This blog will be temporarily discontinued...

This blog is a bit redundant now that I have my "Margaret Bednar Fine Art" Blog HERE.  This is where you can find prints and canvases (framed or unframed) of my work as well as cards.


I will "reopen" this blog when I sell original prints of my photographs.  Until I get that up and running, which will be quite a while, this blog will be on hiatus.  


But more importantly, please join me on my daily blog(s) just for the fun of sharing life on a day to day basis.  I hope to see you there.


My Photography & Poetry Blog:  Art Happens 365


My Art (Sketching & Painting) Blog:  Art Happens


Margaret


March 11, 2011

A beautiful rose

A beautiful rose is breathtaking in its simplicity, and always a lovely gift from the husband!  I know I was surprised when he brought these home.  They don't need embellishments or other flowers - they often look best just by themselves.  Oriental lilies are the same way.  I'm waiting and watching (and taking photos) of a vase full of lilies this week.  I will be posing photos of these beauties soon.

"A Beauty"

Color, gorgeous color.  Nature certainly knows what she is doing.  If you are interested in a variety of prints (framed or unframed) or greeting cards, please click HERE.  As always, thank you for your interest.

"Warmth"

Yes, let's raise our faces and feel the warmth.  Here's looking forward to Spring!  If you are interested in a variety of prints (framed or unframed) or greeting cards, please click HERE.  As always, thank you for your interest.

Spring's Trillium, Acrylic Painting

Spring's Trillium!  I think we are all awaiting the appearance of these dainty flowers that grace the forest floor in Northern Michigan. If you are interested in a variety of prints (framed or unframed) or greeting cards, please click HERE.  As always, thank you for your interest.

"Enjoying Retirement", Watercolor

I used to walk my dogs past this view often while I lived in Petoskey, Michigan.  This spot is very close to Bay View as well.  They certainly share beautiful Little Traverse Bay.  Whether it be morning or evening, couples are always sharing what Mother Nature has to offer along this beautiful PUBLIC waterfront. If you are interested in a variety of prints (framed or unframed) or greeting cards, please click HERE.  As always, thank you for your interest.

"Miraculous White Rose"

The intricate and delicate petals slowly unfolding into something more beautiful everyday is a joy to behold.  Maybe for that sentiment alone is why the rose represents true love.


If you are interested in looking at a variety of print options (framed or unframed) and/or greeting cards, please click HERE.   I plan on taking a trip to the Biltmore Estates soon and spending hours in their beautiful greenhouse taking macro photos of their exotic flowers.  Please check back in a few weeks.

A Winter Wonderland

I wrote a winter poem, "Exalted", on my poetry/photography blog.  Click HERE to read it.  The above scenes are truly a rare occurrence where I live and I think transformed the area into a winter wonderland.  If you are interested in purchasing images of the above, please click HERE.

Magnolia Plantation Lilacs

Walking around Magnolia Plantation is a step back in time.  The trails and gardens look much like they did hundreds of years ago.  The fragrance is captivating and lingering along these paths is a pleasure.  If you are interested in this antiqued image, please click HERE.  Thank you.

Magnolia Plantation Statue

I hope to visit Charleston, SC every year for the rest of my life.  I understand it has much history that relied on slavery, and that institution was horrible.  But there is a wonderful beauty there that seeps into my soul and truly relaxes and inspires me.  The above statue is weathered and worn and I antiqued it to lend a bit more of the old world feel to her - of which I feel she had plenty of to begin with. If you are interested in purchasing prints of this image, please click HERE.  Thank you.

Summer Beauty

I have a longing for color!  The trees here in NC are bare and everything is drab.  In the north, we would have a fresh blanket of snow on the ground by now creating a splendid unifying brightness.   I used to love the reflected light that would dance around the inside of my house - the drapes pulled back to allow as much as wanted to come in.  But here in NC, everything is so dull - the air is crisp and refreshing, but I have to get used to this "new" climate.  If you are interested in images of the above, please click HERE.  Thank you.

"The Pier"

Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey, Michigan.  A little jewel of a town tucked away in Northern Michigan.  Tourists and locals alike stroll these docks during the summer evenings, meeting up with friends to see the sunset.  A leisurely stroll back through town, maybe an ice cream at the local shop.  And in the soft shadows, some meander back up the gentle hills to sit in a rocker on their expansive victorian front porch enjoying an evening breeze.  If you are interested in purchasing images of the above, please click HERE.

Vintage Beauty

North Carolina still has lovely weather with the sun shining and the last of the orange leaves clinging to the tree branches.  Most are on the ground, crackling under one's footsteps.  Northern Michigan, although probably not quite as wintery as the above scene depicts, is most likely well on it's way.  If you are interested in purchasing images of the above, please click HERE.  Thank you.

Sand Castles

Listening to gentle waves lapping the beach, the cry of seagulls looking for food, and the sound of children building cities of sand is a perfect way to spend a summer's day.   Every summer we indulge ourselves with a trip to Lake Michigan, specifically Petoskey, a small, artsy town nestled around Little Traverse Bay.   This past summer, my girls laughingly shaped precarious sand castles just along the water's edge.  They carefully graced it with shells, feathers, sticks and a few treasured pieces of beach glass all of which was encircled with a moat, of course.  The finishing touch was sand drizzled wet and goopy-like over the top, the way Daddy had taught them years ago.   Careful, almost tedious work, playfully destroyed, stomped back into the sandy shore and washed back out into Lake Michigan.  If you are interested in images of the above, please click.  HERE.

The colors in nature were reproduced in natural dyes during (and before) the Renaissance period.  One could even argue that since dying had been going on for over 3000 years, the craft had been perfected by the time the Renaissance rolled around.  Granted, for the peasants, cloth quality and color were primitive, but for the status conscientious nobles and merchants it was quite important.  As I walked around the Carolina Renaissance Festival this year, I adored the detail and color the merchants displayed.  If you are interested in purchasing images of the above, please click HERE.  Thank you.  

Peacock Feather

Walking in and out of the artisan shops at the Carolina Renaissance Festival is truly sensory overload.  The colors, textures and designs are fabulous.  And what is more stunning that a peacock feather?  Maybe the whole plumage, but a macro of one isn't too shabby.  If you are interested in prints or greeting cards of the above, please click HERE.  Thank you.

Colorful Silks

These beautiful silks were beautifully displayed at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, located in Huntersville, North Carolina.  Over 500 costumed in-character actors strolled the 22 acres and the marketplace was filled with talented artisans.  I loved taking detailed photos of their wares.  If you are interested in purchasing images of the above (or other images of the Renaissance Festival) please click HERE.  Thank you.

Biltmore Orchids

Just one of many exotic orchids within the glass walls of the Biltmore greenhouse. If you are interested in purchasing images of the above, please click HERE.

Biltmore Statue

This statue is located on the vast grounds of the Biltmore Estate located in Asheville, North Carolina.  Truly an awe inspiring tourist destination. If you are interested in images of the above, please click HERE.  Thank  you.

The Biltmore Mansion

Nestled snuggly amongst the Appalachian Mountains, the Biltmore Estates radiates peace, love, and grace.  The Vanderbilt's created a slice of what must be "heaven on earth".  A slice which is open to the public 365 days a year.  Christmas is a decidedly special time, with the interior decorated for all to enjoy.  If you are interested in images of the above, please click HERE.  Thank  you.