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| That blue grey Irish light of summer |
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| It’s been raining |
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| Wildflowers after the rain really sparkle |
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| Glistening foxglove fingers |
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| He introduces himself to a field of cattle |
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| The bull pokes his nose into the air |
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| Red ants |
The Irish light is blue grey and it’s been raining. I’m snapping raindrops. He stops to introduce himself to a herd of frisky cattle. They get like that in the gloaming. Leppin around and hooshing themselves up on top of each other.
The bull is at the back, a foot or two taller than the others and he pokes his moist black nose in the air, sniffing us out. Still he stands there talking to them and peering into their midst.
Suddenly he jumps out of the ditch and scampers to rid himself of the red ants crawling up his legs. I capture him, my adult son ahead on the path while the dusky sky behind me darkens. The low light and low key stroll is a welcome break from the earlier procrastination and questions.
Are we in a period of “lowest common denominator” art? This has been the topic of the day. It’s a challenge to argue against it. The on line art world is over saturated and the offline art world is a daily struggle to survive.
I agree. I disagree. I argue. I listen. I don’t know.
Later I try to find something relevant and soothing about leading an artist’s life. More for myself than for anyone else. I find a quote from Werner Herzog where he responds to a desperate and disillusioned young film maker.
“Quit your complaining. It’s not the world’s fault that you wanted to be an artist. It’s not the world’s job to enjoy the films you make, and it’s certainly not the world’s obligation to pay for your dreams. Nobody wants to hear it. Steal a camera if you have to, but stop whining and get back to work.”
I’m not sure how the jobbing artists upstairs have received this advice, but Herzog works for me every time and I immediately get the finger out and return to work……
Every photo is a gem as always. Hard to choose a favourite, perhaps the Foxglove with raindrops?
Raindrops always improve wild flowers! Thank you so much Cait:~)
I suppose I could use the same quote for writing…so many out there but still I hope and write….but oh your pictures are a treasure Catherine…I love the colors of the clouds and the raindrops on that foxglove is magical!
Thanks Donna, there is a special combination of dark grey skies and raindrops that I love too:~))
Always enjoy reading your writings and your photos. First photo of the light of the sky is so beautiful and of course the bull poking his nose over the others. I could not help laughing about those nasty ants. I am often jumping in the garden like your son.
Thanks Janneke. Mostly our ants don't bite but when they do it's not good!!!
I like your cloudy skies of Ireland (I should visit Ireland some day),
and how much I like the raindrops, jewels on flowers.
… and I'll try and follow Werner Herzog's words ever!
Yes Amelie I agree, his words will ring in my ears…..and thank you I hope you come here with your camera and your beautiful little girl:~)
Great blog – reflects how I feel myself about the art world at the moment. Hard to survive but impossible to stop! Keep posting those wonderful images they brighten my day!
It's especially hard on the younger artists I think and very hard to hang in there in the sea of internet competition. But yes impossible to stop and wouldn't swop for anything!!!
Metaphorically speaking we're all still in garrets. But then I guess that's where we choose to be!