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HELLO!

Right, wrong, good, or bad....I grew up thinking that everything in life was right, wrong, good, bad, black, white. It was't until my "well-seasoned" years, that I discovered possibilities! I discovered colors, paths, gray, other people that were not like me and many different ways of doing the same things! You may laugh, but to me, it was such a marvelous discovery and I have said good bye to rigidity and hello to possibilities.

Just think about it. What possibilities are there in your life that you are missing because you aren't even acknowledging the possibility of possibilities?

Being a workaholic all my life; I never took time to paint or do anything that did not serve a purpose that day or rate being on my prioritized to do list.
However; I did always say that one day I was going to paint.

A couple of years ago I bought some canvas and paint and brushes from the local craft store. I was ready to do this! What to paint? I just started...picked up the brush and started. I discovered that I love abstract and painted a few.

A couple of months ago I discovered abstract on software for the photographs I have been taking! I only have a distort option that gives me a couple of choices....but Hallelujah! I was having the time of my life with abstract paintings!

Once, I believed the only way to create an abstract was on canvas or paper. No, I never considered the possibility of digital. I wonder what other possibilities I am about to discover? What possibilities are there in your life? Have you even considered?

Roberta

HELLO!

The earth is sighing. The dew is clinging to the grass and the trees stand in anticipation of the coming season. The earth is preparing for a restful, transforming season.

The dew in the grass is lingering with a vibrancy of drink before the season begins. It encourages the grass and the earth to soak up the abundance of drink while it can.

The trees are prepared to spread their leaves on the soil offering a blanket of warmth for the soil. The blanket will then be transformed into nourishment for the soil that provides the trees their lifespan.

We are in a transition of seasons of the earth and of our lives. Whether or not we acknowledge this changing of the season or not; it does not stop but moves along with or without our involvement.

Like the changing of the guard, the changing of the seasons is upon us whether it be the earth or our lives; whether by surprise or by embracing…it is the way of our life on earth.

Will we step back and embrace this wonder? Or, will we speed right through it without noticing much at all with blinders on?

The choice is ours of course.

I wish the best for us all whichever way we choose to live life!

Roberta

HELLO!

Today I journeyed over rivers and through woods from Apex NC to Florence SC. I would say, I went the back way. I am not sure I would have noticed everything that I did today if I had not had my camera with me. My best friend was driving and I would say...STOP...and she would...in the lane on the road. I would jump out of the car, run to a spot, and take several pictures. Interestingly enough, there was never another vehicle to pass by and so she did not always have to leave the road.

I would have gone the shortest, fastest way...just like in everyday life; but she took us over rivers...plural and through woods....plural and we experienced some of the most beautiful nature along the way. Farms, old houses and barns and lots of dirt roads leading to who knows where? today I am thankful for my best friend who knows the way to go and for my camera and for all the gifts of nature.

Coming soon, in the next few days...photos of over the rivers and through the woods!
Roberta

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HELLO!

My not yet 3 year old granddaughter was eating lunch with me and her 6 year old brother today. She looked around the restaurant and said, "look grandma, it is so beautiful!" I asked her what she saw that was so beautiful because the restaurant was a typical family owned Italian restaurant. "Look it is red and beautiful!" she replied. She was pointing to some red metal art work on the back wall. I noticed that it was much too small for such a big room and metal just did not seem to "go" with all the paintings of Italy.

Me, grandma, the VERY latecomer to wall art took in all the ways the metal art was not beautiful while the eyes of the child only noticed the beauty.

So, what are we really seeing in art everywhere? Beauty, I hope.
Bert

HELLO!

Yesterday I traveled to Clayton NC for a meeting with a youth ministry that I am still a part of in an advisory role. I spent 3 years in Clayton when I was in my early 50's and began grad school. Of course, I was early and yes, I took my camera. As I drove around, I wondered if I had really ever been here. I did not recognize most of it and then remembered that I spent 20 hours a week as Associate Pastor of a church here and I was either in school, working, teaching, or had a book in my lap. I went to school in the summers as well in order to complete a 4 year grad degree in 3 years and work at the same time. Of course, I didn't see much else.

As I drove through the small town it felt like I was at home; yet a stranger. I stopped at a traffic light and rolled down my window and started clicking shots at the filling station. I don't think I ever noticed it before! Look at the pumps when you check out the photo! Yes, the light changed a couple of times; but there was no car behind me ever and so I just sat there clicking. The man sitting at the station stared at me as if I was not even there and I finally pulled off and drove up the main street.

I got out of the car and walked the streets with my camera clicking the whole time. If I ever walked these streets, it was to get a quick lunch and get back to the church. I missed a charming and delightful community. I did not want to spend my Saturday in a meeting that was 45 minutes from my house; yet because of it, I got to enjoy a place where I spent 20 hours a week for 3 years. I got to notice all the wonderful buildings and people and all this town had to offer.

