I'M HERE TO EMPOWER YOU!

I’m an artist . . . but that’s not saying much, because I believe, and it is something that I have devoted my time heavily to convey, that art expression is an inherent property of human nature. The media may vary, but not the innate disposition.

Those that know me have heard my “talent-as-myth” diatribe all too often, and if you end up tuning in to my posts, you will encounter it soon enough. It is my goal to change the notion, which a great number of people resign to, that one needs to have “talent” to pursue the art they feel or want and am doing this on a daily basis through my program in the G+ Mentorship Program for Photographers.

With that as preface, I will probably devote a portion of my posts to inspiring artists, but I also plan to impart other conceptions that I have about life in general, with the goal of elevating, encouraging, enlivening or energizing those who read them.

Let me begin with this:

I wish for you the ability to create for yourself all that your heart desires.

Start!


➡️ fill out this form, if you’re interested in the new home for “G+ Mentorship Program for Photographers”

➡️ fill out this form, if you’re interested in keeping in touch or getting mentored by Robin


You can begin by watching "The Myth of Talent" here:


"The Myth of Talent" by Robin Griggs Wood

Robin Griggs Wood •artist•(@robingriggswood)'s Instagram

.
.
.
.
.
.



RECENT POSTS

American Wigeon (Female/juvenile)


American Wigeon (Female/juvenile)
An unusual find beyond the plethora of Mallards we get in our area, and I had the luck to be there when an entire flock of perhaps fifty happened upon a local park. (What will now be known to me as the "flying banana park", but that's another story ). The American Widgeon is a little bit smaller than the Mallard and seemed a gentler, less aggressive bird. I just liked their sweet faces ... :o)


#birds4all curated by Walter Soestbergen Ricky L Jones & Birds4All
#birdloversandwildlife curated by Robert SKREINER  BIRD Lovers & WILDLIFE
#birdsgallery  with thanks to Heinrich Wagner
#WhatTheDuckMonday #hqspbirds #btpbirdpro #birdsgallery
#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos

Reverence


Reverence
A silent moment of prayer for Herschel––who was lost last night to semi truck during an ill-timed, low flight over the highway to their weekly maraud on Mrs. Jenkins' window sill and the boysenberry pies she leaves out to cool on Friday nights.

#SeagullButtsInDisguise
––––
If you've made it this far, please know that there is NO such photography theme as #SeagullButtSaturday . The following people, sometimes posting to the #FunniestNonthemeOnGplus , are actually the #FunniestNonCuratorsOnGplus .

Robin Griggs Wood Ursula Klepper Christin McLeod Sassi Sassmannshausen Lauri Novak Richard Ball Craig Szymanski Melissa Beagle Ellie Kennard Cora Triton Steve Savoie Pam Wolfe +Joy Mum Jon Cassill Tom McGowan Annie Irving Diana Boyd Debby Moran Alex Lapidus Lou McCorkle Rob Lopes Kimmetal Smith Bette Kauffman Liz C Jacqueline Hodsdon Darion Jackman Steven Kennard Sharon Stone Dawn Siadatan Sumit Sen Jasbir S. Randhawa Gazzaroonii T. John Wade Dave Bell Swee Oh Leo Deegan Nancy Battis Vita Patrick Kelly Marilyn Benham Mari Luukkonen Lora Lee Chapman Giselle Savoie Carin Bruce David Q. Cohen Gernot Glaeser Maureen Roberson Brian Grzelewski cobalt please Darcee McCutcheon Annelies Jansen Rachel Ferris Margaret Tompkins Jan Vermeulen Christi Nielsen

Real themes:
#birds4all curated by Walter Soestbergen Ricky L Jones & Birds4All
#birdloversandwildlife curated by Robert SKREINER  BIRD Lovers & WILDLIFE
#birdsgallery with thanks to Heinrich Wagner


Must-have hashtags (for hackling the hashtag-haters … ;o))
#SeagullButtSaturday (duh!)
#SeagullButtShots
#SeagullButts
#notatheme
#SeagullButtsInDisguise (for other birds; a fine way to use up all those bird shots you took that are "not quite what you were shooting for" and currently languishing on your hard drive.)
#Gulluminati (what the group of non-curators have come to be known as)
#FunniestNonthemeOnGplus (because, isn't it?! … ;oD)
#Splatterday (Jasbir's invention, applicable for, ahem, some conditional shots … ;o7)

