March's Photo of The Month - Palmetto Bella Magazine

ShellyMarshall Schmidt

March 1, 2020

The healing power of horses.

“This photo is from the Silent Witness Exhibition, which is on display in the Brooks Gallery of the Aiken Center for the Arts, opening March 26. It represents the remarkable healing “connections” possible between off-the-track Thoroughbreds and military veterans suffering from the unseen wounds of post-traumatic stress. It is one of my personally favorite examples of this phenomenal relationship between horse and human – relationships that I have been privileged to witness through a number of programs and organizations to which I have been devoted for years.”

Shelly Marshall Schmidt

ShellyMarshall Schmidt

Shelly Marshall Schmidt is a commercial and fine art photographer known for her sensitive and insightful work – from portraits to action photography, both breathtaking in their composition and execution – and her innovative printing on a vast array of materials and fabrics. Shelly is particularly well known for lending her remarkable talent to a variety of rewarding and life-impacting programs. While her early career was fueled by “mechanical horsepower,” focusing on thoroughbred cars like Ferrari and Porsche, and championship racing at LeMans, LaGuna Seca, and other world-renowned motorsport circuits, this theme gradually shifted to “equine horsepower,” when she became a valuable collaborator with such groundbreaking and notable programs and organizations as Aiken’s Horseplay, Women Beyond Cancer, Aiken Equine Rescue, Saratoga WarHorse, the Silent Witness Exhibition, and New Bridge Polo Magazine; most recently, her work is featured in the upcoming national conference in Aiken, “HeART of the Horse.”

ShellyMarshall Schmidt

In the know

Photo Of The Month | RJ Bednez

This tree has survived three major hurricanes and it continues to stand tall and strong on Jekyll Island in Georgia. This image was taken right after Hurricane Matthew just as high tide was coming in. As I was sitting there looking at its reflection in the water, I couldn’t help but think of a poem called “The Tree.” Look at you standing tall and strong like a god or goddess of the clouds. Can you speak? Maybe the message you carry is of nothing to speak about. You have seen it all; your age can only mean your wisdom is immense. Won’t you tell us of what you have seen,

“Going … Going … Gone” | Animal Preservation Through Fine Art

Robert Campbell, Whitney Kurlan, and Camryn Finnan are the featured artists at the upcoming exhibit at the Aiken Center for the Arts. Each artist is well known for wildlife conservation efforts. These artists depict animals as they are rarely seen — in their natural African habitats. “Going … Going … Gone” is the title of the show as well as a not so subtle reminder that many animals are in danger of extinction. This exhibit is intended to bring awareness to the public and to support the efforts of wildlife conservation organizations. It opens February 4 and extends through March 19, 2021. Artist Robert Campbell has created work for the

The Science of Bubbles

Did you know there is a whole science devoted to bubbles? Bubbles, one of the first toys of childhood, are amazing spheres of color, reflection, elasticity, chemistry, light, and geometry. And yet, most of us know them only as fragile, colorful objects that soar into the sky for our amusement. What actually makes a bubble? Very simply, bubbles are gas wrapped in liquid soap. The liquid molecules sandwich the gas between them in tiny compartments. Bubbles have many more uses than you may think. If you’ve ever had a fizzy drink, you know that bubbles can throw tiny particles (aerosol droplets) into the air. Scientists also know that the bursting

Destiny Woodard | Photo of the Month

I think “The Strength is in Her Crown” is my best image. Most of my collaborative work focuses on the inner beauty of women, and this image is an interpretation of inner beauty. The image took on a character of embracing God’s authority in women’s lives and finding their strength in His identity. By taking away the distraction of color, turning it into black and white, I am able to focus on the meaning behind the overall image, where her strength lies. When we were taking this image, it happened in the most random spot of a house, but that one spot brought magic. This will be one of my