Memorial Day, Summer Stock, and last chance to vote

.
How's that for a catch-all title?
.
First off, happy Memorial Day to all the Americans out there, and be sure to take some time out of your day to remember those whose sacrifice keeps us free.
.
Next up - Summer Stock! It is Memorial Day weekend after all, the self-declared start to the summer season, so get those cameras out and those shutter fingers ready. Summer Stock Sunday 2010 kicks off this coming weekend at 9pm Israel time, 2pm Eastern Daylight time on Saturday, June 5th - just a few more days and we're off and running - and to get you in the mood, what could be more summery sweet than a glass of freshly pressed sugar cane juice with ginger and lemon?
.

Click to enlarge

.
Speaking of just a few more days, today is in fact the very last day to vote for my portfolio in the Artists Wanted competition. At last check I had over 500 votes(!) and an average weighting of 4.7, an accomplishment which makes me both very very proud and extremely grateful to all of you for coming out and supporting me. Your votes will help put my portfolio in front of numerous industry buyers and solidify me as a serious - and commercially viable - fine art photographer, so thank you, thank you all so much. (Now what are you waiting for - go get that final click in already!)
.

Wearing your heart on your... sky?

.

Fence detail, Howth, Ireland (click to enlarge)

.
You'll all be amused (and hopefully smile ruefully but empathetically) when I tell you that I spent an enormous amount of time trying to smooth out the mask of the heart element to avoid those little jagged bits on the inside before I finally realized that they weren't sloppy masking - they were paint drips from the last time it had been painted! Like with actual paint and a paintbrush! Sheesh...
.
.
And if you'll permit me to be a bit of a pest a little while longer, have you starred my Artists Wanted portfolio yet today? Yes? Thanks! No? That's okay, there's still time to do it now :). (Look here if you haven't heard about the incredible photography contest I'm participating in. To "vote" for me all you need to do is click on the appropriate star (hint: the one on the far right is "fantastic"). That's it, it only takes a second, no registration or identifying details required, and will be very helpful in getting my portfolio in front of as many industry buyers and bigwigs as possible. Thanks so much for your help!)
.
Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies from around the world.
.

Metal Gate, Old Jaffa

.

Click to enlarge

.

Jaffa really is a gold mine for window and door photos. So many choices, so little available light...
.
I am so totally overcommitted this week it's not even funny (if you see a crazed woman running around like a chicken with it's head cut off mumbling about cameras and photo competitions don't be alarmed, it's just me). I've been trying to keep up with comments on my blog but I'm falling sadly behind. I'll get there, it may just take me a bit longer than usual. Besides the usual chaos that is my day to day life I also need to start cooking and packing for a multi-family camping trip this weekend. We're finally going back to Ganei Huga and I can't wait! (And yes, I'm bringing my camera along again.)
.
Life will slow down a bit again next week. I think. I hope.
.
In the meantime what is it they say in that movie? Just keep swimming? That'll be me, kicking those legs of mine as fast as I can just to stay in place.
.
And if you'll permit me to be a bit of a pest a little while longer, have you starred my Artists Wanted portfolio yet today? Yes? Thanks! No? That's okay, there's still time to do it now :). (Look here if you have no idea what I'm talking about.)
.

Ironwork, Old Jaffa

.

Click to enlarge

Old Jaffa, home to so many of Tel Aviv-Jaffa's art galleries and artists' studios, has some of the most amazing doorways (and old stone buildings and small winding alleyways and all-around cool stuff) in Israel. What an amazing contrast with it's modern and quite cosmopolitan next door neighbor.
.
.
If you're just checking in now, I'm competing in Artists Wanted, a very prestigious international photography competition. The grand prize is juried but the popular vote (how many people "star" my portfolio and how many stars they give it (hint: the last star on the right is the one for "fantastic") will determine how much exposure my portfolio receives from the industry professionals, gallery owners, etc. who are given access to the portfolio database after the competition ends.
.
I'd be most grateful if you would star my portfolio by clicking through to it here and then clicking on the star of your choice down at the bottom of the page. It only takes a moment and no personal identification or registration is required and you can vote again every 24 hours.
.
Thank you so much for your help in getting my work out there and in front of these key decision-makers. (And should you want to take one of these pieces home with you all the photographs in my portfolio, and many more, are offered for sale at Around the Island Photography.)
.
Visit Wordless Wednesday to see what other people aren't saying this week, and Wordful Wednesday for what they are.
.

Mazal Arieh, and some exciting news too

.
Mazal Aryeh is the name of the little sidewalk bar in Old Jaffa where this somewhat incongruous little collection is on display. Definitely one of the odder things I've seen on beer taps, but oddly appealing at the same time, and definitely red.
.

