“The meaning of life is to see” – Hui Neng Zen Monk 7th century.
Quote seen here — http://www.frederickfranck.org/
Honeysuckle
Tag: inspiration
The Awakened Eye – Part 2
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
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
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
― Guillaume Apollinaire
More on Henri Rousseau
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
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.
The Near Sighted Heron
Captured this sequence at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Preserve, Such a beautiful spot probably saw 30-40 different species of birds. Got some great water bird shots. I noticed this fellow has red eyes. Hadn’t encountered that before, but did twice today.
Now I’m just having fun with these 4 pics. I’m sure this all went according to the heron’s plan.
But this guy showed true determination. That post was the prime hunting spot in that particular canal.
The Awakened Eye by Frederick Franck
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.
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.
m\More on Frederick Franck http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/teachers/teachers.php?id=285
Little Things
As I began my wandering on Sunday I firmly had my goals in mind. Seeing/photographing (my morphism od seeing/drawing) from Franck and nature’s interrelationships from Patterson.
I started walking in the Econ Wilderness Area, a small Seminole county park in Oviedo that I had not been to in several months. After a bit of walking, listening to birds singing, I began to notice the smaller things. A mushroom, a patch of lichen, spider webs, and the beginnings of a flower blossom. I have chosen not to clear debris or remove items from my pictures. You see what I saw in all natures perfection and imperfection.
On the technical side I had to use a flash for the mushroom and lichen because I couldn’t maintain a handheld shutter speed with the available light within the forest. The technical aspects of shooting are becoming second nature and not interfering with capturing the moment.
I need to remember to slow down – a common theme with me. I become so excited with the wonders that I see, I do not take the time to capture them properly. I should have walked the park 2 times.
More on Henri Rousseau
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.
More Inspiration – Addendum
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?
Picture This by Frank 