FanningSparks – Page 44 – A DIY and lifestyle blog authored by Peg Frizzell.

Making Art Together

It started out like any other Sunday, lazily sipping coffee and easing into the day—an ordinary Sunday morning. An hour or so later, I found myself surrounded by a couple dozen people I’d never met, milling around, introducing ourselves and checking out the space. There was a low buzz of excitement. Just as folks were getting a little restless, a whirlwind of energy burst into the room. It was Corrina Sephora Mensoff and we were gathered in her metal art studio. She introduced herself, extended a warm welcome and thanked everyone for participating. Then as all good leaders do, she shared her vision and explained our roles for the day. We were volunteers ready and eager to help with a community art project.
Corrina has been commissioned by the City of Smyrna, Georgia to create a piece of public art for a city park. She designed the “Gateway Willow Tree Arch”, a graceful, 11-foot-tall willow tree with sweeping branches and dangling leaves. Here’s the design sketch she shared with us.
The work was obviously in flight with numerous components evident around the studio. The main tree trunk and branches, made of fabricated mild steel, was erected in the studio.

The branch tips and leaves were made of stainless steel.
The leaves, hundreds of them, were custom-made by waterjet cutting.
Corrina and her team, Richard and Miriam, explained that we’d be working in 3 pods or teams. Each team would focus on a different task—one group would shape, sand and attach leaves, another group would seal welded seams, and the final group would paint the mild steel sections of the branches as indicated by blue painter’s tape.

We quickly aligned ourselves with a pod and dug in. I was in the second pod and we were responsible for sealing the welded seams. We used a plastic metal product called “Bondo” to cover areas where water might seep in or collect and cause rust. V-shaped areas between branches and roots required particular attention. The work was quite straightforward and left lots of opportunity to chat with fellow volunteers. Here’s a look at the tree root section we sealed.

As the morning went on, we were able to move around between pods to try different tasks and meet other people. Here’s my work area for attaching leaves with 3 sizes of oblong leaves, a branch with attachment loops already welded in place, stainless steel “hog rings”, and special pliers. I used the pliers to compress the hog ring after slipping on a leaf and attaching it to a triangular loop.
Our group made good progress and finished the painting and sealing by early afternoon. A second team of volunteers joined just as the paint and Bondo had dried enough to roll into the next steps of the process.
This was my first opportunity to participate in a community art project. I really enjoyed the experience especially getting to know the other volunteers. Folks had diverse backgrounds and I learned they chose to participate for a variety of fascinating reasons. It was also great fun to hang out in Corrina’s Studio. The studio is located at the Goat Farm Arts Center in West Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia.

It’s obvious real work happens there! Here’s a glimpse of some of the equipment, tools and materials.

There were several projects underway and lots of finished art to admire. In the below photo, the forged and fabricated steel piece in the foreground featuring the boat is called “Where Have I Come From, What Will I Leave Behind?”. The beautiful painted circular pieces on the wall are from Corrina’s body of work “Somewhere Between the Deep Blue Sea and the Edge of the Universe”.

This stunning piece, “Ambrosial Ascension”, is made of wood, acrylic, aerosol, pigment, copper and gold leaf.
The below artwork is part of Corrina’s body of work called “Blood of the Earth” in which she is “setting the metal free through the process of transforming these weapons of violence into something new.” When asked on the Today Maybe Forever Podcast about her intention in exhibiting this work, Corrina explained her objective was to trigger a community conversation for change.

The below forged, fabricated and recycled steel sculpture was displayed outside Corrina’s studio. It is called “Transcendence” and depicts a thoughtful evolution from simple rowboat to soaring bird.

It may have started out as an ordinary Sunday, but it turned out to be anything but! Many thanks to Corrina, Richard, Miriam and my fellow volunteers for making this wonderful experience possible.

