For Lucinda
(myrrhluz--here)
One of the joys of being Lucinda's friend is that I get pictures from her. And some of those pictures are trees.
Lucinda has a way with trees.
I can't
imitate her trees---I tried---but she dives into a tree and brings out its primal power: It just shouts through the screen. She's such a gentle soul, so heartful and so kind, but then she turns around and sends you 6 tree shots, and suddenly---boom! Beethoven enters the room. Raw power. Thunder. Huge presence. She knows the power of trees. (I think she
was one in a previous life---at least that's what a few Oaks told me---but I don't have proof. I'm workin' on it, though.) (The Oaks have photos. I'll get back to you on that...)
But trees are just part of it.
This lady is the best. She'll nonchalantly write me what she "read" last week, and the list includes major treatises on politics, studies of literature in the last 5 centuries, always enthralling fiction, books on the Spirit, you name it. Yet she talks about these in the same loving friendly tone she uses to talk about cooking, or quilting, or laughing all night with loved ones. She's a delight. Her friendship dances. And there's not an ounce of pretense about her, just curiosity and a heart to support it all, like a big loving embrace. She's very, very special, wonderfully caring, and dear.
And her art moves from highly inventive abstracts to her many types of photography to full paintings and drawings. (I have to remind myself, this lady can paint and draw! She doesn't post a lot of it, so I forget: But when I see it, I wanna say: Holy cow---you can paint and draw!) Terrific eye meets big generous heart: It's wonderful. I'm a big fan.
Lucinda, I did a
tree for you---only, because I can't do your manner, I chose one with a huge wave behind it. (That's a wave back there. That big white thing. And compression blurred my caption---ugh!---but that was unavoidable.)
I tried to capture some of your spirit. It's been a
privilege to know you; and I'm incredibly grateful for your joy, light, dance, insatiable curiosity, and your wonderful friendship; and I'm sure others who know you will back me when I say you're a jewel. I wish you a wonderful year of laughter, sharing tales, making quilts, playing and sharing with all who you love---and making your amazing art! Happy birthday to a jewel of a friend, and many many more, with lots of love and gratitude, Mark
(Please see Large---it's huge!)
Comments (12)
MrsRatbag
Everything about this image is a joyous dance, between tree and crashing wave, trunk and leaves, light and shadow and colour and darkness. Really, I think you got it all, despite your protestations of inability...it's a whole big epic of an image, using a few pieces to create a maximum of impact (Did you see how I did that? Crashing waves? Impact? I know...) So while I don't know Lucinda, just seeing this I know I'd like her (that and your glowing summation; the opposite of a roast, what would you call that?) Superb work, Mark. Once again you've outdone yourself!
LivingPixels
Explosiev and vibrant set of images very cool beautifully developed and a super dedi to one that really moves you to such lofty expressions of endearment very beautiful mark I am all the happier after visiting your galllery my friend!!
flavia49
marvellous dedication
anaber
Hi,Mark:) You are so right!!Lucinda is a JEWEL!! I think that nobody else could explain better the deep and loving connection of Lucinda and her 'thing' with the trees and its inner energy. It is impressive..I think that they listen to each other and maybe they exchange whispers, lol:)) And your image is SUPERB, Mark! When i scroll along your pannels, i see a powerful tree that is blooming, then, i remember her favorite and lonely tree in the road... and with your luxurious pinks, i see her lovely crepe myrtle in blooming also. And YOUR wave? Makes the point in all of them! BEAUTIFUL! She is the music, the 'boom', as you described so well...and slowly, this music transforms the ambience into a pure dance in the night. Simply! Where the lights and the colours of the imaginary tells a tale..You did the most wonderful dedication and Your image, Mark:) is a 'swirl of loveliness' and i am sure she will have a BIG SMILE:) Happy Birthday, Lucinda:) and Cheers!
