Category: Mosaic Of Life
Mosaic of Life #98 About Jimmy Madison…
This picture was taken on our “President’s Row” trip in 2011. We visited 6 president’s homes. Jimmy was a quiet guy. He didn’t stand out like so many of his playmates who were much taller and more vocal than him. He was intelligent but didn’t go around bragging about that. But, He was what was needed at the time to make this democracy project a success. I think some of you probably know who I am talking about? I don’t suspect you call him Jimmy, but instead use his God-given name of James. I am talking about James Madison, otherwise … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #98 About Jimmy Madison…
Mosaic of Life #33 – Mississinewa 1812
The Battle of 1812 is not high on a level of importance as wars go. It was primarily about Great Britain riling up the Indians who were losing their homeland to the invaders. Except for the annihilation of many tribes in the Northeast, the war didn’t change much, but the reenactment at Mississinewa, Indiana is the biggest one of that war. This particular battle was mainly about ineptitude. Most of the men who signed up for this battle were kids 18 – 20 years old, who were poorly trained and led by the “Indian Hater” William Henry Harrison. (these are … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #33 – Mississinewa 1812
Mosaic of Life #95 – Red, Yellow, Green
I spent the last weekend organizing my iPhoto Library so that it’s easier to find what I want here at RJsCorner. Putting 18,000 photos into about 20 different boxes is no small challenge, but due to my Aspie traits, I am up to it. During all this work I came to the realization that I have an affinity towards stoplights. The art and structure, especially this one, fascinates me. This picture was taken while I was visiting one of the Wright Brother’s sites in Dayton Ohio. There is so much to see in Dayton, I will have to get back … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #95 – Red, Yellow, Green
Mosaic of Life #80 – Wordless Wednesday – Simply Green
Mosaic of Life #81 – Huge
Here is another post of a huge plant I found at the Indiana University Biology Dept greenhouse. This guy was crowding the 12 ft ceiling. The “Elkhorn” label was for a plant in the foreground, not this one. I’m going to have to go back and find this guy’s name Continue reading Mosaic of Life #81 – Huge
Mosaic of Life #101 – Ghosts Of The Past
I’ve gone through thousands of small towns in my fifty years of traveling America. One of the things that always catches my attention are the faded signs of the past on an abandoned building. I am always tempted to stop … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #101 – Ghosts Of The Past
Mosaic of Life #93 – The Sanitary Restaurant – North Carolina
If I were to open a new restaurant today, I certainly wouldn’t call it the “Sanitary Restaurant”! I’m sure there are some places that are proud that they don’t get any serious violations by the health department, but I’m also … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #93 – The Sanitary Restaurant – North Carolina
Mosaic of Life #83 – Most Treasured
Mosaic of Life #88 Dayton Heavenly Bikes
In some ways, graphics a hundred years ago were not that much different than they are today. The mosaic above is proof of that. This picture was taken at the Wright Brothers National Museum in Dayton, Ohio. It is a place well worth a visit. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #88 Dayton Heavenly Bikes
Mosaic of Life #89 – A Mosaic In A Mosaic
I think this is one of my most artsy photographs I have taken. It is kinda in the vain of my many reflection pictures. But, this one was taken through a large window in the Terminal Tower building lobby in Cleveland, Ohio. Below is the exterior view of the building. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #89 – A Mosaic In A Mosaic
Mosaic of Life #87 It’s All About Timing…
Sometimes you get lucky and click the shutter button at just the right instance. That pretty much describes today’s mosaic. Several of the reenactments I have visited have booming cannons, but I never realized how dramatic they were. Yes, when … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #87 It’s All About Timing…
Mosaic of Life #86 – The Most Mysterious
Just when I think I have photographed the most complex “Into The Depth” flower, another one come to take the “Most” title. If I were to make an abstract painting that described the complexity of my mind, it would probably closely resemble this picture. Just so you know, this picture was not modified in the least from when it was taken. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #86 – The Most Mysterious
Mosaic of Life #78. Lego Beauty
I have found out that Lego is not just a bunch of blocks, but instead it is a creation yet to be discovered. It took about 4 hours to build this 771 piece LEGO Icon Succulents. It was a very peaceful 4 hours. Yes, I know this is a “kit” that has probably been sold to thousands of different people. But this is just what I needed almost a year ago to finally push me in a different direction. It was the beginning of the process, and I’m certainly glad it happened. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #78. Lego Beauty
Mosaic of Life #61 Re-enactments Are My Thing
One of my favorite places to visit in all my 50 years of travels has been re-enactments, particularly those that celebrated events in the 1800s. The above mosaic celebrated the Fall seasons in Northern Indiana. This historic reenactment captures 18th century life at Fort Quiatnon which is north of the present day West Lafayette/Purdue University. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #61 Re-enactments Are My Thing
Mosaic of Life #20 Shaker Seeds
During my travels, I have visited many historic sites. I think Shaker sites are my overall favorite, especially the one closest to me near Lexington, KY, called Pleasant Hill Shaker Village. There are no longer any active villages, but many have been preserved as national historic sites. My initial introduction to Shakers was their furniture, but garden seeds were probably what they were actually more famous for. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #20 Shaker Seeds
Mosaic of Life #76 Innocence (WW)
Mosaic of Life #58 – A Beautiful Entourage
These flowers remind me of something entirely different. What makes this bouquet so beautiful is the variety of individual plants that make it up. Yes, a dozen roses tell a story usually involving love, but a beautiful variety of flowers such as above shows us that diversity of life is where all the beauty resides.