More Info

You can learn more about Corrina Sephora Studio on her website and on Instagram. Note Corrina offers a variety of metalworking classes and workshops at her studio in Atlanta. I also enjoyed listening to interviews of Corrina on 2 podcasts, Peachy Keen and Today Maybe Forever.
I’ve set a goal for myself to visit as many of Corrina’s public art works as possible. So far, my hit list includes the following in the Atlanta, Georgia, USA area:
. The Promised Land at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (450 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta) Website
. Start Where You Are at Legacy Park in Decatur (S. 500 Columbia Drive, Decatur)
. Sun, Moon, Nautilus Passage at Atlanta Botanical Gardens (1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta) Website
. Life Cycle Boat at Atlanta Freedom Park (586 Candler Park Drive, Atlanta) Website
. Freedom of Flight at Hardy Ivy Park (300 W Peachtree St NW)
. And soon (dedication expected to be mid-March 2020), the Gateway Willow Tree Arch at a park in Smyrna. (I believe it will be the Concord Linear Park on Concord Road near downtown Smyrna).
I learned about this community arts project from a friend who forwarded the Eventbrite announcement (Thank you, Jackie!).

Visiting artist studios is one of my favorite things to do, check out the following posts where I had an opportunity to dive into the world of a professional artist:
. A Visit to Clara’s Loom – weaving and fiber art with Celia Dionne on the Alabama Gulf Coast, USA
. A School for Makers – sewing and embroidery at Alabama Chanin in Florence, Alabama, USA
. Artisan Transforms Quahog Shells – carving with Marcia Poirier at Wildabout Wampum in Cocagne, New Brunswick, Canada
. Peeking Behind the Studio Curtain – woodworking with Walt Cottingham, fused glass with Cat Martin, and weaving with MaryJo Lanik in Henderson County, North Carolina, USA
. A Real Hot Glass Experience – glass blowing at Gilbert Glassworks in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, USA
. Rug Hooking in my Home Province – rug hooking with Deanne Fitzpatrick in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada
. Learning from the Ancient Masters – Roman mosaics at Studio Cassio in Rome, Italy
. Making Curls and Swirls with a Filigree Master – silver filigree with António and Rosa Cardoso at AC Filigranas in Gondomar, Portugal.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider participating in a community art project.
2. Working on a joint art project helps build community.
3. Engaging in the making of public art adds heart to the artwork.

Decorate Interiors

Decorating With Collections

There’s something about a collection of thoughtfully arranged items that adds instant personality. By definition, a collection is “a group of objects or works to be seen, studied, or kept together”. Typically, collections have a theme—a common thread—that ties the objects together. The theme could be functional whereby all the collected objects have a similar purpose. Here’s an example of a collection with a common function—this group of magnifying glasses adds fun and interest in the 2016 Southern Living Idea House.

The theme of a collection could also be based on form or color. The below collections of blue transferware plates and violet glass cloches, spotted at Camp Boxwoods during a previous Madison in May Spring Tour of Homes, are great examples of objects with similar functions, forms and colors. They are beautifully arranged above a china cabinet.

This simple collection of colored glass bottles—with a similar function and form—was displayed along a window ledge in the same room. It’s a lovely vignette with the glass of the bottles playing off the glass of the window panes.
A collection of prints, all featuring cranes and local birds, was the focal point of the foyer in last year’s Southern Living Idea House. Similar, but not identical, mattes and frames connect the prints and tie it all together.
In the same Idea House, the seating area of the living room featured several collections. Anyone who loves to read will appreciate how the designer wove a significant collection of books into this setting. Several outstanding pieces of blue and white pottery have been artfully incorporated into the space. The grouping of pillows on the sofa could also be considered a small collection.

In this next example, a collection of pillows on a porch swing is tied together through a similar function and color.

Dorothy Draper is often credited with being the first professional interior designer. In her heyday, back in the 1940s and 50s, she was the most famous decorator in the United States. She had many prestigious decorating assignments including luxury hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, private homes and even airplanes. But what made her special, in my opinion, is she actively encouraged others to decorate their own homes. She offered advice to the everyday homeowner in a monthly advice column in Good Housekeeping and she authored a book called Decorating Is Fun!: How to be Your Own Decorator. Many of the decorating tips she shared are still relevant and meaningful today. One of these tips was to decorate with your hobbies. She wrote: “Don’t sprinkle your collection out of sight in a meaningless jumble … groups of small objects, when they are well-arranged, become important and effective.”
Someone who loves baking might, for instance, enjoy collecting wooden rolling pins. In this collection, spotted at the 2012 Southern Living Idea House, the rolling pins are cleverly tucked into the shelf bracket of a set of kitchen shelves.

This small collection of vintage rubber stamps, spotted at the same Idea House, adds fun and interest to the home office.

This display of rustic bells demonstrates that collections can be displayed outdoors as well as indoors. These bells, spotted during an Atlanta Garden Tour, add interest and personality to the yard.

