Hi Everyone! I spent the last few months in a haze. Apart from many other things, I spent a lot of time pondering the subject of existentialism, alongside a feeling of swimming forever without reaching the shoreline. When this happens, I escape into my self-made world of photography and painting. It wraps me in a safe cocoon. Sometimes I find it very hard to leave that world behind and come back to reality.
Simple 365 – Set 1
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
A part of my little world recently changed forever, even before the larger world started to go awry around us. Sadly, it is an echo of my current state of mind, more destructive than constructive. I started taking daily photos of simple, everyday things to remind me to be happy. Reflective of my current state, they are in black and white.
Very aptly, my husband suggested I call it “Simple365“.
Trading Secrets
I really love the solitudinous nature of a forest; it creates such a beautiful setting for reflection. My cat is happy to be there, enjoying the simplicity only nature can bring. An oak tree, strong and wise, protects my cat within its branches. There is a green butterfly that roams there. They trade secrets with each other. Today, the butterfly is telling him about metamorphosis.
I hope this little story of their friendship made you smile.
If you will, please leave a happy note or memory in the comments. Let me know which one of my “Simple365” strikes a chord with you. Join me if you wish. You don’t have to take a picture everyday, but do look around you, take a photo and share if you like. It might make someone else smile too.
Take care and until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
48 thoughts on “Metamorphosis”
Archie The Wonder Dog June 28, 2020 at 08:42
Oops! I forgot to say thank you for Furtling!
Archie The Wonder Dog June 28, 2020 at 08:42
I love the photo of the bare tree at sunset and the cat/butterfly drawing is amazing!
Angie June 5, 2020 at 22:28
Soma – glad to see a post from you and to know you are back! Lovely creations from you.
Kelleyncr June 5, 2020 at 13:44
Love the car print! Have a lovely weekend!
Michelle June 3, 2020 at 13:40
Look for this painting to be featured at Creative Compulsions tomorrow!
Michelle
Susan Mann June 3, 2020 at 09:53
Aww it’s lovely to see you back posting. I love so many of these images. The black walnut tree and the opening doors are my two favourites. There is something magical about doors and bare trees fascinate with their twists and turns. I hope you are well x
betty - NZ June 3, 2020 at 03:01
I’m glad you find things to make you feel better. Your artwork and photography are always lovely to see. Keep on keeping on and it will be better soon :)
Thanks for being a part of ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
Veronica Lee June 2, 2020 at 21:02
Love your beautiful painting! And the photos too!
Happy Wednesday!
Eileen June 2, 2020 at 03:08
Hello,
Beautiful art and a sweet kitty. Have a happy day and great week ahead.
Tammie June 1, 2020 at 18:01
I am sorry to hear something is not right or well in your life. Or you lost or changed something. I hope you find peace in the meditative things you do, your art and photography.
Your cat painting is lovely and charming. I enjoy looking at it.
Each of the photos is wonderful too. Glimpses of life. The flowers caught my eye. I am in love with flowers at the moment. We go so long up north here without seeing them, autumn and winter. There is a place I go once a week to witness the changes. Spring flowers come and go swiftly and new types replace them. It is intimate visiting the same place over and over again. Getting to experience it’s varying expressions.
Wishing you a sweet evening.
Andrea @ From the Sol June 1, 2020 at 12:05
I love the forest and the cat … like you I love nature and often retreat into it to protect myself from the realities I don’t want to deal with. Our world is a scary place and it shouldn’t have to be so …so I will retreat into nature again and again for there I will find the peace I am looking for. Your post and your words are deep and moving. I hope you are finding your peace and I am glad you have come back to share your beauty with us.
Andrea @ From The Sol
A ShutterBug Explores June 1, 2020 at 09:55
Beautiful kitty and butterfly painting and wonderful photograpy too !
Be Safe, Be Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Frieda Z June 1, 2020 at 08:21
Hi, Soma. Your painting is beautiful. I love the photos of the flowers you took. Flowers always remind me of my mother. I can”t wait til I can grow some again.
BLOGitse June 1, 2020 at 03:07
Opening new doors, yes! You don’t know before you open it.
Your cat must be happy to be safe.
