January 10, 2011

Roofs, Chimneys and Icicles


So begins the year 2011. Throughout all the days of getting ready for the holidays and organizing the exhibition, I haven’t had a moment to sit down and quietly assess what I would like to do this year. What would I like to change or improve? What would I like to maintain, or leave exactly as it is?

The more I learn about myself, the more I am sure that I can’t just be satisfied with what I have currently achieved. As a consequence, I’m rarely able to enjoy the moment. Or, more accurately, I don’t enjoy it quite as long as it lasts. A short while later, I like to transition to the next goal. When I look back, I see a beautiful image in my mind, and I know that, at that moment, everything was full of harmony, joy, and happiness. Maybe I would even like to relive that day. However, I turn the pages so quickly that I can’t even catch my breath.

I think this is going to be my main objective this year – to learn how to enjoy the moment as long as it last.





I like to collect things - books, memories, and roofs. I have got photos of many roofs from different countries. When I travel I am completely hopeless because I always turn my head up. Because of that, many accidents with dog surprises happened in the streets of Paris. As soon as a have a chance, I climb on the roof of a building. Usually my husband or my daughter hold me by the belt or the hood when I take my pictures.










All these photos were taken in the High Park area, where I currently live. Whenever I go outside, I choose a theme for my walk. Yesterday it was roofs, chimneys and icicles. I didn't get tired of this theme at all. Some of the most interesting color combination in my paintings have been inspired by the views I have gathered outdoors.








Posted by Olga

43 comments:

  1. EkoJanuary 11, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    Hieno kuva-sarja 'jääpuikkoja-räystäillä'...
    Se on Suomalainen sanonta.
    Aurinko sulattaa lunta ja vesi jäätyy puikoiksi talojen kattojen 'räystäille'...!
    Meillä se tapahtuu vasta noin 3. kuukauden päästä - maaliskuun lopulla...!

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  2. DianeJanuary 11, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    You certainly have an artists eye when taking photos. I love the last one. Keep warm, Diane

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  3. Angie WillisJanuary 11, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    What lovely photographs. It's great practice to take a series of photos with a theme and I love these roofs and icicles. Great piggy weathervane :-) Thanks for your kind comment on my blog.

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  4. Jaime BaiaoJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:33 AM

    Olá Olga.
    O tempo físico é inexorável e o tempo imaginário é o qual uma artista como tu sobrevive no encantamento e no prazer da imagem.
    Conseguimos fugir do inexorável?
    Parabéns pelas fotos!

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  5. ladybirdJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    Amazing photos! We could do with some of those deep blue skies here ... all we see nowadays is grey! Martine

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  6. ReanaclaireJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Hello..coming by to visit..

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  7. MariaJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    i'm always at awe how you capture such photos! there's nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself, in my work the motto is: there's no way but up. i love your main objective though, go ahead cherish moments!:)

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  8. Úrsula CoCoJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    :) Nice

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  9. OlgaJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Hi Eko,
    Afrer kolme kuukautta kylmää Haluan näyttää jääpuikko itse :)
    Kommentin todella tehnyt minun päivä.

    Hi Diane,
    Thanks so much dear friend. Your recipe was very popular with my family yesterday.

    Hi Angie Willis ,
    Thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely comment. It seems that the pig is very popular :)

    Hi artebaiao ,
    Lo que un cumplido! Es muy inspirador y me doy cuenta por qué me gusta bloguear.

    Hi Martine,
    I always try to catch any beautiful moments of the winter weather. I have to be quick. We don't have very much sun.
    I am glad that you like my photographs.

    Hi reanaclaire,
    Welcome and and thank you for stopping by.

    Hi Maria,
    Thank you, dear friend, for your compliment. Photography, and art in general, is incredibly demanding and challenging. Sometimes I should just stop and enjoy the moment :)

    Hi Úrsula CoCo,
    Grazie. Non esitate a fermarvi quando volete.

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  10. Martina CardemyrJanuary 11, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Very nice picures! Great work!

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    I love these photos. I really like the contrast of the reds and the bright blue sky aginst the white and the way you picked up the shadows.

    I can definitely relate to the feelings you have about not being satisfied. I too struggle with this at times but as you try to relish the moments more and more your intentions will turn into more of an instinct. You will realize one day that you are enjoying the moment.

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  12. DollyJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    That is amazing that you like roofs because I take photos of windows. If we are ever in the same city at the same time we run the risk of crashing into each other! Good thing to think about, cherishing the moment. I continually have to remind myself to stop and smell the roses. Lovely post Olga.

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  13. Happy Frog and IJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    Beautiful photos, what a great idea! I think I would be a bit afraid of one of those icicles falling onto my head!

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  14. Lisa GordonJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    I love the idea of capturing roofs, and you have done them so beautifully. I also love the idea of slowing down, and enjoying every moment. I've just not figured out how to do it yet!!!

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  15. christinaJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:09 AM

    such amazing and vibrant photos. i love your words, that go along so perfectly.

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  16. joannaJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    You have some wonderful photo's here, of interesting angles, shadows, pops of color, texture, reflections, a fascinating collection of roof tops. I am hard pressed to pick a favorite for I love them all. I would love to take a photo of you being held up by your husband or daughter while you are tempting that next best photo.

    The artist in you continually being fascinated by life.

    joanny

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  17. Sara LouiseJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    Learning to live in the moment is one of my resolutions too :-)

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  18. agujaJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    I don't climb on rooftops, but I do have a fascination for rooftops and chimneys. I always thought that it was because, if confined to bed as a child, I looked upon bright red rooftops and chimneys against a vivid blue sky with scudding white clouds ... but perhaps it was not that.

    These are wonderful photographs. Thank you for sharing them.

