The Fifth Five: ZooARTyssey

The subject of this Five has been a bit elusive: ZooARTyssey at the Roger Williams Park Zoo has been scheduled - and cancelled - three times this summer due to excessive heat and/or the threat of inclement weather.  Despite the imminent arrival of Hurricane Irene, the show went on as scheduled tonight. 

I've been very excited about the ARTyssey, because I knew I'd be able to find some inspiration from the incredibly talented folks at TEN31 Productions and, with any luck, take some halfway decent photos.  Despite a mild case of the blahs, my enthusiasm was rekindled as soon as I walked through the entrance gates: when a man in a pith helmet asks if one is ready to go on an adventure, one's answer needs to be a resounding YES.  I took the map he offered, and set about on my journey.

After passing a rather fanciful butterfly (who was surrounded by little girls clamoring for a photo with her) and checking out the zebras and wildebeests (real ones), I made my way toward the giraffes.  Before I could reach them, I encountered a pair of palm trees welcoming guests to the area.

The level of detail was amazing, but my point-and-shoot unfortunately couldn't do it justice.

Right across from the giraffe exhibit, a lovely statue of a dancer came to life:

I couldn't help but think of the "Grecian Urns" number from "The Music Man" when I saw her.

Since I hadn't been to the RWPZ in about a year, I did my fair share of visiting the animals while looking for the art installations.  Many of the animals were in for the evening, but I did spend some time with the giraffes, flamingos, and a giant anteater.  (Contrary to what your kids might think, anteaters do not look like this popular PBS character.)

I also found an enchanting creature in an alcove near the penguins:

At this point, I started to panic a little; I was only a third of the way through the zoo, and had already taken 60% of the pictures needed for a Five.  Would I reach my quota too soon, and miss an opportunity?  The little voice of reason in my head whispered, Don't worry.  You'll know when the opportunity comes.

Of course, I didn't expect opportunity to knock less than five minutes later:

When I saw this statue from a distance, I was struck by the way the performer rose from among the surrounding flowers, extended her arms gracefully skyward, and saluted the sun as powerfully as any yogini.  In that moment, I wanted to be what she embodied in my eyes: the ability to feel empowered to rise from my surroundings, express my individuality, and radiance confidence, joy and light.

Buoyed by this unexpected motivational moment, I pressed on through the zoo and found several entertaining vignettes, including birch trees, gargoyles, Cleopatra, and the Statue of Liberty.  They were all lovely, but I just couldn't pull the trigger and snap that last picture.  Since the blahs were returning with a vengeance, I decided to take the long way back to the zoo's entrance via the Wetlands Trail with the hope that I'd have the trail to myself and have a chance to be alone with my thoughts.

With the exception of a young couple passing through, I got my wish.  As I walked the trail, I felt the tension of being in a noisy crowd disappear and reveled in the noises of the marshland in the twilight.  I could see the traffic from nearby Route 95, but could only hear the crickets and, faintly, some ambient music from across the marsh in the more populated part of the zoo.  I may not have reached nirvana, but I certainly found peace and tranquility.  At the end of the trail, I decided not to look for any other inspiration than nature for my final picture of this Five:

Warning: this one looks better if one doesn't click on it.

I didn't realize until I got home and was able to look at the pictures on something larger than my camera's viewfinder that this shot was far from my best work.  However, I took more from this Five than pictures: as I left the Wetlands Trail and rejoined civilization, I had what is probably the closest thing I've had to an epiphany since I started this project.  Each of my ventures out into the world - whether to my own yard, Salter Grove, College Hill, Wickford, or the zoo - has been not only a means of expressing myself artistically, but also an opportunity to clear my head of doubts, anxieties and stresses.  I always return from a Five-finding mission with new energy and a greater sense of self-worth.  I know that even if my work doesn't find an audience, I created something worth seeing.


Sometimes, knowing that is all I need.


Until next time,


- Laurie :)

The Fourth Five: Wickford Art Festival

One of the hardest things about writing a blog, I've noticed, isn't the writing itself: it's finding the motivation to get out there and create some subject matter!  After yet another shamefully long stretch of inactivity and with the boys away at camp, I ventured out into the world today as a solo act and decided to visit the Wickford Art Festival.  The Festival, featuring artists from around New England, is hosted every July by the Wickford Art Association and celebrates its 49th year this weekend.

As I traveled south to Wickford Village, I was determined to find a Five - after all, what better place to be inspired to create art than at an art festival?   I immediately resolved not to take pictures of other people's work, instead taking a different approach: finding art in the secret, hidden places where the "real" art wasn't.

As soon as I parked the car and started walking down Main Street toward the Festival booths, I noticed the beautiful landscaping that surrounded nearly every historic home along the way.  The varying heights of the plantings and flowers in this garden were particularly attractive.

I'm a bit claustrophobic, and after walking around for a while was in desperate need of an escape from the crowded sidewalks of Brown Street.  Thank you, Old Library Park.

 I was enchanted by these statues in Old Library Park, since I love to read.  While I'm sure that vandals made off with the boy's book, I prefer to think that he's staring in disbelief after his little sister swiped his book and made it her own.

 Another unexpected treat an Old Library Park: a faded old bird.  Its lack of color was a marked contrast to the riot of blooms and foliage surrounding it.

