Thursday Challenge: Window -

"Window"
manipulated digital photograph by Mick Mather
- click image to view full size -

"... but tomorrow, dawn will come the way I picture her
barefoot and disheveled, standing outside my window
in one of the fragile cotton dresses of the poor;
she will look in at me with her thin arms extended,
offering a handful of birdsong, and a small cup of light ..."
- William Collins

Thinking back, moving forward -

"Reflections"
digital collage by Mick Mather

"... reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some ..."
- Charles Dickens

Neither harsh or agreeable -

"A Fluttering Sound"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Today's post continues along a path of quiet reflection, patience and listening. In this instance, it's the anticipation of an answered prayer, I think. At the same time, it's partly the abstract stirrings of ideas as they begin to form, take shape and work their way out of the creative crevices of the mind. It happens often for me, this fluttering, and I'm not certain how well I've illustrated that here ... we do what we can, don't we?

Paying attention -

"Reflections"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

I took the original photograph from a moving vehicle and was rather surprised by the reflections discovered in the windows when I looked through the photo-set weeks later. As I began working my magic with the plug-in filters and manipulating software programs, those same reflections became secondary to the figure who also seemed to be reflecting on something. In both cases, the windows and the girl, there's little evidence left of either circumstance.

Old business -

"The Stars at Night"
digital collage by Mick Mather

I hadn't realized it until today, but I've been surfing back through old files again. This sort of reflection is a good thing and I fall into this review of work at least three times a year, revisiting the good, the bad, the ugly and the impossible. Often, as with tonight's image, a fresh perspective and a new idea erupt and I'm off to the races. I have to admit, I was also thinking of the adorable Linda, the Grumpiest Girl, who's still incognito and hot rodding up and down the road of life. At least I hope she is; and, I further hope she's having one hell of a time while doing it. Either way, doll face? Here are some more stars for ya! :)

Illustration Friday: Forgotten -

"Edge of Darkness"
digital collage by Mick Mather

Illustration Friday offers the word forgotten as this week's theme. The 1943 film starring Errol Flynn as a hero of the WWII resistance in Norway aside, along with a pair of American and British soap operas, what I'm thinking about here are issues of reflection, recollection and being off far from home. Standing, for example, in an empty field, studying the horizon, watching the darkness wash quietly over you. Then turning to the setting sun as a sliver of sky turns every shade of blue, finally indigo, supposing the question, "can you really never go home again?"

Looking back -

"Looking Into the Eyes of Käthe Kollwitz"
digital collage by Mick Mather

She appeared out of nowhere. Well, not exactly out of nowhere but the likeness seen here was a surprise to me. Of course, it sent me searching for Käthe and beyond through dozens of her works that I haven't visited in quite a while. Gee, wasn't I just talking about this time of year being one of reflection? Who knew!

Time for reflection -

"A Good Listener"
digital collage by Mick Mather

There are times to be heard and there are times to be silent. This piece is somewhat of a mystery as regards who is doing the talking. Is it another person, beyond the frame? Is the conversation internal? In this case, for me, it's the latter and we might all do well to remember that reflection is very often an act of listening. You might not hear what it is that you want, but you're quite likely to hear a little something about what you need.

Thursday Challenge: Reflection -

"In the Showroom Window"
$50 Unframed - LUCAS GALLERY
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

I've been ready for this theme, reflection, for quite a few weeks. I've been taking a lot of photographs that feature reflected imagery in a variety of forms so when this week's Thursday Challenge came along tonight's post was practically done before I could snap the shutter again! A minimal bit of manipulation was used to enhance the already present reflections of reflections. All I have to say fits into a single word - sweet!

Thursday Challenge: Spring -

"Studying Signs of Spring Reflected In A Rippling Pond"
digital collage by Mick Mather

It was a near perfect Spring day if you forget about the icy chill in the air all day. Still, it was sunny and bright with that kind of blue sky that only seems to arrive around this time of year. The weekly theme at Thursday Challenge, spring, seems a perfect fit and I've been struggling with this old photograph for a few hours now. There's something soothing about rippling reflections in a small pond while the wind whispers hope for the new season....and, now, a pause for thought, more likely? A nap!