I learned that thanks to all of you, you have put my
calendars in the #1 and #2 ranking in Amazon under the Architectural
calendars category! Thank you so much as this is a big honor and
difficult to achieve, but your support has made it happen!<br />
<br />
The moon is just about fully eclipsed now, so I am going to sign off
for the moment and don my down coat and warm winter boots and go out and
stand under the stars and bear witness to the Great Mystery; the
spinning of wheels within wheel and circles within circles that hold us
together and keep us expanding out with our curiosity and our
creativity. May you continue to find and nurture yours and may you find
yourself being surprised by something delightful and unusual in your
world wherever you are. Magic is everywhere, you just have to be open to
letting it reveal itself to you.<br />
<br />
Bright Blessings to one and all<br />
<div class="entry-meta">
<span class="entry-categories"><br /></span><span class="entry-tags"></span></div>
Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-3465813328929845552018-08-05T13:17:00.000-04:002018-08-05T13:17:33.951-04:00Of Land art, other artists and dealing with criticism in perilous timesFrom my blog on my new website - <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/" target="_blank">https://sallyjsmithart.com/notes/</a><br />
<br />
(warning this is a rather long post)<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_SPI_22_13_Slate-Spiral_2801_W.jpg"><img alt="spiral of leaves on slate" class="alignleft wp-image-1933 size-custom-thumb-1" height="100" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_SPI_22_13_Slate-Spiral_2801_W-100x100.jpg" width="100" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Recently
I had the misfortune of receiving a very hurtful email from someone I
had previous thought of as a friend. Emails are slippery forms of
communication and poor ones too, as I'm sure we've all come to
experience at one time or another. Things get taken the wrong way. Or
too much is said in a heated moment. We are instantly hit with regret
the second AFTER we hit the "send" button.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
So it is entirely possible that the person who wrote to me may have
been thinking she was being helpful by offering me "professional" advice
about my work. But instead what I saw being offered was a series of
cutting remarks, each one finding fault in my work from her supposedly
vastly "superior" perspective .</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
As artists who put their work out there for the public to view and see,
we get these sorts of reviews from time to time. Frankly, they suck.
Not because the person is right (though they sometimes may be) but
mainly because (as in this case) such messages do nothing to acknowledge
the true vulnerability it takes to bring one's work to the world and
put it out for all to see. The act of being vulnerable is becoming more
and more difficult these days as those with a loud and angry voice seem
more bold and justified and speaking "their" truth without carefully
considering how it feels to be on</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> the receiving end of such speech.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_SPI_17_13_Pussywillow-Spiral_W.jpg"><img alt="a spiral made from leaves and lfowers on a bed of moss" class="alignright size-custom-thumb-1 wp-image-1928" height="100" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_SPI_17_13_Pussywillow-Spiral_W-100x100.jpg" width="100" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> For those of us who happen to be highly sensitive types (see this movie trailer for a beautiful movie about the topic <a href="http://sensitivethemovie.com/">HERE</a> ) the days of feeling the internet is a wonderfully magical world full of diversity and opportunity are coming up against the Dark side of humanity and we are seeing social media (and all media) grappling with a mean, ugly and dangerous force that appears to be getting unleashed upon us. My former friend's email was soaked in that energy.... the righteousness streak that so many now feel empowered to put forth without taking into account how much words can hurt.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_SPI_20_13_Slate-Spiral-2_2813_W.jpg"><img alt="a spiral of leaves and flowers on slate" class="alignleft size-custom-thumb-1 wp-image-1931" height="100" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_SPI_20_13_Slate-Spiral-2_2813_W-100x100.jpg" width="100" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How do we deal with this anger and righteousness? How do we deal with painful remarks made from a place of pain, masked as empowerment and "free" speech? For myself, I go first to seeking my own inner guidance system. How do the words make me feel? Good or bad? If good do I deserve to receive these words of praise and support? Have I made good effort over time or done something useful/helpful/meaningful that has helped another? If so then I am grateful that my actions have been well-received and have brought something positive to someone's life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> If