Seeing Pelicans

Pelicans are appearing once again.  I saw this one standing on the Redondo Beach Pier right in front of 

me as walked with a friend.  Nearby people fished, walked, children ran.  The pelican stood its ground.

And then later on this walk along the spectacular cliffs of Rolling Hills.  I had my point and shoot 

so this  photo does not come close to the spectacular beauty.

Pelicans flew in formation, in groups, some singly, high in the clouds or at eye level, some below eye 

level.  Again my little camera was not fast enough to catch these prehistoric creatures.  I hope one day 

you will have the exhilarating experience of seeing these winged creatures fly by you.

Pelican get their name from the Greek work pelekys which means axe because they are said to cut wood 

with their beaks.   What I find interesting is that they nest and raise their young in community.  These baby 

pelicans make a lot of noise while together.  But adult pelicans do not utter a sound.  

I grew up  when 'children should be seen and not heard' was a common saying among parents. 

Also being Japanese and a girl, I learned to keep my opinions to myself. 

So I am glad when I see pelicans and am reminded that everyone's voice 

is unique and important.

Happy Sunday

XXO

This post is linked to Rebecca's Postcards from Paradise

What I'm Reading

I have looked at Susan Tuttle's book, Exhibition 30, Mixed-Media Demonstrations and Explorations published in 2008,  for years and finally purchased it.  I can't tell you what took so long but I am glad to glean its pages at my leisure.  Susan says "this book is a virtual art exhibit... a gathering of thirty-six mixed-media artists....  The artists talk about their work and techniques and share aspects of their creative lives with you."  I love 'meeting' these artists and learning from them.

I saw this book at the Norton Simon book store.  Do you remember Corita Kent?  She inspired many students while teaching at the now closed Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She believed 'drawing, painting and making things are natural human activities, but in many they remain in the seed state, a potentials or wishes." Her book describes many of the processes she used in her teachings that helped to nurture that seed.  I can feel her creative energy right through the pages.

A First

Floating Dream ~ mixed media, acrylic and collaged papers

I have two paintings in a student art show at the Palos Verdes Art Center.

I was about to enter the room where my workshop is held when I saw 

a little red sale dot on the label hanging next to one of my paintings,

 Floating Dream.  This is my first sale and I am thrilled!

I hope it will be enjoyed in its new home.

I am planning  to open an Etsy shop soon to sell some of my work

and this gives me some needed encouragement.

Daylight

acrylic and texture on wood

To be human 

is to become visible

while carrying

what is hidden

as a gift to others.

from What To Remember When Waking by David Whyte

in House of Belonging

this post is linked to Rebecca's Postcard from Paradise

Looking Within

I am the color 

of the soft breeze

that carries memories

of those who

are no longer here

The Dignity of a Tree

The life of this tree is an open book.  Trees cannot hide behind a personality.
What you see is what you get.   When it began, how long it lived, how it grew,
what the climate like during its lifetime, how much moisture in the area,
all can be seen in the rings of a tree.   There is even a tree science
called dendrochronology or tree ring dating.  Each tree has is unique with its own beauty.  

Branches extend from the trunk to punctuate the sky.  Leaves fill in creating a satisfying silhouette . 

This tree had a long, full life.  Now it holds up a fence.  

Birds sit on it, take a break from a long flight, or just pause to look at the ocean.  

Animals rub up against it to satisfy an itch.  I walked by and took its picture 

to remember the beauty around me that I normally am too busy to see.

This post is linked to Rebecca's Postcards from Paradise and  Kat Slone's Photo Heart Connection.
Please visit to see more lovely photos and read 
how the photographer connects to their photo .