Here a collection of vintage gardening tools is displayed on the exterior of a garden shed. This dramatic display was spotted in Susanne Hudson’s garden during a Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival garden tour.

There were a number of interesting collections spread throughout her garden. Here a series of glass jars is used to display a gorgeous collection of seashells in the greenhouse.

It’s encouraging to note a successful collection doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be a grouping of similar items gathered from nature and arranged in an interesting way. Here a simple collection of feathers makes a stunning statement.

The below collection of interesting and vintage cabinet knobs, spotted during a Madison in May tour, demonstrates another factor to consider. As the collector explained to me “My husband, an architect, said that the most insignificant object assumes importance if you have a lot of it. Hence the springs, the buttons, the wood coat hangers, the yardsticks and rulers, the walking sticks…” The house was packed with charming and delightful collections.

Here’s a collection of springs which was displayed under a glass-topped coffee table. This is a great example of where an abundance of an insignificant object gives it importance.

Displaying a collection in a fun and interesting way is only part of the story. For many collectors, the act of collecting—the hunt to find the perfect item—is the best part of the experience. There are as many sources for this hunt as there are types of collections. It could be an antique market such as this one I visited in Tongeren, Belgium several years ago. This was a vintage collector’s paradise! There were metal dinner bells….
… wooden stamps…

… folding rulers and whole lot more.

Boutiques and gift shops may be another source for a collection. Of course, artwork—whether purchased or DIY— is always a great item to collect and display.
I’ve been thinking about collections lately because I’m in the midst of designing a handmade collection for this wall in our entryway. It’s only a collection of green paper rectangles taped to the wall at this point. I realize it doesn’t look like much yet but it’s pretty amazing in my head!

More Info

You may also enjoy my post about Decorating with Texture.
Check out the posts, Madison in May – 15 Favorite Fotos and Ideas from the Idea House for more information and photos from the house and garden tours mentioned in this post.
You can learn more about the Southern Living Idea Houses, the Madison in May Tour of Homes, the Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival, and the Tongeren Belgium Antique Market on the linked websites.

Today’s Takeaways

1. “Groups of small objects, when they are well-arranged, become important and effective.”
2. “The most insignificant object assumes importance if you have a lot of it.”
3. A collection doesn’t have to be expensive to add personality and charm.

How Tos Make Mosaics

Serving Up My OOAK Mosaic Tray

Today I’m sharing my new, one of a kind (OOAK) mosaic serving tray. This tray has been in the works for several months. It was one of those projects that kept being put on the back burner when I got distracted by something else. So I’m really pleased to have it finished. I think it was worth the wait, too. Here it is—my new OOAK mosaic serving tray.

When I set out to design the tray, there were several elements I wanted to incorporate including a playful tic-tac-toe grid and a charming fern motif. Ferns, as I learned when attending a class called Ferns and Fern Allies at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens are actually quite fascinating. See my post, Southern Ladies, Christmas Stockings and Hairy Armpits, to learn why.

I also wanted to try laying the background in a traditional tile pattern. I learned some key points about laying tesserae (ie the small pieces used in mosaic work) in the course of researching classic mosaics (see my post Learning from the Ancient Masters). In her book, Mosaic Traditions and Techniques, author Sonia King provides the following explanation: “Mosaic is all about flow and pattern. … There are two aspects to how tesserae are laid: andamento and opus. Andamento is Italian for trend or course. How one ‘courses’ the tesserae can determine the rhythm and flow of a piece. Varying the widths of the rows and the spacing between create a sense of movement … the pattern… is determined by the opus. Opus is the Latin work for a creative work, meaning the way in which a mosaic is worked.” King then goes on to explain the most common ways of working a mosaic which I’ve recreated for you here. They are: 1 Opus palladianum, 2 Opus vermiculatum, 3 Opus circumactum, 4 Opus regulatum and 5 Opus tessellatum.

I used two of these patterns on the mirror frames I made for our master bathroom. This photo shows the opus regulatum along the border and opus palladianum in the “bubbles corner”. You can read more about these mirrors in my post Pair of Mosaic Mirrors Completed.

My post Gaudí’s Trencadis Mosaics is packed with examples of opus palladianum which is also referred to as “crazy paving”.

