Had I not read the caption, from seeing all that sort of fencing, I would have assumed it was "horse country". (Although the type of Horse fencing I'm more familiar with from spending lots of time in Charlottesville is wood fencing).
Stone Creek, Ocala FL. December 16th, 2021. Temp 72 degrees.
''The Boys Are Back In Town''. Our white Pelicans arrived on time and will spend the next three months here enjoying warm sunny weather. They will head for parts unknown in March. One of our resident Heron is introducing itself to The Boys.
I posted an article about Chongqing recently on the Discovery group with a video that shows snow in the local mountains which I assume was during winter, but in the city proper, never. There was snow for a day or two (quick melting) when I was farther north in Zhengzhou, and I have posted photos of it, one of which was my wife stooping beside a snowman, the first one she ever made, because she's from Chongqing. There are palm trees here, and oranges are a common crop.
Just had a squiz at the video..very nice part of the world..but not sure if I could handle nearly all of Australia's population in one city. To me the city almost looks like New York.
Yeah, downtown is very much like New York. We live in a newer suburban area with 2 beautifully wooded and landscaped university campuses across the road and another within walking distance, yet still all the conveniences close by, so it's not so crowded. Mountains and reservoir a 15 minurte walk away - as pictured here:
Very nice... while in Melbourne last week I visited a rellie who has just moved into a 46th floor apartment...I have never been so high up in my life other than in a plane and with floor to ceiling windows I felt sick.
Are you high up in a high rise or closer to terra firma??
15th floor. I have an aversion to heights. When I was a kid, the tallest building in our city was 18 stories high. I went to the top observation floor and it had floor to ceiling windows. When I went up to the window I got down on my hands and knees. When I was much older, living in Toronto, I went to the top of the CN Tower, and up from the regular observation floor and restaurant, there is an even higher floor with the same kind of windows. I went up there and when I got close to the windows, you can guess what I did. There are glass floors and bridges in China and I won't step on them. But I have no trouble looking out the window of an airplane.
I can relate to that. When I was a kid I used to climb trees up to the smallest limbs, run and jump from one garage roof to another, and swing from a rope swing up high in the tree.
But, later I developed vertigo to high places, which does not do well with my claustrophobia that I have had all my life. The 15th floor would be at least 13 stories too high for me. All the apts. here where I am now are ground level, which works great for me, and lots of open space.
And climbing even one story of stairs with open railings will see me on my hands and knees going up or down. Sort of embarrassing to say the least.
15th that is not to bad. I can't walk on anything I can see through..never use to bother me, but does now. I slid around the walls until I felt it was "safe". Not my cup of tea at all up that high on the 46th floor..Have a good evening..
Now and then. The university campuses and a beautifully landscaped mature gated community are also great places to spend our time outside, besides playing ping pong at the outdoor exercise area beside our building. We have lots of alternatives. I've posted many photo-essays of those beautiful locations around us.
Thought you might enjoy this photo--- a big building in NY has this large shelf-like thing protruding from the building-- looks like people can got here and get a really great view...LOL!
I'm not extremely afraid of heights (well, just a little)-- but I would not want to go to a place like that!!!
Nice photos. The wisteria one is lovely. Unfortunately except for one photo taken in Wales, all of my UK photos are back in storage in Toronto - film photos because they were taken well before digital cameras arrived.
For many years, I have wanted to paint scenes like my favorite painter, Frederick Edwin Church (Hudson River School, mid-19th C.), doing so with the understanding that "it ain't happenin'".
Not to say that I haven't painted some "nice" pictures, but, there's a reason or two I quit and restarted many times.
This week, I broke free of realistic/representational painting, both for the Frederick Church wannabe realization, and, one of my favorite philosophy-of-art quips, "Art shouldn't be a copy of reality -- one of the damned things is enough"!
So, here is the first and only painting (acrylic) by the "NEW ME" that I have the courage to admit to … and show … I photographed it with my iPhone and will take the risk of doing so.
8"x8" on Canvas board, I would not be so presumptuous as to give it a title.
A very impressive painting Mac. As for a title, it really does not need one, as it truly speaks for itself. Lots of texture, well blended and layered colors.
I very much like the 'NEW ME' who reached into their inner self and found a new reason to enjoy their artistic expression and share it with us here on NT.
