Nuance. . .April Moon Day 6

I'm playing along with Kat over at I Saw You Dancing 

and her April Moon reflective writing challenge.

I can't promise I will write everyday 

but I do promise to post at the very least a photo, 

 art, or some thing each day during the next 2 weeks.

Today's one word prompt is NUANCE.

Nuance - a subtle difference in...

I immediately thought of a series of photos

 I took last year at Grand Central Station, NYC.

I stood at the top of the stairs and 

captured moments in time

via double exposure.

The movement, the light,

the hustle, the stillness,

the nuance of the moment

in a single photo.

I could have taken a single exposure,

or even a series of single exposures,

but it wouldn't have had the same emotion.

It wouldn't have captured the nuance.

Two Girls on Train - Divided by Space

This was taken during rush hour...

it is rare to have an empty seat on the train.

I was fascinated by these 2 ladies.

One totally lost in her reading, unaware,

and the other totally bored but aware of all that surrounded her.

Snapping Out of Zombie Mode...

I have a day job...

a stressful,

busy,

not creative,

day job.

I've allowed the corporate stress 

to swallow me - 

thus I've been absent here lately,

and for that I apologize.

To find balance

I've been playing along with Catherine Just

during the past few months.

First in her In Plain Sight course

and I am now participating in The Deepening.

I've consciously chosen

to set my intention,

for the course, to be where I am.

To consciously notice where I am.

I live in NYC,

and I admit,

 I commute in "zombie mode".

Early Train...                     (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I get on the subway or bus and I put my nose in a book

or my phone. I ignore the person standing next to me.

By the way, they are probably standing too close,

I can probably feel their breath, 

I can tell if they brushed their teeth,

or not, after their morning coffee...

So, I choose to not make eye contact,

to not say hello, to pretend they aren't there.

This month, though, I have made a promise to myself

to notice where I am during my commute,

to snap out of zombie mode,

to deepen, to be present,

to take photos.

Discretely take photos, very discretely.

Plugged In...                     (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I'm choosing to use the Hipstamatic app

during the whole month

and to use the same film (D-Type Plate) 

and lens (Tinto 1884). 

Daydreaming Captured...        (c) 2013 Lori Moon

I am so very thankful to Catherine.

For her bravery to teach,

her ability to embrace fully what she shares but

also her willingness to be vulnerable, 

in my opinion, a good teacher shares an intimate 

part of themselves through the content of their class,

which she does with graciousness
and a tenderness that is infectious.

Something inside of me is awakening and I like it.

I promise, I'll back soon with a few additional photographs

of my travels on NYC public transportation.

May Flower Challenge - Day 29 - NYC Subway

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

Sometimes, 

more often than I like to admit,

I am oblivious,

and

I don't notice what is right in front of me.

For the past 4 years,

I have commuted to work

by entering the subway

under this beautiful mosaic.

Check out that central flower!
How did I miss this?!?

On the platform

this fire box hangs on the wall.

Check out the rust pattern -

it looks like a flower to me.

Thanks for visiting and playing along.

A flower a day during May.

May Flower Challenge - Day 28 - Allium

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

Central Park - 

you make me smile.

The Allium are in full bloom.

Thank you, Central Park,

for balancing my

concrete city life.

May Flower Challenge - Day 11

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

I'm in love with the flowering trees

in NYC.

They add a pop of color in an often 

gray concrete world.

I believe that these are a type 

of Magnolia Tree.

Please feel free to correct me.

I have been corrected! :)

These are Dogwood blooms.

What have you sketched recently?

Thanks for visiting.

May Flower Challenge - Day 10

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

I love the architectural elements

that are throughout NYC.

As I carried groceries tonight, I passed

by the Apple Bank on the Upper West Side.

I've walked past this building

hundreds of times in the past 12 years.

I never noticed the doors

until tonight - when my hands were full.

I love the flower in the center

but I also see how each square

makes a flower.

Beautiful!

May Flower Challenge - Day 2

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

On my way home from the day job 

I went through Grand Central Station recently.

Can you find the flowers in the photo below?

Here is a closer look at the curved ceiling.

In NYC you can find floral architectural elements everywhere.

The challenge is that you need to slow down to notice them

and in the city that isn't always easy.

Can you find floral architectural elements where you live?

Link you post below.

Day 1 - May Flower Challenge

I'm fascinated with flowers. 

They are all over my tiny apartment. I photograph them all the time.

I draw, paint, doodle them, create them out of paper...I also see them all over NYC. 

Each day during May I will post flowers and I hope that you will join in.

The only rule is that your blog post or flickr photo that you link much contain flowers.

