Monday, October 27, 2008

Things that Float My Boat & Colour My World



If I had to pick the singular thing that has the most impact on my core being, it would have to be colour. Colour is the essence that all else that inspires me centers around.

Right now, in my corner, of the world I am enjoying looking at the bright greens of the new growth on the tree's.. that new fresh yellow green that gradually matures as the season advances into many rich deeper shades of green.




Colour is what attracts me to all else that inspires me, closely followed by texture. Perhaps that is part of the reason why, although I can appreciate the colours of the scenery & various landscapes here in New Zealand, I mourn the lack of interesting native animals & bugs. To put it mildly everything from our bugs to our birds are boring, dull, plain & pretty much totally & unequivocally uninspiring. Take the ugly giant weta from Thursdays post - what colour was it??? Brown - yep brown!! Case in point!

I wont even go into the fact that it looks like it fell from the ugly tree & hit every branch on the way down.

Now brown is ok is some situations - like as a background to orange...



The problem is I love all sorts of critters, birds, animals, bugs & ... dare I admit it even snakes. So here are a few colourful critters out of my inspiration folder that never fail to make me stop & take a breath, marvel at the colour that surrounds us on this amazing technicolour planet of ours... & of course want to travel to the places that they call 'home'!




All of this just goes to show you that even though the grass may not be greener - the animals are sure as blazes brighter ;o)

11 comments:

ShellyD said...

Oh my!! That dragonfly is gorgeous!! Thanks or sharing all the wonderful pics. Sorry about the uninteresting animals and bugs in your neck of the woods. Here we have colour galore. Thank you for reminding me to keep my eyes wide open. :)) Did you see my Dung Beetle on my blog. The most gorgeous green.

marcy said...

Deb, those are wonderful and each look like beads to me.
Marcy

angelinabeadalina said...

"Hey, what the heck?? Is that somebody holding a giant cricket??" That would be James' remarks about your native animals. I thought the weta was pretty cool looking. Can't say I like snakes, but other reptiles are pretty freaking interesting, especially that colorful monster thing with the spiralled tail in your picture.

rosebud101 said...

Our critters aren't that colorful either. I do think that little frog is adorable.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful images! That dragonfly pic was actually an inspiration photo for one of my lampworking groups. You should have seen some of the amazing beads people came up with.

Deb said...

Mich - you are so fortunate to live where you do & have access to the wonderful colourful critters.

I saw your dung beetles - & I am sooo envious, I'd never come in out of the garden if I came across anything like that!

Deb said...

Ang - the colourful monster thing is a Veiled Chamaeleon... I want me one of them thar thangs!!! It wouldn't look too bad with purple leathers either ;o)

Deb said...

Marcy - exactly what I was thinking....wanna pop down & show me how it's done? ;o)

Deb said...

Mallory - I feel your pain! S'not fairrrrr, we want us some colour critters!!
That wee guy is a Red Eyed Tree Frog from Austraila - so near & yet so far. It just stinks when the neighbours get all the cool stuff Mind you Aussie has the largest concentration of venomous animals in the world also...bwahahaha!!!

Deb said...

Laurie - what a fabulous photo to have used. I'd love to have seen some of the results - I'll bet they were fabulous!!

Paula said...

Breathing pictures. Love color, fabric, glass, fiber, and all the nature give inspires us with.

Great blog!