Reaching Out

Backyard Garden - Blacksburg, VA April 1, 2014

Pulling from the Unseen

I know there is life within these hidden places.  I have been long quiet, a seed buried in darkness. I squirm just a bit and know all is well. I know I am not alone here. As we allow and learn; times of long gestation, we begin to see these places as creative spaces.  Things unseen are infused into our dreams. I am delighting in this time.

 

 Sketch book - January 2014

 Preston Avenue- Blacksburg VA- January 2014

Seattle WA- February 2014

 Chihuly Glass Seattle, WA- March 2014

Seattle, WA- March 2014

Wishing you all the blessings of the heart - and wonderful curves of creativity! 

Teri

Portals of Transition

Portals of Transition

Portals of Transition- Photography Exhibit by Teri H Hoover

on display at Mill Mountain Coffee Blacksburg, Va

January 2014- April 2014

Mill Mountain Coffee - Blacksburg VA

Teri H Hoover -Blacksburg Regional Art Association Exhibiting Artist 

Growing up near Buffalo, NY, there was a drawer behind

the kitchen table filled with paper, pencils and crayons.

As a family with six children we went through a lot of paper.

I can still hear mom reminding dad (an offset printer)

that we could use more paper. At age 12 I received my

first 126 Kodak Instamatic camera. I was in sixth grade. Stealthily, I would find subjects I desired to draw. Writing, drawing and photography co-existed until my early 20's.

In college at Alfred University, I truly enjoyed drawing and writing, but felt the greatest connection with photography.

For the most part doors, stairs and windows were among my favorite subjects. In the beginning I found photographing people daunting, but I did capture some great images of people unaware. My love of photographing people was found through photographing my children and family members and eventually moved beyond worke. For over 25 years I have enjoyed my work in the wedding and portrait fields. I have been blessed to work with clients world wide.

Besides working as a photographer, I have two grown children who are creative and witty. I am a serious lover of dogs-I only care for one at a time, but deeply admire those that can care for more. The outdoors recharges my soul and our garden was featured in 2013 on the NRV Garden Tour. As a full blown hoarder of fabric, I create quilts, bowls and wall hangings. I am also blessed with one patient and sometimes puzzled husband who travels a lot.

I have lived in Blacksburg since 1982. My focus of creating a home and raising children took precedent over other creative endeavors. In November 2012 I joined the Blacksburg Regional Art Association in an effort to give myself insight into just how artists “worked”. I am now Co-VP and love the supportive group of people I have found.

About these Images:

This is my first foray into displaying my images in a public venue. I am delighted to be a part of the BRAA which promotes artists to do just this type of thing. The collection of images you see here is the culmination of the need to finish what I began in 1979. I have over 2000 door related images. The 20 photos you see here were taken since 2006 in digital format. I hope to delve into my archives in the next year and print some of my earlier images.

Why doors? The word transition comes to mind. The symbolism of doors as a visual transition from inside to outside or vice versa is basic; but obviously quite captivating for me.

Enjoy the images, prices are next to each photo. Feel free to contact me at crystalirisphotos@gmail.

Information about my wedding and portrait work can be found at:

Teri H Hoover Photography on Facebook

http://terihhoover.wix.com/terihhoover-photography.

All images in this show are the sole property of Teri H Hoover Photography ©

All images printed at PFS- 290 Peppers Ferry Rd. NEChristiansburg VA 24073 540.381.9425

The Blog is Dead- I Feel SO Much Better

Why does that make me feeling better? 


I can just feel the relief wash over me. 

The Blog is Dead by Jason Kottke

..."Sometime in the past few years, the blog died. In 2014, people will finally notice. Sure, blogs still exist, many of them are excellent, and they will go on existing and being excellent for many years to come. But the function of the blog, the nebulous informational task we all agreed the blog was fulfilling for the past decade, is increasingly being handled by a growing number of disparate media forms that are blog-like but also decidedly not blogs.Instead of blogging, people are posting to Tumblr, tweeting, pinning things to their board, posting to Reddit, Snapchatting, updating Facebook statuses, Instagramming, and publishing on Medium."...Today, teens are about as likely to start a blog ... as they are to buy a music CD. Blogs are for 40-somethings with kids"

I am guilt free of my disregard of the blogging "rules" of success. No more worries about the number of shares, likes, responses, followers, consistency of content, frequency of posts, or  finding the perfect theme. I am free!!! 

