Aj's View Through the Lens

 A few weeks ago Aj asked if he could use my camera to take some shots around the house. He proved to be a better photographer than I expected. He is a huge part of Art of Muses, but can't find time to write posts. So I have decided to share some of his photos from that day. I hope you enjoy.

 

 Unfortunately, the pictures of me cooking came out better than the corn muffins I was making, but Aj still ate them!

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These are later in the afternoon, on and around the front porch. I think I was having a serious phone call with our friend, Frank.

 

This is Bob. A long time friend of my family who is living with us. I think this picture is great. Look at the rays of light shining down on him!

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Every photographer needs some good flower shots! These are simple and beautiful.

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An artsy shot of my massive hula hoop!

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These next shots were taken in total darkness. I will never really know how he got such clear shots with no lights on and no tripod!

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Now if I can just get him to start writing, we'll be on a roll. I hope you have enjoyed this eye candy. Aj is very talented and I am very blessed to have a husband who shares a love for art in all mediums.

Making the Loop

Today Aj and I joined our great friend, and fellow artist, Gene Albritton on a scenic drive. The goal was to take pictures and enjoy the beauty that God had laid out before us. Mission accomplished! Here are a few photos from our journey. Enjoy!

I will start with what Gene called "the new growth". There were so many beautiful flowers and plants! We could have filled up the camera in one spot! Here are some violets. So small and simple, yet still so beautiful. And in three wonderful colors! I'm glad to know God likes variety as much as I do!

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We nearly drove pass the trillium. I noticed one so we stopped, then we stumbled into an entire patch. The ones with pink in the middle were new to us, we had to look them up upon our return home. Very exciting!

Sweet White Trillium (trillium simile)

Painted Trillium (trillium undulatum)

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Here is a neat plant that we found as we were collecting jewelweed. It is known as Common Jack-in-the-pulpit. (Note: We use the jewelweed to make salve for poison ivy rashes and bee stings.)

Arisaema triphyllum

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These are baby ferns, also known as fiddleheads. Unfortunately, we were too late in the season to collect them to eat. I wasn't sure about their edibility, so I sent a picture to a friend who would know. He said they were too mature thus too high in carcinogens to eat. Maybe next year!

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Here's the undisclosed road where most of the pictures where taken. The perfect amount of sun and shade!

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My favorite thing about North Carolina is how much bigger all the bugs are compared to my home state of Georgia.

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Sometimes when you want good pictures, you have to take the road less traveled. Sometimes it isn't a road at all.

Gettin' right down in it.

Aj, aka, Camera 1 (I think you can see Gene in the mirror!)

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These are the last three pictures of the journey, on our way back to civilization. Too bad we couldn't just stay out there.

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Like I said, it was a great day and the company wasn't bad either! Can't wait to do it again. Maybe next time we'll just take the tents!

-Liz Nance

Pictures by Gene, Liz and Aj!

Le projet de papier mâché

Over the last year Aj and I have been commissioned to build several display pieces for Erin Smith of Humanite. Erin comes to us with great ideas that we get to bring to life. So far we've been a great team. We started when the store first opened last year with two paper maché trees to display jewelry. Everyone loved them and we were the hit of several fashion and home decor blogs. Here are the table top trees. They are both about three feet tall.

The next paper maché project we were given was a perfect match for our trees and the store. The birds can be seen roosting on the shoe display in Humanité. They really add a whimsical feel to the rustic piece of furniture Erin chose. Here are some photos of the process and the completed product.

The latest, and biggest, project is now complete! For about a month we weren't sure if this would ever come together. As we looked at it sitting in three pieces in our home, we wondered if it would ever be a tree. My sister couldn't see it. Our housemate thought the base resembled an elephant foot. I began to get worried....and sleep deprived. But in the end it was worth rearranging the store for. Standing at 6'6", this tree is the perfect display for Erin's new Audrey style sun hats.

