Treasures of Ojai: Part 1

Birds of Paradise

When it comes to photography, it seems as though I never get it right.  I either take too many photographs, or too few.  Often, I come home and realize that I have an excessive amount of repetitious shots, but failed to capture a subject I really wanted to.  Such was the case with the Ojai Museum.  Still, a few things caught my eye during our visit, that I found inspiring, and that I actually photographed.  Starting with today, I thought I would share three things in particular with you, in the hope that each will help similarly inspire you.

 

The woman who welcomed us into the Ojai Museum actually apologized for the one dollar admission fee!  As we were her only customers, she gave us a short, guided tour, pointing out the various displays, and telling us about the museum’s history.  What she seemed to like best was this painting, which was painted by a local artist.  It hung in a health spa for many years, then was restored and placed in the museum.  (It’s actually one of two on display).  I love the gold leaf background, and the way the artist captured all the birds.  I don’t know about you, but I think this artist had a particular gift for capturing birds: not just their shapes, but also their movements.  When I look at the painting, I feel as if I’m visiting the arboretum at the San Diego Zoo.  I've often wished I could paint, and could probably achieve some ability in that area if I devoted the time to the craft.  But right now, I'm working with words to craft pictures that readers will hopefully find as vivid and compelling as this painting.   

Everyone has something that they do well, a gift or ability that is unique to them. What is your special power, and how are you using it to benefit yourself and the lives of others?

Dragon Dave

The Radiant Arbor of Libbey Bowl

Something else that caught my eye that day in Ojai was this arbor.  I’ve often thought of making one, and if I ever do, I’ll probably make mine out of wood, as that’s the material I’m most experienced with.  An arbor helps separate two areas, but it also invites people to enter.  I’ve seen lots of different types of arbors over the years, but I can’t think of any I’ve liked as much as this. 

The arbor that stands before Libbey Bowl reminds me of the sun.  Its light and warmth shine down upon our planet, allow us to live here.  I often miss the sun during the winter.  It’s not just that that the days are shorter.  It’s also that the sun seems less strong and vital then.  When it’s not hiding behind clouds, it still seems unable to properly warm our planet.  (Or at least my little patch of it).  Perhaps the arbor also symbolizes the music played in the bowl, and the sounds that travel outward for others to hear.  I wish I knew who built it, and what inspired them to fashion it in this unique shape.  Its design complements the shape of the outdoor concert venue, while proudly welcoming visitors into Libbey Bowl.  Anyway, it’s just something else that I saw that day in Ojai, and I liked it so much that, like author Kevin J. Anderson, I thought I’d use my blog as an excuse to share these photographs with you.

In the immortal words of Han Solo, please don’t everyone thank me at once.

Dragon Dave

The Wooden Sea Serpent of Libbey Bowl

When I spoke with Kevin J. Anderson at Stan Lee’s Comikaze, I told him I’d been enjoying his blog.  He told me that he mostly used it as an excuse to share his travel photographs.  Of course it’s much more than that: the written descriptions of his journeys offer just as much value as the photographs, and his pieces on up-and-coming projects pique my interest in the stories he’s written.  But I understand his attitude.  He’s a professional author, and spends most of his time hard at work writing stories he can sell.  While he uses his blog to appropriately trumpet his stories, sometimes it’s nice to share some of your more memorable journeys with others.

On that visit to Ojai, as I climbed the bleachers to watch those playing tennis in Libbey Park, I couldn’t help but notice the activity going on behind me in Libbey Bowl.  I’m not sure what production they were setting up for, but I could envision sitting in this comfortable, outdoor venue and enjoying a concert with my fellow residents (assuming I resided in Ojai).  It had a nice homey feeling to it, which I liked.  I don’t often attend concerts in San Diego, but if I lived in Ojai…well, maybe I would.

The forms that nature offers up often intrigue me.  I don’t know if it’s one or two trees (or more), but it looks like a single tree that some accident forced back down to the ground.  Unlike lesser trees though, this one declared, “No, I won’t be cowed, I won’t allow you to defeat me,” and it defied the elements and rose back up again.  While it reminds me of a sea serpent, the tree makes a statement about the importance of determination and not giving up, regardless of what life throws your way. 

Maybe that's why I've always liked sea serpents.  Oh, and trees, too.  Trees are pretty neat.

Dragon Dave

Related Internet Links

About Libbey Bowl

Libbey Bowl welcomes Amateur Astronomers

A cool, evening photo of Ojai