blue,
as I peer at the sun,
eyes dazzled by a larger-than-life gold & orange
that obviates melancholy
black heart
a telling sign,
as petals evanesce and fly off into
endless sunshine
green,
the life-giver,
the profusion from where all else springs;
it gives me solace
it is the singular
dance of petals upturned;
they lift me and tickle me;
I am disarmed
so graceful and delicate and wanting;
such overwhelming might;
it humbles me
they have started to droop
it is the cycle of life
they whisper to
each other;
they want to know who I am
one last struggle
one final burst of brightness and love;
a farewell, a surrender
the life-giver is dead;
what’s to become of me now?
it wasn’t much what I had,
but it was something
Flowers from J. Arsenault
words by Byron Ayanoglu
photography by Algis Kemezys
This morning as I went out to my balcony to eat my breakfast of green beans and shiso leaf the sunflowers called out and I took a few more images of them.
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Comments
ᴼᴥƪ
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love those sunflowers. I tried to coax mine out all summer, and all I got was a few brave, prevailing flowers. Apparently, they needed some shade!
divorcedpauline, Your quite exquisite for saying that. We both thank you too!
Rei Momo , Love to see that painting. You know I realized this was the second time I did some thing Van Goghish
and really enjoyed it. Believe it or not I think I got some of his reincarnated energy somehow...not!
VariousArtists Yes I think that worked too. One realizes that with publication and season one gets more impact using the seasonal options for further emotional contact.
zanelle, I had real problems with that too. I was not sure weather I should do that or not. In the case even though the flower is drastically overexposed it never overexposed enough for detail in the center. That looked technically odd to me so I decided to fill it with sunshine. Vivian yes there was Photoshop in that area.
scanner, Yes it does a lot with so little...mind you the sunflower rules in the wild kingdom. Thanks so much!
Mimetalker I am speechless....Thanks
.
skypixie0 I am speechless.Thanks
JALI 17, Oh Thanks so much for the Jali smile...and more.
Joan H. Your quite stunning too for saying that. Thanks
Christine Geery Your absolutly amazing too for saying that.Thanks
tg within Exactly correct my smart Pal...Thanks
Matt Paust Great, I did my job then! The same thing happened to me once I started taking these. Thats the way want your photography to be. When they start off this good it is very hard to let go.You should see them now. Thanks
Vivian Henoch, Actually, there was very little photoshop. These are just overexposed because they are inside my living room next to the picture window. Taking them here was far better than taking them outside. Outside there were just far too many details control.. I just realized, yes the centers are photoshopped in some cases. You see in some of these images even though they are overexposed the detail was not there in the center. This simple photoshop technique corrects that is a very becoming way. Thanks .
I bumped on the Open Salon Feed.
Rita Shier.
You a one orange sunflower to me.
You rated.
I would too.
You a smiling orange lantern smile.
You the handiwork of gap tooth grin.
Tease. I mean?
You a pumpkin.
We bump again.
I do a polka `gin.
What beauty ay.
Oh, may beauty
be within. adore.
W. S. prayed it.
I'll walk in rain.
Thank. Beauty.
&
comment stink?
Why won't it go?
&+ ~ Try 3- X's?
I bumped on the Open Salon Feed.
Rita Shier.
You a one orange sunflower to me.
You rated.
I would too.
You a smiling orange lantern smile.
You the handiwork of gap tooth grin.
Tease. I mean?
You a pumpkin.
We bump again.
I do a polka `gin.
What beauty ay.
Oh, may beauty
be within. adore.
W. S. prayed it.
I'll walk in rain.
Thank. Beauty.
Scarlett Sumac The heart of Darkness in a sunflower maybe? Thanks
Jonathan Wolfman , Why Thanks Wolfman! Wow for a second I felt like I was talking to a super hero!
Monsieur Chariot, I wonder what that means and you might have a special talent too.
Orange:
I bumped on the Open Salon Feed.
Rita Shier.
You a one orange sunflower to me.
You rated.
I would too.
You a smiling orange lantern smile.
You the handiwork of gap tooth grin.
Tease. I mean?
You a pumpkin.
We bump again.
I do a polka `gin.
What beauty ay.
Oh, may beauty
be within. adore.
W. S. prayed it.
I'll walk in rain.
Thank. Beauty.
&
comment stink?
Why won't it go?
&+ ~ Try 3- X's?
Art James
Pavanne Veltman Thanks so much dear hope you have been fine?
