Laughter is the best medicine...

I had the amazing opportunity to take photographs of a wonderful woman -  Merrill had called me up wanting some portraits and come to find out we had quite a bit in common.  She is also a teacher and an artist!  We chatted, shared some laughs, and definitely had some fun at the shoot.  Merrill was all smiles and what a sweetie she is!  We had a blast and she did a great job in front of the camera!  We will be meeting again for a fun winter (hopefully snowy) shoot - so keep your eyes peeled for the next session with Merrill!

To see Merrill's fine art check out her site here http://merrillhall-art.com/main/Merrill_Halls_Art.html

To see all of Merrill's gorgeous photographs click here http://nicolemgreene.zenfolio.com/portrait/merrill

Please visit my website for more info  http://www.nicolemgreene.com


Thank you!

One more summer has come and gone...

I am so happy to say that my summer was BUSY!   I spent my summer learning, trying new methods, new mediums, photographing weddings & portraits, painting, drawing, and of course spending valuable time with family and friends.  Now with the school year started (1 day down, 179 to go)  I officially have "ended" my summer - and, boy, is there a lot to share!

Let's start with some painting.....
I was hired by some good friends of mine to create a custom set of paintings - I was so thrilled and jumped at the chance to paint for them!  They  had seen a painting of mine of a seahorse and requested a larger version of it along with two other sea creature designs.  After putting together some sketches - I was off to work!  But I can't really call it work - because I enjoyed every second of it.  When it came time to pack them up and deliver them....I had a bit of separation anxiety - ha!  Yet, I realized that feeling meant I had done right - I had put a little bit of myself into each and every one.  I love this style and process and I intend on continuing this series with more water loving creatures.

These pieces are about 20"x20" on hardwood panel - The Crab is my favorite :)    Enjoy!

See these and more of my work at http://www.etsy.com/shop/MettlerStudios?ref=si_shop

AND if you'd like a custom peice of your own - don't be shy to contact me at nicolemettler@gmail.com

Thanks!

Kids have so much energy - and FUN!

I had a wonderful shoot with a family of 6 (including their pup) at beautiful Algonkian Park.   We came across some very tame deer, the kids climbed old logs and played in the mud - and I was able to capture the wonderful love of family.  Thank you Peterson family for a wonderful time and your beautiful smiles!

To see more pictures from this shoot click here:  http://nicolemgreene.zenfolio.com/petersonfamily2011

Family Photo Session - Home for the Holiday

I shared part of my Independence Day holiday weekend with a fun loving family with beautiful character.  Many members of the family had traveled in from different states for this family reunion. The day was hot and humid, but everyone braved the elements for a bit of fun in a nearby park - to capture the celebration of an anniversary and their love for one another!  There was lots of laughs, hugs, and JOKES!  The Grows were a great group to work with and we created some beautiful images because of that.  Getting to know each individual of the family was a blessing, for they are truly wonderful people. I found myself reminiscing about my family (about 450 miles away in Ohio) on my way home from the shoot - and thinking- it sure is worth a long drive for those loving hugs and smiles!  I want to thank the Grow family, for making my 4th of July weekend a special one.

To see more pictures from this shoot click here:  http://nicolemgreene.zenfolio.com/growfamily2011

God Bless America!

What a fun, busy, relaxing, and hot weekend I had!  I was able to spend the whole weekend with my husband and our wonderful friends, Kelley and Josh.  The weekend was full of yummy food and desserts, as well as lots of laughs.  We enjoyed the Independence Day celebrations in Leesburg.  Joe and I had to use this as an opportunity to get creative of course!   Here are a few of my photographs :  a bit of fun with some abstracts!

SUNRISE 2011

LIGHTNING BUGS 2011

SPRAWLING 2011

RED -WHITE-BLUE  2011

Family Pictures with the Coe's!

What a wonderful situation - I got to see my best friend and her growing family AND I got to take their photographs!  I know how important it is for families to have their family pictures taken.  To this very day I love going through the old pictures my mom has of us when we were children. There is a special place in my heart for the Coe family.  I look forward to every visit with them, for the girls grow up so quickly, and time passes with so much to catch up on.  We had a fun time at the park, the girls played on the swings, slides, and even learned how to blow bubbles!  That was an experience!  Kids sure are full of energy -I don't think I can count one time when the girls sat still :)  I had a blast and can't wait to see the Coe's on my next visit to Ohio!

To see the entire Gallery of the Coe's family pictures click the address below.

http://nicolemgreene.zenfolio.com/coefamily2011

Blast of Color!

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to continue my education through Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and Great Lakes Institute of Photography (GLIP).  I met so many wonderful artists - all teachers in my eyes - for I learned A LOT in only 4 days.  I finally felt a sense of belonging as an artist, that I haven't felt since my photo darkroom days at BGSU.  It was sad to leave, but I am so thankful for the photographers who develop, teach, and attend these programs.  I will definitely see you there next year!