#rgwoodpost #Gulluminati #Gullarazzi #FunniestNonthemeOnGplus
#googleplusphotos #hqspbirds #birdsgallery

Falling


Falling


#leavesonthursday  with thanks to Mehdia Ridder and Leaves On Thursday  #rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos

I Appreciate You


I Appreciate You
I Appreciate Because of You
–––
An interesting word is "appreciate."
In English, we use it in two different ways. It means, in one form, "to recognize the quality, significance, or magnitude of; to admire, be thankful or show gratitude for" and in another form, "to increase in value".
And, it is in these two forms of use, that it can also be seen as a tool for improving one's own existence. For those qualities which we most admire and are the most thankful for can serve as indicators and a template to guide our course forward to the things we want most to accomplish in life. Those qualities you appreciate are a manifestation of who you are and who you wish to become; they give you a direction to move towards to increase your own value to yourself and others.

Letting Go of Judgement

Being judgmental is often seen as a negative characteristic. "Judgement" has grown in use to being something quite different than non-conditional discernment and has taken on the color of conceit and self-aggrandizement. With this, many people hold up the idea to others of being or becoming nonjudgmental as a merit worth attaining, but they rarely talk or write about how to do that. The tool for letting go of judgement lies in the word and the concept behind "appreciation".

I constantly strive to find something to admire and appreciate in every person and everything that I encounter. And it is a very interesting activity to pursue because, in doing so and devoting oneself solely to seeing the qualities around one––even to going a step further and being grateful for them––one finds the element of negative judgement start to dissolve. The key to this lies in devoting one's focus and attention entirely to the act of appreciation.

The next time you find yourself in the position to judge someone for what they do or are, give this a try. Find something to admire or appreciate about them. Put all of your attention in your dealings with that person directly on finding something to appreciate about them. If you can, if you can find the humility, create a feeling of thankfulness in your appreciation––be grateful for that quality you found; be grateful for that person coming into your life to show it to you, to give you a model for or a confirmation of a quality in your own life; thank them in word or deed, as well … if you are brave enough.

Being judgmental is actually quite uncomfortable. As one sorts through all of the things that they dislike about another, there is a distinct feeling of being mired in negativity. This perpetuates itself as well; being carried further into the day, the week, the year, lasting far longer than the moment of being judgmental itself. The way to break this habit is to place your focus entirely on what you appreciate instead. It takes a bit of doing at times, but it is never impossible.

I appreciate you.
I appreciate because of you.
For it is you who has taught me this lesson. Every single one of you.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.








 ………….

#LandscapePhotography with thanks to Margaret Tompkins Jim Warthman Toshi Nakamura and Landscape Photography

#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos #hqsplandscape #BTPLandscapePro #California #SunsetPhotography #Sunset #Travel #TravelPhotography #Sky #digitalart

It's Friday again


It's Friday again,
you know what that means;
another weekend
carousing in jeans,
turning up music,
turning down work,
drinking too much
and being a jerk,
finding excuses
to not clean the attic,
shifting your synapses
off automatic,
loving your family,
laughing with friends,
taking a new road
to see where it ends.
Whatever your choice,
I hope it's worthwhile.
It can't be so bad,
if it made you smile.

Happy Friday –– happy weekend!

I'm still working on the reboot of my corporeal operating system ... ;o) ... so y'all get a redux today.

Happy #FloralFriday to all the #bokeholics ... :o)))



#FloralFriday with thanks to Tamara Pruessner Eustace James Beth Akerman Kiki Nelson and FloralFriday
Fridays are #bokehlicious  :o) … ˚ºoOoº˚
With a nod and grin to those #bokeholics, Leo Deegan Michael B. Stuart Dave Besbris Art through the Apeture Photography Wesly Smith Angie Smith  Wendy Chase Paul Moody Shannon Adelson and sundry (that may rival the non-curator list of a certain non-theme! … ;o7)

#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos #Friday #TGIF #naturephotography #FlowerFriday  #flowerphotography #floralphotography #hqspflowers

Happy birthday, Lauri Novak!!


