My Friday Image: Juniper Artland Sculpture, Firmament by Anthony Gormley

Firmament by Antony Gormley

Exposure 2010

This litte poetic ditty was inspired by this wonderful sculpture which I had the pleasure of seeing in all its splendour at Juniper Artland, Wilkieston, Scotland. You may remember that I mentioned this wonderful inspiring Artland before in a much earlier blog post, on the 15th of June 2014.

The Puzzle of Unforgiving Turf

Black space, a jigsaw of blue, confusing skies.

A giant piece of white mystifying lies,

Still we twist, baffle, and turn,

While blackened steel pieces confuse and burn.

My fingers decipher thoughts, raw and aching,

Questioning layers of paint work mercilessly flaking,

I turn to discern the last bewildering step,

I piece the puzzle, too late, the enigma lies cold and wet.

I trip, and fall, unravel, flip an ankle,

In scattered pieces I confusingly entangle,

But there’s no bewildering cuddle,

Just a gap, no cushion, in air’s baffling puzzle.

A pocket of relentless sky and bemused clouds,

Blankets the confused sounds,

As I fall in pieces, scattering, to the perplexed earth,

Triumph hitting the newly solved, but, oh so, unforgiving turf!

Words, and Photo, good or bad, are my very own!

That was such fun!!!! Love poetry, just wish I was better at writing poems. Still, it’s nice to try. Please, if there any poets out there reading this, do give me feedback, I’m looking to improve 🙂

Links:

https://www.jupiterartland.org/

http://www.antonygormley.com/

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February 6, 2015 7

My Friday Winter Images

A yellow leaf sitting on a bed of sparkling snow. Sometimes the most beautiful images are just so simple. It’s the Fifth of December who could possibly believe it, where does time go? I’m sure Father Christmas leaps into the year earlier every winter and steals a bit of time so that he can get on with his job. Cheeky fellow!

I decided that on this first Friday in December that I would post some lovely images of winter for you and myself to enjoy. Thought it would be therapeutic! I’m not a winter person, as soon as the clock goes back a tiny switch inside me goes click, and I become lethargic and grumpy, Seasonal Affective Disorder, no doubt. I love warm weather, blue skies, and the seaside. I live in Cambridge, a beautiful University city but the sea is a bit of a car drive away, and it isn’t warm enough, not for me. Maybe one day I’ll live abroad again, somewhere sunny who knows?

With the change in the clocks I turn into a miserable so and so, with each tick of the clock I become more Scrooge-like. This winter I am battling against the hands of time to boot out the Scrooge in me and launch myself into the spirit of Christmas. Christmas is a double celebration in our house as it is also my eldest daughter’s birthday, so I have to be extra enthusiastic! She was born two weeks early nineteen years ago on the 25th of December. An unexpected but very welcome Xmas present. I ended up eating my Christmas dinner in the delivery ward! My youngest was born exactly on her due date. Two sisters with very different personalities, what can I say? Anyway, I’m digressing a bit, so without further ado here are some wonderful winter images to enjoy.

Let’s start off in a playful mode with this fellow who looks just like Kermit and see where he takes us! He suggested reading a book to escape, what a wonderful idea, always one of my favourite things to do. At the moment I’m reading David Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks, so I’m leaping in and out of a multitude of bodies, travelling through centuries of time. Kermit decided to follow suite and leapt out of the confines of his stone body to go out and play in the snow!

kermit-70118__180 — Kermit, I heart you.

kermit-70115__180 — Kermit on his bum in the snow

After playing in the snow Kermit began to get restless and he remembered some of the wonderful adventures he had experienced while reading. Books take you to incredible places so Kermit wanted to make this journey a really memorable one. An adventure…..

Kermit reckoned that you might like to see an Ice Sculpture? So off we go to…………………….

peace-50056__180 — Ice sculpture Lake Louise Alberta

Just one of many amazing ice sculptures in Lake Louise. Great suggestion Kermit.

We’ve all heard of Cinderella but what about an ice slipper anyone?

A trip to Bryce Canyon?

bryce-canyon-552978__180 — Bryce Canyon, Utah

How about some winter shadows now?

snow-86125__180 — Wonderful winter shadows

winter-430173__180 — Hay Tedders, Hoar Frost

Or spectacular blue skies?

colle-di-fuori-168766__180 — Colle-di-fuori France

Twinkling lights in a winter cabin?

Amazing Artic skies…………..

A sleigh ride anyone?

Or a trip to Canim falls?

canim-falls-436101__180 — Canim Falls, British Columbia, Canada

A touch of frost, and a glimpse of the moon?

Some falling snow?

More falling snow!

What about some winter berries?

Don’t forget the snowman, otherwise his nose might get out of joint.

And our chirpy little friend the robin:

A sleepy doggie too:

Rudolph he’s invited.

And of course Father Christmas too:

Whatever you do this Winter holiday, have fun, and don’t be a grumpy Scrooge!

