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Monica Rief

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a woman sitting on a cliff by the ocean at sunrise, wind in her hair, gazing toward a distant mountain range

This imagery—a woman sitting on a cliff by the ocean at sunrise, wind in her hair, gazing toward a distant mountain range—perfectly embodies the theme “And the Soul Felt Its Worth.”

Horizon

Monica Rief September 4, 2025

In the stillness of dawn, she meets the edge of the world— and remembers her own.

It’s not just a beautiful landscape—it’s a threshold moment. The woman is in between: past and future, grief and healing, ending and becoming. The ocean behind her could symbolize all that she has released or endured. The rising sun and distant mountains ahead represent hope, calling, and the soul’s quiet readiness to move forward—not out of striving, but out of alignment.

She is not running toward the future or away from the past. She is simply choosing it—aware, whole, and finally, at peace with herself. She sits at the edge of everything—past behind her, future unfolding ahead. The ocean carries what she’s released; the rising sun kisses her face with warmth she once believed she had to earn. The wind moves through her hair like a quiet blessing.

In this moment, she does not chase, prove, or run. She just is—held between ocean and mountain, ending and beginning. The soul feels its worth not in arrival, but in presence. Not in answers, but in the still gaze toward the horizon.

Horizon is about that sacred pause—when the soul, no longer afraid of the climb, finally understands that it belongs to itself.

Sunrise/Sunset

The wind moves through her hair like a quiet blessing.

In Photography, Illustration Tags iPad, Procreate, illustration, digital illustration, nature photography
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Exploring the Green Treefrog through Macro Photography, Sketching and Illustration

Monica Rief June 7, 2024

Capturing the beauty of nature is a thrilling experience, especially when using a macro lens to photograph the intricate details of tiny creatures; like I did with this close-up shot of a little green treefrog I found resting on the column of a house in Franklin, Tennessee.

Macro Photography of a Green Treefrog

The macro lens allowed me to get exceptionally close, capturing the frog's vivid green color, the bumpy texture of its skin, and the vibrancy and unique pattern in its curious eyes. Each photograph revealed stunning details, turning a simple frog into a work of art.

Sketching and Illustrating the Green Treefrog

Inspired by the macro photographs, I took to my sketchbook to further explore the green treefrog’s features. To play with color and texture, I then grabbed my iPad and used a variation of brushes and techniques to recreate the little frog’s colorful details, focusing on the play of light and shadow that defines its form.

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The Artistic Process

Combining macro photography with drawing offered a unique perspective on the green treefrog. The close-up photographs provided a wealth of detail that informed my sketches, resulting in a richer, more detailed artwork. This process highlighted the complementary nature of photography and drawing.

Conclusion

Photographing and drawing the green treefrog, both on paper and digitally, has deepened my appreciation for this tiny creature. This project not only honed my skills in these three mediums, but also reminded me of the incredible beauty found in even the tiniest details of the natural world. Stay tuned for more artistic explorations and nature-inspired projects!

In Photography, Illustration Tags green, green treefrog, macro photography, frog sketch, nature photography, artistic process, fujifilm XT5, fujifilm macro lens, fujifilm, iPad, Procreate
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