Weekly Challenge – Intricate
“When we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual.”
Carl Sagan
(6 photos)
This week Krista threw us a curveball with her challenge, Intricate. I’ve opened my response with an example of some incredible craftsmanship in Beijing, China. The details above are from the roof of one of the Imperial Palace buildings. One can only wonder how much time and effort went into the design and implementation of this amazing work.
“What we see above ground is only the outer margin of an ecosystem that explodes in intricacy and life below.”
Amy Seidl
As I have traveled throughout the world, I have been continually amazed by the incredible commitment of craftspeople everywhere. From a rooftop in China, to church domes such as the one above from our journey to Budapest, to the beautiful scarves of a Vienna street market below, beauty has been lovingly and painstakingly created by people everywhere.
“Books are like women, all more or less have the same form, buts it’s the intricacies of what’s inside that makes them special.”
Dave Alexander Ramos
It has been said that whatever you choose to do, do it well or do it not at all. The intricacies of some of the beauty I’ve witnessed around the world gives tangible proof of how true this is. Below, the delicate lacework seen in a typical home in Provence, France.
“Imagination is … the basis of language, the arts, the sciences, systems of philosophy, and the all the vast intricacies of human culture.”
Ken Robinson
Closer to home, the beautiful sweetgrass baskets of the women of the Gullah culture – made with skills passed down for generations – provide another example of intricate beauty resulting from many hours of incredibly detailed effort.
“The people who respond best to the intricacies of tea are people who enjoy wine.”
James Labe
Also perfected through generations here in Charleston, the delicate intricacy of iron working. In 2009 at age 97, we lost a local icon, master blacksmith Philip Simmons. In 1982, the National Endowment for the Arts awarded Mr. Simmons its National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor that the United States can bestow on a traditional artist. While he is no longer with us, his beautiful ironwork can be found throughout Charleston as well as in museums throughout the United States.
“Each of us is a unique strand in the intricate web of life and here to make a contribution.”
Deepak Chopra
It seems wherever you look there is beauty to be found. In the efforts of craftspeople who create marvels such as I’ve shown here, or in the intricate natural beauty of a spider’s web or a butterfly’s wings, if you are open to it you will find it. To see the intricacies some other bloggers have featured, click here.
I liked the picture of scarves! so colorful …nice composition!
Lovely, Tina, especially the detail from Beijing. How much time did you spend in China?
Thanks Tricia – we were in China for a month and honestly I could easily have spent another month and STILL have felt there was much more to discover! I found it fascinating and full of both natural and man-made wonders. A terrific destination for anyone interested in exploring other cultures.
Marvellous, Tina… as always 🙂
Thanks Nurul!
I’ve looked at your book “La Provence”. Loving it! There is a portrait of a white horse eating grass in Camargue that I adore 🙂
Thanks so much Paula, how nice of you to take the time! I loved La Camargue and wish we’d had a bit more time there. The white horse was very cooperative 😊
What a lovely diverse collection for this challenge. The final quote from Deepak Chopra is very fitting, but I like your own reflections too. I think the lace is my favourite pic this week, although the pic of the gullah basket is very elegant.
Many thanks Maamej. I see you are a fan of simple intracacies! Both the lace and the basket are the product of dedicated ladies’ hands !
So they are! Well I’m a textile fan from way back.
Beautiful images of beautiful artist’s work.
Thanks Vicki – appreciate your visit!
Another great series Tina.
Thanks very much Jim!
Super shots Tina!
Thank you Uday. When will we ever see another of your beautiful images???
Thanks Tina for the compliment 🙂 Been a little occupied lately juggling a couple of assignments at the same time. But I should be back on wordpress soon 🙂
A wonderful series of intricate images. Thanks for sharing and for adding the notes and quotes. this is like a little world journey.
What a lovely compliment Dorothee. Many thanks!
Every image is so memorable but for me those “Sumptuous Scarves” are breathtakingly glorious in their sumptuosity! Have a great week Tina 🙂
Thanks so much Andrew. Sometimes the most beauty is found in the simplest things, dont you think?
Absolutely. I have always felt that. Warm wishes 🙂
All your photos are breathtaking; I enjoyed seeing each one. Also, love the quotes!
Thanks very much Sheila. Glad you enjoyed this one!
So many great examples of intricacy! And I love the Charleston sweetgrass basket — we’ve been collecting over the years, and they’re still prized at our house!
They’re so beautiful,, aren’t they?! Never heard of them before we moved in and now we just love them!
So many great choices, Tina. I’ll have to make sure to visit that Dome in Budapest. It looks stunning in your gorgeous photo.
Hi Paula, have seen it in a few other photographers’ shots and it’s always just as beautiful. Something about it just draws the eye.
You have some truly exquisite examples of intricate artisanship here, Tina. I am especially fond of the angle and detail you chose of the sweetgrass basket.
Thanks Annette – I’ve been lucky to see some lovely things as I’ve traveled the world and know how lucky I am to have been there, done that!
Design is all around us, we just need to look. Great job seeing what’s out there.
Thanks MR, always something to see, don’t u think?!
Yes, I agree.
Great look at the intricacies humans are capable of producing ~ a true artist’s touch you bring out in these photos. I’ve always thought of artists as people who produce things of peace and hope which makes them so valuable to the world. Your photos brings these to us is art defined as well. Cheers to a great week ~
Thanks randall, for the lovely comment as well as the visit. A great week to you too.
all so very apprapO! 😎
Thanks very much Quarkshire.
Beautiful photo work by you, Tina and some very fine examples of great craftsmanship. Love the quotes and the stories behind your photos. You made me rethink about the Norwegian Hardangersøm now! 😉
🙂 Thanks Dina – if I made you think about something different, then I’ve done a great job!