Click above on the May Flower Challenge Page to learn more.

 I hope that you will play along.

On Sunday, Superman and I went to the 

Conservatory Garden in Central Park.

It is a gated park filled with beautiful gardens.

The cherry trees are in full bloom.

A mother and her daughter were sitting and drawing flowers.

This made me smile.

The tulips are also in full bloom.

Tulips always remind me of my Mom. 

Her garden has hundreds of flowers.

During this month of May, 

you will see me post every day about flowers.

Photographs of flowers: 

sketches, doodles, painted, 

collaged, cut paper, stamped, 

flowers made out of egg cartons, 

flowers found in architecture...

it is limitless.

So, let your imagination run wild and play along.

Link your post or photo in flickr and play along.

Soul Whispers... Life's better...

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjures emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

------------------------------------------------------------------

I saw this message more than once this past week.

It is part of a new advertisement for a major bank branch.

And, the best part...

I never noticed the words at the bottom

until I really looked at my photograph.

Universe, you work in amazing ways.

I love this message,

Life's better when we're connected.

It caught my attention in light 

of everything happening in Boston,

and the increased police and

 armed guard presence

 that has returned to NYC this past week.

It made me think about all the people

that are important to me.

I smiled each time I saw the message.

Days later, I took this picture 

and then saw the smaller words;

to potential

to possibilities

(I'm not sure if there are more words

this is where I unconsciously cut it off).

This made me think more.

We all have potential

and, honestly, I believe that 

possibilities are endless.

So, I want to encourage you 

to become connected

to what your heart and soul

see and feel as your potential

and then see what possibilities you have.

Life's better when we're connected

to potential

to possibilities...

A Little Found Love

Something happens when I choose to be present.

When I focus.

When I ignore the hustle of NYC.

I see love. 

I'm more grateful for where I am,

who I am with,

and what I have.

What happens when you choose to be present?

Soul Whisper - Love Yourself

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjure emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

------------------------------------------------------------------

Love Yourself

I escaped my apartment this past weekend. 

I wanted a couple of new art supplies so I ventured downtown. 

It has been a while since I've been out to do anything except go to my day job, buy groceries, or take money out of the ATM. 

This illness has kept me down, in bed, in pain, and pretty miserable - and it still isn't over. I'm doing better, and I thank you each for your kind words and love but isn't gone and quite honestly I'm running out of patience. 

But, while I was out on Saturday, I walked past this message from the universe.  It was a reminder that I needed to hear. I thank whomever wrote this on the side of a mailbox and for the wrong turn down the wrong street - which I don't believe was a wrong turn, I believe that I went the wrong way because the universe knew that I needed this message.

Love Yourself

Even when things are difficult,

or not going the way you want them to go,

even when you are struggling,

or in pain,

Love Yourself.

Actually, it is during these times 

that you need to love yourself the most.

Today, do something to nurture you - to love yourself.

All too often we are busy taking care of other people, 

doing things for others, 

getting caught up in the world around us 

that we sometimes forget

 that in order for us to be effective 

and able to do those things 

we must first take care of ourselves. 

So, today...Love Yourself.

Soul Whispers - Feel Better

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and remind me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjure emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

------------------------------------------------------------------

I've spent the past few days taking care of myself. 

(with a lot of help from Superman, Tucker & Java)

Sleeping when needed, 

watching lame television, 

drinking lots of water, 

staying in out of the cold, 

being snuggled by Tucker, 

being sick.

If I look back on the past few weeks,

I just haven't felt quite right.

I've been on the go 

traveling for the day job,

late nights while traveling,

busy days filled with stressful deadlines,

busy, busy, busy.

I know that I didn't feel well 

a couple of weeks ago 

but I was at a conference and I pushed through.

I did NOT listen to my body.

I ignored it and kept going.

I'm pretty good at pushing on.

Well, my body gave up last week

so much so that it required a visit to the doctor,

a chest x-ray,

and prescription medication.

Had a I listened a few weeks ago and paused

it may not have turned into walking pneumonia,

pleurisy and/or costochondritis. 

Sigh...

So, I've been listening for a week now.

I stayed home from work at the end of last week.

I've rested, I've slept,

I've simply been the most tired that I can remember.

I think I'm getting better.

The chest pain is little less, 

I can breathe deeper without pain,

now, this week I must remember to take it slow 

so that I continue to get better.

By the way, I'm participating in
  Vivienne McMaster's Be Your Own Beloved this month 

and I have to say thank you.
At the beginning of February, when I was pushing myself too hard,
the few moments each day that I turned the camera on myself made me pause and check in.

