Recently back from incredible Artist-in-Residence experience at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There were so many new experiences for me here... from autumn's splendor to winter's interruptions, to close encounters with elk, deer and bear to the drama of the Milky Way, to bone chilling winds at the top of the park's 6,600' highest peak to hiking to magnificent waterfalls oftentimes scrambling over rocks and boulders.

Please check out my photography gallery of the "best of the best" of my favorite moments in the park here. 
 
And, gratefully, I was pleasantly surprised that four of the images have sold already along with numerous greeting card sets. If interested in any, just drop me a note and I'll custom create size and material of your choice....aluminized metals, matted prints, canvas, sets of greeting cards. 
 
I must admit, after being away for over five weeks, there was a little bit of an adjustment returning to the "real world". And, it's show time again. The biggest art shows in South Florida began with Art Basel and Art Miami. I'm grateful to have been juried into the ENDANGERED Exhibit for the seventh year. Also, I was asked to speak on "How I Got That Shot". ​
 
Wishing you continued, abundant blessings and a most joyous New Year. Thanks for viewing and being in my life.
 
Follow the Light!
~Phoenix

Pictured Above, L to R: White Out, Buck at Cades Cove, Sunrise at Maloney Point; Middle: Yosemite Daybreak

First photograph during Artist in Residence taken at Clingmans Dome, highest elevation in the park at 6,644′  - "Milky Way Over the Smokies". Although, I had gone to take the shot the night before, I just couldn't handle the weather conditions. Can you say freezing - cold temps and high winds! For this native South Floridian and resident, once I dressed right for the occasion (three tops, four jackets, four pairs of pants and two pairs of socks plus a hat and gloves) the rest was pure de-light. 

Honored that Great Smoky Mountains National Park featured me on their Facebook page today: 

Please follow on Facebook, Instagram or twitter.com/spiritdivaTwitter to see the daily photo post. Click on link here or icons at bottom right of this page. Also, more images are uploaded to the gallery page, http://www.photographsbyphoenix.com/great-smoky-mountains-national-park.html

More to come!!!!!

Follow the Light! ~Phoenix

You may ask why I'm leading off this post about heading off to the Smokies with the "Moon Over the Marsh" image photographed at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach, Florida. Thanks to this image and the five others below (along with the rest of the application package) for making all the difference in my being selected by the Artist in Residence selection panel.

"The Artist in Residence selection panel really loved your work and appreciated the strong images shared. You were the super scorer on our panel," said Sheridan Roberts, Great Smoky Mountains National Parkwide Volunteer Coordinator when she notified me of my being awarded this prestigious opportunity. 

In two weeks I'm driving up to America's most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains. I'll have the opportunity be there for five weeks enjoying the total mystery and wonder of mid- to late-fall, perhaps even an early winter, in this land that stirs my heart and spirit. Hopefully, I'll arrive in time to photograph the Milky Way. Rising to a peak of over 6000 feet, the Smokies encompass over 500,000 acres and 800 miles of hiking trails. Majestic sunrises and sunsets, gurgling mountain streams and waterfalls, stillness of the open forest, morning mist and autumn colors ...I can't wait to see what I capture through my lens. 

Also, I will be presenting three public service programs. One will be for park visitors. Another, I'll be working with students on a day hike and, the last, I'll be presenting to art students and faculty.

I hope you will follow my travels during this special time via Facebook and Instagram.  

Below are the other images that helped make this dream come true. P.S. If you haven't yet, you may want to read the blog from June 7 for more on this lifetime dream.

Thanks for reading!
Follow the Light!
~Phoenix

Pictured: Top - Moon Over the Marsh; Above, L to R, Top to Bottomw - Light in the Forest, Tree & Stream, Milky Way Over the Rockies; Row 2, L to R -Yosemite Daybreak, Early Morning Fog 

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​Grateful for all the amazing love and support for my work. The night was such a joy having friends attend from other cities and meeting new friends who read about the show from local media. Below are a few links to images from the exhibit and media coverage. And, big thank you to Books & Books in Coral Gables for hosting the show. En~Joy!

Pictures posted on Facebook; Some more.
The Miami Herald
Community Newspapers Story
Rickie Report

Pictured above, "Before the Storm," 12" X 12" on aluminized metal

Just received this wonderful news from Christina Moss Mayo, Miami Herald columnist: "My column went online. Looks like it’s top local news on the online Herald. It will be in print in Neighbors Sunday." https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/coral-gables/article234491667.html

Love to have you join the fun, live and in-person, at opening reception next Friday. Here's the link to RSVP.  Or visit the online gallery here. Call or email for more info. 

