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Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
... but I kept it because the guy on the right is CUTE!!!! :-D
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
I love this photo
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Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
When I saw this man standing on a street corner in a crowd of people, I just knew I had to get his photo!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Amazing photos
In sorting through more paper in my living room, I found a link to a website that sounded interesting, and boy is it ever! I struggle to articulate how many ways these photos are amazing. Just look through the site yourself.
More on art in Toronto
A while ago, my friend Leslie-Ann and I went to the Riverdale Art Walk and I blogged about it here. Since then, I've found a couple more of the business cards I'd collected, and thought I'd share them with you for your enjoyment:
Jamie MacLean - I especially LOVED this painting at the RAW
Amanda Clyne
Also, heads-up for next weekend's Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. You might not be able to make it there, but the website has some cool examples from some of the artists. So you may be in San Jose, CA - but still able to sample the art that will be on display in Toronto! :)
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Webster's Falls
Webster's Falls
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Today my friends Nancy and Kevin and I drove to Hamilton (about an hour from Toronto) to check out a couple of the many waterfalls around the Hamilton part of the Niagara Escarpment. We checked out Tews Falls (see pic a few posts below) and Webster's Falls, and both were beautiful. We also hiked up to Dundas Peak. Views will be phenomenal in the fall - must go back!!!
In the meantime, I did a lot of playing with the manual controls of my camera, with much assistance from the ever-patient Kevin.
It was a great day, and now I am completely exhausted. Off to bed!!!!
Kevin looking very dashing
Kevin looking very dashing
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Awesome pic of Kevin - hauling around my tripod case (plus his own camera gear) like an angel!
Turkey Vultures are beautiful in flight
Turkey Vultures are beautiful in flight
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
From
My partners in fun!
My partners in fun!
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Kevin and Nancy are the best people to hang out with - they're fun AND provide intelligent conversation!
Heading out the door for Canada Day fireworks
Heading out the door for Canada Day fireworks
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Yesterday I visited my dear friend Heather, her husband Brad, and their two adorable children Warner and Peyton. It was wonderful to see them again after so many months. My camera came with me, of course! :)
When I left, the family was on its way to see some local fireworks in celebration of Canada Day.
Trying out for the synchronized swimming team?
Trying out for the synchronized swimming team?
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
I think both Warner and Peyton felt they had to jump out of the water in order for me to take their pictures. The result is pretty funny! :)
Heather's pretty patio furniture set
Heather's pretty patio furniture set
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Wind turbine with gulls at sunset
Wind turbine with gulls at sunset
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Sunset cruise in the Toronto harbour
Tall, eh?
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Okaaaay … back to blogging after a few very busy but very good days! On Friday evening, I went on sunset cruise on one of those obnoxious party-in-the-harbour tour boats – and had a great time! The boat left the dock around 7:00PM, and I was with a group of pretty cool people. I was armed with my camera, of course! The boat toured around the Toronto Islands and harbour. It was a warm evening with a lovely breeze. As we toured around the lake, the boat blared dance tunes, to which occupants of other boats occasionally danced (inspired by the throbbing beats and their own alcohol, I presume). We also waved at people on other boats or on shore until they smiled and waved back.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Nelly Furtado rocks!
I wasn't sure I would buy Nelly Furtado's new CD. I'd heard she was sexing her music up, and I was disappointed that she was doing so when she has so much talent.
But then when Mel and I were driving home from our adventure at the Royal Botanical Gardens, CBC radio played an unreleased song from Loose entitled “Te Busque” (“I Looked for You” in Spanish, I think), and it was so catchy and pretty that I bought the CD about 30 minutes later.
I’ve listened to the album multiple times since, and I love it! Like her previous two CDs, the songs are eclectic and interesting both sonically and lyrically. These songs have gotten under my skin. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
One by one, sisters earn Harvard honours
Click here to read a cool article about a wonderfully accomplished family and the amazing parents who created a truly nurturing and encouraging environment for their five daughters.
But one thing moved me to tears:
Sounds like Canada didn't realize the treasure it had ... I hope his daughters never have to encounter the ignorance their father did.Her late husband's quiet, smiling demeanour masked a fierce will and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, she says. He had a penchant for quoting African proverbs and metaphor-laden parables, which the girls ate up, Ms. Maxwell recounts with a laugh.
"The children were always mesmerized by what he had to say."
Despite his own academic pedigree, Dr. Maxwell's career was stalled by racism, a fate he endured mainly in silence.
"They saw his black face and they'd make up their minds about him," Ms. Maxwell said of her husband's patients and colleagues. "My husband did not get a fair shake in Canada."
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Belfountain Conservation Area
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Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Today I needed some time out in nature by myself, so I drove to Belfountain Conservation Area. It’s a fairly pretty little place in the Niagara Escarpment. There is a small dam of the Credit River, which creates a pond and a waterfall, and there’s a nice little suspension bridge to provide an excellent view of the waterfall and the subsequent rapids.
I brought my camera AND my brand-new tripod. The tripod definitely helped when I was doing close-ups (e.g., shot of berries below this post), but was a pain to cart around on the trails. I think I need a caddy, like a golf caddy, but for photography. You know, some poor underpaid dude who would haul my tripod and extra lenses and bottled water and hiking poles and trail maps and field guides when I’m not using them. Maybe I should invest in a burro? LOL
Inquisitive mare
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Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
While driving through Brampton today, I saw a paddock with several mares and their foals. Turned around, stopped, and took photos of course. :)
This horse (and one other) were particularly beautiful. I think they would have come closer to me if they hadn't had foals.
