Blog

Life has been SO busy lately! Making up for that today with a PERSONAL invitation for YOU to view my 'Galleries', aka 'Collections', all 40 of them! Click on the weblink below to ENJOY!

'Just a Wild & Crazy Rose' [shown here] is but one of the colorful creations you'll find when visiting my 'Enhanced Tweaked Manipulated ~ Make-overs and Photoshop Creations' collection.

Once you get there, click on any image to see & learn more about my creative process, as well as print options. Then, return to the main 'Collections' tab to view each gallery to find those that resonate most with you.

Thank you kindly for your interest and patronage.

~Brooks Garten Hauschild

Hello, everyone...and WELCOME to 'A Woman's Touch'!

Please take a minute to read our GROUP 'Overview' below! If you are interested, then click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link to visit our fabulous 'Homepage', overflowing with members' AMAZING art & photography, all available for SALE! We are currently the #1 'Highly Active' featured group onsite, with stats higher than I've ever seen. We are just 1,200 women-members...and participation is our strong suit, participation as well as promotion ~ promoting one another, promoting our own work, promoting our group and promoting our sales! We keep our membership numbers low so we can rise higher!

On that note ~

Women members ONLY are welcome to join the group. LADIES only; sorry guys!

{Image shown is our group logo.}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to OUR world! We are an exciting DOUBLE-AWARD WINNING group featuring an ECLECTIC array of creative works by the TALENTED WOMEN of FAA-Pixels worldwide! EVERY space NEEDS 'A Woman's Touch'!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GALLERY OWNERS, HOME DECORATORS, ART COLLECTORS and VISITORS ~ We've got what you're looking for! Enjoy our FINE ART GALLERY below to find the PERFECT IMAGES to decorate your space[s]! Our 'HOMEPAGE' is unique and ever-EVOLVING, so come back often! Click on any image to see all PRINT OPTIONS. Scroll thru our 'Images' [tab above] for more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MEMBERS ~ Submit your BEST work for review! Use our 'Discussions' to: [1] gain more exposure & views [2] share your sale$ [3] interact with & support others, and [4] have fun while doing so! 'Contests' are always available to promote you, your work & our group. We were honored to be the 1st group onsite to receive the coveted 'Administrator's Gold Award', as well as the 1st 'Best Group Badge' of 2021! Together, we have created a warm, supportive, inspiring & successful group, ranked in the Top 3 'Highly Active' featured groups onsite. Let's keep it that way...ONE image a day! {Group logo: 'Healing Rose' by Carol Cavalaris.}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ladies, to JOIN us, you need to have a Profile Picture [avatar], an About [bio] and a Premium Account = 25+ images in your gallery w-keywords & image descriptions. NEW members, please check in via our 'Chat Room' thread. I screen all newcomers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Brooks

Come enter this wonderful contest featuring FAA-Pixels members with an artistic eye for B&W photography! All you have to do to go there is click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below!!

The RULES:
[1] Post 3 of your BEST, most dramatic or most unusual black-and-white photographs. NO sepia!
[2] Family friendly ONLY.
[3] Images MUST be original to you; NO Ai this time.
[4] NO FLOWERS, HOUSE CATS, DUCKS or SQUIRRELS!!
[5] NO voter solicitation.
[6] I am the 'decider' on what stays or goes.

Logo: 'In High Spirits' by Preeti M.

For fun, exposure, peer support, friendly competition, bragging rights & sale$.

VISITORS are invited to view the entries & contact the artists. ALL images are for $ALE!

Women members ONLY are welcome to join the sponsoring group by clicking on the link to the right, reading our 'Overview' first, then joining.

As creator & host of this contest, I retain the right to remove any image or any member at any time for any reason. Please do NOT contact me if your image is removed. A reminder that all of my contests do not allow vote solicitation!

[Photo shown here: 'Riders in the Sand' by Brooks Garten Hauschild as seen in my portfolio.]

Click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below to see more about the MOST POPULAR FLOWER in my entire gallery of 'Images'! I'm honored to announce that this beautiful purple hydrangea, taken in my garden, placed 1st in the recently-wrapped 'FLOWERS' contest yesterday. Thanks to everyone who voted!

