Kaleidoscope Autumn ...

My Autumn needed some electrifying.  Late night painting ... playing with photographs.  Color your world, right?  Happy Autumn:  Love this time of year =)

"Kaleidoscope Autumn"

 

@2013 Copyrighted Image.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

Music:  "Smoke & Mirrors", By Lifehouse 

Lightening Strikes Twice ....

Photo art render of a recent photograph taken while visiting home.  While it was nice to visit with family, the parched North Texas landscape really tugged at my heartstrings.  So much loss due to drought.  I had told my family that I'd bring the rain, so prevalent here in the Pacific Northwest, with me when I visited and I'm happy to say that I delivered ; )

"Lightening Strikes Twice"

 

@2013 Copyrighted Photograph.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

 



We are living in a material world ...

We are living in a material world ... Well, most of us are, on multiple levels. 

"We are living in a material world?"

I have to wonder, at some point, don't you have to ask yourself:  what is the illusion and what is truly real?

Without Limit ....

"In the Garden"
@2012 Copyright Photograph.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

"The Soul has a canvas which transcends space-time."

~Isabelle Black Smith

 

.

Window Into Unseen Worlds ....

  

 

"Handstand Penguin"

 

@2013 All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith

...

Sky's on FIRE!

"We are all connected"

@2010 Copyrighted Image: Isabelle Black Smith.  All Rights Reserved.

Figured my page here could use a bit of color.  Revisiting one of my favorite summer sunsets.  Clouds up here are definitely alive!  I love looking up; finally warm enough to lay in the cool grass and day dream.  God writes his messages in the sky, I think.  Well, wherever you happen be in your life: just remember you're not alone ... somehow we are all connected.  Scenes like this one remind me of this 'connectivity' we all share.  God Bless and Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there!   ~M


P.S.  Praying for the workers who lost their lives --and families left behind-- in recent building collapse of a factory in Bangladesh.  I am a bit slow getting news when I shut myself off to focus on writing.  May God Bless them, one and all.  I sincerely hope all companies choosing to do business with clothing factories in this country do sign-on to support the new safety standards and inspections.  Last I have heard, Walmart --here in the U.S.-- is holding out because of cost concerns to their bottom line.   Don't think Walmart will be getting anymore of my business should they choose not to support this life-saving initiative.

Farewell to Autumn & Happy Thanksgiving!

Sadly, I think the last of Autumn's fiery display has now blown away.  Always hate to see Autumn go; it's my favorite time of year ... ripe with hope and possibilities.  I suppose the fact that winter's icy fingers have begun to take hold also plays a role in my 'sadness' (still flying in Peace & Love though, per my last post =).  I truly dislike being COLD.  The fireplace is my new companion on cold winter nights ... love reading by the fire.  So that's something to look forward to, I suppose. 

Well as the last of Autumn blows away, I still have my photos of Autumn to keep her memory alive.  Here's a painted set of windblown leaves.  Love the fiery, defiant reds in this one!  Enjoy and Happy last of Autumn to you.  Happy Thanksgiving to all those living here in North America as well.  Know it may be difficult in this lousy economy, but try to count your blessings and find reasons to be thankful.  God Bless one and ALL!


Peace & Lots of Love,
~Isabelle

"Kaleidoscope Autum"  ... Peace, Love & Forgiveness blowing in the colorful wind.

 

@Copyrighted Photograph:  Isabelle Black Smith.  October 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

  

 

 

P.S.  I have my desktop background set to this.  So colorful:  I love it!  Feels like a BIG (((HUG))) from Autumn =)  If you download this image for personal use only (not for profit) you can use it too.  My Thanksgiving gift to you =)  (Note: Easy to re-size up or down by % in MS Office photo or other software for optimum display)

 

We Are Spirits in the Material World ...

 

 

 

"We Are Spirits in the Material World"

 

@Copyrighted Image/Photograph, Isabelle Black Smith.  Nov. 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

 

Tempting Fate?

 

 

 

 

...

 

 

 

 

"Tempting Fate" a.k.a. "Against the Wall"

 

 @Copyrighted Photograph 2012.  All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.