I feel bad by what has been said, I reflect: do the words have any basis in fact? Have I caused harm? Betrayed a boundary? Disrespected myself or another? If so, then I take stock. Ask forgiveness. Make adjustments. <strong>If</strong> however their words do not apply to what I have done in the world, then their words must <em>not</em> be ABOUT me at all, but more, they must be about the pain that the speaker may be in. It is important to be able to take responsibility if that is appropriate for the feedback I am receiving....but equally important is to realize that the feedback may not have anything to do with me, except that I am a convenient mirror upon which to spit. But I am NOT the mirror. None of are. We are uniquely ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_SPI_9_13_Floating-Sunflower-Spiral_2974_W.jpg"><img alt="a spiral of sunflower blossoms floating on a pond" class="alignright size-custom-thumb-1 wp-image-1920" height="100" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_SPI_9_13_Floating-Sunflower-Spiral_2974_W-100x100.jpg" width="100" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> So when my former friend tried to cut down my work as an environmental artist, saying that I should try to find my own voice instead of emulating the works of far better land artists, it took me back a bit. I was very hurt. I looked within and took stock. And interestingly ended up reading some of my own words on the subject which I had just published on my new website: (<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/greenspirit-arts/more-about-environmental-sculpture/">link to page</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <span style="color: green;"> ..." For those people who may feel that environmental/land artists like myself are merely copying other land artists who have come before I would say this: of course you are entitled to your opinion, however each person who piles up pinecones in a forest or seashells on the beach is expressing a primal desire which is enshrined in the human experience: humans <em>want</em> to make beauty with nature. We have been doing this since we started applying ground stones and berries to cave walls. Certainly some artists are more gifted than others and some artists have had enormous commercial success with their work…which they deserve for all their cold, early mornings and frozen fingers when the rest of the world is snug and warm.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: green;"> But just because one land artist’s piece may remind you of another artist’s work, be assured, none of this is meant to be “copying”. It could never be actually because no two stones nor sticks are the same, therefore each artist has their own relationship to the environment and the materials that landscape presents…and we each have our own way of working with those materials that is a discovery process of its own. " ...</span></span><br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_LGWK_12_10_Dandicircle_3160_W.jpg"><img alt="A circle made from dandilion seed heads in a green meadow at sunset" class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-2000" height="200" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GSA_ES_LGWK_12_10_Dandicircle_3160_W-150x150.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> So dear reader, if you have come this far in today's blog post, I am exceedingly grateful for your patience and perseverance in allowing me to share this moment of painful exposure, and my options on how to process the pain. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Some profound words also came thru today form one of my former astrology teachers and I would like to direct you to his "Cosmic Weather report" post...which you can find <a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Acceleration-of-Purpose---Saturn-Trine-Uranus.html?soid=1102009605832&aid=fyePVY9JQ4w">HERE</a>. Here is a snippet from his post that really spoke to me today:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">"Though it can sometimes seem meaningless, your life has a purpose that is both uniquely specific to you and generic to the species. The generic part that we all share is that you came here to express the love packed into your soul. The personal part is that you have to find your own authentic way to do that, which will put your shoulder to the wheel." - Mark Borax</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> For myself, as silly and fluffy as my environmental work may seem, it is the work I have been given to do... to create some sort of reminder that life on earth is meant to be a co-creative experience with and in honor of the earth herself. And that we as a species need to do much, much better at respecting the delicate balance that is provided to us here on this gorgeous planet we call home. We are out of balance with the natural eco-systems that have shaped and evolved the beauty we see. We must not ruin it further. Most land artists innately know this and their work is an expression of the deep love and respect they have for the natural world. We seek to raise up the collective awareness about the fragile beauty of the earth and our need as a species to be more diligent in using technology and resources more wisely and protecting what we have still from further damage. It is a big task. Let's get busy and each be the change we want to see.