Focus on Life: Week 18 - Abstract

This week's prompt from Sally over at

the Studio Sublime for Week 18 of

Focusing on Life: 52 Photos was:

 

ABSTRACT

 

 

 

"Abstract: the use of a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.

All things have form, color, and lines; we just need to step back and step away from the literal image you see through the lens. Take into account the lines, color or form and look for a more figurative composition.  

 

Take this week and step out of reality and change your view of things!"

 

 

I adore these weekly challenges because they really get inside my head.

 

I realized this week that I might be slightly obsessed smitten with abstract.

 

I love looking at abstract photography - it's some serious business, let me tell you!

 

I came to realize that I 'see' things in abstract form most of the time.

 

I see lines, colors, forms, shapes, images within images and things of this nature with out even trying.

 

This is just the 'norm' for me.

 

Case in point.

In Rome last fall with my sister, while other people were snapping 'normal' pics of the Colosseum, I was capturing these: 

 

 

 

 

Lines, Textures, Form, Shapes, Angles, Colors, Light Play, Images within Images.

 

 

 

 

"Designs", if you will.

 

 

 

 

I love how this line meets that line or how the blue of the sky is shaped in a particular way because of the outline of the stone walls.

 

 

 

 

 

How the clouds have 'soft' lines while the stones have 'hard' lines. 

 

 

 

Or how it seems you're looking through a "key hole", viewing an ancient secret.

 

 

 

 

And even with my flowers,....I love capturing the abstract of my roses.

 

 

 

 

There always seems to be some super cool and interesting shape to photograph.

 

 

 Black dirt from by boys' gold panning trip last weekend. The sand is
surrounding a round magnet and it's making the dirt all wonky!
Cool, eh?!

 

And then, the other morning, as I was ready to get out of the shower, I saw these:

 

 

Can you see what looks almost like 'butterfly wings' in the water droplets?

 

I grabbed my camera and captured what I thought were some totally awesome ABSTRACT water droplets.

 

See how there's shapes within the shapes?

 Lines, forms, colors!

It's a whole other world in there!

 

 

Special Effects with Pixlr - Too Much Abstract Fun!!

 

 

Then, some voice inside my head said:

 

"Sometimes, I worry about you!"

 

I looked up to catch a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror.

 

There I was, in all my glory, naked in the shower, sopping wet, with my camera in hand, snapping pictures of water droplets as they rolled down the shower window!

 

"OMG!!!"

 

I am so lucky my hubby didn't walk in to see that sight because it would have given him just the right amount of ammo to have me committed to the 'Looney Bin" for sure!!

 

LOL!!

 

Someone please, PLEASE, tell me that you've gone to such crazy lengths to capture a photo with out even realizing it?!

 

 

 

Colorful Abstract!

 

 

Be sure to pop on over to the Studio Sublime and see what

perspective everyone else has this week on ABSTRACT!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Over the Moon for Abstract!

Cheers,

~Shel~

 

Window Shopping Anyone?

The fashion and shopping in Italy seemed to be just as big of an attraction as the ancient ruins and historic sights.

 

 

 

 

 

I tried to get some good shots of the window displays but it didn't really work out too well because the sun was shining so bright on the days these were shot (not to mention all the people in the plazas), so you'll have to trust me when I tell you that they were all amazing!

 

 

 

I'd love to tell you the names of some of the shops but we were running through the squares and I was snapping away with my camera as fast as I could and wasn't always able to step back enough to get the shop/brand name in most of the photos with out bumping into people or before I had to run off to catch up to Marsha and Roberta.

(They were often seen turning around asking, "Where's Shelly?!")



I noticed that although there were pops of vivid colors and wonderful textures every where,

 

 

 

And this dear friends, is how to wear a necklace with a scarf!
Their wrists are bare,...they need bracelets and bangles!!

 

 

 the displays showing clean lines and simple silhouettes highlighting black, white, cream/beige and gray for Autumn were very prominent.

 

Yes, you know gray is one of my favs! 
 



Bold Black and White
(and here I thought Cobalt Blue was the new black this season!)

 

 

The Versace window was so cool - wish I could have gotten a good shot!

And then, there were these boots!  Yep, I'm in love. Simply and utterly in LOVE!  Wild, aren't they?! I was so distracted at getting a photo of them with out some one's hand touching them, I have no idea what brand they are. (I know, I should get a fashion-ticket for that!!)

Another shopping detail was how the window displays had this electric vibe to them.

 

They seemed to come alive and evoke feelings and emotions of actually wearing the clothes and 'being' in the scenario pictured. 

Can't you just see these girls waiting for the metro, off to have a fabulous weekend?
 

Oh, and the creativity of the displays
(most of which I couldn't capture because of extreme window-glare!)
were a visual delight!

 



Shoe Trees!  Quite the forest if you ask me!

 

 

 

Works of art in themselves, I tell you!

 

 

How fun is this?!  And the music playing was great, too!

My excitement was obvious by the little squeals of joy at each window! I'm sure people were probably thinking I was some sort of nut job! At least I wasn't the only one snapping pics of the window displays and merchandise. I guess they're quite used to this by now.

Of course I did have to get some of the 'names' on camera - I mean, there's some things I just don't see every day on my way to work.

 

And, the architecture that houses these wonderful names is equally impressive, if not more, and the blend of the old and ancient with new and modern was a big time rush for me!

 

Textures mixed with smooth, clean lines and soft curves nestled among bold, sharp angles - oh my!

