About The Artist.... Simone Hester

Simone Hester was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised on the far south side of the city. She found an interest in art at an early age. At the recommendation of her teachers, she began private art lessons at a small art studio in the suburbs of Chicago. She was tutored, mentored and exposed to a variety of art mediums from calligraphy, etching, Chinese watercolors, acryllics, and oil painting. There she developed a love for drawing and painting. She broadened her art education by taking a variety of elective art classes in high school and college. Upon college graduation, her first professional position allowed her to work in graphic designs and further her knowledge of computers. Once given a digital camera, she combined her love of computers, painting, and photographs to develop her very own technique in creative digital photography. The computer has become her paintbrush and allows her to stretch the natural boundaries that a typical photograph is held to. She recently left the traditional workforce to work on her art full time and contribute to her website (http://www.simonehester.com/) and write her blog on photography, art, and everything else she finds creative.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Peonies....

Earlier today I tried posting using the app from my phone, and it looks like that was not a successful venture.  So if a posting comes up reflecting many of the thoughts that I am discussing now... let me apologize in advance.  You have to love when technology works well for you and when it doesn't it is sheer disappointment.

What was the subject matter of my discussion... well here goes! 

Today has been quite the rainy day and I know how I have discussed rain in previous posts being that it is a great opportunity to take unique photographs and that an overcast sky can be a photographers greatest friend.  But what is the true purpose of rain? To wash our land anew and prepare for the wonderful summer blooms.  One particular bloom that I love so very much is the peony.  It is June's biggest blooming flower and when you drive you can see countless peony bushes bent over by the sheer weight of the flower.  The presence of the rain and the assistance of thousands of ants slowly opens this amazing flower each and every season.  What is also so amazing is the fragrance of the flower itself.... it is phenomenal.  Cut peonies are also a spectacular display in the home, giving off it's wonderful scent and adding such presentation.

A quick tip for displaying peonies in your home....

When you freshly cut a peony from it's stem, turn the bloom upside down and shake the flower vigorously the remove the ants.  Once that is done, bring the cut flowers into your home and immerse each flower in cold water and gently shake the rest of the ants out (despite your earlier efforts outside, there will be some ants that linger).  Then shake the peonies free of water and place in your vase (or other display) and enjoy!

Three or more peonies create an astounding display and you can get as creative as possible with these blooms.  There are a wonderful variety of peonies from white to deep currant, but the following is a blush color that is such a creamy pink wonder and I had to photograph it.


Pink Peony (c) 2011
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