Out With The Old, In With The New!

What a loooong strange year it has been!

2013 has been a year of great change and loss.

I am trying to remain hopeful that good things are ahead.

May 2014 give us all an opportunity to grow, heal, and become stronger than we are today.

Time For Change

Memories On Notes 2

The tragic death of my little sister has left me speechless. I hope that music will supply the words that I cannot find. Please, enjoy this musical mix dedicated to the memory of my little sister, Katie.

Star Bunny Illustrated: Night Owl

Today I again find myself trying to make sense of loss. 

This morning my one and only little sister passed into the great beyond. 

She left this world less than two months after my dad. My dad and little sister 

shared many commonalities including the same birthday. They were also Night Owls, 

 preferring the company of stars in the dark night sky. 

It is so hard to understand why things like this happen. 

The impact of loosing multiple family members so suddenly is something that will not

quickly dissipate. All I can hope for is that in time, beauty will shine through these tragedies.

 Sometimes the greatest inspiration is found in the strangest of places.

Creativity Versus Art

The beginning of the week has arrived with opportunities to create something new.

Creativity is a tool that we all use. It it the process that helps us to come up with 

original ideas and solutions. By looking closer at pieces of information we can then 

better understand how to apply to the whole picture. With this in mind, 

I wish you a creative new week!

Signs Of Fall

 

 

Cool mornings and the smell of leaves in the crisp air, are comforting signs of fall. 

This is a time of great transition, as the natural world puts on one last display before 

going dormant for the winter season.

I hope these photographs motivate you to go out and see the fall sights!

Star Bunny Illustrated: Ravens

Raven have been everywhere lately.

Everyday from my office window I see a flock of Ravens finding breakfast in the yard.

In the evening a flock of Ravens roost in the woods behind the house.

Seeing these creatures has inspired the creation of this vector illustration you see above. 

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Ravens have long held symbolic meaning in many cultures. 

As with most carrion birds with black plumage, Ravens are often linked with death 

or ill fortune. Not all cultures have taken the same take on these intelligent creatures.

In Greek mythology Ravens are a symbols of luck. They believed Ravens to be 

messengers from god, and felt they brought protection to the mortal realm. 

Many Native American tribes have credited the Raven as being a grand creator.

 But, also as a trickster. The Raven is said to have brought light into the darkness. 

However, this was done in a way that disobeyed normal rules and conventional behavior. 

There is no denying the fact that Ravens are striking and intelligent creatures.

I hope that next time you see Ravens you take a little time to admire them.

Finding Focus

A new week has arrived, and with it a new opportunity to find focus.

Summer has now faded into autumn. 

A season of transition from the warm days of summer to the cold nights of winter. 

This is the time of year squirrels are seen busy at work collecting acorns 

in perpetration for the next season to come.

With this imagery in mind, this week I will be looking to the squirrels for motivation. 

I too hope to find focus in what needs to be done in order to prepare for the next season,

and all the future adventures that are the horizon. 

Memories On Notes

Trying to make sense of everything after the death of my dad has left more questions than answers. 

When you cannot find the words music has a way of telling the tale.

My dad had a love of music that he took time to share to me.

On this compilation you will hear a few of his favorite bands.

I hope you enjoy this eclectic and eccentric mix!

Star Bunny Studio - Memories On Notes from StarBunnyStudio on 8tracks Radio.

Life And Death

Death is a fact all living creatures must face. 

Dealing with this fact is something everyone handles differently. 

There is no handbook or correct answers. 

They say time heals all wounds. 

I look forward to each passing day and hope in the future things will feel 

differently than they do today.

The Mane Attraction

It is something every human has in common. Hair. 

Be it long, short, thin, or thick we all have a unique relationship with our locks. 

What is it that makes our hair such a BIG deal? 

There is an undeniable psychology to hair. It is a non verbal indicator that can tell 

a lot about the health, personality, and lifestyle of a person. 

 Confession time - I am going to get personal with you.

I have not cut my hair in YEARS. I had a bad experience getting a "Trim" at a cheap hair 

cutting place in a strip mall and ever since, I have been afraid to mess with my mane.

I learned to french braid and that was my way of dealing with these long locks. 

However, my hair was taking over. 

After yet another summer in the sun my head was full of split ends and broken pieces.

No amount of fancy hair product or conditioner could fix my frizzed mane.

 Worse yet, I felt like cousin-it from the Adams family!

My hair was around 19 inches long. Long hair works well with tall people - but, I am not tall.

I am 5' 4" and my hair length was disproportionate to the rest of my body.

I had to do something to tame the mane. 

I had about half a foot of hair was cut off! 

I was a little sad looking at all my old locks on the salon floor. 

After my hair was blown dry and styled I was thankful I found Amber, 

at Blake & Co. Hair Spa. 

