Don't come in...

...from out of the rain.
Stay outside.

Photo: Kurt Stuchell

At the Stone Parliament we like to bring you special things. Often beautiful, sometimes informative and always interesting! We cover music, photography, art news and other cultural event's. It's not always easy sticking only to the subject of art when life is filled with so much. We've talked about everything under the sun, from amazing music artist's to blog manners. Great restaurants, fabulous recipes to travel and we've even touched a tad on politics.

This time we found a wonderful photo that stirred some emotion. It also touches on a few of the principles of photography . To the S.P. of Art, it is the epitome of summer. Not a sunshine picture with beaches nor a photo of sun umbrellas lining the sands, teak chairs set out in rows and images of crashing waves rushing to the shore. It carries me back to my summers that were spent at a summer home on the water. Overcast days, warm rain bouncing off the lake. We'd frolic outside hearing my mother's voice calling in the distance to come in out of the rain. My sister would listen, I stayed. I never came in from out of the rain.

Photo: Kurt Stuchell

Kurt Stuchell - Museum Pods, a friend, kindly gave me permission to use his photos. What kind of mood do they create for you? They speak of summer to us, but we'd also like to make another point - they were taken with a rather inexpensive cell phone! Proves the point that we've written about in the past - you don't need expensive equipment to take great photos! Don't be afraid to capture what you feel is beautiful to your eye...let your creative spirit emerge. Studying the principles of photography won't hurt either, but relax and trust yourself...let your eyes speak through the lens.

Some jazzy Tide tonight!

SPoA loves HaZmat Modine

Anyone heading to New York this weekend?

Hazmat Modine and The Wiyos's concert at Le Poisson Rouge

April 14th, 2012

Wade Schuman of Hazmat Modine performing at Stockholm JazzFest09
Image:Wikipedia


The Tide



Visiting their site is a MUST, click HERE!

and to close the night.....here's an old tune from 1924. enjoy!

*A pre-scheduled post.

We left the music behind and the dance carried on....

It is one of those nights. Come with me. Run your fingers through my soul. For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once; just once, understand.

 

 The thundering waves are calling me home, home to you
The pounding sea is calling me home, home to you.

On a dark new year's night
On the west coast of Clare
I hear your voice singing
Your eyes danced the song
Your hands played the tune
T'was a vision before me.

We left the music behind and the dance carried on
As we stole away to the seashore
We smelt the brine, felt the wind in our hair

With sadness you paused.

Suddenly I knew that you'd have to go
Your world was not mine, your eyes told me so
Yet it was there I felt the crossroads of time

And I wondered why.

As we cast our gaze on the tumbling sea
A vision came o'er me
Of thundering hooves and beating wings

In clouds above.

As you turned to go I heard you call my name.
You were like a bird in a cage, spreading its
Wings to fly
"The old ways are lost" you sang as you flew

And I wondered why.

The thundering waves are calling me home, home to you
The pounding sea is calling me home, home to you.
The thundering waves are calling me home, home to you
The pounding sea is calling me home, home to you.
The thundering waves are calling me home, home to you
The pounding sea is calling me home, home to you.

Her White Robe

Shadows & Light

Black & White

When you're taking photos try out different lighting effects. Look the way the sun is shining on an object, move the camera at different angles and observe the sublte changes. This time of year as the sun is changing, there are greater opportunities inside as well as out. I've been experimenting in the house as the sun creates different shadows than through the winter months. I've also been more aware of reflective surfaces such as glass over a picture, granite counter tops, a tea kettle or even the mirror of the water faucet.

The photo below is a champagne coloured robe hung over a picture. I liked the way the light bounced off of the silk and the glass. Use your imagination and start thinking about shadows and reflection.

Be Mindful

One foggy morning, University of Guelph, Arboretum.

The secret for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

"And once we have the condition of peace and joy in us, we can afford to be in any situation. Even in the situation of hell, we will be able to contribute our peace and serenity. The most important thing is for each of us to have some freedom in our heart, some stability in our heart, some peace in our heart. Only then will we be able to relieve the suffering around us."

Thich Nhat Hanh

* The quote above was taken from a book on Thich Nhat Hanh that a friend had given me.I often leaf through the pages late in the evening before drifting off and when I find an inspiring quote I like to share. Sometimes I will write the quote down and prop it up on the kitchen table. When morning arrives and I'm having my coffee it's in front of my eyes - once again I'm reminded of ways to bring peace to the heart.

Photo: From out There

As before..

He said, " Come for a walk with me. Come into the woods. There's a puddle there...we'll look into it like we've done so many times before and all over again we'll tell each other what we see. Come into the woods with me."







“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I have not lived.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

Whispering Conversations

I came across this image this morning and it invoked a certain feeling that lingered with me all day. I instantly felt there was something distinct about it. It reminded me of a time I journeyed through Italy. It is light. It is dark. It's notable both for the austerity and darkness of mood. I love that the rooms upstairs are in darkness. It creates a feeling of vacancy. Peaceful. It's quiet upstairs - maybe someone is sleeping. The only life seeming to appear is downstairs where the lights are on. I can hear whispering conversations. I wonder if the bikes outside belong to visitors or not. The courtyard is still. Does the light come from a full moon or is there a nearby lamp-post? It's stunning!

Jason Persun is a gifted photographer who is no stranger to the Stone Parliament of Art. His work has been featured here before. View more of his work HERE .

Photo: Jason Persun 4 Season-Adventure

Captured in Malmo Sweden while on a work assignment.

Used With Permission.