Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Artistic Vision: What You See and What You Walk By

I have to dedicate this post to Ces, who has a wonderful blog "Ces and Her Dishes" but it should be Ces and her amazing talent at rendering trees!

I have walked by this tree trunk so many times it is embarrassing. It is on the roadside where I used to take walks daily before the *hip-adventure*. I knew there was a dead tree there. Walked by, glanced at it....nothing more. Kept walking. Too busy looking for who knows what, or worse yet, looking at nothing. Or trying to keep from getting run over......

The other evening when I was out shooting pics, it was the first time I actually SAW the trunk. And when I did, it certainly was a V-8 moment as I mentally smacked myself, saying how could you miss this??? It is sculpture, pure and simple. I clicked off several shots, some I liked better than others but these were the winning two.

Both photos should enlarge; it is worth the time to do it just to see everything that is going on with the state of decay of the wood, the weathering, the lichen growing......textures and lines, light and shadow....all sorts of exciting things an artist should not miss!
What is wrong with me? (rhetorical question...no answer necessary)
The only thing I can think of in my own miserable defense is this:
Normally I would walk in the mornings, with the sun coming bright from behind the tree.
I was late the other evening getting out, so the setting sun was full on the cracked and creviced trunk, and maybe that was what made these eyes open.
There is always room for an artist to reassess how they see things; what catches their eye, why, how we process the information. Making yourself look in locales that you are accustomed to what is there is a fun exercise. I had a ball!
I highly recommend it, no matter what medium you work in or where you live. There is more to be seen than what we see.
For other amazing trees, you need to check out Ces's blog and see what she paints and also an amazing exposed root structure of a nutmeg tree that I hope is in her sidebar still. (maybe not...)
Okay, go open your eyes and find something wonderful!!!

Pax.

16 comments:

Linda and Michelle said...

I love tree bark. It's like an addiction. The textures are amazing. I am always snapping photos. Once you start snapping tree bark there is no turning back!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Linda, I know. I've been shooting trees and bark and old wood farm fence posts for years---people look at me like I'm nuts (well, that one's up for debate!) but it is a textural thing!
This has no bark---this is only what is left of the tree! That was what was so exciting.....maybe I looked at it as tree bark all this time and tuned it out....

XXOO!!
Anne

yoborobo said...

You are forgiven by the Tree Gods for your transgression, Anne. There is so much to see out there, and I think as an artist, your eye gets attracted to different things, at different times of day. Lovely pictures. I just might go into the woods with a camera today. I want to take some pics of mushrooms. :) xox Pam

PS I love Ces' blog and her art - she is amazing.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Pam,

Thank you for the forgiveness from the tree gods!!!
Go take pics...just take the time and do it!!!

XXOO!!!
Anne

Love Ces's work......so amazing.....

Leslie said...

Merry Mabon.

I love that tree and sometimes it's your mood that makes you see things in a different light. I know it happens to me. Totally agree with you about Ces' blog and her rendering of tree.

Again, as always thanks for sharing your view of the world with us.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Leslie,

Isn't it cool? Yes, sunset always makes things different.
I'll have one for you in a few days....have not even been through all the pics yet!

XXOO!!!
Anne

teri said...

"There is more to be seen than what we see."

Great photos - great quote!

It is interesting that walking at a different time of the day allowed you to see something in a new light (ha).
Going to check out Ces' site ... have a great Tuesday!

Tristan Robin said...

wonderful photos - I am another fan of tree bark (and rotting foliage, as well! LOL).

I enjoyed my visit to your friend's site - I like her fat women!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

You know Teri, every once in a while the brain works good!!!
I am always surprised at the things I walk by and don't see....it's something I have to keep fresh and work at, I suppose because I am pulled in so many directions at the moment. I used to be able to *see* this stuff all the time......
Maybe it's age....LOL!!!!!

XXOO!!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey tristan,

Me too---love things of Fall in the state of decay.
Probably because I've hit that point in life!!!
Like Ces's big girls too..... :)

XXOO!!!!
Anne

Georgina said...

I also am a follower of Ces....love her work and her philosophy. I guess I notice everything...just nosy!! I have a great view of our Franklin Mountains from my house and I love to look at them, especially at sundown..the colours are amazing and when it rains or snows, the clouds envelop them...have taken several pics of my mountains. The best thing is going up there and hiking around, but I don't do that anymore...just too old and fat!! But we will take easy paths and walk our way through parts of it. The desert is full of life and I love it!!! Have a good one, lady.

Abrazos y besitos (ooooxxx)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Georgina,

I hope at some point in my life to visit the desert again; such a different world of plant and animal life!
And bring the camera with about 500 batteries! LOL!!!

XXOO!!!
Anne....off to make soup, which hopefully I won't burn up because I forget what I'm doing.....

Ces Adorio said...

AAAAAAACK! AAAAAHHHHHHHCKHAHAHAHAH! No wonder my ears were hot! They were HOT today! OOOPS, O need to remove these headphones first.

Seriously Anne, You are much too kind. Thank you for this dedication. I am so honored and so tickled especially that Tristan up there likes The Vinegar Woman and Her Sisters. They are well endowed ineed! Thank you Anne!

My Vagabond Heart said...

Lighting, lighting, lighting :) it makes such a diff. Hence, perhaps, the quote, "seeing it in a new light"?

Thanks for the link to Ces'...started to enjoy and realized it wasn't getting done while my little buddy was awake!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Ces,

Hoped you would enjoy it!!!! Just a tiny little pick-me-up surprise from someone who too loves trees! Hope you're feeling better---I'm playing the *visit the Dr.* routine again...sigh....more to come. Can't get squat done!
We all love your work!

XXOO!!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Vicki,

Yes, you would ne the one to know about the lighting, and dang it, I should have thought of that!
I still like late afternoon sun to shoot in, or early morning. Guess it's the drama it produces, and the warmth of color.
Ces has a wonderful site; check it out when your little helper is sleeping! ;)

XXOO!!!
Anne

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