Very well done! And I hope that you will continue to experiment in this new area of your artwork, and share with us that we may also enjoy it.
Thankfully it's not approaching Jackson Pollock confusion, but it's full of imagery to whet the imagination. Having seen that one, I'd bet you could become even more successful selling your paintings than you already are with your masterful photographs.
Really fine painting, especially for a first attempt. It has great use of color and composition. I also like the technique you used. It seems like you used some sort of oil effect going on. It flows like water and bubbles.
I am a big fan of Frederick Church and really the whole Hudson River movement. Truly unique to America and especially the North East.
I do not have the artistic freehand talent to paint, although I have tried many times over the years with no success. So I will have to stick with what I have, and hope those here will find some pleasure in them.
You have nothing to be sorry for not being able to do everything that others do when your own talent is not only unique but so impressive, and I will never stop reminding you that your creations deserve to be shared with more than NT members.
Thank you for your very kind words of encouragement Buzz. They are truly appreciated. I guess I am what they call a late bloomer, as it has only been the last few years that I have found a means of digitally creating the various types of artwork I have only been able to dream of being able to do.
I am very happy that I have been able to find a way to share the Native American traditions, culture and Spiritual beliefs, not only for the Cherokee, but, other Tribes as well. It has not only opened the doors to many areas that I felt deep inside, but, was unable to really express what I felt.
Sharing what I can now do with my NT family is a dream come true for me, and brings me great joy. My work is very personal to me, as a lot of 'me' goes into the artwork, so that you and others here see is also a gift from me to all here. (smile)
Thank you very much shona, I am very glad that you enjoy my creations. While there are a lot of similarities between the various Tribes in America and elsewhere, there are also differences that make each Tribe unique in its own way. I try to show them both so that those who are not familiar with the ways and life of Native Americans can perhaps have a better understanding of how they are very simple human beings who live by the laws of nature and Spiritual guidance.
140 million Christians in China - almost half the population of the USA. Christmas is a bonanza for the retailers in China so they cater to it, and contrary to a certain member of NT, Xi Jinping is not the grinch who stole Christmas.
OMG. That is SUCH a blast from the past for me. The home I grew up in had an upper and lower back yard, and the lower one was a sunken space that we would flood to make a skating rink. As well, when I had a lakeside cottage we would clear the ice in front and flood it for skating. When are my Leafs ever going to win the Stanley Cup again?
Nope. But, did you notice the scholar's desk screen? I was told it was pre-WW2 Vietnamese when I purchased it many years ago, although it could be Chinese. It's all mother-of-pearl inlay. I think it represents the Tree of Life.
There is also a small terracotta warrior that we bought in Xi'an hidden behind the menorah. It was made in the authentic manor as the terracotta figures in the museum in Xi'an
American Indians did not know of nor celebrate Christmas until the Europeans landed. Some tribes quickly adopted some of the celebrations. The Christmas Tree and gift for the children were high points as the both tie into Indian culture.
This photo is circa 1900/1920 in Montana around Christmas time. We can see the decorated tree on the right hand side of the photo with some decorations, including a cross on it.
That's a very interesting photo Kavika. The first time I've ever seen a Christmas tree in a Native American venue. I have seen some holiday related decorations here and there, but, not a tree.
When we lived in Pawhuska OK I spent a good deal of time visiting the Cherokee reservation and spending time with Grandparents of the Cherokee family who lived behind us. They 'adopted' me as part of their family and we spent a good many holidays on the rez, Christmas being one of them.
We kids would make decorations and hand them around the Grandparents lodge. But, there was never a tree. The gifts that were exchanged were hand made and more Spiritual and personal in nature than toys. It was a very interesting time and I learned a great deal from my 'adopted' family that has stayed with me throughout my life.
One of my high school art teachers painted using a 2 x 3 inch card. He used them to mix his colors as well. He crated a beautiful painting in class on day to show us how it didn't always take a brush to paint a great picture. It was amazing to watch him manipulate that simple small card and manage to turn out beautiful artwork.
He encouraged us to experiment using various simple objects to see what kind of artwork we could create, then bring it to class along with the 'tools' we used to create them to show the class. We were also graded on our creativity. Everyone passed of course, as it was just a class project to show us how artwork does not have to be limited to a brush.
He taught us that in the world of art, the word never does not exist.
