Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creativity. Show all posts

Sunday, July 31, 2011

iCreate

ICreateCrop
Sometimes I wonder if 'creativity' is more than just a gift that one is born with.  I was always told it was my gift, it was that certain thing that made me special and unique....and I do believe that.  But then sometimes when I've been up for two days straight, because I am on what I call "a creative bender"....well then I can't help but wonder if creativity is also an 'illness' or an 'addiction'.  Because when I am in that 'creative zone', I really can't stop.  I will forgo food and sleep just to finish whatever creative project I am engrossed in, almost as if the world is in immenent danger of collapse if it does not receive my finished art project.  And honestly....that's just a bit insane!   But 'creativity' can also be 'therapy'.  When I am feeling low, I often have a great need to lose myself in a creative project.  This submersion into the creative realm is my 'zen' place.
It acts as a means of 'catharsis'...and is very healing.

But then think about that for a minute....the 'gift' of creativity, morphs into a  curse of 'addiction' while also being the very same 'catharsis' that soothes the spirit so that it can overcome 'illness' and return to the place where its 'gifts' are fully functional.  Wow!  That's really mind bending!  But then again...that's just what creativity is supposed be right....Mind Bending!!  :o) Autumn Equinox Turning Trees Etsy And speaking of creativity....this is my latest project!  As a new iPhone owner and creative soul....I just could not bear to protect my new phone with a generic case that everyone else has.  So I did what any good creative person would do.....and set about designing one of my very own.  I used one of my favorite art pieces called 'Autumn Equinox', and pulled from it to create a customized phone case that showcased some of my favorite things....color, autumn, owls, changing leaves, the moon and the night sky!  I wasn't sure how the case would look in person...but when it arrived I was absolutely delighted at how great it turned out!  Here's to originality, creativity
and the impending return of Autumn! 
Cusomized iphone cover 1

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

La Boheme Inspiration

I absolutely love a Colorful, Eclectic, Funky, Bohemeian Decor, and I try to infuse these ideals into my own work, lifestyle and home decorating.  But here's the thing....there are SO many things that spark my imagination and get my creative juices flowing, that I sometimes find myself completely overwhelmed by all the visual stimuli.  So I've found that one of the best ways to focus in on a project, design idea, or photo shoot, is to create a 'Vision Board'!  I LOVE VISION BOARDS!  Not only do I love creating my own vision boards, but I also love to view other people's visions boards as well.  I simply love to get inspired!
Gypsy Banadana1
If you haven't created an Inspiration File or Vision Board before, no worries....they are really quite simple to do.  There are many ways to group ideas and images on a vision board.  And in all honesty, grouping really helps you to focus in on what you're hoping to create.  My favorite methods for grouping items on a vision board are by Color, Season, Holiday, Theme and Concept.  Lucky for us, with the advent of technology, we are now able to make digital versions of our Vision Boards.  There are even websites that you can join like Pinterest, We Heart It and others, that give you your little space on the web to 'virtually' pin photos from the internet right onto your own little 'virtual' bulletin board.  How cool is that?!  But you can also achieve the same thing in a video format as well, at sites like Photobucket and Slide.com.  And again, it's as easy as creating an account and loading up your files.  Plus, they give you lots of ways to personalize your slideshows and share them with others.
Gypsy Bandana 3 So today I want to post my own virtual Vision Board in a slide show format.  I've been collecting images of Bohemia over the last few years and keeping them in a file on my computer so that I could look back for ideas when decorating, designing, shooting or throwing parties.  So this vision board is titled "Bohemian Inspiration", because that is exactly what it provides for me....INSPIRATION!  It inspires me to live creatively and to follow my dreams.   All I have to do is sit down at my computer with a nice hot cup of coffee and let it play.  And by the time it's over, I am happily filled to the brim with a plethora of creative ideas and colorful dreams.  This post was made with you on my mind Celia...I hope you enjoy it!  And I also hope it inspires others to follow their bliss and live creatively! Namaste!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Easter Greetings at pingg.com