Most of the patterns repeat so it’s not difficult to imagine the same design filling a larger space. But that’s not the case with Opus vermiculatum which King describes as “laying tesserae in a worm-like, winding manner”. The actual pattern created with this winding manner can vary greatly. For instance, Opus vermiculatum can be used to depict the irregular lines of hair, a halo effect around another design element or, as is the case in my serving tray, a winding pattern like a spiral.

Another concept I learned from King’s book is the role of positive and negative space in mosaics. King explains “The tesserae are positive and the spaces in between are the negatives. … You should keep in mind that in many ways the grout lines and spaces are just as important.” With careful planning, the grout lines of the negative space can be used to enhance the design. I decided to try using negative space in my design by leaving the frond stalk to be filled with grout.
After settling on the design, I realized I’d need small tesserae to lay out this design on my tray. To date, most of my mosaic projects have been made with ¾” x ¾” vitreous glass tiles but this project uses 8mm (5/16”) square recycled glass tiles from Elementile. I chose tiles in Eggshell White, Iridescent Spring Pea Green Tint 1 and Iridescent Eggshell White (see More Info below). The fern frond is cut from a sheet of stained glass in medium yellow-green with white opal highlights from Hobby Lobby.

The 8mm tiles did make it easier to create the details of this pattern. But working with such small tesserae presented a few new challenges such as the need to use tweezers to place the pieces.

The fern frond was challenging as well due to the small pieces. Typically, when glass is cut into shapes like these, the edges are ragged and it’s necessary to grind them smooth.

This was especially true for the tiny curved pieces at the tip of the frond. It’s not possible, however, to hold such tiny pieces on the grinder. I figured out the best way around this problem was to leave a long “tail” at the end of each piece. This provided me with a handle of sorts to use while grinding. After the piece was nicely finished, I was able to nip off the tail with a simple, straight cut.

Another lesson learned on this project was the importance of “keystoning”. This technique is relevant to the center of the spiral where the inside curve forces a tight fit. In my first attempt, I used half pieces of tiles to fill this center spot but the result wasn’t great.

So I decided to try cutting tiles into a keystone shape instead. This involved nipping off two adjacent corners from the tiles. The keystone shape fits together nicely and resulted in a much better layout.

Adhering the pieces to the tray also involved some trial and error. I like to use a self-adhesive fiberglass mesh such as QuikStik Mosaic Mesh™ (see More Info below). The mesh, which I raved about in my post about the mosaic mirror frames, is a great time saver because it eliminates entire steps in laying out the tesserae. This was an important consideration for this tray because of the high number of tesserae involved. I didn’t count the actual number of pieces, but according to the Mosaic Art Supplies’ Tile Calculator (see More Info below) which I used to calculate my requirements, this 17 ½ “ x 11” tray needed around 1600 8mm tiles. That’s a lot of tiles to place in their specific positions!

After the tesserae were all placed on the mesh, it was time to permanently adhere the tesserae to the tray using thinset mortar. This was the tricky bit. I put down a thin layer of thinset and carefully placed the mesh and tiles on top. I’d read that you should press a flat 4”x 4” tile onto the surface to ensure it is level and smooth. This was a great tip and worked very well.

Pressing down with the flat tile also forced the thinset mortar up through the mesh. This is exactly what was needed. But it required that the layer of thinset mortar be a consistent depth. I had simply eyeballed the thinset mortar to get it level and smooth but, as it turns out, that wasn’t good enough. After pressing down with the tile, some tesserae made good contact with the thinset and were properly seated. But other tesserae were still sitting on top of the mesh and didn’t even touch the thinset.

Good contact with the thinset mortar is needed to ensure tesserae don’t come off the tray. I corrected the situation by letting the thinset dry and then testing every single tesserae individually. Any that were not securely adhered in the thinset, I glued into place with clear silicone. This was a rather tedious, but necessary, extra step. In hindsight, I wish I had taken the time to ensure the thinset mortar layer was the same depth across the entire surface. Next time I’ll use a simple toothpick for this check. I’ll determine the desired depth and then mark it on a toothpick. By inserting the toothpick at various positions across the surface, I will be able to measure the thinset layer to ensure it is the desired depth everywhere. Then I can make any necessary adjustments before moving on.
The next steps were to apply the grout and the sealer. I was eager to see how depicting the frond stalk with the negative space of the grout line would turn out. It looks even better than I hoped.