I truly believe that it is what made me stop and begin to take care of myself.

Thank you!

This has taught me to listen more.

To pause, when needed.

To remember that I am not Wonder Woman

as much as I want to be.

Are you listening to your body?

Remember to take care of yourself.

Feel Better

I'll be back to my more regular blog posts filled with photos and art as soon as I can.
Thanks for stopping by and staying in touch.

Soul Whispers - All I Have To Do Is Listen

It is my belief that messages from the universe speak to me and reminds me of something that is inside of me. When I first see them, I often don't even know what is really being advertised. Instead, the message conjures emotions or thoughts relating to something that is going on within me; in my heart, in my mind, in my soul. I see them on billboards, in magazines, store windows, church plaques...everywhere.

I secretly call them soul whispers.

The messages are all around us

------------------------------------------------------------------

ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LISTEN

Could the message be any bigger?

It was even written in all caps.

This time of year can be exceptionally busy. 

Often we are so wrapped up doing things for others 

that we forget to listen to ourselves, our bodies, our hearts.

This reminded me that I am not Wonder Woman

 and I have to listen to what I need. 

All I have to do is listen.

I have a tendency to do too much. 

The city does that to you. It is easy to forget to slow down.

So, this season I just wanted to remind you to listen. 

A good cup of tea or hot chocolate

and a little people watching 

may be all you need to re-energize.

Slow down when you need to 

and remember to pause.

Just repeat this to yourself...

All I have to do is listen.

Kermit and why there are less photos lately

AEDM Day 23

I'm linking up with Art Every Day Month throughout the month of November.

Creating art each day: doodling, painting, journal making, stamping, photographing, etc.

Thanksgiving, when I am in NY, for me means at least a glimpse of Kermit in person. Since I live so close to Central Park to not walk over and watch the balloons fly on Thanksgiving just doesn't make sense in my book. So after putting the turkey breast in the crock pot, Superman and I did just that yesterday morning. I always feel like a kid at the parade.

If you look closely there are windows open in the top right corner of the picture - the people there has balloon height seats!

Also, before the parade started someone had let some helium balloons go free. They dotted the sky and I tried to get a few pictures.

I recently have had a few friends express that they miss my photographs. They love the art I've been creating but they miss my pictures so I thought I would share why.

The past year has dealt me some health issues. I have fibromyalgia and have for almost 2 decades. For the most part, self-care and awareness go along way to me managing and living with it, most days I'm  fine. During the past year, I've had terrible pain in my knees and after much searching, many doctors, and treatments I've learned that it has a lot to do with my muscles being tight due to the fibro combined with all the day-to-day walking I do living in the city.

During the past year, my ability to take pictures every weekend, for hours, has been limited due to pain and/or fatigue. There have been moments of photography bliss just not every weekend.

This has pushed me to rediscover my love for ink and watercolors. 

Thus the reason that you are seeing more art.

What I've learned this past year is that when I am able to be creative (no matter what the medium) my soul dances a little and I am flying high.

Thanks for stopping by, checking in, reading along, and commenting.
Your kindness touches my heart.

Hop over to Leah's website and visit a few other creative soul's who are participating in AEDM.

Sunday Color Snippets

The flowers of the Fall always amaze me. 

I think it is because I expect flowers in the Spring and in the Fall I expect pumpkins and squash so I am always pleasantly surprised.

My recent Union Square Farmer's Market walk presented the follow beauties.

I hope your day is filled with color.

Leaves and a Plan to Make Art

Blogtoberfest: Day 13

Today I plan to create some art. I collected leaves while visiting my parents with the idea that I would stamp with them using watercolors the day before I left. However, I spent the day fixing jewelry for friends and family. 

I brought the leaves back with me between the pages of a book.

So, today I plan to stamp using them with watercolors.

This reminds me that I also want to use a Ginkgo tree leaf...I'll have to bundle up to get one this morning. It is cold outside today in the Northeast. Brrrr, winter is around the corner.

Check back later this week for a peek at what I created.

Sunday "Color" Snippets

Blogtoberfest: Day 7

My recent trip to the Union Square Farmer's Market resulted in tons of color. 

I hope your week is filled with color.

My Recent Wanderings...

Blogtoberfest: Day 4

Superman and I recently attended the DUMBO Arts Festival in Brooklyn, NY. 

Artist's studio tours, outdoor art installations, sculpture, music, tons of people.

A few of the things that I found interesting:

Performance art on sculpture under the Manhattan Bridge. Beautiful!

And, we missed how this canvas got painted but...

She is wearing the canvas. Amazing!

Have you seen any interesting art lately?