My 'See Me Now' hydrangea has the most 'CONTEST' wins, the most 'VIEWS', the most 'GROUP FEATURES' and the most 'COMMENTS-LIKES-FAVS' of the many flowers contained in my portfolio. Ironically, it has only seen two sales on this site! How can that be?

Macro flower photography continues to enchant & excite. It's all about making a small object appear larger than life. The flower is the international symbol for a close-up! Get as close as you can to the flower you are photographing, as their beauty becomes more evident the closer you get.

Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my hydrangea, as well as the many floral macros seen in my gallery!

~Brooks

Fall in southern OR ranges from the early autumn garden still alive with blossoms, bees and butterflies, to later in the season when colorful leaves cover the ground and perennials hide away until spring comes.

I've been uploading several captures taken in early fall, including this image titled 'Living on the Edge', which you can see & enjoy by clicking on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below.

The sunflowers & garden blossoms may have withered, and the bounty of visitors flown away, but their beauty will be with us forever in images like this! Imagine a fine art print, and more, decorating your home or office, boudoir or nursery, bistro or gallery, hotel lobby or B&B. Be CREATIVE with your space!

While you are visiting my gallery to see this particular piece, please also take some time to scroll thru my portfolio filled with images taken in the garden, original art & photography, and local color!

I can't believe it's been over a year since my last blog post! I promise to do better than that in the weeks & months to come. Happy Holidays!

I am a visual artist who wears many creative hats ~ musician, singer, songwriter, photographer, digital artist, creator of garden sanctuaries, interior designer...and POET! Poetry is just one more way to express artistic vision, beauty, emotion & self. Some of us here like to include a little poetry in some of our image descriptions, which adds a special personal touch on a deeper level.

'Just a Wild and Crazy Rose' [seen here] was created from a rose capture taken in my garden and contains a poem from one of my collections titled "Awakened Passion ~ Words of Love" in its description. Click on the 'Click On This For More Information' link below to view. It's right there on the last row of images.

* * *

~ Excerpt from an article via Literary Hub titled 'Why Are So Many Poets Also Artists' ~
"My background with improvisation has made me a better poet. There is something about being able to connect two points in space with a movement of my arm, or cross a space/stage/gallery with my body, or respond to a gesture or impulse in the body of another, that has greatly influenced my writing. Part of poetry for me is being able to connect disparate elements/images/dialogues in the space of the page or poem, and I’ve known how to do this with my body for a very long time.
I don’t consciously switch between mediums. I try [heavy emphasis on try] to go into my studio in the morning and say, “What do I feel like doing?” The answer might be writing an essay, freezing a miniature in an ice cube or stitching a real or invented patent design onto a handkerchief. I initially thought my most recent book, 'If the Tabloids are True What are You?', would be a book of poems titled with photographs of miniatures. But I got bored after about seven poems and started making constellations by pricking pins into black paper, which then morphed into making silhouettes and so on. I think so many poets are interdisciplinary artists because being a poet is about attentiveness, and that attentiveness doesn’t only translate into words."

~ Excerpt from a Getty 'Art & Poetry' article:
"For centuries, artists from Michelangelo to Picasso, have written and published poems. Artists who are fluent in the visual & literary arts are able to select the creative medium that best expresses their ideas. In some cases, painting & poetry are displayed to more deeply communicate a theme, emotion or thought. William Blake, one of the most prolific artists & poets of the Romantic Period united the two sister arts - painting & poetry - most effectively in his 'illuminated books'. Recalling medieval illuminated
manuscripts, these richly illustrated books addressed large themes such as religious hypocrisy, poverty, inequality and human existence. Blake's books represented the marriage of painting & poetry through carefully etched poems & accompanying images. His best-known works are 'Songs of Innocence' and 'Songs of Experience', two illustrated collections of lyric poems."

* * *

I have written a couple collections of poetry interlaced with my art & photography. One is a journey thru loss & grief, and another contains 'words of love' from the afore-mentioned 'Awakened Passion'. Here is a poem from the latter, which also appears on one of my images in my gallery.


T a n g o
[Poetry in Motion]


'Like a lover,
he held the sax,
moving hypnotically.
The yellow-gold of his instrument
set-off his dark hair and eyes,
while his fingertips savored
the last drops of each note.


Through the smoke and heat,
his eyes caught mine,
black i n t o blue.
Half a smile lit his clean-shaven face. I swear
he winked, but I could’ve been mistaken.


