Tis months color theme for Artists Inspired is Gray, and we recently had a few gray days down at the beach.  I love the color gray.  It fits well into my winter colors of black, red & white.  I had a look at the meaning of colors and found this particular line that resonated with what I am going to share today.  It is a relief from a frenetic world. Composure and calm is what is felt through seeing this color.

I am all about finding peace and quiet.  My day job is busy and at times stressful, so I actively seek to find peace.  You will find me curled up with a book, walking in the wetlands, or relaxing on the beach.  All three settle my chaotic senses and give me calm.

This series of images was taken down at Long Key State Park in the Florida Keys.  We will often head down there for a 3 day weekend.  This year has been a little harder to get out due to my foot surgery but these of the kind of breaks that we like.

Heading down into the Keys the day is overcast and breezy, but there is always that feel of letting go, as you pass through Miami.

There a beautiful pier belonging to one of the houses that sits adjacent to the state park.

I played around with my Lensbaby Sweet 35 optic very early morning to try and catch this boat bobbing in the water.

As I sat there so the sky lightened and the sun rays radiated down towards the ocean.

Another version of the boat bobbing in the water.  The lensbaby sweet 35 blur effect is one of my favorites.

This was a different boat sitting in the water.  They had power instead of paddle.

Sitting at the edge of the ocean and just enjoying the view.  This makes my worries just disappear.

Life happens at the beach, and this was an early morning exercise walking through the water to get these rocks with the boat.  Don’t trip, don’t drop the camera was my mantra.

This is perhaps one of my favorite images that I have shared before.  I love the stillness of the ocean and the peace and quiet of the morning.

Of course, there was a tiny breeze and these little weeds certainly felt it.

Gray may be deemed dull and boring, but for me it is peaceful in a busy day.  It calms my soul.

The gray area,

the place between black and white –

That’s the place

where Life happens.

~ Justin Timberlake

Just a reminder that this is a circle blog and I would encourage you to click to continue on reading what they other photographers in this group have for you.  Please stop by my friend and fellow photographer Ellie Meachem of Live Life Inspired Photography’s page and read her blog.  Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

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The Artists Inspired Blog Circle is made up of an exceptionally talented group of photographers from all walks of life, from all over the world. They are wives, mothers, friends, daughters and visual storytellers who draw from their own experiences to create art that is inspiring, unique, beautiful and thought-provoking.