What Makes an Image Spiritual?

I’ve been invited by a local shop to submit a portfolio of images for review.  The caveat is that the images must be of an obvious spiritual subject matter and/or have titles that evoke a spiritual ethos.  What makes an image spiritual?  There are undoubtedly objective as well as subjective measures.  Here are two photos that I think many people, without need of a title, would consider spiritual in nature:

But what about these images?

In the end, I’ll do my best to pull together a representative grouping.  I’ll let you know what happens.  Meanwhile, if you have thoughts on the subject, please let me know.

My Color of the Day: Green

I feel like Kermit the Frog today.  I found myself dressing nearly completely in green.  I’ve been thinking of photoshoots and all of the items happen to be green.  I’m obsessed with cultivating a little winter garden in a sunny nook of the house I live in, and it just so happens that most of the plants are rambling green vines.  Here are a few of my favorite green photos of the day, taken in and around Boston.  Enjoy.

Always the Butterflies

The Bedside Table

Images from my Winter Garden

A Lake Placid (actually the Charles River)

Starfish

Serenity

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

– from Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer

Save the Date: Nave Gallery December Salon Opens Dec. 3

On Thursday, December 3, The Nave Gallery opens its December Salon featuring the work of almost a hundred artists.  Below you can read more information about the Salon, and get a sneak preview of my artwork on display, as well as sneak peeks at works by two excellent artists, Zoe Langosy and Stephen Horne.

 

One of Two Framed Photographic Prints by Cynthia Staples

 

Framed Photographic Print by Stephen Horne

Steve Horne is a scientist who works with light, and that interest is reflected in the photos he takes.  Photography is in his blood.  His father, Joseph Anthony Horne, was a photographer in the 1940’s for the Farm Security Adminstration- Office of War Information  (alongside such esteemed photographers of the day including Dorothea Lange, Gordon Parks and Walker Evans).

 

Framed Original Artwork by Zoe Langosy

Zoe Langosy is a Somerville-based artist who does beautiful work with pen, ink and collage.  If you look closely at many of her collages, you’ll notice that they are often made up of butterfly wings!  The piece she has submitted for this exhibit is quite lovely.  Her work has appeared in galleries nationwide.

 

More about the Salon: The Salon runs for 8 days over two weeks and provides a unique opportunity to add to or start your own art collection while supporting one of Somerville’s most innovative art spaces. Many dates will feature live music.  The Salon is open December 3, 6-8 p.m.; December 4, 6-8 p.m.; December 5, 1-5 p.m.; December 6, 1-5 p.m.; December 10, 6-8 p.m.; December 11, 6-8 p.m.; December 12, 1-5 p.m.; December 13, 1-5 p.m.  Free and open to the public. No wheelchair access.  For more information, visit http://www.navegallery.org/nave/2009/salon.html

 

Aunt Thelma’s Christmas Cactus