A couple of quick items before today’s photo and queries. In the last issue I mentioned I’m a seeking an Art Rep / Business Partner. I have since created a web page description and link which I’d greatly appreciate your looking at and then passing on to anyone you think might be interested or who might know such a person. Quite possibly he/she is a retired, experienced business person. See ArtRepPartner.
Next, if you are one of our subscribers who enjoys creative experiences, I think you’ll appreciate the following information. I was on a call last night with Marney Makridakis, one of the most creative artists and business people whom I know. I worked with Marney several years ago and had forgotten of how full of ideas she is, always testing, implementing and following through.
Tomorrow night (Thursday, October 14th), she’s offering a complimentary teleclass, The Awe of Attraction: Using the ARTbundance Principles to Break the “Law” and Find the Love! It’s all about using art and creativity as powerful new tools to attract more of what you want into your life. See ARTbundance.
There will be several hands-on creative activities done during the call. Marney will also be introducing an upcoming program in which she will be training coaches in using creative practices in new ways. To get a taste of the broad areas, in general, in which Marney’s creativity has taken her, see Artellaland.
Lastly, before today’s photo, I invite those of you in business to check out the information on Molly Gordon’s upcoming Profit Alchemy 101: Four Weeks to a More Focused Profitable Business program. Simply click on Profit for information.
Today’s Featured Photo –
Cat’s Whiskers in the American Orchid Society Gardens in Delray Beach.
Today’s Photo Story –
In a recent walk in the AOS Gardens I was attracted by the above flower, as much as for its name as for its imagery. Then in a couple of different conversations, in subsequent days, “cats” and “cats’ whiskers” came up… the cats that are animals, that is. The coincidences, thus, reinforced my decision to feature the above flower in this issue of Picture to Ponder.
At first, I thought the photo as not “good enough” to stand alone, that you might want another photograph of a “more beautiful” flower. And, then, I placed it on the page with a contrasting photo and the whiskers “wanted” to be the center of attention.
As I spent time simply being with the photo I got caught up in the dance of it, the movement in the flower itself and the play of lights and darks in the contrasting background.
I invite you to do the same, stay with the photograph for a moment or two and see what comes up for you.
Self-Reflecting Queries –
One of the things I thought I would be addressing with the Cat’s Whiskers is our “expectations.” When you read “Cat’s Whiskers” in the subject heading were you drawn in because you love cats? Put off because, perhaps you dislike cats? (Those who were might not even have opened this issue.) Or, were you simply curious as to why cats’ whiskers would be featured in Picture to Ponder?
There are probably several other variables and more questions that I could suggest above. The bottom line is that I suspect you had some reaction/response, a little different from your usual one here.
My point to this conversation is to notice how our behaviors are so often colored by our expectations, or the way we think things are, simply from assumptions or judgments we’ve made.
I invite you to look into your life now. Were there were any recent circumstances where you made a quick decision on doing, or not doing, something, or one on talking or not talking to a particular person? If so, were there clues that the situation might have been different from your immediate assessment?
Should nothing immediate come up for you as you ponder the previous questions, I invite you to pay attention in the next day or two, or more, to the number of times you automatically make a decision based on a preconceived notion. As you begin to notice these, are you finding that there are some minor shifts you’d care to make in your perceptions.
Please do “play” with these queries. Have fun and open up to new possibilities.
As always, you are welcome to share your responses in the COMMENTS section below. Note the new “Notify me…. ” option so you can get emails when others comment. Looking forward to our connecting there. Thank you so much.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I DID almost pass this by because I am not particularly a cat lover:) ,…Ha, you got us:)
Thanks for the laugh, Susan, and for the response. I really am wondering if people will not open it for that reason. On the other hand there may be subscribers who don’t always open the email, who just might.
And, one of the subscribers wrote back, immediately. She saw a “wedding dress.” Isn’t it great when we’re open!!
I opened it because I love cats. : )
Smiling, Katrina.
I appreciate your jumping in. And, your love of cats reminds me I intended to send this one to a friend, another cat lover.
It said “Cat’s Whiskers – the Plant and Expectations” in my subject line.
I love this photo! I have tried to “capture” this flower many times. In my garden it dances too much, I can never seem to catch it in focus, but I keep trying.
Thanks, Peggy. The only place I’ve ever seen these is in the American Orchid Society’s gardens.
I guess they are in a more protected area than yours are. No wind that I recall and this was with my older camera that doesn’t have image stabilization.
In acknowledgment of those who have responded, I am putting up a second photo now with two Cat’s Whiskers flowers.
The properties (how space is defined) which this flower shares with dance is the combination of curves and angles; triangles specifically. Should one take a dance photo – an arabesque for instance – it becomes obvious that the defined spac…e (in the foreground) exists upon the negative space behind it. One defines the other.
Look at the flower “whiskers” and one can see that while each single whisker is curved its sum – the cluster – is a triangle. Look at the leaves – again curves and triangles. When the eye sees symetry the brain interprets this as pleasing – i.e. beauty. Not only does shape define space – but also the light/dark contrast. Dark becomes dark when there is light – vice versa.
A dancer in a white costume is seen to best advantage against a dark stage backdrop – just as a dancer in a black costume becomes invisible against a dark backdrop. When we see pleasing shapes and light/dark contrast this eases our fears of “what’s out there?” And when we are pleased – we are happy.
Sheila, What you wrote is amazing, incorporating all the creative pieces of you so beautifully… the writer, the artist and the dancer! I’d love to see your comments in the comment section of the blog, also.
And, I just inserted another Cat’s Whiskers – 2 flowers photo into the post.
If a work of art – such as your photograph (and G-D’s flower) can bring pieces together – then it has accomplished its purpose.
Hi Sheila – Before I read the title of your blog, I was drawn to cats whiskers with the expectation of a feline. I was going to share my delight with the unexpected and how I wondered if these cats whiskers were similar in texture if I were to rub a fingeralong these vibrisee. Also imagined how they might serve a similar purpose of moving safely thru tight or twisted places. and how the plant would feel with the wind in its whiskers.
Thanks for letting me play
Thanks so much for your beautiful and thoughtful response, Gina-Dianne. I love the way you got right in their and played with the feelings and textures.
Thank YOU for playing!
Shelia , I always open your email. It has no difference for me if I like the title as I know you always take me somewhere that is introspective, so it is what you do and say that invites me to open it,,,,,smiles Linda
Thanks so much, Linda. I’m moved by your comments and trust and acknowledgment of the difference my work makes for you.
With love and appreciation, Sheila