SEPTEMBER 06, 2011 09:38 AM
Orange:
I bumped on the Open Salon Feed.
Rita Shier.
You a one orange sunflower to me.
You rated.
I would too.
You a smiling orange lantern smile.
You the handiwork of gap tooth grin.
Tease. I mean?
You a pumpkin.
We bump again.
I do a polka `gin.
What beauty ay.
Oh, may beauty
be within. adore.
W. S. prayed it.
I'll walk in rain.
Thank. Beauty.
Art James, You got most of that right including the gap toothed smile...Thanks
Julie White Nows the time then to go out with your camera and see what happens.Thanks!
SheilaTGTG55 Exactly my thought too. Thanks
Lezlie
The seeds!
Who could offer more?
An artistic review of how we treat our planet or something.
But, simultaneously, they have become beautiful art in your photographer's eye...
Sunflowers do console, bright and dark. They are common and regal at the same time. That dandy orange blaze is a queen of color lacing her black prince.
Ah Sunflower
Ah Sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the sun;
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done;
Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale virgin shrouded in snow,
Arise from their graves, and aspire
Where my Sunflower wishes to go!
William Blake
Gorgeous!
HUGGGGGGGGGGG
What stunning photographs! The poetry and the metaphor is powerful too.
R
A vibrant and luminous post, Algis. Thank you!
Jaime Franchi You know, I was sensing something like this myself. I felt that these were people in some cases and I am so glad you mentioned that and more... .Your good.
keri h, As are you ...only lovlier
designanator, Yes that Jazz is really some good stuff and I am so glad to have started your day and month with the soothing qualities of these images.
L in the Southeast, Oh your so fine for saying that. I appreciate it very much!
Just Thinking...Yes the seeds, Just thinking, the seeds....
Just Thinking... Yes concerning that I was a bit purplexed over very little detail in the seed area of the image. Then I had an aha moment and the idea came to put the sunshine back into the center and presto I managed to do it. Then I was not sure if I liked this sort of thing and reasoned with myself this is something different. Art always has to explore and is this not exploration of some sort? To make a long story short I was also hoping Monsanto had not messed with these seeds as well and that the centers would still be good for the eating.
Often successful art depends on mistakes and maybe this is the case.
catch-22 Hey that was really lovely I really like what you wrote there...Thanks so much!
Sarah Cavanaugh, Yes I shall have a seed eating party in the next few weeks and your invited. I also like your idea of seeing these from a distance. So I went to the other side of the room and you know it works!!! Thanks
fernsy, Oh your so very welcome. I like photographing up close because of the vividness in this case.
Erica K Oh thanks for saying that. A weaver of magic. Your so good. Thanks again.
Pam Malone, You sound like me and I appreciate that...Thanks!
Susie Lindau, Oh that works for me too. I do feel hungrier after looking at these.
Cynthia Neale, Oh that is so wonderfully said or written. I really appreciate it and more. Thanks!
Ah Sunflower
Ah Sunflower, weary of time,
Who countest the steps of the sun;
Seeking after that sweet golden clime
Where the traveller's journey is done;
Where the Youth pined away with desire,
And the pale virgin shrouded in snow,
Arise from their graves, and aspire
Where my Sunflower wishes to go!
William Blake
FusunA, Oh that is a wonderful poem and thanks so very much for sharing it here. I hope you have success soon with getting that sunflower image up on your page. I would always appreciate looking at that when I am at your blog.
BuffyW Courage it will be then and may you always have some special courage when you least expect it. Thanks again here...
Melanie Jae Martin, Oh this would be great to see then your new painted flowers. Yes I love the effect of things being almost burnt out by over exposure. It works so well with photography. Please show us those new paintings.
Linda Seccaspina, Well after I saw that image of your home I would be glad to be there as well. Thanks again and I hope all is well with you and I am really sorry our paths never crossed down here in Montreal.
Diary of a Hopeful Starving Student, So glad to be of assistance and make your day so much more inspiring.
wendyo, And your very very great for saying that too.
wendyo, well you get three RRRRR no make that 5 Rs for today.
Kimberly Ashby , Thanks so very much. May your day be grand .
l'Heure Bleue, Your so right and I am so glad that they do and esp. for you today, tomorrow and forever....
