ilkasattic.susantuttlephotography.com

two special families

Susan — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:37:00 +0000

It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with these lovely families, taking photographs for their holiday cards and personal collections (here are some samples from the lots). And, I have learned the perfect trick for getting beloved pets to cooperate and smile for the camera — treats in my pocket, and calling the word “treat” just before i snap. And following through of course, being generous with the treats:)

One of my clients is a very talented woodworker.

Merry, merry!

the wild christmas tree

Susan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:45:00 +0000

We walked through our woods, scouting for the perfect, wild holiday tree. We dropped the notion of what a beautiful tree should look like, all pruned, full and shapely, and instead, we embraced the wild, imperfect, spindly qualities of the trees growing naturally in the forest. As we searched in the wood just outside our door, we could see our home, lit from within, all warm and welcoming, the smoke twirling out the top of the chimney.

We all had feelings of anticipation — looking forward to decorating the tree, singing carols, while nibbling on some snacks I had simmering on the stove — spicy meatballs and a pot of hot rum punch (sans alcohol for the kiddos). Good old-fashioned Christmas preparations! For real? For real. My dear cousin would jokingly call this a New England wet dream — i hope i do not offend in saying that, but he is absolutely correct:) — gotta love him. LOL.

oh, and yes, we found the perfect tree…

recipes:

Spicy Meatballs

1.5 lbs. ground beef
1 c. bread crumbs
3 eggs, beaten
6-oz. jar chili sauce
1 c. sauerkraut
1 c. cranberry sauce (I used actual cranberries instead)
1 c. brown sugar (I prefer dark brown for a richer flavor)

Form meatballs with first three ingredients. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 F until browned. Combine remaining ingredients to form a sauce. Place meatballs in large skillet and pour sauce on top. Simmer on stove for 1 1/2 hours. Serve warm with a bowl of hot rum punch close by.

Hot Rum Punch

2 c. regular brewed tea
1 c. apple juice
1 c. orange juice
1 c. pineapple juice
1 doz. whole cloves
1 stick cinnamon
2 tbsp. sugar (optional)
1 c. rum

In a saucepan, heat all ingredients except rum. Remove from heat and add rum. Serve hot.

*recipes taken from Coming Home for Christmas Cookbook by Patricia B. Mitchell*

going easy

Susan — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:36:00 +0000

there is no trace of the snowstorm from last week. Weather is strange.

i am in a soft and quiet mood. There is a lot on my plate at the moment, but I am working slowly, enjoying, and taking breaks when i need them. this is not always my nature, so it takes me some practice, but one can only sit at a computer for so long, no?

these photos show a glimpse into my afternoon break for peppermint tea harvested and dried from my garden, followed by a good stretch of the legs with scented pine needles underfoot. don’t these kinds of breathers make all the difference in a day? I have been working on a few large projects — writing a magazine article, building my brand new website (which i hope to unveil and share with you before the new year), planning the beginning stages of my next online class which i expect to offer in February 2012 (thank you to those who inquired), and completing photography work for a client (which I hope they will allow me to show you, because i think there is such a tenderness that came through in the photographs). Do you like to work on one project at a time, or do you prefer to juggle many? I do like to focus, but i actually think i produce better work when i have multiple irons in the fire. I think many artists like working this way (in fact — check out the video link below of an inspiring artist who does just that).

i hope you are not feeling too stressed as we enter the holiday season. My husband and I are making a conscious effort to make more gifts than we buy. It is transforming the holiday experience on many levels for us. More on that later lovelies. Thank you for stopping by.

sharing:

i enjoy the spontaneity and raw beauty of this artist’s work.

yes, snow for thanksgiving

Susan — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:47:00 +0000

snowed last night! a bounty of it. making home still and quiet. pristine. i took a perfect morning winter walk, my head swirling with inhalations of sweet-smelling woodsmoke. squealing children. snow play! pink cheeks. hot cocoa for the kids and steaming buttered brandy with apples for the mum and pop. comfy. sipping by the toasty woodstove.

i feel like i am living in a painting today.

i’m making a homemade pumpkin pie from a local farm-bought pumpkin. Roasted, then cooked on the stove top, pureed, now cooling, almost ready to make me some pie! so much sweeter than the stuff in a can. i can’t wait to mix in the spices and cream, close my eyes, and inhale.

