Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

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#WQ #17: “Abstract, Really? Interesting.”

WQ #17: April 26: ABSTRACT/WRITER’S CHOICE/DOUBLE DIP CHALLENGES

WEDNESDAY QUOTES Logo by Donna @ Retirement Reflections

“There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward, you can remove all traces of reality.”

― Pablo Picasso
abstract art, curved lines and spirals, primary colors
What reality might this have been? A photo of a painting my former daughter-in-law painted.

Happy Wednesday, and welcome to #WQ. Here’s your chance to showcase your abstract photos, poems, thoughts, and stories. However, if you don’t want to be abstract, you can create a post about whatever your heart desires. All you need is one awesome quote.

Still Life at the Wynn Hotel

“Form itself, even if completely abstract … has its own inner sound.”

― Wassily Kandinsky

This week Vince and I were guests of our CA neighbor, Carolyn, at the Tahiti Village in Las Vegas. We spent part of Day 1 getting Vince registered at the Wynn Hotel for a poker tournament.

I love to take pictures of window arrangements because they are so artistic and in this case abstract. Patti Moed chose Still Life as her topic for the Lens-Artist Challenge, and these pictures fit without me having to try to be creative. How perfect is that?

#1 Still Life Across from the Urth Cafe where we had breakfast on Earth Day

I like this still life best but I don’t understand it. I like that a quilt is coming out of a trumpet, combining several senses. A whoopee cushion might be playing the trumpet, and that’s random. Maybe you have some thoughts on this one.

#2 Still Life Eiffel Tower Shoe Display

This is Vince’s favorite of the four still life pictures. The reality of this display was modeled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The miniature of the Tower is the background feature, but the feet of the tower have been enlarged to display sparkly shoes. Adding to the abstract design is the outside reflection of me and the people and shops behind me, and the mirrored image of the display on the right. I love how the purse seems to hang on the chandelier.

#3 Hall public art Maybe these are apples. What do you think?

“Life is an abstract art, and it’s up to you to make sense of it.”

― Talismanist Giebra 
#4 More of a still life than abstract unless you consider the model’s legs.

There’s some abstract earth here for Terri’s Sunday Stills.

Bellagio More Public Art

“The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.”

-Albert Einstein

Vince and I love to visit the Bellagio Gardens found just as you enter the hotel. Talented artists change the displays each season. Most of these public art items are not abstract, but they are “still,” except for the carousel horses. They cooperated the best they could.

I loved the two ladies. Both women drove electric scooters and had the brightest hair. As soon as they were still and they came together, I snapped their picture. It’s my only created still life and it’s pretty abstract, don’t you think?!

Speaking of still, do you like the rose? No need to ask if it’s real. I wonder what nibbled on its petals. I hate to think. Ants do that naughty sort of business.

Bellagio Inspired Tanka Tuesday

“Abstract thinking leads to greater creativity… But in our businesses and our lives, we often do the opposite. We intensify our focus rather than widen our view.”

– Daniel H. Pink
Abstract random thoughts
Greater creativity
Hmm, let me ponder
Meditate - Wide scattered thoughts
Delicious flowers - hungry

©Marsha Ingrao 2023

Tanka are written in a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure, or s-l-s-l-l. Tanka consists of 5 lines written in the first-person point of view from the perspective of the poet. The third line is considered your “pivot,” but let it happen anywhere, or exclude it. It is not mandatory. If you use a pivot, the meaning should apply to the first two lines, as well as the last two lines of your tanka. Tanka is untitled and does not rhyme.

A Wynn Wynn – Public Art with Wheels

It was random that we came across this display on our way to get Vince’s tickets to the tournament. Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week highlights wheels. These were the most elegant wheels in a most elegant place – miniature beauties.

Last Week’s Featured Bloggers on Gardens

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WQ #17 Inspired by

Upcoming and Ongoing on Always Write

Lots of love to all of you and best wishes for a wonderful week.

  • WQ Page
  • WQ #18: May 3: GROWING
  • WQ #19: May 10: MOTHER’S DAY/ROYAL PURPLE
  • WQ #20: May 17: HERITAGE/INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY
  • WQ #21: May 24: HONORABLE
  • WQ #22: May 31: MIDPOINT/WRITER’S CHOICE/DOUBLE DIP CHALLENGES
  • #DICKENSCHALLENGE started February 7th. Join Yvette Prior, Trent McDonald, and me in reading ONE – not THREE Dickens’ novellas by June 9th. Donna from Retirement Reflections posted an excellent review on her challenge, What’s On Your Bookshelf this month.
Happy Quoting!

