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I have always been one who liked learning.  I suppose it’s in my genes since both of my parents were teachers, my maternal Grandfather was a chemist, and my paternal Grandfather was a poet.  I was one of those kids who actually liked school, especially once I got into college and graduate school.  I probably could have been a lifelong student if there was a way to make a living at it.  I can still think of half a dozen things, probably more, that I wouldn’t mind studying.  So it’s no surprise that I like taking classes and tutorials, and I have learned a lot by taking many of them.  I also like learning as I go through everyday life, and one of the things I have really enjoyed is learning more about nature and photography.

Nature has always interested me, so when I took my first art class and discovered that I actually could draw, it wasn’t surprising that many of my compositions had something to do with nature or wildlife.  When I started taking nature photos, it was mainly to have my own reference images for drawing, but I discovered that I really liked doing photography.  But in order to get images that were good enough quality to print and share, I had some learning to do.  I dove into nature photography by taking classes, and getting outside as often as possible to practice, practice, practice.  I read published articles and put into play the things that made sense to me (I try most things I read about.  Some are helpful, and some are not).  I’m most definitely still learning and still practicing.

Once I decided that my work was getting decent, I decided to start my nature blog.  There was also very much a learning curve, there.  Just learning how to use the software took some time.  I started out doing species profiles every single day, and there was no shortage of new and interesting species to write about, but with time, I learned two things.  First, each species profile required a lot research to write, and between the research and the writing, it was becoming very time consuming.  The other thing was that I was writing too much!  People weren’t reading the posts because they were just too long.  So I decided to cut back on the profiles.  I now usually just present basic facts or interesting and unusual facts, and focus more on the story of the images.  That also allows me to show the same species more than once if there is an interesting story to tell.  Again, I’m still learning.

All in all, the last few years have been (and continue to be) an incredible learning experience.  I’ve learned to take better photos.  I’ve learned an amazing amount about many types of our local flora, fauna, and habitats.  I’ve learned to write better, more interesting blog posts.  And I have loved it every step of the way.  I look forward to continuing to learn, and that is a big part of what fuels my passion for nature photography and fine art.

In our bustling lives, nature's mercy often goes unnoticed. Yet, it surrounds us, offering solace, healing, and forgiveness. Nature's mercy is a powerful force that reminds us of our interconnectedness and the importance of nurturing our relationship with the natural world.  Many people don’t see the mercy of nature, but rather a dog eat dog type of world.  It takes a deeper look and a connection for many to notice it.

Nature extends its merciful touch to those seeking solace. A stroll through a serene forest, the gentle rustling of leaves, waves breaking on the beach, or the soothing sound of a babbling brook can provide much-needed respite from the chaos of daily life. It surrounds us in its calming embrace, allowing our worries to dissipate and our souls to find peace.

Nature teaches us the art of forgiveness and regeneration. After a destructive storm, it rebuilds, rejuvenates, and offers new beginnings. It reminds us that even in the face of adversity, there is always hope and the possibility of renewal. In fact, many habitats require occasional destructive forces to keep them healthy.  Nature's mercy invites us to forgive ourselves and others, allowing room for growth and transformation.

Nature's mercy is a reflection of its profound interconnectedness. It treats all living beings with equanimity, offering sustenance and shelter to every creature. It teaches us the value of compassion, reminding us that we are part of a greater whole. When we embrace nature's mercy, we strengthen our bond with the world around us.

As recipients of nature's mercy, it becomes our responsibility to protect and preserve it. By practicing sustainable living, advocating for conservation efforts, and fostering a deep respect for the natural world, we ensure that future generations can also experience the grace and mercy of nature.

Nature's mercy is an invaluable gift that we often overlook. By acknowledging its presence and embracing its lessons, we can cultivate a harmonious relationship with the natural world. Let us open our hearts to the grace of nature's mercy and work together to safeguard the interconnected web of life that sustains us all.

Yesterday I was reading a post on Instagram written by a fellow photographer and blogger that I follow. Like me, she loves wildlife and nature (especially birds) and she lives in a lovely area on a mountain in Queensland, Australia. Her post yesterday was about having a flock of eleven galahs that came to her feeding station earlier in the day.  If you aren’t familiar with the galah, it’s a pink and grey cockatoo that is absolutely gorgeous and probably my very favorite bird in the world.  Her photos were great, and I was happy for her to have had such a wonderful experience.  But a little bit of me was also kind of jealous.  I found myself thinking, “why can’t I live in a cool place like that, with awesome and interesting wildlife all around?”.