He wore a tiny gold cross in one ear
and his hair combed back
from a face I’ve dreamed.
His lips were full, almost feminine.


He made me want to Tango.
I’ve never danced the Tango.


Taking a break from the music,
he turned and headed straight toward me.
Silver taps c l i c k e d under worn black boots.
I couldn’t stop smiling.


His hand met mine
and didn’t let go.


He smelled of peppermint and chocolate.


He taught me to Tango."


[c] Brooks Garten Hauschild

Created from a thread I posted in earlier in the 'Discussions' forum supporting group administrators ~

Members choosing to spend their precious time running groups need to feel the love from time to time. Here is the place you can share your comments re. SO many members enjoy participating in them for hours each day, and, if they didn't exist, many members would quit, or so they tell me. This is for all those administrators who take the time to tend their groups daily and the members who appreciate them!

Good & great administrators should be applauded for the work they do, and it is 'work'. We could be all be consumed with our own promotion 24-7, so it's a good thing when members are willing to support others in this way...and do it well. That in itself should be applauded. Same goes for hosting contests, when they are creative & well-tended. Both are very popular pastimes onsite!

There are rules for administrators laid out by Abbie in the 'Group Administrator's Only' group, which everyone should read & follow in order for things to run smoothly.

Here are some ideas of mine that might also make the group experience better for everyone:
[1] If you want to create a group, make sure you're ready for the responsibility; too many aren't prepared for the long haul.
[2] Abandoned groups should be closed & removed promptly.
[3] Perhaps limiting the number of groups any one member can take over and still be able to administrate properly?
[4] And, wouldn't it be great if new members became familiar with FAA-Pixels for a specific amount of time before being allowed to head a group! It would be beneficial if they also knew something about organization, promotion & marketing. This goes for contests, too.

I do often hear administrators wondering how to get their members to be more active! That is something each administrator will have to work out for themselves. There are so many options available, but I can say that: [1] running well-tended contests [2] offering a variety of discussions threads [3] creating a visually appealing homepage [4] featuring one artist each week in the spotlight so members get to know one another better [5] sending out one group email update once a week or month, and [6] actually paying attention to members in a more personal way really works.

For example, if you haven't seen an image submitted from someone for a little while, shoot off an email to see if everything is alright. Answer questions ASAP. Participate in your own group threads! Listen when necessary. And be sure to feature everyone. Not everyone's work is good or great or your cup of tea, but find something fabulous in even the most elementary of images. In other words, try to treat members fairly, so everyone has a chance to shine.

Feel free to share any helpful advice or ideas on how groups can better support their members. Many group administrators simply offer homepage features, that's it...and there are those members who only want that from a group experience. Others want interaction amongst members and threads available that are aimed at promotion & marketing. Happily, there are enough of both, at least in the groups I am a part of, to make everyone happy.

Here are some of my replies to comments made to members' posts. Thanks to everyone taking the time to respond ~

Sharon, what wonderful words of thanks to all administrators doing their job ~ "It is you who are the backbone of this site, and make a beautiful, informative and helpful community surrounding our art". We administrators, in turn, are grateful for members like you & others who take time to not only participate, but uplift others & their work, as well. Thank YOU!

* * * * * *

Lucia! When I first began creating & hosting contests, I learned quickly that it was going to be work, lol. And all these years later, with over 750 contests under my belt, it still is! Members always enter images that don't belong, some get testy and not everyone votes. Still, people love them and I still enjoy offering them.

Thank you so much for your comments...and for being a kind active member of my group & others. I hosted so many contests, that I just didn't have time to think about running a group until several years ago. Then when I did, I found out how much more work that was! But, it is mostly a labor of love on my part, as I have such a wonderful group of women members who also support me!

* * * * * *

Glenn, each of your ideas to help administrators do their job better are definitely doable, and would also make the work of administering more enjoyable. Numero uno = happy administrators who can help make a difference! If they are feeling a bit empowered, then the group benefits as a whole. Happy members are more active, too.

I completely agree with your "a stiffer vetting of those who take on the task, a basic framework, and a signed acknowledgment of some kind". Thanks for your valuable input as one of the more successful administrators onsite.

