Skywatch Friday - Gray Skies - Color Filled Ground

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella.

- Pepper Giardino

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I wanted to participate in today's Sky Watch posts but was not about to go outside in our 4th straight storm. So... I'm posting what our sky looks like through my window - and no....it's not a black and white shot!

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I also thought I'd post some color since the first image is so - void.

It's not of sky...but it's what is happening with all of the rain - littering our ground with leaves.

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Please click here to see more Skywatch images!

Rain Kisses

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. - Langston Hughes

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I seriously doubt any Seattle-ite is in short supply of rain kisses these days.

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Our gorgeous Fall leaves have almost all been stripped from the trees.

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We've had a good run of beauty this Autumn...haven't we?

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Thanksgiving is one week from TODAY and Christmas is right behind.

Winter is right around the proverbial corner.

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Soon we'll have frosty mornings that stretch through the afternoon and into the evening.

If we're lucky, we'll get a sprinkling of snow - on a day when we don't have to drive anywhere!

We'll get to put on snow boots, mittens and hats and hear the crunch under our feet as we walk about to click glorious snowflakes.

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By "we," I mean me.... and I'm so looking forward to it.

Happy Thursday everyone!

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Bone Structure

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.

- Andrew Wyeth

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Take Time

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.

- Elizabeth Lawrence

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I've been watching the leaves turn at this cemetery all Autumn.

The cemetery is located just off the freeway so I love when the light turns red and I can sit and admire the beauty.

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I succombed to its enchantment the other day and found the entrance.

I think I spent about an hour wandering around and clicking here and there.

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The leaves covered the ground yet clung to the trees.

It was more than beautiful.

I thought it to be a gorgeous final resting place.

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Mellow Yellow Monday - Glistening Autumn "Fruit"

Youth is like spring, an over praised season more remarkable for biting winds than genial breezes. Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.

- Samuel Butler

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The rain has been coming down, down, down...

...along with hail, sleet and snow.

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The dying blossoms become soaked with moisture and glisten in the sun.

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Beauty surrounds me.

Thankfully I don't have to look far to see it.

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Please click here for more Mellow Yellow Monday images.

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Scenic Sunday - Out of the Dark

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.

- Anne Lamott

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I truly think these orange leaves could glow in the dark - they are just that bright.

In my mind's eye I see the leaves glowing in the night, leading everyone from fear and pain to Hope.

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We are approaching another season of Hope and Miracles.

I gotta say... I am looking forward to it.

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Please click here for more Scenic Sunday images!

Hearts Alive

(Please click to enlarge photo)

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We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

- Thornton Wilder

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My heart came alive today as I was driving home and caught sight of these gorgeous trees.

The sunlight shone through them and emphasized the many colors they wear.

(Feel free to enlarge in order to see the lighter colors.)

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I just can't get enough "color" this Autumn.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

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Skywatch Friday - Chasing Passion

Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night.

- Glade Byron Addams

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I went in search of this view today.

My sister-in-law told me about this place near her home - she said it takes her breath away each time she sees it.

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I was definitely in awe when I discovered it.

Orange and red trees line the street.

Snow covered mountains stretch out as far as the eye can see.

The sun was dancing on all the leaves.

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I'm dedicating this click to my sister.

I had a great visit with her today.

She is an amazing woman and has an incredibly hard job.

She's beautiful inside and out.

I hope she knows how much she's loved.

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Please click here for additional Skywatch photos.

Happy Friday all!

Underestimation

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Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

- Leo Buscaglia

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The other day I was shopping at Costco.

It was during "lunch" (product sample time).

I saw one of the Sample Demonstrators and smiled at her as I walked by.

"Thank you for smiling at me!" she exclaimed.

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I was shocked when she said that to me. I thought for sure she received lots of smiles - after all she was handing out free samples of bread!

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She talked with me as I was looking at something close by and called me over to her. She offered me a large sample of the most delicious bread - as a payback for smiling at her.

A few minutes later she called after me and again gave me another sample.

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I almost always smile at everyone I meet or at least acknowledge them in some way.

I think every human being deserves that much.

Still, it shocked me how much a stranger's smile meant to her that day.

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Her reaction has reinforced my belief in acknowledging another human being and, at the very least, smiling at them!

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A Beautiful Past

No man is rich enough to buy back his past.

Oscar Wilde

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Happy Veteran's Day to the men, women and their families who serve or who have served in our military. Thank you for your selfless sacrifice and service. Thank you for doing what you do so that we all may live free.

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Ready to Rise

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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The rain has beaten down this poor leaf.

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But, wait!

Do you see it?

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The stem is fighting the pressure to be flattened.