My plan is to use this new serving tray on our porch. It will be handy for carrying morning coffee, lunch or evening drinks from the kitchen.

More Info

The tray used in this project was a thrift store find. It is 17 ½” x 11” and made of plastic. I covered the original fake wood finish with green spray paint.
The 8mm Recycled Glass Mosaic Tile by Elementile were purchased from Mosaic Art Supply. I’d highly recommend Mosaic Art Supply as an online source of supplies and helpful reference material. I’ve always had a good experience purchasing from them plus their online reference info found under Learn to Mosaic is clear, practical and reliable. I often use their Mosaic Tile Calculator.
The self-adhesive fiberglass mesh I used is QuikStik Mosaic Mesh™ from Skeew. There’s also a wealth of helpful information about making mosaics which you can access on the Skeew website under How To > Make Mosaics > Articles.
Several previous posts from the FanningSparks blog were mentioned in this post including:
. Southern Ladies, Christmas Stockings and Hairy Armpits
. Learning from the Ancient Masters
. Pair of Mosaic Mirrors Completed
. Gaudí’s Trencadis Mosaics.
You might also enjoy the post DIY Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder Tutorial which includes a full tutorial, with detailed step by step instructions, for a great beginner mosaic project.
If all that isn’t enough to spark an idea, check out my latest Pinterest board Mosaic Artwork – FanningSparks Favs. It’s packed with mosaic inspiration.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider challenging yourself to try new techniques and approaches in your chosen art form.
2. Take note of what went well and what could be improved when completing an art, craft or design project.
3. Seek out and study the work of others for inspiration.

How Tos Make Other Media Southeast Travel

My Sweet Sweetgrass Wreath

Anyone who has ever visited South Carolina’s Lowcountry would be familiar with the sweetgrass basket. These baskets, arguably the region’s best known art form, are rooted in Gullah traditions. The art of making sweetgrass baskets can be traced back to enslaved West Africans on the rice plantations of the Southeast. The first sweetgrass baskets, large round flat baskets called fanner baskets, were used during the rice harvest to separate the grain from the husk. The forms and sizes of the baskets evolved over time as their usage expanded into different household functions. Sweetgrass baskets are still made the traditional way. They are coiled by hand, applying the skills passed down from generation to generation, using only simple tools and local natural materials.

I recently had the opportunity to learn about sweetgrass basket making at the Coastal Discovery Museum in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Our instructor, Daurus Niles known as The Gullah Dream Weaver, is an 8th generation sweetgrass basket maker.

Daurus learned the art of sweetgrass basketry from her grandmother and other family members. Here are a few closeups of her outstanding work

Usually the class learns how to make a small sweetgrass basket. But during the month of December, Daurus switches it up and has the class weave a small sweetgrass wreath. She’s a great instructor—knowledgeable, attentive and patient. To make the most of our time (the class is 2 hours long), Daurus starts the wreathes. Here’s my starter wreath along with the simple tools we used—a pair of scissors and a “nail bone” (actually a repurposed spoon handle).

Palmetto fronds, stripped into narrow ribbons, are woven around strands of sweetgrass. Here’s a closeup of Daurus demonstrating the weaving technique.

We learned how to use the nail bone to make a small opening in the previous row of sweetgrass, just big enough for the palmetto ribbon, and insert the pointed end of the palmetto ribbon up and through the sweetgrass.

We learned how to “refill” the sweetgrass bundle as we came to the ends of the strands. The goal is to keep the sweetgrass consistent and smooth while taking evenly spaced stitches with the palmetto. After weaving three full circles, we added a hanging loop at the top.

The class was before Christmas so many of the participants decorated their wreaths with red berries and holiday greenery. Since I wanted to display my wreath year-round, I decided to take it home to decorate. I wanted to find a way to embellish it with dried flowers. The flowers shown below, globe amaranth, came from the cutting garden I grew this past year. You can read more about that experience in the post Zinnias Rock! And More Cutting Garden Tips. Note that in the post I was disappointed with the globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) I had planted. But it rallied later in the season and I was able to harvest a huge quantity of magenta, mauve and cream blooms like those pictured below.

After some trial and error, I decided to make a small bow from palmetto frond and add a simple bunch of magenta blossoms.

I’m pleased to share my very own sweet sweetgrass wreath with special thanks to Daurus Niles and the Coastal Discovery Museum.

