The Good, The Random, The Fun - No. 5

Last week I began an abstract photography class with Kim Manley Ort. I've taken most of the classes she offers and have actually taken this class before. Abstracts have begun to fascinate me. This class will help me look for pleasing forms, shapes, colors, and textures instead of looking at the object. It's another step in training my eyes to see beyond the obvious.  

The Good

Light and nature really make some great abstract images.

The Random

The textures, colors, and shadows of a rock can create abstract art.

The Fun

Squint your eyes a little and look closely at the next photo. What do you see? I see the North American Continent. You're not going to believe what this really is . . . it's the inside of a squashed aluminum can!

When I visit an art center, abstracts are not something that usually attract my attention. In fact, I'm one of those that just stands there and says, "I don't get it!" But, I'm learning to "get it" a little more. Abstract art is meant to make you feel something, not see something. The first image made me feel order, warmth, and happiness. The second; gracefulness, gentleness, and quietness. The third; strength and the fourth, well it just made me smile!

Linking with

The Good, The Random, The Fun - No. 3

I can't believe how fast summer has past. Schools have already been in session for two weeks, the air is a little cooler, and leaves are starting to fall. I've almost survived another Arkansas summer. I'm grateful this one has not been extremely hot and there has been nice breezes and plenty of rain. I don't normally enjoy summers. In fact, summer is my least favorite time of the year, but I did enjoy this summer. Of course, part of that enjoyment was being able to get out with my camera and having some good, random fun!

The Good

I spend a much needed photography day with my sister and sister-in-law.

The Random

Mushrooms don't always grow vertically, sometimes they grow horizontally.

The Fun

I celebrated the Great American Eclipse with my cereal box pinhole projector and a special treat of Cosmic Brownies!

Linking with

Don't Think, Just Walk

I stood at the fork in the path wondering which way should I go.

My mind said do the normal thing . . . go to the right.

My intuition said . . . go to the left.

I went to the right.

I let my mind overrule.

The whole purpose of the outing was to go on a photo walk and let my intuition lead me, but I didn't. Not at first anyway. Sure enough, there was nothing of interest to the right and I felt very unsettled. I retraced my steps and took the left path. Yes, this was much better. How come? I don't know it just felt right. That's what intuition is, a "gut feeling," an "inner voice," or a "sixth sense." Unlike the other path, this path was full of surprises. The first was a tepee made of branches. I'm sure there's a story behind this. Wish I knew it! I can just see a couple of small children sitting in there having a powwow!

I walked on and as I rounded a corner, I came to an area that was covered in massive Nadine bushes. I had no idea they grew so tall. Most were at least 8 to 10 feet tall, covered in pretty red berries.

I saw a hollowed out log. I can just imagine a bunny hopping through there.

At the end of the trail I crossed an old rock bridge over a small stream. If you know me well, you know I love water and being anywhere close to water makes me happy.

I sat down on the bank of the stream and just relaxed. I watched the leaves as they were caught in the water's current; noticed the colors, textures and patterns of the rocks; and looked at shadows and reflections. That's when I noticed something making ripples.

I kept looking for the source. I figured it was a bug of some sort, but I couldn't find it. What I did notice was five circular dark spots on a rock. A shadow of something, but what?

Then I saw it! A small insect. A Gerridae commonly known as a water strider, pond skater, or water skipper. Although they were fascinating I was more intrigued by their shadows. They reminded me of something alien, like a spaceship.

I can't tell you how long I sat there watching them and waiting for just the right moment to get a picture where I could see both the bug and it's shadow.

So, how did my intuition do? Did it lead me the right way? I think so, when I finally listened to it! I had a great walk, rested by the water, and found some fascinating insects.

* * * * *

As I mentioned before I'm working through Kim Manley Ort's book Adventures In Seeing. This week's assignment was to go on a photo walk and following your intuition. I chose to go to a park I've never been to before. That way I wouldn't have any preconceived notions about what I might find to photography. 

What Does The Word Mean - Part VIII

This is my eighth post sharing my thoughts and pictures inspired by David Whyte's book Consolations: the solace, nourishment and underlying meaning of everyday words. Since I've written an introduction paragraph for this project seven times, I can find nothing new to say. Since words escape me, I'll quote from my last blog post, "We read his thoughts on a word, form our own opinions, and then take or find a picture to illustrate the word."  That's it in a nutshell! So, here's the next five words.

* * * * *

ROBUSTNESS

The dictionary defines robustness as: "strong and healthy, successful or impressive and not likely to fail or weaken." In order that we keep our robust health we must find time to revitalize ourselves. We need to find the calm in the storms of life.

"Robustness strangely, demands we find a calm center in the midst of tumult. The quiet is what enables us to be cheerful in noise, equitable in the face of injustice or calm in the face of attack."   ~ David Whyte

* * * * *

RUNAWAY

There have been times in my life when I wish I could detach myself from what is happening around me and just runaway for a awhile. I would like to find a lovely sailboat and set sail with no destination in mind. I would like to feel the sun, see the drifting clouds, smell the salt water, and let the breeze blow my troubles away. Of course, when I have found the peace that restores me, I will sail right back home!

* * * * *

SELF-KNOWLEDGE

I wish I had the key to fully know myself or even partially understand myself, but try as I might there are parts of me that remain a mystery.

"Sometime in your life you will go on a journey.

It will be longest journey you have ever taken.

It is the journey to find yourself."

