Creativity

Under the Skin of a Vidalia Onion – Picture to Ponder – Vol. 4-Issue 41

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 5, 2008

Vidalia Onion Skin waves

Artistic view of Vidalia onion with patterned spore

Vidalia onion with most of skin removed photographed in a dish

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Vidalia Onion, which after sitting on a counter for two months started showing deterioration under the paper-thin outer skin.

The top photo has somewhat of a perky, “look-at-me” appearance, as it “poses” with the curl of the outside layer atop its body.

Initially I responded to the center photograph as being artistic, with the lines and patterns of the black spores, as well as the shadows. It is also more digitally enhanced than the others, bringing out the contrasts.

The bottom photo, with most of the spores gone, becomes even more of an art object by being placed in a ceramic dish for the photograph. A large portion of the spores stuck to the skin as it was removed.

The Story – Introduction
You may recall that three months ago, in the beginning of August, I featured a red onion in two issues of Picture to Ponder – Volume 4 – Issue 28 and Issue 29. During that time period, I had started peeling the layers of an onion and tracking it in photographs and writing on the blog.

I hypothesized that we could view the process as “analogous to peeling away the layers of ourselves.” At the time, I also began to think of it as a possibility for a book, with the first series of photos being Chapter 1. See below for a link to the Onion Story PDF.

A couple of weeks later I bought a second red onion, as well as a Vidalia onion. The red onion started showing signs of decay within two weeks. At that point, I photographed a slicing, rather than peeling, process and wrote a second chapter along with photographs, yet-to-be published here, on the blog or elsewhere.

In the meantime the Vidalia onion sat, untouched, on a counter in my kitchen. Since it did not appear to have much contrast in color and textures, I mentally deemed it “not photogenic” and didn’t bother to take any photographs of it. Then two months, rather than two weeks, later it began to show signs of deterioration and I got into action.

A new analogous theme started forming – that of the developing of “emotional bacteria” under our skin, as we hold onto our thoughts, or emotions, without giving them any space.

The Story – in relation to this Issue of Picture to Ponder
Initially I was pleased, when I took the first photos of this Vidalia onion, despite their difference from my usually more “pretty” or dynamic photos. I think part of it was I was “intellectually” excited about the concept I was developing.

Then today, as I began to decide which photos to use, the “spores” and, now seemingly unattractive, decay created more of a negative response and I had difficultly seeing beyond that. I started moving toward dropping the whole thing when I reminded myself that I had already done a first posting of photos and an introduction to the Vidalia onion on the blog, stating that I was going to be featuring it in this issue of Picture to Ponder.

So, given I made a commitment, I am following through here. And, I’m remaining open to what will develop. Rather, I will say here and now, I am creating an intention, making it public, to continue with the Onion Story, willing to be in the unknown of where it will go.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Today, I invite you to look into your life to see:

1. Are there places in your life where you are holding onto thoughts and emotions so tightly, that they are beginning to “fester” under your skin? If so, what actions can you take to remove the outer layer allowing them, and you, the freedom to be?

2. Are there areas in your life where you are ignoring something which may have importance simply because you’ve made a judgment on appearance, deciding it might not offer “enough.” If so, are you willing to reframe your thoughts into empowering ones that will move you forward?

3. Is there anything in your life right now that has been intriguing you, calling you to investigate, and yet you are staying stuck and not in action?

If so, I invite you to create an intention around it and move forward accordingly. To what will you commit?

Remember also, that that although the above queries are phrased in terms of objects, you may also look at them in relation to situations with people, in addition to yourself.

As always, have fun with these queries and this week also remember to look for something in what you discover that brings a smile to your face!

Onion Story PDF
If you have not already done so, you may download my gift of the Onion Story PDF – Photos and Text for friends of Picture to Ponder. See Onion Story for Friends to receive your copy.

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Vidalia Vidalia Onion Starts a New Chapter of Transformation and Observing Life

by Sheila Finkelstein on November 4, 2008

Vidalia Onion with spores under skin
Vidalia Onion, purchased on August 23, 2008 – Photographed on October 28, 2008

Vidalia Onion - spores spread - photographed on 11/3/08
A week later – 11/3/08

In the beginning of August I posted my first photograph of a red onion which after the second day became the story, “Peeling Away the Layers of an Onion, Akin to Peeling Away the Layers of Ourselves.” You can follow the story on this blog, after that first post, or for easier reading, you can click on ONION STORY to subscribe to Picture to Ponder and get the PDF download with the complete photos and text.

