Art:21, Walks And Lists

Each day I try and get out to take a walk on the beach. Usually, it's when the air is cooler, the sun is setting and I can feel the salty ocean breeze on my face. That is my favorite time. I like to walk where dogs are allowed too. I can't help but smile seeing how happy they are being on the sand,running around and splashing in the water...unlike their owners who are standing up on the bluff, waiting for them to come back.

I don't know if the owners mind that I take pictures of their dogs. I ask sometimes but usually they don't seem to mind.

The birds don't mind. I tend to take a lot pictures of them too, as you may have noticed. I wonder if they think, "oh great, here comes that crazy lady with the camera again."

For me, it's the best way I know how to relax. At least I try to relax. My mind sometimes wanders and I think about lists. You know, the constant "to do" lists that you try to remember to write down so you don't forget and then you check them off and more things come to mind that you have to write on the list that's stuck in your brain because you don't have a pencil? No? Ok, well...maybe it's just me.

One other thing I enjoy doing before I go to bed is watch at least one artist story on the PBS series Art:21. You can watch for free on your computer by clicking HERE

As they describe it, ""Art:21–Art in the Twenty-First Century” is the only series on television to focus exclusively on contemporary visual art and artists in the United States. Fascinating and intimate footage allows the viewer to observe the artists at work, watch their process as they transform inspiration into art, and hear their thoughts as they grapple with the physical and visual challenges of achieving their artistic vision."


Or it can be described..."You think you're crazy? Take a look at these artists! You'll feel completely sane after watching their process." Maybe it's that I feel at home with some of their stories. This one woman focused solely on water. She loved taking pictures of water.

That's it.

Someone who likes what I like! There must be others out there in the world that love to look at and take pictures of some obscure things as much as I do! It's a great place to go to if you are in a rut and want a new way of looking at things. Just like looking at art, these short stories take me through the process with them and I start to believe that whatever they are talking about is genius! Perhaps I watch it late at night in the hopes that the creativity will seep into my brain as I sleep. In any case, it's a great show. I would recommend a look.

Here are some things I saw on my walk of list making.

A Walk On The Beach

Ahhhh, there is nothing like being next to the ocean, especially on a crisp sunny day. I took a long walk (camera in tow) on Huntington Beach yesterday stopping to take a few pictures of what I saw that looked interesting.

At one moment, I did exactly what this man was doing (well, ALMOST exactly) and laid down on the sand to feel the sunshine on my face and listen to the waves crash. I think that could be one of my favorite things to do. All of your cares seem to slip away in one moment as you lay still to feel what's around you.

Not many beaches allow dogs, but there is a section here in Huntington Beach that is dedicated to let dogs be themselves. This is the part I took a walk on. I love how excited and happy the dogs look as they get to run around and do whatever they want.

They take time to play.

There are times that we forget what it's like to go out and just play. I remember each school day and how I looked forward to just running out during recess to jump around and swing on the bars or kick a ball around.

Sometimes I pass by a school during recess and think back to those times and then get envious that those kids can wake up and play all day in the same clothes. If only we adults could do that. Wouldn't it be nice to get up, go to work, play, go out and wear the same outfit the entire time?

For me, I find the most peace being in nature. If I am having a rough time I know that all I have to do is get outside and walk in an open field, the beach, or the mountains and any worry I might have had just seems to disappear. It's the same feeling I get watching dogs at play on the beach.

Get outside.
Play.


Here are more dogs I've photographed throughout my travels. Click HERE to view.