Thursday, January 2, 2014

Less Is More

less...

Everything wants to float. And yet we move about like weights,
attaching ourselves to everything, in thrall to gravity…
~Rainer Maria Rilke

It's time once again for Bonnie's monthly photo art prompt at Pixel Dust Photo Art...my focus word for this year is "less". Less worrying, less stress, less computer time, less news watching, less clutter, less distractions...if I'm successful, my hope is that it'll result in more joy, more peace of mind, more time, and more creativity.

I've been really struck this past week by how many people have mentioned the abundance of stress and worry in their lives, and how this year they hope to reduce it. It seems as if worry is becoming an epidemic. I think a lot of this is the plugged-in lifestyle that everyone now seems to have - the technology has overtaken everything. There's too much stimulation from every source - it begins to weigh us down, to numb us. I know I'm sure guilty of it. I want to remove myself from it this year so that my mind doesn't feel like it's in overdrive! In the words of Rainer Maria Rilke, I want to float again.

This beautiful eastern bluebird, which we rarely see in our neighborhood, decided to stop and rest in a tree right outside our front door last month. I was so excited - this is my favorite bird in the whole world. They are very symbolic for me spiritually...they've shown up at certain times in my life right at certain moments when I was in need of a boost. It has always been a moment that has stopped me short and taken my breath away. I take great comfort in seeing them. Anyway, the bluebird in this photo sat there on the branch for at least five minutes, and every once in awhile he'd turn his head and look right at me. It made me smile!

I used Bonnie's Backlight texture at Overlay/90% and also used a painterly effect in PSE (watercolor, I think). Thank you for stopping by!

Pixel Dust Photo Art

16 comments:

  1. Less...yes I'm right there with ya....and this photo and your processing are just really incredible. I've never seen an eastern bluebird in person, they are so beautiful!!

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  2. Boy, you are right on .... Your choice of "less" is probably what will take you to all that you wish for. It isn't just technology ... everything in our world is changing and I can't say I feel it is for the better. When you say less news watching ... I think that is where I will start. The news is devastating every day. It is not honest and it is minipulating us ... I say lets all start thinking for oursleves and find our own way. I think you must be very astute and your bluebird is so beautiful and meaningful and speaks of a life you could float in. I loved this post ...

    Andrea @From The Sol

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  3. I know that being so plugged in, and always trying to create because everything I see inspires me, is overwhelming. Thanks for your thoughtful words today.

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  4. oops, I forgot to say how gorgeous your photo is and what a great story behind it ...

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  5. I LOVE this piece of photo art, Sherri! It's the kind of 'painting' that I could just allow myself to drift away in.

    Couldn't agree more with you about 'less'. I think some of the 'resistance' I have been experiencing may be due to sensory overload as you suggest in this fine post. It is so restorative to stop, to be still, to be quiet. Then we may experience the grace of eye contact with a bluebird ... and be able to use our artistic talent to record the moment forever.

    Happy 2014, Sherri!

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  6. Beautifully made, dreamy soft, easy to look at!!!!!

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  7. Stunning piece of art. Less, I love it. Have a wonderful stress free year!!!

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  8. The watercolor filter does it. It looks as if I'm looking through a window with just a hint of ice on it. Pretty little bluebird.

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  9. Love your word, I am right there with you on the Less News watching. Gorgeous image, love the feel of it with the texture.

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  10. Oh my that bird is so cute and so colorful. I'd love to see one. How special for you. - I'm not sure about the (less time on the computer as I so enjoy it) but I do agree that there could be less stress and worry in my life.
    Happy New Year!

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  11. I agree that less can be so much more peaceful. And I just love love your bluebird. Happy New Year.

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  12. wow Sherri this is pretty. I agree with you, such simplicity and yet so beautiful...

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  13. i love your image and your word. I also love that quote from Rilke.

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  14. Totally captivating,Sherri. Love the feathered friend and your choice of a guiding word is so appropriate for these frenzied times we live in.

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  15. Your image is absolutely beautiful and I too am with you with Less. Less is More is a phrase I try to use in my life, I find it really helps me.

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