Your Life As Art

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

Today’s prompt is one that I do walk hand in hand with each day.

“Your Life As Art“

This landed on my heart years ago, when thinking of my love of photography. Art for each of us can hold a very different and special meaning. So striving to live, your life as art, is in my opinion choosing to live your best life and if captured would be incredible art on the wall!

The phrase—“Your Life As Art”—lands especially deeply for someone who is both a mom and a photographer because you’re constantly living *and* observing at the same time.

As a photographer, you’re trained to notice what others miss: the way light falls across a messy kitchen at 7am, the softness in your child’s expression when they’re half-asleep, the beauty in imperfect, fleeting moments. You already see that life doesn’t need to be staged or flawless to be meaningful—it just needs to be *noticed*. Even as the children have grown, the mom photographer continues to notice it all.

So “Your Life As Art” becomes a reminder that nothing is too ordinary to matter. As a mom, your days can be full of repetition, chaos, and emotional extremes. It’s easy for that to feel overwhelming or even invisible. But when you frame, your life as art, those same moments take on a different weight. The bedtime stories, the scraped knees, the laughter at the dinner table—they’re not just tasks or routines, they’re brushstrokes. You’re not just getting through the day; you’re *creating* something living and evolving.

There’s also something powerful in the idea that art isn’t perfect—it’s expressive, raw, sometimes messy. That mirrors motherhood exactly. You don’t need everything to look polished to know it’s meaningful. In fact, the imperfections are often what make it beautiful.

Maybe most importantly, as both a mom and a photographer, you’re holding onto time in two ways: through images you capture and through the way you choose to see and remember your life “Your Life As Art” is a quiet permission slip—to slow down, to find beauty in the in-between, and to recognize that what you’re building every day already has value, even if no one else sees it yet.

Self Care Sunday | Forest Bathing + Oils

I love when Sundays have adventures. Especially those weekends when we have more priorities than free time. An hour escape into nature can feel like the most beautiful reset.

Our Gunner, loves riding in the side by side! His dad made him a seat extension so that he can safely sit in the middle between us and wearing his harness he is also safely strapped in like us! My hubby knows how amazing nature is at resetting my nervous system!

The view through the trees to the water just makes my heart feel so happy, my soul takes the deepest breath!

Much of the day was spent with my laptop, but not doing fun things like photos and blogging. I am getting excited, nervously excited for a big change at work, one that has been imminent for a while, that has pushed all my growth edges and even made me question if we just stay status quo. We are finally reaching the other side and I am soon about to have more time back for me-in many ways! The bonus, the breaks I took from work today, I got my laundry done, and not only done, its also organized and put away!

Ending my productive and relaxing day with a salt and oil bath for a little me time! This space, is close to our hearts <3 if you asked me 2 months ago, I hated it, it was taking forever – and truthfully it did and was. Now, we are here. Its been a long time coming – trust me. However multiple life factors including my hubby’s accident. What I will say, I am amazed honestly at all the renos we have completed in our home – its been the entire house – nothing has been rushed, which in the moment oh my goodness I just wanted it done. Everything happened in the time it was meant to and the space is perfect. We couldn’t have chosen a better way to lay it out and if we had pushed through 6.5 yrs ago I wouldn’t be this happy with it. This is a small glimpse into our new ensuite. This vanity was purchased in 2019. The shower, that was purchased last year, the irony, they damn near match perfectly! Still have some paint touch ups, the barn door and finishing the outside wall. Just goes to show, one day, things can feel heavy, never ending, like everything feels so hard… and suddenly, its like a breath of fresh air.

A salt bath with oils and a good book – perfect!

  • Clove – The Oil of Boundaries
  • Petitgrain – The Oil of Ancestry
  • Frankincense – The Oil of Truth
  • Copaiba – The Oil of Unveiling
  • Elevation – The Oil of Joy

I am always astonished at how my intuition chooses the correct oils always at the correct time, even when I may question – my soul knows! Especially for the ways I have self sabotaged on myself.

The book I grabbed to read, “When You’re Ready This is How you Heal” by Brianna Wiest Ive had this book over a year, this is probably the 3rd time Ive picked it up. Its flowing better now.

I put the book down after finishing a chapter and she said…

“Close this book for a moment.

