Underground

This is my metaphoric geometric play on light and color.
Shelly Perkins Photography www.shellyperkins.com

Oklahoma Trips on a Tank Full

With summer fast approaching you may be wondering like me, how do I keep these kids entertained all summer?  Luckily, if you live in Oklahoma like me, there are many opportunities that this great state has to offer.  I've included a link to the Oklahoma State Department of Tourism where you can request free brochures and receive free coupons for children friendly museums and activities.  http://www.oktourism.com/literature-request/

From trips to the Oklahoma City Adventure District visiting the Oklahoma City Zoo or the Oklahoma Science Museum to trips to Frontier City Amusement Park and White Water, there is so much to do. Of course, the Oklahoma Aquarium and the Bricktown Ballpark are great destinations for summer fun but have you also visited Andy Alligator's in Norman or Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse in Enid? Looking for a cool place to eat with your kids that won't break your bank?  Check out Pop's on Route 66 in Arcadia or Meers Restaurant in Meers near Lawton and Altus. If you're near Stillwater of course you have to check out the world famous Eskimo Joe's.

My family travels frequently and we love to travel around Oklahoma.  You don't have to travel far or spend a lot of money in gas (which is going up again!!!) to find something to do.  I encourage you to look around Oklahoma before making your expensive travel plans for the summer and notice all that Oklahoma has to offer.  Is this a great state or what?

www.shellyperkins.com
Shelly Perkins Photography

God's Beauty at Oklahoma Lake

The Wichita Mountains in Southwestern Oklahoma has several lakes and many gorgeous viewing areas. This is an image I created in the spirit of Ansel Adams and his idea for black and white landscape photography. I am not, by any means, saying I can duplicate his amazing talent but I'm learning and loving what I'm doing. I'm proud to live in Oklahoma where we have a diverse landscape from flatlands and prairies to hills and mountains. I hope you enjoy this shot of God's Beauty that I found at Ketch Lake near the Wichita Mountains. Shelly Perkins Photography www.shellyperkins.com

Fun at the Nature Center at Lake Thunderbird

I wanted to share a few pics of our afternoon at the Lake Thunderbird Nature Center in Norman, Oklahoma. This is a great place to spend a little time with your kiddos. It is located off Oklahoma State Highway 9 on the south side of the lake. The center is free since Lake Thunderbird is a state park and is open everyday 9-5 except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The center has an official park ranger on duty to talk about the wildlife found in Oklahoma and locally in Cleveland County around the lake. The park ranger can also give you maps and point you to great hiking and biking trails or places to play in the water, even if you don't own a boat or a ski-do. The Lake Thunderbird Nature Center is a fun place to spend an afternoon.

For more info check out:
http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4386


Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

White Daffodils on my Daddy's Birthday

Today was Daddy's birthday but it was his first spent in Heaven. What an amazing gift I found when I woke up and looked outside in my front yard. Last spring, my Dad and I planted a few spring bulbs and what do I see? Daffodils had bloomed and were swaying in the gentle Oklahoma breeze. It made me smile and remember planting them and everything that he helped me do. He always helped with the kids and around the house. Papa John, as everyone called him, was an amazing guy. I sure miss him but it also blessed my soul to see the beautiful flowers. Here is one of the white daffodils which were a gift to me on his birthday, sent from Heaven.

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

The Oklahoma Aquarium Offers Family Fun

Recently two of my daughters and I were able to visit the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks, Oklahoma for the first time. What an amazing place not so far from home. I've heard great things about the aquarium but never took the time to visit. It is a public, non-profit aquarium just minutes from Tulsa devoted to their mission "Conservation Through Education."

We had a great time and I would love to share a few photos from our visit. Who would have known that such an amazing aquarium existed in land-locked Oklahoma? If you are near Jenks, Oklahoma or visiting the Tulsa area, I suggest you stop in for at least a few hours and see what you've been missing. My girls had a great time and I'm sure we'll be back.

Checking out Rick Sinnett's Work for Public Arts Project 66

I was able to meet Rick Sinnett this past weekend at The Womb Art Gallery.  Great guy and amazing artist doing some colossal things in Oklahoma along Route 66 and throughout the state.  He showed me his drawings which will stimulate the old wheat elevator that now houses Rocktown Climbing Gym in OKC.  What a great idea to not only use public art to revitalize an area but also to tie the state together.  I can't wait to see it and photograph this talented artist's work.  Thanks Rick for sharing your vision.

the Horseman

Wanted to share this little shot I made with a negative process. I guess I'm enjoying monotones and black and white at the moment.

the "Horseman"
Oklahoma Cowboy

Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

"OLD and WISE" Animal Art by Shelly Perkins Photography

One installment of my Animal Art collection.
An old Oklahoma tortoise.


Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com

"Perspective" Art by Shelly Perkins of Oklahoma

"Perspective 0.2" by Shelly Perkins

www.shellyperkins.com

This is one of three installments called "Perspective 0.0"
This pen and paper, line art was created by artist, Shelly Perkins of Oklahoma.

I was going to give you my interpretation here but have decided to let you analyze the piece for yourself. Enjoy, Shelly

"The Disembodied Eye" by Artist Shelly Perkins of Oklahoma

"The Disembodied Eye"

by Oklahoma Artist

Shelly Perkins

http://www.shellyperkins.com/

First Female Governor of Oklahoma

Today was a historic day for the State of Oklahoma. Governor Mary Fallin was elected as the first female Governor of our great state. Despite your political view, this is a great achievement! I attended the event with my husband and my two youngest daughters.

Anyone who has lived in Oklahoma knows the climate changes constantly. One day it can be 90 degrees and the next, the temperature can drop into the teens. Add the nearly constant wind and it can become quite chilly. Oklahoma decided to provide white snowflakes as the backdrop to this historical event and let me tell you, yes it was very cold.

However, we did have a good time and although I'm still thawing out, I was excited to be able to have my daughters attend.

Moore, Oklahoma Children's Photographer
Shelly Perkins Photography
http://www.shellyperkins.com/

POPS with Pops by Shelly Perkins Photography

If you live in this great state of Oklahoma or are fortunate enough to travel through, I must suggest you head out to old Route 66 in Arcadia for an afternoon. It's only five miles off of I-35, so you can make a quick stop and get back on the interstate if you're headed North or South.

My husband and I had a great family day with two of our daughters and my father at Pops. The girls said let's take "Pops to Pops today!" What a great idea. I know I'm sounding like a commercial right now, but it's a great place to grab a good ole' burger at a good price and have some fun with the family. There are so many types of sodas to choose from (Yes, I said Soda...living in New York for a time keeps the 'Soda' word in my vocabulary. LOL) Of course you can't take a trip without taking the infamous tourist photo in front of the 60 foot soda pop bottle, so don't forget your camera.

After you have a meal at Pop's, head a little farther East on Route 66 to check out the Round Barn. My kids loved standing in the middle listening to their voices echo. Downstairs is a little museum with an old timer who is pretty interesting to speak to and will share stories of the old round barn if you just ask. This summer is going by so quick and I want to make memories with my children they will remember.




Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com