life... fresh off the backburner: thebackburnerstudio

Showing posts with label thebackburnerstudio. Show all posts

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Virginia Farm Winter

Why would newlyweds want to go to a remote farm in Southern Virginia, during winter no less, for their honeymoon? Why not?

Enclosed in this post are some of my favorite shots of that time...

I don't dare claim to be the best photographer.

As far as education goes, I took one class in art school.

I have no claims...

However, I know what I love.

I love the feel of a camera in my hands.

I crave the delicious feeling of looking at something through the viewfinder and framing it in my mind.

Just like life, photography has its disappointments...

the blurred images, the film ruined, the digital file lost,

the missed moments, and the shots that just didn't turn out like you thought they would.

But I keep on breathing.

I keep snapping shots.

It's essential... an endless pursuit even.

Whatever you love, pursue it with vigor.

Once you've captured that light once, you never want to stop.

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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Finding Linkages In Your Home Decor

ElsieBetty's Etsy Shop

Andfurthermore's Etsy Shop

CopperAndTin's Etsy Shop

When it comes to home decor, I find that I'm most inspired by pieces that reminisce time spent at my great-grandmothers' houses. Their homes both hit design peaks around the 60's and 70's; therefore, most of the items that adorned their shelves, walls, curio cabinets, beds, etc. were an eclectic mix of mid-century modern, southern, a little bit country, vintage (for their time), antiques, and even some elements of funky... my Ma-Ma Smith's love of all things green comes to mind.

Whether you love vintage or not, have pieces that actually were in your loved ones' homes, or just want to decorate with what you find, don't be hesitant to think seriously about what evokes emotions from you. Yes, it's "just a black rotary phone;" however, it can also be a linkage to something far greater.

I find pieces all the time at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores that make me say, "Hey! My Ma-Ma had that!" It's a special feeling to connect on a deeper level with that part of me... the little girl that found it fascinating to watch my grandmother make biscuits or sew a button. The connection isn't with the inanimate object... the phone, the button, the wooden flour bowl... it's with the memories. What creates a beautiful home that feels like "home" are the memories and emotions. Think of what can bring those feelings back for you or what you could see yourself creating memories amongst, when integrating pieces into your home decor.

"I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself."

--Maya Angelou

FromBrenda2You's Etsy Shop

Friday, March 25, 2011

Etsy Shop is Finally Open!! XD

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Sunday, August 29, 2010

The Ultimate Artist

I seem to be drawn to taking many landscape shots... usually moreso than any other types.

I think it's because I am always so awed by God's handiwork.

God is the ultimate artist for sure.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Digital Art: Tattoo: Ultimate Love

Tattoo: Ultimate Love by ~backburnerstudio on deviant ART

I've designed several tattoos for other people, but never had the guts to get one myself. I figured if I ever did get something, it needed to be something that really represented me and what I was about. So one night, I was playing around on the Paint program in my computer and drew out this design in simple black and white pixels. It just sort of manifested itself amongst the long night of listening to bands like Fireflight, Flyleaf, and Demonhunter. I couldn't sleep, so I just kept working on it... all the while, thinking about God, my life... faith... how he's always been there, guiding me... carrying me a good bit of the way...

After the drawing was finished, Kevin ran it through Photoshop and cleaned it up a good bit. I took that black and white, cleaned-up version and started playing around in Photoshop with it myself. This is what I produced.

One day, I may find a tattoo artist who can at least replicate the black and white version. If so, I just may get my first tattoo... one that represents me and my faith.

Jenn's Owl

Jenn's Owl by ~backburnerstudio on deviant ART

My sister, Jennifer, loves owls. I think the mini-obsession probably started with Hedwig when she began reading the Harry Potter books almost ten years ago (hard to believe they're that old now!) I drew this owl, then traced him onto tracing paper, filled it in with black, and then scanned him into the computer. In photoshop, I colored him digitally. (Still learning PS, so I played around a bit.) The original drawing is still just black and white, so that I could color him again for more practice.