Nature, Interrupted

There's an oak tree sculpture I've passed hundreds of times and it's been awhile since I've really looked at it.  I found some very interesting information in the Eagle's Voice about this proud old oak.
It used to be the oldest oak tree in Dane County and possibly the second oldest in the state. Workers cut its roots when building an apartment complex when they didn't have to and the lawsuit (yes of course there was) resulted in this fascinating work of art.
Artist Alberto Chavez carved a tale of nature interrupted and man's ability to disturb creatures on the ground, air and water by a single touch. The man touched the snake which spooked the bear which scared the woman which agitated the eagle which alarmed the otters.
Better than my description of the "Naked lady tree with a wolf, an eagle and some kind of dog."
I'll be taking a closer look in the next few weeks.

Otter to the left, Eagle to the right with a bit of the Naked Lady off the side

Looking Up and Around

Having fun with the new lens and starting to notice things I pass by practically every day. Looking for sunflowers singing their last hurrah, still have The Cat and in the spirit of long overdue, thank you to:
Eden Hills, Piereced Wanderings, Serendipity is Sweet, Comedy Plus, Floral Friday Fotos and The Art and Tree Chatter of Aquariann

"Hurrah, la la la."

I: Bob, Interrupted

Favorite: What do you mean still here, am I going somewhere?

Pink: Arboretum Coneflowers digging the stifling weather

Oh Yeah: This tree is all kinds of amazing. I noticed three different carvings on it today. 

Saturday, Sunday, Monday In The Park

My little rat pals suckered me into a series of visits to the park last week. They love to work their teddy bear wiles on me, especially Mr. French who is all eyes and bad attitude. Oliver is the guy who's up for "whatever," and usually ends up in my lap forgetting what he wanted in the first place.


Their Four Step Plan


Step 1
Guilt the human

Mr. French aka Big Rat

Step 2

Look dashing in a blue scarf

Oliver aka Little Rat

Step 3
Sing Italian Songs

Sing like no one is listening

Step 4

Another day in the park

Can you dig it?

Yes I can

Still Here

Although Dexter's bags were packed to leave on Hippie Christmas, he's still here. I'm glad he's still here and because we're going by his daddy's sense of time and space—here on referred to as Vince time, who knows how long The Cat will grace me with his adorable presence.

FRIDAY'S HUNT
My House Guest, Dexter
Who remains My Favorite Thing
He's Single, enjoys chasing string, sleeping under desk chairs and walking on balcony railings

I will ignore the green bag of unsettlement behind me

Beast Mode

Your housekeeping skills are appalling

Thinking about sledding down the stairs Jackass-style

"Hmm, needs more mice."

Bobby Boy: So Far Away

You're so far away from me

So far I just can't see

So far away from me

You're so farrr rrr

Dilly Dahlia I Got A New Lens

I took back a Tamron 18-270mm lens because we just didn't bond. I decided on a Canon STM 55-250mm even though I can't take full advantage of its features with my old camera body. My aging human body likes it and I have 45 days to decide.

Meanwhile...

*Dahlias (Dahlia pinnata) originate from central Mexico, easy to remember the Latin name because it sounds like piñata. They love to be well drained, bath in the sun, and photographed by medium range telephoto lenses.
Their pompons range from 1/2 to 12 plus inches ("There is even a lime green mini pompon flower called 'Yoko Ono,'" according to gardenguides.com).
Their color range is immense but does not include a true blue. Aw.

So far 55mm isn't too close for outdoor shots

No need to lean in like I'm near sighted. Which is how I think of my old lens

It's nice to take a step back

It's nice for us too, Hummus Breath

But would the cost effective IS II work just as well?

So very interesting please push the water dish under my nose

*Dahlia facts from The University of Minnesota Extension

Guest Post: The Very Talented Puts My Measly Efforts to Shame Charles Wolf

Guest Artist: Charles Wolf, Photographer + Blogger

Dawn Over Cape Hatteras, OBX, NC

Photo by Charles Wolf. Impulsive Artistry © 2016

Hello, I’m artist Charles Wolf, and I want to start with a big thank you to Jeanna for featuring my work today. When people ask me what I do for a living I never know how to answer them, because I do a lot of things: I am a photographer, visual artist, blogger, YouTube content creator (painting videos), writer, music composer, music instructor, and a professional musician. Today however, I will be focusing on the first of these occupations!

A Cairn, Mount Mansfield, VT

Photo by Charles Wolf. Impulsive Artistry © 2016

My passion for art in its many forms began back when I was a young boy. My great uncle on my father’s side, Uncle Shorty, was a talented self-taught artist who made beautiful drawings. I remember when he would visit he would bring a sheaf full of new drawings of various California landscape scenes—old trees, outhouses, boats, lakes, tall pine forests and more. He was very inspirational to me, and copying his drawing style and compositions comprised my first attempts at real art.

Sunset Boats on Lake Champlain, VT

Photo by Charles Wolf. Impulsive Artistry © 2016

I first got into photography when I was in high school, taking photos of sunsets, orchards and fields near my home in the Central Valley of California. I don’t recall if they were ever any good, but I enjoyed the activity and began to learn about capturing light. 

Dawn Cloudscape, Raleigh, NC

Photo by Charles Wolf. Impulsive Artistry © 2016

In college, I took several art courses and learned how to paint—a formal introduction to composition. I can say that my photography skills have improved over time, still so much to learn, but it's always a thrill when one of your shots turns out great. Photography is one of the easiest creative activities to get into, everyone has a phone with a built in camera, and with social media apps like Instagram or Twitter, you can share your work with the world!

Into the Woods, Raleigh, NC

Photo by Charles Wolf. Impulsive Artistry © 2016

My CreativeLifestyle/Art Studio Blog

Back in October, I decided to start a creative lifestyle blog, showcasing my artwork and photographs, and writing articles about creativity and artistry. I am so glad that I can feature other Guest Artists on my blog; Jeanna’s photography was just recently featured there as well. My hope is that I can share my enthusiasm with others, and inspire them to live richer lives through creativity. It is always so wonderful to try new things.  

My Blog, Impulsive Artistry: http://impulsiveartistry.blogspot.com/

I am living the dream, an impulsive artistic life that I am excited to share with you all! Thank you for reading this article and looking at my photographs! I hope that you can stop by my blog some time soon and say hello! Have a great creative week,

—Charles Wolf

Flying By AtwoodFest

I stopped by Atwood Avenue to visit Willy Street's more mature but still cool hipster cousin this weekend. 

Poster Atwood  Kid: Nice wheels, still barefoot.

Can I get a woot woot for the cooling tent

One more woot for Jim and his kettle corn

Uh no, I wouldn't think so