Posted by:

Marsha

Hi, I’m Marsha Ingrao, a retired educator and wife of a retired realtor. My all-consuming hobby is blogging and it has changed my life. My friends live all over the world. In November 2020, we sold everything and retired to the mile-high desert of Prescott, AZ. We live less than five miles from the Granite Dells, four lakes, and hundreds of trails with our dog, Kalev, and two cats, Moji and Nutter Butter. Vince’s sister came with us and lives close by. Every day is a new adventure.

60 responses to “#WQ #17: “Abstract, Really? Interesting.””

  1. Lakshmi Bhat Avatar
    Lakshmi Bhat

    They are all so beautiful in their own way and the beauty is we can imagine about them as we want to 🙂

    Like

  2. Leya Avatar
    Leya

    Perfect still lifes!

    Like

  3. 100 Country Trek Avatar
    100 Country Trek

    So amazing images of Public Art. I love your words. Marsha.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thank you Anita, You are so kind! I never know how my posts are going to turn out since I don’t always know how I am going to illustrate the topic when I start out. I’m wrangling over the word growing this week. There are always so many ways to interpret the words. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    Hi Marsha,
    Here’s my post

    http://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2023/04/30/art/

    Like

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Very funny and so cute, Sadje! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar
        Sadje

        Thanks

        Like

  5. Sunday Stills: Views from the #Road, All 3400 Miles – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives Avatar
    Sunday Stills: Views from the #Road, All 3400 Miles – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives

    […] Marsha’s Wednesday Quotes: Writer’s Choice […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Fabulous post, Terri. So fun!

      Like

  6. Natalie Avatar
    Natalie

    Marsha, Thank you for your PPAC contribution. The Hall public art (apples?) and Bellagio displays are fabulous. Looks like you had fun in LV. Have a great weekend!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, Natalie. I enjoy taking pictures at the Bellagio. There are several hotels that do a good job decorating as well.

      Like

  7. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Beautiful examples of abstract art. Las Vegas is the place to find the most fantastic examples of humanities creations – and humans too. I enjoyed living there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Michelle, I bet you did love it there as a fashionista. Every type of style in the world is there. We were astounded at how many unstylish people roamed the streets, too.

      Like

  8. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    This was fun Marsha although if I’m honest I don’t really ‘get’ some of the abstract artworks but appreciate their creativity!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. WQ #17: ABSTRACT – nowathome Avatar
    WQ #17: ABSTRACT – nowathome

    […] WQ #17 […]

    Like

  10. Wind Kisses Avatar
    Wind Kisses

    This was fun, MArsha. I haven’t been to Vegas in a long time. I love all the art and the bellagio is my favorite place to visit.

    I don’t know about the quilt/trumpet/whoopie cushion art. Lol. It was worth a ponder and a closer look.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      I don’t know either. It just makes me smile. It would be interesting to talk to the artist. And maybe talking to him or her I would find out that there is no rhyme or reason to it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Wind Kisses Avatar
        Wind Kisses

        I think as an artist he/she would just love knowing people are talking about it, and lingering over it.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Marsha Avatar
          Marsha

          You are so right. I was just talking to Marilyn Armstrong about one of my favorite artists, René Magritte. After seeing one of his shows probably 40 years ago, I still remember the paintings and even some of the names of them and they still make me smile. 🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  11. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    HI Marsha, this is such a fun post. I must admit that I am more of a realism artist, but I do love to see what other people create. As always, your quotes are wonderful. Have a lovely weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thank you Roberta. I had more fun with this post than I thought I would. I’m with you about realism, but I do love some abstract art. If it makes me smile, I like it!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
        robertawrites235681907

        💚

        Liked by 1 person

  12. dgkaye Avatar
    dgkaye

    Hi Marsha. I love this fabulous still art that certainly does leave much to the imagination for interpretation. The image you thought could be apples? I’m feeling they are colorful milk jugs punctured. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Haha, I love that! I would never have thought that in a million years. It’s amazing what abstract art can make us conjure up! 🙂

      Like

  13. Marilyn Armstrong Avatar
    Marilyn Armstrong

    I don’t do abstract well, but I like abstraction when other people do it. On the other hand, I don’t like super realistic either. I do like surrealistic a lot.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      I love surrealistic. My all time favorite is René Magritte.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Marilyn Armstrong Avatar
        Marilyn Armstrong

        I’m still hung on that melting watch. I’m very fond of Picasso. My mother was also an abstract painter.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Marsha Avatar
          Marsha

          My favorite was the casket that was sitting up. For some reason that cracked me up. I also loved his birdcage heads and hands painting themselves. “C’nest pas une pomme.” – the picture of an apple. I just loved his work. Do you have any of your mother’s work? I’d love to see it.

          Like

          1. Marilyn Armstrong Avatar
            Marilyn Armstrong

            I have a couple of paintings. I’ll take pictures. I don’t know what became of the rest of her work.

