Phields Photography | Atlanta Fine Art Photography

Worn Out

Miriam — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 04:14:56 +0000

When is the last time you wore shoes until they were completely worn out? I mean holes in the sole and holes in the heel. I can’t remember a time like that. I can remember wearing shoes until they were too loose on my narrow feet, too uncomfortable, too scuffed and dirty, or too out of style. I can remember discarding shoes, because I was tired of seeing them on my feet. I can’t remember wearing shoes until they looked like the ones in this photograph. And because I can’t remember, I know that I have been truly blessed in my life with an abundance of things that I needed AND wanted. So finding these shoes in the parking lot of the Starbucks in downtown Decatur (outside Atlanta, GA), reminded me of how fortunate I am. I remember the stories my dad would tell me about living during the depression and putting cardboard and newspaper in his shoes to combat the holes in them. I wonder if the man, who wore these shoes, was in a similar situation–not having enough money to buy new shoes. Well, whoever he is, I hope he has some better shoes now to take him where he needs to go. I hope you have what you need to carry you to where you need to go.

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The Journey Home

Miriam — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 03:16:13 +0000

As I headed down the Pennsylvania turnpike at six in the morning toward a flight out of Philadelphia, I could barely see through the thick fog, but I knew I was headed home. I was also leaving the home of my childhood, Harrisburg, and of my family, after the passing of my niece much too early. Although a very sad time, a funeral is also a time to celebrate and enjoy family that you haven’t seen or spent enough time with. A funeral is a time to revisit memories with loved ones, assess the present, and consider the future. I couldn’t help but wonder what legacy I would leave behind and how I might be remembered or celebrated. I knew my legacy wasn’t about “what” I left behind or “what” I had done; it was all about “who”–who I loved and who loved me. When I left my home in Atlanta, I said I was going home for the funeral. When I left Harrisburg, I said I was going home to Atlanta. The words of Dorothy in The Wiz replayed in my mind, “Home is not where you live, it’s where you love.” And so this road carried me from one home to another. I love and am loved in both places, and I feel very lucky to be able to say this. So I didn’t really need to see too far ahead into the fog, because I knew my destination was home. I just relaxed, kept my eyes on road, and enjoyed the beautiful journey.

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Meditation on Glass Wind Chimes

Miriam — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 02:36:04 +0000

In the pre-dawn darkness of the morning, a tree, made of small squares of sea glass, makes the most delightful sound. “Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle” says the wind chimes with each gentle breeze. As the sun makes its way across the horizon at the foot of my bed, the glass wind chimes sing their soft song to me. They sing about flexibility, to move like the chimes in the wind as I face challenges in my day. They remind me to be still and listen. They sing about finding gratitude in my day. These timeless, low tech wind chimes offer opportunities to practice mindfulness and to be in the moment with every tinkle. The glass wind chimes encourage me to meditate on their beautiful song. I slowly open my eyes and watch them glisten and dance in sun. I look forward to ending my day in much the same way.

Glass Wind Chimes Tinkle in the Wind

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Hiding in Plain Sight | Photography Exhibition in Atlanta

Miriam — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 02:36:19 +0000

We’re doing it. Yes, we’re really doing it! Kelley Alexander and Miriam Phields (me) are having our first solo (or is it duo) photography exhibition, entitled HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT. The opening reception for the photography exhibition will be held on Friday, September 5 at the Fulton County West End Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, GA. We’ve imagined this day for each of us, but I’m not sure that we imagined that we would share the moment as co-exhibitors. Given that our interests are similar but our photography is not, we enjoyed the challenge of creating an exhibition with a common theme for both our work. We really appreciate having friends like Connie G. Cross who encourage us to show our artwork and create opportunities to do so. Here’s the flyer for the exhibition and opening reception with all the details. Thanx to Michi for creating this great postcard/flyer for us.

Atlanta Photography Exhibition by Kelley Alexander and Miriam Phields | September 5 – 30, 2014

We’re working hard to get everything ready and framed perfectly. I love cutting the mats with precision and lining up the photographs behind the mat window just so. Patience, good measuring skills, and reading glasses are requirements for this job. I’d like to give a special shout out to Barbara C. G. for teaching me how to cut mats and other framing techniques.

Cutting the mat for the frame | Atlanta Photography Exhibition by Kelley Alexander and Miriam Phields | Sept. 5 – 30, 2014

The last part is connecting the hanging wire to the frame. This requires special care not to stab oneself with the wire. Don’t you love how I accessorized with yellow framer’s tape?

Attaching the framing wire for the Atlanta Photography Exhibition by Kelley Alexander and Miriam Phields | Sept. 5 – 30, 2014

With intrigue, I watch Kelley put the finishing touches on her mixed media masterpieces, adding a little of this and a little more of that. Just when I think she has finished, she puts a little more secret sauce on it. Please pretend you don’t see the AARP water bottle in the background. It was free, okay.