The Onion Story continues.
In the middle of August I purchased another red onion and at the same time a Vidalia onion. When the red onion, started showing signs of decay two weeks later, I sliced it, photographed the process and writing and documenting it for the second chapter of the Onion Story.

In the meantime the Vidalia onion sat on a counter top. Since it looked similar to the background, I did not bother photographing it, making the assumption that there was not all that much contrast and it wouldn’t be finishing.

Two months later, as contrasted with two weeks for the red onion, the Vidalia, though still firm, began to show some black, under the outer paper skin. I became interested and realized that there was another story here. I began to hypothesize and observe, the build-up of “disease,” forming underneath a thin outer shell, when left unattended . Thus I took a couple of photos and a week later began the photo-documentation process.

Tomorrow’s post of Picture to Ponder will show the first layer exposed, with the black spores. Not having cut further I have no idea what will become exposed as I go along. It seems, at this point, once I get past the next layer or two the onion will be as solid in the center as it was two months ago. I invite you to follow along with us over the next few days of discovery. And, why not play with an onion or two of your own!

 

 

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Sunshine on Florida Smiling Scarecrow

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 27, 2008

Scarecrow on neighborhood walk in Boynton Beach, FL

side view of scarecrow

Front view of scarecrow

In last week’s Picture to Ponder, I featured a scarecrow on a balcony in Sedona, AZ. Back home in Boynton Beach, FL, on a neighborhood walk, one evening, I saw this scarecrow happily placed in the middle of 3 palms. I couldn’t resist coming back with my camera, the next time we had sun. Check the Picture to Ponder link, or scroll down here to the previous post to see the Western scarecrow. Enjoy!

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Green Pepper – Many faces – Facts or Interpretations?

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 18, 2008

Green pepper bares teeth

Angry, baring teeth, reminding me I’m overdue for posting, or simply being a cut pepper? As I was about to put this pepper away, after cutting and eating part of it, the shapes caught my attention and I stopped to photograph it.

Once I viewed this photo on my computer monitor, it became less of “beauty” and more of a “threat.” I saw dark and angry eyes, a meanness emanating from it. Ordinarily , I would run and hide from such anger coming from another person.

Then, of course, I realized that I am the one creating the interpretation, the story, giving it meaning. You, in fact, might see it totally differently. In any case, are there places in your life right now where you are adding heavy meaning to something, putting a negative spin on it?

The fun thing with this pepper is that I can simply cut away some more, enjoy eating the pepper while I’m doing it, and totally change the message. If you found something in your own life, relating to my previous question, what fun and easy actions can you take to create a shift for yourself?

(Note – the Queries that came out of these “pepper”ed thoughts are similar to what are found in my weekly PICTURE TO PONDER. Follow the previous link for more information, use one of the forms on these pages, or simply SUBSCRIBE

 

 

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Cactus, Rocks, Support and Connections in AZ – Picture to Ponder – Vol 4- Issue 38

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 15, 2008

Red Prickly Pear cactus in Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Lindy Erwell photographs Sheila Finkelstein in Boyce Arboretum Sheila on Rocky ledge in Boyce Arboretum

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos

Top photo is Red Prickly Pear Cactus in the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona, between Scottsdale and Phoenix

In the bottom left picture is Lindy Erwell photographing me as I (in the right photo) aim my camera at her

As I poured through my almost 500 photos from Boyce, for some reason the top photo, with its pinks, contrasts and shadows begged to be the featured photo for the day. So I followed that “little voice.”

In the meantime, since similar cactus plants seemed to be almost everywhere in Arizona, I realized that you would not get a sense of the Boyce Arboretum from this photograph. I, thus, selected the bottom two photos to give you some visuals of the environment and our hike.

The Story
Ordinarily when I am on outings, my camera and I are intent on the elements of Structure and Nature as we meander through wherever we are. On this particular day I became totally captivated with the different postures Lindy assumed as she photographed whatever she was intent on capturing with her camera. Starting with her lying flat on the ground to photograph a grasshopper, as close up as she could, I took many photos with her as subject. (See the start of my Arizona Set on FlickR for a few of the others.)

