Nature

Regarding Haystacks

Nature

My Internet friend, Jerry Saltz, art historian and art critic, recently wrote on Instagram:

“…musing on Judd and Minimalism…from Marfa…Think of the boxes as Monet’s haystacks…”

Here the former art critic for The Village Voice and recipient of the Pulitzer Price for Criticism in 2028, is referring to Donald Judd‘s “boxes” at Marfa.

This reminded me of this note I received years ago from a gallery owner in Denver, Colorado:

”I am impressed with your sensitive and imaginative eye. Because of your photos, the viewer sees the landscape with all of its subtle nuances and myriad of compositional relationships. Many of your portraits capture the inner nature of the individuals without being posed or contrived….I have a gallery in Denver and also have an art consulting firm. We have been in business for 30 years……I’ve been intrigued with your photos for a long time…just waiting for the right client to show them to and I believe, that we have found one……….I am interested in doing a series of images of the mill pond that you so effectively depicted in B/W and color and at different times of the day and primarily during the Fall. It reminds me of Monet’s compositional and light variations of his series on Chartre, lily pond, haystacks etc. The images are accessible but thought provoking in their characterization of the nuances of change in a given environment…. they help the viewer understand that there is an ongoing transformation and evolution in a given landscape. Sometimes the change is slight; sometimes birds inhabit the scene, sometimes the grasses become the emphasis rather than the water, sometimes the log protrusions become geometric constructions in an otherwise organic surround…….” (–Sandy Carson)

For your viewing pleasure and inspiration, a few of those images (There are hundreds) (Click on image to enlarge):

Imagine

Butterflies, Flowers, Inspiration, Nature 
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky
Imagine all the people
Livin' for today
Ah
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Livin' life in peace
You
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

~John Lennon

Transformation

Color Photography, Documentary Photography, Inspiration, Nature

This was last night’s sunset:

The sunset one year ago:

This message from “Science of Mind Magazine: Guide for Spiritual Living,” by Rev. Dr. Petra Weldes, in an essay entitled “A (R)evolution of Consciousness = Transformation,” sent to me by my wife, speaks to me about these sunsets, time, change, transformation, and love.

“No matter how awful things are, whether it’s individual illness or loss, systemic racism or environmental destruction, we can always evolve and grow. This evolution requires a complete transformation of our sense of self and, therefore, possibility. It is the product of a willingness to do more than simply rail against what’s wrong and then try to change things by “making them better.”

“Fundamentally, what is needed is a profound (r)evolution of consciousness. We must evolve beyond thinking of ourselves as merely human, and therefore victims of outer circumstances, to embodying the truth of the indwelling Presence of Spirit. This (r)evolution is the transformation of our identity from human beings who are striving to be spiritual to, as Pierre De Chardin says, “spiritual beings having a human experience.”

“This (r)evolution becomes the solid ground from which we make things better because we know and trust that all of life is evolving and progressing toward greater self-expression. This allows us to speak boldly, act confidently and expect cheerfully that humanity is, in fact, able, capable and designed to create better lives and a better world. Progress and evolution that out-pictures Life is inevitable, despite the manifestations of ignorance and destruction. As spiritual beings, we seize every opportunity to engage in transforming awful situations from a positive conviction that humanity is guided by Intelligence and impelled by Love to evolve and grow.

“Affirmation: Life is always for more and greater self-expression. I trust in the creative impulse and infinite intelligence that is constantly causing a (r)evolution in the consciousness of humanity.”

Autumn. A season of transformation. The days grow shorter and colder. The remaining leaves in the trees are pumpkin-colored and soon will fall to the ground. Life IS evolving. I AM evolving.

Clematis Status

Color Photography, Documentary Photography, Flowers, Gardens, Inspiration, Nature, Self Portraits, Wall Decor
Clematis Avant Garde. It is a is a unique, double flowered climber which blooms profusely with a multitude of two-tone, magenta and pink flowers over a long period.

Susan bought me a few new T-shirts and one seemed to match the flower colors perfectly. So, here we have a self-portrait taken Sunday, June 2, 2021.