“She did not succumb to the battering of the brutal elements in her life. No, instead, with nourishment and strength from those surrounding her, and from her own deep, strong roots, she continued to grow; not just grow but thrive! So much so that she did not buckle under the weight that was not her own.”—Claudia
For the month of June, my model was my lovely friend Claudia. We met during sunrise, to avoid the heat, and our time together was magical. We wandered the same wooded area I had taken photos in last month, but it looked different, more golden and less dark green. I focused my camera on capturing her lovely energy, smile, and how she connects to nature.
As you may remember, I’m doing photography for the #100DayProject. This means, every single day for 100 days I’m out taking photos, editing them, and sharing them with my friends. In addition, I’ve started doing photography sessions for people I know. I’ve done three senior sessions, a family shoot, and several portraits.
Part of our summer trip included searching for Thomas Dambo’s giant wooden trolls. Let me tell you, these incredible sculptures do not disappoint. Not only are they breathtakingly beautiful, but they are enormous!
Thomas Dambo has crafted over 170 creations all over the world. If your curious if one is near you, here’s a wonderful Trollmap. We only visited two trolls this trip, but we will try again soon.
Now, come with me into the forest to meet Bruun Idun and Pia the Peacekeeper.
“In the night, there was a storm, there at the beach where she was born And Idun felt a feeling wrong, and so she walked there in the dawn And in a flute, the magic horn, a tune so passionate and strong She played for them an orca song to ask them where they all had gone“
Brunn Idun stands on the shoreline playing her flute to the Orca’s to ask them why they have all left the Pugeut Sound. Her flute was made by artist, John Halliday Aka Coyote from the Muckleshoot Tribe. On August 25th, the Mayor of Seattle, Bruce A. Harrel, declared it “Brunn Idun Day”. This special recognition celebrates Bruun Idun’s and the Trolls’ contributions to our collective stewardship environmental management, water protection, repairing habitat restoration, preservation and conservation. Every August 25th is Bruun Idun Day.
“Pretty pretty please, let’s keep the peace beneath the trees Hold you in my hand I will remind you with a squeeze Quiet little people cause your criers make me tired Pia likes to play with people, people they keep quiet“
Pia likes to play with the people beneath the trees, and she likes it when it’s not too noisy.
#10#11#12#13#14#15#16#17
These photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW.
Midnight whispers wake us, voices we know Call, calling out from generations long ago Begging us to climb vine-covered walls Where shadows hide and moonlight falls To secret gardens where nightmares grow
Hands clasped together—our protective shield Quick, quickly we cross the vast muddy field Through scrawny, tawny bramble copse Where starlight magic jumps and chops Past broken mushrooms laying half-healed
There we hear the night’s beating heart Thump, thumping loudly as if tearing apart Stumble, trip through twisty almost-road Past two-headed raven and three-footed toad Where ghost flowers’ bold eyes flit and dart
Luckily these sickly pink flowers can’t shout Roar, roaring for backup from monsters about Instead slowly blinking they don’t look away Following our movements with nothing to say Until dark gloomy clouds turn the light out
Panicked we run despite no guiding star Trip, tripping on half-rotted logs where they are Fingers slip, paths divide—until it’s only me Standing beneath an unwavering willow tree Hoping nothing near has the power to mar
The drowsy pink sun eventually rises all sad Cry, crying for you—my sweet-hearted lad Lost in the wood where the early bird sings Days, weeks, and months we look for your things Until winter wipes clear all the traces we had
This week’s poem follows the format of Robert Frost’s “Ghost House” using the same rhyming structure and ending words. The painting was found at Goodwill and my teenage daughter added the eyes and other pen details.
Bridgette Tales 