Mosaic of Life #74 – Chaos (Double Memory)…
This mosaic was taken on the shores of the Great Lakes. Indiana only has a minute segment of shoreline, but what it has is beautiful indeed. It is at the very southern end of a 317-mile Lake Michigan. Most of the weather in this part of the country comes from Canada, so I suppose that is the reason that many of the rocks and pebbles accumulate at the southern end. To me, this mosaic kinda looks like organized chaos. I especially love the blue rocks scattered among the others. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #74 – Chaos (Double Memory)…
Mosaic of Life #73 – Old Fashioned Containers Tell A Story
One of my favorite things to look for when I visited local or regional museums were containers. Back in the day before TV commercials, magazines, and such, the primary way to get attention to their products was by creative packaging. This picture was taken in the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. I will give you more details about the park in a future mosaic. For this mosaic, I just what to focus on the containers I found there. Each one tells a story of it’s own. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #73 – Old Fashioned Containers Tell A Story
Mosaic of Life #70 – Red and Green & White All Over
One of the advantages of living in a college town is the number of artsy sources in the community. Last month I visited the IU Biology Dept green house for the first time. I was warned ahead of time that it is a “working” green house, so expect hoses and wet concrete. Most of the flowers were one steel-grated tables, not elaborate presentation as most conservatories are. But, that was perfectly fine with me. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #70 – Red and Green & White All Over
Mosaic of Life #67 – Cardinal In The Snow – (Wordless Wednesday)
Mosaic of Life #28 – Surreal Landscape
The last time I was at the Grand Canyon was when this picture was taken in 2005. I have been there on two other occasions. What was special this time was that we stayed in the lodge on the south end of the canyon. We could lie in our bed at the national park lodge as see the canyon about 50 feet away. It was like the other two times I had visited there in that it just didn’t seem real. The grandeur of it was just beyond imagination. One of the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” things I regret not doing … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #28 – Surreal Landscape
Mosaic of Life #64 – It’s Always A Wonder (Wordless Wednesday)
Mosaic of Life #27 – Heinz Museum – Pittsburgh
When I planned on visiting the Heinz Museum in Pittsburgh, I imagined it would be all about ketchup and other condiments. Yeah, that was included, but a big majority of the contents were about documenting history. During my visit I discovered that the museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute. If you want to see a video of the museum, click HERE The museum in itself made the two days in Pittsburgh well worth the visit. But there are other sites you must see if you visit that city. The Primanti Brothers Bar & Pub, which is only a … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #27 – Heinz Museum – Pittsburgh
Mosaic of Life #8 – High Plains Barn & Silo
I mentioned a few posts ago that I am hankering to do another purely analog mosaic, but before I do that I need to close out my early attempts in that mode. I have been across the high plains States numerous times, but like Indiana, many traveling through the High Plains just breeze through it without stopping. The most prominent thing about this area of the country is that it is WINDY. Maybe I should stop here and give you my definition of “High Plains”, that is Nebraska, southeastern Wyoming, and South Dakota, and central Kansas. In hindsight, it was … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #8 – High Plains Barn & Silo
Mosaic of Life #19 – Christmas Flower (Wordless Wednesday)
Mosaic of Life #13 – Lillies
This mosaic started out as a small part of a picture I took from an arrangement of Christmas flowers. It started out by digitally tracing via vector graphics the part I wanted and then choosing colors to fill in the shapes. It was fun to see just how much digital graphics can mimic the analog version. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #13 – Lillies
Mosaic of Life #32 – Veggie Flowers Are…
Just because I am trying to nurture my artsy side here at RJsMosaics doesn’t mean that my logical engineering side is stifled. I decided to use the 2017 photo of my veggie garden to highlight the yellow flower that is prominent at the top of the picture to show you the beauty of veggie flowers. Yes, they are for the most part very short-lived and die off quickly when the veggie, in this case zucchini, starts maturing, but that doesn’t decrease their beauty. I think that veggie flowers are just as beautiful as the flowers that were in my wife’s … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #32 – Veggie Flowers Are…
Mosaic of Life #62 – Peoria Riverfront Museum
Peoria is a city in central Illinois, and has a population of about 100,000. Its Riverfront Museum has some of the most unique art around. When I was there, the main floor was dedicated to Lego art, several are shown … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #62 – Peoria Riverfront Museum
Mosaic of Life #66 – Birds In Flight : Wordless Wednesday
Mosaic of Life #60 – Ft Wayne Museum of Art
For those of you who don’t know Indiana, that is probably most of you, Ft Wayne is in the northeast corner of the state. It is the second-largest city in the state with a population of about 260,000, although it seems much smaller than that. I had been in Ft Wayne several times but had never visited it Museum of Art. I’m glad I finally got there in 2019. I don’t remember if it had the usual Renaissance paintings that most of the larger cities have, but I definitely remember the abstract wing as shown above and below. One thing … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #60 – Ft Wayne Museum of Art
Mosaic of Life #10 – Wounded Warrior??