I think that we have all felt that way once in awhile.  I also think it’s easy to start feeling like whatever is around you is ordinary; especially when you have lived there for many years, like I have.  Later yesterday afternoon I began writing my own post for my own blog, and I realized, this is actually an incredible area to live in.  The post I was working on centered around a little trip I took out to a cattle egret rookery that’s about a fifteen minute drive from my house.  How many people are lucky enough to have something like that so near?  Not many, I’d venture.  That got me thinking about an older post I made about rounding a corner on my small dirt road and finding a white tail doe and her fawn on the edge of the woods by the road.  And I won’t soon forget seeing a swallowtail kite perched in the top of a snag, enjoying the sunrise on a different morning.  I have bobcats, foxes, gopher tortoises, opossums, armadillos,  and raccoons living just behind my home in the Gothe State Forest.  I live on a property with numerous long leaf pines, an endangered species, and I can literally walk to the back of my property and hike trails in a State Forest.  Not many people can say that!  Manatees, river otters, wading birds, and beaches are only an  hours drive away, along with many other state and national parks.  Yes, I am truly blessed to live where I do!

And actually, I am doubly blessed.  I think that I’m extremely fortunate to live here among all this beauty and all these amazing wild creatures, and even if I got nothing else from it, I would be blessed.  But I am also lucky enough to be incredibly inspired by what surrounds me.  It fuels my creative juices, cures my ills, relaxes me, and keeps me sane.  It helps to keep me healthy and fit as I get older and keeps my mind functioning and engaged.  I hope that each and every one of you can feel the same way about where you live.  We all want different things out of life, but if you’re not happy about your surroundings, you can’t be happy about much of anything else. 

Humans have an inherent and profound connection with the natural world. Throughout history, our lives have been intertwined with nature, and this bond continues to shape our well-being and sense of belonging. In this article, we delve into the deep-rooted connection between humans and naturalism and explore the significance of embracing and nurturing this relationship.

From the earliest civilizations to the modern era, humans have relied on nature for sustenance, shelter, and inspiration. However, our connection with nature goes beyond mere survival. There is a spiritual and emotional aspect to our relationship with the natural world that resonates within most of us.

Nature has a unique ability to awaken our senses, calm our minds, relieve stress and uplift our spirits. The serene beauty of a sunrise, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing on the shore, and the vibrant colors of a blooming flower can evoke a profound sense of awe and wonder. Studies have shown that exposure to nature reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances overall well-being.

Moreover, our connection with nature extends to our identity and cultural heritage. Many indigenous cultures view themselves as an integral part of the natural world, with deep reverence for the earth, water, plants, and animals. Recognizing and honoring this connection can foster a greater sense of environmental stewardship and a desire to protect and preserve our natural resources.

In a fast-paced and technology-driven world, where nature is often overlooked or forgotten all together, reconnecting with nature is vital for maintaining balance and harmony in our lives. Spending time outdoors, engaging in activities like hiking, birding, camping, gardening, or simply sitting under a tree, allows us to reconnect with our roots and tap into the healing power of nature.  For many of us, this is highly restorative.

As humans, our connection with naturalism runs deep within our DNA. Embracing and nurturing this connection has the potential to enhance our well-being, inspire creativity, and promote a sustainable future. Let us honor and protect this bond with the natural world, for it is through nature that we discover our true essence and find solace in the beauty that surrounds us.

Another one of those phrases that is often used in the art world is the “artistic process”.  Taken literally it means how an artist goes about creating their works of art.  You can take this to mean from the first stroke of paint on the canvas to the final framing, or from first inception to final framing, but either way, it’s really so much more.  Each artist has their own artistic process and each of us is influenced by many, many factors.  These can include how we find our motivation, how we view the world, what we have going on in our lives at the time, who our teachers have been, etc.  In other words, our artistic process is influenced by our artist’s journey.

My personal process is heavily influenced by nature and my natural surroundings.  When I was very young my parents used to bundle the three of us (myself and two brothers), our dogs, and some primitive camping supplies into our Volkswagen Beetle and take off on road trips all over the United States.  When we first started doing this we didn’t even have a proper tent, just a sheet that was stretched from the car to some poles.  We sometimes stayed in campgrounds, but often we camped out in the wilderness.  We had quite a few very interesting adventures.  At the time, I had no idea that not everyone did things like this and I believe that these experiences were the basis of my love for nature and the natural environment.