I was enthralled with the rhythm and the flow of the lines of her body and the ease with which she assumed the postures necessary to fulfill on her intentions. The featured photo of her, I think, gives a sense of that.

Aside from being the “candid camera” subject of so many of my photos, Lindy also volunteered her arm for support for me as I went down many of the rocky paths. She even offered, and managed, to add my camera bag and water bottle to her slim shoulders. I agreed with some reluctance. See LINDY with camera bags.

One of the most exciting aspects of the outing with Shellie, my hostess, and Lindy is that I “met” Lindy when she was a participant in one of my Through and From the Lens Teleclasses, more than two years ago. We have maintained occasional email contact since, mainly as a result of her having become a periodic commenter to various issues of Picture to Ponder. Knowing that she lives in Scottsdale, when I planned my visit, I contacted her, in advance, to see if we could get together.

After our day together, we both shared our delight on the “connections” made through the course and how it seems like we’ve known each other forever.

Although it’s been some time since Lindy has updated her photos on FlickR, you can see many that she took during the four weeks of our course on Lindy’s FlickR Photos.

Reminder – Through and From the Lens is being offered in-person for the first time in South Florida on Saturday, October 25th. “Connections” are one of the bonuses of the course. See Saturday Workshop It will be resumed as a teleclass series starting in November. To be on the list for more details for these classes, fill in your name and time preference on the form on the blog.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
As I think, and write about, my experiences with Lindy, her support during the climbing up and down over rocks at Boyce Arboretum becomes a prime part of my experience and memory.

Today, I invite you to look into your life to see:

1. Are there areas in your life where there are people who want to be helping you and supporting you and you, in your need to be “strong” and “independent,” are either ignoring or outright rejecting their offers?

If so, I invite you to open yourself up to the contribution being offered and see what opens up for both parties. Keep in mind how much you, presumably, enjoy helping others.

2. Are there people in your life with whom you’ve had some connection, would like to have more and, for whatever reason, you haven’t taken that first step?

Again, if “yes”, I invite you to reach out, have some fun and see what opens up for you.

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Sedona Sunset used as a Writing Prompt – Expressing Grief and Joy

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 15, 2008

In addition to my camera, writing is one of the tools I have found most helpful for freeing me up and expanding on my creativity. To support that I meet weekly, by phone, with a few other women interested in writing. We usually do four minute, free-flow writing, prompted by various quotations selected by group members.

Last week, before we started, Morgine and Marifran were expressing their enthrallment with the Sedona Sunset photos in the issue of Picture to Ponder they had received the previous day. I suggested using the photos for our “prompts” for the day. They both stated that I “should” publish what I wrote. I thought their writing was also noteworthy and thus, with permission, I am including their pieces below.
Sedona sunset #1 used for a writing promptSeparating myself from the experience in Sedona, I’ll look at the photo now…. a tiny shimmering light in the mountains of what I know is a strip of clouds and they could be mountains in a distance by the water.

A pearl, a diamond, a jewel – That actually is what the sun is in our lives. How many recognize it as such? I’m enthralled with the richness of color, especially the “copper” color of the section of the sky, looking like a smooth lake.

Where is the smoothness and silkiness in my life? Is it in my skin, no longer to be touched and caressed by my Sam? I gave away all his clothes without thinking of something of his to wrap around me, embrace me, caress me.

How far off from the clouds I’ve moved. I’ll comfort myself knowing he is the light up there, now warming my life with memories. And, oh, I yearn for the touch! ©2008 Sheila Finkelstein

Morgine wrote:

The sun sets and I don’t know where. Its glow is receding behind the clouds and I could be sad the darkness is coming. Yet there is beauty in the darkness, the nighttime, the moon and stars. The whole world changes.

Yet again I am reminded of the illusions with which we live. In reality the sun never stops shining and glowing and radiating its beauty. Somewhere else in the world someone is rising to its resonant beauty. Someone else is rising to till the soil, carry the water, enjoy their day! The sun never really sets except in the illusion in front of my eyes.

It makes me wonder, this beautiful photo, how many other things are always present in my life, if only I can change my point of view. What is ever really gone or missing? Perhaps nothing at all. Maybe all I ever want or need or desire resides within my own space and I only need change my glasses in order to find them. Shift my perspective and zing it comes back into view.

