A Fire Inside
Oregon Coast, Oregon
Waves recede towards the sunset light on a beach near Oceanside, Oregon.
I've never cared about 'getting older' or crossing age thresholds. I've always been a firm believer that age is just a number and that as long as you're having fun, following your heart, and making it a point to experience life.. then who cares?
But recently it's been on my mind. In a couple years I will on my 40th trip around the sun. And so I think about it. Not in the 'OH MY GOD I'M GETTING OLLLLD!!!!" kind of way.. but more the "I really need to prioritize what I want to do with my life and where I want to be" kind of way. I think of the days passing, the punching of the clock, the bills, the money.. you know.. life. And nothing throws it directly in my face like watching my son get older. The progression in his learning.. his life experiences. The dude can READ now. And he reads WELL. Thinking back to when I was excited that he could finally hold his head up, or grab the cookie on his highchair, or crawl, then walk, then run, then climb, then parrot the things he hears, and then come up with them on his own, and then be able to hold a conversation with him, and then being amazed that he is so well spoken, and then kindergarten, losing his teeth, and then first grade, and then prom, and then graduating high school... and then.. wait.. I'm getting ahead of myself here. But I'm sure you get my point. The days are ticking. He keeps getting older and I constantly tell myself that I'm staying the same age.
But we know that's not true. Thus is the state of my mind lately and it wasn't helped (or was it) when a friend showed concern of turning 30. She asked me how I dealt with it. I told her the story of a man named Dick Proenneke (I highly recommend watching his documentaries 'Alone in the Wilderness'). This man moved to a remote part of Alaska to live in the wilderness. Alone. He built his cabin with his bare hands, felling the trees himself and even carving the hinges for the door out of a stump. He gathered gravel from the lakebed to use as his floor. He hunted for his food and a couple of times a year had some supplies flown in which he bought with gold that he had panned from nearby streams. He lived there for 30 years. One of the entries in his journal states "I wonder if there's anyone else in the world as free and happy as I was." I'm not positive, but after watching the series about him dozens of times, I imagine that he felt as though his life BEGAN when he moved to Alaska. Here's the catch, though: He was 56 when he made that decision.
That kind of puts it into perspective for me. We're getting older.. but we have the option to start living our lives NOW. I know that's easier said than done.. especially when you have a six year old. But there's a fire inside that burns deep. It's a very strong desire to spend my life living EXPERIENCES.. whether good or bad. I'm fine with living life on life's terms, but the key word for me is LIVING. Punching the clock, worrying about money, my credit score, having the things in life that I'm 'supposed' to have.. the material belongings.. that's not LIVING.. that's life.
I don't know about you.. but I'm over it. I'm going to do my best to not let life get in the way of living. Burn on. Photo © copyright by TJ Thorne.
Artist Studio Print • Ready to Frame
As an independent artist, I take immense pride in personally overseeing my entire creative process, from capturing the images to meticulously crafting the final prints. This hands-on approach enables me to present my work in the most authentic and exceptional manner possible, ensuring that each print meets the standards of my artistic vision. By choosing an Artist Studio Print, you not only acquire a piece of art but also invest in the dedication and passion that goes into every photograph that I create.
- Hand-printed in my studio for utmost attention to detail.
- Printed on heavy-weight, cotton-based, archival Canson Infinity paper using pigment-based inks.
- Quickest turn-around time.
Please note that these prints require framing before display. I am happy to work with you on your framing needs. Please contact me to do so. For ready-to-hang options, please consider my Lumachrome Acrylic Face Mounted or Chromaluxe Metal Prints.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.
Please allow 1-3 weeks for production and delivery.
Select a print size:
Lumachrome Fine Art Prints • Acrylic Face-Mounted and Ready to Hang
Premium Fine Art Lumachrome Prints are the epitome of elegance and quality. By face mounting the print to 1/8" thick scratch-resistant, non-reflective crystal clear acrylic and backing it with a protective surface and a 1.3" rear mounted frame, the print seemingly floats from the wall.
