Category: Artwork

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Catching the Sun in Her Arms

A solitary driftwood tree embraces the rising sun in her outstretched “limbs.”

The eastern coast of Georgia is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. One such beach, Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, is a stunning coastal paradise that will take your breath away. This secluded beach is surrounded by ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss and the salty air gives way to a unique landscape. Driftwood Beach, itself, features sun-bleached driftwood strewn along the shoreline, giving visitors an otherworldly experience like no other.

Catching the sun in her arms on driftwood beach.
Catching the Sun in Her Arms on Driftwood Beach

Welcome to Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island, GA! Whether you’re a resident of the area, or visiting from afar, this spot is not one to miss. With its stunning views and unique landscape, Driftwood Beach is perfect for a day in the sun. The shallow coast and tidal flats are an ideal location for wading and exploring the shoreline. Enjoy the beautifully weathered driftwood that lines the beach, creating a breathtaking atmosphere. Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island, GA is a little-known gem. The beach is covered with light brown, smooth driftwood that looks like large, intricate pieces of broken shells. It’s a photographer’s paradise!

photographing on drifwood beach, jekyll island, georgia
Here I am photographing one of the most fascinating of places – Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Driftwood Beach is located on the northeastern end of Jekyll Island, Georgia. To get to this secluded paradise you must first drive through the main recreation area of the island. The beach does not have any access from the main road but there are a few parking areas along the road and paths leading to the beach.

The iconind lone tree on Driftwood Beach at dawn
The Iconic Lone Tree on Driftwood Beach in the Pre-Sunrise Light of Dawn

The beach on this island is now covered with driftwood in all shapes, sizes, and shades of brown and gray – creating an ethereal atmosphere for any visitor. It’s easy to get lost in the beauty of nature as one strolls along Driftwood Beach and encounters amazing examples of driftwood – from small pieces to entire trees.

With its unique landscape, this beach serves as an ideal setting for peaceful contemplation or exploration.

driftwood beach rowboat
The hull of an old boat that has turned to driftwood is silhouetted in the morning sunrise.

To browse wall art and home decor items with Driftwood Beach photographs, you can click the images above or the links below.

Link to: Catching the Sun in Her Arms

Link to: Iconic Lone Tree of Driftwood Beach

Link to: Driftwood Boat

Link to: Bill’s Driftwood Beach Collection at Fine Art America

Link to: Bill Swartwout Photography Gallery

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Dangerous Passage

Exploring a bit of artificial intelligence text-to-image creation…

The title may be a bit of double entendre considering that is also the title of the image used in this brief, introductory (teaser) article about the use of “AI” in the creation of art.

difficult passage - ships on a stormy sea
Dangerous Passage by ships on a stormy sea.

A possible “caption” for this image might be…

Sailing ships have always been a symbol of a bygone era. Ancient mariners faced the unpredictability of the sea each time they set sail, and this is particularly true off the coast of Cape Hatteras. With its strong winds and unpredictable currents, being caught in a storm off this notorious cape could spell disaster for even the most experienced sailor. The treacherous waters of Cape Hatteras have long been a challenge to sailors – especially in the age of old sailing ships.

Exploring Artificial Intelligence

I’ve been exploring a bit with AI image creation – but in the above piece, “Difficult Passage,” there was a good bit of post-processing involved. The original concept was text-to-image generation, for sure, but the final look and feel took extra work in Photoshop and Topaz Studio2 and the addition of the “torn apart” border framing the image.

dangerous passage framed sample
Here is how “Dangerous Passage” may look in a frame with a colored mat presentation.

Is it fair to use AI in the creation of art?

Some people claim that this is not art. At all! However, is this any different than a creative person wandering through an art museum and then going home and creating a piece from the inspiration acquired during his museum visit? Or how about a photographer visiting a popular scenic overlook and capturing a landscape or seascape similar to what he saw on a calendar? There are all sorts of “arguments” on both sides of the Artificial Intelligence issue but I believe it is up to the individual to decide…

  • Is it Art?
  • Is it not art?
  • Is it blasphemy?

Yes, it is up to the creator of the piece and each individual buyer/customer to decide.

Yes, “Dangerous Passage” is offered for sale as wall art and on a variety of home decor and apparel items. Click the image above or one of the links below to learn more and to begin shopping.

Link to: Dangerous Passage

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels

What do you think about the “torn” edges? They would make it work better on a shirt design – but what about as wall art?

artificial intelligence art
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One Cat Eye Looking Directly At You

Have you ever experienced the feeling of having a cat eye looking directly at you?

Being “stared at” by a cat can be both an unsettling and fascinating phenomenon. Cats have a mysterious quality that is hard to explain. Their piercing gaze often draws us in and holds our attention as if they are trying to convey something we don’t understand.

Cat's Eye
Cat’s Eye Staring Directly at YOU

Not surprisingly, this bizarre experience of being scrutinized by a cat has been explored by some of the world’s greatest thinkers, from ancient philosophers to modern psychologists.

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was the first to wonder, “Why do cats have such a penetrating gaze?” In his book On the Soul (De Anima), he wrote, “Why is it that a cat’s eyes appear more intelligent than those of dogs and all other animals? Is it because cats’ eyes are more similar to our own in shape?” Aristotle also noted that dogs and other animals have a “lower soul” than humans, but cats seem more like people. Thus, by the time of the Renaissance, cats had a reputation for being sneaky, malicious creatures. And unlike dogs, they really didn’t have any use for humans—other than using us as food dispensers, that is. Cats would be seen more as a source of entertainment, rather than an actual pet.

cat's eye expressionism
Cat’s Eye Staring Expressly at YOU

The Cat and Religion

Cats are not mentioned in the Bible, but they were known to have been kept as pets during the time of Jesus. In Egypt, cats were considered sacred. Cats believed that they were the protectors of their gods and goddesses. Consequently, the killing of a cat was considered a crime punishable by death. In ancient Egypt, when a cat died, they were mummified and buried in the same way as humans were. The funeral processions were elaborate and included thousands of people. In the Middle Ages, cats were kept as pets and also used for hunting. They are believed to have been instrumental in helping to keep down the rat population. In England, cats were not considered a domestic animal until about 1660.

Flat Earth and Cats?

Hey, cats also help disprove the “Flat Eart Theory.” Sure, they do – if the earth were flat, the cat would push everything off of it, right? (Sorry. Not sorry.)

The Cat’s Eye images above are available on prints, framed, prints, canvas wall art and on a variety of home decor items. Click an image above or a link below to learn more. Click now.

Link to: Cat’s Eye at Bill’s Fine Art America Gallery

Link to: Cat’s Eye Expressionism at Bill’s FineArtAmerica Gallery

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine ArtAmerica/Pixels