Festive Design

– Oktoberfest! –

All graphics: L A Promotional Design & Photography

In the land of Every-Festival-Known-To-Man (and a bunch we made up!) it is that time of year that we all look forward to: 
the Autumn Equinox with lots of German Beer!

Enlightening Photography

– Raising Awareness –

All photos: L A Promotional Design & Photography

My incredibly thoughtful friend, Tricia, posted that she was holding a prayer vigil in recognition of the First Ever Lung Cancer Survivors Day, August 1, 2012. 

Lung Cancer Survivors Foundation

Upon reading that the event included a balloon launch, I immediately contacted her about the dangers of deflated balloons and their effect on wildlife and the environment, with this very informative link:

Balloons As Litter

What goes up must come down, and millions of land and sea animals view shriveled balloons as food, ingest them, or feed them to their babies.  Many get tangled in the string and suffocate.  

After reading about the hazards, Tricia decided that candles and bubbles were the way to go!  (I held my breath as the group did launch a sky lantern, which the description swears is 100% biodegradable... I can only hope)

Attending this event was very educational for me, as I spent an evening talking with the most fearless, courageous people I have ever met – some cancer survivors, some in the battle of their lives.  I learned that anyone with lungs can develop this cancer, at any age, even though It carries the stigma of being a "smoker's disease".  It usually goes undetected for way too long, and this type of research needs much more funding!

So with this post, I am attempting to bring awareness to these life and death issues, involving our fellow beings. 

National Cancer Institute

Don't Let Go

Balloons Blow

Tiny Critter Photography

– The Nursery That Is Our Yard –

L A Promotional Design & Photography
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I just love their fuzzy little heads... they are so punky!

Artistic Photography

– Exhibit @ Roz Steiner Gallery –

L A Promotional Design & Photography
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I recently attended a reception at the Roz Steiner Gallery at GCC – 

an exhibit by Tom Mac Pherson entitled Documente: The Italian American Family Album 

Tom's painting is extremely colorful and visually outstanding.  

In keeping with traditional style, he explained his use of "egg tempera" paint.  It is simply 

(but not easily, in my opinion) made from a mixture of artist quality finely ground dry pigments, egg yolk and water.

This interactive exhibit also included stories about many (literally) 'colorful' characters wound in his interesting family history

in mid-twentieth century America.

Until this day, I hadn't been to a gallery opening since college (a very long time ago). 
We spent a lot of time at  Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center back in the day, when I was cool!  Believe it or not, this fantastic, diverse space is still open and loaded with creativity.

Nature Photography

– Clouds Illusions –

All photos: L A Promotional Design & Photography

As the wind picked up and the skies darkened this past Saturday morning, my natural instinct was to peddle my bike home as fast as I could to get my camera! 

Flying thgough the woods, camera draped across my back, was my lighweight version of storm chasing.

It was difficult to keep the camera steady with the wind blowing, but artistic license allows the blur to add to the excitement!

Nature Photography

– Lake Erie Shoreline –

L A Promotional Design & Photography
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This is not the Buffalo most people are used to.  No joke - it is the middle of downtown, and it is June. 
If you hang around the Erie Basin Marina long enough, you will almost always be treated to an amazing sunset!

My city is very small, more like a large town, and from the lighthouse it is model-sized.

Fun with Sea Gulls

I understand that sea gulls are thought of as nothing more than "rats of the sky".  

The truth is, like every other animal on this planet, they serve a useful purpose that perpetuates the cycle of life and our well-being. 

I prefer to think of them as "sanitation workers of the sky" as they scavenge up great numbers of dead animals and organic litter which could pose a health threat to humans.  So feel free to thank one the next time you see him... or her.

The one creature I don't think serves any purpose at all is the fly.  Eeew.

Spring Photography

– The Blooming Season –

L A Promotional Design & Photography
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I am so happy to be back at my Blog, today ... here in my bright studio on a springy Buffalo Day, 
with perfect sunny streams floating through my window on a cool-ish breeze. 
The past two months have been very busy with design and photo work, which is lucky for me – 
I find it strangely empowering to pay bills.

I love spring time around Walton Woods!  

Every morning there is some new form of nature to coexist with.

The only thing I really dislike about a journey through the woods is constantly having to clean up garbage!  

Must people be so trashy??

This little guy is one of my favorites. I don't know what he is, other than a great swimmer!

I get to watch him paddle over to the bank...

...collect his grass...

 ...then swim all the way across the (small) lake to continue building his home. Or her nest!

I would love to see those little furry babies, but haven't yet.

Geese are the most abundant water fowl around our ponds.  

They are amazing animals, very protective, family-oriented, intelligent, and sometimes a bit scary!  Or goofy.

It's not very often you see one parent with the brood. 

When they choose a mate they are together for life.  I have a lot of respect for a relationship like that!

There are always Painted Turtles hiding in the trees.  

Unfortunately I am never quiet enough so there are already two in the water!

Life Changing Logo, Poster, Apparel Design

– Quench –

All graphics: L A Promotional Design & Photography

One important role of an activist is helping to raise awareness of devastating issues that surround us.  

When this project was given to me, I was thrilled to see that more people are beginning to understand another growing crisis on this planet: lack of access to clean water.

A while back I wrote a very informative piece ... something about loving a toilet ... 

http://lapromotionaldesign.blogspot.com/2011/11/everyday-life.html

Learn more about this very important issue and how you can help:
http://water.org

The West Side Rowing Club is just another jewel in the crown of the Queen City.  Visit them at:

http://wsrc.org/wsrc/

Nature Photography

– The Beige Forest –

L A Promotional Design & Photography
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Even in mid-winter, when all the trees in our nearby woods are completely void of foliage,

there is one huge section of these delicate, light brown trees which I refer to as the "beige forest".

On a breezy winter morning, they are the only sound in the barren woods – like a massive wind chime made of potato chips.

Self Portrait

– Silver Streak –

L A Promotional Design & Photography

Nature Photography

– Excerpts From The Woods –

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Take only pictures ...

Nature Photography @ Night

– Trees In The Snow –

All photos and graphics: L A Promotional Design & Photography

A street light and some long exposure time gave these photos their strange glow, no color enhancement necessary.  

It was a beautiful Western New York snowfall last night!

The image above is from the same collection, but I had some fun with it!