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Purple Rosemary - Page 2 of 24 - Travel and Art Photography by Sharon Popek Skip to content

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Lovely Lemons
Read Time:1 Minute, 16 Second

Just in time for spring and summer, I’m offering some fun colorful images. One of my favorites is my Lemon Slices image. If you love lemons, bright colors, or are a big fan of yellow, this one is for you! You can find lots of fun products with this fun photo in my Society6 sho p.

Bathroom Decor

Create a bright, colorful bathroom with the whole set! Bath towels and hands towels are available as a set or singles! The shower curtain is so fun, covered in bright yellow lemon slices! There’s even a bath mat available in small and large sizes.

Drinks to Go!

A refreshing, fun water bottle to keep your cold for up to 24 hours or hot for 12. The stainless steel bottle even has a handle on the top for easy carrying. Several sizes are available. Travel mugs are double walled to keep your beverage cold or hot for hours.

Tabletop

Throwing a summer party? How fun is this wine chiller? It’s dishwasher safe, too! Set your table with placemats and coasters.

Other fun stuff

This outdoor rug is available in 4 different sizes! The outdoor cushions are huge and comfy to sit on! Looking for a fun unique backpack? These backpacks are durable and large enough for a 15 inch laptop.

Lemon slices is a fun, vibrant, yellow image. It’s refreshing and colorful and great for any decor. Be sure to visit my Society6 shop to see all the other great gift ideas with this lovely lemon image!
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March 17, 2023
Custom Apple Watch Bands
Read Time:1 Minute, 11 Second

While recently browsing fun stuff on Etsy, I came across some listings for custom Apple Watch bands. What?! I had no idea you could change the band at all, let alone get a custom one. After more research, I found that I could sell them in my Society6 shop!

Trying it out

I ordered one of my favorite night image of Chicago. But I discovered that the band is so narrow, the image is not really obvious and of course, this image in particular is very dark. You can choose black, silver, or gold hardware. For this one, I chose black.

Try again

As much as I like that one, I wanted to try one that would be more colorful. I think the best images for the bands are colorful since it ends up looking more like an abstract. I chose silver hardware for this band.

But how to change it?
Changing the band is actually very easy. Also, this is a good time to give your watch a good cleaning. Get a q-tip and some denatured alcohol and clean those crevices! On the back of your watch, there are buttons on either side. Push that in and you can easily slide the band in and out.

Get one!

You can purchase watch bands of many of my images in my Society6 shop. You can see the whole collections of watches here.
Thanks for stopping by!
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March 4, 2023
Vintage Style Postcards
Read Time:1 Minute, 51 Second

I started making travel maps several years ago after a trip to Cuba. At that time, I felt like my images were very similar to the images other people had taken of the area. You can see some of those originals maps here. Since then, I have made at least one map for every place I’ve visited. It’s a good way to create something unique.

I thought I might share some of my most recent maps and show you the before and after.

Chicago Vintage Postcard

This was the first one I did with the postcard style. The ones before this are more map like.

I used a map, an illustration, and an early 20th century photograph to create this one.

The final image reminded me of a vintage postcard, so I went with it and made several more! Click on the pic to purchase prints or other items!

Boston Vintage Postcard

This is the original image of the Boston Skyline. Like this image? Click on it and you can prints or other gifts!

I chose an illustration for this one rather than a map. It allowed me to create a more vintage postcard feel to the final image. All of the maps and illustrations that I use are in the public domain. I find them on Wikimedia Commons or the Library of Congress.

The final Boston Postcard. The colors have been brightened and a filter applied to the skyline image, so it also looks like an illustration. The final image is available as a print, as well as on others items, like pillows, etc. Just click on the pic!

Knoxville Vintage Postcard

After success with the Chicago and Boston postcards, I wanted to create one for my home town of Knoxville. I went to several places in the area to get just the right skyline pic.

I used 3 different illustrations for this one, including an actual map. Although, the map was too small to do much with.

Since the original illustrations had little to no color, I was not able to push the saturation on those. But I could push it on the skyline image.

Thanks for visiting the blog. To see more of my travel maps, click here.
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February 17, 2023
Art Bloggers Collaboration February Virtual Art Walk
Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second

Every month, several art bloggers share their blogs for a virtual art walk. It’s an online, first Friday (sort of)! The best part about this art walk is there are no crowds! You can drink a coffee, a wine, a beer, or whatever quenches your thirst, all in the comfort of your home! Enjoy some of this beautiful, inspiring art!