Getting it just right for the Atlanta Photography Exhibition by Kelley Alexander and Miriam Phields | Sept. 5 – 30, 2014

Adding a little more here and there for the Atlanta Photography Exhibition by Kelley Alexander and Miriam Phields | Sept. 5 – 30, 2014

Well I hope I’ve peaked your interest in our exhibition. Please come and join us at the opening reception. We’d love to meet you.

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Sunflowers left behind

Miriam — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 01:25:38 +0000

Those beautiful sunflowers that are chosen have it so good. Someone gathers them up from the field of sunflowers and admiringly takes them home to enjoy or gifts them to another. I feel sorry for the sunflowers that are dropped on the way out, discarded, or just aren’t chosen. I see them fallen by the wayside, sometimes trampled. Some are not chosen because they have passed their prime, are showing the wear and tear of time, or just weren’t perfect enough. So I honor them here with these photos. I appreciate their beauty and their contribution of pollen and natural matter that supports our ecosystem. They are perfect in their own way.

Sunflowers left behind | Sunflower Festival, Rutledge, GA

Old sunflower has lost her petals | Sunflower Festival, Rutledge, GA

Sunflower lost in red Georgia clay | Sunflower Festival, Rutledge, GA

Sunflower past her prime stands tall | Sunflower Festival, Rutledge, GA

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Suspended in Insomnia

Miriam — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 15:09:07 +0000

The trouble with insomnia is that there are periods when I really am sleeping. Unfortunately, these periods of sleep are very brief and very light. In fact, I’m not sure I would even call it sleep. I’m sleeping but I think I’m laying awake in the bed. And if I am “thinking” am I sleeping, then how can I be sleeping. My mind and body drift uncomfortably between sleep and awake like a boat rocking gently on a small pond. The photo below is reminiscent of the sleep-awakeness that I feel during insomnia. It looks real, AND it looks dream-like. The water is calm and relaxing; its milky texture soothes like a dream. The dock is rooted like a solid anchor to reality. When I hear my alarm clock, my tired mind-body drag back to the reality of the awake.

Suspended in Insomnia | Lake at Serenbe

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Fly Your Feathers Away

Miriam — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 22:00:19 +0000

A feather on the beach reminds me that birds use their feathers until they are all used up. They don’t sit around saving their feathers for perfect conditions. They fly, soar, and glide on the air. They beat their wings against the air, propelling their bodies higher and higher and higher. I discovered this feather on one of my meditative walks on Vilano Beach. I was looking for shells and discovered this well-used feather. I think the universe was telling me to use my talents, gifts, intellect, and body fully, to use my everything, and to use it now. I don’t want to save it for tomorrow or next year. I want to use it up for a life well lived. I want to use all my feathers and look back on my life knowing I really did FLY.

Used feather lays on Vilano Beach, FL

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Wordless Wednesday: Weathered Oyster Shell

Miriam — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:43:06 +0000

Weathered Oyster Shell on the Beach | Vilano Beach, FL

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Granny’s Cat Gum Parker

Miriam — Tue, 28 May 2013 02:16:31 +0000

On the window sill, above the kitchen sink, Granny’s gum parker has the honor of holding Granny’s well-chewed gum. Although I don’t know for sure, I believe it still promises a bit of flavor and a few more hours of chewing. Of all the things that she left behind when she transitioned, this small, ephemeral item says so much about Granny, if you knew her. Gazing upon this well-used gum parker, I smile as I remember how she could make things last and last and how she enjoyed small pleasures in life. In loving memory of Helen Moore.

Granny’s Cat Gum Parker

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Train To Harrisburg

Miriam — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:30:50 +0000

I was forced, unexpectedly, to take an Amtrak train from BWI airport to Harrisburg, PA. I usually have complete control over my journey by driving in a rental car from one point to another. Once on board the train, I relaxed into my fate and began to remember how much I used to enjoy taking a train. With a two-hour ride until my transfer to another train in Philadelphia, I snuggled into my reclining seat with ample leg room and began watching my favorite on-line Kelby training using the free, yes FREE, internet service on the train. It wasn’t long before the gentle sway and sound of the train’s rhythm took me over and transported me back to a simpler time. Occasionally, I gazed out the window to see the landscape blurring by and family and friends reuniting and saying goodbye. When I finally arrived at my transfer station, Penn Station in Philadelphia, I must say that I was a bit remorseful. Never fear, Penn Station was just another adventure on my journey. I can’t wait to take another train.

Amtrak train to Harrisburg sign

Free WiFi on Amtrak train to Harrisburg, PA

iPad with free WiFi on Amtrak train to Harrisburg, PA

Landscape blurs by | Amtrak train to Harrisburg, PA

Going home | Amtrak train to Harrisburg

Farms through the window | Amtrak train to Harrisburg, PA

Woman with tote boards train | Amtrak train to Harrisburg, PA

Overpass and clouds blur by | Amtrak train to Harrisburg, PA

Box lunch boy waiting for Amtrak train in station | Penn Station

Amtrak train to Harrisburg sign

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