words and art by w a l t e r w s m i t h

Posts tagged “Nature

As We Approached The Ferry A Different Kind Of Night

It was the dark of night and the silhouette of the ferry consumed me….

From the dock I looked out beyond the thoughts that anchored my dreams

a soft glow

on the sands below

this night

so

– different

I found myself again….


An Entire Life And I May Not Know Myself

Sometimes the next chapter is the same as the one before and the one before that….

land ferry sky and water

Leaving behind the shore of dreams, I often wake to a life lost at sea….

A life misunderstood.

I sometimes wonder if I really know myself at all. I try to grasp, as I look back across the sea, the meaning of what has gone before. What remains on the distant shore…

The beauty of my indecisiveness. The machinations of my decisions.

Haunt me.

Like the fear of being stranded on land as my dreams sail away. There they go I say. Another day and it all remains the same…

Not unlike the fleeing faces in the clouds above or the uneasy sinking in the waves below….


A Beautiful Time Gone, Is Like A Moment That Never Happened

Sometimes there is a beautiful journey just waiting to happen….

Searching for the ferry on the docks

A journey has its moments. A beginning, a middle, and an end. Sometimes it is a physical journey, but most often it is one of internal longing and desire. A journey of memories. It is a beginning where we once believed in something, someone or someplace. Then perhaps a middle, when while living in the present moment, we believed time stood still, and there was no tomorrow. Or perhaps a tomorrow we could come to love. And then there is the end. An ending. A final moment. Magic and lost, beauty and longing for what was. The memory of beautiful times gone, like the fleeing of dreams in the waking of a new day.

I often see things through the spectrum of my experiences, while questioning the meaning of it all. But desiring to have no grounded answer to mislead me.

Sometimes in our awareness the journey has long since come to an end….


Lake Rock Sky (An Electric Ladyland Remix)

Sometimes an image reflects things that exist only in the mind….

A moment with lake, rock, and sky in retrospect ... An Electric Ladyland Remix

What do you do with a memory that occurs suddenly while creating a piece? Or after the piece has been produced? I really did not have any definitive path for this piece. I just wanted to explore form, color and process utilizing photographic images from a lake, a sky and a mountain. Process is important to me and sometimes an abstract work can reveal a lot about process. It then occurred to me after its completion that it had both an organic and electrical feel to it. And the image that came to mind, while deepening my contemplative view of the work was Jimi Hendrix. Yes—Jimi Hendrix. Why Jimi, now that is a good question? You really do not see any real connection to Jimi at all in the piece. Or so it seems. Perhaps if you are thinking like I am—in that moment; or after having similar life experiences, you would see Jimi as well. But it is ok if you don’t. It’s your art as well as mine. I am just the physical creator of it. To you, it is what it says and reflects from your life experience.  But I digress. Getting back to Jimi and how he relates to this piece, is in itself abstract. In 1970 while visiting my older cousin and sifting through his record collection, I came across two beautiful album covers and titles. Both were mysterious and beautiful. They were Band of Gypsies and Electric Ladyland. This was my introduction to his music and rock music in general. I was 13 years old. I never looked back. The two albums and the music recorded on the discs would have significant influence on my future art. An introduction to psychedelic colors, experimental structures and abstract forms.

So I saw Jimi, in this piece, and it began with a lake, a sky and a mountain. And I called it “Lake Sky Mountain (An Electric Ladyland Remix)”

I can hear Jimi say … groovy….


Park Sky Mountain (A Kinetic Design Remix)

When we observe nature from a design perspective, we often see her in a different light….

A day full of wonders in park sky and mountain

A day full of wonders

a place…

to find young love

with green grass

and warm days

 – park

a view…

to dream

of far off lands

and nightshades

– sky

a trail…

to discover one self

on barren summits

and snowy slopes

– mountain


I Thought You Might Like To Meet Me There

Just over the summit we can see the things we dream of….

Through the optical lens, sky and mountain

With the wind behind us, we were heard speaking to one another….

it is here that you first knew

how I truly understood.


Every Artist Deserves A Look Back (A “Best Of” Remix)

This has been a fantastic weekend. I am the featured artist at the dVerse poets pub. Many of the poets that participate and share their poems have given me a lot of positive response. And I certainly do appreciate it. It is motivating and inspirational. Late last night, it came to me that I should share some of my most popular posts. I have only been blogging for 13 months, and have explored a host of themes, concepts and ideas. Below you will find links to the 5 most popular posts so far. They were determined by the number of comments and likes by my readers. I have included thumbnails of each image in the posts. They are in the order of their popularity.

