I recently had the opportunity to do a Keynote address and one of the items the buyer wanted me to share is how do I observe the world around us.   I immediately recalled an episode of "Hollywood comes to Mayberry".  Maybe you have seen it but one of the inspiring moments is when the film director was walking with Andy Griffith looking through is hands as if it were the lens of camera.  Andy was smitten with the idea and immediately began to apply the technique as he too was strolling through town.

In reality that's what we all need on occasions, a view finder.  Something that helps us to be less distracted and take a look at what is immediately in front of us.  As Andy began to look through his "camera hands" it simplified the world and gave specific measure to the subject in front of him.  As he began to pan around and look at objects the substance of the subject shown through like never before.

When I'm in the field often times I'm tempted to take a single perspective on the subject but on most occasions as I walk around the scene, view it from different angles I begin to see better compositions and additions to the subject that I might have overlooked if I merely settled for my first approach.  Getting low to the ground and taking a birds eye view are also strengths in finding uniques compositions to a signature painting.

Whether it is capturing a panorama from afar or a closeup that is just outside your window, never settle for the "first glance". Pause and take time to embrace the world around you.  You'll be amazed at just what you have been missing!

Watch the attached clip for a good chuckle.

Here are two paintings that I created from the Orchard at Altapss.  Two unique approaches of celebrating the beauty of the apple trees as they were in bloom.  The large one is called "Butterfly Social"  a glorious tribute to the beauty and strength of this 100 year old apple tree particularly as the butterflies dance all around.

The second one is titled "Butterfly Kisses" an intimate painting that is much simpler and entertains the eye singularly.

Two unique approaches to the same subject.