On one of our outings to Downtown Ann Arbor, MI - we had some time to kill while waiting for our model.  Downtown, there is a  'graffiti hall' - graffiti artists paint all over the walls until their heart is content.  I'm not sure if this is supported by everyone in the community - but it seems to be quite a popular place.  Another interesting tid bit - in the 'graffiti hall' there is a 'gum wall'.  Passers by add their chewed gum to the wall and it becomes part of the art - painted over and over and over again - creating a whole new texture to the brick wall itself.  Some might consider it gross - others might consider it sculpture!

Here are several photos I took while visiting Ann Arbor.

better late than never

I've still been working on the photos from Crozet.  Here are a couple "still life" peices.   I love the purple and blues in the first one.  The second one, I've always like the way textured rope looks when tied in knots - so much movement for the eye to follow.  Enjoy!

http://nicolemgreene.zenfolio.com/

Double success!

The art show and graduation both went so well!  Graduation: No rain, well behaved students, no trips, and lots of smiles.  Art show:  threat of rain--only a few sprinkles, art work sold, smiling faces, and I met some new artist friends!  No better way to finish up the evening than by eating sushi and Thai food with some close friends.  It was a long day, but a great day.  Thanks to all who stopped by!

http://www.nicolemgreene.com

ART SHOW THIS SATURDAY june 11

Summer is here!  School is out, so the artist in me kicks into high gear.  I will be at the ArtScape Art Fair in Old Town Winchester this Saturday from about 11 am to 6 pm.  There will be other local artists and various activities.  Check out the details here - http://www.oldtownwinchesterva.com/2011/06/artscape-art-fair-2011/

Come support the local artists and stop by my tent and say hi!  Hope to see you there.

Here's a little something new I've been working on - prints available at the show!

http://www.wix.com/nicolemettler/nicolemettlerart

Happy Birthday Dad!

Yesterday, my dad turned 50!  I've gotten my dad a lot of gifts over the years, and he has always had this "sense" of what was wrapped up in the gift box.  I would try hard every year, at Christmas and his birthdays, to surprise him once and for all.  So, after my dad bought one of his favorite "toys" in 2007, I created these two drawings of his Split Window Coupe.  Finally!  He was surprised!  I was ecstatic, Dad loved the drawing....and he couldn't have guessed no matter how hard he tried.  So, even though I wasn't home to celebrate with my dad on his birthday this year, I thought of that moment we had together - and it brought me back home :)  Love you Dad!

http://www.wix.com/nicolemettler/nicolemettlerart

Crozet, VA

What a great weekend with family!  Joe and I spent the weekend with his family in a quiet cabin in the woods in Crozet, VA for his cousins wedding.  Congratulations Josh and Laura!  The wedding was beautiful, and the vows brought us ( I mean me) to tears.  The reception had delicious food and joyous dancing.  I love weddings :)  Not only do I love weddings, but I love the few times a year I get to spend with my husband and his family.  They are a blast!

Mom and her boys!

Cheese!


http://nicolemgreene.zenfolio.com/

good times with family

Joe's family is in town and we are off for a big wedding celebration!   We are headed to a gorgeous lake and I can not wait to take some pics!

All the boys in Joe's family have played hockey since they were wee little.  Here is the youngest, Jared - doing a great job!

http://nicolemgreene.zenfolio.com/

the end of the school year is approaching...

Ahhhh....finally summer is in the air!  This school year has been a wonderful year, and again I am blessed to have worked with so many talented young ladies and gentleman.  One of our latest units has been working with liquid watercolors, which I love because the colors are so vibrant AND they speed up the watercolor painting process!  They are all ready liquid form, so no need to add water!  I do multiple watercolor painting projects with my Intro classes - and one they seem to enjoy the most is the experimental watercolor techniques.  We use salt, rice, plastic wrap, and other household items to create visual texture.  I absolutely love what salt does to watercolor!

"Pisces Dance"  Watercolor On Paper.  2011

Another watercolor project that I am trying out right now (only a few students are completely finished) is painting on a crackled surface.  When you use watercolors, it creates this mosaic or almost a stained glass affect.  So far, so good - the projects are turning out beautifully!  And the kids really like the final look.

"Under the Sea"  Watercolor On Board.  2011

Click here to see more of my artwork!

Sprinkly Day at Burke Lake...

Yesterday, myself, Chelsey, Sean and their adorable pup spent the afternoon at Burke Lake making some gorgeous engagement photos.  It was supposed to rain all day, but luckily for us...the extent was a few sprinkles.  We had a few cute umbrellas on hand just in case.  Burke Lake is where Sean proposed to Chelsey so it was a perfect place to commemorate their engagement.  If you've never been to this park, you need to go visit!  You are surrounded by quiet and nature - 2 of my favorite things!  Throughout the afternoon, we had some laughs and created some great pictures.  Here's to Chelsey and Sean, a creative, fun-loving couple - wishing you all the best in the years to come as husband and wife.

Check out all the photos at http://nicolemgreene.zenfolio.com/couples/chelseyandsean

the First.....

Well....there is a first time for everything. Here's my first blog ever...tear!   I just hope I can keep up with it!  I also wanted to mention that I don't think I've ever seen a rose like this until just yesterday.  I couldn't take my eyes off of it!