In it's struggle it's readying itself to fly when the right opportunity comes along.

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I so relate to this.

Do you?

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Mellow Yellow Monday - Power of Love

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We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace. -William Ewart Gladstone

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All I can add to this quote is, "AMEN!"

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I am participating in Mellow Yellow Monday's this week - click here for more fun!

Drenched in Words

One must be drenched in words, literally soaked in them, to have the right ones form themselves into the proper pattern at the right moment.

- Hart Crane

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Ever struggle with words?

Ever have trouble getting thoughts to come out your mouth in the correct order?

Or, how about being tongue tied when your heart is bursting with feelings.

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Hate it when that happens...

don't you?

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Broken Instruments

[A] final comfort that is small, but not cold: The heart is the only broken instrument that works.

- T.E. Kalem
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"Put one foot in front of the other."

"Put a smile on that beautiful face."

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I have heard those two phrases spoken by my mother many, many times.

Those phrases were usually said to me as I embarked on some new life journey and were usually on the other side of a new heartache.

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It's not easy to keep going when your heart is broken.

There are times when I wanted to make the world stop. I hoped against all odds that the universe might skip a beat and allow me to catch my breath. Or, maybe movement could pause a moment to allow me to gather the shattered pieces from the ground to tuck into my purse.

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Time doesn't stand still - for anyone - for any reason - ever.

And, maybe that's a good thing.

Maybe "time marching on" teaches us something in it's procession.

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I don't know, yet. I'm still learning.

Ever learning.

Always learning....

...Which is a very good thing.

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Sweet as honey

My grandfather always said that living is like licking honey off a thorn.

- Louis Adamic

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These thorns may resemble the color of honey, but for some strange reason I don't think they taste as sweet!

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Anyone interested in finding out?

I could mail you a sample!

;o)

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PS: Doogie is on pain meds (several!) and CAN move - just doesn't want to due to pain. He's resting in his bed. Thank you for your prayers!

Paw Baby

Dogs are miracles with paws.

- Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

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Dogs' lives are too short. Their only fault, really.

- Agnes Sligh Turnbull

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We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment.

- George Eliot
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I betchuve missed clicks of my baby, huh?

Maybe it is I who has missed posting them?

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In any case... my little baby is in dire need of prayers.

Or, maybe it's me needing prayers for him.

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Doogie's back pain has increased significantly.

He's had some treatments that have hurt and not helped.

He's on pain meds, steroids and several supplements as surgery is not an option.

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Please pray for Doogie's healing, relief of pain and increase in mobility.

Please pray for my peace and grace when the time comes to let him go.

I'll need it. And then some.

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He's been with me only two years but it feels like forever - in such a wonderful way.

He's my child in so many ways.

I know I was the one who initiated the adoption - but he so adopted me into his little heart.

He had me at first wag.

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Anywhere

Anywhere is paradise; it's up to you.

- Author Unknown

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This is an image that allows my imagination to soar.

The greens and blues ... the trees, grasses, water and sky .... they could almost be anywhere.

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Africa is what comes to my mind when I look at this image though.

And no, I've never been there. And no, I have no idea if they have such places there.

However, this image makes me think of a young man I care about that is about to graduate.

He invited me to his graduation in Africa and though I cannot attend in person, I am already there in heart and spirit. I pray his future is as bright as his smile and that his dreams come to fruition. I pray he never loses sight of God's love for him.

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So.... if wishes could come true I would wish myself to Africa to see a young man I care about graduate.

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If wishes would come true, what would you wish for today?

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Outstretched Hands

The difference between a helping hand and an outstretched palm is a twist of the wrist.

-Laurence Leamer, King of the Night

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Clear Thoughts

Thoughts come clearly while one walks.

- Thomas Mann

Have you ever noticed how troubled thoughts begin to sort themselves out when you go for a walk or a run?

I have. Walking boosts creativity and gets my ideas flowing which is an added benefit to exercise.

Now, however, thoughts turn to how to keep umbrellas from turning inside out due to the heavy winds and rains.

These Oaks are now stripped bare.

But oh, what a glorious show they put on this year!

Sweet Vegetables

Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread and pumpkin pie. - Jim Davis

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I'd add Candy Corn to the list of suggestions, too!

Eat up!

The power of a button

These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. From each of them goes out its own voice... and just as the touch of a button on our set will fill the room with music, so by taking down one of these volumes and opening it, one can call into range the voice of a man far distant in time and space, and hear him speaking to us, mind to mind, heart to heart.

-Gilbert Highet

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These yellow babies belong to my Mom. I saw them and instantly thought, “button, button, whose got the button!”

I know… don’t ask.

