Over the Field

Fast Flying Clouds

Second Effort

Inspiration

On the way to work, I watched the slow everchanging growth in the field by my house.  The artichokes grew and grew but were never harvested.  As they passed their prime and their leaves dried and wilted away, the artichokes becamevisible.

aThe artichokes kept drying out.  Soon there were just the artichokes aatop their very long stems.  Everyday I worked I would check in with a quick glance.  Depending on my schedule, I would look at them as the sun was just rising, setting, or somewhere in between.

Then the blue purple began to show itself.  The color, the size, and the shape of the artichoke flowers were amazing.  I had no idea.  What an interesting and great subject they were.  I had to get closer to observe and photograph them.  I had missed the first opportunity a year before.  I had waited too long.  I almost missed my chance this year.

As I took one photograph after another in rapid succession, I was absorbed completely.  I was completley emersed in the moment.  Everything faded away except the artichokes and my thoughts about them,  I had a half an hour to learn everything I could about them.  I let my subconscious take over.  There was no pondering only the act of capturing this information.  Whether this moment becomes one painting or more does not matter.  The inspiration of the possibilities is a deeply gratifying feeling in and of itself.