The attached three prints are abstract interpretations of some colorful sunsets. The setting for all three is Coastal Carlsbad in San Diego County. The inspiration behind all three was some pretty spectacular sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. I have shared in the past a couple of prints that I created from that type of sunset, but with these I took the liberty of creating a look in a very abstract manner.
Following last weeks post of architectural elements, I’m staying with the subject matter this week, but in photography. I was going back through some older files this week working on another project and that led me to a number of photoshoots I did in 2009. I resurfaced these particular captures and realized I had never done anything with them. For someone who especially loves historic architectural elements, I surprised myself. I’ll have to work on that, but for now I wanted to share a few of the shots I took of Pittock Mansion in Portland Oregon. I love the history behind this property and encourage you to check out this link (History – Pittock Mansion) or the links under each of the captures for the fascinating history behind the building of the mansion and the history of it to present day. The property sits on top of a hill overlooking downtown Portland and the Willamette River. On a clear day the view also affords you a centered shot of Mt. Hood in the distance.
We’ll start with a shot of approaching the front of the house via a circular type driveway.
Next I’m taking you to the very back side of the house. It’s important to note that the backside faces the incredible view as I described above and did I take any shots of that awesome view. Heck no, I was too focused on the mansion and kept shooting different angles as I moseyed around the entire structure. Ugh!! That said, on the web site they did have pictures of the view.
This week I’m posting four art prints that fall under the category of architectural features as a subject matter, but with a presentation style of fauvism. I love architectural details in buildings and I also have a penchant for bright colored abstract styles. It’s kind of fun taking the straight lines of buildings, giving them some surreal curves and bright colors. The results are as follows:
The first two prints are homes of opposing architectural styles located in the Heritage Hill District in Grand Rapids, Michigan. From traditional classic to modern Frank Lloyd Wright.
The next two are completely different architectural styles located on San Juan Island which lies on the Juan de Fuca Strait in the state of Washington. This Island sits just east of Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The oyster hut no longer exists, but I was able to capture the look prior to the oyster farm it served tearing it down for a larger more modern facility. The hotel (Hotel De Haro) is in Roche Harbor located on the northern portion of the island.
I’ve attached three art prints I created using a watercolor technique of hiking trails. The first one was created in 2011 and I just refreshed it as I created the other two this past week.
I love the peace and serenity of hiking specifically in the Pacific Northwest. The dense forest and pine trees create a sense of being one with nature. Because the forest is so dense, I don’t venture off the path as I know in these woods, we are not alone and crossing paths with a bear or whatever doesn’t appeal to me.
On each of these prints, I did an overlay using a thought of mine as it relates to each of our journeys through life. We are each on our own path so to speak and it is our choice as to whether or not we stay on that path or choose to venture off knowingly or unknowingly.
I liken it to being a parent and trying to keep your kids on a path as we raise them. At some point their free will may take them off the chosen path, but we are always there to guide them back if they seek it. As each of us travels our own individual paths, He is always there to guide us back when we venture off the chosen path.
Love conquers all is a saying I am guilty of using quite a bit. It says so much and has come out of my mouth in many tough interpersonal situations. If you would ask my girls what is Dad infamous for always saying, they would come back with “Take the high road…..love conquers all.” I firmly believe if you have love at the core of what you are doing or saying, it does ultimately conquer all obstacles. It came full circle to me with one of my daughters recently when we were having a discussion about a situation I was dealing with and out of her mouth came: “Take the high road, love conquers all! You used that expression over and over again with us girls in these types of situations and that would be my recommendation to you in this case”.
I took her advice in that particular situation and it got me to thinking about creating some art prints capturing the essence of that expression. I ended up using three of my art prints with that saying as an overlay.
The first one is a color photograph of a peaceful and serene pond in Butchart Gardens located just outside of Victoria, British Columbia.
In the second one I used a soft watercolor of Hidden Lake located just outside of Whistler, British Columbia, again going for the peaceful and serene look.
With the third one I wanted to use something that included people, especially multiple people or a crowd of people. Keeping with a “soft look”, I chose a watercolor I created of a crowd of people inspired by a scene I saw in Seattle, Washington ahead of a major sports event.
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