These are very nice pictures A Mac. I saw two robins yesterday in my backyard. One was twice as big as the other. They were strolling along. At fist I though it was a female and a male. When they had traveled some distance, the bigger one flew off. The little one made an effort to fly but it appeared it was unable. At that time they had gone behind a bush and I'm sure the little one didn't go into the bush. I walked out to where I had last seen them. I didn't see either of them. I came to the conclusion it was a mother robin and one of her baby robins. The baby must have just fallen out of the nest. It was all feathery and since I never saw either I can only assume the baby robin made the flight plan after a couple of tries. It's a good thing since there are a lot of cats and snakes that would like to meet up with one of them.
Your title sounds like the name of an unknown indie band. Pretty good name, actually. "I'm headed down to Unkle Tex's Bucket of Blood to hear Two Birds and a Bug." And so on.
I've been casting my eye on your work and really like what you do. Interesting that you seem to alter between wildlife and lonely vistas. My work is figurative and am I interested in the philosophical outlook within your work. Other than the obvious human behind the lens, at least from what I've seen, there is an obvious absence of humanity.
Anyhow, I'd love to hear your point of view if you are amenable to so do. No worries if you don't feel like it. I think there is a plausible argument for not discussing aims or philosophy within art. I don't really discuss my work all that much other than to say it is figurative. I figure, in two dimensional work, it is all there and it is incumbent upon the viewer to get whatever they get from it.
Very astute on your part. I had my fill of humanity in my life prior to retirement. Much of my day was spent either defending-the-indefensible things some people were accused of (let's say I made sure "due process" provisions were followed), the rest enforcing negotiated contractual items that were being violated or skirted.
Then there are the pigs who will go to a stream or a lake or into the woods and drop beer cans and every manner of trash!
You caught me, Tex. But I will openly discuss philosophy and art (I have a Masters degree in Art History/Fine Art and much of what is part of the history and styles of art is indeed, philosophical).
I also have a degree in Biology so the Nature Photography, comes, you know naturally.
I understand having had your fill of humanity. All in all, we are a pretty sorry lot. I guess that's one of the reasons I am fascinated with the human condition. It seems you and I have taken a different approach to similar feelings. Having had my fill, I removed myself many years ago and live in the boonies but my art is, with few exceptions, figurative. Perhaps the distance allows me to get closer to my subjects. Haven't quite figured that one out as of yet.
Sometimes when I peruse work that avoids the human I get a sense of desperation or loneliness. I don't see that in yours. Your work is more High Lonesome like the old wailing hillbilly mountain tunes. I could be wrong. We always transfer our own reality map, spirituality or philosophy onto the work of others. At any rate, you do beautiful imagery and I like it.
Are you a fan of Sally Mann? She has mostly done figurative black and white work but I have noticed of late she has been producing ethereal and brittle landscapes. Even though her scenarios are devoid of goobers it is almost Haint photography. I can feel the ones who were there or who passed wraith like over the scene when I look closely at them. Again, probably me. We see the work of others and in some degree it is a reflection of our own inner self, dreams, past, present and future. Whether it has anything to do with the artists intent is not an issue. It is connection and an opening of the hidden world shared between art and the viewer. Well, in my opinion, anyhow.
Sally Mann
Yeah, I too have a bone to pick with those who trash the woods. It's like going into someone's church and leaving a steaming poop in the aisle. I don't know what is the matter with people.
I have a BFA, or BFK as we call it, in studio work. Painting and drawing. I guess I've got a master's degree in wood work. I have a PHD but it's just a post hole digger and I give a mighty effort to never use it. Anyhow, the older I get the more Art, Music and Literature seem to be the only things that make any sort of sense in this life.
I have to admit being drawn more to black and white imagery. For some odd reason, I see more color in them than I do in a color image.
When I am painting from reference photos I've taken I always print them and work from the b/w image.
I've gotta admit I'm drawn to the three strip technocolor images of Willaim Eggleston. To me they place the subjects into an unreal reality. Or, a hyper real reality. The interesting thing about Eggleston's figures is that they are tremendously alone. It's like a statement to the fact that we are ever alone in our skin sacks regardless of how close we become with others.
I've always been a fan of Duane Michals for many of the same reasons.
Good camera day!
Click the pic for best view.
Looks like the Catbird was not up as early as the Robin.
Either that or he ate a worm of his own finding and I was late to the scene and missed it.
P.S. Always great to see you!
Great photos Mac. The mosquito looks big enough to need landing lights.
These are very nice pictures A Mac. I saw two robins yesterday in my backyard. One was twice as big as the other. They were strolling along. At fist I though it was a female and a male. When they had traveled some distance, the bigger one flew off. The little one made an effort to fly but it appeared it was unable. At that time they had gone behind a bush and I'm sure the little one didn't go into the bush. I walked out to where I had last seen them. I didn't see either of them. I came to the conclusion it was a mother robin and one of her baby robins. The baby must have just fallen out of the nest. It was all feathery and since I never saw either I can only assume the baby robin made the flight plan after a couple of tries. It's a good thing since there are a lot of cats and snakes that would like to meet up with one of them.
