022317: Objects

Definitely an odd assortment this week.

What unites today’s selections is that the subjects are all objects found in my studio.

As a little exercise, I decided to focus on some of these most familiar things that I see every day.

Over the years much of this has become background “wallpaper.”

So, with the impending move to my new studio, I thought I’d record some of these impressions (before all is packed up).

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This last image is a wonderful example of the beauty and order of nature. On top is a contemporary sea urchin. On the bottom is a piece of honeycomb coral that is almost 400 million years old.

Thanks for the visit.

0331: Natural History

Today I have more from the Florence Museum of Natural History – mammals, entomology and paleontology in particular.

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Last Fall a friend gave me a couple of hornets’ nests. They had been hanging in her barn for years. She thought I might find them interesting (which I did) and passed them along to me to explore (which I am). These are my first attempts. (Thanks Dorian).

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This last image is a mixed media piece of mine entitled “Primordia.” I have been working on a drawing project for the past nine months or so and this will be the first time one will be displayed. It hangs at the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum in the active members show opening this Saturday 4-6 pm.

Thanks as always for the visit.

0218: Notes From Florence – Nature’s Designs

Amazing design is everywhere in this fine city, from buildings to manhole covers. Thanks to the folks at the Museum of Natural History, though, I have been able to explore design of a different kind – that of the natural world.

Back home I explore the natural world in the rocks and fossils around me, the mushrooms (lately), plants, etc. But here I’ve had the most fortunate experience of exploring some of the museum’s aged and treasured collections.

Of course, I begin with fossils.This one below is an interior section of a sea urchin dating back to the Miocene Epoch some fifteen million years.

And next, a contemporary sea urchin in close-up.

From the same collection (echinoderms) come the following two Heliasters, more commonly known as sea stars.

Next, from the Reptile collection is a detail of a chameleon.

And from the Entomology collection come the following three images, starting with a mantis…

…followed by a beetle…

…and ending with butterflies.

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I could go on and on with wonders from the museum but I must continue with some of the sights in the streets.

Seems like turning every corner in Florence brings you to interesting and unusual street art. I hope you like some of these examples.

And, finally, after walking and walking and walking (this city is all about walking) a relaxing break in a local park provided me with this view. Gray, moody skies dominate Florence this time of year (always so much more interesting for shooting, I think).

Thanks for the visit.