Jim Cook Photography

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Just a word or 2 about Pizza!
Personal preference for pizza runs the gamut between thin or thick crust, lots of cheese, less cheese, sauce sweet or spicy and finally toppings which will be none at all or the usual pepperoni, sausage, supreme with vegetables and even those with pineapple and or chocolate.
How you like your pizza will depend on what region you were 1st exposed to it. For me that was Northeast Pennsylvania where thick crust pizza particularly from the Pizza Capital of the World, Old Forge PA reigns supreme.
In Ohio I’ve had what is called “Ohio Pizza” which after the toppings are added, cheese is last to go on, and is allowed to melt in the box as you drive home with it.
Here in Tennessee, ordering pizza is always a bit of a challenge, if I say I’d like to order a tray of pizza I will be looked at as if I’m from outer space. The other thing which takes some getting used to is how it’s cut. I’m used to slices as if from a pie. Here as this photo shows pizza is usually cut in strips How do you like yours?

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Mountains Mountains I have been to and photographed. Most are able to be seen in full format with descriptions at fineamerica.com/profiles/1-jim-cook

I was very pleased to receive a copy today of “A Nation Born A Homeland Lost” by George J Bryjak. My photo of “Dragging Canoe is within its pages. This is the 2nd time an author has included in book form.
In Fine Art America it is a best seller for me.
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-jim-cook

At Hocking Hills State Park, 1st hike of the day at Ash Cave.

The Playoff!. They lost but were competitive!!

"It got thirsty" or if you go into the woods today your in for a big surprise!

Close up of a Turkey Vulture. Bald head, red face and pale bill gives them an unmistakable and garish look. Of all birds they have the largest olfactory and heightens their ability to detect odors, particularly those of dead animals. They are the scavengers cleaning up the countryside of carcasses.

These are some doors that caught my eye while traveling. 1st pic is of a beautiful home entrance in Ravello Italy. As you walk down from that town to the Mediterranean beach below you will come upon scenes like this as well as colorfully weathered doors seen in pic #2. 3rd photo: Iceland uses color to decorate their environment, Scarcity of raw materials inspires murals and vivid colors like these Bergporugata doors to make up for that. Old castle doors like this 4th picture still can be found in Icelands capital city of Reykjavik. In Portugal while in Obidos Castle I spotted this entrance door to one of the many places of worship. This next door I call it between a rock and a hard place. Photographed in Monsanto Portugal, Portugals most Portuguese city. Finally, this last door was seen in a near abandoned village just outside of Madrid Spain. Purple color was not enhanced by me lol, what I find interesting about this one is the figure at bottom of door, not sure what it represents and in the upper right corner is the visage of someone with a fig leaf around his head. Roman, or Greek?

Don't forget! This afternoon we are holding a reception for the artists who joined the gallery in 2023 or 2024.
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 600 State Street Bristol TN 37620.

www.wrkofartgalleryandgifts.com

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list! 🎉

Ralph Scartelli, Iris Liebman, