A STROLL THROUGH NATURE can feel like traveling through tapestries woven with fabulous fabrics and threads pulled from fringes of the environment.
Casting its spell at every corner, nature as art comes to mind when searching for a word that begins with "N". Swirling patterns snake through muted browns dabbed with green. Creatures (can anyone spot a real snake in the picture above?) blend into the scenery ...
and plantlife, like this caterpillar look-alike, model animal forms.
From floating charcoal grays to sunset bolds, every angle, shape and color takes us on a different magic carpet ride. The photo above of a September sky over Kwomais Point Park reminds me of a fingerpainting.
Whether gazing up at clouds or down at the art plastered to a road ...
nature leaves us starstruck with its range of colors and fleeting patterns.
Contrasting this carefully arranged collection of lovely shells glued on a car with the scattered shells below shows ...
brushing color onto canvas or molding sculptures out of clay rarely achieves the effortless symmetry of nature's random designs.
Whether viewed from near or far, nature's brushstrokes are messy, fluid and never contrived.
The haphazard compositions are appealing despite the clashes of textures and conflicting splashes of warm and cold palettes. Not surprisingly, the natural world beyond art is also a masterpiece of contradictions. As poet Horace expressed in ancient Roman times, "Nature is harmony in discord."Artists throughout time have tried to replicate and also interpret nature with their own styles to convey their enchantment. American artist Milton Avery once said: "Nature is my springboard. From her I get my initial impetus. I have tried to relate the visible drama of mountains, trees, and bleached fields with the fantasy of wind blowing and changing colors and forms."
Copyright by Penelope PuddlismsThis post showcases the letter "N" for nature. If you think words are fun and enjoy playing with the alphabet, visit ABC Wednesday.
Such beautiful photos, but where on earth did you find a car encrusted with seashells? Is it a wreck, or an antique, or still in driving condition? Imagine driving such a thing. I don't know if I'd be thrilled or just embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteI do, however, imagine you on your walks through your area's many splendid parks and wildernesses, camera at the ready, and wish I were with you.
See you next month.
K
It is amazing as each shell has each color, shape and characteristics. There is never same one. I feel Nature is a genius artist.
ReplyDeleteYour words and quotes are great. I especially love the mysterious color combination of the sky. I wonder where the magic carpet will take me.
Have a nice week.
keiko
Fantastic collection of nature shots. That's my favorite N word and I didn't think of it until I saw your delightful post. Carver, ABCW Team
ReplyDeletenature never ceases to amaze us. it's nurturing and never asks for anything. beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteYou've chosen lovely photos to illustrate how magical nature can be.
ReplyDeletenice collection of nature's finest!
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Beautiful photos and narrative.
ReplyDeleteJane x
nothing beats mother nature's show.
ReplyDeleteI much preferred the randomness of the shells, rather than the neat organization. Nothing beat Mother Nature and her fabulous and colourful vistas.
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
Love the shells photos and that fuzzy plant. Such beautiful photos of nature.
ReplyDeletedid you stick the shells on the car. Some people make a beautiful picture frame.
ReplyDeleteI’m amazed how you captured the tangled boughs in the first and in the last photo. In my case, I often end in a messy-looking image, but with your careful and attentive eyes, you captured them simply beautiful. Likewise with the snakes and the caterpillar look-alike. As snow-white wrote each and every shell reminds me that each of us is unique and is not the same. “Harmony in discord” makes me think that each acts on its own way but create the harmonious circle of life – only nature can do that?
ReplyDeleteLove your view that nature's brush strokes are never contrived -so true! Lovely now the flowers starts blooming! Thanks for taking us on your trip:)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Nature at its best. You captured the Magic Carpet side so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI loved your idea and so many of these photos, Penelope. There were several that I could see hanging on museum walls: the art plastered on a road, the sky finger-painting, the random shell arrangement, the close-up of tree bark - all were highlights, but the entire post was a feast for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteLovely series of pictures. I have seen that car with the shells on it, it is quite unique. Nature indeed is harmony in discord.
ReplyDeleteYou've captured the magic of art in nature!
ReplyDeleteLove that caterpillar look alike plant.
ReplyDeleteRose, ABC Wednesday Team
These are really the most beautiful pictures, full of texture and colour and variety. I am always entranced by shells, or indeed by stones found at the seaside, in so many shapes and colours.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs! Each one a delight!
ReplyDelete