Cyber Monday Deals

Drip Drop :: ME

Being a small business, I’m a big fan of supporting local entrepreneurs. ESPECIALLY this year, where so many people are economically impacted by Covid. So, I strongly encourage anyone shopping this year to consider supporting local artists, authors, musicians, crafters, breweries, etc. in their communities.

Through December 1, 2020, I’m running a 20% off sale on four sizes of paper prints: 8×10, 11×14, 11×16 and 16×20. You can see my landscape gallery here.

• 8×10: Normally $25, NOW $20
• 11×14: Normally $33, NOW $26.40
• 11×16: Normally $34, NOW $27.20
• 16×20: Normally $75, NOW $60

**Shipping, if needed, will be an additional cost. Custom cut mats available, cost based on print size.**

If you’re interested in purchasing a print or seven, contact me at seespotsphoto@yahoo.com and we’ll chat! Want something other than paper? Canvas? Metal? We can make that happen too!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Prismatic :: VT

(Above: One of my favorite photos taken last year, pre-covid, on a trip through VT to Montreal, CA)

Like most things American, this holiday comes with grim historical context. Colonization, at its core, is brutal and pretending otherwise does everyone a disservice. That said, I am not a historian and will not wax on about it, though I encourage you to research if you’re not familiar with the complexities of America’s past. However, what I can speak to is my experience with the holiday, and why it means so much to me.

I am not a “stuff” person, so holidays centered around capitalism are lost on me. I think commercialization takes away from the importance of what a holiday should be–a time to appreciate and celebrate your loved ones and a time to reflect on life. So Christmas is not my jam. (Sorrynotsorry!) But Thanksgiving?? Its a holiday where we are expected to EAT TOO MUCH and spend time with loved ones. And those are two things I excel at!

It’s also a time where people are encouraged to shift their perspective, and focus on the blessings in their lives, and I can definitely get behind that. 

So this year–despite it being 2020, the lost year–I would like to give thanks. My entire routine was upended and my anxiety, understandably, has been through the roof. But despite that, I find myself grateful. If I hadn’t been forced to stay home, I wouldn’t have learned to bake. I wouldn’t have worked with my brother to start a weekly video call for our extended family all over the country, and gotten to interact with my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandfather as much. I wouldn’t have taken up biking, which it turns out, is MUCH better for my knees than running. I wouldn’t have learned how much I enjoy photographing the birds at my bird feeder. I wouldn’t have focused on my garden, and in turn, realized how much better food can be when you start with fresh ingredients. In the grand scheme of things, these are little joys. But in a year with so much sadness, and anger, and fear, I’ll take what I can get.

This Thanksgiving is going to be different. We’re not having big family dinners, laughing all day together jammed into someone’s house–and that sucks. But I know I’m not alone in my situation. Many are sacrificing now to keep their loved ones safe, and I’m hopeful it pays off. Better days are on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to celebrating twice as hard together once its safe.

Many thanks to all of the people who have spared me a kind word and supported my creativity over the years. You’re the best. Stay safe and Happy Thanksgiving. ❤

Holiday Print Sale!

It’s that time again!  Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday time!  Now, I personally am not one for shopping (I think I was born without that gene) but I do love supporting small businesses, and if I’m going to buy a gift, I want it to be meaningful.

If you’re the same, and you want to pick up some wall art, I’ll be running a print sale until Dec 1!

All 5×7 photo paper prints are $15, all 8×10 photo paper prints are $20.  But wait!  It gets better! 20% of the sales will go to help the victims of the wildfires in California, who are in desperate need of pretty much everything right now.

It can’t get much better than that, right?  You support a local business, you get some art from an artist who definitely appreciates your support, AND you get to help the people of the devastating Paradise Camp fires.  Win-Win-Win!

For a look at what prints you can get your hands on, go here.  Or here.  And if you see anything you want larger/smaller/on canvas or metal, just shoot me a message and we’ll find something that works for you.

Thank you all so much for your continued support.  You’re the best!

What’s Your Charity??

Its Giving Tuesday and we want to do our part. David and I are donating 10% of this week’s “Workflow” sales to our favorite charity, Room to Read. Help us to help them! Get your copy of our comprehensive workflow guide and make a difference in someone’s life!

What is your favorite charity? How are you making a difference this this holiday season?

Obligatory Cyber Monday Post

Look!  We’re having a sale!  For the holidays!

The canvas sale is this week only, ending Dec 4th.  I mean, I don’t mind being generous longer, but really, if you want your prints in time for the holidays, you need to put the order in soon so I can get it to you. 🙂

We are also giving away some freebies!  A free e-book with some tips to help you with your Waterscape shots, and downloading the free e-book puts you in the running for a free print!  The print drawing is also on December 4th, because it was easier than remembering two different deadlines. haha

Didn’t know about these deals until just now??