Climbing amongst these rocks ... unexpectedly, unprepared.  I had seen something splashing in the water while I was driving by and simply had to stop to see what it was.  I was wearing a 3 inch slip-on wedge shoe, at the time.  I hadn't wanted to slip my sandles off because the rocks had lots of sharp edges and I was afraid I'd cut up my feet.  Waves were pounding into the rock-lined shore as I raced along the rocks at full-speed trying to keep up with the sea turtles and seal I had seen frolicking in the ocean waters.  I probably should have fallen --being the clutz I can be-- but I didn't. Probably should have been swept off the rocks by a stray wave too, but somehow I wasn't.  Angels watching over me? Looking at this photograph painting now, I am sure that you've noticed the horizon isn't level?  Thought about fixing it with a one degree rotation, cropping and painting in the gapped edges of sky left at the top --know this because I am doing just such for another version-- but for the purposes of this post ... the skewed sky slanting toward the shore adds weight to the watery waves crashing into the shore, I think.  And perhaps the slanted sky helps to evoke the "madness" of the tempest stirred when one brave soul dares to tempt fate, thereby adding creedence to the title?


... And given my penchant for being mysterious and hiding, I've hidden my name in here somewhere.  Care to find it?





9/16/2012  Reading back over this ... this photo and its accompanying tale seem a fitting metaphor for my life.  Maybe it's time to slip my sandles off and *@&!* the feet?  Maybe getting swept away wouldn't be so bad after all ... Lord knows I've endured my fair share of falling.





Song:  "Strangers", Cover By Wye Oak (The Kinks)    ... AV Club Undercover Project
(check this video out:  the drummer in here is playing both the drums and the keyboard at the same time.  Talk about talent?!)

A Walk Down to the Beach: Evolution of ART?

Bribed the kids with dinner at one of their favorite take-out places if they would walk down to the beach with me.  So we ate dinner on the beach while watching the waves crash into the shore ... It was an exceptionally windy day today.  Not many sailboats out today, but a stealth speed boat was literally skipping across the wave crests as it sped on by.  The walk down to the beach was good exercise and a nice change of pace.  Something about just being near water ... watching its movement, hearing its song ... is healing to me on a spiritual level.  And of course, I love to change things up, embrace the unexpected and go on new adventures.  Love dragging my digitally entrenched kids along too; although my oldest somehow managed to sneak not only her cell phone, but her iPod as well.

On the way to the beach, of course, I saw numerous photo opportunities (My kids loose patience with me sometimes ; ).  But as I only had my cell phone, I didn't capture much that was useful for the purposes of art.  The following is one of my three photo captures.  As you can see, the center roses were just gorgeous, but the spotted leaves and the scraggly back-drop leave a lot to be desired.

Original Image

@Copyrighted Photograph, 2012. All Rights Reserved.

 

Not to worry, however, this was the perfect opportunity to use my new graphics tablet.  I am still getting used to working with this new tool.  Trying to use my left hand (one I write with), when I am used to "drawing" with a mouse using my right hand (okay, I'm actually ambi-dextrous). Bearing the latter in mind, it probably took me longer than it normally would to do a typical standard photo edit (ie., not too complex) ... and I was just taking my time, enjoying the process while listening to music.  Probably took me about an hour total to do this whole edit, from start to finish.  I cleaned up the original cell phone shot first.

Cleaned-Up Photo Edit

@Copyrighted Photograph, 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Lastly, I decided to paint it a little to add highlights, brush strokes, etc. and make it pop.  This is the final product.  It's pretty simple, whimsical ... but it was a great exercise for me using my new graphics tablet.  Fun to play too =)  So I got to exercise, body, mind and soul today:  A good day, all in all, I'd say. 

"In the Garden ..."

@Copyrighted Photograph, 2012. All Rights Reserved.

Hope you and yours had a great day today too ♥


Peace & Love,

~M

Leap of Faith ...

Late night, last night ... Up after crashing hard for about 2 hours.  Just playing around with old photos to see if any art was waiting to be unlocked.  This is what came out.  Feel free to download and use, print this one if you'd like.  This is the full resolution, canvas size.  I call this one .. "Leap of Fatih."

