Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Shapes and Designs Reboot

January 31, 2026 by scillagrace

This week, Tina is hosting a challenge that looks back to a limitless subject of photography: shapes and designs. My original post on this theme from 2021 can be found HERE. Since that post focuses on Nature, this time I will share some shapes and designs that were manufactured.

“Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that’s why it is so complicated.”
― Paul Rand

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Minimalism in Black & White Photography

January 17, 2026 by scillagrace

I was touring the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art last month with my daughter and her partner when they stopped to rest. I loved the “artsy-fartsy” setting with lots of clean negative space – so “muse-e-yummy“! I promised them I’d use the shot in a post soon, so thank you, Ritva, for giving me a chance.

There’s something about this art form that invites you to slow down and pay attention to detail, as you would if you were walking through an exhibit or gallery. I find it calming to be focused on a single subject without the distraction of conflicting patterns and many colors, like contemplative meditation.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ― Leonardo da Vinci

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Favorites of 2025

January 5, 2026 by scillagrace

There is something continually hopeful about a New Year. Green life grows up on degraded surfaces, and Nature asserts her buoyant purpose.

I always delight in a clear path forward under sunny skies.

Any year that included a trip to a National Park I’d never visited before is a memorable year. I saw Crater Lake in July of 2025.

City culture often centers humanity in symbols of peace. The Portland Japanese Garden contains this Peace Lantern, a 1954 gift from Japan inscribed “Casting the Light of Everlasting Peace”.

There are always unusual and surprising things to see if I keep my eyes open and practice awareness.

At the end of the year, I celebrated with my daughter in her new house, connecting past and present and future in memory, tradition, and hope.

I was inspired by Jane Goodall’s final interview last year. Her message of continuing to do good work despite the increasingly strong challenges to values we both hold dear was a rallying call. This year, current events have already served up powerful strikes against peace and harmony with Nature. I will continue to look for evidence of beauty and goodness around me and make images to record its continued presence. Thank you, fellow Lens Artists, for documenting the Art you see. It makes a difference.