The Lone Wolf Print I talked about this a few post back, about how you can refurbish some of your photos that may not turn out that well, into digital paintings if you want to save them.

This is the original photo below and it is a photo of a wolf in a nature park that I took. Oh, I only make paintings from photos that I have taken, it means a lot more to me as I create a piece of art work.

But this photo is not that good, the lighting was bad, but he is in his natural environment of lots of trees and thick brush. But I did like his expression, how he is looking at something in the grass. Then it comes down to changing the background and adding textures with the help of photoshop.

Now art work is an acquired taste of what each individual likes. For example, I have been to a few art galleries of famous painters with art exhibits of paintings I just don’t get. Like this photo I copied off of the internet of a painting by Vincent Van Gogh. It is wonderful art, with colors and movement. I can appreciate it for sure and it is done by hand not on a computer. Much more work involved at a level that I cannot create at all.

Oh, and it is worth $4,000 dollars. 🙂

You can visit my Art Collection here on my Web Page, Sandra J’s Photography of Fine Art

The Lone Wolves Print

Sandra J

On Top of Highland Peak, this was a long drive to the top of this mountain here in Nevada, narrow roads and luckily we never met another car coming from the other direction. There were a few places with snow up here, extremely windy at the top.

There is a short video below showing where I got out of the jeep and walked towards the towers there. Until I saw the signs stating warning, the warning was for high radiation. So I immediately said lets go.

This was the highest mountain we traveled on during the adventure out west. So if you want to travel to the top of Highland peak, well now you can see what is up there just incase you change your mind. The view was spectacular though.

On Top of Highland Peak

Sandra J

Nevada Landscapes, I will be going back and forth with some photos that I took out west that I have not gotten to yet along with where we are traveling now. Adds a little more variety to this blog here.

This is our first time visiting the state of Nevada and I have to say I was quite impressed with the change of scenery and the diverse landscape out west has to offer.

We stopped in a little town called Pioche, a quaint old western town with lots of history in the mining field. Here is the link to the video that describes more of the town and the museums it has; Pioche Nevada Video by Sandra J

To the north is a state park called Cathedral Gorge, with an unusual landscape formed from volcanic ash that has eroded into what they call Bentonite clay spires.

This is a close up of the Bentonite clay itself, it is like hardened mud and if you tap on it, it sounds hollow inside.

Then travel to the west of Pioche and you have Highland Peak Mountain range, that we drove up to the top of one day, nearly 10,000 ft elevation. I will have a video of that coming out next week. At the top the views are fantastic but it also had radio towers all over the top with high voltage signs everywhere. We did not stay long as there was cables and wires everywhere.

I guess not to many people go all the way to the top, the road was only a service maintenance road and I probably would not go up there twice. But I am glad I took a couple of photos to remember the view.

Nevada Landscapes

Sandra J

Sunrise on Ohio River, I arrived early enough to view the blue hour today during sunrise on the river as the lights shined across the calm water from a dredger doing its work.

In a more general sense, a ship equipped with an excavation tool that is capable of weeding off depositions such as sand, gravel, sediments, etc. from the seabed is referred to as a dredger ship or more commonly just a dredger.

Dredgers are of great importance, as they serve the purpose of ensuring the necessary safe bottom clearance for safer voyages and it added a little extra to this sunrise photo today.

Sunrise on Ohio River

Sandra J

Earth Speaks to Us, Flowers are the earth’s endless effort to speak to us of the beauty that surrounds us everyday. To grab our attention with bright colors and unique designs. To remind us that creation is a wonderous thing.

Earth Speaks to Us

Sandra J

Longest Simple Truss Bridge, This is the Brookport Bridge over the Ohio River, one of the longest simple truss spans in existence. It may be one of the longest simple truss spans ever built, at least in the first half of the 20th Century. Video Below

I was taking photos down by the river at sunrise and a car pulled up next to me. A woman got out and introduced herself, she was a local in the area and was excited that someone was taking pictures in her little town. This spot is one of her favorite spots to sit and enjoy a sunrise before she heads off to work.

Well, she continued to tell me about the area and mentioned this bridge here, that it is a historic bridge that you can still drive across and that most people don’t because it is very narrow and old. But thanks to her telling me about it, we had to go investigate.

It is by far the coolest bridge I have yet to cross and take photos of. There is a short video below and yes it was a little unnerving to go across it. Mainly because it is so long, one would hate to get a flat tire in the middle of this bridge.

One of the unusual details of this bridge, is that the largest span is at the southern end of the bridge, not in the middle. The navigation channel was located at the south side of the river. However, there was an additional navigation channel in the more traditional middle of the river, and to accommodate this second navigation channel there is a truss span which at 514 feet long is larger than adjacent spans (measuring 396 feet), but not as large as the 716 foot span.

Video Crossing the Bridge;

The 716 foot span has some additional unusual details. While the roadway maintains the same narrow 19.7 foot width, the 716 foot span is notably wider (distance between trusses) so on this span there is a gap between the edge of the roadway and the truss lines. The reason for this is presumably for stability reasons. The trusses of the bridge are incredibly deep (tall) due to the span length, and the extra width probably helps keep the bridge from becoming top heavy and tipping over in high winds.

Visually this is a spectacular bridge. A must see if you are ever in the area of Metropolis Illinois.

Longest Simple Truss Bridge

Sandra J

In the Mist

Perhaps it’s hidden from us
The truth that’s hard to see
Maybe we aren’t ready
To learn what we can be

So many possibilities
And wonders to behold
Takes us beyond the limits
Of things that we’ve been told

In the midst of creation, is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

In the Mist

Sandra J

Artistic Bridges, during our visit to my sisters home town, we did a photo shoot of all the children and grandchildren while we were there. We took a day to scope out a location for the shoot and came across this beautiful walking bridge.

I do love the design of bridges, this one with the nice straight lines and white rails and post. I have been to this town many times but this is my first time seeing this bridge.

Artistic Bridges

Sandra J

Horses on the Farm, I grew up with horses so I have a special place in my heart for these beautiful animals. It has been years since I have had horses, but I do get to enjoy them at my nieces farm now as she has 4 of them.

This first photo is her horse and she has some smaller ponies for her daughters to work with, that allows them to learn the responsibilities of caring for animals. Horses are a lot of work, but very rewarding I think to be able to take care of them and see how such a large beautiful animal can be so calming to ones spirit.

This one is her newest yearling filly. I just love her one blue eye.

The youngest child is already taking riding lessons and learning how to be safe around horses and have fun going out on rides. She has a trainer that works with her, which is a great idea f

Horses on the Farm

Sandra J

Intelligent and Adaptable At first glance, the coyote resembles a small German shepherd dog, yet its color can vary from animal to animal. Shades include black, brown, gray, yellow, rust, and tan.

We were walking in a bird sanctuary out west and this little guy was just minding his own business walking along in the tall grass next to us, appeared to be just looking for something to eat. Just living life.

Always take some time to stop and smell the flowers
Don’t hurry past the things that make life beautiful
Before your life runs down to a few precious hours

Remember to share life with the people you love
There’s always someone special, watching how you live

So with those around you, be sure to share your time
There’s always someone needing what you have to give

You’re sure to be remembered by the love you leave behind. By Chris Embrick

Have a wonderful weekend.

Intelligent and Adaptable

Sandra J

Harvest Time, “Give thanks for a little, and you will find a lot.”

This is a sample of my digital oil painting below, I picked up these acorns and set them on a picnic table and took a few photos. Adding a warm texture for the background.

Harvest Time

Sandra J

Pet Photography, autumn is the best time to take photos of your pets I think. With all the warm colors and crunchy leaves all around. So my Chloee is the subject of today’s post because she poses so well for photos.

I have two dogs and I got them both at a shelter, Chloee is 11 years old now.

This little one below is Deohgee, she doesn’t pose as well because she is a bit on the twitchy side. She can’t sit still, always on the go and she is 15 years old.

I have been learning a new technique in the digital painting world and love how it allows my imagination to come to life when it comes to my photography. I am always wanting to learn new things and enjoy letting my creativity expand beyond just taking a photo.

Pet Photography

Sandra J

Hello Again, well I am back to taking photos again. We have had the best time the last few weeks visiting with family and seeing how much all the children have grown in my sisters family. It reminds me of a saying I heard just the other day.

Days are long but weeks are short. One should live in the moment as time goes by so fast. Which I can attest to after seeing how much all the little ones have grown this past year.

My sister and I were talking one day and she said; ” I can’t believe how the generations are changing in our family”, She said her grandchildren asked the other day, ” What is a mall?”. They have never been to a shopping mall, which isn’t a bad thing, but makes her and I realize the changing of the times.

Autumn is being prolonged as we travel south again. My Chloee sits so well for photos, with a little help from husband to keep her attention as I take the photographs.

Winter will be here soon enough so I am enjoying the last of the fall colors here.

Hello Again

Sandra J