Trio of Tulips – and a Muse

Tiny Tulips

Tiny Tulips © 2010 Bo Mackison

Spirit creates; that behind nature, throughout nature, spirit is present; one and not compound, it does not act upon us from without, that is, in space and time, but spiritually, or through ourselves…it does not build up nature around us, but puts it forth through us, as the life of the tree puts forth new branches and leaves through the pores of the old. ~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature 1856

When I ask photographers who inspires their work, their philosophy, their experimentation with their photographs, I often hear mention the photographic greats–Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Dorothea Lange, Henri Cartier-Bresson are often mentioned, as are many contemporary photographers.

I draw much of my inspiration from the study of photographers, both famous and obscure. But I find my photography is also influenced, not only by artists, but also by architects, naturalists, the natural world, and an entire art movement.

One of the people who has deeply influenced my photography was not a photographer, but one of the world’s most innovative architects of the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright. I live in “Wright Country” and take advantage of regional tours to see his architecture, both exteriors and interiors, when available.

I find inspiration in his use of nature and natural materials in his designs, his functional and simplified forms, and his prominent use of art in his buildings.

Wright drew much of his inspiration from nature, and particularly from the native Midwestern prairie to which he had access for much of his childhood. He opened the boxy houses of his time, instead encouraging the use of wide open spaces and large expanses of windows that brought the out-of-doors to the inside of the house.

Wright also had a deep respect for harmony, and for harmonious relationships between form and function. He typically included natural items in his homes, usually transformed from their natural forms to into geometric designs. Wright was also an American Arts and Crafts Movement proponent. This movement focused on designing the items in a home to make an artistic statement.

When I take photographs, especially in gardens or natural areas, I frequently create photographs with one of Wright’s concepts in mind. I capture the beauty of the natural outdoor to bring into the living spaces of the home. And offer an interior garden all year-long — a bonus in the Midwest!

The photo of the trio of tulips was taken at the Allen Centennial Garden on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is printing some new pieces for her first big show of the summer art festival season, the Barrington Art Festival in Barrington, Illinois on May 28-29, 2011.

 

 

Three Daffodils

Three Daffodils

Three Daffodils © 2011 Bo Mackison

The sun came out today. Not just for an hour’s tease, but the skies were clear all day long, and the sun was doing its thing. A good thing, too. The farmers in the area, last I heard, had about 14% of their crops planted. Last year, at the beginning of May, they had nearly 70% of the seeds in the ground.

Yes, the seeded earth!

I got some photo work done outside, and I hope all the people whose jobs take them out doors every day, I hope they all enjoyed the gift of the sun, too.

You don’t know just how much you miss something until it’s not around.

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I am back home after spending the first part of 2011 in Arizona. The spring flowers are in bloom–so happy to see!

Kaufmanniana Tulip

Kaufmanniana Tulip with Mottled Leaves at Allen Centennial Garden, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kaufmanniana Tulip © 2011 Bo Mackison

One of the earliest tulips to bloom is the Kaufmanniana Tulip. Due to its diminutive size–maybe 6 inches high–it is frequently planted in rock gardens. This tulip, one of the first in bloom in the garden, was photographed at Allen Centennial Park on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Focus on Leaves, Mottled Leaves of Kaufmanniana Tulip at Allen Centennial Garden, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Focus on Leaves © 2011 Bo Mackison

I found the mottled markings on the leaves almost as interesting as the flowers, but due to a cloud burst, I curtailed my photo session. Just didn’t feel like getting drenched without warm clothes available and the temperatures were dropping to the lower 40s. [Reminder to self: put rain clothes in back of car.]

When the sun makes an appearance, I’m going back to capture some tulip leaf photographs. Or after I buy a sturdy pair of rain boots!

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. Bo is back in Wisconsin after spending the first part of 2011 in Arizona. She is watching as Spring tiptoes into Wisconsin.

Bloodroot

Bloodroot in Woodlands, Madison Wisconsin

Bloodroot in Woodlands © 2011 Bo Mackison

Though finding flowers in bloom has been a bit of a challenge in Wisconsin this spring, I found several stands of bloodroot in the woodland area of the Allen Centennial Gardens at the university of Wisconsin in Madison. It’s name has nothing to do with “blood” — the sap of the flower is a bright red color, similar to the color of blood. The sap has been used as a dye by Native Americans.

Though it is typically found in the cooler, eastern regions of the United States and Canada, it can be found as far south and west as Texas. It is a common ephemeral flower in the woods of Wisconsin, blooming before the trees leaf out and block the sunlight from reaching the forest floor.

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I am back in Wisconsin after spending the first part of 2011 in Arizona, and beginning to see hints of a late arriving Spring as she quietly tiptoes into Wisconsin.

 

 

Narcissus

Narcissus Macro

Narcissus Macro © 2011 Bo Mackison

The narcissus is a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, a harbinger of spring. To many of us living in the northern climates, the narcissus–also called the daffodil– not only proclaims winter’s end, but gives us reason us to appreciate the present moment, this time of blossoming.

I have a bed of spring-flowering bulbs that is partially protected by the eaves of my house, and this afternoon I was able to take a few photographs of the garden flowers between raindrops and snowflakes. But I kept one eye on my botanical subjects and my other eye on the lightning streaking across the sky.

Once the hail started bouncing off the sidewalk and thunder began rumbling, I called an end to my outdoor photo-shoot, and decided I would continue to appreciate this spring moment from the interior–and safety–of my house.