The quote for today’s image is almost an exact thought of mine.

I am really into reading lately and as I was reading I got to thinking how most people see a book as just lifeless sheets of paper with lots of words typed in them.

I’ve been seeing some as mirrors of my soul, my hopes and dreams.

I’ve read some that give me guidance and encouragement in areas of life that I struggle with.

And, there’s still others that make me laugh or cry and get so caught up in them I forget to turn out my light and go to sleep.

If it’s been a while…pick up a good book, find a comfy chair, a warm drink…and read.

I think you’ll be glad you did.

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Skywatch Friday - Sounds of color

Knock on the sky and listen to the sound.

- Zen Saying

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Every time I go out to shoot I look towards the sky. I look for light and color.

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Today, our Pacific Northwest skies are gray. (They often are during Autumn and Winter.)

When gray is in the horizon I try to use it as a backdrop for vibrant colors.

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Like these.

I'm having a hard time finding my favorite colors this Autumn. These colors are close contenders!

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Please click here for more Skywatch photos around the world!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Secret Patience

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Dizzying love

I'm so in love, every time I look at you my soul gets dizzy.

- Jaesse Tyler

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I am in love with Autumn..... with these COLORS.

I just can't get enough of them.

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I'm so in love that I've even picked boquets of leaves for my mantel.

Yes, my dizzying love for them is THAT much.

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And, even though the wind and rain has come (and more and more rain) I'm still in love with the colors that are growing darker and stained. As the trees become threadbare I get a little sad, but know that beauty lies just behind when the tree limbs are covered in snow or set aglow by Winter sunsets.

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Happy Autumn Blessings!

A beacon

A happy person is a beacon of light that shines across the darkest night to guide those across the rocky seas of life. - Holly Cregar Byerley, @JoviGirl8 ( via www.QuoteGarden.com )

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Yellow trees this year are drawing me out of my cocoon.
To me they are like beacon's of light when I'm lost in a dark night.
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They glow.
They shine.
They lead.
They beckon.
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I am helplessly drawn to their beauty.
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Promise vs Fear

We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears.

- Francois duc de la Rochefoucauld

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I'm really curious, why do you think this quote rings true?

That is, if it rings true for you.

It rings true for me, at least right now it does.

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Is it because we are afraid to face our fears?
Are we afraid we might succeed?

Or, maybe we are afraid of what comes next - after we succeed.

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I don't have the answer - obviously - but I know I'm working on figuring it out.

Blessings to you as you go about your week.

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Yum!

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them.

- Phil Pastoret

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This pretty lady is Riley. She is one of the paw-babies living next door to my mom.

According to my Mom, Riley and her pal Winston, have been enjoying the grapes that fall off her vines.

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I saw Riley sitting so patiently (actually she was standing and straining to reach the grapes herself!) so I had to pick a couple for her and Winston.

I tried to give one to my little Doogie. He didn't like it much... go figure!

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Skywatch Friday - Hills of Friendship

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. - Elisabeth Foley

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I was so blessed today to be able to spend time with my great friends from Lake Curlew!

I clicked this from the car window (no, I was not driving) off of Highway 2. I just adore the color in the hills. I think the dark and rainy clouds make the colors just pop.

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Thank you, Diane and Jed, for a wonderful day. I so enjoyed spending time with you!

Thank you, Diane, for the delicious coffee and the hours of chatting.

I miss you already and can't wait to see you both again.

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Update: Jed has completed his radiation treatments and is doing very well. Hallelujah! Next step is imaging and talking with the oncologist to get those results. We are continuing to pray that the spot in the brain is now gone and that the spots in his lungs have not grown and are miraculously gone, too! Diane, Jed and I thank you for your continued prayers.

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Please click here for other Skywatch photos!

Two of a kind

There are at least two kinds of cowards. One kind always lives with himself, afraid to face the world. The other kind lives with the world, afraid to face himself.

- Roscoe Snowden

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Forgiveness

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.

- Paul Boese

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Today's post is dedicated to a young man involved in a dramatic and devastating situation.

I do not know the exact details but I do know that one life is lost and many others are forever drastically changed.

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I can't imagine what this young man is going through. I am sure he feels alone and scared. He must be hurting in indescribable ways as he's said he wants to die.

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Please pray for this man and the families involved. Please pray for encouragement, strength, guidance, understanding, compassion, forgiveness and love. Everyone in this situation will need all of this and more. Thank you.

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Fall Impressions

The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?

- Pablo Picasso

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The artist does not see things as they are, but as he is.

- Alfred Tonnelle

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The artist gazes upon a reality and creates his own impression. The viewer gazes upon the impression and creates his own reality.

- Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

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