Philosophy

We all at one time or the other have questions about life, the natural world we live in, our inner worlds, and about existence in general. How did everything come into existence, when did this happen, who was responsible, and what part do we play in this unfolding drama? There are all kinds of theories. As long as we are conscious of our existence, which we humans are, we ask these kinds of questions. The philosopher, Socrates, is said to have uttered the words “the unexamined life is not worth living.” I wonder whether he was referring to these questions we ask in our minds and hearts and the answers we are seeking. That calls for a lot of examination. ...

All over the world where Native peoples are found, they bring a deep love for the land and creation. They don’t have a “religion” as such but more wisdom and reverence towards Nature. While there are different tribes and different locations of the world where they live, they all have similar words of wisdom to impart. All the images in this collage were taken by me. The background is Niagara Falls with what looked like icebergs to me - right in front of the Falls. It was spectacular! From what I have seen of different kinds of Native art, there are certain similarities. I bought a lovely little book recently called “The Song of Life” and I will share some of the wisdom that was in there. ...

[caption id=“attachment_1568” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Live Good[/caption] All the epithets in this collage were of interest to me since they were Christmas ornaments I saw in a year-round Christmas tree store. They are the kind of ornaments one buys for the wine-lover on your Christmas list. The addition of “Live Good” is my own idea. This image was on the cover of a journal in a bookstore. It’s funny how certain images and sayings can act as triggers for past events or ideas one may have held at a certain time of life. This is what these sayings about wine did for me. There was a time in my life when I thought that I was Epicurean - a much younger age. I didn’t know much about Epicurus though. It was the “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry” stage. Life was about having a good time. ...

 [caption id=“attachment_407” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Bon Voyage, Au Revoir, Goodbye!”][/caption] All the cemetery images in this collage were taken on my last visit to Parklawn where my parents are buried. The angels are photographed from a souvenir print I brought with me from Italy that has nothing but angels. The African Violets were taken at my friend’s apartment. Events of the past few weeks have turned my thoughts to death and dying. ...

[caption id=“attachment_396” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Trying on Monet”][/caption] The three images in this collage with black frames caught my attention while I was waiting in line at my local bakery last week. They had never caught my attention before so I don’t know whether they are new or were always there. The image with the white frame is an acrylic painting that I myself did as a gift for my son many years ago. I had seen a Monet painting called “Garden at Sainte-Adresse” and wanted to try something like it. This is a scaled-down version. Putting the Canadian flag was entirely my idea. I did this because my son was away working in Mexico, and on his return to Canada, this painting was to be his birthday present. He is Canadian. ...

 [caption id=“attachment_343” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Moroccan-style Birthday[/caption] My Birthday was last Wednesday and I wanted to celebrate in grand style. This birthday was special because my brother and his wife were spending it with me and they don’t come very often from Australia. I chose this Moroccan Restaurant because I had gone there before and thought it would be a suitable venue for my special day. The images in this collages were taken there. ...

[caption id=“attachment_201” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Tapestry[/caption] A few weeks ago, my friend and I visited a fabulous fabric store in Toronto. She likes to sew and was looking for some fabric. The photos in this collage were taken there. It was delightful to admire all the tapestries with their beautiful colours and diversity of patterns. Quite suddenly, I thought of the weavers who had spent countless hours to produce these priceless works of art. ...

[caption id=“attachment_146” align=“alignleft” width=“300” caption="- Angels in Art"][/caption] It’s cherry pink and apple blossom time in Toronto. Last Sunday, I went to an Art Exhibition at which my watermelon carver friend was an exhibitor. She exhibited her photography. As I went towards the building that housed the Exhibition, I was enthralled by the garden there. I had seen the cherry blossoms in High Park two weeks ago They were magnificent. However, I was captivated by the colour of the bough hanging before me laden with bright fuschia coloured blossoms. After enjoying its beauty with the naked eye, I took this photo. ...

[caption id=“attachment_127” align=“alignleft” width=“300” caption=“Chaos”][/caption] The unexpected happens - that’s just the way life is. This is true even for photo collaging. Chaotic sequences take place. In the process of making a collage, it is usual to have some sort of idea or theme initially for the photos you select and want to present. You then play around with these until you achieve the desired effect that you want. Through some error on my part in the initial process of photo selection for this collage, when I selected what I thought was one image and brought it into window, all the images from the folder came in and this is the result. That is why it is called “Chaos.” Almost at the same time, a thought came to me about something I had read on Chaos Theory. Although many books have passed through my hands during my working years, I can’t pretend to have read them all but some things come to mind from time to time. ...

“I, who cannot see, find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough shaggy bark of a pine.” ~ Helen Keller [caption id=“attachment_116” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Hands of Time[/caption] Thumbs up for “old hands” literally and figuratively. The hands in this collage are the hands of women in their sixties, seventies, and eighties. As time goes by, I’m fascinated with my own hands and how they have served me over the years. My own hands are in this collage as well as the hands of some wonderful other women I know. ...