What a gift to see it again...really see it! Ummm....maybe I will go back to Duke University and discover all that I missed when I was there because I was rushing to get a 4 year grad degree in 3 years! Great idea!

Roberta

HELLO!

I just spent the last 2 days writing the last chapter to my second book about an "almost" near death experience that happened to me this past summer. When I write, the words just flow out and I can go on and on. I love the HELLO part; but the END is difficult for me. I struggle with what is not enough to say or maybe enough has not been said.

So, I struggled with the end. But tonight, I breathed a sigh of relief! Unless my artist friend or my editor says I have to change it all, I am ready to copyright! The first thing that I did when I finished was to come to FAA! I took a slow stroll through some galleries of artists that I do not know or have not had contact with. I tried to find images that have not yet been commented on and I left an encouraging, positive word.

If you have had a long day or struggle with something difficult for you, just remember to come to FAA and cruise through some galleries of artists you have not yet met in discussions or private comments or following. Find an image that has not yet been commented on and leave an encouraging note because the truth is that every image is amazing and holds something wonderful that every artist saw in it.

Roberta

HELLO!

Today I drove to Prospect Hill about one hour away. I visited my daughter and 7 grand-kids that are still at home. The baby is 8 weeks old and I try to help out. I have driven there countless times. Today; however, I had my camera and it was a glorious sunny day. I could not believe how many barns and churches were on this drive!

As anxious as I was to see those children...I stopped along the way and took pictures which I hope to upload soon. It may be a while since I brought back with me 5 of the children and one of them is 3.

The most amazing thing was when I was driving down their lane and a baby cow was standing right there in the middle of the road! I slowly drove towards him and he scooted back to the hole in the fence and pranced down the hill in the pasture. But, a pretty cow (I call her Posy) came and posed for me! When I got out of the car and started taking pictures, she came right up to the fence and posed for me!

No telling what might happen in an ordinary day when you take your camera with you and notice the world that is right there for the noticing.

Roberta

HELLO!

Today I had 5 of my 15 grandchildren with me. We went to the park, played games and walked around the neighborhood. The 14, 10, 9, & 6 year old brought their cameras (the 3 year old did not). I did not bring my camera because I thought that I had taken pictures of everything in this neighborhood that I could.

As we walked along, the boys wanted to take pictures of the pond, so we hiked to the pond. One lone goose floated on the water. Just as they were getting the pictures, a whole flock of geese flew just over our heads and the lone goose joined them. They were so close! I was wishing I had my camera!

Then an airplane flew very low over us and we could read the writing on the side of it, and we are not in a flight pattern at our new address and again, I was wishing I had brought my camera.

When we returned, the boys were so excited about their pictures and so was I. They really captured some great shots! It was then that I realized that the show was for them today and really, what was more important...me or those precious grandchildren?

Roberta

HELLO!

I did not blog yesterday because I had 5 grandchildren and to say I had time to do it would not be true. However; yesterday, I sold something and placed in a tie in a contest. I think that is interesting.

I know that everyone on FAA works hard and spends a lot of time on their galleries and sharing with one another. This is one reason I am so attracted to this website. It feels like community.

I have, however; noticed that there are times when we need to step back and let things be for a while. At least, that is the way I felt when I could not work on FAA yesterday but sold something and placed in my first contest ever!

Here is the thing: I tied for second place in the transformers contest. I was asked to share how I had transformed the image. Fact is, I did not do much to transform this particular image. The real transformation was how the art transformed others, namely, my grandchildren. The image was of wall art that I have had for twenty years from the movie Casablanca and it is of the airplane and Bogie and Bacall. The real transformation was in the eyes of those who viewed it their entire lives. They truly believe it is grandma and Papa Tim.

I am not sure anyone read the description. So, if beauty is in the eye of the beholder; then certainly art is in the one who knows it well. It is in the interpretation of the art, that the person is transformed.

Roberta

HELLO!

I wonder what I'd do if I was rich and famous?

Rise up above others like these clouds? Maybe not....just not me. I like to get down in the dirt and play with others.

I wonder what I'd do if I was rich and famous?

Stand out like this structure among the clouds?

Surely not...I really don't like to call attention to myself....it was all I could do to put my picture on here.

I wonder what I would do if I was rich and famous?

Live in a house on the beach and watch the clouds go by?

Certainly! I would soak up the sun and walk everyday and let the wind blow in my face and I wouldn't wear any shoes.

But, since I am not rich and famous....I guess I'll get back to working on my images on Fine Art America.

Roberta