400th Upload (A Simple Scene From Home) by anahata.c
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Description
I noticed just now that I'd reached 399 uploads. I honestly never thought I'd make it to 400. I came here in spring of 2008; and in the 4 years I've been here, I've met the most amazing souls, seen the most touching and beautiful work, and had the exquisite joy of celebrating and dancing in your worlds many, many times. But I never had intentions of uploading. Never. Art was 'done' for me. I never thought I'd go back... I came to RR from other arts (music and writing). I'd had a moderate art career, and done a lot of private art that had piled-up in my home; but I never thought I'd even look at it again. I got immense encouragement from many of you, to go back to art and share it. And to start creating anew. For example, I'd never painted in Photoshop before. I'd done manipulations---but never painting. And I'd never held a camera. Who knew... Today, I have 137 photos on RR. 1/4 of my drawings are here, a smattering of old paintings. And several new pieces too. I am so deeply grateful to all of you for supporting me. You brought art back into my life, and for that I'm eternally indebted. Since coming here, I lost 15 people and saw several more ill. It made me all the more resolute about beauty. And I thank you for being patient with all my absences: I hope, even when I've posted memorials or dedis for people in pain, that I've spread as much light as sadness. I've tried. I hope I've spread more light than anything else. Re this image: I tore my hair out over what to post. I mean, you feel you have to post Hamlet. Or the Sistine Chapel. (Well, fat chance of that. Michelangelo, you can rest easy on that score...) Instead I give you this simple, modest shot of my home. I live a block from here and I walk here everyday, and I mean everyday. I find solace here, I find beauty here, I find transcendence here, and tiny joys. This shot's from a sweltering morning, 2 weeks ago, with the leafy overgrown canopy of trees that fills the Great Lakes region, an area I grew up in, lived 2/3 of my life in, and which to me is the blessed spring of my life. I know I say it often, but I hope you'll see it full size because these trees cradle me, and I want you to feel their coolness and dark, and the miracle of light as it breaks through their shadows...these are the arms of heaven to me, and it's a blessing beyond words to share it with you, who come here from the 4 corners of the earth... I'll be back to comment this evening. But I post this now---my home---to say please accept this as my offering of the deepest gratitude and love. I hope to do 400 more for all you wonderful people,
Comments (23)
magnus073
Mark, it is hard to imagine a better choice for your 400th upload than this one my friend. As almost always seems to be the case sometimes the simple things in life are the best, and This photo of your home is just that. I very much enjoyed reading your thoughts about your time at this site, and the wonderful friends that you met. I was also moved to hear about how many people you've lost during this time. The thought and care you put into their dedications did more than just honor your friends. As with almost all of your uploads you managed to touch the lives of almost everyone who visits your gallery, and allow them to leave with a little bit of light and hope. So congratulations on 400 uploads, and it is my prayer that you have 400 more
flavia49
fabulous image!! glorious lighting and colors! congratulations on your 400th!!
durleybeachbum
So very green! I never realised that Chicago could be like this. Beautiful , as are your words. I for one am very glad you have shared so much of your art here.
romanceworks
What better way to celebrate #400 than with a beautiful photo of your little spot of heaven near your home. (Michelangelo would be pleased) Those trees really do look like a welcoming embrace, as well as an amazing and inspiring walk through the seasons. It is so fitting that these trees are like the embrace we receive from our fellow artists here on RR as we travel our path of creativity. I can't think of anyone I'd rather walk with than you and other very special friends I've made here. We all share so much, which makes RR my little spot of heaven in this big world. CC
photosynthesis
Beautiful qualities of light, shadow, depth & color in this photo & touching words. Congratulations on your 400th post & I look forward to many more...
