Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, Photography, Publication Updates, tagged health, magazines, meditation, nature, Photography, reflection, spirituality on July 21, 2013| 5 Comments »
It’s an honor to have two of my photos appearing in an upcoming issue of Spirituality&Health magazine. It is a special issue on Practice. A beautiful publication with articles that especially resonate for me right now, on topics ranging from clearing mental clutter to the spiritual practice of silence. You can learn more about this publication and other resources here.
Posted in Inspiration, tagged architecture, art, Back Bay, Boston, collaboration, colors, Edward Burne-Jones, faith, images, Inspiration, Photography, pre-raphaelites, spirituality, stained glass windows, Trinity Church in Copley Square, William Morris on June 25, 2013| 14 Comments »
At least it is the pinks and golds that stand out to me on this hot, hot day as I review these images recently taken of the stained glass window, David’s Charge to Solomon.
At some point I hope to direct you to some of the stories and resources that other have shared with me about the window and the fascinating relationship between Burne-Jones and Morris.
Until then, here a few more images of the parts that create the whole.
Posted in Inspiration, On the Road, Photography, Publication Updates, tagged addiction, Alive Now, cross, faith, Inspiration, magazine, Miami, Photography, religion, spirituality on May 1, 2013| 3 Comments »
That is the theme of the May/June 2013 issue of Alive Now, a lovely, thought-provoking bimonthly publication. I am honored to have the above photo appearing in an issue addressing a topic that affects perhaps all people in different ways. On the magazine website, there is a section called Visual Psalmists where the photographers in each issue tell the story behind their images. The May/June stories may not be up yet, so for now I’ll just share that I took this photo on a marina in Miami years ago while waiting to meet up with friends. I sat on a bench, turned my head, and there it was in silhouette.
Posted in Inspiration, tagged architecture, Boston, Cathedral of the Holy Cross, churches, faith, healing, Inspiration, light, religion, spirituality, stained glass windows on April 18, 2013| 8 Comments »
Today there is an interfaith service taking place in Boston at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. All faiths, all peoples, are welcome to come together to continue the healing process.
It is a grand space. I was lucky enough to visit in the recent past to photograph a bit of the interior. Like today, it was a sunny day, with light shining through, creating warmth.
Regardless of one’s faith, if you’re in the area in the future, I’d encourage a visit, if only to sit in the calm.
Posted in Branches, Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged Anne Frank, faith, Inspiration, nature, nature photography, outside, Photography, quotes, reflections, self-portrait, solace, spirituality, trees, water on March 26, 2013| 9 Comments »
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of Nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances … nature brings solace for every trouble.” — Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged Copley Square, gardens, nature, Photography, snow, spirituality, St. Francis, Trinity Church, weather, winter on February 16, 2013| 4 Comments »
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!
Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, On the Road, tagged birds, colors, dublin, flowers, gardens, Inspiration, ireland, landscape, nature, Photography, spirituality, St. Audoen's Church, travel on October 15, 2012| 3 Comments »
… I found beautiful blooms …
… and even a bird or two …
… and of course a few more leaves.
FYI, you can learn more about St. Audoen’s Church via this link.
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged books, Inspiration, quotes, spirituality, words on June 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »
“Sometimes we do not know what we know until it comes through the soles of our feet, the embrace of a tender lover, or the kindness of a stranger. Touching the truth with our minds alone is not enough. We are made to touch it with our bodies.” — Barbara Brown Taylor in An Altar in the World
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged architecture, art, beauty, churches, colors, Inspiration, Photography, spirituality, stained glass on April 27, 2012| 1 Comment »
Of late, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. It is a beautiful historic structure in the vibrant neighborhood of South Boston. You can learn more about the people and place via this link. Meanwhile, here’s a peek at some of the imagery to be found in the interior. Enjoy.