Macs paintings reminded me of that teacher who dared to go a step beyond the norm in how art is not limited by nature, only the painter is subject to their own limitations.
You sell your photos through an agent. Have you ever sold your paintings? If Jackson Pollock's paintings are worth millions of dollars, you should be able to do pretty well with yours.
Creative Arts group members who are genuinely interested in Photography and/or visual creativity generally should occasionally check out the articles of this group besides the Thursday/Friday ones.
They service the main hospital in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. I believe they are water and sewage, but if the bottom one that looks old is a pipe perhaps it is no longer in use because of its deterioration.
I don't recall what I read on that plaque, but how about if I make up a story.
There were these two seeds that were planted about five feet apart that soon sprouted as saplings, and as they grew older and bigger they became very good friends, and when they matured, they fell in love and grew branches out to embrace each other.
Hi Buzz...there is no machine, the circular looking things are just the feathers of the regalia on his back curling under as he his kneeling. But, I can see where it may look like he is sitting in/on something. I'll enlarge it and hopefully it will be clearer.
How cool is that! I never saw any Pelicans anywhere around Ft Meyers and Naples when I was there a few years back. But, they may have been there and just not showing up in the places I went like the many other birds that winter there. Although, some are there all year round. They like to prance along the grass areas along the highways, which is nice as it gives visitors a chance to admire them. (grin)
A really beautiful and interesting artwork, Buzz. Water lilies are truly lovely flowers, even in the abstract. The frame is also really interesting and fits with the image very well. Very nicely done.
Season's Greetings!
Post what ya' got!
Fun photos Mac!
Most of our family trips to Disney World were during Christmas vacation - thanks for the reminders. Chanukah gifts are a long lost memory.
Here's what I got and it comes from Florida:
December at Gulfstream Park and I'm not there!!!!
Glad we now "Got It" as well. Thanks for posting, Vic!
Had I not read the caption, from seeing all that sort of fencing, I would have assumed it was "horse country". (Although the type of Horse fencing I'm more familiar with from spending lots of time in Charlottesville is wood fencing).
(An example I googled -- not my photo)
Stone Creek, Ocala FL. December 16th, 2021. Temp 72 degrees.
''The Boys Are Back In Town''. Our white Pelicans arrived on time and will spend the next three months here enjoying warm sunny weather. They will head for parts unknown in March. One of our resident Heron is introducing itself to The Boys.
Really nice Pelicans and shut up about your weather, LOL!
SHUT UP, LOL!
Hey, it's only 63 degrees at noon today where I live. Brrrrr!!!
Morning...ahhh my kind of Christmas.....and not a snow flake in sight...sun sand and surf can't beat it..
LOL
LOL. Take it easy on Perrie. Right now she's in the middle of a HUGE snowstorm.
It's an oldie, but a goodie.
Yeah... how much snow did you get Perrie?
LMAO
Back to the Future.
Opps, I misplaced a year.
Arvo buzz..do you get snow where you are??
I posted an article about Chongqing recently on the Discovery group with a video that shows snow in the local mountains which I assume was during winter, but in the city proper, never. There was snow for a day or two (quick melting) when I was farther north in Zhengzhou, and I have posted photos of it, one of which was my wife stooping beside a snowman, the first one she ever made, because she's from Chongqing. There are palm trees here, and oranges are a common crop.
Just had a squiz at the video..very nice part of the world..but not sure if I could handle nearly all of Australia's population in one city. To me the city almost looks like New York.
Yeah, downtown is very much like New York. We live in a newer suburban area with 2 beautifully wooded and landscaped university campuses across the road and another within walking distance, yet still all the conveniences close by, so it's not so crowded. Mountains and reservoir a 15 minurte walk away - as pictured here:
Very nice... while in Melbourne last week I visited a rellie who has just moved into a 46th floor apartment...I have never been so high up in my life other than in a plane and with floor to ceiling windows I felt sick.
Are you high up in a high rise or closer to terra firma??
15th floor. I have an aversion to heights. When I was a kid, the tallest building in our city was 18 stories high. I went to the top observation floor and it had floor to ceiling windows. When I went up to the window I got down on my hands and knees. When I was much older, living in Toronto, I went to the top of the CN Tower, and up from the regular observation floor and restaurant, there is an even higher floor with the same kind of windows. I went up there and when I got close to the windows, you can guess what I did. There are glass floors and bridges in China and I won't step on them. But I have no trouble looking out the window of an airplane.
