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Racine Wisconsin

Ecstatic

by Bo Mackison on 06/06/2010

White Peony with Pink Tear Drop Petal

Ecstacy © 2010 Bo Mackison

Our peony season in Madison has been over for a week, the victim of torrential downpours which soaked the flowers and sent them drooping onto the garden’s earth. So when we took a visit to Racine for a Frank Lloyd Wright Tour this weekend, I was happy to see peonies in full bloom. Lake effect. We were only a mile inland from Lake Michigan and spring was later in coming. The peonies were at their peak.

As we headed up a driveway to one of the homes on the tour, I noticed this peony plant. Each flower was pure white save for a tear-shaped streak of deep pink and a single petal with pink edging. I hadn’t planned on doing any macro photography – not on an architectural tour – but luckily my lenses were in the car. Sherpa was hurrying me more than usual, as the skies were graying and raindrops were splashing around us. But I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to capture this white peony with the unusual pink markings. So we went back to the car for the right equipment and I studied the peonies.

Fifty shots later, and we were back on the tour. But I’m glad I stopped to smell the roses…wait, wrong saying.

Glad I stopped to photograph the peony.

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First Sign of Spring

by Bo Mackison on 03/12/2010

Melting

Melting

In Wisconsin, the first sign of spring has nothing to do with flowers popping out of the ground.

It is all about the big melt.

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Fogged In

by Bo Mackison on 03/11/2010

Solitary Tree

Time for Reflection

Hard to imagine, but not 50 feet from here are the rocky shores of Lake Michigan. I spent nearly three days in this foggy setting, and not once did I see the lake.

Which was a good thing, as I was at this pristine setting for a workshop, and so I didn’t have to fight distractions too much. Once I took my early morning fog photographs, the scenery never changed, and so I was able to focus on the workshop.

The workshop, by the way, was superb. I attended a Marketing Workshop for Artists by Alyson Stanfield, the author of the book I’d Rather Be in the Studio and dispenser of  wisdom on running a business when your business is art. Her Art Biz Blog is packed with great information if you can’t meet this dynamic lady in person.

Now that I have all these new tools and actions, I am committed to putting them into practice, a tiny bit at a time.

How exciting is that!

(BTW, thanks, Alyson!)

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