What a fantastical year it has been!

     I made a move of 2,000 miles back to the west coast.  I had my first non-white Christmas and warm Christmas in 22 years.  And although this year saw some crazy warm temperatures in some parts of the country, the mid-west where I moved from saw cold and snow.  A Christmas as usual for them.  But I had toasty toes for this December. 

     I joined the Arcanum Magical Academy of Artistic Mastery in December of 2014.  Which means that photographically I have been on a magical journey for all of 2015.  I have learned so much.  Not just about photography, but also about me.  I will be continue to ride the magic carpet of photography into 2016.

​     Hang on tight as we get ready to take off into another year full of adventures!

     
     Please tell me that I'm not crazy.  Or that I didn't have one cup too many of eggnog.  When I look at this photo I see an Ent.

     You recall the Ents from Lord of the Rings? The mythical trees that walk and talk?  Doesn't this tree look like an Ent to you too?

     Sound off in the comments and let me know.  Do you see it or should I put down the eggnog?

     By the way, this image isn't available for purchase, but I do have several tree images available in my gallery.  But if you find that you really do want my photo of an Ent, contact me and I will make it available.

​     Don't forget to sound off in the comments!  

     My wish this Christmas is for everyone to have a safe and happy holiday.  That you will not find any lumps of coal in your stockings and maybe even a present of two.

     Gather your family and friends around you and be thankful for them.

​     From me to you - Merry Christmas!

     You know the kind of day I mean when I say a day of self doubts.  You've created something that you really like.  Actually, you're quite excited by how it turned out.  You can't wait to show it off.

     And then you hear it.  That little voice in your head starts getting louder.  Are you sure? This is really different from what you normally do.  What were you thinking?  Why would anyone like this? 

     If you let it the voice will go on and on.  Before long you will be asking yourself those questions.  You will take over the work of that nagging little voice.  Your excellent work of creativity will sit on the shelf where no one will see it.  Ever.  Because that little voice has convinced you that what you do is of no value.  To anyone, not even you.

     It doesn't matter what it is that you do.  Whether, like me, you are a photographer, or painter, or whether you bake the best tasting pies in town, we all fall victim to the voice of self doubt.  But today I am going to remember the words of van Gogh and get back to work doing what I love. Enough of this nonsense and voices in my head!

     “If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”  
​Vincent van Gogh

     No, I am not perfect.  Are you?  I hope not because I don't think it would be any fun at all.

     When I am out photographing the beauty found in nature I am always looking for the imperfect.  The broken stem, bruised petals, or oddly shaped.  These are the things that interest me.  They catch my eye and draw me in.  You will find these imperfections scattered throughout my images.  I hope they catch your eye and draw you in.

​     What about you?  Do you like the imperfect in nature?  Let me know in the comments.

We have two reasons to celebrate today at Cheryl Day Photography!

First, and most importantly, you can now purchase prints of my photos.  Just click on any image that you want and you will immediately be taken to my fulfillment page at Fine Art America.  From there you can select the size print you want.  Canvas, print, framed, unframed, the choice is all yours.  Plus you can also have the pictures printed on several other items.  So now my photos can be integrated into your home decor in a number of ways.  Celebrate with me by checking out all the options now available to you.

Oh, the second reason to celebrate?  It's my birthday!!!  Help me celebrate by checking out my site and maybe your gift to someone else (hint, one of my prints) will be a great gift for me.  Let's dance!

     Did you know there are 250 whites in the Benjamin Moore catalog?  That's a lot of white and shades of white.  Simply White OC-117 is just one of them.

     This doesn't mean that we have to rush out to change the color scheme in our homes.  But it does make me stop to think about the color white and its impact in our lives.

    White is a perfect balance and harmony because it is all colors coming together as one.  White is also the color most associated with innocence, freshness and simplicity.  With all that in mind incorporating white into our homes is a good thing.  For the many that live in apartments white is generally the basic color of your walls.  And not every landlord will allow you to paint the walls a different color.  We are surrounded by white.

     Think about a white wall.  Now picture it adorned with photos of white flowers in thin black frames.  It's a rather stunning and elegant look.
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Definitely something to consider. 

     Above the sofa is a great place to put your newly acquired pictures.  Most people hang their photos too high.  Remember you want to be able to see the photos comfortably.  This means the center of your photo should be at eye level.

     Scale is something else to consider. According to Art.com directer of merchandising, Linda Crisolo, art work above the sofa should be at least two-thirds the size of the sofa.  What this means is if your sofa is nine feet long your art work should take up six feet of space.

     If you have a grouping of photos look to balance them visually.  Because we look from left to right keep the larger photos on the left and bottom.  I find it helps to lay the photos out on the floor first.  It helps to get them just the way you want them before hanging them and realizing you don't like the look.  Another hint is to trace you photos on brown paper.  Now you can us blue painters tape to hang the paper on the wall.  This will let you move them without damaging the wall until you like the look of the arrangement. It will also make it easier for you to know where to put the hanging hardware.

     That's a few hints to help with hanging your newly acquired art work.  Now it's time to go hang some photos!

    Look around your home.  Are your walls bare?  Perhaps there are some photos.  Think about how looking at your walls makes you feel.  Empty? Blah? The feeling is almost like being lonely isn't it?

     What would your rather feel when you walk into a room?  Happy?  Relaxed?  Peaceful?  Buying artwork and then hanging it on your walls will fill your home with warmth and a sense of belonging.  The room becomes filled with the emotion that the picture exudes.

     Take my son Ryan, for example. He is a software engineer.  Which basically means he sits in front of a computer and writes code all day.  When he comes home he doesn't find bright colorful pictures relaxing.  So he chooses photos that are minimalist in nature.  That's what relaxes him at the end of a long day.

     Choose whatever fills your needs for your home.  Be as wild or as sedate as you want when choosing your artwork.  But choose something.  Don't leave your walls bare and the room lonely.

     Today's photo is for my son.  I hope you find some pleasure in it, too.

Things are all shook up here at Cheryl Day Photography!

The site has an entirely new look.  It's fresh, clean and easy to navigate.  Plus there are many new images just waiting for you to view.  You can hop on over to the galleries to check out all the images.

But wait, there is more to come.  You will now see regular blog posts that you really will enjoy.  New images will continue to be added on a regular basis, too.

The best of all the changes will be the addition of a shopping cart to allow you to easily purchase the images you should have in your home or office.  You will be able to purchase a variety of sizes to accommodate your decorating needs.
So stay tuned.  The fun has just begun.