Farm Country in St. Mary's County

 Quite a few years ago, I was delayed getting to work by a car accident and the police had me detour through some big farms to get back to work.  I went back to visit the area (Brown Road, Cedar Lane Road, Blacksmith Shop Road), to find some photos of the scenery that makes our County what it is.

Leonardtown area farms

Blacksmith Road

Curves

I liked the patterns in the crops.

The Artwalk is Coming! September 6, 2019

The Artwalk will be held in Leonardtown on Friday Sep 6th, 5-8 pm.  Calm Reflections Photography will be offering photography and photography crafts in town.  Don Stapleson from the Chesapeake Orchestra will be at the art walk with Clazzical Jazz, probably playing flute or sax.

I also have a photo in the Art competition, my lovely sunset photo of a Michigan Beach.  Someone recently bought a copy of it at the almost ended exhibit "Ebb and Flow" at Annmarie Gardens.  It is one of my favorites.  It is still on display at Annmarie until September 1st.  

I will know soon where it will be located in Leonardtown.  The contest is somewhat of a popularity contest, so please vote for it if you like it and if you can.  Voting can help you win a gift.  My framed photo will also be for sale.  Can't you just see this gorgeous photo in your living room?  I just wish it was taken in St. Mary's County.  I hope to see you there!

To learn more about the Artwalk visit:
 https://www.stmarysartscouncil.com/local-events/art-walk-2019

Leonardtown Fun Photo Walk

The St. Mary's County Camera Club got together to photograph Leonardtown recently at 7 pm.  The sky was quite gray and the light wasn't too interesting, but it wasn't raining and we had fun.  Here are the best shots.

      Courthouse

      Garden rose

      Balcony

      One light

     Christmas colors

     Nice entryway

      Triangle of kayaks

     Painted bricks

Calm Reflections is Coming to Leonardtown MD on September 2nd

We are participating in the Art Walk this Friday September 2nd from 5-8 pm as a Vendor displaying my photography crafts under a new pink canopy.

Here's my old booth from the sidewalk during Raiders and Invaders in 2014.

I'm also participating in the art competition with my framed photo called "Goose Family" at the Yellow Door Art Studio in Leonardtown (22795 Washington St).   If you really like my photo, please vote for it to win the Art Walk Competition anytime before 8 pm, September 2nd.  It's really cute and one of my most popular photos!  I saw the large family walking by all lined up in a row and almost missed the shot before they vanished down the small creek in one large group.  I have never seen so many goslings in one place, a huge family.  They were adorable.

Click to learn more about the Art Walk occurring during September's First Friday event.  Artists will also be participating in "Paint the Town", painting scenes of the Art Walk and Art Demos.

The Christmas Village

The St. Mary's County Fairgrounds held a Christmas Village this past weekend.  This new amusement was complete with a train, a "sleigh ride", vendors, a giant snow hill, crafts for kids, a church service, and ice skating.  The admission was free and people seemed to be enjoying themselves, even though the snow hill was a big inflatable, the ice was plastic and the giant sleigh was pulled by a big tractor (Southern Maryland style).  The "ice" skating was amusing to watch.  The skates were real and everyone "skated" for 15 minute sessions.  They really enjoyed themselves as they fell down!!! 😳 There was quite a large turnout.  Next year, if they hold it again, they could use more food vendors, a few church choirs or christmas karaoke, and/or a Christmas tree or wreath decorating contest.

WARMTH Art Show

This Saturday I am participating in the WARMTH Art Show and Silent Auction 2-7 pm at Camalier House (Washington St) in Leonardtown.  The show benefits Three Oaks Homeless Shelter.  You can even bid for art online at http://www.threeoakscenter.org

The theme is Dwell in Possibility.  My entry is called "Misty Wood", a photo of Jim when he was learning to walk again.  A streak of sunlight brightens his path as he walks into the dark unknown mist.  (A champion photo in the 2012 St. Mary's County Fair) Please consider bidding on my framed photo for a donation.

