A Novice Desert Mystic

Mystical Light - Lynda Lehmann c 2013

I dance in a translucent dream -- a dream of light and verdure.  Drenched in crystalline sunshine, under high fair-weather clouds that cast their shadows like afterthoughts on distant peaks, I feel the land rolling away from me while it percolates with waves of new life: blossoming and blooming and pouring forth all manner of feathery green after a three-day rain.
I have wandered some Northeast forests and always felt I'd seen plenty of what Beauty there is to behold. But the desert's blazing shades of emerald, amber and gold against distant hills flushed red and glistening in the morning sun, make me ecstatic. Rocky flanks rise under luminescent violet puffs that float above -- coasting, those magnificent clouds that look like great arcs sailing the deep skies -- and I know that I'm in a place that changes me.  The epic fullness of stretching, yawning magnificence in diamond-faceted splendor that unwinds within my view, seems impossible. 
Pointed skeletons of trees and ancient pocked Saguaro Queens, scroungy tufts of yellowed brush and telltale signs of nocturnal burrowing creatures: all cast their net of Intrigue to make me feel spellbound.  I am a novice desert Mystic: I have no need to brush aside the Inklings that make me feel buoyant as those sailing clouds.  I am buoyant with joy at the grandeur of Being.
How can I be so fortunate as to feel I've seen Eden?  The scent, the verdure, the great flowing open space unspoiled by the clatter of urban sprawl, wash my soul.  I stand mesmerized.  And I am content and far more whole than I was yesterday.
All the while, the desert whispers its sacred covenant:  Thou shalt not gain dominion, nor command me. 
And the Garden still grows.

Sea of Beauty - Lynda Lehmann c 2013

Golden Light at Evening-Lynda Lehmann c 2013

Desert Covenant - Lynda Lehmann c 2013

That One Lone Tree - Lynda Lehmann c 2013

Note: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites listed in my sidebar if you would like to see my paintings and more of my photography and digital art, or make a purchase.

My Favorite New Design: Line Play 17 Vivid Abstract

This is one of my new designs applied to Zazzle's cool products.   You can find more gift ideas with this design at my Watersky Shop and the pillow is available at Pillows by Lynda.  


I hope you like it!  I see a sweeping, dancing landscape in it, and maybe a few faces, too. But that's just me... What do you see here?


 

Line Play 17 Vivid Cheerful Abstract Throw Pillows by PillowsbyLynda
Browse other Abstract Pillows

 

Line Play 17 Vivid Cheerful Abstract iPhone 5 Covers by WaterSky
More Lynda lehmann at zazzle Casemate Cases

 

Line Play 17 Vivid Cheerful Abstract Mousepad by WaterSky
See more Lynda lehmann at zazzle Mousepads

 

Line Play 17 Vivid Cheerful Abstract Stamp by WaterSky
Create your own personal postage stamps from zazzle.com.

Note: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites listed in my sidebar if you would like to see my paintings and more of my photography and digital art, or make a purchase.

"Petallurgy" Digital Floral

 

Petallurgy - Image c Lynda Lehmann

SOLD today at Art.com
Note:  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 sites listed in my sidebar if you would like to see my paintings and more of my photography and digital art, or make a purchase.

New Messenger Bag at Zazzle Gets "Today's Best" Award

Cool Branching Plant Botanical Messenger Bags by LyndaLehmannFlorals
Browse other Cool Messenger Bags

Come visit my Zazzle shops to see this fun mini-messenger bag and lots of other gift ideas in cool designs and high color!  There's something for everyone, for holidays and most occasions.
When you land on my home page at Watersky you'll see a list of products in the left sidebar, plus a list of my other shops, right there on the home page.  If you enjoy what you see, check back soon, because I'm always adding new designs on new items!
You will find the item below in my shop at Lynda Lehmann Florals.

Note: 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 sites listed in my sidebar if you would like to see my paintings and more of my photography and digital art, or make a purchase.

"Time Peace" In the Artist of the Month Forum at Red Bubble

A great big "thank you" to Mary Sedici for including my photo "Time Peace" in the November Artist of the Month Forum at Red Bubble!  Thank you again, Mary!

Photo c Lynda Lehmann 
Time Peace

Note: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites listed in my sidebar if you would like to see my paintings and more of my photography and digital art, or make a purchase.

Compromised Surface

Compromised Surface - Image c 2012 Lynda Lehmann

Wonderful tactile surfaces and textures abound in our everyday reality. Not only do they tell something of the history behind the weathered object, they stand on their own as intriguing abstractions and objects of art.  This particular surface evokes a reflective winter lake landscape for me. What do you see in it, besides scratched and peeling paint and rust?


Note: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites listed in my sidebar if you would like to see my paintings and more of my photography and digital art, or make a purchase. 

Paper Man

Lynda Lehmann -  c 2012

NOTE: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites at http://LyndaLehmann.imagekind.com/ or http://www.absolutearts.com/lyndalehmann/ if you would like to see my acrylic paintings and more of my photography and digital art. You can find a list of my other sites and links in my blog's sidebar. Or google my name for more links. I hope you enjoyed your visit!

New Floral Greeting Cards in Beautiful Colors!

Cool Customizable Greeting Cards at Zazzle!
 

Medieval House in Charming Italy Greeting Cards by LyndaLehmannFlorals
Make a card online at zazzle

 

Singular Beauty Lush Pink Rose Greeting Cards by LyndaLehmannFlorals
Browse Garden Cards

  

Cluster Gorgeous Velvety White and Purple Orchids Greeting Card by LyndaLehmannFlorals
Create personalized cards online at Zazzle.

 

Peachy Petals Greeting Card by WaterSky
More Watersky Cards

NOTE: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites at http://LyndaLehmann.imagekind.com/ or http://www.absolutearts.com/lyndalehmann/ if you would like to see my acrylic paintings and more of my photography and digital art. You can find a list of my other sites and links in my blog's sidebar. Or google my name for more links. I hope you enjoyed your visit!

The "Purpose" of Abstraction

Rock Abstract 5 - Image c 2012 Lynda Lehmann

If we are going to discuss the validation of art by virtue of "skill" or "meaning," we have to give abstraction a fair shake. To my way of thinking, abstract art is more interesting (if not more beautiful) than realism, because it presents a visual experience that has no precedent in reality. It presents something totally new; it creates and lives within the constraints of its own reality. 

Realism refers to a single point in time and space even when it is arresting, compelling and speaks to universals. But abstraction can be richly layered and full of ambiguity and mystery that yields fresh nuances of visual experience with each viewing. To me, abstract art comprises a rich, multi-dimensional experience because it doesn't cater to the constraints of time and place. The new visual experience it presents is of value in and of itself, and does not require a literal meaning in the usual sense. As a matter of fact, it may call on the viewer to be a more active participant in the viewing, because it reaches beyond our usual scope of recognition and perception, and lends itself to the subjective reality of each individual. 

Art does not need to refer to political or religious ideologies, or even the continuum of human emotions and experience, to garner its meaning. It simply is, and therein lies its meaning. And to me, abstraction is very compelling in its visual (and emotional) richness. Something like music.  While it's true that some music may tell a story, I don't need to know the story of the "Nutcracker" to appreciate the beauty and genius of a Tchaikovsky symphony.  

As for the "skills" part of the equation, Kandinsky (among others) manifested a high level of both imagination and skill that many realists don't possess. Good abstraction is difficult to achieve, often involving concept, skill and discipline that match or exceed many realist paintings. 

Abstract art is often devalued because, to many people, it "looks" easy.

NOTE: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites at http://LyndaLehmann.imagekind.com/ or http://www.absolutearts.com/lyndalehmann/ if you would like to see my acrylic paintings and more of my photography and digital art. You can find a list of my other sites and links in my blog's sidebar. Or google my name for more links. I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Stairwells and Other Quiet Spaces That Pique Our Spatial Sensibility

The Banister - Image c 2012 Lynda Lehmann

Seeing this stairwell caught me up short, with the repetition created by the stripes on the carpet and the repetition of the uprights. I also love the division of space and the negative areas created by the turns in the banister and stairs. Looking at this staircase brought out the child in me: the one who was fascinated by the spaces in between the monkey bars!


Is there a special place or half-forgotten nook that piques your childhood sense of excitement and adventure, and your spatial sensibilities? The child in me would love to hear about it!

NOTE: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites at http://LyndaLehmann.imagekind.com/ or http://www.absolutearts.com/lyndalehmann/ if you would like to see my acrylic paintings and more of my photography and digital art. You can find a list of my other sites and links in my blog's sidebar. Or google my name for more links. I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Gorgeous Dancing Peonies Floral Fantasy

Peony Fantasy - Image c Lynda Lehmann

I just got my blog back in order today, after a tenuous try of the dynamic views, which seemed to bury a lot of features and lists I wanted to show.  I didn't have time to write a post today, but I'll share with you my latest digital floral, made from one of my photos and processed in Photoshop.  I hope you're having a great, late-summer day!
NOTE: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites at http://LyndaLehmann.imagekind.com/ or http://www.absolutearts.com/lyndalehmann/ if you would like to see my acrylic paintings and more of my photography and digital art. You can find a list of my other sites and links in my blog's sidebar. Or google my name for more links. I hope you enjoyed your visit!

The Fabric of Earth

The Fabric of Earth - c Lynda Lehmann


This is an old photo I took years ago when flying home from Arizona, where I'd had an extended visit with my family.  It's not a great photo. I shot it with a digital point-and-shoot that probably captured less than 5 mega pixels.  So it's grainy, as well as having been shot through the airplane window.  The funny thing is that when I found this image while cleaning out some Photoshop files tonight, I remembered that very moment when I glanced out the plane window and saw this spectacular view of mountain ridges (which I presume were the Rockies).  I had that wonderful impulse of Joy, expressed by a quiet "Wow!" that we all get from time to time when we see something awesome and beautiful.  We have a sense of its largess and significance, although we might not be able to define why.

It seems that somehow, taking photos not only reminds me of a given moment in time, but that I can also, often remember my state of mind, even that very moment of Consciousness, that fleeting minute during which I was treated to a glimpse of something Profound.  I knew I was seeing something important, because it gave me pause, not only to feel a sense of joy, but to contemplate the Wonder of the Universe, the Wonder of Being.  And so I must conclude that taking photos of the natural world cements my Consciousness in Moments of Beauty, anchoring me more closely to the Heart of Life, if you will.

When I'm lying on my death-bed, I don't want to define myself by my riches, possessions or popularity.  I don't even want to define myself by the highs and lows of my art journey, or by how I assess whatever successes or failures I may have had.

I want to define myself by my relationships.  That means relationships with other individuals,  those outside myself with whom I have chosen to spend segments of my life, and by my Relationship with the Universe.  This will depend on how many Moments of Beauty I have beheld (to use an old-fashioned word) and how many I've taken into my Soul that will forever Enrich, Inspire, and Nourish me, even as I pass from this Earth.

NOTE:  I've capitalized various words to give them emphasis.  Not proper usage, I know...

NOTE: You can click on each photo to see a larger version. 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 sites at http://LyndaLehmann.imagekind.com/ or http://www.absolutearts.com/lyndalehmann/ if you would like to see my acrylic paintings and more of my photography and digital art. You can find a list of my other sites and links in my blog's sidebar. Or google my name for more links. I hope you enjoyed your visit!