June Light

 The forest made areas of light inviting.

Outside of the forest, there was too much light and heat.

Light fades over tents in the campground.

Family: Hiking and Birdwatching

 

Bird watching in early June in central Pennsylvania was rewarding, especially with a good teacher.   The following were spotted:  Red Eyed Vireo, Red Start, Common Merganser, Baltimore Oriole, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Hairy Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Woodcock, Yellowthroat - many around the campground.

Williamsport

 Williamsport, in central Pennsylvania, was once the 'lumber capital of the world.'  These houses were built during the boom days in the mid to late 1800's.

A beautiful hackberry street tree in Williamsport.

Alice Neel Abstraction, Sort Of

 Alice Neel lived from 1900 to 1984.  She was a prolific artist who spent much of her life in New York City in poverty.  She painted realistic portraits in her own unique realistic style and did not follow the whims of the art world.  Her 2021 show at the Metropolitan Museum in 2021 is the first solo exhibit by a woman at there.  Despite her stand against the force of Abstract Expressionism in the 1950's and her lifelong dedication to social justice, she did feel that 'all great painting has good abstract qualities.'

Biography of Alice Neel by Phoebe Hoban, Alice Neel:  The Art of Not Sitting Pretty

Alice Neel, 1940, Still Life with Fruit

Alice Neel, 1978, View From the Artist's Window

Alice Neel, 1957, Sunset Riverside Drive

Alice Neel, 1959, Night

Alice Neel, a few Portraits

 Alice Neel wrote in 1982:  "For me, people are the first premise.  My work is a monument to them."

Alice Neel, 1965, Black Draftee (James Hunter)

Alice Neel, 1966, Hartley.

Alice Neel, 1980, Self Portrait

Alice Neel, 1955, Dominican Boys on 108th Street

The Field of Mustard and Enchanted Trees

 

This and the following three 'chapters' are from a visit to Chanticleer at the end of May, 2021.

Using agricultural mustard and shaping willows are examples of startling beauty.

Chanticleer in May: Trees Show the Way

 

Chanticleer in May: Color and Texture

 

Although the picture is not impressive, a garden of mostly parsley with chard and lettuce was beautiful.

May at Chanticleer: Artful Garden Reflection

 Reflection as in creative inspirations that make you stop and think.

Reflection, as in watching the interplay of water droplets with a mirror fountain.

Moss and cactus make beautiful gardens too.

May Showers Finally Arrive

 

After the rain, the sun comes out.