Thursday, February 6, 2014

The good, the bad, the random . . .


"From where we stand the rain seems random.
If we could stand somewhere else, we would see the order in it."

- Tony Hillerman

I don't know, I think only about twice have I ever been on the other side of the rain.
You know, when where you're standing it's not raining but 10 feet in front of you it is. So very strange.
Not sure I saw any order in it though - it still seemed pretty random to me.
But then again maybe I was just standing too close.

I enjoyed my 50mm class and decided to go ahead and delve a little deeper into abstract. I have already
been in the last year enjoying experimenting with slow shutter speed and swiping - painting with my lens.
And I love the abstract feeling I find in water reflections. I'm interested to see how this open my eyes even
more to lines and shapes and sometimes to just how I feel about something rather than what it is in reality.

This rose was done both in camera and post processing. A slow shutter speed allowed for softer shapes, and textures added later for a painterly feel. (anyone else having issues loading photos and having them look different here than in your photo folders? The color is a little off in this one)


This one of the same rose with a very shallow depth of field done in camera.


This one is quite different for me. Our prompt for the monthly Photo Art Friday is graphic/angular, and I started with a photo I took last summer while on a boat tour on the Chicago river that went through downtown Chicago. I used two of Bonnie's textures (Graphique and Art Smoke) after I did a little posterize to the photo. It took several different photos and textures to find a combination that I was pleased with. And I have to say I quite like how this turned out.  

"Chicago Meets van Gogh"


Yesterday I started a new Beth Moore bible study called 'Exploring the fruit of the Spirit." In her video she talked about how if we are still drawing a breath then we aren't done and how God is still happening . . . only it's on his calendar. I love how He gives me concrete examples of these things and yesterday was one of those days. When I got home I just happened to feel the need to look at this chrysalis, a black swallowtail, that has been in this state for at least 10 months maybe more. I know I've mentioned before that they usually emerge about 2 weeks after pupating. I kept this chrysalis because I'm a die hard hopeful and if after a year it hadn't emerged it would be enshrined in resin. I had to cut a little square off the netting as I replace the netting after each new generation and I placed it over a bowl where I keep my not so fortunate butterflies. There just might be a little dust that gathered and stuck to the silk from the other caterpillars rambling on and around it when it was in the enclosure.

And don't ya know it has started changing color, getting darker, and if you look closely you can start to see some of the wing pattern showing through. As I was holding the square up to take a photo for instagram the darn thing, it wiggled. After 10 months it's still alive and all I can say is this must be one special butterfly!!

Moral of the story . . . He gives us daily examples and we need to slow down long enough to see them. That patience isn't something we teach ourselves, but instead surrender to. 

I got to immediately put this little lesson of patience to the test when I got a call from my son's Rheumatology doctor. About 7 weeks ago she decided that since his blood work was consistently coming back with normal numbers - white blood cell count, inflammation markers, sed rate - and had been for nearly 6 months with next to no breakthrough symptoms, that we could discontinue his infusions. We just had blood work taken the day before as he has been having intermittent pain and stiffness and fatigue. The numbers are going back up and to avoid getting out of control quickly he started back on steroids and we have an infusion for next Tuesday. I guess I can't say that I'm surprised, I've seen it coming, but it pains me none the less that it didn't go into remission. Now, what was I saying about God's timing? Oh yes, reminder to myself that He is going at the perfect speed and I am not. It seems patience is easier for some things than others.

Last but not least, last weekend we were missing our girl, so we drove over to see her and spent a family day at the zoo. A good time was had by all, but with nearly an 8 hour round trip drive it makes for a long day. Next year she will be even closer as she'll transfer to UT Austin.

Have a great weekend y'all!
Love, Kim

sharing with Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Friday Photo Journal




44 comments:

Nicky @ Awesomeville said...

Love these shot, especially the chrysalis! Hopefully you will be around with your camera when the butterfly emerges!

Nicky @ Awesomeville said...

Love these shot, especially the chrysalis! Hopefully you will be around with your camera when the butterfly emerges!

Sarah Huizenga said...

Quite the day for you. I love the Chicago photo, just something about it that brings joy. Maybe it is all the color.

molly said...

That second close-up shot is truly outstanding!

Mollyxxx

Kerri Farley said...