</span><br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/About-the-artist_dedication_.jpg"><img alt="a view of the earth from space" class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-2958" height="150" src="https://sallyjsmithart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/About-the-artist_dedication_-150x150.jpg" width="150" /></a>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-1064193113649460462018-08-02T12:45:00.001-04:002018-08-02T12:49:58.205-04:00Tiny Matters (from my new blog)<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKvRNBdGCmPJdZ0nwGJak_UOvM4bQyfZ2COYr3w0YExqRk4rRH1gk_Fv8yFutpXbOA3ARvP7JjMEKOstnN84a_j-ru3l_yrZHA2zENouCHKoa9H26WqBOB9EoJpYAZxQrLdsiq__FLCw/s1600/Tiny+Toad_Sallyjsmithart-com_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="800" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKvRNBdGCmPJdZ0nwGJak_UOvM4bQyfZ2COYr3w0YExqRk4rRH1gk_Fv8yFutpXbOA3ARvP7JjMEKOstnN84a_j-ru3l_yrZHA2zENouCHKoa9H26WqBOB9EoJpYAZxQrLdsiq__FLCw/s200/Tiny+Toad_Sallyjsmithart-com_blog_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(re-printed from my new website: <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/">https://sallyjsmithart.com</a> )</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> It has been a strange summer so far. For us, it is now official; July 2018 has been the hottest month on record according to the local NOAA weather station. And it was very dry too. I know that weather is not climate, but I also know that things are trending in a direction that implies big changes are happening right in our own backyards. Anyone who has lived in this region for more than 20 years can see the changes themselves in the weather, the animals and even the plants. It is all unsettling for those of us who live close to the earth and love the diversity with which we like to track the seasonal rhythms.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Here where I live, one of the things we'd look forward to in mid summer was the hatching of the toad population. This generally occurred in mid July. Sometimes the 3rd week but most often it was right in the middle of July that we'd see them appear....the tiniest of perfectly formed toads. So small that 2 could comfortably sit on a dime with space in-between them.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> It was a milestone we could always count on, like the arrival of the first ripe strawberries, or fireflies in June. Or hearing the Whip-o-will up on the corner by the deep forest, or the first song of the Tree Frogs in May. All harbingers of the cycle of summer. Just as the goldenrod starting to bloom and monarch butterflies signal the subtle shift in the tilt of the earth's axis towards autumn. But the toads were always a highlight. There would be scores of them all around the perimeter of the house....probably due to all the great toad holes all my gardens provided. There would be so many that I'd have to warn visitors to mind where they stepped because the tiny creatures could not get out from under a footfall in enough hops, so we needed to be careful.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> But this year was hotter than ever. And drier. And though I kept hoping to see them, the tiny toads remained elusive. I suspected it might be a "bad" year because I saw only 2 adult toads in my garden all spring/summer which was for me a record low number. Still, I was hopeful that perhaps the toads where just hiding deeper in their holes or under the leaves due to the scorching sun. And I waited. And waited. And began to give up hope.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Then last week the weather turned and we had a few damp, grey days...and some vitally needed rains. And finally, today, nearly 2 weeks late, I spied 3 baby toads in the garden and was much relieved though I know that being 2 weeks late may mean they may not have the right kind of insects to eat, or they may face larger predators since the snakes and birds did not slow down their raising of young. So, when I find them, I rejoice and move the ones I find in the driveway over to the gardens, hoping that will help them survive a little better.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I'm reminded of the story about the thousands of starfish washed up on the shore after a storm and how one person was tossing them back into the sea to save them. A passer-by stopped and commented about how futile the gesture was... how it ultimately could not make a difference because too many were washed up and would die anyways. The first person just stooped and picked up another starfish and threw it in the water. "Maybe" they said "But at least I can make a difference for THAT one".</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What difference will you make this week, for the tiny things of this earth?