The final picture in today's Five was taken, aptly enough, behind a store called The Secret Garden.  This wonderful view was hidden away down a flagstone and gravel path; seeing such an open, serene area after the clutter and noise of the Festival was very calming.

After this week's celebration of Independence Day, it was quite liberating to exert my own independence a bit and spend some time doing something just for me.  I'm optimistic that today's venture was enough to recharge my creative battery and keep the Take Five Project moving in the right direction.

Until next time,

- Laurie :)

The Third Five: College Hill

Or, "Want Some Lemonade?  I Made It Myself".

This week of my life has been about making lemonade out of lemons, and today's Five is no exception.  After a month of indecision and a serious lack of motivation, I decided that with the boys away at a Scouting event, today was going to be THE DAY.  Barring fire, flood or illness, pictures would be taken.

I had originally intended to capture a Five at the Rhode Island School of Design's Museum of Art; in particular, an exhibit entitled "Cocktail Culture" had caught my eye when it opened in mid-April.  I hadn't been to the RISD Museum in over thirty years, but I still have a place in my heart for the school.  As a budding artist, I made RISD my first choice when the time came to apply for college admission.  Unfortunately, I was lacking two very important criteria for entrance: a portfolio, and money.  I turned that lemon of disappointment into lemonade by attending my father's alma mater, Bryant College, where I met and married my husband.

Given my prior experience with RISD, it was only fitting that things didn't go as planned from the outset.  Benefit Street was barricaded for a student function, but I found parking in a nearby lot at a bargain rate - one obstacle out of the way!  Unfortunately, things got worse: not only did my camera not function well in "museum/manners" mode, but photography was also prohibited in the very exhibit I'd wanted to showcase.

Surprisingly, I found these developments very liberating!  Instead of stressing about what pictures to take, I was able to relax and enjoy the exhibits.  I started at the top floor and worked my way down to the gift shop.  I marveled at Buckminster Fuller's visionary work, looked at classic Impressionist paintings up close, quieted my mind with the Buddha, and fell hard for some mid-20th century cocktail dresses from the House of Balenciaga.  After completing my tour, I learned that I'd been so engrossed in the exhibits that I'd completely missed a passing rainstorm.  I left the museum and stepped back into the sunny day I'd left behind when I entered.

Since the weather was cooperating, I decided that there was a Five to be found after all: Benefit Street and its neighbors were rich with architectural variety.

While waiting to cross Benefit Street, I was amazed at the juxtaposition of the architecture of the First Baptist Church in America and RISD's Carr Haus.

Hail, my dream alma mater.

 A closer look at part of the Providence Art Club.

 Obey Giant: Proof that art isn't just in museums, kids.

 I decided to go with a classic for the last picture in the Five: The First Baptist Church in America.  It wasn't hard to follow the spire up to that beautiful blue sky.

Did everything go as expected with this Five?  Absolutely not.

Am I happy that it didn't?  Absolutely.

Until next time,

- Laurie :)

The Second Five: Salter Grove Memorial Park

I decided on an excursion to Salter Grove today, out of curiosity more than anything.  I'd taken pictures there last July 4, and wondered how different the shore and water would look when everything - including my demeanor, since I'd had a stressful day at the office - wasn't quite so lush, warm and bright.

As predicted, the sky and weather upon my arrival reflected my mood: gray, chilly and dismal.  I walked around the grove to some of the high places I'd used as vantage points during my July visit, but couldn't find anything worth a place in the Five.  My spirits were as soggy as the ground beneath my feet.  I did notice that the lack of rampant vines and brambles afforded a perfect opportunity for me to get closer to the shore, so I went for it. 

 I like to imagine this bit of land as a place where local scalawags may have hidden their spoils.  Catching the ducks in the foreground was an added bonus.

 A rocky path was my only passage to the sea wall.

 I was amazed by this huge piece of wood: how long had it been there?  Was it washed up on the rocks by a storm, or placed there by human hands?

 After navigating the rocks and a crooked wooden bridge, I finally arrived at the sea wall.

 

 I'm proudest of this shot: I decided to get as close to the water's edge as I could, and took this picture just as the swan was getting ready to dive for a snack.

By the time I'd taken the last picture in today's Five, my hands were red and stiff from the cold, and the wind had whipped my hair into a frenzy (note: wear a hood next time, girl!).  However, my mind was clear and still, and I felt like the day's stresses had been thrown over the sea wall.  I walked back to my car with a renewed sense of purpose, and felt better than I had all day.

My ears still ache, and my hands aren't quite back up to temperature, but it was a productive adventure. 

I'm not sure where my next trip will take me, or when.  After today's mind-clearing walkabout, however, I'm definitely looking forward to the journey.

Until next time,

- Laurie :)

The First Five: Signs of Life

I decided to keep my first Five simple: with the advent of spring, I took a walk around my yard to see what signs of life had arrived.  Here's what I found:

 I have two pink hyacinths near my back door.  The buds look like a large asparagus tip.

 This may or may not be a crocus.  I think it's a little late for croci to be blooming, though.

 I was happy to see that my blue polemonium (also called "Jacob's Ladder") has returned.

 We planted two white lilac bushes last year.  One of them was accidentally run over by our lawn mower, but seems to have recovered nicely.

The huge maple tree in my backyard is just starting to bud.

I'm sure my next Five will originate a little farther from home, but this is a start!

Until next time,

- Laurie :)