What if Wednesday: Steampunk Church Windows
In the steampunk church known as Our Lady of Ulthar, the cat is sacred. The followers of this church are hard working data miners and their families. They toil with pneumatic U-tubes harvesting the swollen blogs that are squeezed for their rich social linkages. They believe that in the eyes of the cat can be found the knowledge that does not grow on The Great Text Tree. They believe that The Face Book can only be understood once the Code of Katrina, Our Lady of Ulthar is revealed. Her Code is like the wind that moves the Chimes of Chronus. They start each service with the following invocation:
” It is said that in Ulthar, which lies beyond the river Skai, no man may kill a cat; and this I can verily believe as I gaze upon him who sitteth purring before the fire. For the cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see. He is the soul of antique Aegyptus, and bearer of tales from forgotten cities in Meroe and Ophir. He is the kin of the jungle’s lords, and heir to the secrets of hoary and sinister Africa. The Sphinx is his cousin, and he speaks her language; but he is more ancient than the Sphinx, and remembers that which she hath forgotten.”
Behold the poppies that grow in the Gardens of Ulthar. Breath in their sweet dreams and know that we shall gather there with Our Lady . Gather the circuits and the Boards of Memory that they may reveal the Code of Katrina. Listen to Difference Engine as it purrs the Calculations of Chronus.
Who would disturb a sleeping cat as it dreams of the Digital Yarn that Unites the World there in Her arms ?
Note: To learn more about the basis of this what-if check the earlier post: In the Gardens of Ulthar to find out about H.P. Lovecraft’s tale of The Cats of Ulthar.
Click the following link to learn more about Charles Babbage’s Computing Engine.
Contemplating Cats on Mats
A bit of contemplation,
A bit of complication,
Cats on mats.
Try and get them off,
It won’t do any good.
I thought you understood,
Cats on mats.
If they seem to disappear,
A flip of a tail
And green eyes peer
Through shadows of threads
Clinging to your beds,
Cats on mats.
( A Seussian Koan – hope the poor rhyme doesn’t make you moan & groan – too much.)
Surreal Thursday: A Cat Among The Canaries
It is another Surreal Thursday and someone let a cat among the canaries. Actually there were two cats when I created the cats’ eyes layer many moons ago. I can not remember how many close up shots ( or how many birds) I took to get the feather layer that I used to create the pattern. It was quite a long time ago and it all seems sort of surreal now. If you click the image to see a larger version the feather texture is more evident. You will also see a the embossed hieroglyph effect in the matte. The Egyptian connection to cats and the tropical bird feathers lends itself to both colour and motif.
Ontario Lion
During our high pressure last week of Summer, before our high pressure first week of school, we set aside one day to take our daughter to African Lion Safari . The place first opened in 1969 and I have many memories of going there on annual family outings . The set-up is a nature reserve, 2 to 20 hectare (5 to 50 acre) . The animals roam and people drive through, in their cars or on the tour buses. Over the years we have seen some interesting sights and have had some memorable experiences. Living here up north in Elliot Lake means the visits to the Safari are less frequent, and as a consequence even more special.
Antique Impressions: Contemplation
Book of Contemplation
The cat on the couch
Knows its purpose.
Pages and paws turn.
Sun sets, bent branches -
Leaves between light and darkness
Consider the day.
Sunset Silhouette - Contemplation
Cats in Spring
The cats come out in Spring, though we are working at keeping them within the confines of the backyard. They are watched and given short exploration periods. Some cats were poisoned in our area and our eldest cat now suffers from a heart murmur that appears to be brought on by a bout of poisoning . One neighbour is convinced our eldest cat somehow scratched her car. She is also convinced that one of the other neighbour’s tree is intentionally attacking her yard with leaves. For some reason, I keep thinking about H.P. Lovecraft’s classic ” The Cats Ulthar” (see H.P. Lovecraft tag).
” It is said that in Ulthar, which lies beyond the river Skai, no man may kill a cat; and this I can verily believe as I gaze upon him who sitteth purring before the fire. For the cat is cryptic, and close to strange things which men cannot see. He is the soul of antique Aegyptus, and bearer of tales from forgotten cities in Meroe and Ophir. He is the kin of the jungle’s lords, and heir to the secrets of hoary and sinister Africa. The Sphinx is his cousin, and he speaks her language; but he is more ancient than the Sphinx, and remembers that which she hath forgotten.”
Big Ear Here
Listen can you hear it ? It is getting closer, …… and closer.
Have you anything to say ? I guess the cat’s got your tongue .
Well there goes another brick.
Cats are Purrr-Pared
Cats seem to have so much patience, perhaps because they can anticipate the outcome of a situation or they know how to direct things toward a desirable outcome. Maybe it is because they have purrr-pared the perfect plan.
A Cat, A Mushroom, and A Crow
Here are some more modified photographs. I played with texture and colour to increase the impact of the images.
A Cat and Hollyhocks
Here are three images from earlier this summer. It is hard to believe that summer is nearly over and we have had one week of school. These images from summer were modified. I sometimes find that even a well composed shot looks better when I convert it using an art effect. The elements of the shot that stand out as flaws in the photograph just add texture and character when the image has been modified. I use a combination of plugins and settings, rather than one specific program. Each photograph responds differently and needs its own particular set of adjustments.
Cat & Gargoyle and The Garden Reflections
Summer coming to a close. Some images and memories for a digital album. Where does the time go ? It is like a cat ready to leap while we sit still as stone looking at possibilities reflected in a birdbath. Or maybe we are just busy living.
Shoes, Shadows, Cats, Tomatoes & Flowers
Today mix of objects and styles. First up are some Faux Victoriana tomatoes and brick-a-brac. Can you see the two ornamental cats in the photograph ? One is hiding, but (hint) it is very supportive.
The next photograph is of Miss Jada. Her last role was in The Gardens of Ulthar post . She just had some surgery done yesterday, but she is up and a round looking for birds, chipmunks, moles, and mice. I created a mat in keeping with the Victoriana mood and the monochrome photograph.
Here is a study in Shoes & Shadows. I used a variation on the frame that was used in the first photograph, but I included a mat that I composed to go with the monochrome image.
Here is some Brica-brac for the year 2010, or just another mess that needs to be cleaned up. Is the doll listening to The Wiggles or the wind-up radio ?
My wife’s water lily is starting to flower. The colour of the mat came from the water lily leaves.
The final photograph is also from the garden. This photograph was not adjusted or altered except for the addition of the mat. I composed the mat pattern to imitate the fencing in the background. Enjoy !
The Computer Cat
The Computer Cat has completed the job! This digital documentary captures the creative process by which this creative creature produces his digitally enhanced photographs.
Step One Contemplating the artistic goal and framing the image in your mind.
Step Two: The artistic goal is transformed into digital form.
Step Three: Now contemplate the achievement of the artistic goal and filling the mind and spirit with personal artistic satisfaction.
With gracious humility get scratched behind the ears and under the chin. Allow lesser human to post some of their poor efforts.
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