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6BDKNJTsQNQ-FsCl1MedP9P1tqaTgT8zpmMjQiXFWxmJZccwh3TFU_UNFnzPCrHIvauQ_BZMzVuyGPb3gAHDgMKbjgm1r0qjOzVHFBdTK8U1BAPWWYQrjtvnA8_88L_kZXRmKRRY9EE/s1600/Tiny+Toad2_Sallyjsmithart-com_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="800" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6BDKNJTsQNQ-FsCl1MedP9P1tqaTgT8zpmMjQiXFWxmJZccwh3TFU_UNFnzPCrHIvauQ_BZMzVuyGPb3gAHDgMKbjgm1r0qjOzVHFBdTK8U1BAPWWYQrjtvnA8_88L_kZXRmKRRY9EE/s320/Tiny+Toad2_Sallyjsmithart-com_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-87451751172911038312018-07-24T16:23:00.001-04:002018-07-24T16:23:09.932-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzBEjBfYkKV2KT6XdzLQVzItQhyjn1PZawaocQoQY-qzXQADzLRnao8Go5OTqCIvJWn-IRTyFoms3-z6uJuw6-T-8tXFtGtZpyhfPosH1CcJDjwFzSaZgNZmtiQxR89xh3qLe9qooIP0/s1600/Lily-blossom_Gratitude_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzBEjBfYkKV2KT6XdzLQVzItQhyjn1PZawaocQoQY-qzXQADzLRnao8Go5OTqCIvJWn-IRTyFoms3-z6uJuw6-T-8tXFtGtZpyhfPosH1CcJDjwFzSaZgNZmtiQxR89xh3qLe9qooIP0/s200/Lily-blossom_Gratitude_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’ve been working a lot at my computer lately…. too much actually, as I
try to learn and understand how to be a better content contributor to
this world and as I learn how to manage and maintain this new
cruise-ship of a website. However, eventually the brain can only absorb
so much new information and it becomes necessary to get up and MOVE the
body.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since I work at home, I have the great luxury of just stepping
outside my door into my garden and doing a bit of garden maintenance.
Like many parts of the country we’ve been suffering under unusually hot
and dry conditions the past 6-8 weeks so there has been a lot of
watering that has been needed just to keep the plants growing and
prospering. I love watering… pouring water onto thirsty ground is a very
satisfying endeavor especially when the plants so willingly reward the
action with beauty, fragrance and fruit. I know that gardening-as-life
metaphors are as abundant as weeds and blooms and most are better
written than I could ever hope to accomplish given my skills as a
writer. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But the ability to appreciate, quietly in the moment, from a place of
inner wonder and delight is something we all seem capable of doing. And
the good news is that at any unexpected moment, we can be caught off
guard and slip into a moment of reverie which is often followed by a
feeling of gratitude for being alive. Pure and simple. This experience,
of feeling gratitude seems to open us up, however slightly, or briefly
(or permanently in those bigger experiences) and it allows us to feel
connected to something greater than just ourselves…. even if we cannot
define it, there is something inexplicable about how a simple delight
can open the human heart up, allow us to take a deeper breath and for a
moment, forget our troubles and sit in a state of contentment.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Watering finished, I was trimming out the spent blossoms of feathery
Astilbe and cutting back the faded leaves of the Columbine plants when
all of a sudden, my nose was tickled with a honey-sweet fragrance that
filled the air with perfume. I stood upright trying to locate the source
when it became rather obvious… the tall lily that my sister had given
me last year was finally in bloom and it was glowing with magic and
fragrance.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I stood still, drinking it in, eyes closed. When I opened my
eyes, a butterfly was trying to do the same but the bloom was huge and
even though the butterfly was large, it was not easy for it to get to
the sweet nectar. I watched as it pushed this way and that, trying to
reach inside the large trumpet. Finally the geometry of wings and petals
aligned and the butterfly was able to slip along the petal edges into
the inside of the enormous bloom for its sweet reward.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That is us, I thought… just trying to find our way to the sweetness
in life. And here it is all around us. We just have to work patiently
and courageously and eventually the geometry of the Universe lines up
and assists us in reaching our moment of delight.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Sure,” I can hear you say… “easy for you to feel…in your
garden…. with butterflies and blossoms all around. But what about me,
stuck here in ______ ” (fill in the blank with your current situation
right NOW). So here’s the thing, these moments are available to us all
at any time. Just take a moment to look away from your screen…and
observe your unique surroundings…in your office, in traffic, wherever
you are…. pause, go ahead, look now… without trying to see anything in
particular, just look. There will be something that catches your
attention. Let it. Dust in sunlight. The color of a co-workers shirt,
the shimmering air on a distant horizon, the smell of coffee brewing
down the hall…. it does not matter what it is, just <em>let</em>
yourself be captivated. Let your attention narrow to that one bit of
attention-getting stimulation. Drink it in. And realize that no matter
