Rough Ridge is one of the popular hikes with a road side parking in the beautiful Blue Ridge parkway (Milepost 302.8 in North Carolina). The boardwalk (to protect the fragile vegetation) to the top crosses several large boulders that enable one to fall back and relax. The walk up (480 ft elevation from parking) provides spectacular views of Grandfather Mountain and Linn Cove Viaduct, with distant views into the Piedmont.
This is a great spot to be during fall – when the colors burst afar or in spring – when the rhododendrons bloom abound or just anytime of the year to laze around and soak in the view :)
Watercolor on Cold Pressed Paper
Rough Ridge Trail Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina, USA
Just 50 km from the busy bustle of Bangalore, nestled within the forests of Kanakapura is this classified spot. When the time is right and the stars align, I mean literally – one could witness the magic. Out here, in the darkness of the night – the lava flows and portals to the parallel universe open up. Just witnessing the same under the glow the of Milky Way elicits mysticism beyond belief …
Or maybe it was just a few friends, toying with the laser light by a meek rock, in the mango groves that lies by the edge of the Kanakapura forest :)
Sony A7III : Sony 16-35 mm : ISO 2500 : 16 mm : f2.8 : 20 sec
As I was enjoying the Virupaksha temple at sunrise, came across this scene. For some reason, the family standing there, resembled the typical tourist – one who does not gel with the surrounding & stands out. May be it was their attire or the posture, but whatever – they felt juxtaposed. Tried processing to elevate and showcase how Hampi still stands the test of time. The final result felt like a postcard from the past :)
Canon 7D : Canon 10-22 mm : ISO 500: 10 mm : f9.0 : 1/15 sec
The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It’s our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows. – Brene Brown
This shot is from few years back, when we used to do occasional visits between Greenville, SC and Alpharatta,GA. Enroute is the fabulous forests of Tugaloo, right adjacent to lake Hartwell. From one such drive, sunday late into the night, ignoring the imminent monday morning blues – pulled over an arbitrary & craggy road. Decided to take a stroll and it didn’t disappoint.
Set on a timer, this was captured as contiguous 177 shots spread over 45+ minutes. As for the processing ran the 177 shots through the (free) Creative Effects UI Photoshop script with Saucer effect. This could have been shot as a single exposure, but I always prefer smaller multiple exposures. It gives a lot more freedom around the creative processing :) How do u like it !
Do things that nourishes your soul – Be it hitting that trail for a hike Or taking a walk with your best company Or capturing that fleeting moment with nature Or just be at peace and paint out the same. Every once in a while – do things that nourishes your soul.
This was inspired by one such fleeting moment, on a misty morning, by the lovely Linville gorge wilderness.
Note : Curious on how this particular art was made ? check out the article on Artography.
Watercolor
Linville Gorge Wilderness Marion, North Carolina, USA
The shadow is the greatest teacher for how to come to the light. – Ram Dass
Art (be it artography or photography) is as much about capturing the shadows as it is about capturing the light. It is amazing how the depth of what we perceive is solely driven by the darkness of the shadows.
This is the famed Stone Chariot of Hampi as seen from within the near by mandap.
One of the best spots in the US to witness fall colors is in Door County, Wisconsin. There is this lovely road from Gills rock that is winding and looks magical. The ongoing road work made it rustic. Add to it the fall colors along with the morning fog – it all looked like it was right out of a painting – literally :) Once the fog settled, it looked liked this !
A painting to me is primarily a verb, not a noun, an event first and only secondarily an image.
– Elaine de Kooning
This week’s art is from a short lived, but dynamic morning sunrise from Smokies. After checking out the stars, playing with some light painting in the night and getting some sleep in the car, we decided to head out of Smokies early in the morning. As we were driving out, just around the corner, we were treated to a lovely view and below is what it inspired :) How do you like it !?
It is a tough time indeed – for everyone of us with COVID19, Amphan, Nisarga etc. and we have not even crossed the first half of 2020. At least one good thing with the lock-down – mother nature seems to be healing. I can now hear more of birds chirping even in the middle of Marathalli, Bangalore :) For the many lucky folks who are not stranded away from home – the lock-down had brought in a much needed break to reflect and introspect. I had seen people try to pick up new skills, do work out, indulge in cooking etc. As for me – being in IT – my work days had just become longer :( (thanks to remote work). One of the reasons why no updates around here for the past 2 months. But I did get to refine and complete on something that I had been toying around for years – Artography.
This week post is from Kovilur – yeah the same place with the lovely thirukulam (pond). Taking a walk around the thirukulam (திருக்குளம்) is soothing anytime of the day. An evening stroll, cool breeze, sitting by the pond and enjoying as the sun as it was setting behind – it was all an work of art.
If you are curious on how this particular art was made, check out the article – Artography – Photo to Painting. And do share how you like the same in comments …
Watercolor on Textured Paper
By The Pond (பொற்குளம் அருகில்) Kovilur, TamilNadu, India
Like the Ocean 