I can't think of a song for this one?  I'm drawing a complete blank.  Tired today ... If you have any suggestions.  If you leave me a song, I promise to do my best to try and sing along ... Or, I could save you a slow dance ; )

7/12/2012 ... Finally found a song for this ....

Song: "Lights", By Ellie Goulding

It's all a matter of perspective ...

Said it before.  I'll say it again:  "Change your perspective; change your life."  ~Me

"X-ray Tulips"

@Copyrighted Image.  All Rights Reserved.

Guess this was the perfect day to post this image and thought? 

1) Venus crosses the sun for last time in the next 105 years ... (There are lots of great images available on the internet.  See Space.com  and scroll down to bottom of the page to see live images and a digital art render of the event. )

***Remember:  Never Look Directly Into the Sun!!***

2) Moonbow seen in Hawaii ... While a counterbalancing "celestial halo" encircled the sun as seen from view in Florida yesterday.





... The celestial heavens seem to be alive these days.  Perhaps their performances of late will provide you with a newfound source of inspiration.



Peace & Love Always,

~M

Song:  "Kashmir", By Led Zeppelin (live performance 1975)  (shortened)

Song: "Kashmir", By Led Zeppelin   (full version)

6/6/2012 ... Footnote:  Sci-fi Author, Ray Bradbury left this life, as we know it, today.  He was 91.  Onto his next great adventure.  Peace & Love to you and yours Mr. Bradbury.

Painting the Blues ...

Painting with my new graphics tablet while listening to some "Blues" music ... Writing to follow shortly.  Just have to get back into that groove again where the words and ideas are flowing.  Hoping "doodling" will help pave the way for the latter.  I just might print the larger version of this on canvas and hang it in my office?


Joyful day to you!



~M

"Tulip Blush"

@Copryrighted Image.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

“A strange truth I have come of late to know of words: Words only breathe to life when the recipient is at last ready for what they have to 'say' to be heard.” ~Isabelle Black Smith

Song: "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", By Eva Cassidy 


... This was one of the very first songs I ever learned to play on my flute. Since then it has always been a favorite for me.  Love Eva Cassidy's voice; she really brings this song to LIFE.

Here's another of my favorites by Eva ... this song just touches me on a spiritual level for some reason.  I find myself swaying to the music and outright dancing by the end of the song : )



Song: "People Get Ready", By Eva Cassidy



6/12/11 ... Love Eva ... Discovered her just after my first daughter was born.  Lauren grew up listening up to Eva sing and by the age of two --she was very verbally advanced for one so little-- she began to sing along.  Lauren's favorite song quickly became "Wade in the Water".  By the time she was three, Lauren could hold her own against Eva with "Wade in the Water" ... Whenever that song came on, Lauren would drop everything, come running and climb up on the coffee table or stand smack in front of the TV --she wanted an audience for her song ; )  Then she would just belt out those Blues for 'her song'... and this at the tender age of three.  Today Lauren has the voice of an angel.  She sings in choirs and has even worked up the courage to do a number of solos.  I am so proud of Lauren.  She is my inspiriation to find my own voice to sing again.  ... Lauren had her final choir concert for the season this evening.  Guess, I was just reminiscing.  Remembering my little Lauren singing the Blues up on her coffee table stage not so very long ago.  Love you, Lauren ♥


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Time in a Bottle & A Box for Wishes ...

@Copyrighted Photo, 2012.  All Rights Reserved:  Isabelle Black Smith.

The Daisy ... A simple flower, one that brings joy, spreads smiles and symbolizes Hope.

The words to this song, "Time in a Bottle", have been playing in my head today for some reason?  I've always loved this song.  I hear it from time to time on the radio, but I could never remember who the artist was.  So tonight, I took some time and found this song on-line.  To me, this is a simple song about the simple blessings in life ... May your blessings come often and be many.  May you never get so caught up in the ways of the world that you forget to stop and count the blessings in your own life.




Peace & Love,
~M





Song:  "Time in a Bottle", By Jim Croce







P.S. Anyone trying to send me a message ... My psychic wires seem to be down these past several days.  Lots of stress and little to no sleep.  If you need me to hear, you'll have to speak loudly ... if not, shout.  ; )

Secrets & Lies??