Such great pictures! That intent look from the catbird-- and they say that dinosaurs are dead...
I had a finch couple at my feeder today, and a cardinal family! They were fighting over the sunflower kernals... But, alas, no pictures...
That mosquito looks big enough to cart of my cat... Such a wonderful summer we'll be having!
LOL! I can see it...
Actually, the mosquito is an example of a true "macro" shot in that even posted here, it's larger than in life.
It did however fly away with my lens cap and a can of OFF!
I sent the photo to the police.
STING OPERATION to come.
(I apologize for that)
Mac, I found a lens cap and a can of Off in my driveway this morning...Could it be!!!!
Wow!
When we go fishing, will you bring them with you?
Sure will Mac..
Love the birds...Just lovely shots! Hate mosquitos, I'm allergic to those disease ridden pests.
Very nice.
Your title sounds like the name of an unknown indie band. Pretty good name, actually. "I'm headed down to Unkle Tex's Bucket of Blood to hear Two Birds and a Bug." And so on.
I've been casting my eye on your work and really like what you do. Interesting that you seem to alter between wildlife and lonely vistas. My work is figurative and am I interested in the philosophical outlook within your work. Other than the obvious human behind the lens, at least from what I've seen, there is an obvious absence of humanity.
Anyhow, I'd love to hear your point of view if you are amenable to so do. No worries if you don't feel like it. I think there is a plausible argument for not discussing aims or philosophy within art. I don't really discuss my work all that much other than to say it is figurative. I figure, in two dimensional work, it is all there and it is incumbent upon the viewer to get whatever they get from it.
Anyhow, nice work.
best atcha
Very astute on your part. I had my fill of humanity in my life prior to retirement. Much of my day was spent either defending-the-indefensible things some people were accused of (let's say I made sure "due process" provisions were followed), the rest enforcing negotiated contractual items that were being violated or skirted.
Then there are the pigs who will go to a stream or a lake or into the woods and drop beer cans and every manner of trash!
You caught me, Tex. But I will openly discuss philosophy and art (I have a Masters degree in Art History/Fine Art and much of what is part of the history and styles of art is indeed, philosophical).
I also have a degree in Biology so the Nature Photography, comes, you know naturally.
I understand having had your fill of humanity. All in all, we are a pretty sorry lot. I guess that's one of the reasons I am fascinated with the human condition. It seems you and I have taken a different approach to similar feelings. Having had my fill, I removed myself many years ago and live in the boonies but my art is, with few exceptions, figurative. Perhaps the distance allows me to get closer to my subjects. Haven't quite figured that one out as of yet.
Sometimes when I peruse work that avoids the human I get a sense of desperation or loneliness. I don't see that in yours. Your work is more High Lonesome like the old wailing hillbilly mountain tunes. I could be wrong. We always transfer our own reality map, spirituality or philosophy onto the work of others. At any rate, you do beautiful imagery and I like it.
Are you a fan of Sally Mann? She has mostly done figurative black and white work but I have noticed of late she has been producing ethereal and brittle landscapes. Even though her scenarios are devoid of goobers it is almost Haint photography. I can feel the ones who were there or who passed wraith like over the scene when I look closely at them. Again, probably me. We see the work of others and in some degree it is a reflection of our own inner self, dreams, past, present and future. Whether it has anything to do with the artists intent is not an issue. It is connection and an opening of the hidden world shared between art and the viewer. Well, in my opinion, anyhow.
Yeah, I too have a bone to pick with those who trash the woods. It's like going into someone's church and leaving a steaming poop in the aisle. I don't know what is the matter with people.
I have a BFA, or BFK as we call it, in studio work. Painting and drawing. I guess I've got a master's degree in wood work. I have a PHD but it's just a post hole digger and I give a mighty effort to never use it. Anyhow, the older I get the more Art, Music and Literature seem to be the only things that make any sort of sense in this life.
I look forward to seeing more of your work.
later gator
Thanks for a thoughtful comment and for letting me know about Sally Mann -- I'll look into her work.
I've done quite a lot of black and white -- even published an e-book on the genre.
Here's a load of them:
Thank you kindly!! Those are too sweet.
I have to admit being drawn more to black and white imagery. For some odd reason, I see more color in them than I do in a color image.
When I am painting from reference photos I've taken I always print them and work from the b/w image.
I've gotta admit I'm drawn to the three strip technocolor images of Willaim Eggleston. To me they place the subjects into an unreal reality. Or, a hyper real reality. The interesting thing about Eggleston's figures is that they are tremendously alone. It's like a statement to the fact that we are ever alone in our skin sacks regardless of how close we become with others.