Click to enlarge

.

On the subject of red, I heard that a certain hostess with the mostest is having a birthday tomorrow so be sure to wish her well when you swing by. She's got an etsy shop too, so be sure to take a look at her lovely photos with an eye towards that blank spot on your wall.

.

Speaking of selling photos, I'll spare you all the usual blurb about my own etsy shop this week (but please, do stop by and see what's on offer if you're looking for something extra-special to bring home) and tell you all instead that I've just taken a big step and entered my portfolio into the Artists Wanted competition, a very serious (and flippin' expensive - yikes!) competition for emerging photographers.

.

I'd be most grateful if you'd click through to my portfolio and rate it (preferably highly ;)). All you need to do is click on the appropriate star, no registration or personal details necessary (hint: the 5th star on the right is “fantastic” – a 5-star rating). You can vote once every day until the contest closes.
.

My Artists Wanted Portfolio - click here to view and rate

.
Beyond the (albeit remote) chance of winning (a stupendously mindblowingly wonderful prize), the portfolio database will also be made available to a wide range of industry professionals, gallerists, etc. so I want to garner as much positive attention as possible to get my name and work in front of the people who call the shots.
.
So please - vote early and vote often :).
.
Thanks so much,
Robin
.

I need your help - and your vote!

.

Click to enlarge

.
Hi everyone,
.
I've just taken a big step and entered my portfolio into the Artists Wanted competition, a very serious (and flippin' expensive - yikes!) competition for emerging photographers. I'd be most grateful if you'd click through to my portfolio and rate it (preferably highly ;)). All you need to do is click on the appropriate star, no registration or personal details necessary (hint: the 5th star on the right is “fantastic” – a 5-star rating). You can vote once every day until the contest closes.
.
My Artists Wanted Portfolio - click here to view and rate
.
Beyond the (albeit remote) chance of winning (a stupendously mindblowingly wonderful prize), the portfolio database will also be made available to a wide range of industry professionals, gallerists, etc. so I want to garner as much positive attention as possible to get my name and work in front of the people who call the shots.
.
So please - vote early and vote often.
.
Thanks so much,
Robin
.

The countdown is on!

.

Two more weeks to go - get those shutter fingers clicking and get ready to rock the Summer Stock!

.

.

Jaffa Doorway Arch

.

Taken this afternoon in Old Jaffa (click to enlarge).

.

More doors and windows from around the world can be found here.

.

Sunflower, redux

.
.

Another one from last week's photoshoot (click to enlarge)

.

Visit Wordless Wednesday to see what else people aren't saying this week.

.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My photography is now available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
.
If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
.

Jet fuel, Robin-style

.

Click to enlarge

Because without it, this bird is grounded...

Visit Ruby Tuesday to see what other reds have struck everyone's fancy this week.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My photography is now available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!
.
If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.
.

X marks the spot

.
.

Marks what you ask?

.

Good question.

.

Let's see - temperatures are rising (and quite substantially at that in my part of the world), the pool is open for the season, the spring holidays are nearly over (just Shavuot to go this week) and graduation events are being scheduled left and right. There are blue skies overhead and the rains are over for the season.

.

Taken all together this can only mean one thing - that summer is right around the corner, and with it Summer Stock Sunday, 2010 version!

.

.

What is this Summer Stock thing you ask?

.

Easy, it's a themed photography project, and all are welcome to come play along.

.

Each week, beginning at 9pm Saturday night Israel time, 2pm EST, we'll all be sharing our quintessential summertime photos. So what says summer to you? Is it the pool? The beach? A backyard barbecue? A comfy old pair of flip-flops? Whatever summertime looks like in your corner of the world this is the place to come share it - put up your post and then come add your link to Mr. Linky. Visiting other participants is encouraged, after all, sharing is what blogging is all about.

.

This year's Summer Stock will kick off on June 5th - the first Saturday in June - so get those cameras ready and point them towards the sun (figuratively speaking of course, don't go frying those sensors).

.

Just 3 more weeks till we get this summerlong beach party rolling again!

.

Squeeeee!

.
One of my photos was accepted as a guest contribution to Fine Art Photoblog and it's just been published today! I am really thrilled to be there among such incredibly talented photographers, what an honor.

Click here to see which one gets it's name (err, pixels) up in lights.

(And did I mention "squeeeeee!"? I did. Oh. Nevermind then. Don't mind the crazy woman grinning wildly in the corner.)

And of course I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that you can purchase that very same photo, and many others, from Around the Island Photography - my online shop.
.

