Shine the Divine: Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice: Shadows and Reflections in Black and White, Oh My!

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Friday, March 11, 2011

Shadows and Reflections in Black and White, Oh My!

stairs leading nowhere

and everywhere all at once

i sit and ponder

We were early for a doctors appointment sitting in the lobby when I noticed a certain Escher-esque quality to the reflection of steps and shadows echoed in the glass encased stairwell. I know my daughter was embarrassed as I whipped out my camera in the lobby...but I think it was totally worth it. (14 year old's are embarrassed by pretty much anything a parent does in public, so I was not inhibited whatsoever).

And since I'll be away for the weekend I figured I'd do a three in one before I left and pre-schedule the post. Have a restful weekend everyone.

gentle steps,

Laura

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51 comments:

MuffieMarch 11, 2011 at 4:45 PM
That photo does remind me of those Escher stairs! So observant! And never fear, fourteen year olds do eventually grow out of the eye-rolling, "Mo-ther" phase! Enjoy your weekend.
Peace,
Muff
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KelMarch 11, 2011 at 5:41 PM
Laura you have shown us again that maintaining an observant eye lifts us from the mundane to the magnificent

may your women's weekend away offer new vistas and views
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the wild magnoliaMarch 11, 2011 at 6:16 PM
Black and white is definitive and clear cut. Great clarity. Stairway to forever.

Great post.

Blessings.
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LVMarch 11, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Now and then it is nice to see black and white shots. Trust you will have a safe and nice weekend.
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the wild magnoliaMarch 11, 2011 at 6:18 PM
Black and white is definitive, clear cut. A stairway to forever.

Great post. So glad for the share.

Blessings.
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Peace Be With YouMarch 11, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Fabulous photograph. Beautiful haiku.

Judy
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Sylvia KMarch 11, 2011 at 6:34 PM
I, too, do love the way you have of showing us a different approach, a different way to look at things -- all things! Hope you have a beautiful weekend, Laura!

Sylvia
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Inger-MMarch 11, 2011 at 7:22 PM
So beautiful lines, light and reflections!
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KarenMarch 11, 2011 at 8:25 PM
Brilliant Laura!
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Kim, USAMarch 11, 2011 at 9:03 PM
Love this shot! Thanks for sharing and happy weekend!
WR-Sunset
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ReginaMarch 11, 2011 at 10:25 PM
Beautiful!
Happy weekend reflections Laura.
R e g i n a
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Greyscale TerritoryMarch 11, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Beautiful, artistic play of light, shadow and reflection!
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JeanneMarch 11, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Laura,

Great photo! Your daughter will recover from her embarrassment. ;)

Jeanne
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Irene CortezMarch 12, 2011 at 12:00 AM
wow, laura, what a lovely photo!!! very refreshing to look at! :-) have a wonderful weekend! God bless! :-)
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REJENMarch 12, 2011 at 1:16 AM
Wonderful picture of the stairs to ?...Have a nice weekend...
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jooMarch 12, 2011 at 7:00 AM
Wonderful photo Laura! I do love it!
have a great weekend:)
Hugs
Joo
xxx
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'TsukiMarch 12, 2011 at 12:38 PM
I like the work on the symetry you did here... And the choice of B&W on this particular picture seems like a tribute to Escher... Great job !
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Rachel HoytMarch 12, 2011 at 2:55 PM
I love the photo and especially the story about how and when you captured it.
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Lisa's RetroStyleMarch 12, 2011 at 3:11 PM
Really cool shot...I love it!
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EG WowMarch 12, 2011 at 3:52 PM
I like this shot very much. Good eye! Hope you're having a fun time away.
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RalphMarch 12, 2011 at 4:46 PM
The stairs seem like an abstract geometric figure. To climb or to descent, the many movements of several staircases can confuse us if we have any qualms about which direction we will next be going...

Wonderfully captured and almost artistry in motion!
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Millie PriceMarch 12, 2011 at 4:55 PM
good eye! i love it when you spot an interesting shadow when you least expect it.
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mollygolverMarch 12, 2011 at 4:55 PM
I love your shadow steps
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DragonstarMarch 12, 2011 at 5:00 PM
Absolutely the best thing to do in a waiting room is to take out your camera. It can act like a meditation.
Parents exist to embarrass their children - fact of life!
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Mama ZenMarch 12, 2011 at 5:37 PM
I really like that. Lovely shot!
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Rachel HoytMarch 12, 2011 at 7:46 PM
Beautiful photo! We should always be willing to embarrass children when it helps us capture a moment of random beauty.
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GenieMarch 12, 2011 at 7:47 PM
I agree with you that the steps do look like a work of Escher. You capture is excellent. the way you were able to catch the light just right is awesome. I always take my book, knitting, or embroidery when I go to the doctor....maybe I ned to start carrying in my camera. Look what a heat shot you would have missed it you had left it in the car. Nice work.
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Myrna R.March 12, 2011 at 7:50 PM
You captured some great angles. Glad you didn't listen to your daughter. It was worth it. Hope you're having a wonderful time.
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Hey HarrietMarch 12, 2011 at 11:01 PM
Beautiful! I hope that you're having a lovely weekend away!
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TitaniaMarch 12, 2011 at 11:54 PM
Hi Laura; it seems confusing, like life, sometimes.
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Miss KodeeMarch 13, 2011 at 1:43 AM
The shadows, reflection and lighting just make this photo burst with interest! Love it.
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Richie's 2ts InspiresMarch 13, 2011 at 5:49 AM
An artistique & dramatic shot!