Enjoy

To the right side of my design (a force of nature remix)

http://wp.me/p1f97v-GC

Weekly photo challenge - between

http://wp.me/p1f97v-Bs

The silence series: urban meditation

http://wp.me/p1f97v-CP

The path to everlasting consciousness and love (a yellow brick road remix)

http://wp.me/p1f97v-Ic

We are the everlasting consciousness (a centered moment remix)

http://wp.me/p1f97v-I4


Bridges

burning the bridges…

leaving the memories behind you

or following the yellow brick road

across that new bridge

the bridge of hope and beauty

and colors in transition….

Bridge

I would like to thank Sheila for inviting me to be the featured artist for the poets at dversepoets. I thought I may write a short poem as well, reflecting my thoughts for the challenge.

Peace


A Different Kind Of Day (A Turning The Page On Tomorrow Remix)

Sometimes in the waking the mornings with you….

The memories you leave behind when we wake

a morning glow

thoughts of you

– linger

with soft anticipation

a morning light

– embracing

dreams of you

and

unrelenting rays of sunshine

turning the page

– on Love

in a different kind of day….


A Night Of A Different Kind (A Turning The Page On Yesterday Remix)

A beautiful night of memories … always seem different in kind….

You bring back memories

at night…

we share a place

away from everyone

different

at night

we embrace something

in each other

beautiful

at night

the moon rises

in our hearts

seeking

Everlasting Light with

Love

– in a different kind of night….


Moments In Time (A Yesterday Video Remix)

Sometimes moments in time are like the possession of precious jewels only remembered briefly…..

My latest video entitled “Moments In Time (A Yesterday Video Remix)” starts off with clips from previous videos and a multimedia performance before evolving into my most recent ventures of 2012; finding new forms in the mountains of Western North Carolina. My early video work began back in 1988. Of course there were no digital cameras, and we had to use those large, bulky, VHS Cameras. At the time I was fortunate to have some rather unique video editing software, and hardware courtesy of my Amiga 1000 digital suite and the third-party supplier of a video mixer called the Genlock. Now with a HD digital camera, there is much higher resolution, creating a more definitive, sharper image. I recently purchased the Avid Studio Pro video software, and hope that the quality, and versatility will yield several levels of high performance (within a modest price range).

One of the major traits in the processing of my previous video work, has been my ability to layer video sources. So I am looking forward to using this new capability (the latest digital hardware and software) to continue this process. In the end I hope to create thought-provoking video imagery that is abstract, ambient. and minimalistic.

So I hope you enjoy what I think may be a transitional video on the path to new ideas, and processes.

Moments In Time (A Yesterday Video Remix)….

http://youtu.be/6ti_CrYaRzk


Music For Backgrounds: Ajad – Reiki Vol. 2 (Reiki Music 2: Music for Love)

The wonder of healing and finding the true Self … resting in peace with All That Is…

Today, I awoke to some very inspiring posts. They brought to my attention the essence of our lives spent in gratitude for All That Is and our remarkable ability to be creative, while discerning our immense capacity to love and be loved…

This morning I wrote a short text to my sister, telling her I loved her dearly. February, is a difficult month for us. Both my Mother’s and daughter’s birthdays are this month. Both, including my father, sadly have passed away. It is just her and I now.

I needed to reach out to my sister, share the love, tell her that she was in my thoughts and I hold her dear….

I am in the middle of my Chakra Colors for Meditation series. A collection of mindful images that I hope promotes a desire to journey within—to find a place of healing, peace, and love. I thought an interlude that included some soothing Reiki music would be just the thing to enhanced your contemplative experience of the day

Remember to breathe softly, focus your attention and stay centered.

Ajad – Reiki Vol 2 (Reiki Music 2: Music for Love) 59:53

http://youtu.be/64PT6JSuPK8

Here is the link to The Silence Series: Chakras Colors for Meditation – 1st chakra Muladhara (Red)

http://wp.me/p1f97v-Iq


The Path To Everlasting Consciousness And Love (A Yellow Brick Road Remix)

The obstacles we find on the path to Everlasting Consciousness….

The road we travel is often paved with the things that stand in our way.

as I started my journey….

i looked

to the memories behind me

– only once

as i walked along the path

i remembered

the things I’ve forgotten

– only yesterday

as you join me

i embrace

what we share together

– only forever

on the path to Everlasting Love….


