• Art,  quotes,  street photography

    The Meaning of Life

    BirdsEye mural by Ren Burke

    I think “the meaning of life” is something we have to formulate for ourselves, we have to determine what has meaning for us… It clearly has to do with love — what and whom and how one can love.

    Oliver Sacks

    We had another beautiful day yesterday, beginning with an orange sunrise then blue skies and sunshine. In the afternoon I headed to Old Town to walk the streets with my camera. I found a few images then did some journaling at Starry Night, enjoying an Earl Grey Tea. I believe so deeply in what Oliver Sacks suggests that the meaning of life is about love. So today I ask myself what and whom and how I can love.

    In 2004 as a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Utilities Light and Power created The Transformer Cabinet Mural Project. Serving as a graffiti abatement program, the murals help lower maintenance costs while adding bright colorful art in unexpected places. The program also helps keep the investment local by utilizing local artists and non-profit groups to paint the cabinets. Since the start of the program, 20 years now, over 400 transformer cabinets have been transformed into works of art.

  • leaves,  Plants,  quotes

    Good advice for us all…

    After the rain at Inniswood Gardens

    If there is meaning in the past and in the imagined future, it is captured in the moment. When you have all the time in the world, you can spend it, not on going somewhere, but on being where you are. So I stretch out, close my eyes, and listen to the rain.

    Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • Candid Portraits,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Love is…

    Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us.

    Marianne Williamson

    It was just after 7:30 am and the morning light on Adriana’s auburn hair was radiating around her! She was in the spotlight. Love is shining on her and in her. She agreed to let me take a shot while she continued to work on her computer. The subject, the light and the moment, all make this image a meaningful moment. Thank you, Adriana.

  • clouds,  horizons,  landscape,  Plants,  quotes,  shadows,  trees

    Awareness of Shadows

    How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also If I am to be whole.

    Carl Gustav Jung

    Jung believed that our shadow describes those aspects of our personality that we choose to reject and repress. After many years of reflecting back on my own experiences in life I am able to see where I hid from my dark side. Jung also says, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” This awareness has helped me in many areas of my life, mainly in relationships.

    I’ve also become aware of the value shadows bring to my photography. Some of my favorite images are because of the interplay of shadows and light within them.