I know I'm kind of a freak (dork!) when it comes to drooling over the fashion scene, but really, it's one of those things that make me tick; that tickles my fancy and makes me smile inside and feel all wonderful and excited with life.

Here's a couple of pieces of jewelry that I designed to go with those gorgeous boots above and those wonderful, soft, cream and beige cashmere pieces in the windows of Rome!

Silver and white with some gray tones mixed in.

 

 

Bold Black and White

 

These pieces will go nicely with the 4 Italian leather handbags I purchased too. Now I just need to find an awesome pair of black riding boots,...like these that my sister smartly talked me out of.

 

 

 

 

See the ones right there in the middle?  Uh-uh,...I know.
Sigh,.......

 

I haven't quite figured out how to wear two pair of shoes at the same time yet and so that little detail, (coupled with the fact that I had absolutely no more room in my suite case for them) meant they were left behind in Rome. I heard them sigh a bit as I walked away! 

I may have to order them online,....

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Window Shopping!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

When In Rome,...or Venice!

So, the vacation has come to an end.

 

The little village of Sommocolonia, near Barga, Italy in Tuscany where we stayed.

 

 

The sights, sounds, smells (except for all the cigarette smoking) and photo opportunities were amazing!!

 

Colosseum - Rome, Italy. Photo by Michelle Buettner

 

 

I will be posting some great window displays every now and then over the next few months as inspiration with everything from jewelry, shoes, purses, fashion trends - the awesome ways they display products - you name it!

 

Yes, I found the Swarovski Store in Venice, Italy!!

 

 

I'm not really jet-lagged. I thought I would be but luckily I think I figured out how to program my body and brain.

 

Italy really is this beautiful.
Sommacolonia, Italy  (near Barga in Tuscany)

 

 

I'll have my Etsy shops back up the 1st week of October is all goes well. I don't have all of the new designs I wanted to have finished done yet, but hopefully I'll have a few for you.

 

Pretty Blue Turquoise in One of the Shops in Venice.
I felt right at home!! ;-)

 

 

What have you been up to in September?  Have you transitioned into Autumn yet?  Do you enjoy this season and all it's fascinating colors and jewelry styles?

 

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Returning Home!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Tempo di vacanza!

Well, I'm officially outta here!

I'm on a jet plane headed for Italy with my sister and one of my girlfriends. 

 

 

 

 



We're meeting up with my brother-in-law (who's been hiking the Swiss and Italian Alps this past week!) in Venice tomorrow morning.

 

 

 

I'm actually freaking out! Twirling my hair with both hands (which makes it hard to hold that pre-flight Bloody Mary!!), I've got butterflies in my stomach, tears in my eyes and my heart's beating way too fast! 

I've got Dean Martin singing Sott'er Celo de Roma on my iPod, Paulo Coehlo in my back pack (The Alchemist), way too many clothes in my suitcase and my camera on my hip!

 

 

 

 

We're staying at a quaint little hotel in Venice that my sis's stayed at before. We're taking the water taxi over to Murano (Glass + Beads = Sweet!), going on a gondola ride (of course!) and walking some great little paths along the canals.

 

 

 

 

After Venice we're headed down to Tuscany. Barga to be specific. The most Scottish Village in Italy. Seriously - look it up!  (I'm so psyched about this part!! You have NO idea!!) We're staying in an old farm house that's pre-WWII and survived what so much of the village did not. 

 

 

 

 

We'll be taking some day trips - one of which will include driving over to the Cinque Terre and hiking the hill top towns over there (Yes!  I get to see the water,...and a beach!!) and possibly visiting Siena and San Gimignana and going to a winery (oh yeah baby!!).

 

 

 

After that, we'll all be heading down to Rome and staying in a friend's apartment which is situated in an area that's close to the Colosseum and all the other goodies Rome has to offer.  I'm excited to get some really cool pics of all the amazing architecture and ancient ruins!  Oh, and we're going to an opera while in Rome. I know - pinch me now!!

 

 

 

 

Then there's that little nagging thing in the back on my brain that keeps the tears right there on the verge of spilling over and running down my cheeks,.....my boys will not be with me. (insert sad face here!!)

I can't tell you how much I am going to miss them. And it's not only the fact that we'll be apart longer than we've ever been apart before,...but it's the distance. Oh, geeze,...the distance. My stomach is in knots, and the butterflies are fighting and knockin' each other around in there!!  Holy Cow - this is the most difficult thing for me right now, you really have no idea!

 

 

 

 

 

 

But, I know I'm going to have fun. And, I'm with family so it's not like I'm with people I haven't traveled with before or anything like that for goodness sakes. And they're fun people to hang with, too - that's for sure. So, I know I'll be fine. More than fine,...I'll be in Italy with my sister!  OMG!

 

 

 

 

 

A long time ago, probably between 15 to 20 years ago, Marsha and I said that we'd someday to go Italy together. Well, today's the day!

 

I'll be silent here on the blog until the last week of September. I'm not sure I'll even be able to post to Facebook or anything like that (all kinds of iphone/Verizon drama!!). I know I won't have email, so there will be a lot to read when I return home! LOL!! 

I hope you all have a fabulous next couple of weeks and I'll be sure to post pics upon returning.

Until Next Time,

 

Peace, Love and Sitting Under the Tuscan Sun!

 

(oh, and fulfilling dreams!!)

 

 

 

 

 

Ciao!

 

~Shel~