Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #21 ~ It's Only a Paper Moon

I shared in the last post about my video experiments via Animoto. Today I'm sharing another montage featuring "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Ella Fitzgerald and the Delta Rhythm Boys. I have a great love of vintage photos, and the funny paper moon pictures are no exception. I first learned about them through a video I watched with my Dad called Paper Moon (1973) starring Ryan and Tatum O'Neal. The quirky photo postcards were popular souvenirs at carnivals, fairs, and picnics around the early 1900's. Some scholars speculate that this motif became popular due to the popular silent French film, A Trip to the Moon (1902). The memorable ending shows the man in the moon with a rocket landing in his eye.

Bullseye!

Putting this together put me in such a good mood. I don't know if it was Ella Fitzgerald's catchy tune, or just the whimsical images themselves, but I proudly present Happy Thought #21. On a side note, I discovered that paper moons may be making a comeback. I hope so! I'd much rather see people posing with the paper moon than those awful mustaches that somehow still infest weddings and parties of every kind. It was cute for a minute, but pul-lease stop the insanity. (I think my breaking point was when I saw mustache invitations for a 1 year old's birthday party). OK, rant over.

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #20 ~ Growing Old Gracefully

It's been a while since I've updated my Happy Thoughts project. I've still been behind-the-scenes creating and learning some new skills.

Since I love to dabble in different media, once in a while I try to create little films or video montages. I don't yet possess the editing skills to start from scratch, but I recently fell in love with the templates provided by Animoto. I have several projects in the works including short portfolio videos and memory montages of family, travel, etc.

I'm also having fun pairing the Animoto templates with my other great love, Pinterest.  I have tons of boards on, well, everything. Lately I'm obsessed with organizing by colors which evoke certain moods and emotions. 

So....as part of my Happy Thoughts project, I will share some of the videos here. Today's happy thought is a montage of beautiful souls from around the world. It celebrates the wisdom of the aged and elderly, and the stories written in every line of their faces.


Since it's close to Valentine's Day, I've also added a few photos of older couples who are growing old together, and still enjoying life and each other. The song I selected is You Are so Beautiful by the legendary Joe Cocker. I also added this to my YouTube Channel, which I also hope to update with fresh content soon.

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #20 ~ Heartfelt Helen Keller

Blue Tulips by Sandra Martin ~ #HappyThoughts365

"The best and most beautiful things

in the world cannot be seen or even touched,

 but must be felt with the heart." 

~ Helen Keller

I created this graphic using one of my photographs of tulips. I manipulated the color in Photoshop. I also added a water ripple to the image, which looks like a pool of water. By using unexpected colors, I think it captures that feeling Helen is talking about in the quote...that we need to learn to see things with our heart.

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #19 ~ Don't Stop Believin'

Don't Stop Believin' ~ Polyvore Collage by Sandra Martin #happythoughts365

This collage is a bit surreal, with a touch of Alice in Wonderland, and a nod to the 80's band Journey. 

It seems that every so often I am engaged in the same old battle....unable to believe in myself or my talent. I think all artists deal with this. One minute we're in love with our work and the next minute we want to throw it in the garbage. Or we feel pretty good about ourselves until we start comparing our work with a fellow artist and then our work suddenly feels crummy. 

So if life seems stacked against you, or someone tries to rain on your parade (even your own negativity), remember to keep the faith. Fight to maintain your position in that realm of wonder. 

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #18 ~ Dance in the Rain

Dance in the Rain ~ Polyvore Collage by Sandra Martin #happythoughts365

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain."

Be sure to check out my Pinterest board "Singin' in the Rain." 

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #17 ~ Dreamer Never Sleep

Dreamer Never Sleep ~ Polyvore Collage by Sandra Martin ~ #happythoughts365

Lately I've been playing on Polyvore again, mainly playing with images found on Pinterest. I enjoy making these mashups, especially pulling together pictures with the same color palette. I think the ballet shoes are exquisite, but I cringe when I think of all the hard work that goes into ballet. Ballerinas performing at the top levels probably do lose sleep as they endure grueling practice and do all they can to make sure they keep their positions. And yet they make their graceful movements look so easy. I think it's the same with art. If you do your job well, it will look effortless to your audience. They may never know the blood, sweat and tears you put into a piece, and really...that's OK. Sometimes hard work is its own reward...and that can even make one happy and satisfied for a job well done. 

You can view more images of my Cotton Candy world on Pinterest. 

Happy Thoughts 365 ~ #16 ~ Life is Better with Rainbows

Life is Better with Rainbows ~ Polyvore Collage by Sandra Martin ~ #happythoughts365

If life has you down, just pull out your rainbow tutu! Or draw with crayons...or eat gummi bears. Celebrate your life in living color!