Through These Eyes: The Book

THEY'RE HERE!!!!

Those of you that follow my blog often know that I recently put together a variety of hard cover and soft cover books with an array of original photographs for the holidays.  I received such an overwhelming response that I ordered 5x7 soft cover books for retail.  If you have arrived at this link it’s because you purchased a book and you are curious about the story behind the photographs.  Or maybe you are considering purchasing the book and would like to see just what you’re in for. 

The 5x7 soft cover books are only $20 and are filled with 21 pages of full color, black and white and rich mocha prints.  These books are great for friends and family or for your very own collection.  If you would like to purchase a book or several books, please visit my etsy shop.  If I am sold out of the books, you may message me at soniadoneghue@gmail.com and we will work something out. 

Let me say that the pictures below are a bit pixilated because the website I downloaded from does not allow me to download large images therefore we have a little bit of pixel madness going on.  I can tell you that the images in the actual book ARE NOT pixilated.  Now on to the fun part…the photographs!  You can click on them to view them larger.

This is the cover of the book.  The cover features The Skyliner Motel which is located in Stroud, Oklahoma.  This particular sign inspired some of the animation in the Disney movie, Cars.  On the right of the screen we have what many think is a barber’s chair.  In fact, this chair is that of a doctor.  Looks kinda like an electric chair if you ask me.  This chair was photographed at The Dallas Heritage Village.

No caption needed for this page.  :)

 The Baker Hotel

Mineral Wells, Texas

This Spanish Revival beauty lays in ruin in the middle of Mineral Wells, Texas.  It first opened its doors in 1929 and closed in 1963.  The 14 story high rise has remained vacant for nearly half a century.  Various groups have discussed restoring “The Grand Old Lady” of Mineral Wells, but roof damage has caused other parts of the hotel to deteriorate and restoration would cost an estimated 30 million dollars.  Is it haunted?  Well, I can’t say for sure.  But lore unravels a tale of an affair between the hotel manager and a beautiful young lady.  It’s said that the mistress grew tired of being hidden away nightly at the hotel as he went off to be with his wife every evening.  She jumped from the very top story of the building to her death…a whole 14 stories.

Fort Williams Park

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

This is a road at Fort Williams Park, the first military fortification named after Brevet Major General Seth Williams.  Fort Williams grew to be a tremendous military asset during World War II. Besides protecting the shoreline of Cape Elizabeth, the infantry and artillery units provided the Harbor Defense for Portland. After the war, many of the forts in Casco Bay were closed, including Fort Williams, which traded in its defense of the coast for caretaker status and Army Reserve accommodations. Fort Williams was officially closed and deactivated on June 30, 1963.  History courtesy of capeelizabeth.com. 

Renner School House

Dallas, Texas

Built in 1888, this structure served the community of Renner, Texas (now part of North Dallas) as a school until 1919. The exterior displays elements of Greek Revival architecture typical of schools, meeting houses, and Masonic Lodges constructed across the South in the 19th century. Inside are a foyer, a large restored schoolroom downstairs, and one large schoolroom upstairs.  History courtesy of Dallas Heritage Village.

“Awaken”

This butterfly landed on my office window one day.  It’s almost like it wanted me to photograph it.  So I did.  The quote was used courtesy of New Jersey poet and artist Deborah Chaskin.  Thanks, Deborah!

"Delicate Strength"

There is a business down the street from where I work with beautiful landscaping.  Over the summer they had some really tall and absolutely gorgeous sunflowers.  I don’t think I had ever seen sunflowers that big in person.  I finally stopped one day and snapped a few pictures.  This one was my favorites and reminds me of a quote by Irish poet, Thomas Moore (I have a thing for Irish poets) –“As the sunflower turns on her God when he sets, the same look which she turn’d when he rose.”

"Echinacea Splendor"

I don’t really have a story behind this beautiful Purple Cone Flower.  I don’t photograph flowers too often but I do enjoy doing it.  After all, they are the epitome of beauty.