More Info

The Coastal Discovery Museum, on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, offers a number of activities including tours and workshops. You can learn more about their Sweetgrass Basketry classes here.
There’s a great article about Daurus Niles, The Gullah Dream Weaver, in the Hilton Head Local Life magazine. Check it out here. Daurus is quoted as saying “Who would’ve thought you could take materials from the earth and make art that’s displayed all over the world? We started out doing this as a way of life, and it’s still a way of life, and now we’re being displayed at the Smithsonian Museum and the White House.”
You can see the sweetgrass baskets at the Smithsonian American Art Museum here.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Many of today’s art forms are rooted in the making of functional items that were once required for daily life.
2. It’s fascinating to trace the passing of knowledge and skills from generation to generation.
3. Consider ways to learn about and help preserve traditional arts and crafts.

About Fiber General Make Photos

Savor: My Word for 2020

This time last year, I tried a new approach for my new year’s resolutions. I selected a single word to work towards during the year. To keep it top of mind, I created a visual reminder in the form of a stitched photo. The first step was to select a photo to represent the word. I had the photo enlarged and printed on heavy matte paper. Then I used embroidery floss to stitch my word on the photo.
My word for 2020 is “Savor”. It’s meant to remind me to stop and savor the good things in life. I chose the below photo of a sunrise over Lake Oconee to remind me to savor moments of beauty.

The official definition of “savor” includes “to appreciate fully; enjoy or relish”. To fully appreciate a moment, requires engaging all the senses. Moments worth savoring are not only seen. Any of the senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste—could trigger a moment to savor. Examples of auditory triggers might be birds singing, church bells ringing or a favorite piece of music playing. In the photo below, the pleasant fragrance of the lovely bouquet of roses caught my attention. When I stopped to appreciate it more fully, the graceful arc of the branch, the raindrops from a recent shower, the contrast of the pink blossoms against the green foliage and the silky feel of the rose petals all contributed to this special moment.

Relishing and fully enjoying experiences is another opportunity to savor. It could be savoring precious time spent with family and friends. A family gathering, celebration or event could be examples. A simple backyard picnic, in a pleasant setting with a tasty meal, is something worth savoring.

Fully appreciating a physical activity such as a nature hike or a kayak ride is another example of savoring. I took the below photos while paddling on Fishing Lake near our previous home in Villa Rica, Georgia.

Most people look forward to and savor the novelty of traveling and exploring new destinations. On a grander scale, having the once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch this magnificent leopard while on an African safari was definitely something I savored.

While beauty is often found in the natural world, it can also be man-made. Here’s an outstanding example of man-made beauty worth savoring. This is the spectacular Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Spain.

Another experience that many people savor (and as you might have guessed something that resonates with me) is the joy of creativity and the art of making. Designing the stitching on the sunrise photo, especially adding the rows of color coordinated stitches, was an experience I savored.

These moments are fleeting—they don’t last forever—so it’s even more important to savor them when they occur. A quick search of gratitude practices, shows that savoring is a critical part of feeling true gratitude. It’s about slowing down long enough to recognize and appreciate the good in life.

Now, to take a moment and look back at last year. My word for 2019 was “Harmony”. Honestly, I rather expected my focus on harmony would taper off and be forgotten after a few weeks. But it didn’t actually work out that way. Instead, I’m happy to report, I was able to keep my goal of harmony in mind throughout the year.

More Info

Last January, I introduced my word for the year in my post Harmony: My Word for 2019.
You can learn more about my African safari experience in the post Majestic Lovable Elephants.
The Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Spain is definitely worth visiting.
I’ve become quite enamoured of paper stitching especially on my own photos. You can find examples in these posts:
. Season’s Greetings 2018
. Harmony: My Word for 2019
. Joyous Greetings 2019
Check out my Pinterest board with Paper Stitching inspiration. I created it a year ago and have been adding to it ever since. I’ve discovered some incredible fiber artists stitching on paper to create amazing artwork.
Jan 16, 2021 Update: Paper stitching is an easy project. Only basic design and hand sewing skills are involved. Check out the post, Hello Marvelous Photo Embroidery – DIY Tutorial, for step-by-step instructions to embroider your own printed photo.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Think about selecting a single word to represent your goals for the new year.
2. Make a conscious effort to savor special moments.
3. Consider paper stitching as a way to embellish your favorite photos.