Happy birthday, Lauri Novak!!

.... just recalling some good memories here .. ;oD

Blue


Blue



Some super-ultra-mega-tiny aliens decided that a takedown on my vital personal operating system might be an entertaining diversion for their weekend so I've been lying low. But I thought I should show a sign of life before y'all sent out an APB on me.

waves howdy



#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos

Go West


Go West

It is where you go when the land gives out and the old-field pines encroach.

It is where you go when you get the letter saying: 'Flee, all is discovered!'

It is where you go when you hear 'thar's gold in them-thar hills'.

It is where you go when you look down at the blade in your hand and the blood on it.

It is where you go to spend your old age.


Quote by Robert Penn Warren

Valley of Fire, Nevada
#tgsmu #tgsmu2015

#promotephotography with thanks to Nikola Nikolski Naghmeh Khadembashi Gittan Beheydt Milena Ilieva and Promote Photography
#LandscapePhotography with thanks to Margaret Tompkins Jim Warthman Toshi Nakamura and Landscape Photography

#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos #hqsplandscape #BTPLandscapePro #Nevada #Travel #TravelPhotography #Sunrise   #SunrisePhotography

Secrets


Secrets

“I want to be with those who know secret things or else alone.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke


For #TreeTuesday Tree Tuesday  with thanks to Christina Lawrie Allan Cabrera Ralph Mendoza  Kim Troutman and David R Robinson
#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos
#bwphotography #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #bw #monochrome #monochromephotography

Wishing you a sublime entry into the last moments of yourweekend .... :o)


Wishing you a sublime entry into the last moments of your weekend .... :o)

San Francisco, CA


#LandscapePhotography with thanks to Margaret Tompkins Jim Warthman Toshi Nakamura and Landscape Photography
#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos #hqsplandscape #BTPLandscapePro #California #SanFrancisco  #SunsetPhotography #Sunset #Travel #TravelPhotography #Sky

Answering Lora Lee Chapman's plea that we Gullarazzi get back to #buttbasics


Answering Lora Lee Chapman's plea that we Gullarazzi get back to #buttbasics for today's #SeagullbuttSaturday  not-a-theme® antics. Though, you do know, Lora Lee, that they are very embarrassed by the whole thing, right? #SeagullButtDramaQueen



If you've made it this far, please know that there is NO such photography theme as #SeagullButtSaturday. The following people, sometimes posting to the #FunniestNonthemeOnGplus, are actually the #FunniestNonCuratorsOnGplus.

Robin Griggs Wood Ursula Klepper Christin McLeod Sassi Sassmannshausen Lauri Novak Richard Ball Craig Szymanski Melissa Beagle Ellie Kennard Cora Triton Steve Savoie Pam Wolfe +Joy Mum Jon Cassill Tom McGowan Annie Irving Diana Boyd Debby Moran Alex Lapidus Lou McCorkle Rob Lopes Kimmetal Smith Bette Kauffman Liz C Jacqueline Hodsdon Darion Jackman Steven Kennard Sharon Stone Dawn Siadatan Sumit Sen Jasbir S. Randhawa Gazzaroonii T. John Wade Dave Bell Swee Oh Leo Deegan Nancy Battis Vita Patrick Kelly Marilyn Benham Mari Luukkonen Lora Lee Chapman Giselle Savoie Carin Bruce David Q. Cohen Gernot Glaeser Maureen Roberson Brian Grzelewski cobalt please Darcee McCutcheon Annelies Jansen Rachel Ferris Margaret Tompkins Jan Vermeulen Christi Nielsen

Real themes:
#birds4all curated by Walter Soestbergen Ricky L Jones & Birds4All
#birdloversandwildlife curated by Robert SKREINER  BIRD Lovers & WILDLIFE
#birdsgallery with thanks to Heinrich Wagner