Cape Elizabeth Lights – West Tower

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

This beautiful lighthouse dates back to 1828 and is located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine along with another lighthouse (East Tower).  The area is known as Two Lights due to the history of both light towers which stand 300 yards apart.  This tower is no longer in operation and is privately owned.  However, the East Tower still shines bright along the Atlantic Coast.

Coast of the Atlantic Ocean at Two Lights

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

I was ecstatic to see the rocky coast of Maine.  These are scenes I had only seen in movies.  I wish I could explain how mesmerizing it was just to sit there and watch the water crash on the rocks below.  It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to get back there later this year. 

"Runaway Train"

Addison, Texas

I find trains quite fascinating…especially when they come roaring through small towns in the middle of the night –their whistle a haunting reverberation that pierces the air of sleepy towns from one coast to another. 

Ferris Wheel at Oktoberfest

Addison, Texas

This is a shot of some of the midway at Addison’s Oktoberfest.  I love the way the Ferris Wheel towers over everything else.  What a timeless piece of Americana! 

“This Old Tractor”

Shamrock, Oklahoma

I'm not sure that there's a whole lot of luck to be found in Shamrock, OK but I did manage to find a few gems like this old tractor that sits among overgrown weeds next to an abandoned school gym.  Hey, it's Oklahoma...but the same can be said for Texas.  Most everything in that town looks like this –old, worn, tattered and forgotten.  My friend and fellow photographer, Chera Thompson Myers, told me I had to go see this tractor and I’m so glad I did.  I love this picture.

White Rock Lake at Sunset

Dallas, Texas

“I Grieve for You”

Richardson, Texas

I got my start in photography by photographing graveside monuments.  This was one of the very first ones that I photographed and I love all of the little details, especially the way the hands are crossed over the heart.  I think this image speaks volumes about remembrance for someone who has passed on. 

“In Mother’s Arms”

Portland, Maine

I visited a cemetery in Portland, Maine, unfortunately I don’t remember what it’s called.  However, they had gorgeous monuments all over the cemetery.  In fact, this one is not a graveside monument belonging to a particular deceased individual.  It was just one of the many monuments erected by the City of Portland or whomever maintains that particular cemetery. 

Norfolk School

Cushing, Oklahoma

This picture was taken at an abandoned school in Cushing, Oklahoma.  It was built in the 20’s and closed in the 50’s.  In fact, the school has been closed for so long that this picture was taken from the OUTSIDE of the school with trees growing on the inside.

Boston Harbor

Boston, Massachusetts

This picture almost looks like a fake.  But it’s the real deal!  I snapped this in 2010 on my Fall Trip to the Northeast.  That seagull was just asking for me to take his picture.     

"The Parking Spot"

Shreveport, Louisiana

Most people would walk past this sign and not care about it.  I however wanted to take it down and haul it home.  Unfortunately that wasn’t going to happen, so I did the next best thing…photographed it!  This sign can be found in front of the parking garage next to the Strand Theater in downtown Shreveport.

Bluebonnets in full Bloom

Waxahachie, Texas

You can’t depict Texas without 10 gallon hats, yellow roses, and bluebonnets!  Well, maybe that’s a bit exaggerated.  But swing by The Lone Star State during Spring and take in fields filled with these beauties! 

“Ave Maria”

San Juan, Texas

These are the gates at the original Our Lady of San Juan Shrine.  In the 70’s a crazed airplane pilot purposely crashed his plane into the Shrine.  In fact, my parents were on their way to mass at the Shrine when this occurred.  Over the years the Shrine was rebuilt/remodeled and is still a part of the Catholic Diocese.  However, a new and much larger Shrine –now known as the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle was built in the 70’s.  It is truly immaculate and a place I love to visit when I go home to see my folks in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

"The Show Must Go On!"

Premont, Texas

I don’t know a whole lot about this abandoned auditorium.  I have read that it was a high school auditorium but who knows for sure –it could have been a municipal auditorium.  All I know is that it is abandoned and still has all of the seats in place.  These are the kinds of places that drive me to keep photographing urban decay.  I just can’t get enough of it!

This is the back cover of the book which features my facebook address and another one of my pictures of a bird a flight.  If you made it this far, thank you for being a part of my photographic journey!