what it is that grabbed you, it has its origins in the earth.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Everything</em> that we see, everything that we smell, everything
we sense with our bodies comes from the earth. Even the concrete, steel
and plastic of the modern built world all comes from the earth in one
form or another. Let that part of you that is of this earth connect to
these manifestations of earth and let the boundaries dissolve, just a
little so you can feel the alchemical connection between you and the
Earth-as-provider of all we see and need. Let that understanding in and
let it fill your heart…close your eyes if it helps you sink into the
awareness…. breath in the simplicity of you and the Earth, here as
connected beings in this one, singular moment.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That is it. The secret of rejuvenation, centering and appreciation is
rooted in being present in the moment and using our attention to
consciously focus, for a small period of time, on our connection to this
earth…our home, and let that connection resonate in our being for as
long as we wish.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Bright Blessings to you</span></span><br />
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Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-32158478266860650182018-07-20T11:28:00.002-04:002018-07-20T11:28:38.447-04:00FLASH SALE 30% OFF!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I’ve just been notified that Amber Lotus is having a <span style="color: magenta;">FLASH</span> sale on my calendars with a huge discount of <span style="color: magenta;">30% off!</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The sale is an anniversary present from Amber Lotus to all their best
customers in honor of their 30 years in business. However, this sale is
very time sensitive…and it expires at 11:59 PM (Pacific time) on July
22nd.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can see the calendars <a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/shop/calendars/">HERE</a> on my NEW website, or if you already know what they look like, you can go <a href="https://www.amberlotus.com/fairy-houses-2019-wall-calendar">HERE</a> to purchase the Fairy Houses wall calendar and don’t forget the <a href="https://www.amberlotus.com/fairy-houses-2019-mini-wall-calendar">mini calendars</a> too! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can use the coupon code below only once but it is good for any 2019 dated product in Amber Lotus.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is the code to use to get your great discount:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;"><strong>30YEARS</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Happy Shopping Everyone!</span></span>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-47737000568644295632018-07-12T15:37:00.000-04:002018-07-12T15:37:12.196-04:00Hemp Faerie House now showing at the Santa Fe Art Festival!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Greetings Everyone!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm so thrilled and honored to share that my very special Faerie House made of Hemp is now being shown at the prestigious Santa Fe Art Festival! If you are in the area this is a fabulous venue of amazing art. I am being represented by Mia Feroleto. Do check it out if you are planning to go to the festival.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.artsantafe.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> is a link to the Festival's website : <a href="http://www.artsantafe.com/">http://www.artsantafe.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I won't be attending but the house will be there. If you want to read more about how it was created, <a href="https://greenspiritarts.blogspot.com/p/hemp-house-project.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> is the story.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8c5vQfRRlBu918bBSE8GDIdkpFv4jCpkc2SuILtWUkhpEYyMwqDQxmGCGx0CLXYZoD5Zmyuq5jENJUsJRLqqfpBOZQEbFV1h_vcKEf1beACMTG3u84FOLsLgtaPZAwX3SEUuZwYPDCk/s1600/Enchanted+Faerie+house_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="800" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8c5vQfRRlBu918bBSE8GDIdkpFv4jCpkc2SuILtWUkhpEYyMwqDQxmGCGx0CLXYZoD5Zmyuq5jENJUsJRLqqfpBOZQEbFV1h_vcKEf1beACMTG3u84FOLsLgtaPZAwX3SEUuZwYPDCk/s320/Enchanted+Faerie+house_greenspiritarts_blog_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2412460656179818048.post-44994398009047924042018-07-12T12:56:00.000-04:002018-07-12T12:56:11.318-04:00Please visit my new website!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Hi Everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am thrilled to bits to be able to announce that my new website is now up and running!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please come on over and take a look.... there is LOTS to see!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://sallyjsmithart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> https://sallyjsmithart.com/</span></a><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Sally J Smith, Environmental Artisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05596181176999471412noreply@blogger.com0