“Coconut Heart” Photograph

Coconut Heart
Original medium: Photograph: ©2007
www.cianellistudios.com
Here is a photograph I took while in Florida. It’s half a coconut floating on water. The meat of the coconut formed a heart like shadow in the center. Because I’ve had really good responses to this photo I have begun to include some of my inspirational photos on my website. I enjoy taking abstract photos of nature that give a sense of happiness and well-being and depict the mystery that is within creation.

Quote of The Day

“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.”

~ Albert Einstein


Slow Down, Relax, Have Faith

Relax
Original size: 24 x 32 inches
Original medium: Acrylic on Canvas: ©2007
www.cianellistudios.com

When my mind is filled with the murkiness of worry and haste I forget that this busy world is not all that the Great Mystery has to offer. Oh, how often I am caught in the wheel of spending so much time and effort on what we call “making a living” while never tapping into my soul’s purpose and development.

My busy blur of tasks I incessantly conjure into existence are routines robbing me from the harmony of feeling completely content. When I slow down, sort of let go, and nurture that feeling of faith I can feel the waves in my mind calmly put to ease. It’s only the wisdom of my heart that can offer such a sedative. Everything will work out. So just give it up to God, and relax.

Quote of The Day - Psalm 82

Psalm 82: From The Holy Bible

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.

Quote of The Day

“You’ve got to know where you are trying to go,
you’ve got to know why or the answer is no.”

~ Unknown

In Search of The Best Gerbera Daisy Bouquet

Valentine’s Day is long over. At that time I managed to purchase a last minute bouquet for my girlfriend. I opted for the roses. But a gerbera daisy bouquet, now that might make a nice pick for mother’s day. Mothers day will be here very soon, May 11, 2008 to be precise. With gerbera daisy’s being the most popular flowers in the world I’m sure mothers would love them. Now, just for the record I do recommend growing your own gerbera’s, or at least attempting to grow some. It’s a fun challenge and you can benefit from their air purify affects a lot more when they are actually alive and well.

Here are a few great places to order a gerber daisy bouquet:

www.GrowerFlowers.com
Assortment of 12 Gerbera Daisies with vase: $34.95. Also comes with greeting card personalized with your digital photo.

www.OrganicBouquet.com
5% of your purchase goes to the National Wildlife Federation: $39.95

www.USAFlorest.com
Save $5 off any order through this link ONLY.

www.ProFlowers.com
Great selection. 24 Mini Gerbera Daisies $39.99

www.FloristOne.com
6 Colorful Gerbera Daisies with clear glass vase: $39.95

*For more gerbera daisy bouquets view Shop For Gerbera Daisies on the left side of this blog.

Quote of The Day

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

~ Jesus Christ from Matthew 23:12

Just Ordered Gerber Daisy Seeds

I ordered some gerber daisy seeds from ParkSeed. After shipping it came to $6.45. I don’t have them yet, but when I do will take some pictures and show how I grow them from seeds. Sprouting seeds can be a little tricky. I think the challenge is fun. I am going to write a more in depth report on my experiences with growing gerber daisies because a lot of people are coming to my blog looking for this information. They should be here next week. If you want to order some seeds for yourself click the ParkSeed link to the left of this blog.

Quote of The Day

“The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.”

~ Zeno

Abstract Landscape Painting - “New Path”

New Path Abstract Landscape Painting

New Path
Original size: 24 x 24 inches
Original medium: Acrylic on gallery canvas: ©2008
www.cianellistudios.com

Purchase Original: $500

This painting ended up having the beautiful tones, thick texture, and the simplicity that I have a hard time parting with. Yes I would like to keep this one. :) But I won’t. It might be hard to tell from this picture, but the sides are painted brown, not black.

side view

Quote of The Day

“If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

Abstract Paintings Have a Purpose?

It depends on the artist, but generally, yes abstract paintings have a purpose.  The purpose is simply to beautify your surroundings with intrigue.  Ok, but why do people pay so much for  what looks like a canvas with some paint thrown on it?  Abstract paintings can actually be very affordable if purchased from an up and coming artist.  And believe it or not, most often there was a deliberate attempt at where that paint landed on the canvas.  The beauty of abstract art, both for the artist and the viewer, is that anyone can take what they see and interpret it however they see fit.

There are many different interpretations of abstract art.  An artist can be completely non-representational, or he/she can conjure up recognizable forms and symbols.  In a broad spectrum of abstract paintings, you can find landscapes, seascapes, natural objects, and colorful shapes and forms.  All and all, abstract paintings tend to have a strong focus on color patterns, and/or texture.  In this modern day, with photography, digital art, and the ability to create prints, it’s no wonder why artists are seeking to make it perfectly clear that what you see on the canvas was in-fact created with a more personal human element.  How you ask?  Through building up layers of texture, depth, or using a glazing technique that collects and redistributes light, making the paint appear luminous.

There is so much joy in painting abstractly because the walls of rigid preconception are torn down.  Many artists are using abstract art as a means to release feelings, and also as a way to freely express what they have seen in nature.  When something is done in spirit and spontaneity, it’s obvious and it shows in the work.  The purpose of abstract art is to capture this essence and bring this joy into the lives of others.

“Gold Sun” - Contemporary Landscape Painting

Gold Sun Contemporary Landscape Painting
Gold Sun
Original size: 24 x 24 inches
Original medium: Acrylic on gallery canvas: ©2008
www.cianellistudios.com

Purchase Original: $900

I spent a lot of time building up the texture on this one. I really wanted to add a tree or some kind of identifiable object, but every time I added something it just didn’t look right. Sometimes, even though it feels right, it’s hard to keep something simple. As simple as this painting looks, building up the glazed layers of acrylic paint on top of thick dark layers of paint was a challenge. Quite the opposite of what you should do. As any artist knows, lighter transparent paint on top of dark paint does not go over very well. I had to constantly re-introduce my whites. But it was fun. I captured the look I was going for and that’s all that matters.

I hope you like it. I think the canvas gained 10 pounds from all the paint I added to it. Here take a look at the depth of the paint in the sky:

Gold Sun Detail

 

 

Amazed in Nature - Clearing The Mind & Closer to God

Contemporary landscape painting
Grass Meets Sky
Original size: 12 x 36 inches
Original medium: Acrylic on gallery canvas: ©2008
www.cianellistudios.com

Purchase Original: $400

Nature can strike me with awe and wipe away my foolishness. I know at once when the word “woah” flows through my being and out through my throat, I am left with another moment in nature where I have once again partook in the opportunity of resetting my foolish “worry clock.” Realizing yet again life is not exactly what I think it is, my wisdom is squat next to God’s, and all the worries of the world are but a buzzing of noises that restrict me from the ocean of pure silent unending peace. Peace that was once drifting overhead amongst the stars and peace that is now found within me.

When I can open up to embrace just a smidgen of God’s amazement in nature, I can only be thankful. Who am I to complain at all? I have a life. I am alive. And I am even fortunate to be in good health and aware enough to see the generosity of love all around me.

In these moments of “nature wowing” I get a warm tingle in my spine. After I descend from the mountain, traverse back up stream, and tuck into the confines of my dwelling, I am fresh. I have been rebooted and I truly start anew. Does everyone have this ability? How many people experience this sensation? I am not sure. All I know is Nature, coupled with amazement, and sprinkled with the acknowledgment of God is wonderful and could very well make the world a better place if done just a little bit more.

Quote of The Day

“Problems cannot be solved by the level of awareness that created them. “

~ Albert Einstein

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