* * * * * *

Carmen, appreciate you checking in and for all the encouraging & appreciative words re group administrators in general. I agree wholeheartedly ~ "Administering a group on FAA/Pixels is an extraordinary commitment! I can't imagine being able to do that. That being said, they're not all created equal". It's important to pick & choose your groups wisely. I see some members with pages upon pages of groups they can't possibly participate in. I guess they have them for the sole purpose of uploading their images in hopes of being seen. I always suggest limiting your groups...and picking one or two or three to be more active in. There are not enough hours in a day to do more than that. Yikes.

Your comment "I applaud anyone taking on this time-consuming task! The best though, are always the ones who have the passion for it!"...sums it up well. Thank you for being a wonderful member of my group.

* * * * * *

Judy! Thank you for hosting 'USA Photographers' and doing such a great job. I'm happy to say I am a member of & enjoy your group, which is always neck & neck with mine on the 'highly active' featured group ladder! Agree completely with your "I have my favorite groups that I belong to and if I find one that is not really serving my purpose or that I am not getting any benefit from, then I leave that group." I do the same. I might message the administrator first to see what the deal is, but I have no problem quitting a group that doesn't benefit me or my work.

* * * * * *

Like Lesley says, an administrator's time spent creating & promoting their own work does get pushed to the side. But, I try to organize my schedule wisely in order to do both. There are days that we are more committed to the group & its activities, and those when we have more time for ourselves, so it can work. A balancing act.

Kudos to YOU, btw, Lesley, for creating, as well as rescuing other groups. I know you are a hands-on administrator, as well...and respect your members. And, yes, there are ALWAYS members who don't read or follow the rules...in groups and contests! Makes our work that much harder. I wish people would do the right thing without us having to remind them.

* * * * * *

Bonnie! You are so kind...and I appreciate it. Finding those quotes each week for our Sunday group email also uplifts me, so I'm happy to know they have an impact. It's members like you that make the experience of administering a group worthwhile. Thank you so much for being a wonderful part of mine.

* * * * * *

Wonderful words, Joan ~ "I have been inspired and learnt so much from the group discussions (and group members), as well as making many friends via the groups who I enjoy seeing each day. I personally would not spend as much time on the site if there were not any groups."

* * * * * *

Yes, Jenny, time consuming, but still a passion!

* * * * * *

Thank you for your kind comments, Kristin, including, "You [administrators] keep us focused and engaged. I am glad to be here and it is making me excited about my own work again."

* * * * * *

Alice, thank you for mentioning everyone who works hard here onsite! I know I and other administrators who go the extra mile appreciate this ~ "Then there are those administrators who go above and beyond, putting so much of themselves (time, effort, creativity) into giving the group more opportunity to participate, share, be promoted and help each other to be promoted. Basically put their heart and soul into it nurturing it like it is their child. I am sure it is like holding down another job although they do not make it seem as such but rather a joy." I think that is when a group soars, when it is nurtured!

* * * * * *

MaryJane, so true. We all have more time to participate in the groups because of Covid and more time spent at home. Many members make lasting friendships thru the groups, especially the interactive threads. Thank you.

* * * * * *

From Laurel ~ Dear Brooks, thank you so much for all the work you do. This is such a BEAUTIFUL thread promoting positivity�yes! To be a conscientious administrator for either groups or contests is a heArtfelt service. To me, it�s the difference between opening a can for dinner or preparing a three course meal from scratch. Thank you, Brooks for taking pride in your administrative efforts and spreading the love.

I agree, Laurel! It's true that creating & tending a group means less time for our own promotion & creativity, but there is something about supporting others that just comes naturally to some of us. We like doing it. And yes it's service-oriented, hosting contests & groups. True, too, that some administrators are innately more 'conscientious' about their groups, the content & presentation, as well as preparing & presenting a full 'meal' in which members can heartedly partake. Love that comparison.

* * * * * *

I must mention the fact that administrators are also group members! And we can learn so much from one another re what works and what doesn't.