Have a great & cozy Sunday.

chie
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HOOTIN' ANNIMarch 13, 2011 at 6:53 AM
There is something about black and white photography that brings out the ambiance of so many things...as does this photo you've shared.

My Shadow Shot Link BOARDWALK along the wildlife refuge
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Icy BCMarch 13, 2011 at 7:51 AM
Wonderful shot, and my children feel the same way when I pull out my camera!
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♥-Icy BC-♥March 13, 2011 at 9:44 AM
I like the perspective in this great shot!
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LeslieMarch 13, 2011 at 11:18 AM
You are showing her the way to be present in each moment. A gift she will always treasure...

Hoping your weekend has been restful and love-filled.

(for some reason these stairs remind me of the moveable staircases in the harry potter movies : )
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Sar@hMarch 13, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Well seen !
When my boys see me taking pictures and they say loudly: "We do not know her !"
Continue to do so, we like
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BeatnheartMarch 13, 2011 at 1:06 PM
beautiful shots Laura...thanks so much for your recent visit and comment. All the very best to you in your part of the world. blessings and peace.
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JoanMarch 13, 2011 at 1:29 PM
First thing I thought of when I saw your image....the doctor. lol
Hope you are having a great week-end. :)
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mermaidMarch 13, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Your photographic and written perspective are ingenious.

Have a beautiful weekend, Laura.
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HannahMarch 13, 2011 at 4:47 PM
I've always thought that hospitals and functional buildings like them have hidden potential for great art photography--you've proved it here Laura and, as someone else said, turned a mundane moment into a one of art.
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chubskulitMarch 13, 2011 at 5:15 PM
Gorgeous!

My Shadow post, have a great week ahead.
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JamesMarch 13, 2011 at 6:25 PM
Outstanding shot! I really like it and I think black and white was the perfect choice.
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WoodyMarch 13, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Escher-like indeed, this is an amazing capture.
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DimpleMarch 13, 2011 at 6:56 PM
I am very glad you disregarded your daughter's embarrassment, because this is a great shot!
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SharonMarch 13, 2011 at 7:44 PM
My "kids" ~ all grown up now ~ are grateful for every photo I took when they were growing up now that they can look back on those images and enjoy the memories.
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forgetmenotMarch 13, 2011 at 10:41 PM
Great shot and the haiku is "perfect". Wouldn't matter what you did, it probably wouldn't be the right thing --14 year olds tend to take the opposite side of just about everything. I've "been there, done that" 3 times and lived through it. Mickie
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lisaschaosMarch 13, 2011 at 11:53 PM
Lines, everywhere lines. Makes me wanna jump up and run up and down some stairs. :0)
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ELKMarch 14, 2011 at 8:56 AM
haha ..had to chuckle about the 14 year old.. its our job it embarrass them!! This is a nice study in black and white ..i always like the way stairs appear in photos..hope your weekend was special~
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LynnMarch 14, 2011 at 4:58 PM
I love the photo. B and W...wonderful angles, edges.Good eye. One day daughter will appreciate your art.
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LindaMarch 14, 2011 at 5:47 PM
And 17 year olds too. But we have to do what we have to do.
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Bright Sparks:

Ellie

Your prayers (and the medication) are helping. Our precious dog Ellie has only had two small seizures since the first 10, in that terribly frightening twenty-four hour period the first day of March 2013. Unfortunately there are some new symptoms now, some problems with ulcerations in her nose, some difficulty breathing and she has gained 12 lbs (without eating more than she did before) since this began in March. This has our vet suspecting a pituitary tumor or something autoimmune going on. She is still her playful gentle self, but she seams to be slowing down some. Still wearing good-nites with the tail hole cut through to prevent accidents in the house. And she still needs to be let out many more times a day, and at least once in the night. Reminiscent the full time, fulfilling and difficult first years of raising our daughters. Infant care to eldercare, this is the circle of life one end tied into the other. Loving someone is not always convenient or easy; it gets messy, it gets scary. Yet how empty our lives would be without love and companionship. We have been and continue to be blessed with an abundance of love flowing through all the many illnesses we’ve nursed each other through over the years, both human and fur babies. Thank you to everyone for all the kind and compassionate messages, for every prayer uttered and held in your hearts. We are grateful for all of the support. My blogging will likely be limited for a while as we adjust to these changes in our family life.

Remnants

Before the eMeS, my now constant companion begged me to stay close to home, I taught art, yoga and meditation to Jewish teens in the Greater Boston area. The collage series in the slide show above was created using forgotten paper scraps that slipped between the cracks of the tables onto the floor, from an Art as a Sacred Practice class I taught to High School students several years ago. My intention was to find the intrinsic value in each remnant. Often the beauty of an individual person goes unrecognized or unappreciated until it is revealed in the context of a relationship; the same is true of colors, shapes and textures. Click on the images to take a closer look. They are tiny works, some no bigger than 1.5” x 1.5”