Take one second just to breathe and look around.

There is more here than you would ever realize.

There is more waiting than you would ever assume.”

I set the book down, I was in the bath tub, something I had been dreaming of for years, there IS more here than in that moment I had realized. The stress of even a couple weeks ago with the house, with work, has simmered down and settled. A space that I had envisioned in many ways and the real life version, is so much better!

Lens-Artists Challenge #395 | On The Water (#151)

This week the challenge theme is “On The Water”, Beth introduces the Lens-Artists Challenge that is bringing #151 back to life! Be sure to check out her blog post and beautiful images – she also has a link to her original post #151 as well!

From Beth at Wandering Dawgs: “For this challenge, I look forward to seeing your interpretation of “On the Water”. The water can be rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, oceans, puddles, swimming pools or water parks. Think about scenic views of water, people having fun on the water, watercraft on the water, macros of water drops, or animals, birds, and plants floating on the water.“

Some of my favourite images are birds on the water! Especially when they have babies! These were captured at Sulfur Springs Conservation Area just outside of Hanover.

Baby Ducks feasting on the bugs!

I love how cute and fluffy they are!

This is where I saw the geese and ducks swimming around. I just love the reflection on the water.

This beauty was captured down at Murphy Park on the Saugeen River in Mount Forest.

Blue Heron on the water at Murphy Park

Geese and their babies at Murphy Park, taking a break from the water on land.

On the water, In the water, potato, poataoe… hahaha Last spring we went off roading at our family cottage and this was our son, he went just a little bit too far. Very grateful for winches and that we bring up the rear ;)

Rinsing off some of the machines. They are SO fun!

My favourite beach bay view! Our family cottage has been in the family since my grandparents bought it over 50 years ago!

Labs just love the water!

On the water kayaking at our family cottage.

My big boy and his power toy.

When the beach gets busy on a beautiful summer day!

Sometimes the best view is the simplest over the water <3

It really is incredible how calm my heart and soul feels near water. Even if we can only get up to the cottage for an over night, less than 24 hours, I feel that cleansing recharge.

Kids fishing off the dock

Loon Family on Methuen Lake

This isn’t how I thought I would lead this post today ‘on the water’, I was first envisioning my favourite landscape shots of beaches… these have even more memories of good times! I feel so lucky to have been able to photograph the birds I have local to me at home or at the family cottage. Last year we purchased a travel trailer, this year, we have booked some locations that we are so very excited for! Especially for the landscape, birds, nature, water etc!

Be sure to check back next Saturday as the Lens-Artists crew announces the next challenge theme. Thank you Beth for this inspiration, I am excited for Spring and Summer!

Return to True Self

My body lately has been very strong at getting my attention. Its actually been prevalent in my immediate family’s life for a bit, bringing our attention to things outside of our control, yet given the opportunity to bring ourselves within.

I was given another reminder, I need to return to my true self.

In 2014 I opened my world to holistic healing, something Ive been skimming the surface of the past 6 years – as I type that it feels like a weight, however that’s the reality and its okay.

  • Basil – Oil of Renewal – “The smell of Basil oil brings strength to the heart and relaxation to the mind. This oil is also excellent for states of nervousness, anxiousness and despair.”
  • Bergamot – Oil of Self Acceptance – ” Bergamot has a cleansing effect on stagnant feelings and limiting belief systems. Bergamot’s powerful cleansing properties generate movement in the energy system, which in turn brings hope.”
  • Hygge – Oil of Sanctuary – “Hygge was formulated to capture the Danish practice of immersing one’s self in simple comforts and cultivating contented awareness. Self-care and nurturing are central to this concept.”
  • Laurel Leaf – Oil of Triumpf – this is an oil I can honestly say I rarely reach for, today it jumped out at me – “Laurel works deeply within the individuals to help heal the issues causing them to unconsciously engage in self-sabotage.”

Source – Essential Emotions

As I was intuitively selecting my diffuser blend, these are the oils that came to me. That clearly are ones that can help me with shifting in this moment. A reminder, how powerful our intuition is especially when combined with mother nature’s power!