What  relief.

The zeal with which some plunge into the New Year has always been curious to me. Maybe living in the Northern Hemisphere, far from the equator, plays a role. I see the contrast of  winter days and expending gobs of energy on resolutions to be futile. January does however bring thoughts of quiet new beginnings. Stirrings in the darkness of winter. I listen closely.

For the past few January's I have chosen a word to explore throughout the new year. 

2011 Pause~~~~~~2012 Balance~~~~~~2013 Curves

  

It is January 17th and I am still without a word in 2014.

I am not dismayed by the delay- I will have a new word by Chinese new year, which is next week. Or sooner- since I keep rewriting this post! I have continued to ponder last years word, curves. 

• Why do I feel a bit let down by last years word? 
• Why did Pause and Balance give me a sense of comfort?  (Was it the years events were easier in 2012, and 2011? Ha, now that is funny.)
•  Comfort- now there is a word!  Creating a places of comfort, lingering in places of comfort, hiding in places of comfort - ah yes. That is stuff I like. 

 Finding the inside of the curve~ October 2013~

Devils Garden, Escalate, Utah

• SAFETY  
• physical safety and emotional safety
•  Yes safety. Safety could be my word. With prayer and faithfulness I may find that curve I crave, the inside. With prayer and faithfulness, maybe I could may be ok outside the curve.  Maybe. I here some people crave the excitement of the outside of the curve.(Don't they know it is dangerous out there!!)
•  When do I feel most comfortable? What amount of comfort do I require to feel safe enough to really be myself? What are the origins of discomfort?

"Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place."

~ Zora Neale Hurston

So this year it will be my intention to be mindful about the boundaries I need to feel safe. I wish to set boundaries with grace instead of defensiveness. Last year I struggled to reclaim a safe emotional place. It seemed the only way to do this was a "take no prisoners" strategy. Very effective- but rather abrasive.   

So a prayer for the gentleness of a mother creating a safe place for a child.  I will allow myself the safe space, relieved to do the things that will bring me around again to wholeness.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Spooky Canyon, Escalante Utah 10-2013

Sometimes you get stuck in a curve 

You can't get turned around

Until you ask for help.

I will say this is a full life. Light comes streaming in just when the darkness seems to have won. Blessings and grace shine into your hearts.  

 

Late Summer Musings

Shine the Divine- I Heart Macro week 18 Sunday Whirl #128- September 22, 2013
 

 

 The late summer shadows in the alley behind my house.

Though summer is making way for autumn, my dill plants are celebrating with an exuberance of seeds.

 These seeds will dry and fall to the ground, ready for their winter rest. 

Still and quiet, waiting without distress for the warmth of spring.

 So I will curve into autumn.

The Huckleberry Trail- Blacksburg, VA- September 2013

In honor of friend and fellow blogger Laura Hegfield  Shine the Divine

I took this photo with my cell phone the other afternoon -

 when I downloaded the image it reminded me of Laura's image on her blog.

It reminded me of her inspiration that always awaits me when I visit.

 AND then of course there are hearts-

 Finland 2013

A Remembrance

One World Trade Center - NY, NY 

May 2013

Remembrance- a reading of the names

Morning Glory

Our World Tuesday Prompt

 Morning Glories in the Alley - Blacksburg VA- September 2013

Greeting the day with everything they have.

The Well Used Heart

So I have been away. The curve got hold me. I flew off into the ozone for awhile. 

Here is a small selection of life since May....

 How are you?  

Shine the Divine- I Heart Macro week 17

Sunday Whirl #125- September 8, 2013
Poetic Bloomings September 8, 20123 Prompt 119- "Looking Back- Looking Forward" 
   
The Well Used Heart  by Teri H  Hoover ©

One small brush with a stranger, at the magic edge of idleness.

One little push at the top of the curve; there is no turning back.

Traveling the avenue of thought only to lose my answer.

Stains of intrigue stamped upon my passport.

Approaching the borders without dimension. 

Where is my country?

Only a heart full of emptiness can return home.

 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Rise

Sunday Whirl #110- May  26, 2013

Rise by Teri H  Hoover

 

Finding love close

within fertile layers.

