An online journal sharing my interests in photography, nature, coffee life, journaling, fountain pens, spirituality and asking deep questions.
“My work is Loving the World.” Mary Oliver
I believe nature can create visual art that brings pleasure to my soul. I’ll even say it creates art that touches all of the senses; smell, touch, visual, audible and taste. Could it be that nature is the ultimate artist? As Mary Oliver ask do I participate as an artist with nature in loving it, respecting it, protecting it?
I know the importance of highly trained awareness of the “moment” and the immediate and intuitive response of the photographer. It should be obvious to all that photographers whose images possess character and quality have attained them only by continued practice and total dedication to the medium. –
Ansel Adams
Last week I posted an image of a young artist practicing his craft at a local coffee shop. Yesterday afternoon I took this image of a young lady practicing her craft at the same coffee shop. What is interesting about this young lady is she is drawing from a book that I assume to be a textbook. While the young man was creating the character from the muse within him. So, I practiced more courage and my photography by asking the young lady if I could take a photo of her practicing her practice. She agreed.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
Pablo Picasso
This past weekend a woman sat across from me at one of the local coffeehouses I patronize. After sitting down I noticed she pulled out a small sketch book from here purse and began to draw. Her hands and the task of sketching immediately perked my attention. After interrupting her she agreed to allow me to photograph her hands as she sketched. This then led to a short conversation and a chance to share something about one another. A camera has the potential to allow for new encounters. Thank you, Betty!
Life always comes out of death. The present rises from the ashes of the past. The future is always possible for those who are willing to re-create it.
Joan Chittister
Time in nature can be for healing and calming the soul. While on my drive up the Poudre Canyon the other day I came across two people who were finding time in nature, one and artist and one a fly fisherman.
“The best and only thing one artist can do for another is to serve as an example and an inspiration.”
Steven Pressfield