As a new day --and a new week for that matter-- unfolds, I find myself pondering what this saying truly means ...

"Tell me no secrets; I'll tell you no lies."

Not entirely sure why this thought popped into my head this morning.  Maybe I need coffee? ; )
Guess, I'll just have to see where my pondering leads.  Enjoy the ride, right?

"Color Outside some LINES ..."

@Copyrighted Image.  Use under Creative Commons License

permitted (non-profit) with link back to this page.

Afternoon thoughts unfold ...


I wonder if this saying means that for many of us our truths lie in our secrets? Do constraints --spoken and unspoken-- in today's society make us less likely to show the real us to the world? Is the nod we give to 'conformity' the price to be paid for living in an ordered society? Hence the nature of our duality and struggles within?

It does seem to me that now more than ever --reflecting back on history throughout the ages--  people seem to be so truly lost and afraid. And this at a time when we are supposedly more 'connected' now than ever, yet --if we were honest with ourselves-- I would venture that many of us feel more alone than ever?

I have to wonder if our technology is fueling a trend towards "me-centered" thinking? Our focus in our society seems to be figure out "who you are" ... "what makes you tick" ... "what makes you happy". We're so intently listening to what our inner voice is trying to say that we completely drown out the universal voice -- that which connects us all, a Creator, God ... a Divine Ruling Balance. And I can't help but think that it is this very "me-centered" focus that is making us so unhappy and perpetuating this unspoken "loneliness" ... With all the me-speak in self-help and new age thinking, people assume they just must not be searching hard enough ... deep enough ... so they try deeper reflection ...more intensity... more "me-thinking" and the result is a no-win downward spiral, maybe?

I'm not saying find religon here ... in fact, I seem to have lost my own faith in the tennants of man's religion --but that is another discussion entirely. The key to enlightenment, from what I have gleaned thus far, is a falling away from self; it is not a deeper understanding of self.   If there is even a grain of truth in my reasoning, then we as a society are headed 180 degrees in the wrong direction. Sure you have to live with yourself, understand yourself ... but I have found that I often learn more about myself and feel better about myself ... am happier ... when I'm not focusing not so much on me, but rather focusing on the others in the world around me.  I think we maybe need to cut ourselves --and those around us-- a little bit of slack, unplug and embrace the world around us a bit more and in doing so, maybe the light within us will shine just a bit brighter and show us the way ahead ... not within. 

So maybe this saying should mean:  Let your secrets go and just BE ... Life in the moment without the need for any lies.



Song: "Less than Perfect", By PINK

Bring Me to LIFE ...

Lots of rain here these past several, several days.  Normally, I truly don't mind the rain ... Rain can be very refreshing, renewing, invigorating.  I used to love to dance in the rain and splash barefoot through all of the puddles ... Seems I haven't done that in ages? ... The rain here of late, however, seems to really be wearing on me though.  I am EXCITED for Spring and all the blossoming of fabulous colors and textures.  I want to get outside and photograph some of this unfolding beauty, but every time I have time to get out it seems there is rain, rain and more rain.  It's starting to get me down : (  I need some sunshine to breathe new life into me, I think.  At least my words are still flowing, I guess that's something?  Maybe I can't have both words and images at once?

Well in an effort to keep my photographic muscles flexed and in shape, I forced myself to venture out in the drizzle this afternoon.  It wasn't dancing in the rain, but perhaps the next best thing:  I found some interesting blossoms nestled among the backdrop of an evergreen wood, laced with lichen.  Hard to photograph in the rainy drizzle so these aren't much, but beauty lies in the eye of the beholder ...





"Gentle Raindrops Chance ..."  (my favorite photo from this set on my Flickr site)

"Laces of Lichen"

@Copyrighted Photograph.  All Rights Reserved.

"Silent Beauty, Accentuated By Gentle Rain"

@Copyrighted Photograph. All Rights Reserved.

"What distinguishes the artist from the dilettante? Only the pain the artist feels. The dilettante looks only for pleasure in art."

