Greece's Art Inspirations

 

Greece’s Art Inspirations

As we traveled to a few cities in Greece, there were some true inspirations for art.  Here are but a few…

 

Possibility

Sometimes, when I see an empty rowboat, I go back to my childhood, when I’d take a rowboat out and just row to see how things look from out on the lake where we vacationed.  I never went very far in reality, but it was always good for my imagination – I could row around the world within my mind!

 Balcony Garden

One of the charming things about Greece is how often I’d look up and see the gardens people put together on their balconies.  You could sit out in the garden and be right outside your balcony door, even if it’s on the 2nd floor (or higher)!

 Life Persists

In the midst of ancient rocks in Old Olympia, Greece, at the site of the first Olympic Games in ancient times, new life springs and persists in growing.  It doesn’t matter if it’s springing up from cracks in the rocks.  It is determined to leave its mark in the world, just as the ancient Greeks did.

No. 10 Green Door

There was something mysterious about this green door.  It looked so old, yet sturdy enough to keep out what didn’t belong.  The scroll work on the windows is a lovely piece of art in this old, worn door.  I love the inconsistencies.

Adrift

Don’t some days feel like this?  You could just lie in the bottom of a boat and wait for the day to pass you by.  Daydreaming is sometimes a wonderful way to spend time.

Until next time – enjoy!

Note:  Each of the images above is available in a variety of sizes and finishes via my online gallery at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg

 

 

 

 

 

Abandoned Treasures

 

Abandoned Treasures

While looking for ghost towns, Jeff and I came across a few treasures that were abandoned, just like the towns…

Mellow Time

A quote from William Allingham seemed the most appropriate sentiment, not only for autumn, but also for this image.  The warm color of the leaves still on the tree relaxes you and invites you to sit back, enjoy their color, and just chill.

Shotgun House

A house you can see all the way through from front to back was called a shotgun house.  This view through this deserted house look a bit like a manmade tunnel.  The colors of the walls from outside and proceeding through to the back doorway, offer a bit of a rainbow in the tunnel!

Wood and Nails

The outside weather has worn this wood into something magical.  The tones of the wood, from dark brown to almost translucent gold makes the popped nails truly stand out against the golden tones.  The crisscross of the wood panels adds some texture and pattern in a bit of a random way.  It all fits together to form an interesting design.

Enjoy!

 

 

Arizona Relics

 

Arizona Relics

The Southwest is a great location for finding old treasures, relics from the past.  Here are three we came across while driving down a road close to where we were camping.

Deserted Home

This deserted cabin was set a bit back from the road, just like a nice home would be.  Although, to be honest, I’m not even sure the road I was on was even there when this place was built.  Still, I do like the way the tree sort of frames the cabin, and the green hills behind it.

Not so Easy Rider

This car was sitting alongside a road down which we traveled.  I think it was meant as a sort of advertisement of a junk yard back from the road by about a quarter mile.  I’m not generally drawn to old cars, but this one seemed to have a bit of character still clinging to it – like it knew it was “hot stuff” when it was in its prime, and didn’t feel like it lost too much of that!!  The lines are fairly classic, and it looks like it was a snazzy turquoise color – and a convertible, to boot!

Past Life

As my husband and I drove along a country road, we saw a deserted cabin, one of my favorite photography subjects.  I captured what I felt was the spirit of the cabin, and then decided to create a digital collage, because a simple photograph just wasn’t enough.  I can imagine someone living there in the past, perhaps reconciling the books of their small ranch in an aged ledger.  I can also see them writing to family in far away towns or cities.  As the seasons change, birds call out a welcome or farewell.  To us, a simple life.  To them a full life worth living.

Enjoy!

Note:  Each of these pieces are available in a variety of formats and finishes, from prints, to masks, to journals and everything in between!  Visit my online gallery at https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.

A Tattered Life

When I saw this battered cabin with the door almost falling off its hinges, it made me stop and imagine the life that once lived there.  It seems sadly ironic that somehow, through all that had befallen this place, there still was an attempt at niceness – the somewhat fancy, perhaps even lacy curtain that was in the window of the door.  

