Best Photo of 2020 That Reflects the past as It Looks to the Future

Circle of Life Sculpture, Charolais Corridor Trail, © Barbara Radisavljevic, 2020

 Is this the best photo I took in 2020? It's the best one to show the contrast between past and the future I hope for in 2021. It features Robert Roemisch's metal sculpture, "Circle of Life" which you can find at the beginning of the Charolais Corridor Trail in Paso Robles. That trail happens to be behind the tract where I live, so I walk it often, usually in the late afternoon or as the sun is setting. 

You can see in the sculpture that life goes on. The dark cloud of 2020 with all its storms seems to be disappearing into the horizon and leaving the sky above it clear and blue. I hope this will be the case. I hope some of the conflict and death that marked 2020 will be replaced with seeing what we have in common, the end of the pandemic, and a return to normal life. 

That being said, those things aren't under our control. We control only our own thoughts and the  actions that spring from them. Whatever is ahead, I will trust God to bring good out of it. I will pray my leaders will be wise in their decisions and seek divine wisdom. I will try to do what's right with what I have and in the way I treat people. All that God requires of me and others is to do justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8) And that's what I want to do. 

Let's all walk courageously into 2021 and see what awaits us. 

In case you're wondering, the most popular post on this blog in 2020 of the six I wrote was this one: Spring Begins with Wet Sidewalks and Gray Clouds. 

This blog is part of the City Daily Photo Blogger Network. See what other members considered their best photo of 2020, the theme for this January. 

"The Circle of Life" on the Charolais Corridor Trail

Best or Favorite Photo of 2018?

This month's theme gives us a lot of leeway. But since we begin a new year today, I decided to chose Robert Roemisch's metal sculpture, "The Circle of Life," to feature. I've always liked this sculpture. It's the first thing that people notice on the eastern entrance to the Charolais Corridor Trail in Paso Robles. The trail itself leads to the River Walk along the Salinas River as it runs through Paso Robles. Roemisch wanted people walking the trail to be aware of the river's environmental and educational value as well as just enjoying it as a place to exercise. 

Over the years I have taken many photos of this sculpture. I like this one, taken at dusk, because it emphasizes the silhouette animals in the circle. It also serves as a window to allow a look through the center at the plants on the other side. I've never yet seen a bear along this trail, but I have seen plenty of rabbits. Most of them detect me and run away before I can capture them with a camera. 



Happy New Year!

See the favorite photos of other City Daily Photo Bloggers here. 

Cat on the Rocks in a Xeriscaped Yard

The Cat on The Rocks

As I was walking around my neighborhood this afternoon, I almost missed this very still cat crouching in the rocks in this xeriscaped yard. She appeared to be hunting and waiting patiently for some prey to come out. I'm guessing she may have been waiting for a lizard, since I've seen a lot of cats hunt them, but she also may have heard a rodent.

Cat waiting for prey in xeriscaped yard, © B. Radisavljevic

The cat was alert, not asleep. She was very patient. She didn't move during the ten-fifteen minutes I was taking photos of the yard.

Cat waiting for prey in xeriscaped yard, © B. Radisavljevic

The Xeriscaping and Yard Art

Xeriscaping is landscaping that is designed to use very little water. It depends upon drought-resistant plants, drip irrigation, mulch, and decorative art to make it beautiful. You can see all these things in this yard. The cat I introduced above lives here, and if you look very carefully, you might see her lurking behind the rocks. But you need very sharp eyes.

Xeriscaped Yard, © B. Radisavljevic

Notice the rock mulch, drip irrigation, and drought-resistant plants used in the design. The benches are there so the owners can enjoy the garden. The cats also seem to enjoy roaming here. Below is a closer look at the plants around the tabby cat. 

Cat  in Xeriscaped Yard, © B. Radisavljevic

The  homeowner next door also made good use of yard art. I thought his cactus sculpture was clever. The tortoises, ant and bunny also caught my attention. 

Yard Art in Xeriscaped Yard, © B. Radisavljevic

Here's a closer look at the ant and the tortoises. 

Close look at Ant and Tortoise Sculptures in Xeriscaped Yard, © B. Radisavljevic

The sculptures above matched the coloring of the rocks pretty well and blended nicely with the plants. They didn't try to steal the show. The art below grabs a bit more attention. 

Colorful Snail Yard Art in Xeriscaped Yard, © B. Radisavljevic

The snail is brightly colored. It appears to be a planter. I will show you a closer look at it tomorrow. That Siamese cat you see on the walkway in the background will star in tomorrow's post.  Stay tuned. 

This last photo shows the edge of the property near the sidewalk. You can see how the branches of a tree which I'm assuming the homeowner removed or trimmed features prominently as a border. 

Did you get any xeriscaping ideas from these photos?

Get more ideas from my gardening blog, Barb's Garden Observations.  

• Yarrow is Ideal for Xeriscaping
• Xeriscaping is Essential in Dry Areas

Wordless Wednesday: Butterfly at Sundown at Kennedy Fitness in Paso Robles

Butterfly Sculpture As Sun Goes Down 

For your Wordless Wednesday enjoyment.

