photo energy - art that captures you

Wordless Wednesday – Blush

Karen Casey-Smith — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:30:05 +0000

These are pink Heritage Roses, my very favorite! The first blooms are almost white. The roses deepen in color as the summer goes on, and they continue to bloom until winter finally freezes the flowers on the bush. The intensity of their fragrance varies throughout the day, and even from rose to rose. The unforgettable scent has been described as honey-lemon; it is divine!

… when someone blushes, doesn’t that mean “yes”? ~ The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Wordless Wednesday – Meadow Magic

Karen Casey-Smith — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:40:16 +0000

Today, take a little walk with me and see some of the things I’ve seen in our meadow garden. I hope you enjoy it. Peace and Love. ♥

Every tree and plant in the meadow seemed to be dancing, those which average eyes would see as fixed and still ~Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Wordless Wednesday – Holly-Go-Lightly

Karen Casey-Smith — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:41:12 +0000

“As for marigolds, poppies, hollyhocks, and valorous sunflowers, we shall never have a garden without them, both for their own sake, and for the sake of old-fashioned folks, who used to love them.” ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Holly-Go-Lightly - Raindrops shine on sun dappled petals of a pink hollyhock.

Aspects

Karen Casey-Smith — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:13:28 +0000

Aspects - A mirror reflects two aspects of Nature, showing a swallowtail butterfly as an Echinacea flower. This creation is two of my photographs digitally combined.

The Law of Reflection is said to be one of the spiritual laws. Basically, it says that our outer world reflects our inner world. You’ll see outside yourself what is inside of you, your inner beliefs.

Have you ever noticed that if a friend tells you a sad story, or maybe you see one on the news, that you’ll begin to recall other sad stories like the one you just heard? They may be things may have happened to you, to someone you know, or even a friend of a friend. The longer you dwell there, the worse you feel, and the more sad stories that will come to mind. This is because like attracts like, and fortunately this works with positive stories, and feelings of gratitude as well.

When you’re sad you see sadness. When you’re irritated and rushed, thing seem to conspire to jump in your way to cause more irritation. When you’re very happy, or in love, you see happiness everywhere. All these potentials exist at all times; it’s what you’re tuned in to, what you’re looking for, that you experience. It all begins with how you predominately feel inside.

This is very good news. The only thing you really have control of is what you think, and where you place your attention. You can choose to tell a different story. You can choose different thoughts! If you really want happiness, begin to think of things that bring a smile to your face. This is one reason gratitude journals are so wonderful.

How you feel, what your life is like, is an inside job. Things aren’t happening to you. What you see is a reflection of your own inner self. If you wait for everything around you to please you, you’ll seldom be happy. Be happy first and there will be more things to be happy about, or as Buddha has wisely said, “there is no way to happiness, happiness is the way”.

Believe me, I’m working on this right alongside you, and there are times it takes some effort. It’s worthwhile work with great rewards. Actively look for things that make you smile, notice your blessings, and enjoy that wonderful feeling of appreciation for the good in your life. Begin here and now.

Today I’ll close with a few beautiful quotes on reflection. I hope you enjoy them.

Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it. ~ Ernest Holmes

Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives. ~ Mary Ann Brussat

Like the fragrance which lingers in a flower, and like a reflection in the mirror, the Spirit dwells deep within the Self; search within your own heart. ~ Sikh parable

Since everything is a reflection of our minds, everything can be changed by our minds. ~ Buddha

Changes

Karen Casey-Smith — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:55:34 +0000

Changes - Flower Mandala

This feathery lavender and purple flower mandala speaks of change and joyous unfolding. While changes are in process they can look and feel absolutely chaotic; remain centered with trust and the knowledge that things are unfolding as they should, and you’re able to see that in reality there’s a beautiful pattern that emerges. I’m reminded of a quote by John Welwood, “Chaos is creativity seeking form.”

Feeling trust and confidence, or feeling fear, each allows for a different unfolding of events, and different outcomes. So, take a deep breath and breathe out slowly. If you’re not already there, find your way back to center. You may not be able to control events, but you can take charge of your own thoughts. Much of what you experience is really just your thoughts about what’s happening. That is truly empowering knowledge.

