… wrapped around trees and trailing over broken stone walls, I’m sure there must be rabbits and mice and maybe a bird or two, but all I can see are the blossoms.
Posts Tagged ‘outdoors’
amidst these branches …
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged abstract, blossoms, Branches, GIMP, illustration, Inspiration, landscape, nature, outdoors, Photography on April 22, 2013| 2 Comments »
the sight reminded me of a coastal cave …
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged abstract, beach, bioluminescence, cave walls, imagination, light, nature, outdoors, paper bag, Photography, prose, stones on April 15, 2013| 7 Comments »
… flooded with light that brands the walls a golden cream.
It reminded me of squeezing through a dark mountain passage and stumbling upon a room lit by bioluminescent growth upon the walls. But in fact there were no walls at all.
In my hand I held a paper bag full of stones collected from a neighboring beach. The stones I had intended to photograph, but somehow, the “walls” of that bag seemed far more fascinating.
I am sure the stones will have their day.
on a walk by the water
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged beach, colors, Inspiration, landscape, Massachusetts, nature, outdoors, Photography, Revere Beach, sealife, shells, walking on March 4, 2013| 4 Comments »
found along an icy path
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged colors, ice, imagination, Inspiration, landscape, lighting, nature, nature photography, outdoors, seasons, water, winter, Woburn on January 21, 2013| 11 Comments »
I only had to hop one fence, calm down one startled rabbit, and wade hip-deep through one muddy grove to reach the graveled path leading up to the power station. I had visited this area before and was curious what this season held for viewing. For the most part, I kept my camera aimed high hoping to catch sight of the hawk I’d seen before but then at some point I realized I should watch my footing on the icy rocks. I glanced down and this is what I saw.
In one small area ice sheets stretched. In some places water bubbled beneath the surface. Rocks and leaves were enveloped by sheer winter wraps. Later at home I played around a bit with the lighting. Revealed were bright stars in a dark sky and stained glass perfect for an outdoor cathedral.
One day later my hands are still cold from that impromptu icy shoot. But I think the numbness was worth it.
The Art of Rod MacIver — Connecting with Something Larger than Ourselves
Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged art, colors, creativity, culture, Heron Dance Art Studio, Inspiration, landscape, nature, outdoors, paintings, Rod MacIver, spirituality, taoism on November 30, 2012| 2 Comments »
Snowy Evening by Rod MacIver
On occasion I muse on this blog about pausing and giving one’s self permission to stop moving in a world that is increasingly hectic. One resource that has been especially useful for me of late is Roderick MacIver’s A Pause for Beauty, a daily e-journal produced by the Heron Dance Art Studio featuring MacIver’s paintings paired with his words or select quotations.
Solo Migration by Rod MacIver
I was moved to contact MacIver, wanting to know more about this artist, his inspirations and the creation of his Heron Dance Art Studio. Following are excerpts from our conversation. Please note that the images he has granted permission to share on this blog are those he considers some of his favorites.
Eagle Morning by Rod MacIver
The website describes Heron Dance as a literary nonprofit and art studio founded in 1994. While MacIver’s paintings dominate the site, he made clear that Heron Dance began as a print publication — a blue newsletter — based on interviews with people he met during his travels, people “who had some concept of greater good.” “Art,” he noted, “was minor in the beginning.” As for why he conducted these interviews, “Well, previously I had worked on Wall Street and then I was diagnosed with a serious illness, non-Hodgkins lymphoma. As I survived that illness, I wanted to devote myself to something positive.” And so he set out to capture the experiences of people doing good works, learning about their spiritual lives, what motivated them, the nature of their struggles, as well as hopes. Eventually, as he fully describes on his website, he stopped looking without and began looking within.
Tranquil Reflections by Rod MacIver
He taught himself to paint while in the hospital. The art made its way into the print publication simply as part of the graphic design of the masthead. It was over time, he shared, that the art became more important. As more people began asking for his artwork, he realized his art could be an integral part of a business. But painting he asserts is about more than business. “No, I enjoy painting. I need to create time to do more of it.”
