Dormant

 Dormant by Teri H Hoover©

December 13, 2014

 

Lifeless leaf
Skids over a partially frozen pond.
Frantic wind chime
Clangs haphazardly on a rusted chain.
Dormant fish
Sustained by cycles, and the seed of summer. 

 Facebook Small Stones Writing Group

Do You Hear What I Hear?

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Silence

The new faucet, sink and disposal were installed in our kitchen on September 8.  Without fanfare or ceremony. Sadly, I have forgotten the mans name. But that doesn't mean I don't love him. With his matter-of-fact, plumbers aplomb, he dispatched the old leaky faucet in minutes, and for good measure put a new sink and disposal in less than two hours.  An angel in nice fitting jeans and a plaid shirt.  Does he know what he meant to me?  Unlikely... but I did give him a ten dollar tip, despite the "no tips" on the invoice. Does he know he brought about my new beginning? Well, I didn't tell him and I doubt, even with his best plumbers skills, he could wade through a blog like this and recognize himself. 

That was three months ago, to the day. Happy three month anniversary to my new found transcendental silence. Lifting the oppressive silence of my past has dispensed with a backlog of emotions. I swim a bit in disorientation without panic. Most of the time.  Facing incarcerated demons can be a bit like stepping out on black ice. The details shall stay a bit murky here, but all I can say is they sure put up a hell of a fight.
    
So today, December 8, 2014. Today was a "near- miss" kind of day. But in a comical kind of way. Or it seemed comical to me. Cereal on the floor, water poured outside the pot, a nearly burnt sweet potato, packages left in the car. My life is edits that need re-editing.
 
I have been thinking about coming back to writing for nearly a year now.  So here I am. I think I am ready.

xoxo Teri



 

Leaky Faucets

I have an old plastic pitcher in the kitchen sink. It is there to collect the water that drips from faucet. It has been this way for about a year now. 

In that year I have lurched, floundered and have a sister that says-"keep on swimming".

(Finding Nemo clip)

I have lost a access to my spouses family and a beloved nine year old niece.

For a while  it was too hard. I miss her and all my nieces and nephews beyond words.  Loving friends and prayers continue to bring solace.  


Begrudgingly, I found a counselor. This precipitated a need for an emotional clean out of epic proportions. I have written seven page letters to both my parents, and secured emotional space. It is an amazing gift and an unsettling void. On occasion the uncomfortable feeling that I have abandoned my eldest sibling post is overwhelming. I feel a loss of balance and adrift.  I am blessed beyond measure with the support of loving siblings and a husband who begins to see my journey.  I am blessed beyond measure to have their love and the love of friends. 

So with these losses comes beginnings. I continue with a prayer in my heart for all those caught up in transitions that seem surreal. 

Highlights of this year of transition-  

My first international solo trip to Finland and Cyprus.

I am re-introducing myself to art by immersion. I joined and become co-VP of the 
Blacksburg Regional Art Assoiciation .  I have had non-client photo work in two solo shows and had pieces in several other joint shows. I am taking pen and ink classes, participate in Plein Air events, and  figure drawing sessions. 

Here are some images from my show entitled- "Along the Garden Path"

                                                         "On the Right Path"

 

"Hearts on the Line"

                                                 "Hearts Listening for the Ocean"
 

                                                          "Almost May"

I became a grandmother in April!!   I have been to visit five times this year. I will be there again in September. And although it is a fair bit to get there, I am so thrilled to be able to go. This blessings trumps all else. I  am now a grandmother!!!

Upheaval comes slowly or all at once.

The faucets still drips.  But I am thinking about getting it fixed.

Images from my show "Along the Garden Path" can be purchased by clicking on the image.


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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