Fotografaire - Blog and Photography

Springing and Singing Along

The garden is beginning to show signs of spring, as blossoms jump out from the ground, alive with color, vibrant tones and contrasts are everywhere.

My tulips are gorgeous, and my rose bushes are thriving. The rain of the past few days has helped the buds to blossom.

Yellows, oranges, pinks, multi-colors all reach upwards to soak in the sun. The photo above is just one very small section in my yard, one of my many, many garden areas.

Butterflies were lighting on the flowers, earlier, this morning, flitting back and forth and looking graceful. Birds chirped, flew back and forth, singing along to the tune of nature. Their songs resounded throughout the yard. Nature was at its finest.

~~Notes From the Garden

Reach the Heights

Some of us think we have mountains of time to reach the heights of our dreams. Some of us believe that there is no mountain or obstacle we can’t overcome. I look at a the word mountain, and words that immediately come to my mind are: peace, serenity, inspiring, spiritual, beautiful, awesome, nature’s wonder, pure loveliness, magical, mystical, commune with nature, relaxation, mountain retreat, and so many other words indicative of nature’s beauty.

Here are some quotes pertaining to mountains to ponder:

You can never conquer the mountain. You can only conquer yourself. James Whitaker

If you don’t scale the mountain, you can’t view the plain. Chinese Proverb

Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was. Dag Hammarskjold

Today is your day! You mountain is waiting. So..get on your way. Dr. Seuss Quotations

Nobody climbs mountains for scientific reasons. Science is used to raise money for the expeditions, but you really climb for the hell of it. Edmund Hillary

The Luncheon of the Boating Party, by Susan Vreeland

The Luncheon of the Boating Party

Vreeland’s exquisite and beautiful prose make this novel of historical fiction one to read. She details the events leading up to the finished painting, how Renoir chose his models, his relationship with each one, how they connected with each other individually within the painting, and how they interacted with Renoir and the other models, externally, separate from the painting. We find out that Renoir painted on Sundays, in 1880, after actually having lunch with the models on the terrace of the actual restaurant in the painting, with all the dishes, silverware, glasses, etc., left on the table.

We feel his frustrations, his joy, his anxiety over each minute detail, each brush stroke. We imagine his presence, with his models in front, some more self-absorbed than others, some humble and understanding individuals. Some models don’t show up, and he has to rely on his canvas, during the week, to fill in faces, attire, etc. Renoir met his future wife while painting was in progress. We glimpse bits of life, within the realm of the painting, both figuratively and visually, as Renoir endeavors to paint “la vie moderne”, the modern life.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s painting, The Luncheon of the Boating Party, took months for him to finish. It was at a time when he was struggling to make ends meet, and a time when he was trying to establish himself as part of the Impressionist movement. This painting was (in his mind) the one major work that would establish him in that genre.

If you want an understanding of the time period, the Impressionist movement, life in Paris, and how Renoir managed brush stroke by brush stroke to finish this masterpiece, then this is the novel for you, as much of it is based on historical fact. Vreeland’s prose is fluid, beautiful and is a masterpiece, in itself. Word-paintings and images abound. I could go into detail, make in-depth statements, but that would take the joy out of you reading the novel, so I leave you with the above prose.

I have actually seen the original painting, The Luncheon of the Boating Party in the Phillips Collection, in Washington, DC. The Phillips family has had it in their possession since 1923.

The photograph above was taken by me, when I saw the incredible painting in Washington DC, last autumn. I was enthralled, mesmerized, it was quite emotional. It is enormous in size, and in its illumination, and is mounted on a wall of its own, overpowering the room. The minute you walk into the room, it beckons you towards it. You stare in awe, not believing you are physically viewing this beautiful masterpiece. It is a testament to the power of the artist and his artistic skills.

If you are ever in Washington DC, it is a must see.

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Living On Holocaust Exhibit

Living On, is an exhibit that opened March 13th at the Living OnMuseum. The exhibit is very thought-provoking, relating Holocaust experiences through testimony of Survivors and those who helped rescue and liberate Jews during WWII.

The exhibit, “Living On“, also includes large-sized black and white photographs of each person whose testimony is included in the exhibit, plus a short biography of where they were born, and how they were involved in the Holocaust, etc. Robert Heller is the photographer involved in the exhibit.

I specifically went to see the “Living On” exhibit. Mira Ryczke Kimmelman, the author of “Life Beyond the Holocaust“, whose book I reviewed, was one of the people whose testimony and photograph was included in “Living On“. I came away with an extreme lump in my throat, and with more to ponder, after reading the testimonies and viewing the photographs of those involved in the exhibit.

“Living On” was first exhibited in 2004, at the Frist Center in Nashville, was at the East Tennessee State University Museum, before coming to Cookeville.

“Living On” is a visiting exhibit, and is presented by the Tennessee Holocaust Commission. It is an intensely moving and profound Holocaust exhibit, and will run until the end of May.

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