Must-have hashtags (for hackling the hashtag-haters … ;o))
#SeagullButtSaturday (duh!)
#SeagullButtShots
#SeagullButts
#notatheme
#SeagullButtsInDisguise (for other birds; a fine way to use up all those bird shots you took that are "not quite what you were shooting for" and currently languishing on your hard drive.)
#Gulluminati (what the group of non-curators have come to be known as)
#FunniestNonthemeOnGplus (because, isn't it?! … ;oD)
#Splatterday (Jasbir's invention, applicable for, ahem, some conditional shots … ;o7)

#rgwoodpost #Gulluminati #Gullarazzi #FunniestNonthemeOnGplus
#googleplusphotos #hqspbirds #birdsgallery

Rust, with tires


Rust, with tires

;o))


#LandscapePhotography with thanks to Margaret Tompkins Jim Warthman Toshi Nakamura and Landscape Photography
#tgsmu #tgsmu2015 #rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos #hqsplandscape #BTPLandscapePro #Nevada #NelsonGhostTown    #fourwheeledFriday  #Travel #TravelPhotography #digitalart

California Condor


California Condor
One of the rarest bird species in the world, the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the only remaining member of its genus. The largest flying bird in North America. Their wings may stretch nearly 10 feet (3 meters) from tip to tip. Condors are so large that they can be mistaken for a small, distant airplane. When in flight, these huge birds glide on air currents to soar as high as a dizzying 15,000 feet (4,600 meters). Adult condor males and females are identical in size and plumage, weigh between 17–24 pounds (7–11 kilograms). It is one of the world's longest-living birds, with a lifespan of up to 60 years.

The California Condor is currently listed as Critically Endangered, since their numbers dramatically declined in the 20th century due to poaching, lead poisoning, and habitat destruction, as well as the fact that they do not reach breeding maturity until 6-8 years old and only lay one egg every other year. They became extinct in the wild in 1987 (all remaining wild individuals were captured for conservation measures). Numbers rose through captive breeding and, beginning in 1991, condors were reintroduced into the wild. While still Critically Endangered, as of October 2014 there are 425 condors living wild or in captivity.


source: http://www.fws.gov/
–––
#threatenedthursday with thanks to Threatened Thursday Sumit Sen Diego Cattaneo Sandy Schepis Anette Mossbacher 
#birds4all curated by Walter Soestbergen Ricky L Jones & Birds4All
#birdloversandwildlife curated by Robert SKREINER  BIRD Lovers & WILDLIFE
#birdsgallery  with thanks to Heinrich Wagner
#hqspbirds #btpbirdpro
#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos

Midnight at the Oasis Solar Farm


Midnight at the Oasis Solar Farm

Don't go pondering that too far ... it's Monday, and that is stress enough for anyone ... ;o7. I was utterly captivated and transfixed by this solar farm I saw along the drive to Las Vegas ... the magpie in me screaming, "Ooooh, shiny!", over and over again like some maddened mental gif. And being the driver, I may have put my fellow travelers at a slight risk (sorry, fellow travelers ... O_o). I really could not stop staring at it; so I did the sane and socially responsible thing and pulled over and shot it.

At home, viewed from the hard drive, the shot was as underwhelming on the monitor as the scene had been scintillating in live view. Sigh. What was I to do? So, here we have the surrealistic sci-fi impossibility of a midnight solar farm. Which I am almost certain no one has ever seen before.

––––

#AllThingsMonochrome with thanks to Charles Lupica Bill Wood Enrique Pelaez and All Things Monochrome
#blackandwhitephotos and Black and White Photos #BreakfastClub with huge thanks to Gemma Costa and Breakfast Club
10000 PHOTOGRAPHERS / #10000photographersaroundtheworld #10000photographersbw with thanks to Robert SKREINER and #10000photographersBWmonochrome at 10000 Photographers BW by Robert SKREINER and Joel Tjintjelaar
#LandscapePhotography with thanks to Margaret Tompkins Jim Warthman Toshi Nakamura and Landscape Photography


#rgwoodpost #photography #googleplusphotos #hqsplandscape #BTPLandscapePro #Nevada   #Travel #TravelPhotography #bwfineart #bwphotography #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #bw #monochrome #monochromephotography #hqspmonochrome #MonochromeMonday