Lady Fi June 1, 2020 at 01:10
Beautiful shots and wow – what a gorgeous cat painting.
Junieper/Jesh May 31, 2020 at 21:36
Love how your painting tells the story of the cat and the butterfly, and the colors you used are perfect!.Am not sure I understand all of what you are trying to say in your post. Also, I don’t know if you are telling about your state of mind, or if you wonder to start a meme of Simple 365. Many thanks for sharing all of this with All Seasons. Have a wonderful art week, Jesh
Margy May 31, 2020 at 16:05
I love being in the forest. My normal home is off the grid on a lake surrounded by massive trees. I can’t be there but at least I have tall cottonwood trees to see through my condo window. I bought watercolour paper with the intent to learn to paint, but haven’t been able to get near it yet. – Margy
NatureFootstep May 31, 2020 at 11:50
Metamorphosis is such a wonderful thing, yet so hard for us to understand. But I understand what you mention in the first paragraph.
Take care, stay safe and come out on the other side. :)
Archie The Wonder Dog May 31, 2020 at 05:11
Beautiful work. Thanks for furtling!
Carol May 31, 2020 at 05:07
amazing cat picture
Lisa Isaacs May 31, 2020 at 04:27
The cat is beautiful and your photos quite stunning! Lovely work.
Luisella May 31, 2020 at 01:50
The cat and butterfly are very beautiful and well done.
The solitude in the forest is not at all a bad idea…
Kim May 30, 2020 at 16:29
It is lovely to visit you once again, Soma. I love the photos of the trees. There is something about the sculptural beauty of a tree that has lost its leaves. As for your painting it is sublime. Your painting of your beautiful cat against the deep blue background with autumn leaves and the sweet butterfly is truly remarkable. You were inspired when you painted this most amazing work.
Rain Frances May 30, 2020 at 11:34
Hi Soma, your painting is really beautiful and I love the detail and the show of friendship with your cat and the butterfly. The photography is beautiful. I hope you’re doing well, the idea of swimming forever without reaching the shoreline sounds emotionally exhausting. xx
Andrée G Faubert May 29, 2020 at 18:09
Hi Soma, I’m happy to see you back here – I missed your posts! Taking the time to look at the small things is life and to remind ourselves of their beauty is a great thing to do. I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one who has taken pictures of colourful flowers with black and white film (at the time it was real film during the Tulip Festival in Ottawa. What a time to put black and white film in the camera, but the pictures were beautiful! :-))
I think that my favourite picture is the bare tree catching the sunset hour – and I really love Trading Secrets. Take care of yourself.
Linda Calverley May 29, 2020 at 11:49
Beautiful cat painting and lovely photos.
Linda Kunsman May 29, 2020 at 11:11
Oh how beautiful is the kitty painting, and your black and white photos are fabulous! Wishing you well, and happy PPF!
Nicole/DVAtist May 29, 2020 at 09:23
Wow that painting is just magnificent. I am very impressed and quite overwhelmed with that cat.
Sandra Walker May 29, 2020 at 09:19
Oh that painting is divine. Truly. You really have brought a glow to your cat that is reflected on the branches. I love the name of the painting too. One that first jumped out at me is the one with the Norge, Scotland and England, etc badges, as it reminds me of my mum, and my husband and my trip last summer. Glad you have posted, have been thinking of you and wish you well, and time to heal from your sadness, or learn to live with it, which is a type of healing in itself.
Sandy May 29, 2020 at 07:30
Your post touched me deeply, Soma. Bless you for finding, and sharing, beauty in the world which we may sometimes take for granted.
Barbara May 29, 2020 at 05:20
Your kitty looks like mi e, and I love the thought of communication with the butterfly. Who knows what goes between creatures? My painting “wraps me in a cocoon” as well, and I think those are the most joyful reflective hours I spend alone each day. I LOVE you tree photo, it’s so ethereal. Thank you!