To learn more about the Auction, go to http://www.thebaynet.com/events/warmth-art-show-and-silent-auction2.html

My other photos for sale include:

Raiders and Invaders "Attacking" Soon in Leonardtown

Come enjoy The Raiders and Invaders Festival on Saturday, June 7th from 12-6 pm at Leonardtown Square and Leonardtown Wharf in St. Mary's County.  The event focuses on the War of 1812 in Southern Maryland and also includes many of the historical attractions in the area.  This is a one time special event.  There will be lots of opportunities for fun, music, artisans, old time crafts, theater, storytelling, wine, rum and cider tasting, cars, kids events and more.  The full event takes place Friday through Sunday.  For more information visit http://www.raidersandinvaders.com

We will be a vendor in Leonardtown Square, so please stop by and say hello.  We will be featuring our photos and photo crafts of St. Mary's County.

Winning photo for the Photowalk!

Hot off the press!

The winners of the local Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in Leonardtown were:

Third place to Pat French for her Sailboat photo.

Second place to Steve Bruza for his coffee cup picture.

And

First place to Joanna Macaulay (hey, that's me!) for a reflection photo of the Café des Artistes window.

The photo was a little busy, but colorful, picking up the reflection of the flowers in the square by standing at just the right angle and waiting for the cars to disappear.  I think about half of the photographers took a photo of the "happy chef".

The photo will be entered in another contest, and I win something, but I don't know what.  My husband, Jim won the first prize last year, an e-book copy of The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby.  His photo was a panorama photo of a pond at Flag Ponds Nature Park in Calvert County.  See my blog from October 31, 2012.

 

To see the other photos in the contest, click Leonardtown Photowalk Contest.

Photowalk Day Leonardtown Photos Taken Before and After the Official Walk

Jim and I participated in the Kelby Worldwide Photowalk in Leonardtown, MD on October 5th.  The light was very interesting before the walk.  There was some low fog hanging around the farms and St. Mary's City on the drive to the walk, with a lovely sunrise at the Leonardtown Wharf.  I was planning to include photos of items in the stores and people walking on the street during the Photowalk.  There were very few people and the stores that I saw were closed till 10 AM on a Saturday morning.  Most of the people I saw were other photographers! 

Sooo,  I am posting photos taken earlier in the day, and photos taken at the Corner Critters pet shop after the Photowalk.  Corner Critters is always an interesting store to visit.  They have many reptiles and also have mice, guinea pigs, fish, birds and there was even a pink parrot.  The staff  I've met have been very nice and willing to share information about the animals.  (To see photos taken during the Photowalk, you can visit my Flickr site or my Facebook page, all listed under Calm Reflections Photography.)



Catholic Chapel Historic St. Mary's City



Bench at Leonardtown Wharf
 



Kayaker at Sunrise Leonardtown Wharf



Leonardtown Wharf

Photos After the Photowalk at Corner Critters Pet Store

 
 
 

Mouse taking an afternoon nap

 


Snake

 


Yellow Python



The Ferris Wheel at the St. Mary's County Fair

We went to the St. Mary's County Fair in Leonardtown on three different days, Sep 19-21.  One day we bumped into our friend Beth and had fun taking Ferris wheel photos together.  The larger Ferris wheel was covered in little LED lights that made fascinating patterns as the wheel was stationary or spinning.  Here are just a few of the patterns I photographed using a tripod to steady the camera in the dark at a low speed.  The colors were gorgeous!

Off the Wall Art Market Coming Dec 7th

I am participating in the first "Off the Wall Art Market" at the Leonardtown Art Center on the upcoming First Friday in downtown Leonardtown MD. Please stop by if you come out for First Friday. Maybe you will find a good Christmas present. I have some lovely unique framed prints, coasters, mousepads and mugs that you won't find anywhere else.

I like the clever title of the art show.

Friday Dec 7th 5-8 pm
22660 Washington St, 2nd floor