After moving from the DC area to the little town of Front Royal, Virginia 

I was hesitant to try something new. However, a "Hair Spa" was just what I needed.

The first thing I noticed as I entered the was how clean everything was. 

I was greeted with a nice welcome and offered a choice of beverages to sip on while I waited. 

I received a large mug of hot coffee and looked through a few pages of a 

current fashion magazine, while I sat on a comfy couch near a large bay window.

My haircut started with a consultation. Then my hair was given a shampoo. 

While the conditioner soaked into my hair I received a relaxing head massage. 

This was a great treat! The massage really helped to relieved any underlaying anxiety. 

After my hair was cut and blown dry I was feeling and looking like a beauty queen. 

I was also impressed that there was not any high pressure add-on product sales.

I was informed of the product used on my hair and was told they are available, if I wanted.

After this experience I am now looking at getting a haircut as more of a treat, 

and less like an ordeal.

 

If you find yourself in the area and your hair is in need of some TLC,

 stop in and say hello to Amber & Blake.

Click on the image above to book your appointment and save some cash!

Fading Into Fall

This is the best time of year.

The seasons are beginning to transition from summer into fall.

Everyday you see more gradual changes taking place in nature.

The longer nights and cool morning temperatures are comforting 

changes from the long, hot, and humid summer days.

Take time to enjoy this brief transition as fall takes over, and summer

 becomes a distant memory. It will not last for long!

The Last Of Summer

The last official weekend of summer has now passed us by.

 It has been a great summer full of adventures and outdoor fun.

It is hard to believe it is all coming to an end.

I hope you take an opportunity for one last summer adventure,

before the cool weather of fall arrives.

Out At The County Fair

Going to the County Fair is an American summer tradition. 

The County Fair is a celebration of agricultural heritage and in rural areas 

it is an event that is not to be missed!

Summer afternoon thunderstorms are to be expected in this area.

While the rain poured down outside, we explored the exhibits inside.

This display shows off ribbon winning local produce.

Fresh tomatoes from the garden are one of the best gifts of summer.

Here are this years first and second place winners.

Half the fun of going to the county fair is seeing the animals.

 I always find my way to the bunnies.

This lovely lop is one of the most unique rabbits I have ever seen.

It was the grand champion.

Sitting on a wire floor cage will hurt a rabbits feet.

This smart bunny found a comfortable alternative.

This little rabbit took first place.

Truth be known, I really like chickens.

Someday I hope to have a few egg laying hens.

The plumage on this chicken is my favorite.

We followed the sound of music to find Linda Lay and The Springfield Exit

 bluegrass band preforming.

I was impressed with the way they all harmonized together in song.

They are extremely talented musicians.

Instruments have always fascinated me.

I really liked the simplistic design of this electric standing bass.

After the sun had set and music had faded away, we made our way back to the car.

Going to the County Fair shows you the true heart of a community.

The experience also offers a connection to a greater tradition 

that is shared by many. 

I hope this post inspires you to enjoy a summer tradition of your own!

Monday Motivation

A new week calls for a new and fresh perspective. 

You cannot always change the world, but you can change the way you choose 

to perceive the world. After all, we are what we think. 

Use your thoughts to change your world.

On Little Wings

This is the time of year that butterflies are numerous in many places including

 Shenandoah National Park.

On my recent hikes in the park I have taken many butterfly photos. 

Here are a few of my favorites!

The Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly is extremely striking.

 The bold orange and black pattern demands attention.

The male Eastern Tiger Swallowtail with a wingspan of 4 to 5 inches  is slightly smaller 

than the female.

The female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is distinguished by the blue coloration 

on the bottom portion of the hind wings.

The female Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly is also distinguished by the 

additional blue coloration. 

If you look closely you will see the faint under markings on the wings of the 
Spicebush Swallowtail.

Slightly smaller than the swallowtails, the Red-Spotted Purple butterfly 
is one of my personal favorites because of the brilliant blue coloration. 

The little Summer Azure butterfly barley the size of a dime,

 also has a beautiful blue coloration on the top side of its wings,

this is best seen when the butterfly is in flight.

Many moths are also out in the woodland at this time of year. 

This Lichen Moth is not a typical moth, 

the bright orange coloration gives it a more butterfly like appearance.

This little brown moth has more typical characteristics.

This moth belongs to the "Drepanidae" family.

This family contains about 660 species worldwide.

The Luna Moth with a wingspan of 4.5 inches long, is the king of the moths.

Luna Moths use black walnut trees as a preferred host for their eggs.

As soon as the caterpillar turns into a moth, it will no longer eat. 

The moth will live in this winged state for only about a week,

 flying at night in search of a mate.

I hope you enjoyed these photos, and they inspire you to take a closer look at the

 little winged creatures around you.