About General Make Photos

Top 19 Photos from 2019

There’s no shortage of the “best of” photography and “photographer of the year” awards at this time of year. I’m drawn into nearly every one—the photographs are astounding! Sparked by all these award-winning photos, I decided to take a look back through my own photos from 2019 and select a few to share with you today. After scanning a year’s worth of photos, 220 folders containing over 15 thousand photos, I had it narrowed down to 46 shots.
At this point, I have to admit—15,000 photos is a lot! I can’t help but stop to be grateful for the way the technology of photography has evolved. I saw a lot of film negatives (like those pictured above) during the five years I worked in a photography studio. It was my first job after graduating from high school and a great experience. (Special thanks to the fine folks at Pridham’s Studio in Truro, Nova Scotia!). Back in those days, you had to pay for every photo you took. I don’t remember the exact costs but I do remember a good chunk of my paycheck never left the studio.
So back to today’s topic. I had to find a way to narrow down the 46 photos from my first cut. To be as objective as possible, I considered the following criteria: 1) Interest 2) Composition 3) Viewpoint 4) Lighting 5) Color 6) Timing 7) Uniqueness. A good photo tells a story and draws the viewer in for a closer look. I hope these photos do that. I also considered the elements of art (ie line, shape, form, texture, color, value/tone and space) and the principles of design (ie balance, harmony, pattern, contrast, movement, emphasis and hierarchy) as they relate to photography. While my photos aren’t in the same league as the award winners, I’m pleased to share, in no particular order, FanningSparks’ Top 19 Photos from 2019.

This past spring, a pair of Carolina Wrens decided to build their nest in one of our French enamelware pots (don’t worry—we use them for decorating not cooking!). Watching these wrens was endlessly entertaining. This photo, showing one of the parents delivering dinner, was my reward for several hours behind the camera lens.
Eventually the little ones were ready to leave the nest. The below wren chick is emerging for the first time. Watching the chicks learn to move around and fly for the first time was amazing. I selected these photos for their uniqueness and the story they tell.
This foxglove was glowing in the morning sunshine at the Georgia State Botanical Garden in Athens, Georgia. I chose this shot for the dramatic lighting, the strong use of negative space and the striking contrast.

That same early morning sunshine, shone a spotlight on this pretty red poppy just as a honey bee flew in. The sunlight also emphasizes a pollen basket on her back leg. I chose this photo for the lighting and composition. The angled bloom fills the frame in an interesting way and highlights the bee. The bee is positioned according to the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds, if you’re not familiar with this term, refers to visually dividing the viewfinder into 9 quadrants (a grid of 3×3) and then deliberately placing the focal point at one of the intersections. Apparently, studies have shown the viewer’s eye is more comfortable looking at something off center.

Timing was everything in this shot over Lake Oconee, Georgia. The gentle light of daybreak, the soft reflection on the water’s surface and the pastel colors of the imminent sunrise all combine to make an extraordinary moment in time.

Here’s another shot where timing played a critical role. The heavy morning fog shrouds the lighthouse, bringing it in and out of focus, while the ocean waves crash on the rocky shore. This is the Felgueiras Lighthouse near Porto, Portugal. See my post, Following the Yellow Arrows, for more photos from Portugal’s beautiful coastline.

Speaking of timing, catching this pair of male Wild Turkeys took some quick action. While trying to find an art gallery near Asheville, North Carolina, I took the wrong turn and found myself driving through a small rural community. Suddenly a flock of wild turkeys came out of the woods and crossed the road in front of me. Luckily there was no traffic and I was able to focus my attention on this magnificent sight. I still can’t believe how the toms posed so perfectly giving this shot the ultimate repetition.

Birds seem to be a recurring theme. This gorgeous Mute Swan was busy preening in the Pena Gardens in Sintra, Portugal. The graceful line of its neck, highlighted by its sunlit back, was just spectacular. I chose this photo for the pleasing lines, the unusual lighting and the dramatic contrast.

This Brown Pelican, on the other hand, captured my attention with its unlikely balance and open bill. What it lacks in grace, it more than makes up for with personality. This pelican was spotted near Pensacola Beach in Florida. I selected this photo for its simple composition and humorous subject matter.

This Great Horned Owl was a regular visitor in our backyard this past July. It was extremely difficult to photograph but I managed to get this shot just before nightfall. Judging by the way the owl is looking directly at the camera, it’s obvious it saw me too. I chose this photo for the strong focal point provided by the the owl’s penetrating stare.