novelist
As you know I cannot comment here for a long while due to a shoulder injury, but how could I not congratulate you on your 400th upload? I still am lurking behind the scenes here even when I can't reach out. I appreciate what you said. I am in awe of the supportive network of artists on Renderosity, and I am so grateful to have made a few life long friends here. You have been such a major support to those who have followed you not only artistically but spiritually and emotionally. I know I'm not alone in saying that you have taught us many things about life and about compassion and inner light in this gallery. And about Chicago! I had no idea there was so much greenery there, and you have been journaling the sun and lake there like no one ever has or could. This photo you've chosen is perfect, too, because those terra cotta colors of your pathway (a theme I often see in your photos) reminds me of a secret garden. Others may pass it by on their way to work or rushing about on their daily errands, but you see it deeply as your sanctuary--as an extension of your home. Keep up the great work with the camera. I love all your art. I hope many some day will hear your music and read more of your prose. You have so much to give and so much left to explore. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
TheOwl68
This is what I'd call a 'moving picture', as your beautifully written sentiments made me cry. Quite seriously. From one artist to another, thank you for sharing your creativity and soul with us~ this world needs more people like you. A simple yet magnificent capture. Congratulations on your 400th image, Mark =) and hope to see much more in the future~
Erestorfan
What a beautiful, beautiful street! I can see why you love walking here. The trees make it look SO cool, which would be a nice relief here in NH...as in most of the US at this point I guess. Really nice capture!!
MrsRatbag
A breathtaking "Mark" image; there's a crispness in it that I would immediately recognize as your work! Yes, you have a "style" all your own already in your photographic career, and I love it. Zoom is essential, it draws you into the hot sounds of the city heard from within the cooler respite of your beautifuly leafy canopy. I can really feel it, and that's art! Well done to you, and thanks for your 400 uploads so far. You need never apologize for anything here, you give 400 percent with every visit!
dragonmuse
Beautiful! Not just in the visual sense, but in that it is a part of your life, a part of the wonderful and thoughtful person that we have come to know. You say that we have brought changes to your life.. I think it safe to say that you have returned that. For me at least, your words and images bring encouragement and warmth.. and all despite the many trials so have faced. Thank you for sharing so much with us! {{{hugs}}}
alida
great images shake you and give you emotions
odie
A rich canopy of lushness and warmth with a tunnel of focus. This is full of optimism and welcome with a path to lead you (and us) to the next wonderful step. Congrats on this and all of your uploads. I am glad the arts continue to feed you as you feed us.
sandra46
SUPERB image for your 400th! it's true that a good shot is where you see it! and here is a beautiful street, with its warm, homely feeling! ciao!
goodoleboy
Lovely, warm, fall-like ambiance in this quaint urban scene, Mark. I didn't know you were on your way to 400 postings. It feels like you just started. And, that thick canopy of trees makes the streets and byways of my area look like a desert, even though we also have trees. As for trying to decide which image to use to commemorate a milestone, Mark, now you know what I go through at every hundredth posting. It's maddening. Decisions, decisions, decisions. And when I hit the millenium mark, it's Katy bar the door! Then I'm lost at sea for an appropriate posting. Anyway, congratulations in reaching the heady pinnacle of 400.
npauling
A very delightful capture for your 400th posting. The colours are so beautiful and it is a very beautiful place to take your walks, with the trees providing their welcome shade in the very hot weather you have been having. I must congratulate you on your beautiful gallery and your postings are always a delight to open and really look at. Your work is very inspiring for all of us and I hope to be able to see your next 400 images too.
jocko500
wonderful 400 and many more will come out of you. this is a wonderful image
auntietk
What a fabulous image! The light is beautifully warm, the trees are like a canopy from a fairy tale, and the mood is lovely. It's that "Tuesday-afternoon-and-everybody-else-is-at-work-and-I'm-not" sort of feeling that is so very freeing. Peace, solitude and beauty. A combination not to be taken lightly. I would say it's been a joy to watch you become a photographer, but honestly, I didn't see it happen. I think you were a photographer long before you ever picked up a camera. Your first attempts, while not technically outstanding, were photographs not just pictures. I remember one you sent me from that first day ... a fan in your apartment ... that was amazing. And do you remember the blurry shot out your window that Helle and I both jumped on like ducks on a June bug? You started out great and just got better. Congratulations on 400 uploads, dear friend. I'm glad you're still creating and sharing, and that we get to see the results. (On a totally unrelated note, I'm unable to access my email account for some reason. I'm working on figuring it out, but if you've sent me anything in the last day and a half, I haven't seen it.)