When I took this picture in my wife’s garden in 2017, I didn’t immediately realize that the butterfly had a serious portion of his left wing missing. I know that if an airplane had that much wing destroyed, it would seriously hamper its ability to fly. I can’t imagine how that happened, but I like to dream that he got it while defending his family. 🙃 Continue reading Mosaic of Life #10 – Wounded Warrior??
Mosaic of Life #24 – Milwaukee Museum
The Milwaukee Museum of Art is probably the most innovative structure around. We visited there in 2007, but from looking at their present website, most things are much the same. It looks like a graceful swan overlooking Lake Michigan. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #24 – Milwaukee Museum
Mosaic of Life #55 – Wordless Wednesday – Pink Beauty
Mosaic of Life #59 – Roses Are Red…
Roses are redViolets are blueI love flowersAnd I hope you do too RJ 😎 Continue reading Mosaic of Life #59 – Roses Are Red…
Mosaic of Life #3 – Pen & Ink Plant
One of my first attempts at analog artsy Continue reading Mosaic of Life #3 – Pen & Ink Plant
Mosaic of Life #50 – Wordless Wednesday – Feeding Frenzy
Mosaic of Life #53 – Four Things That Draw Me In…
Now that I am beginning to populate this new artsy site, I have discovered that there are certain types of artsy that draw me in more than others. Those are Containers, Flowers, Texture and Reflections. I am a regular visitor of historic sites and almost all of them have an old-fashioned general story filled with containers. Flowers are probably the main reason for RJsMosaics. Their beauty, variety, and mind-boggling intensity fascinate me. The closer I look, the more I am entranced. Texture, specifically brick walls, as shown in today’s M53-mosaic. I don’t really understand this one, so I will let it go … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #53 – Four Things That Draw Me In…
Mosaic of Life #52 – The World’s Most Beautiful Junkyard
As soon as I saw this place, I immediately stomped on the brake petal. I knew I HAD to have a picture of it. It has remained on my wall since that April day in 2015. When I read my first book about the “Mountain Men” as a teenager, I have always dreamed that in a previous life I was a mountain man. When I say the movie “Jeremiah Johnson” in 1972, that thought was permanently welded into my mind. As the picture says, it was taken near LaFruto in southern Colorado. Like so many other times, the only regret … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #52 – The World’s Most Beautiful Junkyard
Mosaic of Life #34 – The Reenactors
I spent most of my roadtrips in 2020 going to reenactments, and I must say the guy in the picture above is my favorite for authenticity. I often wonder what he does in the 21st century version of himself? There will eventually be many posts reporting on specific reenactments, but for this one I just want to point out some of the best of the best reenactors. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #34 – The Reenactors
Mosaic of Life #38 – Wordless Wednesday – Sheer Beauty
Mosaic of Life #51 – Old Quebec, Canada
A major stopping point during our 2011-month-long trip across eastern Canada was Old Quebec. It was the part of Quebec that has been completely restored back to its 1600s roots. That is except for the 21st century add-ons. Above is a picture of the main square in that area. Old Quebec was a very festive place as shown in the picture gallery below. The painted murals on the walls were of the magnitude and beauty I have ever encountered. I ended up spending quite some time just trying to take in the details. Even though I could not hear them, … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #51 – Old Quebec, Canada
Mosaic of Life #9 – Stone Walls
I have always been fascinated by stone walls. This one was at one of my favorite places to visit at Pleasant Hill Shaker Village near Lexington KY. This mosaic was made via the analog method using marking pens. It was very tedious work drawing all the stones, but I think the result is one of my favorites in the analog mode. I will limit this post to artsy, and reserve the story of Pleasant Hill for a future post, or posts. Continue reading Mosaic of Life #9 – Stone Walls
Mosaic of Life #47 – A Favorite Homestead Picture
This picture was taken in January 2014 This picture was taken at our 21-year homestead that I left almost 3 years ago. Due to my deafness and resulting loss of balance, snow was always a hazard for me. Over my life … Continue reading Mosaic of Life #47 – A Favorite Homestead Picture
My Artsy Side - An Image & A Story 