Related articles

• K is for Kennedy Club Fitness

Goats -- on Farms and as Art

Reclining Goatess, Photo © B. Radisavljevic

I meet a lot of goats in North San Luis Obispo County. I see most goats on small farms, but occasionally I see one as art, like this one I found at Studios on the Park in the Fine Crafts Studio. Unfortunately, I could not find the artist's name. 

Goats are pretty common around the rural areas of Templeton and Paso Robles, especially around organic farms and nurseries. I used some in promotional photos in my blogs, such as this one about a foster child who was in between homes and coming to a new one in the town of In Between, Texas. The book is called In Between.  The goat in the introductory photo came from the now departed Fat Cat Farm in Templeton. If you click through, I think you will figure out why  I used it.

Goat at Jack Creek Farms, © B. Radisavljevic

Goats at Finley Family Nursery in Templeton, © B. Radisavljevic

I used one of the goats in that last photo as my model in this  birthday card I made on Zazzle. I think you will see the resemblance.

Happy Birthday! Greeting Card
View other Birthday Cards at Zazzle.com
The inside says "Happy Birthday, you old goat."

Related articles

• Goats to help landscape Spring Grove Cemetery

Dale Evers and Christian Van Evers at SoundScapes

Since music is the theme of the current SoundScapes exhibit at Studios on the Park, it's not surprising that some artists made use of musical instruments in their works on display. We have already seen Eve Chartrand working on her violin exhibit in her studio. We saw her completed work hanging on display here.  We have also seen Anna Meyrick's mosaic work on her guitar, which she titled "Light My Fire" for the exhibit  previously. Dale Evers and his son Christian Van Evers also created work for Soundscapes.



There is some debate about the name of the steel and stainless steel sculpture by Dale Evers pictured here. I  have used the name that was at the base while it was on display. The Studios on the Park website shows a photo of a very similar work on the page for this exhibit called "Michael." Look at the bottom of that page to see the photos.





Dale also exhibited "Acoustic Aroma' -- another sculpture using a guitar theme. It is pictured below.

Dale's son, Christian, who uses the surname Van Evers in honor of his family heritage when he promotes his art, also has guitar art in SoundScapes. You can read more about Christian Van Evers here.  The guitar art I've shared here is titled either 'Guitarron" or "Guitaron." I have seen it spelled both ways on different web sites. However it's spelled, Christian Van Evers created it. I'll show you first the front, and then the back. Of course, all these works are best seen in person, and there is still time to get to Studios on the Park to see them before the exhibit ends. While you are there, be sure to also see the Cigar Box Vignettes by Hellie Blythe. 

SoundScapes is all about how music speaks. This throw pillow is a reminder of how powerful music is.

Music Speaks Throw Pillows Browse Zazzle for a different
throw pillow.

More Sculpture from Heritage Gallery West

Click photo to enlarge

This bronze statue was created by Ken Rowe and is titled "Timberline Bull." Ken is from Sedona, Arizona. His introduction to  wildlife art was as a taxidermist. Find out more about him on the Ken Rowe Biography on the Heritage Gallery West website.  You can see some of his other work there, as well.

This will be short tonight because I had computer problems I spent hours trying to resolve unsuccessfully. Fortunately, the photos  I'm sharing this week are on this computer -- not the one I can't navigate. I will have to buy a new mouse for the iMac tomorrow.

Heritage Gallery West - Sheryl Knight on Display

Sheryl Knight's Plein Air Paintings

One thing I loved about my visits to Heritage Gallery West  (now only online) is that although I may have gone to see the work of one artist,  the exhibits were designed in such as way that I couldn't help but notice the work of others. On this visit, I went to see the work of Sheryl Knight, whom I had met once before at an exhibit of her plein air paintings at Studios on the Park years ago.  This painting is one I saw hanging in the Heritage Gallery West display. You can click to enlarge it for a better look. It was painted on the Central Coast. You will see a better photo of it on her Facebook Page.

"Evening Cypress" by Sheryl Knight

Of course, her work was spread throughout the gallery. Sheryl painted most of  the work in  this section while on a trip to the British Isles. Because of the way the display was set up, I also noticed the horse on the table, "Radiante," created by Tom Voiss in bronze. He has other sculptures on display here, as well, but I will have to  show them in future posts.

"Radiante" Horse Sculpture by Tom Voiss

Here's a close-up  of "Radiante." To see any of this artwork as it should be seen, you need to come into the gallery on 13th Street, right downtown in Paso Robles. The sculptures, especially, need to be seen from every angle to fully  appreciate them.

"Radiante" by Tom Voiss, photo © B. Radisavljevic

Since this gallery focuses on Western Art, horses seem to be everywhere. It kind of makes me see where this photographer is coming from.