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canim_Falls

http://www.banfflakelouise.com/Area-Events/Festivals/Winter/SnowDays/Ice-Magic-Festival

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryce_Canyon_National_Park

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December 5, 2014 6

My Friday Image: Started in a Book Tunnel Ended Up In A Library

A Tunnel made out of books! Wonder of Wonders. Imaging crawling through it as it becomes narrower and narrower. Would your thoughts dwindle as you wandered further into its clutches? Or would you linger by the opening and stare in wonder at the sheer size of it? Who knows where this tunnel of books could take you? Anyway, whatever you do don’t pinch any of the books, you’ll spoil the look!

It’s sunny outside. Washing time. Air those books!

If you’ve got time on your hands and you’re feeling romantic? Try your hand at book sculpture.

Or would you prefer something a bit more traditional?

Or fantastical?

john-work-garrett-library-211375__180 — John Work Garrett Library

Maybe you’ve got a thing for rare books? Look no further than the Garrett Library ‘s collection of rare books and manuscripts gathered together over two generations by T. Harrison Garrett and his son John Work Garrett, before the latter bequeathed the collection in 1942 to Johns Hopkins University. Today, it is part of the Department of Special Collections at the university’s Sheridan Libraries, with some 30,000 volumes in all, the large majority of which are represented on-line in the Sheridan Libraries On-line Catalog.

library-443371_640 — Rijksmuseum Library Amsterdam

Library nut? Visiting Amsterdam? Have you been to the Rijksmuseum’s library in Amsterdam? Doesn’t it look incredible?

library-74038__180 — Library of Congress

Or maybe you might consider the US. The library of Congress in Washington D.C. is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in its collections.

Well, I’ve been so distracted with writing this post and finding all these amazing images that I’ve had no breakfast or coffee so with that in mind. I will have to close this off with a few links:

For book sculptures visit these amazing sites:

http://www.sublackwell.co.uk/portfolio-book-cut-sculpture/

http://www.fuckyeahbookarts.tumblr.com

And libraries:

Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/

John Work Garrett Library: http://www.museums.jhu.edu/evergreen.php?section=collections&collection=john-work-garrett-library

20 Most famous libraries in the World: http://www.topdesignmag.com/20-of-the-worlds-most-famous-libraries/

Have you been to any of these amazing libraries? Or found some wonderful book sculptures? If you have please tell me all about it in the comment field below. I’d love to hear your stories. Breakfast awaits!

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November 21, 2014 6

My Friday Image Antelope Canyon Arizona

Let me introduce you to Antelope Canyon. I’m totally captivated by these wonderful photos. The canyons are without doubt one of the most beautiful wonders of the world. I had fun arranging these images into an order, the top few are more shadowed, having less light filtering in than the last. They are all exquisite. Enjoy. Antelope Canyon is located near Page, Arizona, on Navayo, native American tribal land. Antelope Canyon consists of two photogenic slot canyon sections, Upper Antelope Canyon or The Crack; and Lower Antelope Canyon or The Corkscrew. The Navajo call Upper Antelope Canyon Tsé bighánílíní, which means “the place where water runs through rocks.” Lower Antelope Canyon is called Hazdistazí (“Hasdestwazi”) by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department), or “spiral rock arches.” Of the two canyons Upper Antelope canyon is the most frequently visited by tourists. This is because its entrance and entire length are situated at ground level, requiring no climbing. Thank goodness! Like the sound of that! Also, direct beams of sunlight from the openings in the top of the canyon are much more common in the Upper than in Lower canyon. In the summer months these beams occur most often, as the sun is high in the sky. Winter colors tend to be a little more muted. Lower Antelope Canyon is more difficult to visit. Before metal stairways where installed visiting the canyon meant that you had to climb along pre-installed ladders in certain areas. Even after the stairways were installed, it is more difficult to access Upper Antelope as it is longer, narrower in places, and footing is not available in all areas. Not for the faint-hearted or your granny! Also to leave the canyon, the climb out requires several flights of stairs. So for those who enjoy climbing this sounds the one to visit! Despite this Lower Antelope Canyon is still a challenge that many photographers can’t resist, and no wonder as the views are breath-taking. Photography within the canyons is no easy feat due to the wide exposure range (often 10 EV or more) made by light reflecting off the canyon walls. Antelope Canyon is a true photographers dream. Many are attracted to come see this wonder of the world. It has been a source of tourism for the Navajo Nation. Since 1997 it has been possible to access the canyons by tour. The Navajo tribe must be so proud of its status now as the Navajo Tribal Park. Well, I’m so glad that I found Antelope Canyon and made it my Friday image. It really makes you realise how wonderful the world is. What a lovely thought to start the weekend with! Have a fabulous weekend.

If you want to see more I’ve posted a wonderful video of Antelope canyon to my Tumblr, here’s the link to my blog where you can see Jason Ward’s stunning video: http://kyrosmagica.tumblr.com/

Photography courtesy of Pixabay: http://www.pixabay.com

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November 14, 2014 2

My Friday Image: Shadowed Hand Reaches For Autumn Leaf

Sometimes the simplest images are just so interesting. A shadowy hand reaching out to pick up a single leaf, yet the shadow of the hand can’t move the leaf only the physical hand can. One to ponder over. Write about. Would you disturb the leaf or leave it to be caressed by the tender advances of the shadowed hand?

Photo courtesy of http://www.pixabay.com

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October 24, 2014 2