~Odilon Redon, French Painter 1840-1916

Song:  "Bring Me to Life", By Evanescence





P.S.  Some good news ... Seems people have atually been reading a bit here these past two weeks and not just image browsing.  That does help to bring a smile to my face =)  I think that in this day and age of information at our fingertips, we can be overwhelmed with all of the options for input.  It is difficult to be discerning and filter through the mountains of data being presented to you in any given instance when you are 'connected'.  Perhaps that's why I so often 'unplug' and regroup ... helps to reset my priorities and focus.  The latter being said, I do sincerely respect and appreciate people who take the time to stop and actually experience other people's ART ... to pause for a moment and embrace an openess to seeing the world from another perspective, through another's eyes.  Peace & Love to all those willing to pass that way.  ♥

"I just got LOST ..."

"I just got lost.  Every river that I tried to cross ..."  A great song, titled: "Lost", By Coldplay. I think that many in today's world can relate to the ideas behind this song. So what is the secret to being happy on our journey through this world?

For me the secret to staying sane and happy --in the moment-- is to approach life from the standpoint that 'ME' is a very fluid, ever-evolving concept.  I've found that LINES --whether of my own 'artistry' or by the acceptance of those drawn by others in the world around me-- only serve to weigh me down at best and drag me down, to slowly drown, in a worst case scenario. 

If 'ME' is fluid, it kind of forces me to live and experience LIFE in the moment, to slow down and savor the here and now ... I don't have to worry about being contained by that nagging voice  reel running through my head that endlessly wonders "why? or how? or when?" (e.g., '...am I going to get here or there and when?').

If 'ME' is ever-evolving, I remain open to being led by the unseen forces --fate, destiny, seredipity, angels? ... or whatever you happen to believe in--  that bring the unexpected, often good and wonderful things, our way ... my eyes and heart are open to seeing others outside of me as intergral parts to the whole and I can accept that I'm not THE CENTER of everything, but I do have a part to play. I can learn and grow from my mistakes instead of letting them define me.

I'm not so sure that "success in the eyes of the world" truly is the key to happiness.  There seem to be a heck of a lot of lines and hoops to jump through if you sign up for that route.  I don't know, you know me:  always coloring outside the lines ... I'm searching for an alternate route ; ) with some 'flying' along the way and I've  never equated 'success' with materialism.  Seems you're setting yourself up for a fall if you buy into that load of ???? .... The less I own: the freer I am in a spiritual sense, I think.  Of course, every once in awhile, the world with its materialistic bias gets angry with me for not playing by its rules and gifts me a black eye ... but I'm tough and it eventually heals. 

You know sitting here right now --with what I've just written above-- I think that I finally truly understand that saying based on the Bible verse "The first shall be last and the last shall be first." [Matthew 20:16]  I guess, if you're so busy pursuing what it takes to be 'first in the eyes of the world', you're probably likely neglecting the spiritual aspects of your life which will advance you in the next.  And as such, when it comes time to punch your spiritual ticket with points in the after-life for the journey to the next, those who were always first on Earth probably won't be moving up much, if any, in the line of seating preferences. Sadly, I don't think they'll be any upgrades available to purchase in this instance.

Hard work and determination are a given in this world.  I don't think that we should just sit back and wait for life to be handed to us.  We are entitled to pursue our own "Life, liberty and happiness", the operative word here being 'pursuit' ... meaning we have an active role in participation. You have to put a roof over your head, food on the table and provide for your families, but you do have choices about the way that you will choose to do this. Therein lies your power to have some control over opportunities for spiritual growth. Happiness is what you make it: It's ALL a matter of perspective.  So maybe if life doesn't seem to be working for you right now: it's time to change your perspective ... even if it's only for a little while.  Think that's why God invented vacations ; ) ... even if 'vacation' is just taking an afternoon off to go for a drive, a walk or picnic in the park ... just do something that you love.


Well whatever you do, remember that:  Life is an adventure ... Make sure you stop --at least once in awhile-- and ENJOY THE RIDE!!!  Happiness is what you make it, right?

And if you feel LOST and empty, maybe it's time to stop focusing on yourself for awhile and focus on those around you.  When I am hurting the most, I find that by reaching out to and listening to others, to share what little I have with them, truly changes my perspective and gives me back my wings ... but maybe that's just me? ... To my way of thinking, if you want to make a difference in the world: try making it one person at a time and just watch the ripples of ♥Peace and Love♥ that you will create.



