Memorial Day

You cannot imagine what this looks like in person. Photos just cannot capture the powerful sight of over 2600 U.S. Flags flying in one place (one article said there were 2,749).

Each flag covered the casket of a veteran who died while serving our country. Attached to each one is a tag identifying the deceased. They are donated by the families to honor their memory on this day.

Each flag represents someone who gave up their own plans and dreams to preserve the legacy of freedom for all.

Selah.

It's a moving and humbling sight. Click here for more information.

A Love Note

I will extol Thee, my God, O King; And I will bless Thy name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:1&3


For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 9:38-39

Beautiful scriptures. The morning sun. White batting. Doll arms yet to be assembled. A pretty trim of pink hearts on white ribbon. A nice camera and just a tiny smidgen of Photoshop.

Who says God isn't into art?

Introducing ...

A few posts ago, I put up some teaser pictures of "something new" I was working on and invited you to check back. So here it is. Let me introduce you to ...Sorry, she's rather shy.She knows she is a FirstMade and for now, the only one of her kind.I think, for that reason, her name shall be "Eve."
She's already made her debut to the Tulsa Dolling Dames, who receieved her most kindly.
She is a 21 - 22" soft-sculpted art doll. She has a dancing partner on the way. He is running quite late. They are dressed up and and in clown makeup for Le Masquerade.
Eve was 'born' during the spring snow storm. It was a magical day. A dozen ladies with their beautiful fabrics and trims, busily cutting, sewing, encouraging each other and learning new techniques in our workshop with the doll's designer, Barbara Schoenoff, while the hugest snowflakes I've ever seen were tumbling down outside.Just a little note: her yellow underskirt is made from a piece of silk Joe brought back from India for me - exactly 20 years ago! (Heavens, where did the time go? Does anyone else have fabric in their stash that old?) It's been fun to see all the different interpretations of this pattern from our club. Barbara calls the dancing pair "Pas de Duex." They, and her other patterns, can be seen/purchased at Joggles.com.

Star Trek

Oh.
My.
GOSH!!
Star Trek: The Future Begins was a JOY to experience. What a great job by everyone involved. I felt proud of them and I don't even know these people. Each character was spot on. The bridge was beautiful. I usually don't notice the work of the sound engineer, but I did this time. Every little beep was perfectly placed. I love all those movie space sounds; the computer beeps & chirps, the transporter, the low rumble as the ship moves thru deep space. You must see this movie. And if you have, then you already know this: you've got to see it again.Shot these pix at the Star Trek Experience in Vegas (2003). I read somewhere that it's no longer there. Bet they're kicking themselves.

Pixelations

New header is up! Just couldn't let go of "Mystical Gypsy" but I think it works well with the byline. I really tried to think about why I have this blog, what my real purpose here is, when trying to come up with a new name. I guess it should have been obvious (photography) but I tend to over-think things. And so, may I present: "Mystical Gypsy: Life in Pixels"

I love, love, love digital photography. I've considered taking classes but there's something different about this particular hobby. I like being alone with it; working it out on my own. This is really quite unusual - normally I like to learn a new skill from someone already good at it. But this is different. Can't explain; maybe I don't want to "learn the fun out of it."

Going out with the camera is a total de-stresser. Peering thru the lens causes me to hyper-focus and the world goes away. All I can see is what's in the viewfinder. All I can think about is how it looks, interesting angles and compositions. It's like becoming one with the camera. (Star Trek fans, remember this line? "Spock, be one with the horse!" "I'm trying, Captain!")

And when I'm finished, it's off to the computer where I can get lost again manipulating the photos in any number of ways. Or not! Once in a while there's a shot that's so perfect as is. What a joy! Experimenting/learning digital editing has helped me learn to make decisions a little faster (over-thinker, remember?) I know when the picture is right. I've learned to trust my instincts more which has spilled over to other areas of life.

And that, my friends, is why I enjoy Life in Pixels!