How beautiful the world is and I am and the magic never ends if I keep my wand right here beside me. ©2008 Morgine Jurdan

Marifran wrote:

This may be sunrise, and I see it as a sunset. The dark clouds are hugging the center of the sun’s image and light radiates down to the earth. Above the sun’s center, the light radiates up as well giving light more space.

The dying of the light seems to say it is not going quietly. It makes a spectacular sky circus to squeeze out the last drop of beauty, as if to emphasize its message of triumph before the finale is over. ©2008 Marifran Korb

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Sedona Red Rock Sunset – Reflections – Picture to Ponder: Vol 4 – Issue 37

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 6, 2008

Sedona Sunset broad view

Sedona Red rocks reflecting sunset

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Sunset in Sedona, Arizona

As I observed the setting sun in scene shown in the top photo, I felt like I could be observing one of our Florida sunsets. The mountains in the distance became indistinguishable as such, especially since the distant trees here in Florida, at sunset, often look like mountains.

The full experience of Sedona’s sunset can be felt in the lower photo, where we experience the awe of the setting sun reflecting on the rocks. The majesty of the Sedona Red Rocks is accentuated by the bright end-of-the-day light, reflecting on the rocks, as contrasted with the pink reflections of clouds in the water here in Florida that I’ve shared with you in the past.

You can see more Sedona sunset photographs on my FlickR pages.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
I’m observing, as I write the photo descriptions above, how much of what I’m sharing is about making comparisons.

For some time, I’ve heard countless people exuberantly talking about Sedona and thanks to an invitation from my good friend Shellie, Zumba Gold Queen (among other roles), I got to experience the Scottsdale/Sedona area of Arizona for almost the first time. When I was 15 years old, I did take the mule train ride down Grand Canyon (more than 50 years – a half a century – ago!)

It was the first time taking a major tourist-type vacation without my beloved Sam, whom most of you know passed away in November. On some level, throughout the journey, I kept silently comparing what I was seeing with what we both had shared in our East Coast travels over the years. I’m continuing to process the trip on many levels.

In the meantime, I have over 1,000 photos to sort through and a Picture to Ponder to deliver. So, taking one step at a time, I’m starting with mid-week and a sunset.

Today, I invite you to look into your life to see:

1. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself endlessly comparing one thing to another, one person to another or to your own expectations?

2. If “yes,” to any of the above, can you see where this might be holding you back from possibly fully experiencing the joy and presence of what is?

3. Are there places where, once you become aware of the “chatter”, you can shift to being present for yourself?

4. Lastly, once again “reflections” were part of the featured photos; albeit the reflections on rocks being a variation on those we’ve shown in the past.

Are there places in your life where you are casting reflections of yourself? If so, are they ones of bright light, perhaps even in a smile that lights up another, or are they more passive, such as the ones in the mirror?

Given, I’ve chosen to be more proactive this week, I think I’ll pick up on the former, looking for ways I can cast a bright light. How about you?

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Through and from the Lens – Workshop Intro in the works

by Sheila Finkelstein on October 6, 2008

Back from Arizona, photos will come later. Right now I am preparing and gearing up for an all-day, in-person workshop in Southeast, Florida, as well as reactivating teleclass workshops to Through and From the Lens – Using Photography as Access to Transformation. Details will follow here and in Picture to Ponder. To be on a specific notification list, simply include your name and email address below. We’ll include a free subscription to the inspirational, weekly Picture to Ponder photo ezine. Be assured, if you are already a subscriber, putting your name here will not result in duplicate mailings!

UPDATE : On -Location Workshop will be held on Saturday, October 25th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM at a location in Pompano Beach, FL. See WORKSHOP for details and to register.

INTRODUCING WITH PHOTOS – THROUGH AND FROM THE LENS

 

Abstract photo art

Welcome to my world of color, textures, imagination and creativity, where photography provides access to out-of-the box seeing/thinking and unending possibilities.

personified coral jumping I invite you to take a leap of faith with and have some fun, though some of you may have an underlying fear.

center of palm tree You may find possibilities very directed, radiating from your center core, each extension providing seedlings of more.

rounded cactus Or the path may be more layered, soft and rounded.

palm frond radiating to the left

You might find your ideas unfolding and leaning in one direction, guarded by a portion of yourself.

palm frond up

palm frond sideways

palm fronds facing down

And most certainly, when you explore the same set (though different fronds from the first), from different viewpoints whole new perspectives open up.