If you look closely at some of the pictures on my Flickr site (by clicking on this photo), you will notice that all the foals have a patch of shaved skin behind their right ears for a tatoo (I guess these are quite valuable animals). The foals don't look so cute with the bald spot, but thanks to the quasi-telephoto lens, you can *almost* read the numbers in the tattoos!
Spooked by a skateboarder
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Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
A kid was skateboarding down the sidewalk and spooked the horses.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Martha, Abi, Melanie, Sharon, and Grant
Martha, Abi, Melanie, Sharon, and Grant
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Today I went to the Royal Botanical Gardens with this fun and great group of people!! :) Had a blast, as we were interested in checking out the beautiful flowers, taking pictures, and laughing lots. :)
I thought I took a ton of pictures, but lost many of them - battery issue with my camera? very disappointing! Ah well, this is one of the few pictures that I would have been very upset to lose, but I still have it!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Girls' Night Out!
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Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
A great time tonight at a French restaurant (I won't give the name because they refused to provide separate checks even after I'd called ahead and they'd told me it wouldn't be a problem ... but the decor was fabulous). Awesome group of women (and Kevin) from work, very fun conversations.
The only thing I don't like about this photo is Andrea's face is cut off! Sorry, Andrea!!!! Hmm ... maybe should include a photo of just yourself! :->
E.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Randolph Rogers, “The Lost Pleiade”, 1874-75, Marble
Randolph Rogers, “The Lost Pleiade”, 1874-75, Marble
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
“In creating this sculpture, Randolph Rogers was inspired by the Roman author Ovid’s poem ‘Fasti’, which recounts the legend of the seven sister stars who lived among the constellations. Merope, the youngest sister, married Sisyphus and hid herself in shame because he was a mortal. This sculpture depicts the outcast Merope as she seeks out her celestial family. With its unclothed torso, ‘The Lost Pleiade’ is Rogers’s closest approach to a complete nude. Although the reference to ‘Fasti’ would not have been understood by a general audience, the literary title reassured Victorian viewers that this partially nude woman was not intended as an erotic image.”
Randolph Rogers, “The Lost Pleiade”, 1874-75, Marble
Randolph Rogers, “The Lost Pleiade”, 1874-75, Marble
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Look into this face. It is one of the most powerful and moving sculptures I have ever seen. Who can't relate to the very human experiences of sadness/sorrow/shame/fatigue/despair/sense of loss depicted here?
This art is for anyone who is looking (literally or figuratively) for their (literal or figurative) family, or for anyone who has made a mistake and can't find their way back.
This sculpture says: You aren't the only one who's been there. You are not alone, and someone with immense talent found these emotions to be significant enough to express them in this art form.
Pablo Picasso, "Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler"
Pablo Picasso, "Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler"
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
1910, oil on canvas
"In 1907 Kahnweiler, a 25-year-old German stockbroker, settled in Paris and opened an art gallery to represent experimental artists like Picasso, Braque, Derain, Leger, and Gris. Picasso, who had already done portraits of three other art dealers, needed around twenty sessions with Kahnweiler posing in order to complete this Cubist likeness."
Pablo Picasso, “Portrait of Nusch Eluard” – May 1941
Pablo Picasso, “Portrait of Nusch Eluard” – May 1941
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
Graphite with erasing, scraping, and incising, on cream wove paper
Note that the artist who drew this sketch also created the Cubist painting in the post above!
"Wife of the poet, collector, and champion of Surrealist Paul Eluard, the German-born beauty Maria Benz was known as Nusch. She met Pablo Picasso in 1936 and occupied his art (in drawings, paintings, and prints) and mind for enough time to suggest their relationship was more than a friendship. This portrait of Nusch, emphasizing her beauty and dignity, is more formal than others produced by the artist."
Bernardo Martorell, "Saint George Killing the Dragon"
Bernardo Martorell, "Saint George Killing the Dragon"
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
1430/5, tempera on panel
Try this exercise: the next time you’re on the subway or in a mall or other busy place, think of a particular colour (e.g., red) and then look around you for any and all objects that are that colour. You soon become acutely aware of all the things around you of that colour that you may have overlooked previously.
It’s the same thing when someone makes you think of something differently. Suddenly, you are aware of it, seemingly everywhere. Funny how the mind works, huh?
Andrea, although I never would have anticipated this, I thought of you several times while wandering through the Art Institute of Chicago. Thank you for giving me that little extra awareness, that private joke, to amuse and bemuse me. Thank you for being a person who raises my awareness, challenges my thinking, and helps me to open my mind just a little more. :)
Charles Courtney Curran, “Lotus Lilies”
Charles Courtney Curran, “Lotus Lilies”
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
What struck me most about this painting was the expression of sadness or deep unhappiness on the face of the woman to the left.
Pompeo Batoni, “Allegory of Peace and War”
Pompeo Batoni, “Allegory of Peace and War”
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
1776, oil on canvas
“Regarded in his maturity as Rome’s greatest living painter, perhaps even the most famous in Europe, Batoni gained such stature through numerous grand portraits and prestigious commissions for religious and historical subjects from popes, emperors, and kings. Yet he painted ‘Peace and War’ without a commission, during a rare interval of peace in Europe …
A contemporary called this picture one of the most beautiful Batoni ever made, a judgement repeated in the artist’s obituary. Batoni earned such praise by combining elements of Rococo softness and eroticism with those of the newly fashionable neoclassicism.”
This was probably my most favourite painting from the Art Institute of Chicago. It's wondrous.
Francesco di Simone Ferruci, "Portrait of a Warrior"
Francesco di Simone Ferruci, "Portraitt of a Warrior"
Originally uploaded by Noisypond.
c. 1475, marble
Andrea might get a laugh out of this one. :)
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