If You are Thankful this Holiday Season...

As we all enjoy Thanksgiving here in the USA and prepare for the holiday season ahead, please take a moment after giving thanks for what you have to remember those who have not. Specifically, check out this link from the organization my son volunteers with in Zambia, Africa, where even a $10 (tax deductible in the USA and the UK) donation can make a difference to many:

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/oncallafrica-improves-healthcare/

Getting Water the Old Fashioned Way (iPhone photo by Rulon Henderson)

Always good with the kids, Rulon hangs out with the young ones in
a local village where a mobile health clinic is taking place.

My son wrote in an email announcing On Call Africa's current fundraising effort, "Please, feel free to share this with your friends, family & co-workers! Any amount helps, it's shocking how little can go so far here in terms of treating our patients, the majority of which are in incredibly tough to reach areas and have little to no access to healthcare or transportation-- often relying on 'traditional healers' (basically modern day snake-oil salesman) claiming to have cures for any ailment, including HIV & cancer (of course for a fee which we all know is B.S.).

"Thanks for taking the time to check us out!"

I am still struck by my son's report of a woman who was carried by her family to the first mobile clinic he went on last May. He told of a woman who had just given birth. Not only did she have a serious infection as a result of the birth, but Rulon was charged with driving her -- an IV in place -- and her family for hours from the mobile clinic to the nearest regular clinic with instructions from the On Call Africa volunteer doctors that she be transferred to the nearest hospital (located even more hours away) to prevent her death. Two weeks later, when the On Call Africa doctors checked in with that other clinic, the woman was still there and had not been transferred to the hospital. The doctors insisted that she be sent. Days later, on the mobile clinic's return to their home base in Livingstone, Zambia, they did see the ambulance that was finally transporting her to the hospital. 

Even though my income is only Social Security, I plan to make a recurring $10 a month donation to this most worthy cause located in a country with some of the most beautiful scenery on earth but with only 1 doctor for every 14,000 people! I invite you to do the same -- or to better my contribution!

UPDATE JANUARY 5, 2014: Due to the number of you generous donors, On Call Africa secured a permanent place on the Global Giving website. Thank you one and all!

Bittersweet Interlude

Due to an extended family crisis, I currently only have brief interludes available for making new photographs. I will share these on an intermittant basis as time allows. This one was taken last week of the bittersweet berries that invade the area along the driveway. It captures what is, at the moment, a truly bittersweet interlude in my life. Enjoy it for however it speaks to you!

Bittersweet Interlude

You may view my other work by viewing my website here

Another Perspective

This post is being simultaneously posted on the St. Paul's Willimantic, CT website at the request of the church. You see, art is not my only concern when it comes to photography. This letter was originally written in support of a grant application for St. Paul's. I present it here as a means to extend the reach of the St. Paul's Ministry in Motion as well as to share an entirely different side of my photography with you. I mean no offense to those of any other faith.

Dear Freinds in Christ,

I came to St. Paul's through the Covenant Soup Kitchen about 3 years ago now. I came because I was so impressed with Rev. Jaci's ministry to us each Wednesday when she visited our meal and asked us individually for our prayer requests. It wasn't a whole long time before I found myself wanting

Quick! Before It's Over!

An extended family crisis kept me from making this post any sooner, but I don't want locals to miss out on this opportunity to see my work "in the flesh." "Dreamtime" is the theme of the

"Boat Reflection and "Tide Water" are on the bottom left of this photo which was taken after the first day of hanging the show at the Gallery at the Wauregan in Norwich, CT. By the time it opened, the show contained wall to wall -- and ceiling to floor -- works of arts. (Photo by Dan Topalis)

exhibit which hangs at the Gallery at the Wauregan in Norwich, CT until Friday, August 30th.  Located in the heart of the Norwich Art District, you might want to check out works at the other local galleries while you are in the area. 

Seeing art work online is better than not at all, but nothing substitutes for seeing works up close and personal. The quality really shines. Both of my works in the show, "Boat Reflection" and "Tide Water" are available for sale as 12x18 giclee prints, matted and framed to 18x24 inches. Thanks go to gallery owner, Dan Topalis, for making this opportunity available to all the participating artists!

PS: To accommodate the first comment below, you may see both photos larger on my main website at these links:

"Boat Reflection" is here
"Tide Water" is here 

These are not the framed versions, though...  

PPS: Smaller versions of both of these photos are available in my etsy shop! Just click here to find them.

What Says Summer Better?

Saturday found me at the famous Buttonwood Farms in Griswold, CT. Each year they host visitors during "Sunflowers for Wishes." This is a campaign to raise funds for the Make A Wish Foundation of CT which grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. A full 100% of the money earned from bouquets of sunflowers selling at $5 each goes to the foundation.  Join me in a glimpse of some sunflowers coming into bloom!

 

Gloriously reaching for the sun!!!

Some of these images will soon be available here

If you haven't already done so, check out more of my images here

One of My Very Favorite Personal Photos

Today's weather here in Connecticut has been as close to the relief of winter that we are likely to get in the middle of summer -- a cool 61 degrees F as I write this at 1:30 AM. For a native Mainer like me, it's weather I can actually move around in instead of the sluggishness of all the heat we've had lately. In fact, it's almost as good as being in Maine in the summer time! Made me want to look again at some of my photos from Portland Headlight, that famous lighthouse that is actually located in Cape Elizabeth, ME (but it stands at the head of Portland Harbor and, hence, its name). This one is one of my all time favorites as it reminds me of the many years spent on Maine's rocky coast and how I loved to climb on similar rocks. Check out the couple sitting at the top of the rocks on the right hand side -- and the ship just barely visible in the distance on the left hand horizon.

This one is not yet available in my etsy shop -- if you would like it to be, add a comment below this.

Why Beacon of Light for a Name?

[Update January 6, 2015:  This post reflects the name of my original etsy.com shop, not the name I am currently using. However, it does have quite a bit to say about my work and how I approach it so I decided not to remove it.]

Welcome to my photography blog!

As I started to think about opening a shop on etsy.com to grow my photography beyond an existing local audience, I realized my first problem was coming up with a name for my etsy shop! I wanted it to reflect the basic characteristics of the strongest photographic work I have done so far.

Photography is sometimes called "painting with light." That was important to include.

Others have called much of my work serene and peaceful. That was important to include.

The lighthouse at Portland Headlight invigorates my soul and is my favorite place to photograph. That was important to include.

Also, lighthouses are the tradtional guide during a storm and my life has had its share of storms that photgraphy brings me out of. That was important to include.

But, most of all, for me, photography is almost a meditation, and it certainly is a spiritual path. That was important to include.

Yet how to incorporate all these qualities in a simple, easy to remember name? Beacon of Light was born! I also knew I had a photo that would add to the entire concept -- and so my etsy shop was ready to get off the ground!

Beacon of Light is now operating and you will be taken directly to it by clicking this link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeaconofLight

You can also see more of my work on my main website by clicking this: jeanhenderson.zenfolio.com

I welcome your response to my photographs or to my etsy shop. Add your comments below.