Lens-Artists #394-2 | History Through the Lens

Im not sure if this is technically ‘allowed’ for the challenge, however while out on a spring tour today seeing all the old trees reminded me of this challenge. Driving through the forests on the trails, with the huge tall trees towering over us, is a beautiful reminder of their age, the wisdom and strength.

Ive had my head in my computer at work and my lap top at home for weeks now, with the exception of 2 weekends of our daughters 6 and 4 games I haven’t been on my laptop for ‘fun’, I had my to-do list, however for today it felt right setting it aside to fully immerse within nature and with loved ones.

We briefly stopped on this old bridge over a river, I love the character of these bridges and that we still have them around.

This tree in the bog is absolutely stunning. Nothing green, however standing tall!

The contrast between some new trees and old trees in the bog.

Ive found nature to be so calming for me, the reset that I need, it could be minutes or hours and I feel like a new person. A reminder for myself how I can easily incorporate this into my own daily life.

You may not know the answers you are seeking when you step into nature, however you will find more than what you ever thought you needed. My heart felt she needed to share these images today, perhaps a reminder for me.

The Sunshine is so Warm!

Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

As I woke this morning, I realized it was just before 8am, 7:55am. Although I was up briefly in the night again, I had successfully fallen back asleep and slept until almost 8am! Thats a win! As I sat up, the sun was brightly shining through our windows, flooding through the transom window behind our bed, as I sat up all I could feel was the beautiful warmth of the sunshine! So wonderful to wake up to, especially after a day of rain and cold!

Lens-Artists Challenge #394 | History Through the Lens

John introduces this weeks theme and its ideal for him and his traveling! John has some stunning examples within his blog, my favourite being the first from Arizona.

“This week, it’s my great pleasure to host a challenge that leans into two of my favorite pastimes—photography and historic sites. Many of my favorite destinations are places where history still lives—recreated, restored, or simply preserved as they stand today. While it would be perfectly proper to feature a single favorite park, site, or museum if you’d like, I’m opening the door to a bit more variety. You’re welcome to choose from any of the subtopics in this challenge, mix and match them, or bring your own historic theme if none of these themes quite fit your submission.” John

I thought on this over the afternoon, I have already blogged about our travel to Nashville and Nova Scotia, and then I remembered a photo tour I went on many years ago. Doors Open Wellington North in 2014 where you could pop in and out of places within Mount Forest and Arthur and learn the various history of the sites.

Mount Forest Archives – Its very cool that you can step into the archives building and can be instantly transported back in time!

The Library in Mount Forest, over the years and the building in 2026 still looks much the same!

Two churches in Arthur, I believe one is the United and another possibly the Presbyterian.

Each spring in our area the Holstein Maplefest happens in the Love Sugar Bush. Its a beautiful piece of property and this year they celebrated their 30th year! This is a photo from years ago inside their one barn type building down in the sugar bush. I find it so fascinating!

This one isn’t a historic site – but rather historic sight as the olympic flame came through our small town back in December 2009!

I love old bridges like this, this one was taken back in 2009 and is still there today tucked away on the edge of town on the Mount Forest Saugeen Trail!

A local race track where we used to spend almost every weekend, truly a historic site – Varney Motor Speedway – Circa 2010!

The historic view coming into town, with the big water tower, doesn’t matter how many years ago, this is the view you see.

I found this online – not my photo :) I think from 1912

The Cenotaph in Mount Forest

Historic in a sense, we live in a small town rural community where we have a lot of Mennonites who travel by horse and buggy.

The Holstein local Christmas parade is always non motorized its so very cool to see all the beautiful horses! Its a Christmas tradition for 33 years in 2026!

Beautiful historic buildings in a snow storm from back in 2014!

This was a fun challenge to look back, photos I haven’t taken lately that I now feel a photo tour is in need for some updated shots!

Next week, it’s Beth’s turn to host. Be sure to follow her [here] so you don’t miss her challenge that goes live on Saturday at noon Eastern Time.

If you’re sharing a Lens‑Artists Challenge response for the first time, welcome—we’d love to visit your post. To participate, publish your take on this week’s theme, link back to this page, and add the Lens‑Artists tag so others can discover your work. You’ll find more details on how the challenge works here.

Your Life As Art Photography by Pam

Artist & Intuitive | Pamela Zmija

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