Well, A) Phew!  Glad you found us!  and B) you should probably start following me on something…

-blog

–newsletter

–facebook (which I ocassionally remember to update)

-Instagram (which I’m very good about updating)

–Twitter (which I basically ignore because no one talks to me there, but it’s linked to Instagram so it still gets updates.  Perhaps you’ll be my friend on Twitter?  Then we can have deep 140 character conversations about Pasta?)

-or G+ (which I’ve newly come to enjoy again!  Again, when I remember it’s there. haha)

^^ Clearly, I could really use an assistant / intern to keep me connected!  ^^

Anyway, happy cyber shopping, y’all! 🙂

Winner(s), Winner(s), Chicken Dinner!

Well…went to pull the winner for the Free Pint Giveaway. and two names came out!  Sharing is caring, so….<drumroll>…congrats to Jennifer B ANNNNNDDDD Art A!!! Thank you to everyone who participated.

For those of you who didn’t win, we do have prints available at our store www.zazzle.com/skalahan (and today is Cyber Monday…just sayin’!) and 50% of our profit through December 15 go to typhoon relief. Get some nice art, give to a great cause.  Boom! Double win!

Congrats again, and thank you for your continued support!

An Attitude of Gratitude

Vortex

Having a positive outlook on life can be hard, but intensely rewarding.  It’s easy to say a glass is half empty.  It’s much harder to say, “Thank goodness I still have half a glass to drink.  I’m thirsty, and that will help.”  Like anything else in life, seeing the silver linings in life is a skill, and when done faithfully, can become a habit.

Imagine a life where you exchange your expectations for gratitude.  The disappointments in life become much more manageable.  And there are fewer of them.  It’s easier to feel like you have enough, to appreciate the gifts you’re given and to see the blessings in life.

That is what I love most about tomorrow, Thanksgiving.  It’s yearly encouragement to be thankful for the things we have already accomplished, to see how far we have come, to appreciate our families and friends, and to see that often, we are lucky to have so much in our lives.  Most of us have a roof, even if we don’t own it.  Most of us have food, warmth and a computer with which to read this awesome blog…  We have life.  Even when it’s hard, it’s precious.

Tomorrow is a day to appreciate the positives.  Spend a few moments between tofurkey and pie reflecting on the good things in your life.  In the end, we can’t keep the gifts, the wealth, the stuff we surround ourselves with…but we can remember the path we took in life, the moments of joy and accomplishment, and be proud of how our experiences shaped us, and the choices we made because of them.  We can practice an attitude of gratitude.

The photo above was taken on a hike with my friend David (an awesome photog from Cali, check out his work!) while he was visiting in CT.  The leave whirlpool reminds me a little of the way water drains from a tub.  Felt appropriate as we make our transition from beautiful, beautiful Autumn….to very cold Winter. haha

 

❤ < 3 ❤

For those of you interested in helping me raise funds for the victims of Typoon Haiyan in the Philippines, when the time comes for holiday shopping, go here.  50% of profits through December 15 go to Care.org and the Filipinos in need.

For those of you interested in winning a holiday gift, go here, “like” the page and leave a comment on the contest poster letting me know which image you want.  Winner announced on Friday, so you only have a few days.

Autumn Fire

Autumn in New England

The last few days here on the East Coast have been rough…hurricane Sandy put a dent in most people’s Halloween plans.  For those of you affected, I’m sending good thoughts your way.  (I’ll talk a bit more about that tomorrow.)

For the rest of you, Happy Halloween!  Be safe, try to enjoy yourself and remember to call your dentists later to help sort out the cavities from all the candy tonight! 🙂

Pumpkins

If you’re feeling the holiday spirit, and you’re on Facebook, I have put together a little colorful-something for you…  While you’re there, make sure to do two things: A) Like the page and B) Tell your friends.  Sharing is caring, after all. 😉

Patriotism

In honor of the brave men and women who gave everything for our country, and fought for the freedoms I enjoy. ❤

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

Holiday Giving

The turkey is gone, the holiday cheer is here!

I have always been a strong believer in good karma and helping my those who can’t help themselves.  Since 2002, I have donated my time to Second Chance Ranch Equine Rescue www.scrrescue.org, and one of the ways I do that is by helping with their annual fundraiser calendar.

http://www.cafepress.com/screquinerescue.143136888

This past weekend, I spent some time driving around to some local horse farms.  Some of the horses featured in the interior of the calendar are animals that have been helped by SCR.

http://www.cafepress.com/screquinerescue.143136888

Just in time for Cyber Monday!  Happy shopping, and more importantly…Happy Holiday Season! www.cafepress.com/screquinerescue.143136888