I  imagined a woman, most likely, peeking out from behind the curtain, hoping to see her husband or lover returning from his travels.  This cabin was along the Atlantic coast, so I imagine him to be a sailor.  What letters had been written and received?  Were her hopes still alive or had they been dashed like the waves along the rocky shore.  And, how did her life turn out?  Hopefully, a happy ending and not the tattered life that was the fate of this cabin.

Enjoy!

Note:  This piece is available in a variety of formats and finishes at https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/Nadine-berg    

Early Morning

This year, for Foto Art Fridays, I thought I would share a “pure” photograph that I’ve taken and share that, instead of creating a photo collage or some other artistic altered image.  I also thought I’d tell you a bit about the image.

Early Morning

This image is of one of my favorite subjects, which is no longer around.  This deserted cabin is just down the road from our home, and I love the character of it.  The tree standing next to it adds to the character, and makes the scene truly photogenic.  This cabin seemed to speak of past times when I think people, in general, were made of tough stuff.  It doesn’t look like it had any running water or electricity when it was someone’s home.  It managed to survive for generations, but within the last few years, time and the elements have finally taken their toll, and the cabin is mostly flattened.  Here’s to (slightly) better times!

Enjoy!

Note:  This piece is available in a variety of sizes and formats (including notebooks, mugs, and tote bags) on www.fineartamerica/profiles/nadiine-berg.

Foto Art Friday – December 1, 2017

Shades of Home

This piece came about as I thought about home and what it means to so many people.  Of course, the heart of the piece is the image of what once was someone’s home.  There is writing, both handwritten and typed, in different positions, representing how people tend to write to those at home, or about home, or even about leaving home, depending on one’s perspective.  Different textures represent the different thoughts people have about what “home” means to them, and the birds represent the fleeting time we spend at our various homes throughout our life.  So, what does “home” mean to you?

Shades of Home

Enjoy!

This piece, in a variety of finishes and formats, including prints, pillows, tote bags, journals, is available at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.

Foto Art Friday – November 3, 2017

Circular Clouds

This piece celebrates the wonder of White Sands National Monument.  Specifically, at sunset, when the sun warms the sky and it’s a nice compliment to the sand and desert plants.  The background of this piece is a vintage love letter, where the writer talks about being on a journey with another person.  And, such is the way I feel about nature of all types, and today specifically the wonder of this US National Monument. 

Circular Clouds

Enjoy!

This piece is available in a variety of sizes and finishes at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.  

Foto Art Friday – October 20, 2017

Walk in the Mist

I took the photo that is the heart of this piece many years ago.  I was in Wisconsin, walking along a sort of harbor area.  It was a cool, damp morning, with the mist hanging heavily in the air.  I saw the white benches and globe light that seemed to be beacons, calling for me to come and sit for a bit.  The handwritten letter and envelope in the faded background of the piece suggest someone doing that, and then writing to a loved one far away, telling them of this moment in time.

Walk in the Mist

Enjoy!

This piece is available in a variety of sizes and formats at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg

Foto Art Friday – August 18, 2017

Ghosts

The old deserted house stands in the ghost mining town of Kennecott, Alaska.  It speaks to time gone by, when the town was a hub of ore mining activity.  Now, the town is a tourist town, altho the way there is just difficult enough so that it will never become a tourist trap.  This house reminds me that we all have ghosts, so I inserted some into this piece.  Ghosts have a somewhat negative reputation, so another way of thinking about them is as history – sometimes our own and sometimes as society’s.  As much as we sometimes would like to forget the past and focus on the future, the danger in  that is that we will lose the lessons of the past, and in the words of an old saying, “Those who do not learn from the past, are doomed to repeat it.”  So, let us remember the lessons, the ghosts of our past.  It may sometimes be a bit difficult, as is represented by the wisps of memory clouds in this piece, and the faded words as well.  Here’s to the good ghosts, the good memories, and the lessons worth remembering!

Ghosts

Enjoy!