They don't warn you about the leaves

.
When you see sunflowers for sale in a flower shop they look so pristine - long stalk, strikingly large flower... Very simple and very dramatic.
.
In the field?
.
Not quite so much. What you don't see are all those gargantuan (and strikingly unattractive) dull green leaves. Perhaps they blend together from further away but from up close they are stunningly ugly and really detract from the beauty of the sunflowers, especially if like me you show up late enough that they're already looking a bit ragged and pointing a bit too far down towards the ground and not nearly enough up towards that beautiful blue sky.
.
So what's a girl to do if not get a bit creative?
.

Click to enlarge

Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies (and things below them) from around the world.

.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My photography is now available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

.

If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.

.

Let the sun shine in

.

Click to enlarge

.

Stained glass window high up in a small 12th century church near the Monastery of St. John in the Wilderness. (Am I remembering this correctly Dina?)

.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My photography is now available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

.

If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.

.

Jason Feddy

.
.

Jason Feddy, Jacob's Ladder late night jam, May 2010 (click to enlarge)

.

Visit Wordless Wednesday to see what other people aren't saying this week.

.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My photography is now available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

.

If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.

.

Jacob's Ladder 2010

.
Somehow I completely spaced on the fact that I needed to get my Ruby Tuesday post up this evening (I'm blaming it on the lovely cold Madame Butterfly gave me). Luckily this weekend's festival provided some options, even if you do have to look a bit to find some of the reds.
.

Henri's Notions, this year's headlining act

.

.

A bunch of folks dancing on the roof of the nearby bathroom building(!)
as the band played the final song of the weekend

.

.
A friend's guitar case, taken from the front row of one of the indoor venues
while said friend was getting ready to perform
.

.
Look here for more information about the always wonderful Jacob's Ladder Festival. In fact, why don't you grab a few folding chairs and come join us next year?
.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My photography is now available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

.

If the photo you're wishing for is something you've seen here on the blog which isn't in my etsy shop yet just let me know and I'll happily list it for you.

.

Madame Butterfly

.

.
We're back safe, sound and slightly sunbleached from another scorching hot wonderful Festival weekend. A great time was had by all - music and song were freely given and received from every imaginable corner, pools and lakes (okay, just one pool and one lake, but work with me here) were jumped into, faces were painted, juggling was attempted, fairy dolls were made, stories were told - and listened to, jams were held long past the time when all sane souls should have been asleep (I don't function nearly as well as I used to on no sleep), ice cream (and iced coffee) were consumed in vast quantities, and air mattresses remained relatively full.
.
And yes, the tooth fairy did in fact pay a very special visit to a certain tent pitched at Jacob's Ladder. Maya was a bit concerned that she wouldn't be allowed in without a festival bracelet but she did manage it after all - we suspect she simply flew over the gate, or perhaps hitched a ride on the pickup truck that was helping folks transport their gear from the parking lot to the camping areas. (Luckily the tooth fairy got a heads up that she might be making an appearance for the first time in nearly a year and prepared accordingly.)
.
All in all a successful weekend, if you discount the fact that Maya so graciously shared the miserable cold she had last week with the rest of us. More photos and stories will follow, once my head unfogs a bit. Which reminds me, has anyone seen my sudafed?
.
Happy Mother's Day.
.

It's Festival time again!

.
And again this year I have to say that it is utterly unfathomable how one family could possibly need so much crap to camp out for two nights - when they're not even bringing along food!

Tonight I'm up to my ears in tents, air mattresses, missing flashlights, folding chairs, and the inevitable laundry and then tomorrow we're off.

Have a great weekend everyone, catch you on the flip side.
.

You say it's your birthday...

.
Actually, he didn't say but my sources spies tell me that a certain photoblogger extraordinaire is achieving official curmudgeon status tomorrow, and just in time for Ruby Tuesday too. (So how old is that anyway? What's the official starting age of a curmudgeon?)
.
Not being the html wizard that our dear four-pawed friend Tonka is I'll stick to what I know - photos.
.
First, of course, there has to be a toast:
.
.
May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door, today and every day, this year and on. May your birthday be full of love and joy, and may you never lose your sense of wonder.
.
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays dear friend, and the most magical of years.
.
And you can't have a birthday without cake, of course.
.
.

Or a flower, in a virtual vase, to brighten your birthday table.

.

.
And last but certainly far from least, what's a birthday without fireworks (or is that just the flames from all those curmudgeonly candles setting off the fire alarm?).
.

.

Thank you for being such an incredible friend, always ready with a kind word or steady encouragement, reaching out to make our little corner of the internet a warmer, better place. May this be the year that your dreams come true.
.