sharing:

winterberry wreath how-to: take your 40% off coupon to Jo-Ann Fabrics and purchase a wreath form for under $5. Grab pruning sheers and mud boots and go to a wet spot in your woods, where you will be sure to find clusters of glorious winterberry bushes filled with ripe reds, depending on your geographical location of course. Cut small bunches and tuck them into the folds of the twig wreath form. so easy. so fun. so pretty.

all photos, except for the wreath, were taken with my lensbaby composer lens with double glass optic insert. You might need to pop a dramamine in order to view them:)

i was honored to be a guest on Creative Mojo with the fabulous Mark Lipinski. He featured Jenny Doh‘s new book, Art Saves, and talked with Jenny and contributing artists Michael deMeng, Suzi Blu, Lynn Whipple, and yours truly. Our podcast date is 11-16-11 and can be found at this link. You can also download the podcast for free at iTunes.

one of my favorite movies. perfect for this holiday. an artist in the kitchen.

Happy Thanksgiving! May you revel in the joy of a full tummy and a light heart:)

tender

Susan — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:30:00 +0000

growing

Susan — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:57:00 +0000

There is excitement, uncertainty, challenge and extreme joy in the journey of unearthing a new artistic style. I am on a path of creative change — growing into this new range of my artistic voice, which I am exploring in addition to creating the types of photos you are accustomed to seeing on my blog and website. I have been delving into iphonography; mainly portraiture in monochromatic tones, and developing a worn, vintage, grungy feel to these photographs. At the same time that I began to connect with these new inner creative stirrings, the Universe magically gave me access to the tools I would need — in the form of vintage dresses, ballerina tutus, fancy cocktail gowns, and masquerade-style masks:)

I refer to my iphonography photographs as my daydreams series, which I post to regularly on Instagram. Although I am the figure featured in these photographs, I don’t tend to think of them as self-portraits, because by definition, a self-portrait involves exploring aspects of one’s self through an artistic medium. For me, I am using my body as the model, for convenience’s sake and because it’s pure fun to dress-up and move in such a theatrical way.

I like to construct scenes, develop characters, and tell “stories” through these photographs — stories that are personalized by you, the viewer. I ask you, “What do you see? Tell me your story. I wonder. I want to know.”

As I work and grow in this new medium and share it with you, I feel myself reaching for a piece of the ethereal, while trying to convey a sense of timelessness. All else is a wild ride of surprise. Let’s see what unfolds over time.

stoking the fires:

I am currently working on a brand new home for my website and blog, which I hope to unveil before the New Year. I think you will like it, as the new design will allow for display of larger photographs.

Thank you Vivienne McMaster for having me as a guest interviewee for your Fall You are Your Own Muse online workshop. I am very excited about the line-up of participating artists — so inspirational Viv!

My VisualPoetry Fall online workshops are currently in session. A brand new online class will be coming your way this winter. If you are not currently on my mailing list to receive the latest workshop details, you can sign up by entering your email in the form located in my sidebar (in the “Take An Online Workshop With Me” section).

En-joy the day lovelies. I am going outside into the crisp, autumn air to continue putting my gardens to bed for the winter.

breathe deep, sigh, smile

Susan — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:36:00 +0000

maine morning dressed in fog

a cackling overhead

a world unto itself

turnips — a gift from my friend up the road

it was a dark and stormy night…

Susan — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:40:00 +0000

good soup good bread

Susan — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:19:00 +0000

outside my door there are final roses and early snow. the perfect bittersweet. inside i begin working on my bread dough kneading technique, with the bible of all bread-baking books as my guide.

we gathered up the last of the harvest. we begin winter traditions of homemade bread and simmering pots of soup. my husband made the irish soda bread, i made the carrot mint soup. a welcoming meal. a warm fire in the wood stove. marking this transition with a celebration.

tomorrow, i will have halloween photographs for you. Visit me then.

sharing:

every meal should look like this

as the earth softly goes to sleep

Susan — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:49:00 +0000

sharing:

There are still a few days left to register for my autumn online workshops HERE. Feel free to sign up for more than one class if you wish. It would be a pleasure to have you join us:)