Cold

Every year we get a few cold days in early Spring — days that are deceptively cold. Part of the problem is that we've already had a few Spring-like days where the temps hit 50+ and we run outside with just our hoodies on. Then come the days where it is bright and sunny but the air is more in tune with your down parka. I knew it would be cold out on the beach but I decided I needed to get out there and shoot.
The sky was crystal clear as I headed to Fisherman's Island — around 5 PM. The access road along Lake Michigan is a seasonal road (not plowed) so, as expected, there were remnants of drifts still crossing the blacktop. It made me a little nervous cause the last thing I wanted to do is get stuck way back at Inwood Creek. I know from previous visits that there is no cell phone coverage out there. Anyway, my desire to capture some images outweighed my fears and I wove my way around and over the stubborn ice to road's end.
The one good thing about the cold was that even though the skies were clear, the fact that you could see your breath would keep away most other visitors. Not that I don't like people, it's just that I'm easily distracted when I'm working on images. Growing as an artist means learning about yourself. I attempt to put myself with the right places at the right time to eliminate distractions, AND, even more importantly, I work at getting myself in the right frame of mind. When shooting in familiar locations I have a tendency to visualize the images that are waiting for me. Anticipation has some good points in that it helps me decide what gear to have along and strategizing saves some time when gathering images, but there is a downside. Having a plan keeps me from being open to something new that's just waiting to jump into my camera. I have learned to just slow down and walk round the area for a few minutes before pressing the shutter.
In looking over my images today I'm very pleased with what I was able to capture at Fisherman's Island. I had to endure some frozen toes (I got my feet wet) but it was worth it.

Wandering

Why do those bugs that are eating away at the trees make serpentine trails? Are they programmed to weave? Maybe the decaying tree cells are fermented and the bugs couldn't eat a straight line if they wanted to. Do the bugs has a specific place on the tree where they are headed? So why not take the shortest route?
Then again, I have lots of goals but my road to those goals seem more like the bug trails. Even for a pretty goal minded individual I seem to be easily distracted and often confused — is my goal even worth pursuing? I've been thinking about putting together a book of images and words for years, but it doesn't seem to happen. I think what it comes down to is that my life isn't about me, and there are good/important reasons for distractions — serving family, friends, strangers — anyone who needs help. I guess my distractions are goals.
Is this blog entry wandering?
What was I talking about?

Today is Christmas

Sorry, This is not going to be one of those light and fun editions about where and how I got my latest images. It's a peek into the artist and how I look at life, thus, how I look at creating art.
As much as possible I try to live my life one day at a time. That doesn't mean that I don't plan for things — God is ultimately in control, so I'll work at what I feel called to do and plan what I feel called to plan, but I try and hold my work and plans loosely because who knows what God will do or what evil will do to change everything.
Evil — who wants to talk about evil?
Many people get stuck on why God allows evil. My perspective is, God didn't want to create robots so he gave humankind the option of allowing evil and humankind foolishly invited evil into the world — It's not what God wanted. Because evil is so insidious and pervasive, by all rights, the world should be a total mess all the time. So for me the question is not, why does God allow evil — humankind did that. My question is, with evil being so insidious and pervasive, why is there anything beautiful and good in this world? So when I see beauty and kindness I see grace. I see God saying, I'm going to give you a beautiful gift even though humankind doesn't deserve it.
So all those images of flowers and trees and streams and dunes — they're all gifts, and gifts I don't deserve. Everyday I play with images is Christmas.