I can relate to that. When I was a kid I used to climb trees up to the smallest limbs, run and jump from one garage roof to another, and swing from a rope swing up high in the tree.
But, later I developed vertigo to high places, which does not do well with my claustrophobia that I have had all my life. The 15th floor would be at least 13 stories too high for me. All the apts. here where I am now are ground level, which works great for me, and lots of open space.
And climbing even one story of stairs with open railings will see me on my hands and knees going up or down. Sort of embarrassing to say the least.
15th that is not to bad. I can't walk on anything I can see through..never use to bother me, but does now. I slid around the walls until I felt it was "safe". Not my cup of tea at all up that high on the 46th floor..Have a good evening..
Beautiful location. Do you walk there often?
Now and then. The university campuses and a beautifully landscaped mature gated community are also great places to spend our time outside, besides playing ping pong at the outdoor exercise area beside our building. We have lots of alternatives. I've posted many photo-essays of those beautiful locations around us.
I have seen and commented on some of the very nice photos you have posted showing the area where you live.
Thought you might enjoy this photo--- a big building in NY has this large shelf-like thing protruding from the building-- looks like people can got here and get a really great view...LOL!
I'm not extremely afraid of heights (well, just a little)-- but I would not want to go to a place like that!!!
I found this video.
OMG-- this is terrifying!!!
(Note to Buzz: I f you want to see more, I just found the name of it--you can google " NYC The Edge ")
Yeah, thanks for the name - saw that video on Bing search. Scary as hell.
Wisteria, Salisbury, England
View of the cloisters, Salisbury Cathedral
The spire of Salisbury Cathedral (Since 1549 the cathedral has had the tallest church spire in the United Kingdom at 404 feet.)
Beautiful photos of my home away from home. I love the one with the Wisteria. That is just gorgeous!
Nice photos. The wisteria one is lovely. Unfortunately except for one photo taken in Wales, all of my UK photos are back in storage in Toronto - film photos because they were taken well before digital cameras arrived.
For many years, I have wanted to paint scenes like my favorite painter, Frederick Edwin Church (Hudson River School, mid-19th C.), doing so with the understanding that "it ain't happenin'".
Not to say that I haven't painted some "nice" pictures, but, there's a reason or two I quit and restarted many times.
This week, I broke free of realistic/representational painting, both for the Frederick Church wannabe realization, and, one of my favorite philosophy-of-art quips, "Art shouldn't be a copy of reality -- one of the damned things is enough"!
So, here is the first and only painting (acrylic) by the "NEW ME" that I have the courage to admit to … and show … I photographed it with my iPhone and will take the risk of doing so.
8"x8" on Canvas board, I would not be so presumptuous as to give it a title.
© A. Mac/A.G.
I will still photograph Nature and leave the Frederick Church business to the truly adept.
A very impressive painting Mac. As for a title, it really does not need one, as it truly speaks for itself. Lots of texture, well blended and layered colors.
I very much like the 'NEW ME' who reached into their inner self and found a new reason to enjoy their artistic expression and share it with us here on NT.
Very well done! And I hope that you will continue to experiment in this new area of your artwork, and share with us that we may also enjoy it.
Thankfully it's not approaching Jackson Pollock confusion, but it's full of imagery to whet the imagination. Having seen that one, I'd bet you could become even more successful selling your paintings than you already are with your masterful photographs.
Really fine painting, especially for a first attempt. It has great use of color and composition. I also like the technique you used. It seems like you used some sort of oil effect going on. It flows like water and bubbles.
I am a big fan of Frederick Church and really the whole Hudson River movement. Truly unique to America and especially the North East.
Interesting and unique abstract piece.
I do not have the artistic freehand talent to paint, although I have tried many times over the years with no success. So I will have to stick with what I have, and hope those here will find some pleasure in them.
You have nothing to be sorry for not being able to do everything that others do when your own talent is not only unique but so impressive, and I will never stop reminding you that your creations deserve to be shared with more than NT members.
Thank you for your very kind words of encouragement Buzz. They are truly appreciated. I guess I am what they call a late bloomer, as it has only been the last few years that I have found a means of digitally creating the various types of artwork I have only been able to dream of being able to do.