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  19. martyJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    beautiful images ! I like very much the shadows
    and reflections of ice in the windows and on the walls ! I love the pig too !

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  20. OlgaJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    Hi Christina ,
    That's the wonderful thing about blogging - finding all those common links between people. Thank you for visiting!

    Hi joanny,
    I hope you will always have the interest and opportunity to leave comments on my blog. I am very much inspired by them. As soon as I read your thoughtful words I want to do something special :)

    Hi Sara Louise,
    Thank you for your support. I think it is really important to live our life now ,here and as fully as we can.

    Hi aguja ,
    I climb the towers and the roofs despite my fear of hights. I love the view from the top of the Eiffel tower. Now I feel nostalgic :)
    I am happy that you like my photos!

    Hi marty,
    I am glad that you like my collection. I will try to post the most interesting roofs from time to time. This pig is now a star :)

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  21. OlgaJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Hi Martina,
    How nice to see your comment today! Thank you.

    Hi Travel Nurse Extraordinaire,
    I didn't realize that I always anticipate the next moment instead of enjoying the present one until recently. I have caught myself in action. Now when I know about it I am armed :)
    I am happy that you found my photos interesting.

    Hi Dolly,
    Shell we invite Diane (Food, Fun and Life in the Charente) to walk with us? She is after doors! LOL
    That is why I love blogging I thought that I am the only one who lives in tomorrow. Now I know there are some people that are in the same boat with me.

    Hi Happy Frog and I,
    I can predict that, when you find the perfect camera for yourself, it will whisper "One more shot, don't be afraid. I know that this is quite a creepy image - just joking.

    Hi lisa,
    Welcome, and thank you for stopping by. I really appreciate your lovely words about my photos.
    As a former perfectionist I think this is a symptom of the perfectionism - not to enjoy the moment.

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  22. Tommy Andre NekkoyJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    ice can be very beautiful, but also very dangerous - well seen the beauty of it, and well done

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  23. OlgaJanuary 12, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Hi Tommy Andre Nekkoy,
    I'm glad to hear you like my photos.I couldn't agree with you more that ice can be dangerous.

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  24. Martha LeverJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    Beautiful pictures. The contrast with the vivid blue is stunning.

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  25. OlgaJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Hi Martha Lever,
    Welcome and thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I love this blue too. Sometimes it is so intense that almost unreal.

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  26. Ingrid MidaJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Enjoying the moment seems to be the key to happiness. I too hope I can achieve this in 2011.
    Love your blog!

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  27. OlgaJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Hi Ingrid Mida,
    Thank you for stopping by. I'm so flattered you like my blog. You're welcome anytime!

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  28. Ashley SiskJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    I love how you've captured those beautiful icicles against the blue sky. Beautiful.

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  29. Lydia KangJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    I loved the icicles! I just saw a bunch growing on my own roof today.

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  30. OlgaJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Hi Ashley Sisk ,
    Thank you for your lovely comment. It is very much appreciated.

    Hi Lydia,
    Thank you so much for the compliment about the photos!

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  31. JustineJanuary 13, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    What a great idea to have a theme each time you go for a walk, I love your photographs here, wonderful work.

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  32. OlgaJanuary 13, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Hi justine,
    I am glad that you like the idea of choosing the theme for a walk.
    Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to stop by whenever you like :)

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  33. CharleneJanuary 13, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    This is such a unique take on such a common scene. I love all the color combinations you captured. They are all such lovely images. :)

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  34. OlgaJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    Hi Charlene,
    Thank you very much for all your kind words and for visiting my blog. I am happy that you like my photos :)

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  35. BeccaJanuary 15, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Olga, this is absolutely beautiful! I don't think I have EVER seen snow and icicles in person like this before. I grew up in such a warm climate snow is strange for me. You have a lovely blog here, and I look forward to seeing more soon! Oh, by the way, I love how when you take a walk you have a theme...that is a great idea!

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  36. beatrice DeJanuary 16, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    Bonjour.
    I probably found myself an intelligent person as i am written a note to you !
    In Prague, it was very cold. But I only have a very stupid *ice on window*'photo. Yours, are, of course very nice, it show as different styles of architecture. Thanks for that.

    Un petit coucou from Lausanne, in Switzerland, when, in time I had done lot of ice' pictures, hight up in the montain, before the numérique système.

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  37. OlgaJanuary 16, 2011 at 2:14 PM

    Hi Becca,
    Thank you for stopping by. So glad you like my blog. I myself feel inspired by your wonderful photos. I am more motivated when I choose a theme for a walk.

    Hi beatrice De ,
    Thank you for visiting my blog. Feel free to stop by whenever you like. It seems you are the first person who read the "about me" thing :)

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  38. LyndaJanuary 16, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Beautiful photos, Olga! I love how you choose to focus on something while you walk. All these icicles are just amazing!

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  39. OlgaJanuary 16, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    Hi Lynda,
    Thank you for your lovely comment and for visiting my blog. Funny, how icicles can help with self-expression.

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  40. DarJanuary 18, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Beautiful photos! I love the way you see things. I feel your love of rooftops & high places & your restless imagination speak volumes about your artistic & adventurous mind. Being in the moment is very important & satisfying, but I would imagine not being satisfied with where you are presently has also propelled you forward & got you where you are today. Perhaps a balance of the two...? Cheers!

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  41. OlgaJanuary 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Hi Dar,
    Thank you for popping over to my blog. You are always welcome. As a former perfectionist, it is difficult for me to be satisfied with my own results, although I manage it sometimes. My personal progress consists in the fact that I am able to enjoy the moment more and more.

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  42. MaxJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    The ice under the roof is very nice :)

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  43. OlgaFebruary 1, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Hi Max,
    Thank you for popping over my blog! I appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete

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