Katherine Sharp

* * * * *

SHADOW

The shadow we cast upon others is a pattern of who we are. I try very had to be a positive person. To cast a shadow of encouragement, inspiration, cheerfulness, gladness, and hope.

"Because everything we say and do is the length and shadow of our own souls,

our influence is determined by the quality of our being."

Dale Turner

* * * * *

SHYNESS

David Wythe says "to feel shy is to look five ways at once: to the beckoning new life in front of us, to the line of retreat behind us, to alternative possibilities of escape to left and right, and in really difficult circumstances the hope for a complete and sudden disappearance." Oh yes, I've wanted to retreat, to escape, and just disappear many times rather than going forward into a situation that made me nervous or uncomfortable, even fearful.

* * * * *

SILENCE

There are many kinds of silence. The Cambridge Dictionary defines silence "as a period without any sound: complete quiet." That kind of silence is fearful to me. I would not like complete quiet where I couldn't hear the words of a loved one, the ringing of a bell, the twitter of birds, the wind rustling through leaves, and the water babbling in a brook. I don't yearn for silence, although I do yearn for quietness and stillness.

This project of words and pictures is coming to an end. We have six more words; one more post. I need to begin searching for my next project as they keep me inspired to pick up my camera.

Until next time,

keep on reading and learning!

Snowy Shadows

The sleet came first. For hours I could hear it peppering against the windows. 

Then came the snow, but sadly it came after I was asleep.

I  missed seeing it fall soft and powdery on top of the ice.

When I woke up the sun was shinning bringing light and shadows.

Delicate shadows beneath my azalea bushes.

Crazy shadows of limbs stuck in the snow.

Even the barbed wire cast a fine shadow.

By late afternoon the snow was melting off the roof,

dripping on the front steps,

creating tiny ice sculptures.

The persimmons were right. We finally had lots of snow.

The groundhog was right. We had six more week of winter.

I think spring is not far away

I will miss the winter.

Sunday Sundries - Edition 40

"To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 19

I am grateful for much light.

"There is a strong shadow where there is much light."

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Lines

Day 27

lines 

Friday Finds & Randomness

In the shadow of a large tree this beautiful dragonfly found a sunny spot to rest. Such beauty! The translucent wings of a dragonfly always amaze me. Notice how frayed the two on the left are.

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds

A Little Randomness

#1

All my random images come from the same place this week. The Two Rivers walking bridge opened and I've been meaning to go check it out. Meaning to for at least three years, that's how long it's been open. It's one of those things that the time never seemed right. Finally this week I decided it was time. I envisioned a walk along the river in the cool woods. That wasn't the case.

#2

The bridge leads to a park that is at the junction of the Arkansas River and the Little Maumelle River. Below is the Arkansas River.

#3

I thought that if you named a trail The River Trail that it probably was close to the river. Not on this section it wasn't. After I crossed the bridge I walked for an hour and a half before I saw water again. Thankfully, when I got to the water there was a bench where I could rest and enjoy the peaceful Little Maumelle River before I had to walk an hour and a half back to the car!

#4

Mostly what I walked across were open fields. By the time I came to this mound, I was hot and tired and almost didn't follow the path to the top. I finally convinced myself that I needed to walk on up there in case there was a good view of the river. I didn't see the river, but I did find something unusual.

A sundial scratched in the surface where your own shadow tells the time. I was there shortly after twelve.

#5

One of the highlights of the walk were the deer. They seem comfortable with people around. They never startled, just took their time crossing the trail. My dad would be so jealous. He loves to spot deer.

It wasn't the cool, refreshing walk by the river I expected, but I did enjoy parts of it;  the deer,  birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and resting in the shade by the river. At least it's something I can cross off my "go to" list! 

Friday Finds & Randomness

I had another chance to spend a few days with my daughter. She has the most beautiful roses. The old world kind that comes in rich colors, feels like velvet, and smells amazingly sweet!  As I was about to poke my nose in the blossom,  I spotted this beetle.  Even though they can be destructive, they are fascinating little insects with their iridescent elytra and green thorax and head. Not being an entomologist, I had to Google "beetles" to see what their body parts were called. The elytra serves as a protective wing-case for the hind wings, which are used for flying. The thorax, is the division that lies between the head and the abdomen. Sometimes we older generation balk at the new electronic world, but I do love Google. Makes me sound like I know some things!!

Thanks to Wikipedia for the above information.

Linking with Kim's Friday Finds

A Little Randomness

#1

My daughter also has some other flowers in full bloom. Her Hibiscus are beautiful. This bloom happened to be behind a patio chair that was sitting in the bright morning light. You know me, I'm crazy about shadows.

#2

I was looking for patterns for one of my classes and spotted this guy. It was rather hard to get his picture as he swayed on the long stemmed clover flower.  If you look in the section of his wing that has white at the bottom, you can see heart shapes.

#3

I can't seem to take enough pictures of barb-wire fences. The tendrils of the muscadine bush seems almost alive as they wrap themselves around the wire. 

#4

While at my daughter's we had a such great time at the pool with all five of our grandsons. We pretty much had the pool to ourselves, which was just find with me. I think the afternoon heat kept everyone away. I just wish the bees had stayed home! Rose of Sharon bushes are not the best choice for planting around a swimming pool.  

#5

Speaking of bees...we haven't seen too many around home. My Queen Bee must be scaring them away.

Have a wonderful weekend!