            Liked by 1 person

          2. Marsha Avatar
            Marsha

            I’ll look forward to seeing her work. I know how that goes. We can’t store everything our parents and kids leave us. 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

  14. Kirstin Troyer Avatar
    Kirstin Troyer

    You captured some great images to go with this theme. I like the abstract thinking quote. I love the Bellagio. I’ve been there twice, once when there was a Chihuly Blown glass exhibit. So pretty.
    https://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2023/04/putting-fingers-to-keyboardwq-theme.html

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      We saw a Chihuly Glass exhibit at the Frank Lloyd Wright home in Scottsdale. It was fabulous.

      Like

  15. the eternal traveller Avatar
    the eternal traveller

    Always great fun in Vegas!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      True that!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. 100 Country Trek Avatar
    100 Country Trek

    These images Marsha are so amazing. These Public Art with these wheels are photogenic. Thanks Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, Anita. The cars were so perfect, just tiny. They wouldn’t let us drive them around, even though we are fairly short. LOL

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Toonsarah Avatar
    Toonsarah

    Those window displays are great! I think I’m with Vince in liking best the Eiffel Tower one, perhaps because I’m in love wit Paris ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Yes, who isn’t in love with Paris. You are so fortunate to be closer to it than we are. We visited when our son married in France. We had a cab driver one night who drove us all around at night on our way back to our hotel from his new sister-in-law’s place out of town a bit. He pointed out all the main sights that were lit up – like the Eiffel Tower and took us through the tunnel where Princess Di died. It was quite memorable.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. ladyleemanila Avatar
    ladyleemanila

    great post, Marsha 🙂 love all your abstracts <<3
    https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2023/04/27/poems-are-made-by-fools-like-me/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks so much, Lady Lee.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. KymPossible Avatar
    KymPossible

    I really like your daughter-in-law’s painting, and I think the eiffel tower display is my favorite of that set. The one with the “apples” – those remind me of those sock’em bop’em blow-up boxing glove toys we used to have! LOL Thanks for the feature and for hosting!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      You’re welcome, and you’re more than welcome, I’m glad to have you. I love the boxing glove toys idea. I can see that! You agreed with my hubby on the Eiffel Tower. I liked that one even more when I put it in the post and started looking at it more closely.

      Like

  20. sustainabilitea Avatar
    sustainabilitea

    Abstract generally isn’t my thing. Picasso certainly removed the real from his work. 🙂 Love the wheels at the end!! Glad you had fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, Janet. It was an interesting weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Cindy Georgakas Avatar
    Cindy Georgakas

    Wow, what fun pics great quotes and love your poem as well. Where to start. Just like the quote Piccaso said that you quoted and your ex daughter in law painted.. you have to start somewhere and that you did. I’d guess cotton candy maybe not apples… hmmmm. Great fun too!💗

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Interesting flavors of either.

      Like

  22. eklastic Avatar
    eklastic

    Ha! You also started off with Picasso. 😄 Great collection. The possibly apples are tulips from Jeff Koons, if they are originals they are worth a ton. I think he is totally overrated but that’s just my opinion. Here is my contribution for today: https://picturesimperfectblog.wordpress.com/2023/04/26/two-opinions-on-abstract-art/

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Two Opinions on Abstract Art – pictures imperfect blog Avatar
    Two Opinions on Abstract Art – pictures imperfect blog

    […] Wednesday Quotes: Abstract […]

    Like

  24. Terri Webster Schrandt Avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    Interesting, yes, about the tanka rhyming sequence, Marsha, and all the other shots! I loved the Bellagio and the Venetian when we were there in 2010 (we’ve been back but not to the strip). Are you still in LV? Looks like a fun trip, hope the poker tourney went well for Vince! Great job on the attracts and still life–what a bonanza–don’t you just love how it all works out for the timing of our prompts? I’ll join up with the writer’s choice this Sunday 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      We are home now. Vince won one night into the next level of playing, but finished without a win. He had fun though. I didn’t have much on your topic this week since I did it last week. 🙂 Have a great rest of the week. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Miriam Hurdle Avatar
    Miriam Hurdle

    Beautiful photos, Marsha! Hubby would love to see those wheels.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      My hubby was sure thrilled. Did you get moved?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Miriam Hurdle Avatar
        Miriam Hurdle

        Yes, we moved four months ago.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Marsha Avatar
          Marsha

          Cool. I don’t think I’m getting your updates on my reader. I’ll check out what the problem is.

          Like

  26. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    Awesome photos Marsha.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, Sadje!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar
        Sadje

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Marsha Avatar
          Marsha

          🙂

          Liked by 1 person

  27. willowdot21 Avatar
    willowdot21

    Fabulous

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, Willow. I’m trying!

      Liked by 1 person

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