Spring Morning good friends and the woods, is there anything better ?...

Is there anything better than wandering in the woods with good friends on a Spring morning?

I love Winter but this one stayed way past it's welcome but now Spring will not be ignored and there is a 'bursting forth' of everything that is Spring.

The woods are filled with birdsong, the Spring Peepers are chorusing from the ponds now free of winters grip.

The earth smells rich and new and everywhere new life is emerging.

In the sheltered places the sun's warmth is evident, jackets are unzipped, gloves are gone, smiles are on everyone's face.

There is a lightening of one's step

Ahh Spring in the Northern woods …

A 'good to be alive' feeling

What a day!

“And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest”.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"

http://alan-norsworthy.artistwebsites.com/blogs/is-there-anything-better-.html

Thank You ...

Yesterday was one of those rare occasions, a Saturday morning that saw me not out on the trails but dragging boxes into Dublin St Church.

You see yesterday was the 20th Annual Show and Sale, and I was able to participate for a second year.
Not only was it the first show of the year but it was a time to reconnect with friends both old and new, artists and customers.

Walking in I was greeted by many of the participants, warm smiles everywhere.

As the room filled with the hustle and bustle of participants getting their booths ready laughter was the language of the day.

Being part of a show is hard work, no one sees the hours of preparation that goes into such an endeavor but when the booth is finished and I wait for 'showtime' all of that is forgotten.

This day, so many visitors came by, so many familiar faces, many curious to see “what was new”, many just dropping by to say hello and renew a connection.

Some to buy another image.

New faces offering congratulations and kind words of appreciation of my work.

All were very welcome and all left a warm glow behind.

My friends, my constant companions and fellow photographers.
Some bearing gifts, all bearings grins. In particular Patrick and Doug thank you for the “Pain au Chocolat” from our usual Saturday morning haunt .. OX cafe.

Your thoughtfulness was truly appreciated

To Bunny, Ken, 'Big' Doug, Ralf, Paul, Lynette, Gregg, and everyone else who I inadvertently 'ignored'. (I didn't get to stand and chat too long because of the constant flow of visitors to greet).
I would like to say “thank you” for taking the time to drop by.

I need to say a special thank you to Cathy and Brit for all their help in putting this show together and taking it all apart at the end of the day without your help I would have been even more frazzled than I was.

We were all tired (exhausted may seem like too strong a word) but it was a great day …

I am truly blessed.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~Leo Buscaglia 

Sketching at the Mall

Another Saturday outing and once more the camera stayed in the bag, replaced by a sketchpad and pencil.

Is this photography? I mean I am recording a scene, putting it down on paper but not with photosensitive chemicals but with carbon ..

No matter.

The freedom of just sitting, watching and letting the hand follow the eye is so satisfying. Even if what is happening on the paper before me is not perfect (by a long shot!). It's almost secondary to the enjoyment. 

The freedom to let it happen, to open up to the possibilities seen and unseen.

The freedom to interpret in a non photographic way

The freedom to let go.

Eventually you come back to the present and you find an hour has past and your paper is covered in thoughts and interpretations of what has passed before your eye during that time.

Yes, satisfying ....

"The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web." ~Pablo Picasso