In my women only 'A Woman's Touch' group, I am honored to have these women who are also administrators of these fabulous groups [and others] of which I am also a member ~

Karen - 'Lady Photographers & Artists'; Jasna - 'Global Flowers Photography'; Judy - 'USA Photographers'; Jenny - 'No Place Like Home'; Kim - 'The Road to Self Promotion'; Julie - 'Your Story of Art'; Dianne - 'Ocean Photography'; Pam - 'ABC Group'; Barbie - 'The 200 Club'; Mary - 'Abstract Fine Art Photography'; Bukunolami - 'Daily Promotion'; Colette - 'Orange Yellow Red'; Janet - 'For the Love of Flowers'; Dora - 'Visions of Spring'; Inez - 'Fine Art Apparel'; Nina - 'Art ~ It is Good for You'; Mariola - 'Wildlife ~ One a Day'; Cia - 'Digital Art & Photography'; Abbie - 'Group Administrators Only'; Lesley mentioned above...Genevieve, Taphath, Gigi, Barbara, Linda, GJ, Maria and others as well.

Thank you for all the work you do, ladies! And guys, too. We applaud your dedication!

~Brooks

Logo image is 'A Woman's Touch' group avatar. Click on the 'Click Here For More Information' to view the group. Enjoy!

Genetics play but a small part of our overall health! We don’t have to 'fear the reaper' when it comes to our longevity and agility just because there is a family history of certain health issues or dis-ease. We need to embrace all that is good about our family genes, like fabulous bone structure, good teeth, athleticism, our engaging personalities, lol, etc., while not letting the ‘bad’ become a blueprint for our lives. We are not doomed to follow in the footsteps of our family members when it comes to our health. If heart disease, cancer or weak knees run in your family, you can 'reverse the curse and course' with lifestyle changes, diet & exercise; it doesn't need to define who you are or who you will be. Keep in mind, too, the preventative measures I mention below. A little goes a long way, literally. And don’t just keep them in mind, use your mind; it’s a POWERFUL force in healing & living well.

We are our own best doctors. So many people are overly reliant on & compliant when it comes to the man in a white coat ~ a doc's opinion or advice. My advice is that the more we pay attention to our own health the less likely we are to need or rely on a doctor. We are able, on our own, to notice any changes that may warrant extra attention. My first choice is to visit a Naturopath or Integrative Medicine Physician, Chiropractor, Massage therapist, Acupuncturist, etc. I always do some research when something is troubling me, or someone I know. And I've always trusted my woman's intuition. Our bodies are miraculous, amazing and wise 'machines' built to last...if we take care of them!

Don’t get me wrong. We each have or will have our own health issues to deal with, especially inhabiting an environment that is suffering, soil that needs replenishing, air & water quality that is less than stellar, etc. I'm no exception, especially at my age and as I age. Some issues I've dealt with since birth and experienced soon after, and others have arisen due to [unnecessary] surgeries, falls, whiplashes, accidents & injuries, mostly things outside my control. In some of those instances, doctors rushing to judgment made decisions that were not in my best interest, and I've had to deal with the results. Most of us have those stories, I'm sure.

For pain, I don't rush to a doctor or the medicine cabinet. I opt for self-care, like massage, stretching, isometrics, heat and ice, etc., or ask my husband for a back, neck or shoulder rug to help alleviate pain or stiffness. I also pay monthly visits to the chiropractor for 'maintenance' [gentle manipulation only], drink lots of water, eat a 95% plant-based diet [70% raw], take my vits & minerals, make good use of nature's herbs, tonics & tinctures, and stretch & exercise. No alcohol, no nicotine, no drugs, no caffeine for me, and guess what, abstaining doesn't make me a dull 'girl', keep my from having fun or being the life of the party. When life brings you to your knees enough times, you tend to, or I choose to, be clear-minded & sober. Some take other routes, drowning their sorrows or numbing their emotions. I prefer clarity and a well-functioning brain & body. I toyed with those vices in my youth, but, take it from me, a clear head is best to really deal with life's challenges...really!

As far as outside appearances, I follow a very simple beauty routine. No need for expensive creams or makeup. I just wash my face and apply a little moisturizer & lip gloss...and I'm good to go. It's the inner beauty that's more important, as it radiates outward in your welcoming smile, shining eyes and willingness to make every day, and every one you meet, count! Even with all that has gone on in my life [a lot!] and all the time I spent tanning in the SoCal sun, I still look [act and dress] much younger than I am! And I'm happy to say I've avoided the plastic surgery craze like the plague, which I think it is, a plague! NO outside help for me, as in nip-tucks, fillers, hair or lash extensions, cheek or breast implants, face & brown lifts, lasers, tattooed makeup, etc. Ladies [and men], just say 'NO'! I've chosen to age naturally and gracefully. Keepin' it REAL; yes, we can! It's true that a 'glass half full' attitude helps. I could have taken the victim route many times with deep life-altering losses & health issues I've had to contend with, so I know firsthand that keeping a positive frame of mind, as well as a health body, is essential to living a long, healthy, happy & relevant life!

