Rooftop View

"Divine nature gave the fields, human art built the cities."

                                                        --Marcus Terentius Varro

Monumental Sculpture

"Winter" by Phillip Haas

Ever been to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City?  If you haven't been there for a few years, try to arrange a visit as the south lawn has four, 15-foot characters that await you.  These images are only two of the group, but artist Phillip Haas constructed four 3-D sculptures according to his interpretation of the Italian Renaissance painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo's portrait series entitled "The Four Seasons."  These massive pieces were originally made in Great Britain and installed about a year ago in KC.  Both the paintings and the sculptures feature man's face as botanical creations of lush flowers, ripe fruit and earthly vegetables indicative of the four seasons.  Hurry on over for a visit -- this will amaze you.

"Summer" by Phillip Haas

Wearing a Mask?

"Tear off the mask.  Your face is glorious."

                                --Rumi

Tulip Time

Each spring I feature all sorts of blooming beauties, including shots of these gorgeous white and red tulips.  If you follow this blog or are familiar with my photos, you know I have a similar image that is one of my all-time favorites.  So, it's tulip time and I revisited some files from a few years back and worked on this shot to give it that dreamy look of red and white taffy.  Regarding the tulip patch, each year I return to the same spot hoping to find more of these terrific tulips but haven't seen any that resemble this variety...maybe next year.

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."

                           --Rumi

On the Porch

"The beautiful spring came;

and when Nature resumes her loveliness,

the human soul is apt to revive also."

                  --Harriet Ann Jacobs

Coloring

Coloring books for adults are everywhere, including this book of beautiful postcards illustrated by Johanna Basford.  Despite the very small size (just slightly larger than 4" x 6") and detail, I couldn't resist the postcards and decided to get started...well, that was in early January and I just recently finished.  Whew.  Of course, I didn't work on it daily but little by little I made progress.  Using watercolor pencils made blending and shading quite easy and I recommend getting a set if you enjoy this type of work.  

And, in case you were wondering, I made it especially to give to my mother as a bouquet of flowers on her birthday.  She was pleased with her gift.

Meandering Maquoketa

Fog in my photos -- yep!  It's a great backdrop that enhances any image.  If you enjoy photography, even if it is just for fun, the next time la neblina sets in head outdoors and start shooting.  You will love the results.

Anyway, recently this image earned Special Merit recognition in an online art exhibition.  Go to this site to see this image and many other outstanding pieces of art devoted to landscapes: https://lightspacetime.com/current-online-art-exhibit

Also, remember to visit my online Etsy store and check out several images available for purchase.  Here's the link:  www. etsy.com/shop/funkephotodesigns. 

Need Your Vote

For the annual Our Iowa photo contest, this picture is a finalist in the "Iowa People" category.  As noted in the caption, I took this photo during the Veteran's Day parade in Strawberry Point, Iowa, as several veterans were on hand for the event, including a WWII veteran seen in the front.

If you are an Our Iowa subscriber, I would appreciate your vote.  To do so via email, type in the subject line "Vote Iowa People" and in the message type "I vote for # 3."  Send to hotline@OurIowaMagazine.com

Or, mail your vote to:  Focus on Iowa Photo Contest, Iowa People Category, Our Iowa, 1510 Buckeye Avenue, Ames, IA  50010.

Now, go vote!  Thanks for participating.