 
One In Every CrowdAG2 
Well it has been a crazy year!  Busy, busy, busy...and that's an understatement!  I did want to share some news however.  Remember the days when we sent PAPER cards?  Well I do, and honestly, I am a stationary fiend....so I still love the look and feel of paper cards.  But there is no use denying that we are full force in the technology age and paper does mean we have to cut down trees.  So what's a gal (or fella) to do these days when they want to send a greeting or sentiment to someone special, or where does a hostess (or host) turn when they need to send out invites for a large event?  Well I'll tell you where they go....they go to Pingg!  Pingg is....well only the hippest and most creative On-line Invitation Station on the world wide web!  Here is Pingg's Vision in their own words....

"Our vision is a world where online invitations & announcements can exist in the same sentence as "cool" and "awesome" (or if you're British, "wicked awesome"). The time has come to elevate the online experience--yes people, to RAAAAAISE the bar artistically and technically-so that online and traditional postmarked invitations can live together in peace, harmony and celebration... like yin and yang... like Cheech and Chong."

So why am I introducing you to Pingg you ask?  Because yours truly is one of those crazy, hip artists that contribute over there, that's why!  And I am honored to announce that I was selected the Pingg Plus Spotlight Designer of the week today....woo hoo!  (Can I get a hi-five?)  Hooray!  I started with Pingg last summer and won an honorable mention in their Summer Design Challenge.  Of course I was all over the Halloween Cards and Invites back in October, and now I have a new batch of Easter designs ready to be E-Mailed or Snail-Mailed to all your favorite peeps.
Pingg...Artist Designed Invitations and E-Vites

Easter PeepsAG2
So help me support the 'Artists Movement' by sharing the news, posting a link, twittering or better yet....sending out some cards and invitations today!  Spread the word and help a sista out!  Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The Artful Gypsy's Bohemian Marketplace Now on Etsy!

Black Haired Girl Tiki Island Etsy1
 
So I haven't posted here since the winter holidays because I've been busy with an assortment of different things that have taken up all my time.  Spring in Florida has all but come and gone in the blink of an eye.  It was too cold, then it switched to being too hot just like that.  There was no long stretch of perfect Spring weather like there was the year before, and that has been disheartening.  I do have lots of photos and images to post, but it seems that I never have enough time to do all that I want to do.  Is it me....or does time seem to have sped up in recent years?

I know they say that it speeds up as you grow older.  But I mean it feels as if it has sped up for real....for everyone young and old.  Remember being a kid and the days seemed to drag on forever?  School seemed as though it would never get out for the summer, then the summers seemed to drag on endlessly.  I thought I'd never reach 16 so I could drive, or 21 so I could drink legally....but they did eventually come and then they screeched away at the speed of light.  But my children agree...they feel that time is short and that days, weeks and months speed by.  How come they feel it too?  Could it be a real phenomenon?
 
There are some articles about it that say that our days are actually shorter in time than they used to be due to some change in the earth's vibrational rate.  I suppose there are any number of theories, but there is no denying that time is one of the most elusive substances we have (or don't have in my case).  Of course when you are an artist, time seems to work differently than it does for others.  Making one piece of art can take hours, days, weeks....even a month if the circumstances are right.  What seems to others like time you've wasted loafing on your computer....is actually you working diligently on your next creative manifestation.  And sometimes we give up sleeping just to buy ourselves some more time.  I can always sleep tomorrow I tell myself.
  Red Hair Girl 2 WaterfallEtsy
One of my latest projects that I've been working on is a place online to sell my art and photography.  I have several websites of course, but I do not sell my work from those sites.  And I have several stock agencies that sell my work for me, but they only have selected pieces.  Writing two blogs, aside from taking up another chunk of my time....has put me in contact with people who have inquired about purchasing my art, photography and poetry.  So I finally stole some time away from other things and created my Etsy store.  Etsy is an on-line marketplace for all things handmade or vintage.  Having no place previously on the web to showcase my art, I thought it the perfect environment.  I've been telling people that I create art, but I think they may not have believed me since there is no place other than my blogs for them to see it.

