Tag: books

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

More on Henri Rousseau

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jungle
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.

The Awakened Eye by Frederick Franck

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pinesun
Morning in Gold
This is the follow on book to Same the Zen of Seeing and presented in the same format handwritten text and drawings. It is filled with beautiful drawings and insightful writings. Part of the book is an in depth review of one of his seeing/drawing workshops that give you an insight to what it may have been like attending one.
hairypurple
Multi-Threads
Surrounding this are many gems of zen wisdom and what comes through as a raw love of the the earth and all it’s inhabitants.
I substitute photography for drawing even though photography wasn’t F. F. favorite thing. He ended the book with 10 “commandments”   my favorite was number 2 “You should not wait for inspiration, for it comes not while you wait but while you work”  – Frederick Franck.

More on Henri Rousseau

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grass
Dawn Light at Orlando Wetlands Park in November – anxiously awaiting the February reopening.

Just finished a quick read on Rousseau called Interpreting Henri Rousseau by Nancy Ireson. Lovely little softback book laden with pics of Rousseau’s best works.

Ms. Ireson gives us the picture of a rather complex man who would feign naivete to promote his pictures or escape jail time, when in reality he was quite a worldly individual savvy in the ways of modern(1890’s) Paris. Sadly his fame came after his death.

I know that whatever the circumstances of his life and death, he has given me much joy gazing at his pictures and influenced many of my life’s choices. I still have a print of The Sleeping Gypsy hanging in my house as it has in every place I have lived for the past 40+ years.

I am actively looking about for a way to photographically capture the spirit of his jungle scenes. Obviously they will be without lions and tigers as I will have to concentrate on the foliage. Here in the sub-tropical zone the jungle like foliage is landscaped so careful framing will be necessary.

Learning about Birding

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Tri-colored heron stalking food at Orlando Wetlands Park
Tricolored heron stalking food at Orlando Wetlands Park

As a result of my photo taking and nature walks I have developed an interest in birding. To that end I have borrowed The Audubon Society Handbook for Birders by Stephen W. Kress from the library. Very informative book that covers many details about bird identification and behaviors. There is even a chapter on photographing birds.

Currently I am studying the basic parts of a bird and feeding behaviors. Since there are close to 30 different parts and more than 20 feeding behaviors documented in the book I will concentrate on them before moving onto other behaviors. On my next walks and picture sets I will be looking out for these things.

The above picture was taken at Orlando Wetlands Park. This is an example of stalking feeding behavior. It was taken during a photography workshop in November of last year. There were 8-10 of us with our tripods set watching and waiting for the bird to strike. It was quite fun and reminded me of a celebrity appearance where you here multiple camera shutter sounds. I would love to see some of the other pictures that were taken.

More Inspiration – Addendum

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winterblackeye
Winter flower. Black-eyed Susan taken Sunday at the arboretum.

I finished The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Franck and the last paragraphs were so beautiful I feel obligated to share. Plus if I document it here I will have it forever. I hope it’s OK to copy this. He wrote:

“This life is my windfall! That it happens to be a human life is the one chance in a trillion to be able to realize That Which Really Matters.

In seeing/drawing, that which matters can be perceived through the senses, not denied but maximally affirmed.

While seeing/drawing I glimpse into Nature, I taste Nature, The Nature of Reality. THE WAY OF SEEING IS A WAY OF KNOWING!”  -Frederick Franck

I would ask – What is your seeing/drawing?

More Inspiration

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srise
Sunrise at Orlando Wetlands Park. November 2014.

I have begun reading The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Franck. What an unbelievable book, much like Freeman Patterson I will now seek out all his publications. This book is handwritten rather than type set and includes numerous sketches by the author. Here’s a link to his website http://www.frederickfranck.org/ for more info.

Although the book is geared towards drawing, it easily transfers to photography. His main premise is something he calls see/draw (substitute see/photograph). He speaks of observing a scene as it exists, without labels, judgments, thoughts of a prize winning picture, etc. Everything stands on its own the merits simply because it exists. I’ve probably muddled the message somewhat but that’s what I got out of it.

He also speaks of drawing the “ten thousand things” which is, a Buddhist idea pertaining to the makeup of the universe. I a going to pursue this idea a bit over time.

Positively Brilliant Illustrations

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I just came across a book – thanks to Brain Pickings on Facebook, The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau written by Michelle Markel and illustrated by Amanda Hall. A children’s book.

The drawings in this book are wonderful. They are mostly comprised of Rousseau paintings, with Henri R. inserted as the main theme. There are also several different Rousseau style pictures as well. The story is a a simplified biography of Henri Rousseau but inspirational none the less. If you don’t know his story to capsulize he started painting at 40 and persevered for 20+ years before being discovered by Picasso.

Here’s a link to the post on Brain Pickings. http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/12/09/the-fantastic-jungles-of-henri-rousseau/