goodoleboy
Terrific triptych of variations (where have I seen that word before?) in this wonderful birthday dedication to our dear Lucinda, Mark, rarely seen or heard from on this site nowadays. Lucinda, where are yoooou? Your very presence is woefully missed, so please send us a sign as to your current status. But now, my friend, to your creations. Stellar color, lighting, contrast, silhouetting (a redundancy, I suspect), plus a mix of stark black and white in this series. In the first two photos, what appears to be a reprise of the Battle of Bunker Hill is shown erupting behind the stark image of the tree. Lovely shades of color in those two. And I really like the bottom shot, contrasting a reverse image of the tree against the eerie effects of the background. What sorcery is this? All in all, the triple photos, plus the thoughtful heartfelt text accompanying them, is a pleasure to behold.
beachzz
Wow, not only did you give Lucinda a tree, you gave her a great big wave!! Stunning foto and wonderful gift for her!!
auntietk
What a wonderful dedi for Lucinda's birthday! I love the tree and its progression, from "totally normal looking" to, "absolutely fascinating." It really IS just like Lucinda. She's so quiet and unassuming and looks just like everybody else you might meet, but she has hidden depths and she knows ... like ... everything. Wonderful art, loving dedication, and the whole thing is just right. Happy Birthday, Lucinda!
helanker
Now that is 3 fascinating ways to present a tree. Much more exciting, than the tree in natural surroundings. You embrace it in your own special way, so that it is glowing and is looking much more interesting. I am sure Lucinda will be thrilled. And your words for her are so beautiful and true. A super dedication indeed. Happy Brirthday, Lucinda :-)
magnus073
Mark, I was thrilled to see this extremely thoughtful birthday presentation you created for Lucinda. She is one of the kindest people in the gallery and a true treasure to all who know her. The love and care that went into this colorful collection is obvious, and I'm sure will be greatly appreciated. I simply love the variations here and am sure she will be very moved by your words.
durleybeachbum
All superb but this time I like the last best!
romanceworks
Such a lovely B-day dedication and images for Lucinda. You don't often see a sturdy tree like this combined with a crashing wave. It is quite unique, and I adore the variations, as if traveling through the seasons. Lovely work.
myrrhluz
The Oaks have photos!? Oh dear! I start with a joke, but I am, as Dave wrote, very moved by your words. Seeing myself through your eyes is freaking marvelous. That's a gift you have, to find the best in people. Dave's pretty good at it too. So while I think you are way too kind, I appreciate it deeply. Thank you for your words, my friend. You did a tree for me with a wave! So wonderful! I love your image! I love the way the trees and waves form a living and moving contrast to the straight stillness of the quay, geometric metal barrier, and concrete post (with a sign that says "ators" Gators? Surely not!) Unlike the rigidly straight post, the trees lean together in a soft conference, the one on the right leaning in close, to whisper a secret. I like the sprinkling of red berries, like finery, in the branches and the varying textures of the bark. I especially like the way the light picks up lines that twist around the leaning tree. It's a very lovely color, and texture. I also love the way the branches spread out to form a canopy over the image and the wonderful tracery of the branches against the wave. The waves crash in great abandon, roll lazily, or gently slump back against the quay. Your big wave is fantastic. It froths, reaching for the metal barrier. To the right of the tree it sprays out like the smoke of an explosion. The gentler waves have a beautiful translucent quality, and I love the expanse of water in the distance. You started with a beautiful image, full of motion, textures, and light. The pink tones of the second image give it a wonderfully intimate and celebratory feel. The communion of the trees is even more evident. When I looked at it, my mind had an image of them spinning together and dancing. I love the way they stand out against the pastel colors, and yet seem to breathe them in. The colors are beautiful. I like the soft billowing shading of the great wave. This image made me think of joy and laughter of a gentle and deeply enriching quality. The last image is wonderful and a change of mood. More than in either of the other two images, the trees seem to be facing the other way, looking out into the distance. Their light shines against the darkness around them. Day is done, and the conversation is more intermittent with moments of quiet reflection. There is a feeling of darkness swallowing the night, of stillness replacing the activity of the day. I love the section on the right which is like a doorway, perhaps into memories, perhaps lingering light of the day. It's very magical, with realities merging. When I look at the three images, I think of celebrations that are deep and real. Whether they are planned events or moments when the world and you connect. Sometimes, when I am receptive, I get that from trees. I love that you created that feeling and it was all about trees. Thank you! This is marvelous!