I just started this weekend, so I don't have nearly everything in there yet.  But I started with simple 8x10 graphic art illustrations because it was easy to get them listed.  I continue to add things every day.  So I am asking all my friends, family and fellow blog kin...to please help me get the word out.  If you can forward the links to others, or tweet it or blog about it, please do....as I would be eternally grateful.  If you know anyone who loves Halloween or Arts and Crafts, please let them know since Halloween art is one of my specialties.  And keep it in mind in case you need unique hand crafted gifts for giving.  I've included a few images with this post and I'll post more, but there's plenty in the store and more being added everyday.  Please help me spread the word.  Thank you!  :o)
My Etsy store is called The Artful Gypsy's Bohemian Marketplace and the address is:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/artfulgypsy
Blonde Hair Girl Patriotic SummerEtsy1

Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Circle & A Very 'Gypsy' Yule!

IndiaGifts2CR
Well I must admit that I am a little out of my element here.  Of course I was honored when my friend Beth from 'The Windesphere Witch' and the 'Perfume Smellin' Things' Blog suggested I join in a wonderful Advent Blogging event, hosted by her dear friend Roxana Villa of Roxana Illuminated Perfume!  Just to be in such phenomenal company was a gift indeed.  And at first I fretted that I am a visual artist and photographer, not a Scent Expert, and therefore perhaps not qualified for such an invite.  But Beth assured me that if I would just blog about my own personal connections to the holiday season with it's sights, sounds and scent....that it would certainly fit right into the spirit of "The Circle"!  So in honor of the season, I will attempt to share with you my 'Gypsy Christmas/Yule'! Gypsy ChandelierHZ1CR
CelestialOrnamentsCR

Most of us equate the holiday season with traditions.  Traditions are an important part of the human experience and at no time are they more on display than during the holidays.   And like most people, I do love traditions.  But 'traditionalism', is the belief that traditions should be followed, while change should be limited.  And that is where I tend to part ways with the 'concept' of 'traditions'.   After all, change can be a wonderful way to keep things fresh and exciting.  And everything in our lives and world is always in a constant state of flux.  So for me, that means taking 'traditions' and molding them a bit.  As an artist, I enjoy putting my own unique spin on everything around me.  From my clothing to my photography to my living environment...I like to imbue my surroundings with things that make me happy, like COLOR and SCENT.  And I infuse them into all areas of my life and home, especially during the holidays. 
Shiva Statue RedGreenCR
 IncenseGiftRedCR
Being somewhat of a 'Bohemian-Lite' at heart, I decided that the 'traditions' of the holiday should be melded to fit my own eclectic sense of style.  If pressed to specify my personal aesthetic, I guess one would describe it as 'Moroccan-Gypsy-Boheme!  I like to mix the old with the new, and contrast textures and materials to create a style fusion.  No rules, other than filling my space with things that delight my senses.  So there is nothing 'traditional' about my sense of style, but I prefer it that way.  Colorful Moroccan lanterns, gypsy scarves, celestial sun and moons, Buddhas, and exotic spices and incense, mingle peacefully with an old Hoosier cabinet, antiques, newer furnishings and hand crafted items.  The result is an atmosphere as varied and eclectic as I am.  And when it comes time to decorate for the Winter holidays, I seek to mold my family's traditions to fit our bohemian style.
GypsyTableHZ1CR
GypsyTableCenterpieceCR


GypsyBenchC


GypsyLanternsOwlCR
My love affair with the colors, textures and scents of Asia, especially in India, as well as Morocco....has been the driving inspiration in my decorating.  So instead of the traditional red, white and green, you will find a multitude of bright colors throughout our home and on our Christmas tree.  A Buddha sits happily next to glittered reindeer and Indian jewelry boxes.  Our tree has a 'Gypsy' theme with a variety of different ornaments.  Suns and Moons, Owls, Jewels, Mandolins, Feathers and Moroccan Stars sit atop a fresh fragrant Spruce.  The dining table is set with mix-matched Indian print plates and the chandelier is also 'Gypsified' with an assortment of baubles, beads and jewels in a rainbow of colors.  Glass beaded garlands flank the mirrors and gypsy rings and incense gifts are used to accessorize instead of the classic Santas and Snowmen.  It's certainly not a traditional Christmas theme...but when thrown together, it is colorful, festive and fun!
BuddahOrnamentCR


CamelOrnamentCR


Gypsy Beaded Ornament TrioCR


Gypsy ChandelierDiagClose2CR


GypsyTreeCR
And the scents you ask?  What scents accompany a 'Gypsy Yule'?  Wafts of Incense coiling up through the air such as the traditional offerings of Frankincense and Myrrh, which are in tune with the story of Christmas, and well known as valuable gifts from the Middle East.  But we also enjoy the traditional hippie favorites like Patchouli and Nag Champa as well.  Which begs the question...is there really any such thing as a 'Traditional Hippie'?  Rich spices abound in the Indian Spice Markets, and they accompany the resinous incense so very nicely.  We enjoy how their enticing aromas make the holiday season more 'Scent-ual' and festive.  Clove, Cardamon, Anise and Cinnamon brewing on the stove top in some Apple Cider is a welcoming scent to family and friends as they enter our home.  We also enjoy the succulent sight, taste and smell of fruits such as Pomegranates, Figs and Oranges. And lastly, it's always a special seasonal delight to unwrap a bar of Madagascar Spiced soap, richly fragrant with the scent of clove!  It's a splendid excuse to enjoy a warm Winter's bath with some almond or champa oil mixed in to help soften winter's drying effects on the skin.  But more importantly, it's also  the perfect time to relax and soak in the fragrant water, while taking stock of the various gifts that life has blessed us with throughout the past year....as we come full 'circle' to the holidays once again, and look forward to the promising new calendar year ahead.  :o)
Happy Holidays & Namaste!   
~ Wendy
GypsyWrappingPaperCR


GypsyPackagesCR

Monday, June 1, 2009

Creative Concepts

~  "Live life with passion, and have a love for all things fun and creative!"  ~

~  "The creative adult, is the child who survived."  ~

I learned a great deal of what I know about photography from my mentor.  He was a fabulous teacher who really taught us how to 'see creatively'!  And some of my favorite assignments were when we were instructed to use our photography to illustrate a concept.  For instance he would tell us to illustrate the concept of "loss" or "isolation."  This is a method that is used very frequently in the advertising and marketing fields, who also happen to be large buyers of 'stock' photography. 

I got my first taste of how to relate through images and words in college.  I majored in Advertising/Public Relations, and often we had to present marketing campaigns with both written and visual elements included.  We had to 'communicate' to our clients and their marketing demographics.  I always loved those classes, especially the photojournalism classes.  And the  'concept' idea in photography just naturally appealed to me when it became an assignment.  So during one of my fun, colorful, tropical periods...I decided to take a very fun, colorful prop that I just happen to love...and attempt to use it to illustrate some concepts.  My prop of choice was the beloved, yellow 'Rubber Duckie'....and I wanted to share with you some ideas of what you can communicate photographically through the use of a fairly inexpensive prop like a rubber duck.

First up are a few concept shots.  So I'll show you the image, and directly above each shot, I'll share with you the intended concept.  You can decide for yourselves if you think I successfully accomplished the connection between the image and the concept.  Concept shots are a lot of fun!

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
Yellow Ducks Dare to Be Different VT1cr 

GO YOUR OWN WAY
Yellow Ducks Go Own Way VT1cr 

GOING AGAINST THE FLOW
Yellow Ducks Swim Up Stream VT1cr 

TAKING THE LEAD
Yellow Ducks Leader of Pack HZ1cr 

STAND OUT IN THE CROWD
Yellow Ducks Stand Out in the Crowd F HZ1cr 

BE UNIQUE!
Duck Be Unique cr 
The ideas are as limitless as your own imagination.  My personal favorite is the last one.."Be Unique"!  Actually most of those concepts are ones that I relate to on a personal level.  It took me a long time to learn to appreciate my gifts and relish how I was different....rather than bemoan the fact that I was not the same as everyone else.  So these are important concepts that I try to instill in my children and encourage in others every chance I get.  :o)

Additionally, I've posted a  few other images that I thought might make for good greeting cards.
Tropical Duck Couple Under Lone Palm HZ1cr
The 2 images above and below, would make great Anniversary cards, Vacation, Love or Valentine's Day cards.  They basically speak of love...but it just happens to be between Rubber Ducks instead of people.
2 Yellow Rubber Ducks in Water VT1cr 
And this last one was just an out-take from a regular photoshoot.  But it also turned out beautifully, and could be used as a Shower Invite/Card, Baby Congrats or Expecting Parents card.
3DucksonBellyHZG1cr And any of these would look great framed and hung up in a kid's bathroom, playroom or nursery.
Seeing creatively, can sometimes mean exploring concepts and thoroughly working your subject matter.  So look around to find an object that captures your eye, and see how many ideas you can generate from it.  The end result may be pleasantly surprising.  But more importantly, it allows you to enjoy the creative process along the way.  And your photographs can be more than entertaining or aesthetically pleasing....they can also tell a story, make a point or convey a message or sentiment..
Have FUN and do something CREATIVE today!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Bohemian Way

What is Bohemia?   I will quote and paraphrase a lot here from a book I love, titled "The Bohemian Manifesto", by Laren Stover, because I don't think I could possibly explain it any better than she did in that book.  And I will attempt to illustrate my vision of 'Bohemia' through photos.  But I preface this explanation with the understanding that there are no hard and fast rules that govern Bohemia, so this is merely a glimpse into what is first and foremost, a state of mind, and a way of living life beyond convention.  It is also more than just an attitude. It's a freedom of ideas, clothing and behaviors that lay gently outside the norm. 
JunkGypsyFeetDetailsVT4
And just who are the Bohemians of the world?  Well, we are artists, gypsies, philosophers, dreamers, vagabonds, mavericks and yes, even radicals and deviants.  I consider myself to be a bit of a Bohemian.  Maybe not quite the vagabond type that likes to wander from place to place, because I rather enjoy having a place to call home.  But I'm a Bohemian just the same, for many reasons....perhaps a 'Bohemian Lite'.  Oft times, Bohemians defy definition due to the unmistakable quality of being 'free spirits'.  But it's usually those same 'free spirits' who set the trends, invent the art, start the movements and break the rules.  Bohemians creatively integrate ideals, clothing and philosophies into everyday life with a certain "je ne sais quoi" all their own.
GypsyRings2handsSkirtHZ1
A true Bohemian is a connoisseur of texture, color and sensation. 
We experience exhilaration by....
observation, creation and the experience itself. 
IndianDressHZ2

We find poetry and art in everyday things....
like the form of silhouettes against a sunset....
Sibling Sunset with Ducks VT1
the hunt for vintage treasures at an antique fair.....
GypsyRingsCloseUpHZ1

the succulence of flowers in the rain.....
Fall Mums in the Rain
the play of light on colored glass.....
MoroccanLanternGlassCloseVT1
the art of random objects.....
SinningSunHZ3P

or beauty in the contours of a face.
MelFaceCloseColorVT1
We see enchantment and infinite possibilities all around us.  We love to create an 'effect,' and we cherish the 'presentation'.  We dislike authority and loathe the status quo.  And our idea of hard labor is selling poetry, art, photographs, music and plays.  We live in splendor...the splendor of the creative mind....and it requires free thinking, ingenuity, and moxie! 
To delve a bit deeper, Bohemians have an aesthetic that is sometimes misunderstood by mainstream society.  We enjoy mixing antiques and flea market finds into our homes.  One man's trash is another man's treasure.   We surround ourselves with things we love and that have sentimental value, as well as things that inspire us creatively.
MoonBottleJewelsVT1
Candles, incense and eclectic music are staples in a Bohemian abode, as are art supplies and animals....possibly all intermingled in a creatively chaotic way.  Since we often keep unconventional hours...we also tend to prefer unconventional forms of lighting, such as sunsets, twilight, street lamps, star light, neon signs, moon light and candles.  Many a musician, writer and artist has stayed up all night....choosing the manifestation of his creative visions over food and sleep. 
WensGypsyCamp12

And our clothing can sometimes be as unconventional and free flowing as our attitudes and ideals.  Whether we style ourselves like a Gypsy, a Dandy or a Beatnik....it is usually put together randomly and creatively, but far from the sensibilities of the fashion police.  You almost always see Bohemians wearing hats of every kind and jewelry, scarves, or flowers in their hair.  Long hair, facial hair, unkempt  hair, tattoos, piercings...it's all game for exploration.  For Bohemians take great pride and delight in being different and unique.  Not for attention...but rather for distinction or rebellion.  And we thumb our nose at being defined,  refusing to conform to others' expectations. 
JunkGypsyFullSitGrassVT5
We are quite content in our eclectic, creative, vibrant worlds of art and poetry and imagination.  In fact, it's quite possible that no one other than, 'other Bohemians',  really understand us at all...and that's the way we like it!   It's a fact that Bohemians have been around since the beginning of time, and they'll be here until the end of it.  And it is this Bohemian lifestyle that remains a harbinger of something mystically lacking from today's corporate-fed society.  I encourage you all to do something creative (anything at all) and embrace the Bohemian within today.  Namaste!

Friday, May 22, 2009

The Magic is in the Details

Have you ever noticed that some folks are 'big picture' people and some of us are 'detail' people?  In all fairness there is a catch to leaning too heavily in either direction.  For instance, the 'detail' folks like myself, have a tendency to get so wrapped up in the wonderful details we love so much, that we fail to be able to see the bigger picture.  You're not able to see the forest through the trees, the old saying goes.  And likewise, the 'big picture' people are sometimes so far sighted that they fail to recognize and appreciate the small details that make life beautiful.  Of course optimally, we should all strive for a perfect balance between the two.  In fact, that applies to everything in life.  Balance is the key to happiness, fulfillment and success.  But I'll save that for another post.  Today I want to touch on the importance of the 'details'!  Being a 'detail' girl myself, one might be quick to assume that I am taking sides here or showing some partiality.  And you'd be absolutely right!  But only for the sake of this one blog today and how we can apply that principle to photography.
Fall Mum Burnt Orange
So my challenge to you is this....first and foremost, find something that you find attractive or interesting and photograph it.  And don't discount the simple things, as they often become the most beautiful when you pay them a little attention.  When I was at my son's school for his Easter party, I went out to put my purse in the car.  My car was parked across the street in a somewhat dry, grassy field of what looked at first glance to be dead grass, weeds and dirt.  But as I was looking at the ground to watch where I was stepping, I noticed these delicate little daisy flowers.  Okay...so most people would identify them as weeds true enough.  And if I had only looked at the 'bigger picture' I might have never noticed the softness of the little daisy heads, or how they danced and swayed in the breeze.  And for some strange reason they brought to my mind an image association of delicate feminine girls.  So I decided to give them their 'shot'...to pay them a little attention, and see them through a lens of 'gratitude' for the beauty they possessed.  I wondered to myself if anyone else would ever come along and photograph them or even notice them or admire them, let alone appreciate their beauty.  I figured I was probably their only suitor, and that I noticed them for a reason and they were meant to be photographed.  (I should also humorously note here that the teachers grew concerned as they spied me from the playground looking down into the grass.  They asked my husband if I was okay, and had I lost a contact or something?  Ha...I didn't even attempt to try and explain that I spent the last 10 minutes photographing their 'weeds'!) 
Okay, so here is my first shot....
DaisyWeedFarHZ1 Pretty enough...a shallow depth of field focusing only on the flowers closest to me while giving a nice soft focus blur to those in the background.  This shot speaks to me of Spring.  An array of blooms wild, free and unkempt.  This also has a bohemian vibe to me.  But as always...I want to dig deeper, unearth more, and get closer to my subject.  So I shoot again and this is what I saw next.
DaisyWeedCloserHZ1 I'm beginning to get to know them better now.  The room is not so crowded anymore.  I'm starting to grasp some recognition, and those who aren't important are fading ever more into the blurry background of oblivion.  The grass and leaves are starting to become a painted background.  And I can now see some definition in their sweet little faces.  Should I be reticent and stop here?  Perhaps I've seen all there is to see I think.  But sometimes....LESS IS MORE!  So....I zoom in closer.
DaisyWeedCloseStillrHZ1 Oh wow...look what I've uncovered.  That mass of weeds is looking more like ART to me.  And one little lady seems intent on stealing the show does she not?  And what about all that empty space you ask?  Well space is at a premium these days and everyone wants more.  A flower and a photograph are no exception.  And did you notice how the green of the grass and leaves has faded into a lovely backdrop that now shifts the focus onto the 'star' of the show?  Here is where 'cropping' comes into play and can become your friend or your enemy.  If I'd left that flower in the center of this shot...the outcome would not have been nearly as effective, artistic or pleasing to the eye.  When we shoot, we have a tendency to want to center everything right smack dab in the middle of the frame.  But try to think outside of that box and shift things over a little.

What could be done with this image now that I've left all that blank space over there?  Well, besides aiding the eye in focusing on what is the most important element in the shot....it also provides a space for something else. But what?   A hand written sentiment of love or congratulations perhaps.  For I see one of those enclosure cards you get at the florist when you send someone flowers, with the perfect place to sign your name.  Or a place card perhaps, to adorn the table for Easter brunch.  Yes...this is the shot that pleases me most.  I feel I have captured the essence of their beauty as I saw it.  BUT....what if?
DaisyWeedClosestHZ1 Yep!  You knew I couldn't stop without pushing the envelope didn't you?  There is a saying that I saw credited to Mick Jagger, but have since seen it attributed to many others as well...and that is "anything worth doing, is worth overdoing"!  And I am a happy subscriber to that philosophy of life.  So for good measure I zoomed in one more time.  Just like the bear that went over the mountain.  Do you remember WHY he went over it?  TO SEE WHAT HE COULD SEE of course!  Why else?

And here I finally get to know my subject as intimately as my lens at the time would allow.  I can see her full regalia of petals....the layers of her petticoat, if you will.  And I can see her core...her heart....the center of her aura!  I can even observe where the 'cycle of life' takes place.  Where she feeds the bees who pollinate the flowers and so on and so forth.  I have an appreciation for this lovely flower (or weed) that I never would have had if I didn't take time to pay attention to the DETAILS!  I uncovered a beauty in them that thereby allowed me to create yet another thing of beauty in a photograph and art.  So in essence...I've come to understand this as the beauty in the world being multiplied by the small act of appreciation and gratitude for what each living thing uniquely has to offer.  I could have discounted that dusty old field as an eyesore, something not worthy of being seen and appreciated, because at first glance it appeared to merely be plain and shabbily dressed.  But the magical secret is that the beauty was in the DETAILS!

Warning:  I love quotes and use them often.  And I find two of my favorite "magic' quotes applicable here because magic takes so many different forms....
"The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper."
"That's the thing with magic.  You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible for you."

On an ending note, which of the 4 shots do you find to be most pleasing to your eye?  As I'm sure you are aware...all art is subjective, so to me it's always interesting to know what others think.  For the record, although I do love the intimacy of the final shot, my personal choice is still #3 for all the reasons I listed above and ones that I didn't include.  Here's wishing everyone a weekend filled with magical details!