Shasta Daisies, Desaturated

Daisies

Daisies, Desaturated © 2010 Bo Mackison

After those photographs of that shockingly bright red zinnia, I thought I would offer a little eye relief. Here is a stand of daisies I photographed from my backyard garden, using a de-saturation technique to decrease the color tones and force focus on the shapes of the flowers.

The Shasta daisies in this perennial patch have bloomed in record times and have grown to record heights. Daisies always bring a smile to my face. I’m reminded of the fake plastic daisy plants of the 70s – the ones that had happy faces painted on them and danced in their plastic psychedelic pots when the battery was switched on.

Anyone remember what tune those potted daisies always seemed to play? (Obviously not “Tip Toe through the Tulips!”)

Complementary Zinnia

Red Zinnia in Red and Green

Complementary © 2010 Bo Mackison

Fifth in a series of this red zinnia. Photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin.

Peony Petals in Eau Claire’s Biennial Showcase

Peony Petals © 2010 Bo Mackison

My abstract botanical photograph, Peony Petals, can currently be seen at the following exhibit:

2010 CONFLUENCE OF ART BIENNIAL
Juried Exhibit

August 16 – October 8

The second juried exhibition at the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center Gallery, the Biennial showcases artists from the Upper Midwest. The Biennial was created as a way to bring a wider range of contemporary artists and art to the Chippewa Valley.

THE OPENING RECEPTION AND AWARDS CEREMONY WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, FROM 6 TO 8 p.m. This event is free to the public.

The Eau Claire Regional Arts Center Gallery is located on the main floor of the State Theatre in the historic downtown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The art exhibits feature pieces from the finest local and regional artists. Artwork ranges from oil to watercolor, pastel to pen and ink, fiber to glass, tapestry to sculpture, and photography to mixed-media. Artwork is available for sale in the Art Gallery, with 30-40% of the sales benefiting the Eau Claire Regional Arts Center.

The Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday (closed Mondays through the summer) from 9 AM until 4:30 PM and during main stage performances at the State Theatre.

Zinnia Petals

Zinnia Petals © 2010 Bo Mackison

Fourth in a series of zinnia photographs. Photographed at the Allen Centennial Gardens on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison.

Tilt!

red zinnia photograph taken at Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison Wisconsin

Tilt! © 2010 Bo Mackison

Third in a series of a red zinnia portrait. Taken at Allen Centennial Gardens on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

And please join me as I continue my series on Writing Your Life Story at the Memoir Space. Articles are published monthly on The Calm Space, a virtual magazine hosted by Karen Wallace. This month’s article is titled “Use Action to Jump Start Memoir Writing.