Aj working on the base

....and the branches start to take shape....

a good way to meet our new neighbors

working through the night and worrying our new neighbors

 

 

late night at store adding branches that would have kept it from coming through the doorway

Ta-Da! Another project complete. What's next? We aren't sure yet. Sleep sounds good. A little recovery time before Erin comes up with another fun idea. Stop by Humanité and check it all out......and maybe buy a hat. Perfect for gardening, which I'm off to do now at The Grove Community Garden.

Liz

The Latest and What's To Come

We've been busy! Lots of art and music going on. The massive paper maché tree we've been working on is nearly ready for installation in Humanité (more about that after it's in place). Now it's time to make room for music/recording equipment and painting supplies.

I've been working on several projects and have had some great opportunities this year. Here are some pictures from some of the more memorable experiences and some information about upcoming events.........

Me and Kim playing at the Tuckasegee Tavern March 25, 2011. What an amazing guitar player! Can't wait to have another opportunity to share the stage with him!

My sister, Stephanie Nemyer, joined me on stage for a few songs on the same night. Thanks, Jeff Helpman, for the photos!

This was my second show at the Tuckasegee Tavern since they opened under new ownership. My next scheduled show there will be Friday, May 27, 2011. This is Memorial Day Weekend so we hope to have quite the turnout!

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On Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, Aj and I along with Gene Albritton of Studio Earth will be at the 2011 Village Square Art & Craft Show in Highlands, NC. We will have a booth set up on both days from 10am-5pm. We will be selling our paintings in frames built by Gene and Aj. On Sunday, I will be playing a two hour set starting at noon. We are really looking forward to taking to the road with our art!

A small taste of what we will have for sell.

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 I will be playing Friday, April 15 at the newly opened City Lights Café in Sylva, NC. This will be the beginning of their grand opening weekend. Music starts at 7pm. City Lights Bookstore has always been one of my favorite places, so I am excited to be a part of something that can only make it a better place to be!

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Last Sunday at The Grove Church I had the awesome opportunity to illustrate the beginning of the Easter Story Series. I painted during the sermon and the last few worship songs. Every Sunday is great at The Grove, but any day I get to use and share one of God's gifts to me, is an awesome day!

Painting during worship. Thanks again, Jeff for the photo.

The next three Sundays at The Grove Church will feature artists painting during the service. Ending on Easter Sunday with dirt painter Gene Albritton. I am so happy to be a part of a church with such great talent! It's good for my soul on so many different levels.

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Recently, I have been given a chance to be a part of the band Avelina. I get practice as a mandolin and banjo player in this setting. The band is made up of members of The Grove Church's worship band, however we are a touring band that goes out to play our favorite tunes and get to know our neighbors and the needs of our community. Our first show will be at WCU for the Alpha Xi Delta's Second Annual Autism Walk. Come show your support for the cause and the band. The cost is $10. Hope to see you there.

Randall Nichols and Becca Millsaps of Avelina. Photo by Todd Sessoms.

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Being involved with The Grove Church has also given me some great volunteer opportunities. Just this past Tuesday, I participated in One Day Without Shoes. Another great community event put on by the group LoveBryson. We kicked off our shoes and led barefooted walks around Bryson City to bring awareness to the fact that many people are without basic needs, like shoes. We raised money for the cause and took in donations of slightly used shoes for those in need in our area. We ended up with 101 pairs of shoes! We also gave out free hot dogs and got to know our neighbors.You can learn more about what we were up to at TOMS.com.

Me and Mazzie show off our feet and our support! Photo by Ben King.

 

 

The shirt I made at the event!

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The community garden at The Grove is underway again this year! Aj and I have headed this up for three years now. Every year gets better. Feeding ourselves and our community, how satisfying! For more information check out The Grove Community Garden on Facebook. We have a group work day every Thursday if you want to help!

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That's what we've been up to and where we are headed. I am sure that I left out some important projects. Like I said, we've been quite busy. Please make sure you check out all the links, this post is full of them. Thanks to everyone who has helped me along this starving artist road. I love you all! I love this great community of artisans that I have found myself in.

 until next time.............liz nance