You missed a spot -

"The Window Washers Midnight Dream"

digital drawing by Mick Mather

"... my favorite optimist was an American who jumped off the Empire State Building, and as he passed the 42nd floor, the window washers heard him say, 'so far, so good' ..."
- John McGahern

Wide awake -

"Air Conditioner Repairman"
manipulated digital collage by Mick Mather

It's been hot and humid for a few days and when does the helpful machinery decide to act up? You guessed it! Even with all the windows wide open I'll be tossing and turning.

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.

Thursday Challenge: Common -

"A Common Door"
digitally manipulated photograph by Mick Mather

Common is the weekly theme at Thursday Challenge. This particular entry is one of several in a loading bay at an old, not-quite-abandoned warehouse. Aside from it's innate ordinariness, it's monotonous, the fact that it's undistinguished and, in this dilapidated state, perhaps even vulgar, it certainly fills the bill. Only a single manipulation was layered with the original photograph and what you see here is true to the original ... well, pretty much!

Thursday Challenge: Pink -

"Pink"
photograph by Mick Mather

This week, the theme at Thursday Challenge is pink. After looking back over some recent photographs I spotted this artist's illustration of a new mixed use development project currently under construction in downtown Syracuse. Aside from having just the right shade of pink, I really like the fact that, instead of a boring fence, the developer went an extra 1/4 mile and had this vinyl banner made so we could all see what was coming. It's much better than a plywood barrier wall and what's not to love about the piece of construction material that came straight through one of the third floor windows?

Moody Monday: Absent -

"Absent"
digital collage by Mick Mather

With all of the snow we've had around here this winter, more than our normal allotments of snow days have been used up. So many, in fact, some schools have had to shorten the winter break or lengthen the school year. My guess is that this situation more than fills the Moody Monday theme this week - absent!