The proprietary Lumachrome process in combination with the acrylic facing gives a depth, dimensionality, and glow to the image which is unmatched and needs to be seen to believed. These pieces are museum quality, absolutely stunning, and truly a collectors piece.
Premium Fine Art Lumachrome Prints are ideal for galleries or private homes and with the proper lighting will take on a luminance that brings the photo to life. While these ready-to-hang pieces offer a modern, sleek, and clean appearance, traditional framing is also available and can be discussed one-on-one to pick the most appropriate frame for your piece.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Select a print size:
Chromaluxe Fine Art Metal Prints • Ready to Hang
If you are looking for a piece that combines durability with a modern and elegant look, I offer Premium Fine Art Metal Prints. Using a state-of-the-art process, the image is infused directly into the surface of specially coated aluminum which creates a scratch and fade resistant piece that is ready to hang without a frame.
Metal prints contain a tremendous amount of depth, detail, and sharpness that will be sure to draw the viewer in. Since the image is fused directly into the aluminum, the resulting piece is scratch and water resistant and will resist fading or yellowing over time while at the same time being easy to clean. These are the ideal for offices and public spaces due to their durability.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.
Please allow 2-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Select a print size:
Limited Edition Artist Studio Prints • Ready to Frame
As an independent artist, I take immense pride in personally overseeing my entire creative process, from capturing the images to meticulously crafting the final prints. This hands-on approach enables me to present my work in the most authentic and exceptional manner possible, ensuring that each print meets the standards of my artistic vision. By choosing an Artist Studio Print, you not only acquire a piece of art but also invest in the dedication and passion that goes into every photograph that I create.
- Hand-printed in my studio for utmost attention to detail.
- Printed on heavy-weight, cotton-based, archival Canson Infinity paper using pigment-based inks.
- Quickest turn-around time.
Please note that these prints require framing before display. I am happy to work with you on your framing needs. Please contact me to do so. For ready-to-hang options, please consider my Lumachrome Acrylic Face Mounted or Chromaluxe Metal Prints.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.
Please allow 1-3 weeks for production and delivery.
Select a print size:
Limited Edition Lumachrome Fine Art Prints • Acrylic Face-Mounted and Ready to Hang
Premium Limited Edition Fine Art Lumachrome Prints are the epitome of elegance and quality. By face mounting the print to 1/8" thick scratch-resistant, non-reflective crystal clear acrylic and backing it with a protective surface and a 1.3" rear mounted frame, the print seemingly floats from the wall.
The proprietary Lumachrome process in combination with the acrylic facing gives a depth, dimensionality, and glow to the image which is unmatched and needs to be seen to believed. These pieces are museum quality, absolutely stunning, and truly a collectors piece.
Premium Fine Art Lumachrome Prints are ideal for galleries or private homes and with the proper lighting will take on a luminance that brings the photo to life. While these ready-to-hang pieces offer a modern, sleek, and clean appearance, traditional framing is also available and can be discussed one-on-one to pick the most appropriate frame for your piece.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.
Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Select a print size:
Limited Edition Chromaluxe Fine Art Metal Prints • Ready to Hang
If you are looking for a piece that combines durability with a modern and elegant look, I offer Premium Limited Edition Fine Art Metal Prints. Using a state-of-the-art process, the image is infused directly into the surface of specially coated aluminum which creates a scratch and fade resistant piece that is ready to hang without a frame.
Metal prints contain a tremendous amount of depth, detail, and sharpness that will be sure to draw the viewer in. Since the image is fused directly into the aluminum, the resulting piece is scratch and water resistant and will resist fading or yellowing over time while at the same time being easy to clean. These are the ideal for offices and public spaces due to their durability.
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my prints, please visit my Prints page.
Need a size that's not listed? Not a problem. Simply contact me for a quote to get started.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for production and delivery.
Select a print size:
Shipping is included to locations within the United States. Please contact me for a shipping quote if you will have your purchase shipped elsewhere. To learn more about my Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, please visit my Prints Page