I anchor my heart 

to the curves of the current. 

Free to shift and yield

the range of this phrase riding a beam of light.

Long months of ripping away.

Lofting tatters connect and rise,

redeemed.

 Backyard Garden, Blacksburg, VA- May 25, 2013

If

From my writing blog  A small Stone Gathering 
WE WRITE POEMS prompt -153-changing-the-impossible


If

If birds could swim and fish could fly
Words would flow like tears I cry.

Winter scars behind this heart
My leaves unfurl with springs fresh start.

Gently

Linking with Tina's Pic Story- Bottom Up, and  Tuesday Muse and Random Hearts

Next door neighbors weeping cherry tree- Blacksburg, VA- April 22, 2013

All that room

outside.

My heart finds safety.

Through these gentle blossoms
Light.

I have considered "going dark" as the cool bloggers say. Taking some time off from the online space. But as soon as I say that I will want to post. Such is the nature of being me. So for now despite some behind the scenes meltdown and fumblings. I will continue with my little weekly posts. I can feel the deep sigh of relief from the universe. Onward with my leaking and lurking and rambling.

On the bright side on July 6, 2013 our garden will be a part of the 18th Annual New River Valley Garden Tour .  Sponsored by Friends of the Montgomery County Library (proceeds to benefit the Montgomery County Library). And while the preparation for such an event is a bit daunting I am enjoying the time outside.

Sending blessings of love and light to you and yours.

Huckleberry Trail Blacksburg, VA- April 2013

                                                     A walk that curves right into my heart-

Carried into Light

The FIRST photo is Linking with  Bonnie at Pixel Dust Photo Art, - SHADOWS/LIGHT , ABC Wednesday , -Missing    ,Wordless Wednesday NC Sue,,  Random Heart Thursday.

Backyard Garden, Blacksburg, VA- 04-05-2013

We float between sunlight and shadows

Until we curve into new life.

Williamsville, NY

Grandma Helen-
February 5, 1911 - April 8, 2013

The welcoming smile, the laugh, the love. 

Her arrival in Heaven will be heralded with the chirping of chickadees, sparrows and cardinals. Kittens will purr and curl and dogs noses will nuzzle in. Her siblings, friends and of course Elmer and Mary Anne will be there. She has waited so long to see them again.

She brought a bit of heaven to earth. Faithful and joyful. Her greetings were with an open heart and smile. A visit was filled with heartfelt love. And her good byes were a blessing; standing in the door way with a wave and a smile, you never saw her leave that space. She waited with a prayer in her heart until you had gone from view.

So we now stand in that doorway and wave good bye. Now we will wait, with a prayer in ours hearts. She is gone from our view, but forever with us.   I now look forward to the greetings and hugs when I see her again.

Forever with us- but I am missing her still.

The Waiting Place

The FIRST photo is Linking with  Bonnie at Pixel Dust Photo Art, - COLLAGE , ABC Wednesday , -LONG WAITING LOVE  Our World Tuesday ,Wordless Wednesday NC Sue,,  Random Heart Thursday.

This collage was created in response to a prompt by Bonnie over at Pixel Dust Photo Art.
See below for the process.


The Waiting Place

around and behind 

apart 

curved into the waiting place
of long waiting love

I have a husband who travels. I used to really like when he would leave. It gave me time to find what ever it was and create and move things around. But I think I am over that, or I find I can do all that even when he is around. I have curved into a new me that would just rather have him around. This surprises him as much as it does me. 





The image creation process: I am a bit photoshop challenged when it comes to integrating layers so this was a big attempt. So here is the first photo I used. It is of a wall around a huge statue of Buddha in China. I went to China with my husband in 2007. I have almost recovered.  I took over 4000 photos. It is lots of fun to play with some of these photos.
 

I settled on using the last version (I think I used the "find edge" filter- or it could have been posterization filter.) Just look at all those CURVES!  (my focus word for the year.)

Then I added several other images of mine and came up with the image above. I must say I am pretty pleased.





On another note. It is April. In the Northern hemisphere in Virginia it is usually spring time. I had 16 cubic yards of mulch delivered at 1:30 today. It is now covered in 4 inches of snow. This little angel in the backyard collected some snow in her basket. I don't think I need mulch if the yard is covered in snow. 