This piece is available in a variety of formats and finishes at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg

Foto Art Friday – August 4, 2017

Homestead of Old

This piece has, as its focus, one of my favorite photographic subjects – an old deserted cabin.  There’s something about it being a living history, in a way.  Yes, it’s deserted and left standing until it falls over.  But, as long as it is standing, it serves to remind us of a life, or lives, that lived there.  Of a time in our history when brave souls faced the unknown in order to make a better life for themselves.  The image that is the base of this was converted to a sepia toned image to enhance the historic feel of this piece.  Vintage handwriting enhances the intention of this piece, as well as other brushes and effects.  It’s a homestead of old, our living history.

Homestead of Old

Enjoy!

This piece is available in a variety of finishes and formats at my web site at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.

Sunflower Festival Art Exhibit

This year, I was once again accepted in the art exhibit that begins with the Sunflower Festival in Mountainair, NM, on August 26, and continues thru the month of September.  I am truly honored to have my work accepted in this exhibit.  Here are the pieces that will be on display at the Manzano Mountain Art Council Building at 101 E. Broadway in Mountainair.

Beautiful Monarch

It’s always a treat to be able to capture a butterfly in repose.  That this one happened to land on a lovely flower was a true treat not to be missed.  I processed the image as I did to add to the ethereal feel of the moment.

Package of Three

Three daisies at my feet as I walked along a trail in New Mexico were the inspiration for this piece.  I layered it graphically with a piece of vintage handwriting and then used a variety of specialty brushes in my photo imagery software.  The photograph was converted to a colored pencil drawing to enhance the soft and gentle feel.

Window in Adobe Wall

There’s nothing more Southwest (or New Mexican) than an adobe wall.  I loved the feel of the image of the adobe, with all its nuances of color.  Much like our lives – no matter how simple, there are still complexities in every one.  The significance of the window?  It’s a mystery – like the rest of our lives.  What we’ll see is what we make of it.

Old Fence

This image was taken close to my home in Edgewood, NM.  When I looked at the starkness of it, I decided to convert it to a monotone, and then added the texture to it.  It reminds me of the days when life here in the West wasn’t as easy as it is today and I wanted to honor those folks who made a living and their lives in this area.

Times Past

I saw this old windmill on the drive from Moriarty, NM to Mountainair, NM and knew I had to capture it.  When I began processing it, I realized that to truly what life may have been like when this was part of an active homestead, I needed to convert it to a black and white print.  I then added the other elements – the birds represent the fleeting nature of life, the handwriting reminds me of a journal perhaps someone kept, and the clock in the lower corner represents how time keeps passing.

Enjoy!

Foto Shop Friday – July 28, 2017

The Perch

It’s the dead of winter, right after a brutal snow storm.  Most birds, in fact, most animals, are burrowed away, waiting for the sun to return, to once again warm the earth and melt the snow.  And, I see this raven, alone but not lonely.  A curious creature, seemingly oblivious to the conditions around him, perched on just about the only thing around not covered in snow, waiting, watching, content in his own environment.  Looking for some unlucky creature to venture out and become lunch?  Hard to say.  I do love the hardiness of these independent, and intelligent beings and this piece celebrates their uniqueness.

The Perch

Enjoy!

This piece, in a variety of finishes and formats, is available on my web site at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.

Foto Art Friday – July 14, 2017

Forest for the Trees

This week’s piece was inspired by a ride on a chairlift taken during the summer.  As we traveled both up and down the lift, I was truly amazed at the beautiful scenery.  I kept being drawn to the many, many pine trees that we passed over and alongside – so much so, that I totally missed this small stand of birch trees mixed in with the pines.  It reminded me of the saying about how one cannot see the forest for the trees – getting too hung up on the details to see the overall picture.  I felt a bit like that’s what I had done, totally missing all the birch trees in the forest because I was focused on seeing the pine trees!  I converted my image of the birch trees into a colored pencil drawing, and then merged it with some digital collage elements – some text from an Asian book, and some CitraSolv background paper I made.  I added some specialty brushes to the piece to add a finishing touch. I hope you enjoy the piece and don’t forget to check out all the trees!!!

Forest for the Trees

Enjoy!

This piece is available in a variety of formats and sizes at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.  

