Twice the River: An Autumn Encounter with Reflections in Still Water

Twice the River - Image c Lynda Lehmann

This view of a stream in the White Mountain National Forest on a still and sunny afternoon, pulled me in.  The reflections are as mesmerizing as the scene itself, giving one twice the natural beauty to ponder.  Reflections on a still, watery surface bring up many thoughts for me: multi-dimensionality, transience versus permanence, the possibility of parallel universes, the world as patterns of light, the nature of reality. And certainly, the ever-changing countenance of our natural world.  Infinity....

I could lose myself in the deep woods for hours, if not days.  Just being there is for me, a peak experience.  Joyful encounter, there for the taking.  Or should I say: "par-taking," as there is no element of plundering or stealing in my encounter.  Except for taking home photographs, of course, which preserves the experience through time.

To find such beauty and joy: what serendipity!

All images and text on this blog are copyrighted material, and may be used only with written permission by the author/artist, except where syndication rights have been granted. All other rights reserved. Please visit my primary art site www.lehmann.myexpose.com/gallery if you would like to see my paintings and more of my photography and digital art.

Drinking the River, Touching the Mist

To the Far Horizon - Image c Lynda Lehmann 2010

Solstice Flow - Image c Lynda Lehmann 2010

I turn my face towards the descending mist. I feel its softness on my skin. Barely visible--both gossamer and fleeting--it hovers between the downcast sky and pungent earthy realms. Its delicate power transforms the forest into Chambers of Joy, humming with life process, inspiring and humbling me.

Oh Cathedral of Grace, full of scent and motion, press the moisture of life gently to my cheeks as it anoints the oaks, pines and hemlocks with sweetness, making them supple and new, coaxing shimmering manes of fresh growth.

I am intimate with the river. Fervently I soak in the reverberating tides, those mysteries translucent but steady. Eddies of lace, pathways of stone, forge ahead in your yin-yang dance of ages.

I walk enchanted through verdant halls, wanting for nothing. I am as complete as the damp patch of earth under my feet, swelling with emerging life.

The Sacred Grounds rise to my consciousness as the Perfection of the Universe.

Rush - Image c Lynda Lehmann 2010

Sacred Meeting of Water and Stone - Image c Lynda Lehmann 1010

All images and text on this blog are copyrighted material, and may be used only with written permission by the author/artist, except where syndication rights have been granted. All other rights reserved. Please visit my primary art site www.lyndalehmann.com if you would like to see my paintings and more of my photography.

Birch Over Water

Birch Over Water - c Lynda Lehmann

Serenity is where we look for it.

A white birch with fresh spring leaves, reflected in a Maine river, offers a moment's tranquility.

Image 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.

Envisioning a Web of Light

Web of Light - Image c Lynda Lehmann

Today was gray--a raw, damp, winter day. The solid stripes of snow slathered on the north sides of all the trees we saw along the roads we drove, had not yet melted or been blown off the bark by the wind. The dirty but otherwise undisturbed snow-cover gave the landscape a formidable look, reduced to a blatant, cold contrast of black and white. It was a day bereft of color and warmth. Snow and ice-sheathed and chilly, without a trace of color to behold in sky or forest, without the generous wafting scents or caressing breezes of spring.

Old Man Winter really is a stingy curmudgeon! I had to close my eyes to find an image that was warm and inviting, and I remembered summer days spent dangling ankles in river water and staring into endless reams of light thrown upon the lake by the nurturing sun. I came home and had to upload this image, to remind us all that warmer, more gentle and affirming days are on their way....

Impressionistic images like this are among my favorites. I could spend hours or days filling my "cup of beauty" with the shimmering patterns of sunlight on water and the pebbles underneath.

Image and text copyright Lynda Lehmann. All rights reserved.

If you would like to view 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.