Also having grown up in a family where we always had pets (of many varieties) around gave me a deep love and understanding of animals and their behavior.  My parents taught us early on that animals were not just possessions to be kept for as long as convenient and then disposed of.  That just like people, they needed to be loved, cared for, and cherished.  They were a part of our family.  So with this background (very much a part of my artist’s journey) it’s not surprising that my process usually starts with some outdoor time.  Sometimes it planned, but frequently it isn’t, and many of my best experiences out in nature have happened during trips that weren’t meant to be nature experiences at all (a trip to the grocery store or going to and from work).  When I see something out in nature or have an experience, I usually know right away that it’s going to make me want to create, but sometimes things have to marinate in my head and they come to me in the oddest places, like in the shower or during a workout.  Sometimes while trying to write a blog post!

Once the idea is in my head, I have to decide how to execute it.  Do I want to do a drawing or a panting?  What medium should I use?  Color or black and white?  These things I do tend to plan out, but one nice thing about a plan with just yourself is that the plan can change, and most of the time it does as the work progresses.  Very rarely does something turn out as I originally envisioned it.  And even finishing a piece is a part of my process.  Being a bit of a control freak and a perfectionist, I often have difficulty deciding when a piece is done.  I see one more spot to touch up, one more area that needs more texture, or sometimes I’m happy, but just not completely satisfied.  Learning to say “it’s done” is definitely still an ongoing process.

One more thing I should say before I decide this piece is done, is that this is my basic process.  Obviously, it can vary somewhat from piece to piece and from day to day.  I’m sure that many of you have similar processes that you go through when creating your art.  I would love to hear from you.  Let me know how you like to work.  Are you spontaneous or are you a planner?  Is this true each step along the way or do you do both?  Does your process vary with the type of piece?  I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts.  In the meantime, I hope you’re having a great day and enjoying both your artists journey and your artistic process.

One thing I frequently hear fellow artists talk about is the “artistic journey”.  When I first started out doing artwork, many years ago, I really didn’t understand what they meant.  I thought maybe they meant the way their work changed with time or their personal story of artistic development.  Or maybe they just meant the process of entering, preparing, and getting to the show itself.  I would just smile and nod.  It took me many years, and my own journey, to understand that it really means all of those things, and so much more.

For each of us, the journey is different.  We come from different backgrounds, with different interests, different educational opportunities, and varying levels of support and mentoring.  Art in general and our own Art mean different things to each of us.  Some of us (like myself) dabbled at an early age and went on to do other things for a good bit of our lives.  Of those, some continued to dabble (I have always used my art as a means of relaxation after a stressful work day), while others pushed it aside for years, but then were drawn back to it for some reason.  Others knew very early on that they wanted a career in art and worked full time plus to perfect their craft.  Some took time to raise children and take care of a family.  All of these various paths (and the oh so many more) reflect in our Art one way or another.  This is the artistic journey.

And the journey is never ending.  Each new day brings new experiences, new interactions, and new events into our lives, all of which influence our thinking and our art.  This is the artistic journey.  Sometimes it’s little things, like the first time you noticed how beautiful and delicate a butterfly is in the early morning sun.  Sometimes it’s huge things like a death or a wedding, a new job, a move, or a birth.  This is the artistic journey.  I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m enjoying mine, and I look forward to seeing what’s down that path.  Both the good and the bad.  I wish you all an amazing artistic journey!

Nature's allure is a constant reminder of the profound beauty that surrounds us. From the majestic mountains to the gentle rustling of leaves, nature captivates our senses and touches our souls. Beyond its breathtaking landscapes, nature holds the power to inspire, invigorate, and awaken the creativity within us.

1. Finding Solace in Nature: Amidst the chaos of daily life, nature offers solace and respite. Whether we find comfort in a serene forest, a serene lake, or a vibrant garden, nature's tranquility soothes our weary minds and rejuvenates our spirits. It provides a space for reflection, introspection, and deep connection with our inner selves.  There is no better way to relieve the stresses of every day life than spending time outside.

2. A Source of Inspiration: Nature's boundless beauty serves as an endless wellspring of inspiration. Its colors, patterns, and intricate designs ignite our imaginations and fuel our creativity. From the delicate petals of a flower to the sprawling canopy of a forest, nature's artistry urges us to see the world through fresh eyes and find inspiration in the simplest of details.

3. Reconnecting with our Roots: In the embrace of nature, we reconnect with our primal instincts and rediscover our place in the web of life. We witness the interdependence of all living things and the delicate balance of ecosystems. This reminder of our interconnectedness fosters a sense of humility and encourages us to become stewards of the environment.

Nature's beauty and inspiration are gifts that enrich our lives and awaken our spirits. By immersing ourselves in the wonders of the natural world, we find solace, ignite our creativity, and reconnect with the essence of our existence. Let us cherish and protect nature, for it holds the key to our own growth and harmonious coexistence with the world around us.