 Backyard garden, Blacksburg, VA April 4, 2013

  

Blessings

 Kitchen Table, Blacksburg, VA- March 31, 2013

Easter 
curves into remembering

what is hidden 
can be found.

Lostness is just stuckness 
in the in 
between 
parts.

Thank goodness Kirsi sent me just the right quote. 

“Everything will be alright in the end. So if it is not alright, it is not yet the end.” —

quote from the movie-The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 

And  Patti spent the day looking for Eeyore while on vacation in Ireland.

And my sisters both texted me.

And my yoga teacher reminded me to smile.

And my husband is still in the country.

And it is going to be alright. 

Love Harder

The FIRST photo is Linking with  Bonnie at Pixel Dust Photo Art, - GRAFFITI

The first photo is linking with: 

ABC Wednesday , -K is for Kick It   Our World Tuesday ,Wordless Wednesday NC Sue,, And down below a heart  image for Random Heart Thursday.

Sometimes all we can do is hang on in love.

Kick the fear.

Love harder.

Downtown Blacksburg, VA July 2012- My nieces Senior portraits

Linking with  Bonnie at Pixel Dust Photo Art, - GRAFFITI

The original-

Some other fun images

Journey

The SECOND photo is Linking with  Bonnie at Pixel Dust Photo Art, -self portrait

The first photo is linking with: 

Studio Waterstone~ I Heart Macro  the last one. :-(

ABC Wednesday , -J is for Journey  

Our World Tuesday ,Wordless Wednesday NC Sue,, 

And down below a heart  image for Random Heart Thursday.

Huckleberry Trail, Blacksburg, VA- 03-06-2012

Unplanned Journey

This journey started from a point I know longer remember.

How many curves have I slammed straight into?

  To see elegance in this bending and winding

I must find a still space.

Is a trip unplanned if it is just a trip you have avoiding?  The reluctant traveler sagas continue. The night before my trip, I thought I would actually become ill with panic. This was a trip to Buffalo. Time to bite the bullet and get in the car for that 10 hour drive. Of course there were snow squalls before we (my 18 year old nephew on spring break made the trek with me) even hit the West Virginia border. There were at least 10 of these delightful and blinding white outs on the 70 mile per hour curves of West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. By the time we reached the flats of I-90 the snow had pretty much abated. The family was all visited and seen.

I was as always most happy to be home in my own bed on Sunday.

Self Portrait - taken by my dad, edited by me

Coffee Stain Heart on the Counter

Kitchen Counter, Buffalo NY- 03-14-2013 

And just one more thing-

Life in Contrast

The SECOND photo is Linking with  

Bonnie at Pixel Dust Photo Art, -Using Bonnie's Layers 

The first photo is linking with 

Studio Waterstone~ I Heart Macro  

ABC Wednesday , -H is for the Hardy and Healthy Amaryllis Blooming in my House 

Our World Tuesday ,Wordless Wednesday NC Sue,, and Tina's Pic Story "wordless Wednesday".

And down below a heart  image for Random Heart Thursday.

Family Room, Blacksburg, VA- 03- 05-2013

For my mother.

I see how you struggle  

I wonder if your heart can ever find rest.

Once a flower of deepest red-

you huddle in the soil 

forgetting your worth.

There are more ways to move than forward.

Two posts may have been called for here- but alas there is only so much time in a day. And I do flit between emotions rather abruptly lately. So bear with me .Onward - Forward? to a  brighter place..

 

Shifting toward thankfulness and a place to be inspired

This was a first for me - a screen shot! It shows the textures from Bonnie that were considered, the 'backdrop" one is one I did from a close up of  a sweater. I used the top left one, the top right one, the bottom left one and the bottom middle one. I added the a circular sundial photo of mine twice, ( I cannot tell you what I did to it- something with the difference filter I think. It was also the first time I used the lasso tool with any success.) I also added my "thank you Bonnie" lettering. Lots of layers and textures-just for you Bonnie. Thanks again.

And while cooking with my sister. (She read the recipe aloud while we connected via Google Video Chat) I found a red pepper heart. I actually see two hearts here.

Kitchen, Blacksburg, VA- 03-06-2013

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole- Kitchen, Blacksburg, VA- 03-06-2013

Have a great rest of the week.