Embrace change for it’s the only constant. Remember the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

I sincerely hope all of your changes are joyous in their unfolding.

Butterfly Summer

Karen Casey-Smith — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:05:13 +0000

Butterfly Summer

A beautiful black butterfly, with blue and yellow-orange on his wings, sips from a purple coneflower. You can almost feel the warmth of the sun on this lovely summer day, and smell the soft scent of the blooming echinacea. I honestly never realized echinacea had a scent until this year. It’s soft, subtle scent that’s really very nice. Just be a bit careful if you smell them because the centers of the flowers will poke you in the nose!

Butterflies are considered beneficial because they pollinate plants. As adults, butterflies consume only liquids and these are sucked by means of their proboscis. They feed on nectar from flowers and also sip water from damp patches. Did you ever wonder why butterflies sometimes land on people? Several species of butterflies need more sodium than provided by nectar. They’re attracted to sodium in salt and occasionally land on people, attracted by human sweat.

There’s so much lore about butterflies. They are so beautiful; it’s easy to understand how they have captured the imagination of people of all cultures through time. These are just a few examples.

Chinese legend has it that the Butterfly symbolizes an undying bond between lovers. An image of a butterfly is perfect in the home of those who are romantics-at-heart. This symbol can remind us of the energy of love.
Butterflies are symbols of transformation, metamorphosis, and joy.
Early Christians used the butterfly as a symbol of the soul.
Native American Indian legends told that butterflies would carry wishes to the Great Spirit to be granted. One tribe’s legend is that dreams are brought to us in sleep by Butterfly.
As a totem, they remind us that life is a dance, and to be aware of the joys in your life. They teach us that growth and transformation don’t have to be traumatic; it can occur gently, sweetly and joyfully.
Butterfly is symbolic of free life… as free as our soul.

Thank you, Butterfly. It’s good to be reminded that we can make change difficult or joyful. There are times we just need to remember that we can choose.

Let’s dance!

Abundance Mandala

Karen Casey-Smith — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:50:39 +0000

This is the Abundance mandala. In Chinese culture koi fish images are said to attract wealth luck, and are very good career luck. Fish shown with lotus blossoms symbolize living year after year in affluence. Lotus flowers also open us to beauty and light, enriching our lives and giving us appreciation for our abundance. Clouds are often used to symbolize good fortune and happiness.

I’d been reading about the rich symbolism used in Chinese paintings. These all sounded like wonderful things to have in your life. My next thought was that I would love to have my own abundance picture! This was why I originally drew the mandala. The original is framed, and hanging in our home. It was drawn with colored pencils on Canson Mi-Teintes paper.

Prints, done on Kodak Lustre paper, are now available at both my shops – Etsy and 1000 Markets. The mandala prints beautifully, and you are even able to see the texture of the paper in the print. If you’d like a custom size, please contact me and I’d be happy to list one for you.

Best success to you, and I hope this mandala will assist you in attracting abundance, and best wealth and career luck too!

Beloved

Karen Casey-Smith — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:14:26 +0000

Beloved

The fragrant Freesia is the symbol of sweetness, friendship, innocence, and trust. They’re so beautiful, and their scent has to be one of my most favorite. Freesias are one of the flowers that makes me wish I could just continue breathing in!

So far, I’ve never found a perfume or essential oil that captures the amazing fragrance the living blooms have. If anyone knows of one, please let me know!

The bulbs were planted in April, and checked daily in delightful anticipation of the time they would bloom. Here you see the first blooms that came in June. This image was captured outside, late in the day, in the hour before sunset. The warm light gives them a beautiful golden glow.

I’ll leave you today with a lovely quote that seems a perfect fit for these sweet flowers.

“To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat.” ~ Beverly Nichols

Wordless Wednesday – Swing Your Partner

Karen Casey-Smith — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:23:14 +0000

“He who does not dance does not know what is happening.” _ George Fowler (From a Gnostic text uncovered at Nag Hammadi, Egypt) Learning to Dance Inside

Swing Your Partner

Wordless Wednesday – Happier Blue

Karen Casey-Smith — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:07:57 +0000

Happier Blue

Breathing in, I calm my mind and body
Breathing out, I smile
Breathing in, I dwell in the moment
This is the only moment.
………………………_ Thich Nhat Hanh