Taking photographs for struct/restruct

in

I've always admired husband and wife creative teams. Two people putting their talents and abilities together to make something great happen is inspiring to me. Though I'm not technically a team member, I am happy that I have a minor role in helping my husband with his design/build company, struct/restruct. Nope, I'm not up on a roof with a nail gun or standing at a table saw or anything like that. (Heights give me butterflies and loud noises grate on my nerves.) I've been doing work behind the scenes, photographing their projects and redoing their website. The process of visiting the spaces, taking photographs, editing images, and working on the website is something I really enjoy. And I'm learning a lot too. There's still a bit more to do on the website, it's one of those things that is a work in progress and is continually growing.

Here's a preview of a few of the guys' recent projects...

The garden in black and white

in

...and one color. Isn't the red on the amaranth intense? It's as red as a poinsettia.

At this point in the season, the garden is pretty much fending for itself. Though it's overgrown in areas, it is reseeding and doing it's thing. Coreopsis and cosmos are blooming again and the Jerusalem artichoke flowers resemble sunflowers. Seeing flowers this late is refreshing. And lettuces, garlic, endive, dill, and sugar snaps have also popped up. The garden keeps on giving.

Early October alley walk

in

Photos from a walk around the neighborhood on this late Sunday afternoon. The color is beginning. Have I said before that Autumn is my favorite? I think I have.

For dinner tonight I think we'll have shiitake and wild rice risotto (leftovers), roasted butternut squash, homemade rolls (from a batch I froze), and purple pole beans that we just discovered are giving a bumper crop. (Sometimes I don't like to cook too much on Sundays.) And we'll probably watch the last episode of Longmire on Netflix; we've been really into that series. After we finish that, I'm not sure what we'll watch next. Any recommendations?

Snaps from the week

from top to bottom & left to right:

We brought in one of my new canvases. I wanted to see it on the wall, and in turn, will hopefully figure out what it needs to be completed. I like seeing it in our home and I like painting big! / A little pear tree that we planted last year gave us two pears this season. / A sketchbook entry from Monday. / Part of our shiitake harvest. Needless to say we've been giving some away, eating lots, and also drying some for winter. / Snack of local apple with cinnamon, agave drizzle, and dried cranberries. Yum. / Our Taos vacation book! I'm very pleased with how it turned out. / Jack on the table, not minding his manners, but he thinks he is. / A thrift store find, a basket for cat toys. I never have luck finding good baskets, but I like this one.

Catching up

in

August came and went and now we're already in the middle of September. Not sure how that happened. To sum things up in a nut shell, below are a few highlights from around here.

©HeatherSmithJones_LPLshow_aug14.jpg

During the month of August I was very pleased to show my work in the new beautiful Lawrence Public Library. Sometimes I like to just meander the perimeter of the library interior, and peruse the shelves. I always check out what's available in the new releases. I just finished reading "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd and enjoyed it.

A couple weeks ago we went to Wichita so I could see Lisa again, who was back in town for festivities at the Ulrich Museum. It really was a nice evening, of which I took zero photos. Sometimes I like to just be, you know? The next day, Matt and I stopped at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve on the drive back to Lawrence. We walked a trail that we hadn't before, in hopes of spotting bison. And we did! From a distance, which is preferable when they are free range. In the fourth image of the slideshow above you might see them, the black dots in the distance.

Along the drive to Atchison, KS.

Along the drive to Atchison, KS.

Here I am mixing paint for the spinner art project. (Photo by Atchison Public Library.)

Here I am mixing paint for the spinner art project. (Photo by Atchison Public Library.)

Bubble wrap printing.

Bubble wrap printing.

On Monday I went to the Atchison Public Library to do a workshop representing the LAC Arts-Based Preschool. It was a sweet group of young children and their families. They were celebrating International Dot Day so I took activities incorporating dots and circles. I think everyone had a fun time; I know I did.

A beautiful morning in the preschool garden and playground.

A beautiful morning in the preschool garden and playground.

©HeatherSmithJones_boxturtle

Teaching is underway. We're spending a lot of time outdoors in this pleasant September weather. When we're not painting with cars, or playing with homemade playdough, or hammering golf tees into styrofoam, you'll find us out observing caterpillars turning into butterflies, praying mantis, tree frogs, doing box turtle races, and of course, digging in the sand. 

Lately I've been putting together a photo book for Matt and I, a collection of photos from our New Mexico vacation this past June. I just ordered it this morning and am really excited to have it in my hands. 

©HeatherSmithJones_sunflowers

And now the signs of autumn. We notice the sun setting earlier as we take our evening walks/bike rides; dinners with garden butternut squash roasted and drizzled with agave nectar and cinnamon; oak trees full of acorns; blue September skies; delicious farmer's market apples; cooler nights and wishing we had a fire pit. Autumn is my favorite.

And oh, for local folks, I'm offering a couple photo session package specials through November. Learn more about those here. Thanks!