Tina- one of the happiest of WordPress friends on Friday… evident in your choice of words and photos and the marvelous responses you receive as gifts in the comments folks share. Another intricate balance, indeed ❤
Thank you Jane, you’re right – the responses are a joy!!!
Amazing details…love the scarf shot. You have ‘intricate’ covered with these shots Tina. Nice post.
Thanks Andy – looking forward to your post THIS week!!
Hi Tina,
Missed you so…😉
Love, love, love all of these excellent photos
specially the Sumptuous Scarves ~ clever
for this theme! I have to say everything made by hands, hearts and minds are intricate
masterpieces, don’t you think? Beautiful
Entry once again, Cheers!
I do indeed Atureaud! Thanks for stopping by and for your comment.
A wonderful post, Tina!!! Your first shot..intricate craftsmanship is quite amazing! I just love seeing the world through your lens!! Thank u for that!!
Thanks April – truly appreciate your continued support Girlfriend!
Great detail and color!
Thanks Cynthia!
Gorgeous set of photos Tina
Thanks Nora!
How beautiful! The window is my fav but all are so gorgeous. Would have never guessed the first was a roof. Such Pretty colors. The light & textures of the basket are amazing. Love the story behind the the iron works. Thanks T!
Thanks Diane, for your lovely comment.
Surely a post from an avid traveller with an eye for beauty, grace and detail! Intricate work well captured in a variety of mediums.
Thank you Veena – if I were designing a description for myself, that is what I’d like it to be!
What a beautiful interpretation on this week’s theme. ” if you are open to it you will find it” You are so right. Intricacies are all around us – that’s they beauty of life. The finer details always paints the bigger picture. It’s amazing how some of us can dedicate our entire lives to doing just one thing, like crafting art of sewing scarves. Certainly lots of love goes into such creations and no wonder so many works of art look so beautiful to the eye. Great shots 🙂
Thanks Mabel – yes your comment is right on the money. Some of us do only one thing but do it beautifully. Others (like myself) spread ourselves out among many things, enjoy them all, but never achieve greatness. Which is the best approach? Hard to say, isn’t it?!
How lovely Tina , you’ve covered the great intricacy of craftsmanship from a great many people working together to complete a long lasting legacy to the *simple weaving of a basket by one …
Great selection for the theme . I’m rather taken with that charming window in Provence 🙂
Thanks Poppy, so much beauty in so many places. Simple to complex, always made with such attention to detail. Thanks for your visit and comment PT.
These are all so lovely and your stories behind each shot are wonderful – especially your Curves of Iron shot.
Thanks so much Photoseye – Philip Simmons is quite a legend in our area, I’m happy to have paid him a small tribute.
🙂 All of them very special and extremely beautiful!
HAPPY Sunday! 🙂
Thanks very much HF – sorry to see your blog is underconstruction. Hope to see you back soon!
🙂 Thanks – yes, we’re working on it 😀
Such a variety and all beautiful representation of intricate
Thanks Pomme, much appreciated!
Beautiful examples, Tina! My favorites are your featured image and the basket.
Thanks Svetlana – glad you enjoyed!
Tina, can’t help but smile at the quotes you’ve chosen this week, and the diversity of subjects show such skill in the art of the individual crafts. Really a fabulous post.
Thanks so much Liz, glad you enjoyed this one. I had fun putting it together!
These are all gorgeous, well done!
Thanks Maverick!
Good shots, Tina. I really like the scarves one.
Thanks Stefano!
The intricate detail of your images are such a pleasure for the eye, the mind, and of course the heart.
Charlie – thanks so much for your beautiful comment.
I loved the Carl Sagan quote – great start to your post! Your pictures were incredible – so very detailed and the intricacies showed up wonderfully. I think the lace in the windows was my favorite, but they’re all good.
Nancy
Thanks Nancy – I loved that quote too. Glad you enjoyed – the lace was som simple but so perfect!
These are lovely. I love the lighting on the sweetgrass basket. You have such a gift!
You are too sweet ML, thanks so much!
Beautiful intricate images, the details are fantastic in each one.
Thank you Susan.
Love the scarves and the basket particularly… What a great post with intricate detail!
Many thanks Miss Linda!!
Beautiful images. Now why didn’t I think of a spider’s web?
🙂 Lots of others did!!! Thanks for stopping by Jude.
Great gallery, the scarves has so much colour, I’m particularly found of that one.
Thanks Mark, appreciate it!
A great gallery for this theme. Thank you, Tina!
Thanks Amy, glad you enjoyed.
I love the sweetgrass basket. Oh, France…so very pretty, Tina.
🙂 Thanks Lois – the baskets are wonderful but so time intensive they’re incredibly expensive. Would love to have some but have photos of them instead 🙂
You have posted some great stuff this week.
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed!
Absolutely wonderful post, Tina.
Many thanks Jane!
Excellent pictures.
Thank you Rabirius.
Beautiful Tina!
Thanks Nicole!
Tina, you’ve chosen some beautiful examples of intricacy. I’ve seen many of the lace curtains in Provence and they are truly beautiful, as are the shutters themselves. I love the Sweetgrass basket you showed. Every time I see or hear about them, I think of the tea shop ministries by Laura Childs. Have you read them? As usual, I enjoyed your quotes, especially the one linking tea and wine.
janet
Drat! The “Tea Shop Mysteries”, not ministries. That’s what I get for dictating the comment.
I knew just what you meant Janet – LOL !!! Thanks for the lovely compliment.
Superb images Tina! 🙂
Many thanks Adrian!