Inklings of the Sublime

Magical World - c Lynda Lehmann 2009

Shimmer - c Lynda Lehmann 2009

Waterscape IV - c Lynda Lehmann 2009

Web of Light - c Lynda Lehmann 2009

I had such a wonderful nature experience this past summer, that I feel it has not only enriched me, but actually transformed me. I'm not a calm person. But the more I opened myself to the patterns and textures all around me, the calmer I felt. It was as if the serenity of the ENDURING THINGS just oozed into my pores, all the way to my soul. I felt warmed and comforted. The more I looked, the more I saw. And the calmer I felt.

I filled up on the great "Cup of Beauty" that is our world, and have made using my senses into a sort of mantra. On college campuses, back in the sixties, the motto was "Tune out and turn on." I never felt that was the way to go, and I'm more sure of it than ever. My mantra is "Pause to receive, rejoice, and BE." I believe that the ubiquitous beauties of the world can lead us to transcendence, if we open our hearts. All we have to do is pause and focus. Very simple.

The sunlight or clouds playing on the lake surface and the infinite forms, colors, and patterns of lichen, are just a couple of examples of the natural beauty that astounded me. I feel spiritually rich.

I'd love to hear about some of the details of nature that fascinate you!

All images and text copyright Lynda Lehmann. All rights reserved.

If you would like to view 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.

The River Wakens

Morning on the River - c 2009 Lynda Lehmann

River stirs to morning light.

She yawns, and stretches--sleek silver-blue--

past distant field and copse.

Though smoothly, she quickens,

unfolds to light,

flowing past verdant hills and tawny ledges,

in glimmering contentment.

In the Shade of the Far Bank - c 2009 Lynda Lehmann

Text and images c 2009 Lynda Lehmann. Please visit me at www.lyndalehmann.com if you would like to see more of my photos, digital art, and abstract expressionist paintings.

Wading in the Primordial Pool, Bear Road, and Other Sights from Maine

Occasionally we are presented with a particular view or glimpse of nature that seems to tap on the universal stream of human history, consciousness, and striving. For me, the primordial pool is such a place: it evokes memories, longing, and dreams for the future. Taken at Diana's Baths in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Image and text c Lynda Lehmann.



A father and his young daughter revel in this beautiful, refreshing and exciting natural environment. The different configurations of boulders at Diana's Baths make the water cascade in so many patterns and rhythms, each with a different sound that together, create a symphony. Nature has many voices and projects its magic into every nook!



Both the fields in the foreground and the mountains unfolding in the distance, are bathed in the yellows and oranges of a brilliant and inspiring sunset. Taken in the Lakes Region of Maine.



The surface of this tree, pecked, furrowed, and encrusted with mossy bark, makes an interesting topography. To me it looks like vast tracts of rolling hills punctuated with river and forest. Part of "The Living Surface" series.



Several recent reports of a black bear mother and four cubs make walking down this country road a bit less appetizing! Though it would be fascinating to see them, a mother with her cubs in the vicinity is more likely to attack. Appetizing for the bears, maybe....


If you would like to view more of my art or make a purchase, please visit Lynda Lehmann Painting and Photography or my galleries at My Imagekind Gallery or My Artist Rising Gallery, where you can buy my prints plain, or matted and framed.

As we all know, life takes over and there are times when blogging has to be put on the back burner. I think this is only the second or third time I've posted in that many months. I have yet to write my Roadside Ramblings post, but I thought I'd at least share these images with you. They're all recent uploads to my art sites and I just grabbed the captions. I'm still behind on awards and other blogging matters, but I think that what matters the most is to post and stay in touch with other bloggers. I've missed my blogging friends and hope you've all had a happy and creative summer. Ours has passed in a hail of steady, heavy rain and messy construction activities!

Amber

Bright pebbles under the crystal clear, rippling water of a mountain stream, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I can't help but feel serene when I gaze at changing patterns of sunlight and pristine flowing water. Image c Lynda Lehmann.


Feel free to ask about available sizes, if you're interested in owning this print! You can find it for sale at www.lyndalehmann.com