LivingPixels
Congrats mark on reaching you 400th image! looks like you've found your own shangrila my friend. It looks so peaceful glad it brings you such solace glad you captured and shared this piece with all of us it truly is a gorgeous shot and the zoom yields some sweet details!!
adrie
This is a very beautiful 400th upload and capture my friend.
beachzz
To be able to walk this way every day, see it change season to season, to just BE there is beyond wonderful. I know what it's like to have a familiar walk, see the same houses, cars, people, trees so often. They're the same, yet different. I love this shot. The light, shadows and colors are beautiful. But most of all, I love what you wrote. I know what you mean by meeting people here, learning from them and loving the great connections we make. Thanks for sharing this little piece of your home. And happy 400th--can't wait for the next 400!!
lyron
Gorgeous picture and congrats!!
Chipka
When I posted my first shot here on Renderosity, I had no idea that I'd post as many as followed. That first shot was a happy accident, something quirky, something unexpected, something that helped to break a moment of boredom I felt. And now, when I look back at THAT image, I ask myself if I had any inkling that I'd experience the things I've experienced with this site. I lived in Prague at that time, and knew NO ONE here...since that first shot, I've met friends (and lost a few) shared laughter and other emotions, glimpsed corners of the world I never imagined, and have forged strong friendships in places as diverse as the Pacific Northwest, South Africa, the UK, The Czech Republic (not surprising, but what is surprising is NOT meeting the Renderosity Czechs while I was in their neck of the woods!) and Russia...the world exists here, and there are non-terrestrial worlds here as well...and what is such a marvel is that on YOUR 400th post, I'm struck by the idea that I might have accidentally followed in your footsteps. I think that I walk near your home in my walks home from work. I find that I take a circuitous route from my job on Franklin Avenue, just at Chicago Avenue...I often come home with sand in my shoes and images from areas right on the border of the lake. And I have to say that I find that area relaxing...and it's close to where you live! How cool is that? And to top it off, for your 400th shot, you've posted an incredible feast of color, mood, emotion and implication. That, in and of itself, is simply perfect. This image is simply perfect! THIS image embodies what Renderosity is for me: the worlds shared here enrich the so-called real world, and add far more definition, beauty, and grace to life...ah, but to create art of any sort is to enhance life , and you do that so wonderfully in your gallery! This is absolutely brilliant and I am so incredibly happy to see 400 posts from you. I saw your first posts when I was in Prague; I met you in Chicago, and saw your first forays into digital photography, and I saw this image now! It's a brilliant image...a perfect image, and it's most definitely a favorite.
KenyaRose
Mark, I pray this finds you well. I see that it has been a spell since this post. Yes I am away many months at a time but you are many times in my thoughts. May this "Light" shining thru the likeness of the arms of God also embrace you and encompass you in the Joy and warm of his healing light.And may this healing blaze thru you and heal your eyes so that you may continue to share your artwork of what your Spiritual eyes see. Yes friend likewise May you be Blessed with the Embrace of love and bathe in the light. I miss you. Sometimes I just have to come here and find you. Funny why I bother all I need to do is look into the light :-)And there you be. ((Hugs)) Kenya Rose/ connie I would like to share this poem I wrote with you. > " Days Of Light" > > Embrace with me on memory, > From Days of Light we came. > We traveled far upon a Star, > A different song we sang. > We Loved Divine, No hearts that pined > Scant trace of memories > But mourn of death, is at breast > To be back home again. > > Remember Love can you see me, > in my spirit gown? > It wasn't made of threads today > But from, Heavens light abound > I was so precious to you there > On my beauty you did stare > you'd watch the golden sunlight > twinkle in my hair. > > I remember you my Love, > Handsome as could be, > You"d call me in the garden > and pretend you cant find me. > you'd brighten up your Spirit Gown > To tease me with your strength > Then you"d lay with me my Love > And pass the heat of day > > Yes, our hearts are broken now > to be so far away > There is no word yet spoken , > that can describe our pain. > Hold with me what memory, > of Heaven that we have, > And maybe someday soon my Love > Our Lord will call us back. > > > Connie Jones > > (c) 2008