I Shoot People

Lovely gardens in Charleston SC.

Not long ago while I was out shooting birds I looked away from them and at the array of frostbitten flowers.  I thought they made as interesting an image as the critters.

I love flowers that aren’t quite perfect. There really isn’t all that much in this world that has no blemishes, no sags, no imperfections and coming to terms with those imperfections is a huge part of life.

This time of year my mind wanders to scenes of life and spring and blooms and joy.

The Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, WA, Summer of 2009

At Home in Bonnieux

There’s something special about having a connection with history — about seeing yourself as a continuation of that which has gone before.  Living in an ancient abode, fashioned from the stones of the field, assembled in portions by generations long since departed, tending plantings lovingly envisioned in their fullness by those beyond the vail.

Our home here in the US is ONLY 80 yrs old. It has yet to acquire this sort of history.  But built out of brick, concrete, and morta it will last far longer than most of the conventional homes nearby.  I wonder who will next continue the legacy I am beginning?

Once again summer is winding down and I haven’t done as much outdoor shooting during the good weather as I’d like.

We’ve been in the new house/studio for over three years not, almost four I guess and it seems that each year since making the move summer has gotten past me without spending any time in it. Which is a real tragedy in a state that has so much winter.

An avid gardener in a new house faces many challenges when living in Wisconsin. And trying to figure out what to do with a formerly commercial property we’ve only lived in for three years has been a bear.  This building is all brick and it’s so rigid. Not only physically — it doesn’t give — but also spiritually — it’s all right angles and stark delineation.  Figuring out how to soften it into something less institutional and more human has been a challenge.

Even when I’m not shooting art is still part of my life. And before a gardener can garden there’s the issue of site design. And that’s what has consumed more of this summer than I can imagine.

But the best thing we did was to pull out 8000 sq ft of asphalt ( an old 13 car parking lot ) and install only 3000 sq ft so that the remaining 5000 could be turned into our own little private park. A few curvy lines and cutouts and our commercial building is looking more like a private residence. More planting to come but we’re having our will with the earth.

And as the winds of winter howl outside I’ll be able say that this summer I actually enjoyed. Images or no images.

I love Wisconsin.  But I love the short season of Spring-Summer-Fall much more than the long one of Winter.  I’ve been all over the country though — in all the seasons and I still CHOOSE to live here.   High taxes and all.

It’s hard for me to get through a garden without stopping for a moment to try to capture yet another bumble bee. I don’t know why I’m so fascinated by them, other than the idea that they should not be able to fly….

Is there a sight more cheery than a field full of sunflowers?

Sometimes when I’m faced with less than happy news the only way to get through is to look at something wonderful and realize that nothing lasts forever.

Frank, we love ya…. Get better.