Oh I LOVE these shots.....that first one just takes my breath away! How exciting that the little caterpillar is still alive!! Very sorry that your son has to get infusions again.....but hopefully they will make him feel better!!

Unknown said...

Your photos are breathtaking! Rosemary

simply bev said...

Your rose photo does look like a beautiful painting!

Anonymous said...

Kim, I can relate to your words and photos on so many levels. I love your photog experiments - turned out great! And I'm so sorry to hear about your son. I've been battling chronic illness with no success and I keep reminding myself about Psalm 139. He knows, and I'm sure He knows about your son. Blessings and peace.

Becs said...

I love how you've written about all this - such a great reminder of patience and God's timing. Beautiful images too, I especially love the first rose shot.
I experienced the same thing with the colour being off - I used to upload from picasa to blogger and there is an auto-enhance they do automatically now which can alter the colours. If you use google + you can turn this off. I didn't want to use google + so now upload from flickr and I haven't had any more issues. Hopes this helps! Happy weekend to you. :)

Tamar SB said...

whoa!! The Chicago meets Van Gogh is wicked cool! So glad you got to go see your girl!

Sherri B. said...

Your chrysalis story is incredible...please keep us updated! I'm sorry your son is still having symptoms...I can understand how difficult it would be to have patience during this. On a happier note, your day at the zoo with your daughter sounds wonderful. Love your photos!!

Barbara said...

Love your post Kim, the first rose is amazing with the slow shutter, truly amazing. Yes I am having issues with color. I switched to a mac and something is off for me from Photoshop to LR. Everything seems to be set the same and can't figure it out. It is driving me crazy. Love the graphic so much awesome stuff. So fun when plans come together.

Cathy H. said...

Amazing abstract! I never really considered abstract photography until I took the 50mm class. Then I was hooked. There's such feeling in abstract photograph! Wonderful news with the little chrysalis! I'm sorry your son is once again not feeling well. It's very hard to be patient when it involves ones we love! Take care!

Dotti said...

The Chicago Van Gogh is so awesome! That would make a glorious poster for the Chicago Six! The roses are lovely, too, even if the color seems a little off to you. It looks lovely. And finally ... keeping Sam in my prayers. You, too.

Anonymous said...

Lovely shots! I couldn't agree with you more about the rain. I've seen that happen...it is quite random isn't it?

Kim Cunningham said...

Not only is this a visually beautiful post, but the words with metaphors are gripping. I too, have one of those hangers on moths. Been waiting so so long for this one to emerge. I never would have thought to make such a deep connection to the object lesson in the wait. So true, though. God's timing is perfect, and that little wiggle of life lets us know more is to come!

Leovi said...

Wonderful artwork , excellent composiciĆ³ns . I love those flowers !

tiarastantrums said...

your shots are so beautiful - love that you saved you lone blackie and he is still shaking!

Gail Dixon said...

The rose photo is truly exceptional!! It's like a Monet, only better. I do hope your butterfly emerges. How wonderful that you did not give up hope. There's always that.

I did a blog post last week on wonky blogger images. You can find it here http://louisianabelleforever.blogspot.com/2014/01/miscellany-and-psa.html

NF Abstract said...

Love all the images in different ways. teh flowers and the city.

Thanks for joining NF Abstract. :)

Monica/NatureFootstep

Kathryn Dyche said...

I love your explorations with the camera and that second image is just gorgeous. I really was sorry to hear about your son, my wish is that it does go into remission for him at some point in the not to distant future. Glad you got to see your girl, I imagine you miss her.

Waldameise Andrea said...

Schƶne Fotos, kleine Kunstwerke. Das letzte ist faszinierend.

A Garden of Threads said...

Love your post Kim. I always find it difficult not being in charge of my life and must remind myself to enjoy now, all will be revealed when it needs to be. Enjoy the weekend.

Currie Silver said...

Loved this whole wonderful post, Kim, and I am so glad you shared your thoughtsandfeelings. It makes it such a deeper experience when we "meet" each other through our words and our photo art.
I love the Chicago one. It is BEyond words to describe. Amazing!!!
Thank you, too, for the thoughty words about timing. That is so easy to let slip through my mind that Time and Timing are NOT mine to manage.
Love to you!!!

Brenda said...