Dreams do come true... ever since I visited Yosemite National Park when 13 I wanted to "work" in a national park. This fall I will be, well sort of. Just received the call that has me on a big natural high. "The artist in residence selection panel really loved your work and appreciated the strong images shared," is how the conversation started. "You were one of the super scorers." Thank you to America's most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You've also fulfilled another dream, being an artist in residence at a United States National Park. 

I'll be there photographing end of fall and early winter in all their glory starting later this year.
While immersing myself in this wonderment there is the added bonus of supporting my personal mission which I believe directly relates to and support the mission of the National Park Service: using the power of photography to raise awareness and inspire conservation of the fragile beauty of nature, especially those threatened and endangered, for the enjoyment of generations to come.

As part of the residency it will be my honor to share my insights, experiences and photography taken during the residency with park visitors and people of the local communities. I'll be facilitating three interactive public programs. Subjects may include: outdoor photography hiking workshop stopping to photograph landscapes and subjects along the path, outdoor sunrise and/or sunset photography program, and outreach Artist Talk featuring the stories behind the photographs of my artist-in-residence experience to share with classrooms and/or community groups. 

Can't wait to share it all with you. 

Pictured, one of those "strong images" in the application: "Light in the Forest," 24"x36" on metal taken at Yosemite National Park.

Hope you can join us this Saturday, May 11. Honored to be asked to give ArtTalk. Presentation will feature interactive slide show of photographs from my favorite "outdoor studio," the Everglades. Come learn the stories about how I got the shots, including images recently featured in my solo exhibit at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Gallery (BaCA). 

Opening Act for Reception: ArtTalk by Phoenix, 5-6pm
Main Event: Reception for ENDANGERED Exhibit. Also, honored to have three of my works included. Proceeds benefit the Center for Great Apes.  
Location: ArtServe, 1350 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
More Info: Center for Great Apes; Art4Apes

Always an honor to be selected to play... be juried into high end exhibits. This week is a double hitter. If you're local hope you can join us.  
 
"Art and Soul"
One Night Only-Thursday, April 11, 6-9pm
CIRC Hotel
1780 Polk Street
Hollywood, FL
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Featuring 170 pieces, including four of mine. Always a spectacular party. Proceeds benefit Business for the Art of Broward, and therefore local artists.  
ALL Art for Sale, 12"x12" aluminized metal
Flamingo, Yosemite Daybreak, First Light and Louie

Get Your Ticket

SPECTRUM
Friday, April 12, 7-9pm
Studio 18
1101 Poinciana Dr
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Show Dates: April 12 - June 5
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More Info and RSVP
 
Honor to be invited by Curator Michael Edelberg to submit my photography for this all abstract art exhibit. As a realist nature photographer, creating abstract nature photography is a whole new game. He specifically requested lots of color of indiscernible designs. Love to hear how/what you feeling when looking at these. Let me know.

This is the season to remember our blessings and share our thanks and gratitude with all who have helped to make that so. For me, that means you dear readers, followers, friends, collectors and curators. I'm truly abundantly blessed to receive all your love and support to share my passion for soul photography - nature, wildlife and people. 
 
This is also the height of the art season in South Florida, including ArtBasel-Art Miami, which I'm honored to be participating in again this year. I'm very thankful to be sought out and juried into so many special exhibits-eight in December. Below are details on this week's exhibit opening and receptions, including the prestigious ENDANGERED exhibit, where I will be speaking Friday, December 7. See flyer invite below.  ​

Gratitude & Joy Exhibit
Bailey Contemporary Arts - West Gallery
(at Blooming Bean Coffee Roasters)
Dec 7 - Jan 25

Juried by Sharon Lee Hart, head of photography and an assistant professor of art at Florida Atlantic University, this exhibition features images by 16 photographers who share their interpretations on joyful moments. Grateful to be included with this group of extraordinary photographers. Reception: Friday, Dec 7, 6 - 9 pm. Wish I could be in two places at once and I'll be speaking at ENDANGERED (see above) that night. If local, let me know if you'd like a personal tour during show exhibition run. Read more. ​

"Reciprocal Consciousness" Exhibit
Reception: Thursday, December 6, 6-8pm
Where: ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304  
 
Excited to have three works juried into this beautiful show. National League of American Pen Women - Coral Gables, Ft. Lauderdale & Boca Raton Branches - are together showing "Reciprocal Consciousness" an ArtBasel Collective Juried Exhibition curated by Caroline Parker and hosted by Mai Yap at ArtServe. Exhibition dates: December 3 - 28, 2018. Let me know if you'd like a personal tour. Read More: