If I were a flower…

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“If I were a flower.. I would be a sunflower.
To always follow the sun, Turn my back to darkness,
Stand proud, tall and straight even with my head full of seeds.” ~ Author Pam Stewart

Magnificence of Beauty

 “I played around with the flowers and the lighting, so that was a good way to educate myself.” – Robert Mapplethorpe

Magnificence of Beauty

The quote above could have come directly from me…I have learned so much about light and the art of photography through my work with flowers.  Two passions colliding to create art and beauty.

Immortality and Compassion

“I believe that man will not merely endure; he will prevail.  He is immortal, not because he alone among the creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of kindness and compassion.” – William Faulkner

Immortality

Compassion

What do you think?  Black and white or color?  Does one speak to you more than the other?

Make Life Bloom

“People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong…Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Make Life Bloom with the Positive

Quiet Reflection

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” – Peter F. Drucker

And they stood, side by side, quietly reflecting the journey.
Robyn Graham

One of Summer’s Last Hurrahs

As Summer fades away she leaves us with one last vibrant hurrah.

The Zinnia

Zinnia in the Victorian era language of flowers meant “I mourn your absence”.  Today, my sister and her family are mourning the death of her father-in-law.  Cancer took another good soul from Earth, but heaven gained a saint.  I’m quite certain my father was at Heaven’s gate to greet Clifford with a big grin, a joke about St. Patrick, and a firm handshake.

I chose this particular Zinnia to photograph specifically for this post because I felt it held symbolism to accompany the meaning.  The hard light represents the overabundance of hardships experienced during life on earth.  Hardships Clifford no longer has to endure.  The face of the Zinnia gazing upward toward the sky represents Clifford’s climb to a better, peaceful, heavenly resting place.  The vibrant yellow is to offer cheer to my sister and her family, and those who are grieving the earthly loss of a good man.

Peace, love, and blessings to the Martin family.

Zinnia – “I Mourn Your Absence”

Gratitude

In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. – Deitrich Bonhoeffer

Hydrangea

Hydrangea with more shallow depth of field.

Give More. Expect Less.

Free your heart from hatred — forgive. Free your mind from worries — most never happen. Live simply and appreciate what you have. Give more. Expect less.  – Stephen Covey

Anemone Flower

Anemone Bouquet in Antique Jar

Sunflower Power

You’ve all seen the silly smiley faces cut into sunflowers, yes?  Or the singing smiley faced sunflower, how about that one?  Well, as ridiculous as I think they are, and I would never spend a penny on one of them, there is something to be said for them.  Sunflowers do have the power to make a person smile.  The warm glow of the yellow petals warms the heart.  Once the heart is warm, a smile is automatic.  If you’ve ever driven by a field of sunflowers, you know exactly what I am talking about.  Do you agree?