Jean Marmo May 29, 2020 at 04:40
I love the conversation going on between the cat and butterfly. The colors are just delightful! The everyday photos are wonderful. I love the tree against the sky. I have been taking photos of trees as well because I struggle with drawing/painting them. I hope to use the photos as guidelines! Thank you for the inspiration this week!
gillena Cox May 29, 2020 at 04:14
Beautiful art, Happy that your art provides you a nice place of sanctuary
much ❧✿❧love
Christine May 29, 2020 at 04:03
Lovely pieces, I like the cat and the butterfly. Hope the simple idea helps you feel better.
sirkkis May 29, 2020 at 02:00
Of course your adorable, gorgeous cat painting is the winner to day. It’s very expressive and beautiful.
And when you asked about b/w photos, I chose the wall nut tree. Al your photos are perfect.
Stay safe and cheer up xx
Anesha May 29, 2020 at 01:39
I love this painting of the cat, just beautiful. Some really great photos as well.
Michelle May 28, 2020 at 23:54
I’m sorry you’ve been feeling like you need to escape, although I understand it.
Of the B & W photos, my favorites are in the far left column, the 2nd and 3rd photos down. The tree is very atmospheric. And the blanket? I’m fascinated because I really have no idea what it’s colors actually are. LOL!
Your cat picture is awesome! Thank you for sharing with Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Valerie-Jael May 28, 2020 at 23:30
Your art and photos are wonderful, as always. It’s sometimes hard to get back to reality, these past weeks have been difficult everywhere. I hope you are soon feeling more yourself. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
riitta k May 28, 2020 at 23:05
I love your cat painting <3 Life is sometimes tough, I wish you'll soon get back your 'normal' state of mind. Thank you for linking, wishing a lovely weekend.
Kay Welch May 28, 2020 at 18:23
B & W photographs are some of my favorites. They have such depth. I love finding old photos of people I don’t know, and I then make up a story about them. The one Simple that spoke the loudest to me was the journal. I use to journal every day, then once a week, once a month, and now so irregularly that I can’t remember the last time. I’ve been wanting to of late, especially during these times. I want to write more – journal, letters to those I care about, postcards to strangers. Reach out to others and into myself. Your Simple 365 is a great project – finding something simple in each day that then becomes special. And Metamorphosis is lovely.
Susan May 28, 2020 at 18:22
Glad to see you back here. I have enjoyed watching the trees here in Michigan metamorphose from their bare limbs into their greenery. (Although the tree pollen makes life a little more miserable.) That is why the two barren trees strike a chord with me. I love the painting of your cat.
Mary May 28, 2020 at 18:08
Simple is such a great idea! It is what we all need during these trying times. The key caught my eye right away. Imagining a chat with a green butterfly sounds quite educational. I was able to watch our latest cocoon become a butterfly last Sunday. They have been so exciting to watch this year.
Sue May 28, 2020 at 15:34
Love your cat and the butterfly image and your simple 365, taking photos like that makes us open our eyes and see what is around us, often we rush about and don’t really see. We have a cold but sunny morning this morning, the sky is beautifully blue, perfect for a walk down to the beach. I enjoyed your post.
Dixie May 28, 2020 at 13:47
Metamorphosis looks stunning, Soma. A lovely depicted tete-a-tete–so bright and beautiful!
I love it!
And I also admire your simple 365 photos. I am especially fond of the trees and the maps.
“Opening News Doors” captures the essence of a wonderful unfolding journey.
Welcome back! I am happy to see you here.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare May 28, 2020 at 13:45
So lovely to see you back, here, Soma :)
Your painting is really beautiful and compelling. I love how luminous the colours are and your cat is radiant. I feel he lights up your picture, like the sun, bringing out the colours of the leaves and branches. I also love the gentleness of his expression and the focussed connection between him and the butterfly. They really do look to be deep in conversation.
I also like your black and white photo mosaic. My favourite photo is the one of the boxes :)
BillieBee May 28, 2020 at 11:27
The happy thought for today would be looking at your lovely blog. The kitty makes me happy. I’m not much on taking photos.
Kim May 28, 2020 at 09:56
Hi Soma, lovely to see you back here, though I’m sorry to hear you’ve recently had a blow in your life. I can’t imagine that the current situation we find ourselves in has helped. I’m glad though that you’ve undertaken to find a single simple moment in each day to stop and appreciate a moment of beauty around you.
Jennifer Jilks May 28, 2020 at 05:50
Such beautiful work.