Golden Cluster

Golden Cluster - Image c 2011 Lynda Lehmann
 

I wasn't going to post to my blog today, but I was so impressed with these roses that I saw on my walk that I wanted to share them with you!

I hope everyone has had a good day.  It's going to be sweltering here on Long Island for the next few days, with high humidity, so it may be my last walk until a cold front moves in!

All images and text on this blog are copyrighted material, and may be used only with written permission, except where syndication rights have been granted. All other rights reserved. Please visit my primary site at http://www.lyndalehmann.com/gallery if you would like to see my acrylic paintings and more of my photography and digital art. I hope you enjoyed your visit to my blog!

Today's Photo: Red Glory

Red Glory - Image c Lynda Lehmann

The tulip shows her glory in the curve and sweep of her petals, and exuberant crimson. She reaches towards the light in awesome grace, releasing life force into the wind on her tiny pollen spores. She teaches us to regard grace and beauty with both passion and respect.

All images and text c Lynda Lehmann. If you would like to view more of my art or make a purchase, please visit Lynda Lehmann Painting and Photography or my gallery at Imagekind, where you can choose from several sizes and paper types or buy my prints plain or matted and framed.

Basking in the Light of Spring

First Crocuses on the Sunny Side of the Building
Image c Lynda Lehmann

Ever notice how sunlight seems to bring everything alive? In darkness, we see nothing. It's almost as if reality vanishes and our imaginations replace the world of every day. During night-time, we become more subjective. Our anxieties may come out to play havoc with our moods. Dreams flourish, along with the memories, wishes, perceptions, and fears that are embedded in them.

Thank goodness for the light, that makes all things real. The light of day is so reassuring. Perhaps it's because it's ingrained in us that we need the sun to live on this planet. Not only for warmth and energy, but for the viability of the food chain.

I believe we can also create our own light. It's not as potent as the light of the sun, nor as far-reaching. But our creativity can light the world, for ourselves and others.

When is the last time you made a point of encouraging someone's creativity? Do you have a partner, friend, student, or neighbor whom you have spurred on to the personal power that's part of inner-directedness and self-actualization? What is life, but the endless and ongoing challenge to master ourselves and shine our light into the darkness?

Many of us will be celebrating one holiday or another in the coming week. Some of us may just be celebrating the advent of spring. Whatever our culture, position, belief or creed, wherever we are:

May each of us live this week with
peace in our heart,
peace in our mind,
peace in our spirit.

The responsibiltiy to transform the world
begins with us.

Wishing you joy and light!

All images and text c Lynda Lehmann. If you would like to view more of my art or make a purchase, please visit Lynda Lehmann Painting and Photography or my gallery at Imagekind, where you can choose from several sizes and paper types or buy my prints plain or matted and framed.

A Hint of the Wild Places: Dimensions of Opulence and Mystery

A Hint of the Wild Places

Dimensions


Opulence


The fullness and fertility of early summer are evident in every blossom and in this lush rose.

Above, green leaves frame this vibrant blossom beautifully, and hint at secret dimensions.

At the top, a Monarch perches on a sunlit wildflower. Nature is always beautiful in form, color and glowing light, even if the butterfly you want to capture won't cooperate by standing still!

Flowers are the sexual parts of plants, but they are more than that. New dimensions to explore, the intricate architecture of nature to revel in, symbols of the season of growth and fertility, the magic of color and scent in our universe. Perhaps most importantly, they play a significant role in the food chain.

Blossoms are full of that alluring mystery that gives us little shivers--the recognition of something miraculous going on in the process of nature's unfolding.

Here on Long Island, we've been blanketed by a dirty crust of ice and snow for a couple of weeks now, with unusually chilly temps and a cutting rawness to the air. So I wanted to do a post that would remind us all of spring!

All images and text c Lynda Lehmann. If you would like to view more of my art or make a purchase, please visit Lynda Lehmann Painting and Photography or my gallery at Imagekind, where you can choose from several sizes and paper types or buy my prints plain or matted and framed.

Harmony

Just like the complementary colors (magenta and green) in the quietly unfolding leaves of this beautiful plant, the human soul is capable of great harmony. In a meditative state of mind, peace and affirmation may become as real and present as the unassuming, quiet glory of this foliage. Image c Lynda Lehmann.

All images and text c Lynda Lehmann. If you would like to view more of my art or make a purchase, please visit Lynda Lehmann Painting and Photography or my gallery at Imagekind, where you can choose from several sizes and paper types or buy my prints plain or matted and framed.