I am very happy that I have been able to find a way to share the Native American traditions, culture and Spiritual beliefs, not only for the Cherokee, but, other Tribes as well. It has not only opened the doors to many areas that I felt deep inside, but, was unable to really express what I felt.
Sharing what I can now do with my NT family is a dream come true for me, and brings me great joy. My work is very personal to me, as a lot of 'me' goes into the artwork, so that you and others here see is also a gift from me to all here. (smile)
Anoon raven. I could not paint or draw to save myself. You have an amazing talent and one I greatly admire...
Thank you very much shona, I am very glad that you enjoy my creations. While there are a lot of similarities between the various Tribes in America and elsewhere, there are also differences that make each Tribe unique in its own way. I try to show them both so that those who are not familiar with the ways and life of Native Americans can perhaps have a better understanding of how they are very simple human beings who live by the laws of nature and Spiritual guidance.
That is a great image and I really like the frame.
Thank you G. Each new image presents a unique framing challenge.
I have very few Christmas theme photos that I can post. These are from the huge department store across the road from where we live.
.
..
.
I'm surprised that they decorate for Christmas in China. I know that there are Chinese Christians, but they are a rather small group, right?
140 million Christians in China - almost half the population of the USA. Christmas is a bonanza for the retailers in China so they cater to it, and contrary to a certain member of NT, Xi Jinping is not the grinch who stole Christmas.
'Tis the season for pond hockey.
Do I remember playing pond hockey in Warroad and then in Red Lake...
Great photo EG.
"Cool" photo.
OMG. That is SUCH a blast from the past for me. The home I grew up in had an upper and lower back yard, and the lower one was a sunken space that we would flood to make a skating rink. As well, when I had a lakeside cottage we would clear the ice in front and flood it for skating. When are my Leafs ever going to win the Stanley Cup again?
My son on his first Christmas in 2008. I miss those chunky cheeks!
Christmas day at my mom and stepdad's house in 2007. (That's my nephew is off to the right of the tree.)
Christmas 2018 my cat
2020 my cat
Oh, those chubby cheeks are SO tempting to be pinched. LOL.
Lookin' good into Friday! Keep it going.
We have Christmas and Hanukah at our house. There's even a happy Buddha.
LOL. And do you have a prayer mat?
Nope. But, did you notice the scholar's desk screen? I was told it was pre-WW2 Vietnamese when I purchased it many years ago, although it could be Chinese. It's all mother-of-pearl inlay. I think it represents the Tree of Life.
There is also a small terracotta warrior that we bought in Xi'an hidden behind the menorah. It was made in the authentic manor as the terracotta figures in the museum in Xi'an
Next Thursday/Friday, let's post some of our Xi'an photos.
Ok. I will look at my Xi'an photos and see what I have that might be interesting to post.
Happy Friday everyone....
A winner!
Thanks Mac. The Spirit of Peace.
Amazing.
Thank you G.
Beautiful, RW.
Thank you very much Kavika. I am glad that you like it.
Oh, R.W., that is WONDERFUL.
Thanks Buzz.
American Indians did not know of nor celebrate Christmas until the Europeans landed. Some tribes quickly adopted some of the celebrations. The Christmas Tree and gift for the children were high points as the both tie into Indian culture.
This photo is circa 1900/1920 in Montana around Christmas time. We can see the decorated tree on the right hand side of the photo with some decorations, including a cross on it.
That's a very interesting photo Kavika. The first time I've ever seen a Christmas tree in a Native American venue. I have seen some holiday related decorations here and there, but, not a tree.
It's pretty darn rare in that time period.
When we lived in Pawhuska OK I spent a good deal of time visiting the Cherokee reservation and spending time with Grandparents of the Cherokee family who lived behind us. They 'adopted' me as part of their family and we spent a good many holidays on the rez, Christmas being one of them.
We kids would make decorations and hand them around the Grandparents lodge. But, there was never a tree. The gifts that were exchanged were hand made and more Spiritual and personal in nature than toys. It was a very interesting time and I learned a great deal from my 'adopted' family that has stayed with me throughout my life.
A New Painting for Saturday.
© A. Mac/A.G.
The two paintings you posted could be titled "Liquid Gold" and "Lava".
Thank you so much for deciding to send me one of your paintings. I gladly accept it and will cherish it always.
I will send my address to you and we can get it to me asap....
Tell you what … send me your address in Private Notes.