To stay current, I make sure to schedule a 'Women's Wellness' appointment every year, as well as annual visit with my PCP for a general health exam, which includes a Complete Blood Count [CBC], Comprehensive Metabolic Panel [CMP] and Thyroid tests. The latter is super important for me due to a cancer scare at 19 because of radiation treatments I received as an infant for an enlarged thymus gland, something the AMA now knows is a good thing, not bad. Btw, it was due to my own self-care that I found the slight lump in my throat, and thru my own research learned about the radiation treatments I received as a baby. Thank goodness my mother who passed when I was young kept meticulous notes in her girls' baby books! It was because of those treatments, which were supposed to help, that many of us, when reaching our teens & early 20's, were being diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid, etc. Thankfully, I noticed the changes, went to the doctor and was able to get help in time. But, I have to take a daily med because of all that. Be sure to stay on top of those cholesterol numbers-ratios and triglyceride counts, too, even with a healthy diet & exercise. It's also a good practice to monitor your BP; I use an at-home cuff to check my #'s weekly. All these things are pro-active & preventative measures...and important!

Pay attention to your genetic history, but don’t let it rule your life...because it doesn’t have to! You can change it up with diet, positive energy & a healthier lifestyle. You can actually talk to your body, much like some people talk to plants or animals, and, guess what, it will listen! People have healed themselves with mind-over-matter techniques, and we all know that prayer & meditation are powerful tools, too. A great documentary on the subject is 'Heal', 2017. Make sure to give yourself positive re-enforcement daily...and LAUGH, even when you don't want to. I laugh out loud deeply every morning for a minute as part of my waking routine because it's documented that our brains respond in-kind instantly. Btw, laughter is the new prescription for good health! Carl Reiner said at 95 years young, "When you can laugh, life is worth living. It keeps me going. It keeps me young.” We get enough negative feedback & energy everyday on the news, via TV shows, from others, etc. Your body reacts to both, so make sure you get as much positive reinforcement as possible each & every day.

By now, we all know that diet & lifestyle play a BIG part in how we live our lives, but that's not all we need to build a solid firm foundation that will last. Our 'to-do' list for living long & well also includes ~ adequate rest, play, sunlight, a strong spiritual belief system, meaningful work, social connections=family, friends, pets and counting your blessings. And who among us hasn't had to rely on the kindness of strangers at some point in our lives? We need to repay that in kind...and BE kind! It's a jungle out there, and it does a body, heart, mind & Soul good to know we can count on someone, that someone has our back, and vice versa. I've got a lot more to say, but I'll save it for another blog or two or three, lol. Keep an eye out...and have a blessed, health-filled day that radiates outward to others!

~Brooks

I haven't created one of these types of images in a long while ~ a before and after...and I'm really feeling the urge. When the mood strikes, right! I plan on choosing another of my macro flower captures taken in the garden and re-create it as an abstract similar to this...maybe tomorrow?

After recently hosting a 'Diptych' contest using this image as the logo, I realized it had been ages since I simply had FUN on Photoshop. With SO much on my plate right now, both personally & professionally, I haven't taken the time to play artistically in a while. I will definitely schedule some creative time tomorrow...and share the result with you soon! The fun part is that you never know what wild & wonderful things will appear...until they do as you work your magic!

Click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link to see & learn more about my work.

Thank you, Brooks

Everyone loves these happy brighten-your-day flowers heralding the end of summer. They are blooming profusely at the moment, giving new life to our waning garden...and are certainly a Godsend this year with all the smoke, heat & drought we have been experiencing here in the PNW for the last couple of months.

Please click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below to view my 'Sunflower Power' Collection. It is full of these gorgeous sunny flowers sure to uplift & inspire. Check back often as I will uploading the latest images taken in the garden throughout the coming days & months. There are a lot of them, lol!

I also have a 'Festival of Sunflowers' contest in voting mode if you're interested. Simply click on the Community 'Contests' tab & search that title. Vote if you are a member!

Thank you!

~Brooks