Whenever we are taking a ride in the car, I see countless interesting things that I would love to photograph, but usually it is inconvenient to stop, either because there is no room to pull off the road, or a Mac truck is bearing down on our bumper, or we are on a highway where there is no breakdown lane.

The other day, we passed a swamp that is situated along an Interstate highway. Just as the words came out of my mouth that the area looked like a great place for Herons to nest, I saw two nests. Herons usually choose dead trees upon which to create a home for their young. Tall, and awkward-looking, while tending their young, the birds look rather strange, perched on top of their makeshift contraptions of sticks, etc.

As we drive through rural areas, my eyes are alert to any birds or wildlife. My reaction when I do see something is, “Oh! Oh!” – which actually turns out to be an ineffective communication to the driver that I want him to pull over. The other day, a fat Grouse was just standing by the side of the road in a wooded area. She was not bothered by our passing; just took it in her stride.

I like old buildings – old abandoned mills that still (barely) stand along waterways that once turned them into productive hubs of activity, many of them former woolen mills. Old barns are neat. Once useful and vital, now they are hosts to mice, hornets, and other critters seeking shelter. I love to see old barns that have been well-kept. Only the rich farmer with time on his hands, or a lot of help, is able to maintain buildings, too.

We once saw a fox crossing a field, not far from our house, early in the morning. They are mostly nocturnal and like to “Dance by the Light of the Moon.” I love to see them.

Much of what we view cannot be captured on film. We have to train our eyes to see quickly and to remember the details of the experience. That’s why I say, “Put on Your Artist’s Glasses.” Train your eyes and your brain to be totally saturated with information, “in the moment.” Bring along a sketchbook and some colored pencils with you so that you can jot down design ideas, as they happen.

Being an artist is all in the details, but if one cannot remember many of those, there is still the opportunity to create a piece that is impressionistic … as did Monet and so many other artists of his era. Make notes of the colors you see in a field.

However, the first step is to be fully aware. Open your eyes and experience life. It’s “out there,” just for the looking.

Patricia Cummings

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 4th, 2008 at 12:08 pm and is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.