Monday, January 31, 2011

New Location

The warm light of the setting sun rakes the land...

...and then fades away within minutes

Peter and I went out exploring today, looking for some new motifs. We came across this spot in NY state, just as the sun was setting. Earlier in the day, when the light is flat, we most likely would have passed it by. For these few moments it was, to quote Peter, magical.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sunday, January 23, 2011

One Log at a Time

Wood, wood and more wood

All stacked

It was 4 below last night. Because it has been so cold, we've burned through more firewood this year than we had planned on. Another cord was delivered this morning and it needed to be stacked today before it snows again. As we were stacking I was thinking that sometimes stacking wood is like making art, not the creative part, but the work part. You begin with enthusiasm and work for a while. Then you get tired, take a break and review your work. Somehow, the pile looks bigger than when you started. You think of reasons to take another break but you keep working and It still looks like you're never going to get through it. At this point, it would be very easy to walk away and have a cup of tea, watch a movie or check your email, but you slog on through and keep stacking and stacking and stacking. All of a sudden, the pile on the ground is gone and a beautiful stack of wood has appeared.

I have often heard Peter tell students to make a small painting every day. At the end of the month, they will have 30 paintings that they didn't have last month. The same is true for all creative endeavors. In order to refine your vision, cultivate your skills and build a body of work you have to start today and keep working every day, even when the popcorn and lazy boy are calling your name -- resist, focus and press on!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Winter Feathers

Little gray bird, good bye

A Split Second

Flat Light

For a brief moment, the sun breaks through and lights up the trees

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

So True

Peter at work in the fields of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

"What matters is to live in the present, live now, for every moment is now. Your thoughts and acts of the moment create your future. The outline of your future path already exists, for you created its pattern by your past."
-- Sai Baba

Thursday, January 13, 2011

YouTube

Oblivious to the presence of my camera, at first

I took a couple of quick videos of Peter at work and put them on YouTube. Click on these links to see them...

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

After the Storm

Peter out photographing new motifs

Visual Poetry

Winter grasses dance in the snow

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Winter Walk

Crossing a stream

Friday, January 7, 2011

Snow Day!


Our old lady, enjoying the snow

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Frank Gehry's Canvas

Sunset on the side of the Fisher Center at Bard College

Saturday, January 1, 2011

First Light 2011

Good morning and happy new year!