Flowers, Flowers, Everywhere....

I try to walk every day that weather and time permit. With each walk I enjoy the air, the sunlight, and views of hills and trees. Our neighborhood looks out at a harbor and Long Island Sound, as so many North Shore neighborhoods do, and the glint of water is never far away. I always come home feeling great, having imbibed in a bit of air and exercise, and lots of beauty.

What makes my walks really special is when I remember to take my camera along. Right now I have a SONY digital-SLR and it's a bit heavy. But it's worth the work of toting it in the hope of grabbing some good nature or garden shots as I go. Sometimes I take my monopod, but that gets in the way at least as often as it's helpful. I'm sure that one of these days I'll trip on it outright, and go flying down one of the steep hills here, camera still in hand. Be that as it may, every find of a beautiful object or scene is a gift, and if I manage to get a decent photo of it, the gift keeps giving. I feel very rich to have my passion fulfilled and the camera putting so much joy in my life, on a regular basis.

All the above shots except for the purple and white orchids were taken just in the past three days, as I labored up and down the hills of my small town, searching for window pots and hedgerows close enough to the street to photograph. I hope you enjoy them, as I'm enjoying sharing them with you!

All the above images are or will be available at Lynda Lehmann Painting and Photography or you can buy them framed at Imagekind, should you be interested in purchasing them.

Ethereal

"Ethereal" Image c Lynda Lehmann

Petals clasp sweet sunlit air.

Roots reach deep to suckle Grace.

Graceful tulip drinks her love, grateful for

dear Earth's embrace.

Poem c 2008 Lynda Lehmann

Serendipity was finding this majestic tulip in my garden, upon returning home from a walk. I ran to get my camera and caught it just a minute before shade enveloped it, swallowing all the gorgeous highlights. Only a day later, this beautiful bloom was past its glory. But what a glorious flower it was! The photo is from last year, but since we're not having much in the way of blooming here yet, except for crocuses and hyacinths, I'm posting it to celebrate spring. It's the perfect time to find renewal in both nature and in ourselves. I hope you enjoy my photo and poem and I wish you a happy, healthy, and creative spring!

Text and photo c Lynda Lehmann. "Ethereal" is available for purchase at Lynda Lehmann Painting and Photography or you can buy it framed at Imagekind.

Warmth in February

Spending an afternoon in a greenhouse can take us away--as far away as the tropics. It's a great way to escape the winter blues! Although today wasn't bad, here in the Northest USA, for a winter afternoon. Bright sunshine and around fifty degrees, and very uplifting after many gray and gloomy, damp and raw days.

I thought I'd publish these orchid photos which I took today at our local arboretum, to give you a taste of warm, exotic places. Hope you've had a great weekend!

Opening to the Light

This is an orchid, but it reminds me of an iris in the way its petals unfold. At least I know what THIS flower is! (or so the sign at the arboretum said...)

Image c 2007 Lynda Lehmann, available at http://www.lyndalehmann.com/ and soon at Imagekind!

Thanks for visiting! I wish you a peaceful evening, and dreams of great beauty.

Like Butterflies

I love the way the light in this shot brings out the dimensions of these tiny, delicate flowers and the way they float like a petal-constellation (or butterflies) in space. Nature gifts us with wonderful surprises each day, even in our own backyards! Image c Lynda Lehmann.

If you would like to see more of my work, please visit www.LyndaLehmann.com

Ablaze

This rose seems to glow as if it holds the sunlight within. Isn't it amazing how light literally and figuratively brings things to life, gives life?

Image c Lynda Lehmann. Matted archival print available in several sizes. Thank you for looking at my work. Please visit http://www.lyndalehmann.com/ if you would like to see more of it!

Or purchase this image framed at http://lyndalehmann.imagekind.com/

My Apology to Everyone...And the Latest Twist

This morning I was embarrassed to report my discovery that I seemed to have nominated myself for the "Blogger's Choice Award"for Best Photography Blog. I had gone to the site to see who had nominated me, and indeed, I must have clicked a button or link to nominate myself. So my excitement turned to dismay, I was embarrassed by my mistake, and I apologized to those who had taken the time to vote for me.

Now I've read (after all this) that self-votes are invited and okay, so I'll leave the badge on my page. Maybe all of us with multiple sites need to slow down and read the fine print more carefully! Thanks for your understanding and if you vote for my blog, thanks for your time in doing that!

"Iridescent Blue" is available at www.lyndalehmann.com. Image c Lynda Lehmann. All rights reserved.