Big Woods Creative &raquo; Design | Books | Photo

Rack Card for The Snooty Fox

June 22, 2010

I recently designed this 4×9 rack card for a local gallery and gift shop, The Snooty Fox. The owners purchased and remodeled Annandale’s historic old library building and have established a favorite shopping stop for locals and visitors. You’ll find work from Minnesota artists, a selection of fun and unique gifts and home decor, clothing, jewelry, and more, all of which I had fun photographing for this piece!

The card was developed to distribute in other area businesses and locations, seeking to reach new customers who might not know of the gallery, as it’s not visible from Main Street. It was printed on a matte cover stock. Incorporating the recognizable brick exterior of the old building and both of their “foxes” were requests by the client. If you’re in the area, I hope you take time to stop in! They are located in City Hall Square (also where Annandale’s Farmer’s Market is held on Saturday mornings from June-Oct) in downtown Annandale.

Categories:Photography, Print Design Tags: Annandale

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Self Portrait

June 4, 2010

It’s been five years since I’ve had my pack on. For a stretch of summers from ’01-’05 I was blessed to spend time in the mountains with various members of my family. I loved the cool air, every blister, each freeze-dried dessert we made. I never did well fishing. I’m sure if I had held my camera a little less and my rod a little more I might have caught something. Still I was grateful for the others luck that always put a small trout on my plate at supper. I loved sunrise, my own gorp, the promise of a full day in God’s country. In ’06 our first son was born and in ’09 our second. Half a decade has passed and I can’t remember a life of being on my own and not wondering what “they” were doing and how they were doing. The mother I now am will enter the wilderness this summer with a very different mind and a much bigger heart, carrying their little smiles with me every step of the way.

On a late afternoon, in August of ’05, I took this photo of myself. I was alone on this outcrop of rock above the 6th of the Seven Brothers Lakes in the Cloud Peak Wilderness of Wyoming (still avoiding fishing, although my pole was with me, lying by my feet.) My mind flips through the hundreds of wonderful moments I’ve captured on these trips, and at this one I stop. I can still hear the breeze that was running through the trees. I remember the twinge of discomfort that would arrive the instant I realized I didn’t know where the others in my group were. I can still feel the delight when I first noticed myself among the trees and waved (why not?). Hello self! “Remember THIS moment most,” I told myself. And I have.

Categories:Landscape Photography, Personal Tags: backpacking, favorite, travel

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Joy & Peace

May 18, 2010

I like being the only one the lake. Perhaps even one of the few already awake. Sunrise was at 5:43 today, and although it was certainly less than spectacular for clouds and color, and the fog I was seeking that was there yesterday morning at 5:30 decided not to show up today, I was not disappointed. The water moved like a sheet of silk waving silently in the wind. I decided to skip the exercise of paddling, to just float, and not disturb it.

I put my feet in Lake Sylvia yesterday and to no surprise was awed again by its clarity and sugar sand bottom. I watched our almost 4-year-old and dedicated fisherman reel in some huge crappies last night. He anxiously shared his delight with anyone who boated by, and was willing to pause and listen to him. I started my day here, reminded how blessed a person is who lives near water. It abundantly gives both joy and peace, and I do not forget to be grateful.

Categories:Landscape Photography Tags: kayaking, Pleasant Lake, sunrise

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Summer Events 2010

May 4, 2010

I knew summer in the Heart of the Lakes had arrived last Friday when I sat at the end of main street trying to get onto Highway 55 for 10 minutes. The gates officially opened at the park down the road from our house (although that hadn’t kept us out). I made $60 some dollars selling some odds and ends and not-so-favorite toys at the All-City Garage Sale Saturday with a friend (then happily put $20 of it on my coffee card at In Hot Water. Phew… that should get me through next week!)

The 2010 edition of the summer events postcard calendar I’ve designed at Oak Realty for the past three years went out to clients and friends a few weeks ago, but you can find them all around town. You won’t miss all the fun stuff that happens around here the next few months if you put this on your refrigerator. A great new addition to the list is Movie in the Park happening in Maple Lake at Irish Stadium! Although this calendar is strictly for the Heart of the Lakes, a fun event on our family calendar is the inaugural Great Minnesota Air Show at St. Cloud Airport, June 26-27th. We’re looking forward to everything on the list and all the stuff that didn’t have a date yet when this went to print back in March.

So go and get a great summer started, wherever you are. Hope to see you if you’re in our neck of the woods!

Categories:Print Design Tags: Annandale, Oak Realty

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Los Cabos, Mexico

April 22, 2010

I’m not sure if I would have ever traveled to Los Cabos had I not been asked by a dear friend to be a part of her wedding there. Now I’m sitting in Minnesota dreaming of a day I might be so lucky to go back. It was not the smoothest trip for the somewhat challenging traveler I am, but those four brief and beautiful days are sealed in my memory. These scenes were all captured from the beach in front of the Hilton Los Cabos where we stayed and where our friends Brooke & Matt were married Monday evening.

The sunrise photos were taken early on the morning of their wedding. No, I don’t intend to take the rare opportunity away from two toddlers to get up at dawn rather than sleep in. But it has happened before in Minnesota and other places that I open my eyes early in the morning, and I’m drawn to peek outside before trying to fall back asleep. Following this instinct has rewarded me in the past. So on Monday morning I peeked out our balcony and saw the pink sky, then quite literally crawled out of our room and onto the beach. I walked for awhile, reveling in the serenity, in a place that seemed worlds away from my here and now.

I treasure this first photo, my favorite. Their wedding couldn’t have been more perfect. The destination could not have been more breathtaking. Tonight, home has never felt so good.

[ It was not intentional that these birds ended up in my photographs. They seemed to be everywhere though, so it was hard to keep them out! ]

Categories:Landscape Photography Tags: beach, sunrise, vacation

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