Jim Hughes Photography

Jim’s blog offering this month is all about bricks. He discusses a little history and why photographers tend to love them so much! His photos really capture the texture and different styles of bricks. This colorful brick wall is my favorite. To see more of Jim’s images – visit his blog. Jim Hughes Photography

Jim Hughes

Dorothy Berry-Lound

Dorothy gives us lots of reasons to add a little purple to our decor. Her blog discusses the cultural and spiritual history of this royal color. Her art pieces are beautiful and would create a feeling of luxury in any room! Visit Dorothy’s blog – Dorothy Berry-Lound Blog

Dorothy Berry-Lound

Steve Estvanik

Steve writes about dragons and their history in cultures around the world. His article goes into detail about the many different types of dragons in some cultures. He also shares some of his lovely dragon images, taken on his travels around the world. Visit Steve’s Blog – Steve Estvanik

Steve Estvanik

Steve Heap

Congratulations, Steve! Steve talks about some of the sales he made in January. He shares some of his striking images from West Virginia and Hawaii. Visit Steve’s blog – Steve Heap

Steve Heap

KM Gunn

KM shares her watercolor painting process with us and I love to read about it! This article outlines her process in painting a red rose, from outlining to filling in the color. Visit KM’s blog – KM Gunn

KM Gunn

Sharon Popek

Hey, that’s me! Here’s my contribution to this month’s virtual art walk! Chicago Images

An image of old and new architecture in downtown Chicago, Illinois – by Sharon Popek

Thanks for visiting! You can visit the artists blogs to read more and even purchase prints! Support an artist today!
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February 11, 2023
A Visit to Maine
Read Time:1 Minute, 27 Second

If you have ever talked to me for more than 5 minutes, you know, I’m not the outdoorsy type. It’s a fine place, but I like cities with restaurants, hotels, shops, and people. I admit that when I previously thought of Maine, I never really had much desire to go. Mostly because the people I knew that had been there were those outdoorsy types who went for the nature. But I received an invitation to a friend’s vow renewal, so off to Maine I went. And I found more than just fishing and hiking!

I spent several days in the finger lakes area, staying at Poland Springs Resort. My friends were having their vow renewal ceremony on Crescent Lake. The lake location was beautiful!

Poland Springs

I would like to point out that I stayed at the Presidential Inn and I am pretty sure I was the only person in that massive building for the first night! It felt a little spooky. But it was nice and quiet! The next night it was full.

Portland Maine

After Poland Springs, I stayed in Portland, ME.

I did take a ride on the Maine Narrow Gauge train. The narrow gauge is a 2 ft wide train track that runs 1 1/2 miles up Casco Bay. they have both steam and diesel. They only run the steam engine during certain times. I opted for the first class train car, a very comfortable ride. But they do have an open air car that would be better for taking photos during the ride.

I enjoyed visiting Portland, Maine. Lots of great food and beer! If you like these images and would like to purchase prints or other gifts, visit my Maine gallery!
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February 5, 2023
Valentine Gifts
Read Time:1 Minute, 38 Second

Last week I did a 5 day challenge where we had to create 1 piece of Valentine themed art per day. I knew that I wanted to do something with chocolate as well as fresh cherries. I didn’t want to use plain old chocolates, but I wanted something more high end than what would be available in the grocery store. We have several local chocolatiers, but one of my favorites is Coffee and Chocolate in downtown Knoxville, TN. The fresh cherries came from the grocery store. Since it’s winter, not much chance of getting those at the farmer’s market! Props obtained, it was time to create!

The challenge actually started before I could get the props. So, I created this retro looking image using fabric with a pattern featuring a retro woman and roses. This image is available on lots of different gift ideas. From greeting cards to mugs! Just click on the image it will take you directly my shop!

Chocolates obtained!

Once I got the beautiful chocolates, I went to work in the studio.

The chocolates were fun to shoot but hard not to eat! We did eat them after the shoot, though. They were delicious!

Fresh Cherries

I did some fun stuff with the fresh cherries, too! I made a heart shape with them and kept it simple with a white background. I set the light up so that there would heavy shadows for a little something different. The cherries in ice came out better than expected. I was having trouble creating clear ice. But these came out just clear enough to see the cherries. I love all the little bubbles and details in the blocks, too.

If you are looking for a unique gift for a special someone or maybe you just want to give yourself something cool, click on any of the links below to find some awesome gifts. Gift them art, it lasts longer!