Another winner Mac!
Are you using a brush?
No brushes involved … palette knife, popsicle sticks … a few other non-traditional items. I'm still learning.
It's always exciting, and fun, to learn new ideas. Yours are paying off very well.
I thought not, which is why I asked.
One of my high school art teachers painted using a 2 x 3 inch card. He used them to mix his colors as well. He crated a beautiful painting in class on day to show us how it didn't always take a brush to paint a great picture. It was amazing to watch him manipulate that simple small card and manage to turn out beautiful artwork.
He encouraged us to experiment using various simple objects to see what kind of artwork we could create, then bring it to class along with the 'tools' we used to create them to show the class. We were also graded on our creativity. Everyone passed of course, as it was just a class project to show us how artwork does not have to be limited to a brush.
He taught us that in the world of art, the word never does not exist.
Macs paintings reminded me of that teacher who dared to go a step beyond the norm in how art is not limited by nature, only the painter is subject to their own limitations.
You sell your photos through an agent. Have you ever sold your paintings? If Jackson Pollock's paintings are worth millions of dollars, you should be able to do pretty well with yours.
Here's one for Saturday..
That could be the most colourful image I've seen you do.
Thank you Buzz. That one was a real challenge to put together. But, I had fun.
Creative Arts group members who are genuinely interested in Photography and/or visual creativity generally should occasionally check out the articles of this group besides the Thursday/Friday ones.
As we move down the road to the Christmas weekend, here is one to take us into Sunday.
Quite a lovely image, and perfectly coordinated colours throughout.
Thank you Buzz.
A bit of abstract for Sunday - pipes (but not for smoking).
Very interesting photo, Buzz. What are those pipes used for? Even the one that looks very old and rusted has an interesting look and color variation.
They service the main hospital in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. I believe they are water and sewage, but if the bottom one that looks old is a pipe perhaps it is no longer in use because of its deterioration.
Thanks for the clarification, Buzz.
Monday Monday
So good to me
Today I'm posting
The Lovers' Tree
Great photo Buzz, and very interesting. What is its history?
I don't recall what I read on that plaque, but how about if I make up a story.
There were these two seeds that were planted about five feet apart that soon sprouted as saplings, and as they grew older and bigger they became very good friends, and when they matured, they fell in love and grew branches out to embrace each other.
That is indeed a very beautiful story Buzz, and fits the photo very well. Well done!
And I'll post one for Monday as well.....
Is that a kind of manually run machine, and if so what is it for? The circular objects are very cleverly matched by the circular burled frame.
Hi Buzz...there is no machine, the circular looking things are just the feathers of the regalia on his back curling under as he his kneeling. But, I can see where it may look like he is sitting in/on something. I'll enlarge it and hopefully it will be clearer.
Oh, I didn't realize it showed a reflection, which is why I thought they were round.
The intricate painted wood carvings are under the eaves of the Guild Hall in the ancient Dynasty capital of Kaifeng, in Henan Province.
That is really beautiful. So very ornate and intricate artwork, with very bright colors. Great photo.
As this is a Season's Greetings article, I will take the risk of posting a bit of Christmas related Native American humor. I hope you enjoy it...
Good one RW, I love it.
Some tribes call Santa Claus, Handsome Fellow.
Thanks Kavika. That name for Santa is a new one for me. (grin)
The Boys are cruising the hood.
Beautiful birds! Do the Pelicans visit your area lakes/ponds as well?
They fly in every December and leave in March. Yes, that photo is taken on one of our ponds about one block from my house.
How cool is that! I never saw any Pelicans anywhere around Ft Meyers and Naples when I was there a few years back. But, they may have been there and just not showing up in the places I went like the many other birds that winter there. Although, some are there all year round. They like to prance along the grass areas along the highways, which is nice as it gives visitors a chance to admire them. (grin)
Excellent image! The overlapping planes of Pelicans, the reflections, and, the spectral opposite, harmonious colors. Beautiful!
Thanks, Mac.
It's always good weather when pelicans get together.
Oh, my sad memory. It should have been "It's always FAIR weather when pelicans get together." LOL
Keeping it going with a change of pace...water lillies in the abstract.
A really beautiful and interesting artwork, Buzz. Water lilies are truly lovely flowers, even in the abstract. The frame is also really interesting and fits with the image very well. Very nicely done.