Sunday, January 9, 2011

Mosaic Monday: My Blue Period



I wanted to show you a few of the fine art nature images that I've been shooting and editing recently. Let's call it my blue period... just like Picasso, except without the incredible talent. lol

I think it is something of an odd feeling when inspiration overtakes you. I remember seeing the sunlight hitting the weeds in the garden, and picking up the camera to go out and see what I could record... nothing more planned than that. When I opened the images in Photoshop, I have no idea what made me begin to edit them with these particular blue tones.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is this -- when you begin an art or craft project, do you have a firm idea in mind, or do you just let inspiration lead you where it may?

Inquiring minds want to know. :)

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

64 comments:

  1. Mary, I love your blue mosiac, it is my favorite color. The photos and the colors are beautiful

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  2. blue is my fav color too. the photos are very impressive.

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  3. What beautiful photography! It looks very different from my landscape! Happy Monday! ♥

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  4. Gee, these are magic!! How I miss not having an SLR...:(

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  5. Hi Mary!
    Lovely blue fading mosaic of landscapes you are showing!
    A wise man said that the art is not done frome inspiration - it is done with transpiration...You know, blood sweat and tears.
    Sometimes when I take my photos I have an idea to realize, and some times the pics are better than the ideas; sometimes the idea only ends as an illusion in my mind, and sometimes my pics will sleep and grow in my computer, and wake up to a full graded picture in another day, when I see it with another eyes...
    Have a nice week!
    Best wishes!
    AnnA

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  6. Mary - so nice to be able to participate again - it's been a while with crazy schedules, and trying hard to stick with my 365 project. I was successful last year - and now I am trying for year 2! What am I crazy??

    But I am happy to be back! Your shots are magnificent as usual. Even weeds look great when we see them thru your lens!

    Often times when I get my camera out - I take specific pictures thru different seasons (funny that is what my post is today) and then love to see how they look when they get put together. Other times I will just pour thru my photo's and see if anything inspires me, and then just go from there!

    Happy Monday!

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  7. I wish I could answer you - but I don't have artistic talent at all, so don't really know about that kind of inspiration. What I can do though, is appreciate - and your photos are lovely to look at.

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  8. Hi Mary -- When I head out with photographing in mind I am not looking for anything in particular.

    Thats where the Seren-dipity part comes into play-- the happy accident! It's being able to see the ART when you get to the processing part that is my biggest challenge.

    I love the "blue hour" yanno that one hour before the sun heads down-- it really does put a blue cast to so much.

    Have the best week hon!

    Watching for the beauty in my life.
    Claudia

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  9. They're beautiful pictures. I think sometimes we go out to do something and we do it just as we planned, like when we cook something from a recipe and follow it to the letter. Then sometimes the creative spirit hits us and we deviate from the recipe or the plan and put a little of ourselves into the project, thereby making it truly us, like you did with your blue photos. I don't believe weeds have ever looked more beautiful!

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  10. The blues are simply beautiful!

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  11. I never know what I'm going to come up with when I start editing my images. Once in a while I'll think a photo needs to have a very soft, romantic, almost lacy look to it, but I never know.

    I will admit I was working on some blue images myself today!

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  12. Your beautiful blue images make me feeling anything but :-)

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  13. Your blue images have inspired me! I have so little time to edit images, but I think I need to make time. Beautiful Mary!

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  14. Such icy blue beauty! Thanks Mary.

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  15. January IS blue isn't it! These re all such fantastic photos!

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  16. I follow my inspiration, and it doesn't work well for me unless I have some, or am very moved by something emotionally. Your blue study is exquisitely beautiful. Thanks for sharing, and for hosting every week! My favorite blog "party."

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  17. That is sooooooo pretty. You have amazing talent too. And I love the musical selection too.

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  18. Your images are stunning, Mary. And since blue is my favorite colour, your blue period is particularly attractive. I'm especially partial to that last image.

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  19. Oh, and I think inspiration comes both when we are intentional, paying attention to the muse, and also serendipitously, like a gift on a rainy day.

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  20. Your blue pictures are lovely! I think you have just as much talent as those great artists! I'm not sure great art can be planned....it has to be inspired! Carla

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  21. Beautiful mosaic Mary. I try to start a project with a certain goal in mind, but it never turns out that way.

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  22. i love the whole idea of inspiration. it is as if
    we inhale the idea and exhale the baby. for me,
    it is never planned but always appreciated.

    your blue period is gorgeous.

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  23. OMG, I love your art, winter blues!

    I have so many unfinished projects. Sometimes, I complete a few, but most of the time, I will finish what I start.

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  24. Hi Mary
    I really should learn to use photoshop - love the blue tone you gave this photos.
    My best plan is to follow inspiration too.
    Judith

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  25. Inspiration? Not I. I feel as if I am missing that gene altogether, but you! Your photography is incredible and the inspiration that whispers to you is pure delight.

