Month: February 2015

Mark Twain

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Indian Blanket – along the road – Seminole County, FL October 2014

“Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today” Mark Twain

Mark Twain is one of my literary heroes. He was the ultimate wanderer. Starting down the Mississippi, he went out to Nevada, then San Francisco, Hawaiian Islands and the Mid East. Along the way he wrote some great travelogues – Innocent’s Abroad, Following the Equator, Autobiography among others.

Here’s some pics from the Virginia City, NV home of the Territorial Enterprise where Mark Twain wrote for the newspaper.

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Mark Twain’s desk – Virginia City, NV July 2013
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Fitting Exhibit in the Mark Twain Museum – Virginia City, NV July 2013.

Old Florida Feel

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Sunrise at Orlando Wetlands – February 2015

” Life should be lived so vividly and so intensely that thoughts of another life, or of a longer life, are not necessary.” — Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

When I am out and about taking photographs on mornings like last Sunday, I think of Marjory Stoneman Douglas and all she has done to raise awareness of the delicate ecosystem we have on this earth  – Thanks Marjory. More on Marjory Stoneman Douglas at http://everglades.fiu.edu/reclaim/bios/douglas.htm

The Awakened Eye – Part 2

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Droplets – UCF Arboretum February 2015

I didn’t want to leave the topic of The Awakened Eye by Frederick Franck without mention of this one last passage, As part of seeing/drawing and his Zen beliefs he has written an enlightened passage on how we treat the earth as follows:

“It struck me like a whip, Only in America, I believe, does one speak of earth as “dirt”. Are we products of dirt?”

later,

“Where Earth is seen as dirt, the bulldozer is destined to mutilate, to “develop”, to “landscape” what is mere dirt. Mother dirt….”

So far all his writings and drawings have touched me in various ways, I am onto my third book. I enjoy it so much I am able to forgive him for his distaste of photography.

Previous posts on Frederick Franck –

https://pitcturethis.wordpress.com/2015/01/30/the-awakened-eye-by-frederick-franck/

https://pitcturethis.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/more-inspiration-addendum/ore-inspiration/

https://pitcturethis.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/more-inspiration/

Appreciation for Appolinaire

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Snowy Egret at the Waters Edge - taken January 2015 Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge
Snowy Egret at the Waters Edge – taken January 2015 Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

A little known (at least to me) artistic figure from early in the 20th century and patron of Henri Rousseau. As one of Rousseau’s early supporters I felt the need to explore his life and works. Briefly, when he lived in Paris he was part of the artistic group that included Picasso, Chagall, Stein, and others. Rousseau’s painting “Muse Inspiring the Poet” is a portrait of Appolinaire and his love.

He is said to have coined the word surrealism. Here are a couple of quotes borrowed from the goodreads site (link follows). The first quote I’ve seen translated many ways, I find it quite inspirational.

“Come to the edge,” he said.
They said, “We are afraid.”
Come to the edge,” he said.
They came.
He pushed them…and they flew.”
― Guillaume Apollinaire

“I sing the joy of wandering and the pleasure of the wanderer’s death”
― Guillaume Apollinaire

Blogging201 – Morton’s Fork

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blackvulture
Vulture – Haulover Canal Merritt Island.
If asked to choose between writing a blog and never being able to read one or reading blogs. I would choose the ability to read them.
I would want to read because I have found that one of the joys of writing a blog is the many things you see and learn about from the varied folks who like a post. For example today I discovered a builder of model airplanes and life in an African village – among other things. That is amazing and my day is made fuller because of it. But of course I found these by writing a blog and receiving likes, therefore encountering a variant of Morton’s Fork.
And, by the way, I had to research Morton’s Fork – another new thing for today.
I choose the vulture because he is represents Lord Chancellor John Morton, the tax collector!!

More on Henri Rousseau

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Jungle 1. Taken predawn at UCF arboretum – February 2015
Just finished Masters of World Painting Henri Rousseau by N. Brodskaya. This book was published in the Soviet Union in 1977. A very nice brief bio of Rousseau is followed by several plates of pictures. As expected the book highlights the 7 Rousseau’s that were on display in the Soviet Union at that time.
Written on the back of the painting “War”. From the French “She sweeps past, striking terror in the hearts of all and leaving ruin, tears and despair in her wake”. Well put!
Here’s a link to the painting I found on the web – http://www.henrirousseau.org/War-large.html
My pic is the beginning of my attempts to recreate some of the feel of Rousseau’s jungle pictures. Forgive my early endeavor, I need to find a spot without as many sticks interfering with the green. So far I am philosophically opposed to “cleaning” up a scene for a picture – that could change.
This picture was taken pre-dawn last Sunday at the UCF arboretum at 1.3 second exposure. So I believe I have found the the light I want, now to identify the proper spot.

Blogging201 – Goals for Moving Forward

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Osprey – Building for the Future. Taken: Canaveral Barge Canal January 2015

As I begin part 2 of my blogging education we are asked to set some goals. These are not new but are now chiseled in stone.

1) increase followers to 50 by mid year, by improving blog design, posting relevant writings and quality pictures 2)  personally work towards improving photography and writing by taking seminars, workshops, and independent study – measured by comments. 3) touch someone spiritually – with the love of nature and it’s beauty, seeking new adventures, and further appreciation for what we have.