“I must have flowers, always, and always.” — Claude Monet “Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you.” — Maharishi Mahesh Yogi As if Annecy’s Vieille Ville, or old town, isn’t charming enough with its “Venice of France” river and canals meandering between historic buildings and a crisscross … More Flowers and Flowers
“Life is given only once, and one wants to live it boldly, with full conscious and beauty.” — Anton Chekhov “Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one’s sensations.” — Paul Cezanne • Inspired if not by Cezanne but by the mountains themselves, I decided to see what I could capture … More Magnetic Beauty
“Without butter, without eggs, there is no reason to come to France.” — Paul Bocuse This charming Butter-and-eggs member of the Snapdragon family, found on the mountainsides of Europe (as well as much of North America), is the perfect introduction to a planned collection of upcoming blog posts. Having just returned from a painting and … More Butter and Eggs
“When you see how fragile and delicate life can be, all else fades into the background.” — Jenna Morasca “Why is it that scuba divers and surfers are some of the strongest advocates of ocean conservation? Because they’ve spent time in and around the ocean, and they’ve personally seen the beauty, the fragility, and even … More Fragility
“We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.” — Winston Churchill Artist-naturalist James Prosek considers the sculptural, symbolic and practical functions of forged iron eel spears as part of his installation within the Florence Griswold Museum’s Fragile Earth: The Naturalist Impulse in Contemporary Art exhibit. Exploring the line between artifact to art, he … More Decorative Tools
“…the conversion from ‘pest’ to gem occurs through the power of design.” — Jennifer Angus “Every being devotes and dedicates itself to some innate purpose. Single cells, microbes, plants, insects, animals—every being makes its own unique contribution.” — Julie J. Morley “I get inspiration from a lot of things around me – nature, hills, … More Power of Design
“Happiness is a warm puppy.” — Charles M. Schulz “Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail.” — Kinky Friedman * * * Puppy Love: : All tuckered out after a romp on the Cape Cod beach, 12-week-old Golden Retriever Sandy rests on the shoulder of his … More Puppy Love
“When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.” —A.D. Williams “When we adopt a dog or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do … More A Dog’s Life
“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” —J.M. Barrie When the swallow sings A wonderful thing Spring chance Graceful tapered wings Aerial flight, feathered king Sky dance A wonderful thing When the swallow sings Romance * * … More Swallows
“The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” — M.K. Clinton “They motivate us to play, be affectionate, seek adventure and be loyal.” — Tom Hayden Family member, best buddy and playmate, loyal and affectionate friend, that’s Bella! * * * Bella — Watercolor … More Best Buddy
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 