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  26. Hi Mary
    Good question. I try to be creative. As in my post today. I had not idea I was going to make a sachet with a bow or bath salts. I had to make a gift for a friend. She is having a baby, so I gave some money and then I thought I would make her a gift and then I made myself a gift. Wow!!!
    Also I love the blue. January is a blue month....January blahs.
    xo
    Betty

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  27. Your work is beautiful, very inspiring, love all of it!

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  28. Sources of inspiration are everywhere I look and more often than not, I look through the lens with an eye for composition and let the light, color and subject just happen. I love the surprise of photo editing, but usually for me it's minimal and most shots are straight out of the camera with some croping.

    Your blues are very wintery and inspiring. The macro shots with the blurred background are stunning. Love taking closeups and macros of still life and nature.

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  29. Your 'Blue Period' is very beautiful, Mary! We have some of the brightest, clear blue skies in winter. I do think the light on a particular day directs the process.

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  30. Oh Mary this is just stunning.. I love each one.
    xo

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  31. beautiful shots

    i let the muse lead me

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  32. very nice blue photos today, mine are blue too, but are teacups

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  33. Mary, it will be a rare Monday when I'm not on your Mosaic Monday blog. I love it!! So much fun to develop a mosaic.
    Love all of your blue!!
    Have a blessed week,
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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  34. WOW! Such wonderful images; congratulations!

    Blessings,

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  35. Stunning photos Mary! You never fail to impress me.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  36. I dunno, I think I beg to differ on Picasso having talent. I'd much rather look at one of your beautiful photos than anything of his. :)

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  37. Those are beautiful images! They are cool and refreshing. :) For my own art or photography, the idea I start with is rarely what I end with. Objects, feelings, moments, etc. influence the final product in ways I never anticipated. :)

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  38. Mary, the blue editing makes your photos look so dreamy and magical! They are gorgeous!
    ♥ Pat

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  39. Hi Mary,

    Your photography and editing is lovely. When it comes to photographing nature I usually never know where it will go. I love tree branches, tracks in snow, odd roots and other growths, etc.

    Other stuff I may have a bit of an idea but I always let my imagination run the show. :0)

    Happy Mosaic Monday to you,
    Stephanie ♥

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  40. Morning Mary, they are wonderful pictures and definitely one for the portfolio to get your photography business up and running!

    Jackie in Surrey, UK.

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  41. Stunning images Mary, the blue tones are wonderful.
    I just this minute grabbed my camera to dash outside to try and capture the amazing sunrise. Who knows it may turn out to be the subject of my mosaic next week.

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  42. The photos are very levely and the mosaic fantastic as usual.....

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  43. I think you do have the talent :) Awesome pictures, very beautiful!

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  44. I thought I left a comment but...
    So if you get two...that's ok.:)

    Everything is just beautiful...such lovely photos.

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  45. Love your photos.

    Stay warm. La

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  46. Blues are always my favorite! Stunning mosaic! Always such gorgeous mosaics!

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  47. Your blue period is simply beautiful! For me... I tend to have an idea in mind, but then the creative process takes over. I'm usually surprised with what I end up with.

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  48. Your mosaic is beautiful Mary. My favourite colour(s)... :)

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  49. Mary, You have such an artistic way with your camera. I love each shot independently, and together they are just beautiful!

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  50. Oh I love your nature shots. I was thinking of a similar post for next week. Snow with blue skies! Thanks for sharing this. Come over and see what I put together!
    Have a good week,
    Sherry

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  51. Mary you are talented!! These photos are gorgeous and inspired!
    I tend to let inspiration hit me and than run with it, if time allows:)

    This is my first Mosaic Monday in a while! Glad to be back
    Have a great week!
    Cindy

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  52. It is just so lovely that i can't fully describe it with words. I so love the softness and the hues of blue.

    I am posting my first...with lots of blue, too! :)

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  53. The photos are gorgeous...and I think just following your heart and letting inspiration take you where it may is always the best way!

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  54. Your blog has some of the absolute best photography! Mosaic Monday is one of my favorite memes for bloggers.

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  55. Icy blue is so winter don't you think. Lovely photos.

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  56. Beautiful post, Mary. Your photography is stunning ... what a gift you have.
    Happy Mosaic Monday. Thanks for hosting and sharing your lovely work.
    ~ Lynn @ Cottage and Creek

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  57. SO pretty. Love it and the blue sky look good too. Have a good week.
    Nancy

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  58. Love your blue landscapes...someday I want to learn more about photoshop ;) Perhaps next year because this year I'm concentrating on getting healthy! I'd love to grow my own fruits and veggies and then take photos as great as yours. Have a great week and thanks as always for hosting Mary. Happy New Year! Fondly, Roberta

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  59. When I paint I just hang loose and what ever hits me I do.
    I deleted my sidebar by mistake and have put you back on there. will you do the same.

    yvonne

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!