Love your abstract experimentation - your floral studies capture the essence of the rose in different ways that are very intriguing. And your "Van Gogh Chicago" is a wonderful graphic puzzle. Love the lines and colors.

abrianna said...

chicago meets Van Gogh-perfect. Like the first flower shot also.

betty-NZ said...

Your photos are amazing. Love the Chicago skyline. Isn't is just amazing how that little guy is still alive!

Prairie Jill said...

Great pieces! I love the softness of the first abstract - just gorgeous (I like playing with motion blur, too). My favourite, though, is definitely the Chicage scene - great processing. That deserves to be hanging on your wall!

Unknown said...

first and foremost, as a mother and seeing your kids go through pain, is every hearts worse pain. But I love your analogy on patience. Your Chicago art is really quite unique and love your thinking outside the box on it.

Brandi said...

Wow, love those creative shots--and what an awesome story with the chrysalis. I am so sorry for the issues with your son, I hope things can resolve themselves quickly! That's a hard thing to be patient for. Have a great weekend!

Jeanne said...

These are all great and love the effects that you have captured. I am also having a little bit of trouble loading photos. Can only load two or three at a time. Then have to go back and add more. Also, have had some photos that when loaded, you could see the pixels.... weird. Anything to do about that???

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Kim love the abstract great colours, sorry to hear about your son, it's a long road...

Buttons Thoughts said...

"Chicago Meets van Gogh" is incredible I love it. All your photography is beautiful.
My thoughts are with you and your son. I miss my girls too it does get easier. Take care. B

Nancy said...

So sorry the news about your son was not what you expected or wanted -- will keep him in my thoughts. xo

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Kim, so nice to meet you! And may I ask how old is your son?...I certainly wish him well!! Your pix are magnificent...:)JP

Ida said...

Awesome post Kim. Your work always fascinates me. I loved your Chicago/Van Gogh piece.
Wow that chrysalis is amazing. Can't wait to see the butterfly. So sorry to hear about your son but you are dealing with this situation in a very calm manner. I am learning from others that I need to wait on God and not worry about tomorrow. Dealing with a personal health issue right now that is teaching me just that.
Thank you for sharing your inner most thoughts.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

Oh Kim, your images are exquisite!!! I think Chicago and van Gogh have met Kim and are the better for it!!! I love to linger a while and breathe in the inspiration evident in your imagery.

As I read the news of your son, and of the chrysalis, I couldn't help but wonder if the second line of the Hillerman quote applies to both of those unfolding situations ... ?

May the miracle of life evident in the chrysalis, be seen soon in a healing miracle in your son's body.

Inspired By June said...

I feel like I've run a marathon after reading your post. That closeup of the rose took my breath away, the possibilities of the chrysalis has me holding what breath I have left and the family news got me all choked up. A lot happening in your life, Kim! Will be praying for your son. Oh, and your Chicago art is grand!

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

I have seen this very view of the Chicago skyline from the Chicago River and it has never been so beautiful ... or should I say that your treatment of it brought out a beauty that I failed to see before. This is a beautiful piece of art as are your roses.
Patience is a gift to me. I have it and it isn't hard, but I know others who can't even seem to learn it ... the stresses well up and they lose sight of it. In science I would suppose it to be something in the brain chemistry and in faith I would ask why some have it and some don't ... is that part of the plan? It raises so many questions that I don't dare get started here ... but I find your thoughts both intriguing and inspiring ... I think those who have to deal with the pain of others need to understand the meaning of patience ... and you do.

Andrea @ From the Sol

Vicki Boster said...

Beautiful photos Kim- the flower pictures are truly amazing. You have the "eye"---

Thank you for your visit-- and your prayers for our friend.

Love
Vicki

Katherines Corner said...

lovely photos and post. Thank you for helping to make the Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop so much fun. Big Hugs ♥

Andrea Dawn said...

Such a journey you are on, Kim, with twists and turns and second laps around the same track. Just as that chrysalis is on its own timetable as it awaits its transformation, there is something of great value and beauty being fashioned in you. Thank you again for your vulnerable sharing. Love your Chicago skyline with the van Gogh twist. Blessings to you and your beloveds.

Anita Johnson said...

I love reading your posts. The butterfly is amazing, I love when you can see the wing patterns before they hatch. I will keep your son in my prayers...

shooter said...

Stunning

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...