Pixels

Zazzle

Society 6

RedBubble
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January 28, 2023
What have I done?
Read Time:2 Minute, 19 Second

I quit my job! That’s right, I decided that I needed to take a break from working. I am fortunate enough to be financially secure without it. I should say that it’s not forever. I am not retired. I am merely taking a break. What do I wish to accomplish? I ask myself that every day. I also ask myself, “What the fuck have you done?!” at least twice a day. It’s scary. But I hope to become a better person by allowing myself this time. I plan to try to spend more time with my family and friends. And they’ll be happy because they won’t have to hear me bitch about work!

A bowl of blueberries

I have given myself a year. I have the discipline to keep myself on track. But I have to define my track first! I am honing in on a very specific project that I would like to work on. I am applying for several art grants to pay for this project, so cross your fingers and send good vibes my way!

Green Glass

So far, setting up a routine has been difficult. There have been a few roadblocks and side tracks that have kept me from a set schedule. But I’m hoping that now the holidays are over, I can make a plan and stick with it. Of course, plans often get scrapped and derailed. I hope to be able to roll with whatever comes and not panic too much.

A pear wrapped in beads

I think some of you might be wondering why I would quit my job without having a replacement or a plan. I was terribly unhappy there. I don’t really blame my ex-employers. I had been fired from my previous job and had the opportunity to collect unemployment for a while and would have been fine for a bit. But, I panicked and took the first job to come my way. Read more about this in Midlife Angst 1 & Midlife Angst 2. My mental health has been suffering and I feel my talents and skills have been waning since they were not being utilized. Depression is a thing, y’all! I have been driving myself and the people who love me crazy for years. Complaining and whining and not allowing myself to move forward.

It’s time!

I finally realized that I have to trust myself to make it work. No-one else is going to do this for me. So, here I am, unemployed. Quite possibly unemployable (age discrimination is very real). But I have to give it a try. For myself and the people who love me.

All that being said! Looking for a way to support an artist? Buy their work! You can see my galleries and purchase work here.
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January 8, 2023
365 Days of Art
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It’s the end of the year already! And once again, I have been a little – okay, a lot – neglectful of my blog. But I hope to get it up and going this year. Because I quit my job and have no excuse now! Don’t worry there will be more about that later. What have I been doing this year? Traveling and making art and working. Now that the pesky work thing is out of the way, I can share my travels and art more! Yay! But I’m here to talk about 2022 and share some of the art I made. I participated in a 365 day art challenge. That is 1 piece of art a day. And I have to say it’s indeed been a challenge. But it’s been a good challenge. Turns out I only did 352 days because there were some days that art just couldn’t happen. Like a heavy travel, illness (myself or somebody else), or just life. Here are some of the highlights! Want to see the whole shabang?! Click here.

Things started out simple with some basic still life work. Then went a little weird. After that there were some travel photos. Then along came the beer series. Oh, and a slight obsession with books. I am ending the year with some great fresh fruit still life images, travel maps, and some celebratory images!

Enjoy!

This was a great experience for me. I feel like it helped me to grow as a photographer and artist. It forced me to think outside the box and come up with new ideas on a regular basis. Remember these are just a few of the images created this year, be sure to visit my gallery to see more!
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January 3, 2023
Ogden Slip in Chicago
Read Time:47 Second

Last week, I wrote about finding photos from Chicago that I had not worked. There were some great images taken at sunset while on an architecture cruise. While going through more of the images, I found several that were taken after the sun had fully set and the lights of the city were fully shining. This one in particular, I just loved.

Chicago Skyline as seen from Ogden Slip

Fun Stuff

As much as I love to see my images as wall art, I also love to see them on other goodies. Here are just a few of the items you can get with this image.

If you click on the above image, you’ll find all of the following products available.

Who doesn’t love a good notebook?

Other Options

You can also find standard prints in my Etsy shop – PurpleRosemary.

Thanks for stopping by! You can links to other shops and products on my about page.
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September 5, 2022
Chicago Images
Read Time:43 Second

Early this year, I wrote about going to Chicago for my birthday last year. I share some of my photos from that trip on here. But I realized that I had not shared some of the architecture photos that I took. I took an architecture boat tour at sunset with Chicago’s First Lady Cruises and it was worth it! It’s a great way to see the city and get some history and information on all the unique buildings and locations in the city.

When visiting any city or town, it’s a good idea to take a tour of some kind. I have never met a tour guide that wasn’t enthusiastic about their community and its history.

Thanks for visiting! If you are interested in purchasing prints of the above images, you can visit my Etsy shop, Purple Rosemary or my Pixels shop.
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August 28, 2022

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Travel and Art Photography by Sharon Popek

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