Dahlia, Oh Dahlia

Dahlia, Oh Dahlia

Dahlia, Oh Dahlia © 2012 Bo Mackison

It began in mystery, and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beautiful country lies in between. ~ Diane Ackerman

Dahlias are my favorite flower to shoot. When I find a dahlia I love, I usually return a dozen times so I can capture the dahlia in its many stages, from bud to petals scattered on the garden earth. But when a dahlia I fall in love with is in a garden 200 miles from my home, I can’t visit over and over. The next best thing? Take an hour’s worth of photos in this patch of dahlias, every angle, in diffused light, in sun patches. Blowing in the breeze, and captured in a still air.

After I processed with photograph by de-saturating the colors, I could only look at the giant photo on my computer screen and think, “Dahlia, oh dahlia!” I’m in awe of this beautiful flower.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is busy at work, finishing a few new photographs to bring to the Third Ward Art Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this coming weekend. More info to follow.

Pink Lily Abstract

Pink Lily Abstract

Pink Lily Abstract © 2012 Bo Mackison

“Who would have thought it possible that a tiny little flower could pre-occupy a person so completely that there simply wasn’t room for any other thought.” ~ Sophie Scholl

Another macro view of the pink lily at the test gardens west of Madison, Wisconsin.

August Break 2012

Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.

Sunny Zinnia

Sunny Zinnia © 2010 Bo Mackison

Second in a series of photographs of this red zinnia. Photographed at Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison Wisconsin.

Christmas Celebration

Christmas Abstract © 2007

Christmas Day.

Wild like this Merry Christmas photograph. Hope everyone is enjoying your Christmas Day.

Book Lust and Groucho Marx

It was too cold, icy and blah to go outside yesterday, so I played with my macro lens inside, and then I was so inspired, I sat down and read ‘Surfacing’ by Margaret Atwood for the rest of the day. Here are a few categories of books I read when I’m not hunting with camera in tow or doing miscellany. This is the first set of three photos. A second set will be in another upcoming post, and those books are way, way different from these posted today. Way different! That’s a promise.

Books I Read ~ 3

Books – Humor © 2007

First are the comics and humorous books – of course included are Calvin and Hobbes, Dilbert, and Dr. Seuss. I grew up with Dr. Seuss and the very first book I read by myself was ‘The Cat in the Hat.’ My absolute favorite book is ‘Green Eggs and Ham.’ I love Sam I Am.

Books I Read ~ 2

Books  – Art © 2007

Then a few drawing books and art collaborative compilations. I have an entire shelf – 30 inches long – plus another half shelf, full of a wide variety of art and writing books. For nearly twenty years of my past life I entertained myself working as a mixed- media artist and fiction author, and these books are well-thumbed. Now I read them for auld lang syne.

What I Read ~ I

Book Lust © 2007

And then there are my books about words. Crossword puzzles, book lists, dictionaries and many more. Words and I have always had a special affinity ~ ever since I figured out that a few letters magically turned into a word at the ripe old age of 4. If you are wondering about the title part of the post, ‘Book Lust’, the two middle books are ‘Book Lust’ and ‘More Book Lust’ by Nancy Pearl. Nancy is a librarian and so, of course, she has written two books filled with book recommendations and fun to read descriptions of books – great books that could easily be overlooked if you didn’t know about them. If you’re looking for a good book – any genre – The Book Lust duo is the first place to check. I received them as Christmas presents two years ago, great gifts if you have a passionate reader on your list.

So there. I practiced with my macro, which I should do more often (much more often!) and shared my book passion in a multi-tasking effort. (Although I am an ardent un-fan of multi-tasking on principle. As in, pay attention to what you are doing and be mindful of your task at hand, and while you’re at it, slow down!) So now you know a little bit about me and some of my philosophies, too. Are there any other book lovers or philosophers out there? Why not share your books and/or opinions, too?

And as for my dear friend, Groucho, he will end this post with two of his opinions about books and reading…

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” ~ Groucho Marx

“I find television to be very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book.” ~ Groucho Marx 

Bravo, Groucho! Bravo!

Let’s hear it for books.