Foto Art Friday – July 7, 2017

Running Free

For this week’s piece, I thought about a trip last year to the Moab area.  My husband, Jeff, and I like to explore on some off-roads, and it was along one of these that we came across a herd of pronghorn antelope running along a field next to us.  They were first running behind us, caught up with us, passed us, and ultimately crossed the road in front of us.  To create this piece, I started with some background papers I made using CitraSolv and merged it with a quote by Edward Abbey – “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view”.  I then applied some specialty brushes in PhotoShop Elements, and the result is what you see.  The antelope were truly running free, and I love the feeling this piece creates in me.

Running Free

Enjoy!

Note:  This piece is available in a variety of formats and sizes at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.

Foto Art Friday – June 30, 2017

Tasting Flight

This piece is based on an air race I watched recently.  I photographed the planes as they flew by the time check point for the final segment of the race.  Early in the morning of the second day of the race, I was lucky enough to capture the image that is the basis for this piece.  A small plane flying past the rising sun.  I came across a quote from Leonardo Da Vinci, where he said “Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards….”  That seems to be true for most pilots I know.  I added the quote in the background of this piece and then finished it off with some special brush effects, to emphasize the feel of flight thru the wispiness of clouds.

Tasting Flight

Enjoy!

This piece is available in a variety of sizes and formats at www.fiineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg

Foto Art Friday – June 16, 2017

Adobe Wall

Recently, I toured Georgia O’Keeffe’s home and studio in the little village of Abiquiu, New Mexico.  This piece is influenced by that tour and visit into the surroundings in which she lived her life.  She had incredible talent, and a look at her art reflected great diversity – from stark complexity to stark simplicity.  This piece is focused on simplicity.  The color of the adobe, converted from photograph to painting, reflects all the nuances of our current life, whatever it may be.  Shades and tones are what makes it interesting.  The window reflects what is unknown, what is left to be.  It’s whatever we make of it.

Adobe Wall

Enjoy!

This piece is available in a variety of formats at   www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.

Springtime Garden and View

Only a week after we had a fairly large snowstorm, spring was alive and well!  I wandered around the front and back of our home, and got some lovely springtime views!

Front Yard Iris

During the snow storm, I was concerned that the irises that were beginning to bloom would be killed by the cold, snow and ice.  Needless to say, my fears were unfounded – the iris is lovely!

Mexican Primrose

I didn’t plant these little treasures, but I do enjoy these “party crashers” when they appear each spring! 

Yucca Bloom

A banana yucca is our state flower here in New Mexico.  Every spring, these interesting blooms “pop” up from the middle of the yucca plant.  Altho they look a bit different from typical blooms, when looked at them closely, they are quite pretty in a sort of "old fashioned” way.

Front Yard in Spring

I just love the look of our front yard when things start to bloom.  I noticed this spring that purple seems to be the color of the season.  It looks so restful – don’t you just want to grab a book and take a few moments in the chair under the tree? I converted this to a painting effect, just because this garden seems like a dream, and a painting seems to be somewhat dreamy!

Spring in the Mountains

A week ago, I couldn’t see the mountains for the snow, but now, the mountains are in full view, with what looks like a spring storm hovering overhead.  At least the snow last week added enough water to the ground so everything is nice and green!

Spring Storm

Looking to the north, you can see that there is rain happening somewhere!  I love the definition and texture that you can see in the clouds, with a bit of rain dripping from the clouds.  I’m a fan of that look, too!

Enjoy!

Times Past

I was playing around, trying a bit of a new technique with my digital art, and ended up with this piece.  I began with an image I took several months ago, while driving along a new “photo op loop” as I think of it.  The image spoke to me of a past time in history, and I worked with a distressed background and some specialty brushes to enhance that message – a written note, back when everyone learned to write in cursive (however horrid our handwriting might have been!), and an old clock face, before digital numbers told us the time.  All are examples of times past, as is an old windmill, used to pump water for the old farm house it inevitable stood close to.  There are few of those reminders left, and I feel bad for those who live in a more urban environment where “progress” had demolished these parts of our history.

Times Past

Enjoy!

This piece is available in a variety of formats and sizes on www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/nadine-berg.