Through the Eyes of a Horse Poster

Related articles

• One of the Most Painted Buildings in Paso Robles
• Paso Robles and Paderewski
• Sculptures by Central Coast Artist Vel Miller

Meet "Veritas" -- Another Statue in an Unlikely Spot

I noticed this statue of a horse last week when I was driving by it on Spring Street. I don't know if it's new or whether I had just never noticed it before. It dominates the front yard of the Rossi Law Offices in Paso Robles. I was not able to get any information on the artist from the statue, but an online search told me the horse statue has been named Veritas, which means "truth." Evidently there was a contest to name the statue and the winner who came up with Veritas is Erik Mauk from Atascadero.

I'm looking forward to possibly discovering more art where I least expect to see it -- art outside the marketplace or the galleries.

Related articles

• Art in Unexpected Places
• Paso Robles and Paderewski

Art in Unexpected Places

As I walked through Paso Robles City Park on Monday, I saw something I hadn't noticed before, just behind the drinking fountain near the Twelfth Street park entrance. I strode over for a closer look, and it turned out to be this statue, "A Man's Best Friend," created by Christopher Bell. I have not been able to discover for sure which Christopher Bell created this sculpture, but I'm guessing it was the Christopher Bell who lived in Pacific Grove, California, and died in a skiing accident in 1998.

In January, 1999, the Paso Robles City Council accepted this bronze dog sculpture to be placed near the drinking fountain. It was intended to promote public art and to bring distinction to the city. It was cast by the Metal Arts Sculpture Center in Paso Robles.

 Next time you are at City Park, stop by the drinking fountain and take a close look. The photo to the right shows the back view. If you click the photo, it will enlarge.

Related articles

• Heroes on Display

Illuminated Spirit on Display in Window at Studios on the Park

Studios on the Park was closed when I walked by Monday, but this window for the Illuminated Spirit Exhibit that will be on display until September 27, certainly grabbed my attention. I may go back later in the week to see it.

The window also reflects the view on Eleventh Street and part of the park. I've always thought reflections were fun.

This poster, which was also visible from the outside, explains the exhibit and names the participating artists. You can click to enlarge if you can't read the print. Maybe you can inject a dose of art into your weekend activity schedule if you are near Paso Robles.




Meet Heidi Franscioni Beal in this video as she explains her encaustic process to me back in 2011 in her former studio at Studios on the Park .

Related articles

• My Favorite Dragon for Theme Day
• Sculptures by Central Coast Artist Vel Miller

Get a Bear Statue for Your Lawn or Garden

The Creek Led to the Bear

I saw a bear statue one day while I was walking the creek path that begins near Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo. Here's how it happened.

I decided to take the path farther than usual, past Mission Plaza, under the bridge near the art museum, and to the other side. This seemed to be where the ducks were hiding out. I've never seen them in the creek near the mission.

Ducks In San Luis Obispo Creek ©B. Radisavljevic

A Bear Statue Can Make Your Yard Unique

At first I only noticed the ducks, and I spent a lot of time photographing them. Then I happened to look to the other side of the path and I saw this bear statue on private property.

 It seemed appropriate, somehow, to see the bear so close to the creek. I'm guessing that had anyone been thinking of climbing that fence at night to rob the house, he would have had second thoughts after seeing that very realistic bear. Bears have been spotted in San Luis Obispo, and it would not be unusual to find one near a creek. After dark,  the details might be obscured.

Bear Statue Near San Luis Obispo Creek, ©B. Radisavljevic

A Closer Look at the Bear Statue 

I have put just the statue, without its surroundings in the photo below. Have you ever noticed this statue when you walked the creek? It's a large as a real bear.

Would you like a bear statue similar to it in your yard? Maybe this close to life-size bear below would deter trespassers who are up to no good. I personally might be intimidated by it were I to encounter it. If I saw it, especially at night, I'd be inclined to go quickly in the opposite direction.

 Design Toscano Growling Black Bear Life Size Statue

& 

Maybe you'd prefer a smaller bear, or a bear cub or two climbing one of your trees? The climbing bears have brackets in the paws to mount them on the trees. The reviews indicate that the Toscano bear sculptures wear really well.

The tree hugger attaches with a keyhole on the side of the head. You will need a long screw or nail to attach it.

None of the statues below are life-size, but they get high ratings  from those who have bought them. Most customers love them because they are so adorable and make great conversation pieces. I'm partial to the cubs in the trees.

 Climbing Black Bear Cubs Statue Figurine Solar LED Lantern Light Welcome Sign Bits and Pieces - Baby Bear Up a Tree Garden Peeker - Tree Hugger - Outdoor Tree Sculpture - Gifts and Garden Décor Tree Hugger Faces for Trees - Bear Cub Resin Sculpture, 13-3/4 Design Toscano Yonva, the Climbing Bear Sculpture Design Toscano Black Bear Statue Walking, Multicolored SPI Home 50751 Rust Finish Garden Bear Sculpture Design Toscano Up a Tree Climbing and Hanging Cub Set Design Toscano North American Black Bear Walking

& 

Which is your favorite bear statue?