Linda's Magic Workshop - Linda Britt Design

Pam and Linda photo by Ken Barr It was a cold sunny Prescott day and good friends were in town.  A day to share stories and memories and to explore new places.  We decided to explore the trail in the Granite Dells across from the Phippen Museum here in Prescott. It was an easy trail and with 3 Nikon cameras and a cell phone we knew there would be lots of picture taking! A piece of the plane at the crash site Each of us noticed the same and different aspects on the walk.   We looked at the site of the U.S. Constellation crash that  occurred  several years ago  while we took a few pictures.   We took the left fork for a short distance before deciding we should have taken the path on the right.   There were a lot more giant patterned boulders along the other path!     Before we turned back we found patches of ice.   And we found needle ice formations.   Of course, we did not know they were called ‘Needle Ice’ until we got home and researched.   What an amazing find.   We a

                When I took the original picture of the white seed pod, I had no idea it would be the beginning of a series.  First there was the challenge of making a translucent polymer seed pod, then came the seed pod jewelry.  Now the seed pod made of sterling silver metal clay.   I think this is the last of the series.  It was fun to take the idea from photo to translucent to solid forms.   I've  learned a lot about forming and joining shapes in different mediums and about patience and experimenting!  So here is the  procession  of the 2013 Seed Pod!

  Driving along the winding road above Palm Desert California we enjoyed the mountains filled with desert plants -the yuccas were blooming - and the sun made the rises and the valleys dramatic. This time we spotted an animal with horns not far from the ridge... Big Horn Sheep!   The longer we looked the more of these amazing animals we saw.   As usual we stopped to take pictures hoping there were surprises waiting to be discovered. The body language of two young male sheep alerted me that something was about to happen.   I started watching and taking pictures. Body Language says 'Something is going to happen! Starting toward each other  Their heads went down and they started toward each other.   The horns locked with a clunking sound we could hear from quite a distance. Locking horns Locked, Pushing and Pulling Play continues Stop! Dad's coming! We're good!  They wrangled some and all of a sudden

Look how close he is! I can see his red eye with the white eye ring. See those long thin red legs? He looks like he is dressed in his best tuxedo White throat and belly with that contrast of black Carefully picking his way through the shallow water Looking for food with his long, thin, straight black bill. He pecks and plunges his head into the water To capture fish and beetles and tadpoles. Ah! The simplicity and elegance of nature! Linda Britt

Isn’t it interesting how each of us looks at the world and sees different things?   On a recent trip to Willow Lake here in Prescott AZ, I walked to the water’s edge.   It was a lovely late morning and the water shimmered.   The rocks on the other side caught my eye.   Maybe it was the morning light and play of shadow that held my attention so that I could see the rocks and their reflections making new shapes and patterns.   I was so glad I carried my camera!

A friend of mine is looking for a new job.   I imagine all of us have friends or maybe ourselves looking for jobs.   After having coffee with her, I thought about the many times I started over due to a store closing or downsizing or moving.   I was reminded of my photos of windows and doors.   Windows have so many shapes and sizes and so many things on the other side.   They remind me of opportunities, dreams, and stories.   I can always make up stories about what I could do or what someone else has done or should do.   For me windows are the possibilities.   Doors on the other hand require action.   Do I want to go through that one?   Am I prepared for what is on the other side?   Can I walk out again?   What if I pick the wrong one?    What if someone closes it and won’t let me in?   Job hunting was always a little scary, unsettling, depressing, overwhelming and discouraging.   It was also an exciting adventurous time.   It was a time of opportunity

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located in Arizona and Utah and covers 91,696 acres.   It’s a place where you can almost feel time stand still and peace envelop you.   The large and varied rock formations were formed by erosion and range from 100 ft to 1500 ft tall.   Many of the formations have been given names – Elephant Butte, Camel Butte, The Three Sisters, Totem Pole and more.  Camel Butte (Can you see him?)  Tourism is big business here.   “The View” is a beautiful new hotel and every room has a view of the monuments.   We saw more rental RV’s than we could count.   And well over half the visitors were from other countries.   I was most interested in seeing the rock formations, the striations and faces of the rocks, the light and shadow as the sun moved across the sky.   The colors and textures made me want to get clay out and model while I observed the changes.    I have no doubt that this experience will have a major impact on my future