Margaret Feike You know you folks are getting me to like my tampering with these images. I am wondering if the flowers gave me a message and I was only acting upon it? It would be so cool if flowers became like this and then maybe it wouldn't too. Thanks
Little Kate, Oh so glad to have shared these with you and the resulting comment is priceless. Thanks
Bedelia Nightshade Yes these were all taken indoors from cut fresh flowers. Mind you I let a few days pass before I actually got inspired and started photographing them. They were photographed in my living room looking out through the picture window. Thanks again...
scottcvoss, Oh that is so well said. I feel the same way now that you mention it. Thanks again!
J.P. Hart, I love that quote...Can I use it over and over? Thanks again for that.
greenheron, Yes it is quite striking like that and these seem to work the best being photographed this way. Thanks again for that comment...
Harry's Ghost, Yes and Thanks, I guess you know whats next? Halloweeny!
=
Karin Greenberg Thanks so much and more.
impermanentlife then your exquisite as well. Thanks!
age 14.
yes, I get it..the sunflower can be THE symbol of summer. but these transcend any sunflower cliche. they are strange and twisted and beautiful and each image is in amazing composition.
ignore meanness. stupidity you can't do anything about. heaven knows, there's so much of both, it can make you crazy if you allow any of it to contaminate your joy and pride in this beautiful piece.
congratulations on your EP. it is well deserved.
lovely stuff as usual Algis
Catherine Forsythe, I am so glad to hear that and I appreciate knowing they were good and the flowers were enjoyed. I don't know how I can top this post because it has a very special quality for me...
Foolish Monkey, Oh thats so nice to read. That is truly what art is breaking down the barriers in unusual ways so that they shed more information in a new way. I appreciate your great words here and more.THanks.....
jramelle, Wow I am so impressed and of coarse these were then meant for you. I am so glad you extracted so much from my humble flowers and I am glad you shared that here. Your good.Thanks!
Owl_Says_Who, Oh your wonderful and I am so glad you saw these and the new ones too.Thanks again...
Kevin Army, Thats so nice to hear. Thanks K.
Lea Lane ,Thanks so much LL. Yes the centers still come out very underexposed even though these are very overexposed.So glad you dropped by and more..
marytkelly No Thanks You and so glad to know your your filled your life with them. Fusana is another fan and will have one on her banner soon. Thanks again and may your sun-flower!
Trudge164 Your amazing too and I thank you for that and come on over for some sunflower seed soup soon...Thanks again.
Rita Bourland, Well thats leaves me speechless unless you call me on the telephone right now. Thanks again though!
Ralph Tingey, Oh coming from Alaska that is amazing.I bet summer is ending most quickly there as here in southern Canada it's really tapering off. Whens the first snow there? Thanks again!
hyblaean- Julie, As you know I had trouble with that too and resolved it by adding another detail that was not there. Maybe flowers are like this on another planet I thought. Anyhow I added a few more today for you too! Thanks
AtHomePilgrim, Why Thanks I add three more for you...
*LOVE* this piece on the sunflower--beautifully photographed and captioned.
Pax,
Gretchen
Cheers,
Hawley Roddick, Thanks and yes they do. The First one below the video really has that quality of a person carrying the heads of other sunflowers under it's arms.Don't ya think?
nanatehay, I think poor Toto got carried away in one of those last great Tornadoes...fortunately he got dropped off in Tipparary where he is now part of a traveling dog circus.
Pax,
Gretchen, You know I really enjoyed that faux walk with you and glad you enjoyed it as well. Thanks again here and best wishes.
Gretchen Chateau
doloresflores_d
M. C. S., Wow great and Thanks for that. I would love to see those images to see how it helped you along. I love it when something like this happens to me too.
Bedelia Nightshade, Thanks so much. Yes it is fun watching them change and still be able to take something beautiful from them even in their demise.
Derrick Fartman, Thanks for your interest. They are mostly overexposed with some painting with transparent paint for good measure.
;-)
thankyou
♪♫•**•.¸♥¸.•*¨*•♪♪♫•**•.¸¸♥
zacherydtaylor Stay tuned then I am saving some seeds for next year. But you know the seeds from most plants are practically useless now...Like my glorious bean plants from last year gave weak scraggly bean plants this year..
Chelle James Yes summer ends in a very autumnal way here...Thanks
Cheffer, Thanks! How about some sunflower seed muffins with wild Blueberries? I am making them now so come on over.
Bellwether Vance, Thanks so much Bellwether!
Dianne Schuch - Lindsey, Thanks so much..They did have my desired impact then.
My one, straggly sunflower tried as it snuck in between the tomato plants. It really did. Maybe next year. In the meantime, I'll relish yours. Thanks, Algis.