For many years, I have thought about what makes “Art”, Art. What is Art? There are a few answers I have come across. One is that Art creates an illusion. Let me give you a few examples from other forms of Art. Take literature: authors create novels, and the novel is based on an illusory
My art begins with a special moment. A passing cloud, a beam of light, a quiet figure on a beach, or a sunset that lasts for only a moment. To me, photography and painting are much more than just recording what was actually seen; it is about capturing a feeling, a question, a story, an
What is Fine Art? To tell you the truth, I don’t know the answer to this question. In fact I don’t think there is an answer to this question! I did a Google search and got a bunch of word-salads that did not mean much. They did not even come close to answering the question.
For years I used to visit a small pier in Safety Harbor, Florida with my camera. Nothing famous about it, just a quiet spot I liked spending time at. The pier’s gone now, torn down a while back, but I still have this photo – and it got me thinking about what actually disappears and
Melbourne skyline wall art Some mornings just work out. I took my wife for a walk south of Elwood Beach toward Brighton one Sunday, and the whole Melbourne skyline showed up clear across the water, with a little wooden pier running out into the bay in front of it – two skylines, really, one man-made
This storm clouds photography print captures a dramatic sky over Melbourne, Australia – taken in June, which down under is actually the middle of winter, not summer. I shot it from a hill overlooking Elwood Beach, looking north toward the city. If you look closely at the bottom of the frame, you’ll spot the Melbourne
This coastal landscape photography print came from a day I still remember clearly – fresh breeze, plenty of sun, and the smell of the ocean carrying up the hill. Sometimes it takes a day like that to remember what a lovely planet we actually live on. I climbed a small rise overlooking Elwood Beach to
This ocean sunset photography print started out as a pretty unpromising evening. It was shot at Elwood Beach, just south of Melbourne – no boats, no clouds, barely a person in sight, and every sign of a dull evening ahead. But as the sun dropped, the sky lit up and the water turned to reflected
This was a spring day on Elwood Beach in Australia. There wasn’t a breath of wind, and no one was in sight. I had my camera with me and was looking for something amazing to photograph – but there was nothing around, just sky, water, and sand. Then it occurred to me: this nothingness was
Taken on an evening walk near the water in Melbourne, this sunset image shows a passenger boat slipping over the horizon just before the sun set – a quiet moment that, in hindsight, foreshadowed my wife and I leaving Australia to come home to the USA a few months later. It’s become one of those
I used to have a job. On days like this one — flat blue water, a few sailboats just far enough out to look like they’re minding their own business — I’d be stuck inside a building with no windows worth looking through. One time I actually said something to my boss. Told him it
When I was studying art, one piece of advice from my painting teacher stayed with me. He told us not to make every edge perfectly sharp. If everything is clearly defined, the painting becomes rigid. Sometimes the eye enjoys discovering where one thing gently becomes another. Years later I found myself standing on a quiet
Makes Me Wonder When I was in high school, a friend asked me a question that stayed with me for the rest of my life. He looked around, turned his palms upward, and said: “Do you ever wonder what’s really going on here?” At first the question seemed simple, but the more I thought about
Hot Soup Winter in Melbourne can be a cold and windy affair, especially along the waterfront where the weather seems to have a personality of its own. On this particular afternoon, dark clouds rolled across the bay while shafts of sunlight broke through the storm, illuminating patches of water before disappearing again. It was the
I see many would be artists get concepts and emotions confused. Art deals with emotions, feelings and things that can not be explained. A concept is the opposite. For example listening to a bit of classical music, or any music that moves you, the experience is very engrossing. The experience might lift your spirits, so
Never Alone As I walked along the waterfront that evening, the sun was slowly sinking toward the horizon and the sky was beginning to glow with the warm colors that photographers dream about. Ahead of me, a lone figure sat quietly on a bench facing the sea. There was nothing dramatic happening. No grand event.
A New Beginning Some photographs happen because of planning. Others happen because of patience. This image was taken on New Year’s Eve along the Florida coast. The sunset had been promising all afternoon, but as every photographer knows, there are no guarantees. Sometimes the sky turns gray just when the light should be at its
“The difference between fine art and decor comes down to intent and purpose: fine art is created for emotional and intellectual expression, while decor is designed primarily to complement an interior space and match prevailing aesthetic trends.” ~Milan Art Institute https://www.milanartinstitute.com/blog/the-difference-between-fine-art-and-decorative-art My Thoughts:Fine Art gives one an emotional experience, like when you go to an
This guy is sitting on the rocks staring out at the ocean. We have all done this from time to time. It is at moments like this that makes us wonder what is the meaning of life anyway. As far as I know, no one has figured it out yet, which makes me suspect that
Heavenly Waters ~ AI Painting ~ If you come from Hawaii you will recognize these islands. They are called the Mokulua islands. They are about a mile off the beach called Lanikai. In Hawaiian Lani means heavenly and Kai means water. This is a perfect name for this area because the waters are very heavenly.
This flower was mixed up with a bunch of green leaves, just part of the garden. But I noticed her! I told her that she added beauty to the whole neighborhood. It was then I realized she was very shy. The more I encouraged her the more bashful she became. I asked if I could
I have mixed feelings about sailing. On the one hand it is a lovely thing to do. But on a long sail I tend to get a bit bored. It also makes me question my priorities. I don’t think sitting around on a boat for many hours accomplishes much, except having a very nice day.
For many years I would walk on a beach almost every day. First in Hawaii, then in Australia and now in Florida. There is something so freeing about a beach. Now that I am old, I can’t recall all the useless thoughts I had while walking, so I am not so sure it was a
Do you have a special place in your past that you feel is “home?” This is my special place. Lanikai Beach in Hawaii. My family lived there while I was going to school. I don’t think I fully appreciated it as a teenager, but now that I look back on that time I am amazed
John and his son then flew back and I invited them to my house near the beach. This is a picture of them walking on the beach one late afternoon. I was so pleased to see them together. After all the years of being separated, they were finally reunited. It was the resolution of decades
AI Painting ~~~ At dawn, the island hovered like a thought half-remembered. Each wave carried the shore a little closer, whispering promises it could never quite keep. I stood barefoot in the sand, certain that if I watched long enough, the sea would finally explain why some distances are meant to remain beautiful and unanswered.
High Above America 4 ~ Photograph ~~~ I was flying to Salt Lake City. We broke through the upper clouds and suddenly there was this glorious golden sunset. I grabbed my camera and started shooting. I got several shots and I had a feeling it was going to be good, but I had no idea
Lost ~ AI Painting ~~~ I was at the beach a while ago and a young couple on their honeymoon were desperately looking for her lost wedding ring. Evidently it was very expensive and of great sentimental value because they just got married. Have you ever looked for a ring in the sand on a
No One Else At The Beach Today ~ AI Painting ~~~ Usually when I go to the beach there are a few people either swimming or sleeping or watching the kids. But today I was the only one. Where is everyone? Normally I am easily annoyed by people, but today I am feeling very lonely.
