a craving to create

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

If you’ve tried out pinterest, you’ve seen tons of inspiration and ideas floating all over the place. Ideas on how to decorate your dream house alongside tutorials for creating shamrock wreaths. How to make creative lunches for your children and what workouts best tone your body in 30 days. You name it, it can be found on pinterest. I search far and wide for ideas to decorate and craft and cook but there is one thing I actually avoid when perusing pinterest:: photography. In some ways, I feel like its cheating myself. Every once in awhile something will be re-pinned from people I follow and I will stash it away for inspiration but I really want to be careful. Aside from the whole “plagiarism” mentality poured into our noggins at the elementary level, this borrowing of inspiration from others is what is contributing to (I think) my creative block. How can I CREATE something original if I’m copying someone else’s creations? A light bulb burns dimly above my head. I crave to create, not copy. I crave to create something that is representative of me and who I am– a tangible expression of the insides of Elizabeth that only Elizabeth can produce. My work, my art is an intimate expression of who I am. If I’m not creating, then… am I lying?

I close my eyes and dream a little. I imagine horses galloping across a tall sunlight field at sunset. I see colors: pink, orange, yellow. I see texture: flowing manes, blades of tall grass, dust, dirt. I see light. I see peace. I see inspiration.

My heart starts to soar as I imagine what the image in my mind will look like huge on a wall. This is the essence of creating. I imagine this is what God does when he dreams up a new soul in heaven… This is creation. We are unique. Each and every one of us. And we all have something awesome to contribute. Closing our eyes to the distractions and looking inside will reveal magnificent ideas, stories and images all within our own capacities.

When you close your eyes, what do YOU see?

The BEST of 2011

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

2011 was an awesome year for Priddysweet. We met lots of new faces and new ponies, welcomed babies and captured grins. Thank you to all who helped make this past year so successful. I hope that these images on your walls at home lift your hearts and spirits for many years to come! Enjoy the slideshow!

Can’t see it on your iPhone or iPad? No worries! Watch it HERE on YouTube!

Was your experience with priddysweet “something to write home about?” If so, share your story below for a chance to win!!*

* Winner to be chosen by random selection drawing on January 16. Each story will get one entry for a chance to win $100 in prints!!! Share your story on our Facebook wall (priddysweet . portraiture .) and via Twitter too (make sure and tag @priddysweets) for additional entries to win! “Like” our page while you’re there and “Follow” us on twitter if you haven’t yet! Its worth it, I promise!! Thank you ALL!!

HAPPY 2012!!!!

Montgomery and Dawn

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Instant friends. That’s how I describe my friendship with Montgomery (“gummy” as she’s so dearly called). I feel like I’ve known her for my whole life and sometimes forget that we’ve barely known her for less than a year. She is a crazy awesome girl…one with a passion for horses and art (and photography which is how our story begins), a big heart, a contagious smile and a laugh that would make even a grinch’s heart fill with joy. I can’t say enough about how I’ve loved getting to know her and I can only imagine that this sweet little baby on the way will spread as much cheer. Enjoy a peek in at Gum’s equine maternity session with her most gorgeous quarter horse “Dawn.” Many thanks to Lindsay and Hillary for helping us get these awesome shots! (click HERE to view the slideshow of them all!) (more…)

afternoon at the Capitol

Monday, December 5th, 2011

I don’t often get to go downtown anymore so this was a great breath of fresh air and change of scenery for me. A fun, happy family and a great day to enjoy being outside in the fall leaves. Enjoy a peek into our time! (more…)

Roseridge It’s called Love

Monday, November 28th, 2011

And I can see why– because I’m in LOVE with this horse. I have to share (*trivia fact!*) that I took my first EVER riding lessons on an American Saddlebred. My mom’s horse was the only Arabian in a barn full of Saddlebreds! And as “Cad” (short for Cadillac) moved further into his retirement (from western pleasure), I was transferred to a (much) bigger mount to continue learning my basics/intro to sitting in an english saddle. Perhaps it was those first ever riding lessons where I sat tall in a saddle seat that seeded my love for big, strong, long maned beauties (those who know me closest know my obsession with Friesians)… I’m not sure, but for a second there, I thought I saw my dream horse through this lens. I can’t say enough about how gorgeous and majestic this animal is. I only wish is that you could meet him in person. Be. still. my. heart.

Thank you, Karen, for sharing him with us… (more…)

Hope times 6

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

(months, that is). Remember this itty bitty baby? Hope is growing and growing and we are so blessed to witness it so close by. Although it goes by quickly and we’d never want to wish that first year away too quickly…secretly us Priddys can’t WAIT for Hope to grow up so that we can play with her. I can’t wait to stand in the kitchen window and watch the girls all build tree forts together and roll sideways down the grass hill like logs. I can’t wait to see them riding their big-wheels and have tea parties together. Girls are so much fun. And having Hope next door just makes it seem like we have 3. We love you, Hope! Enjoy this sweet little family that we hold dear to our hearts! (more…)