When We Look Skyward An Everlasting Consciousness (A Sky And Earth Remix)

Sometimes I feel as if the universe is not beyond my reach….

A hidden name found in earth and sky

art as improvisation

and

a hidden name –

inside

the universe within….


January 21. 2012. 05:59 PM (A Heavenly Slideshow Remix)

2011 and now 2012 promises to bring to the forefront—images and ideas for the contemplative and visionary mind.

Here is just a sample of recent work.

http://youtu.be/uJHrGjLq3Dw

Music by Tomasz Bednarczyk


Water For Meditation (A Contemplative Thought Video Remix)

On a beautiful afternoon, at a moments notice with camera in hand…

A peaceful discovery

Water and meditation….

http://youtu.be/pyYahhz2svM

Music by Molly Berg and Stephen Vitiello

Water for Meditation is a study in video minimalism. I am again, working with environmental and organic imagery to present an ambient setting for quiet contemplation.


I Love A Place When It Becomes A Part Of Me

The memories of a place in time brings the heart such joy….

Table Rock State Park in South Carolina

waking up this morning, I could not free my self from the thoughts that surround me

like the stream that flows so fluidly

my mind embraces and caresses the rock of my salvation…

nurturing the journey within….


To The Right Side Of My Design (A Force Of Nature Remix)

A beautiful perspective just to the left of my mind….

To the right side of my design

In the evening I sometimes wonder if that walk today has yielded a new perspective.

Something I can hold onto….

Perhaps the thought that will change my life … tomorrow.


Contemplating The Beauty Of Nature And Design

An Afternoon with the beauty of nature brings the life of design to the mind….

Self portrait with nature and design

Have a great week ahead. Get out and enjoy some nature. Design something beautiful….


Asheville And Art For Cities (A Post Canvas And Paint Video Remix)

Asheville the Paris of the South….

I have had the pleasure and opportunity to travel to some rather unique cities such Paris France, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and here in America, cities like Washington DC, NYC, and Los Angeles. In these major cities there are never a shortage of great art, fine dining, and exciting culture. The streets are always alive throughout the day and into the night.

But I have also come to love the small to medium-sized cities such as Greenville SC, Burlington VT, and my favorite Asheville, NC. Asheville is very beautiful. Bohemian and unique. It is a gay-friendly city and a haven for those who seek a more spiritual lifestyle. It is nestled in a valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. It host for the visitor or long-time resident, diverse experiences to discover the world of  art, theatre, music, and outdoor adventure. I simply fell in love with the city many years ago.

Here is my tribute to a great city….

http://youtu.be/8YxbdmYVXJI


Winter Fog On the Blue Ridge Parkway

On a cool, brisk Sunday afternoon the fog rose along the ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains….

In 2012 I hope to explore in-depth various elements of video, video art, and video abstraction. There is a lot to process in the machinations of creativity, productivity and presentation. And it will certainly take a moment or two to master linking all the various social media outlets to accommodate the various video formats.

Some of the elements I will be working with are natural atmospheric landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes. “Winter Fog On the Blue Ridge Parkway” was filmed while ascending from Asheville, NC to the higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The mountains here are quite beautiful, even when shrouded in mist. Hope you enjoy the piece.

http://youtu.be/41mpSmc6-d8


Weekly Photo Challenge: Simple – A Walk With Nature

I love this challenge. I wanted to somehow continue the theme of my last few posts. They have been centered around self-reflection and nature as a background. As I thought about this post, it really dawned on me how simple life becomes when we take a walk in the woods. The beautiful serenity and calm that evokes reflection; a oneness with All That Is—and a simple joy.

The woods at Lake Greenwood


Two Bikes and A Tree (A Distant Discovery Remix)

I often wonder where the path of discovery will take me….

A tale of two bikes and a tree

before the day begins

it never seems to end

the winding road

the uneasy path

has left what we hold

so dear

so far behind

because the dream we find

is no longer here….


A Tree (A Moment Before You Go Remix)

Sometimes it’s a beautiful day sitting by a tree with your thoughts in hand…

At other times it’s moments before you go at an abandoned monorail station….

You and I have been here before

distant thoughts

keep me there

where you are….

Supported reflections by the band Trouble Books and the song Abandoned Monorail Stations.

http://youtu.be/eWhiqqkSmlc


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