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Grapes with Broccoli and Scallions, plus Berries – Photo Drawing Art

by Sheila Finkelstein on September 11, 2008

grapes, broccoli and other vegetables on a time

Transitioning from the Vegetable theme to Fruit with mixture of grapes, broccoli, mushrooms and scallions to

photo drawing of berries in a ceramic dish

berries in a ceramic bowl.

In yesterday’s Picture to Ponder, I committed to posting at least one photo of fruit per day, for the next week. One of the subscribers wrote and asked if I had any grape photos she could use for the cover of a book she is writing. I do not have any current photos of grapes and I went back in my files to discover these photo/drawings.

Given I had not committed to their being new photo, I thought these would be great to also introduce new people to my work to my photo drawing art in my Cafe Press Gift shop. The top image can be found on ceramic tiles.

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Apple Inspires Completions – Picture to Ponder – Volume 4 – Issue 33

by Sheila Finkelstein on September 10, 2008

sliced golden delicious apple

another view of cut golden delicious apple

Today’s Picture to Ponder Photos
Sections of a dehydrating Gold Delicious Apple that had been in the refrigerator for some time.

Today, as I started clicking through photos in my MacIntosh’s iPhoto program to make a choice for feature photos, these apples caught my eye. It was the humor I saw in the sideways glance and winking eye of the apple half in the lower photo that first grabbed my attention.

In the upper photo, I think it’s the somewhat unexpected structure of the apple that we see that I find so interesting. And, “yes,” for those of you who, along with me, see faces in my photos, I do see the two eyes.

Today’s Self-Reflecting Queries
Today, I invite you to look into your life to see:

1. Are there things you’ve been saying you would do and then haven’t?

2. If “yes,” is there an intention you wish to declare, something that will make it easier for you to follow through?

3. Are there any games you would like to create for yourself to have them happen, especially when you get stuck?

4. Are there “permissions” you need to be giving yourself? – Perhaps, simply allowing yourself to have fun?

My Story of the Day leading to these queries:
Last month, you may recall, I documented the peeling away of the layers of an onion. If you missed it, you can see some photos and start following on the SECOND PAGE of the blog.

When I started out photographing the onion, my original plan had been to do daily postings on the blog of vegetable photos, continuing with fruits the next week. In preparation for the latter, one day I pulled an apple from my refrigerator. I discovered that it had been in there long beyond the time for tasty eating. The apple did, however, make an enjoyable photo subject.

In the meantime, I got so caught up in the Onion Story that I went well beyond the original intention of one week of vegetable photo posting and totally lost interest in continuing on with the fruits.

As usual, after I made my choices I started second guessing them, “Should I even do the apple? Is this the right choice? What about the lighting, color, quality, etc. etc.” And I decided to stick with my first instincts, at the same time uploading onto FlickR several more of the photos which you can see by simply clicking on APPLE- INSIDE VIEWS.

As always, it’s when I start writing that the SRQ themes develop and for today, I saw, that once again they are falling into the Intention – Completion realm, with a little bit of the “trust” factor thrown in. The latter for today is trusting that there are those of you out there for whom something in these apple photos, and subsequent queries, will be making a difference for you.

On the lighter side, it could be as simple as checking your refrigerator for the credible edibles.

In terms of completions and incompletions, I have been looking this week at places in my life where I have incompletions. Mainly they seem to be in those areas where I had set intentions. And, I’m taking little steps this week, stages of completion.

As I’ve stated, in prior issues of Picture to Ponder, when I remind myself of my stated intentions, it becomes easier to complete and there is a lot less brain “chatter”. And, sure enough, a couple of major things have been accomplished already, beyond what I thought was possible, in some long lingering projects I had dropped, as well as in current ones.

To conclude here, insofar as it relates to today’s discussion, I am commiting for the next week to the daily posting of fruit photos completing on the earlier expressed intention of a month ago, staying open to what might occur.

Given, I’m making up the game, I will also give myself the permission to use some photos I took a few weeks ago when I thought that would be my next activity.

Is there anything to which you would like to commit for the next week, something that might not already have been on your list?

As always, do remember to have fun. You can even divert momentarily and have some fun with
FIREFLAG PLAY
In the nature of fun, check out FIREFLAG LEAF, TALKING IN THE WIND, an 18 second video clip I posted on YouTube. I suspect many of you could create some great expressions that could be coming out of his/her “mouth.”

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