Grizzly Wonder by Rod MacIver
He currently splits his time between the business side of the Heron Dance Art Studio (located in Vermont) and “the quiet beauty” of cabin life in the Adirondack woods where the landscape’s influence is clear in his painting. Taoism is inspiring him these days. Taoism is a spiritual tradition that promotes living in harmony with nature, among other beliefs. “It’s an interesting approach to spirituality. Water is an important component that I am exploring. Water-related activities have been an important part of my life.”
Morning Solitude by Rod MacIver
The home page of the Heron Dance website lists his current and ongoing creative projects including new collections of his paintings and personal reflections available in books, calendars and diaries.
Heron Whisper by Rod MacIver
If you have a quite moment, or better yet, if you are seeking a quiet moment, I encourage you to read Mr. MacIver’s very detailed account of the the origins of Heron Dance via this link. There you will find excerpts from the interviews mentioned earlier in this post, and see not only the evolution of a publication like Heron Dance but also witness the ongoing evolution of a person and his unique journey in this life. Enjoy!
the source of inspiration
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged autumn, Blue Hills Reservation, colors, gold, Inspiration, landscape, Milton, nature, nature photography, outdoors, walking on November 13, 2012| 2 Comments »
a walk in the woods
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged art, autumn, birch trees, Blue Hills Reservation, Inspiration, landscape, nature, outdoors, sense of place, walking, watercolor on November 13, 2012| 4 Comments »
I was hoping a walk in the woods would help me regain focus for steady, solid writing. I think it is okay that I was inspired to paint instead.
sandy inspired watercolors 2
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged art, colors, creativity, digital photography, Inspiration, nature, outdoors, painting, Photography, watercolor, weather on October 30, 2012| 1 Comment »
an orange balloon floating down the center of the street
the canoe behind the house, perched against an old tree everyone feared would fall. the tree remained standing but its few remaining leaves fell in the wind.
fine lines and edges
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes, Science, tagged autumn, beauty, colors, Inspiration, landscape, leaf, nature, nature photography, outdoors, patterns, seasons on October 22, 2012| 7 Comments »
I do wonder if people think I’m crazy as I walk through downtown Boston and other city centers picking up leaves and sticking them in any available pocket.
I keep thinking I should plan a specific leaf-picking adventure with a proper bucket or plastic bag as container. But somehow it is more fun to be walking along to work or to shop and to be open to the possibility of finding … something … along the way.
Of course it is easy to behave that way when the sun is shining and autumn leaves glow like jewels falling from the sky.
I’ll be curious what’s to be found on the ground this day. Hope your day goes well wherever you are in the world. 😉
leaves found in st. stephen’s green
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged colors, dublin, Inspiration, ireland, landscape, leaves, nature, outdoors, Photography, st. stephen's green, travel on October 14, 2012| 1 Comment »
While in Dublin, I visited great cathedrals and amazing galleries, and even attended an intimate music performance. The people were friendly and always willing to share a tale or two. Sometimes the accents were so thick I could not understand a word but I didn’t care because the flow of the words were like music as well.
In addition to music, Dublin is a city noted for its great literary heritage and perhaps that is why I did not often pull out my camera (along with the rain and wind and such). I was too busy listening, or even sitting down on occasion with pen and paper myself. When I did pull out my camera, I found myself less photographing churches and more trying to capture nature. And in particular I felt compelled to try capturing the leaves in Saint Stephen’s Green, a public park located near the hotel.
What called to me? I guess the colors and patterns …
… and emerging contrasts as autumn continues to unfold …
… and there was the glisten from intermittent rains.
In a city that has a lot of hustle and bustle, especially with Trinity College right there in the center, the park was a calm respite …
… and a joy to traverse even in the rain. 😉
You can read more about Saint Stephen’s Green on Wikipedia via this link.
Words + Images 