With the latter in mind, here is a poem I wrote awhile back that pretty much sums up my philosophy on LIFE.  Well, it's what works for me : )

"Descending Heaven's Steps"

@Copyrighted Photograph: All Rights Reserved.

"Take My Hand and Walk With Me Awhile"


I stand here before you, empty of hand.
Alas, I have nothing tangible to offer.
No past that I can rightly cling to as being my own.
No future to hold onto, nor reason for my being,
Save this here ... this now ... this thought
And a simple wish:
That peace of body, mind and spirit be intertwined
In the momentary making of this knowing that is me.

Ever changing, never fixed, I wonder as I wander
Through this journey, we call "life",
Waiting to be woven into the transitory purpose at hand.
Clear of mind, free of spirit, pure of heart,
I strive only to see the beauty that abounds.
I am an empty vessel waiting to be filled.
Take my hand and walk with me awhile ...



@Copyrighted Poem, 2010. All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.





P.S.  It took me nearly a year to figure out why this statue only has one hand.  That's when this poem fell into place.  The statue only has one hand, because I give the other to you ... whoever you may be as I cross your path, in the moment unfolding at hand.

Games People Play ...

"Games People Play"

Wonder if there is some religion to be found in here?

Song:  "Gates of Istanbul", By Loreena McKennit.  Album: "An Ancient Muse."

Purple Clouds: Genesis

Finally had a moment to review the photos I took at the end of my "Purple Clouds" walk a few days back. The sun had begun its ritual retreat, setting the sky awash with exquisite strokes of lavender welling up from clouds and into the surrounding sky.  Truly a breathtaking sight to behold, especially walking alone in the cold and bitter opening of yet another year's unfolding.  Once I returned back home, I grabbed my camera and took a few quick snaps before the color completely faded into indigo.  Granted there wasn't a lot of light to work with, but I was able to salvage one shot.  The first (below) is the 'original' and the second photo is an art render that I have since titled:  "Genesis."  A fitting title for a new year's unfolding?

"Purple Clouds Brood with Ominous Foreboding"  12_30_2011

@Copyrighted Photo, 2011.  All Rights Reserved.

"Purple Clouds: Genesis"

@Copyrighted Photo, 2011.  All Rights Reserved.

What do think? These clouds definitely appeared to have a will all their own, as they swirled madly about in the lavender-kissed sky ... It was almost as if they did indeed have messages to relay.  It was a most unusual sky to be certain, on a cold and fiercely wind-blown day ... Hence the title of my write from the other night, "Purple Clouds" poem.

Who knows? Maybe these clouds merely portent that mystery and magic await? With a new year's unfolding they arise from a heretofore slumber? ... And on that note:  Venture forth with a bold heart to embrace your new year!



Peace & Much LOVE,
~M





P.S. Today is my "Artist Birthday." My ceremonial observation of my day of "awakening" and rebirth.  It's a healthy way for me to find reasons to celebrate and embrace the new year with a happy heart.  So Happy Birthday to me==Isabelle : )

... A friend's poem today reminds me that children embrace neither 'wisdom' (or lack thereof) nor uncertainty.  They live joyfully in the moment.  Beauty and Truth embodied in purest simplicity.

Illumination ...

I created this painted image from a candlelight photograph that I took a few months back.  I haven't posted it or shared it with a larger audience until now because I wasn't quite sure where it went?  Sitting here today, in the early morning hours the day after Christmas:  I think it belongs here.  So here it is ...

@Copyrighted Photograph, 2011.  All Rights Reserved.

(To Be Titled)

Haven't come up with a fitting title for this painting yet ... Sometimes words alone are just inadequate, aren't they?


1/2/2012 ... Then again, maybe sometimes you just have to wait until you are ready to hear the words?





FIRE

There are old truths that breathe to life in Fire.
Past secrets rekindled in the rebirth of flame.
For all truth lies within the scope of Light
And Fire is one of the oldest elemental rite.
Thus Fire saw man through emergence
From his deepest darkest night.


@Copyrighted Poem, 2012.  All Rights Reserved: Isabelle Black Smith.



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