This next photo is a great example of appealing lines and patterns. The photo is rich with texture—it’s easy for the viewer to imagine how it feels. These gorgeous driftwood details were spotted at Boneyard Beach near Amelia Island, Florida.

Here’s another example of strong lines. The rather unusual placement of the Cinnamon Fern frond adds interest while the repetition of the pinna and pinnules creates a pleasing pattern. See my post, Southern Ladies, Christmas Stockings and Hairy Armpits, if you’d like to learn more about the fascinating world of ferns.

Another popular technique is to use lines to lead the viewer into a photo. Here the leading lines of the forest path invite the viewer to look towards the trees in the distance. This photo, taken in the springtime in Innisfree Gardens in New York state, is a medley of soft greens and browns. I chose this photo for the leading lines and the soothing colors.

Color plays a big role in this photo with the soft pink of the roses contrasting nicely with the green background. But it’s the repetition of the petals and the various flowering stages, from unopened bud to spent bloom, that creates a pleasing unity and interesting contrast. These roses were spotted at Retiro Park in Madrid.
Here’s another example of repetition and contrast. The angular window frame and the square tiles provide a nice contrast to the curvy wrought iron and flowers on the tiles. While the contrast of the aging and damaged tiles adds interest and pop. I chose this photo for the strong lines and interesting contrasts. This photo was taken in Ovar, Portugal. You can see lots more Portuguese tiles in my post Talk About Tiles!

This wrought iron fence surrounds the Panteon de Hombres Ilustres in Madrid. I chose this photo for its composition. Three distinctive layers (fence in foreground, roof in mid-ground and cross in background) give the photo strong depth. The precise alignment of the elements results in a pleasing harmony. See my post, Lines and Patterns in Wrought Iron, for several examples of beautiful wrought iron from Portugal.

This next photo of the Forsyth Fountain in Savannah, Georgia is another example of timing. The early morning sunshine hits the spraying water at exactly the right angle. I chose this photo for its sense of movement and dramatic lighting.

All of the photos I’ve shared thus far have been carefully composed but none are actually staged. Yet I stage a lot of photos for the blog to illustrate stories, demonstrate techniques and illustrate tutorials. These last two photos are examples of staged and styled photos. This next photo was created and composed for dramatic contrast. It was meant to surprise the viewer and invite them to take a closer look… “Hey, wait a minute, that button looks like a blueberry. Why is there a blueberry on that shirt cuff?” This wacky shot was part of the fun I had with a post called Blueberry Zaniness.

This last photo is one of my all-time favorites. It is a flat-plane carving created by Harley Refsal, a talented woodcarver I met at the John C Campbell Folk School. You can learn more in my post Flat-Plane Carving with Harley. This carving is a true work of art—it exemplifies the Scandinavian style of flat-plane carving. But what I love about this photo is the way the light hits his face and emphasizes the planes of the carving. The light and position showcase the expression on his face and bring him to life. I swear there’s a mischievous twinkle in his eyes! And that is pure magic!

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Here’s a summary list of the posts I mentioned above:
Following the Yellow Arrows
Southern Ladies, Christmas Stockings and Hairy Armpits
Talk About Tiles!
Lines and Patterns in Wrought Iron
Blueberry Zaniness
Flat-Plane Carving with Harley

Here are some of the 2019 photography contests I’ve been enjoying:
Bird Photographer of the Year
Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
EyeEm Awards which includes 10 categories such as The Traveler, The Great Outdoors, The Foodie, The Portraitist, The Photojournalist
Fine Art Photography Awards
National Geographic Travel Photo Contest
National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest
Siena International Photo Awards
Sony World Photography Awards
Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Today’s Takeaways

1. Enjoy and learn from the work of award-winning photographers.
2. Consider trying different angles and viewpoints to enhance your own photos.
3. Think about how the elements of art and principles of design apply to photography.

Making Art Together

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Decorating With Collections

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Serving Up My OOAK Mosaic Tray

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My Sweet Sweetgrass Wreath

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Savor: My Word for 2020

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Top 19 Photos from 2019

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Lauscha: Making Glass for Over 425 Years

Embrace: My Word for 2025

Top 24 Photos from 2024

Season’s Greetings 2024

Postcards from Czechia and Austria

Postcards from Germany #2