Inspiration

We cannot overlook the importance of wild country as source of inspiration, to which we give expression in writing, in poetry, drawing and painting, in mountaineering, or in just being there.

Olaus Murie

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Olaus Murie was the son of immigrants from Norway. He become a proponent of wilderness areas and a defender of the idea that predators are an essential component of functional ecosystems. He was a talented artist and analytical scientist, both with a strong passion. His efforts, together with those of his wife Mardy, lead ultimately to the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Their lives were shaped by a respect for nature, recognizing the importance of wilderness, and finding opportunities for responsible action.

Isn’t it ironical that our current president wants more immigrants from Norway while at the same time allowing the drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?

The above picture was taken in the Kluane National Park. It shows the base of Mt. Kennedy rising above the Lowell Glacier and disappearing in the clouds.

 

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Thanksgiving Day

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness:
just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it,
just warmth and shelter and home folks,
just plain food that gives us strength,
the bright sunshine on a cold day,
and a cool breeze when the day is warm.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder

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Frog Falls, British Columbia

Laura Ingalls Wilder was just 15, when she become a teacher in order to support her struggling family. She had a blind sister, a paralyzed husband, and lost her home in a fire.  Her second child died at very young age.

In light of that, her attitude and writings are remarkable.

Today, tomorrow, and thereafter I am grateful for a priviliged life.

Happy Thanksgiving.

A Prime Day

The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things.”

Elise Boulding

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Amazon apparently had more than a billion dollar in sales on Prime Day, which lasted 30 hours. Really?

The most popular items sold were smart speakers, tablets, 4K TV screens, programmable pressure cookers, DNA ancestry tests, Whey protein powder and “Game of Thrones” on Blu-Ray. Exactly what I needed, not.

When do we realize that this mad consumption does not make us one iota more happy, free or healthy? To the contrary.

Twilight on the Chilkat River

I am happy to report that I have spent zero dollars and more importantly zero seconds on trying to buy anything on Prime Day.

Have a grand day out.

Inspiration

In the last 2 weeks I have been surrounded by photographers and guests that want to learn about photography. Cruising the Inside Passage, taking pictures during the day, and talking about art, nature and history in the evening was an inspiration.

I thought inspiration, the drive to create something, comes from within. Maybe some people have it, some don’t? To be an artist you need inspiration, from within, at least that’s what I thought until today.

Now, I am wondering. There were many external stimuli in my life lately that led me to look at things in a different way. I will share some of the images that came from this in the coming weeks.

Apparently, Pablo Picasso said “Good artists copy, great artists steal”. This would support the idea that external stimuli are part of the creative process. This is good to know. Study the works of others and walk the world with open eyes, that’s what I will do in the coming weeks.

For today, it’s a shot of a piece of wood trapped between rocks in a waterfall. Can you feel the cool air? Hear the gushing water? The subject and the concept were copied from Joe Ordonez.

Sorry Joe, you are a great inspiration.

Southeast Alaska has presented itself in a beautiful light. There were misty, rainy days. Spring is in full swing in the valleys, whereas the mountains are still hanging on to their snow and ice fields. Tender green leaves, a few wild flowers make their first appearances. Cottonwoods leave a sweet smell in the air and the birds are going crazy in the morning.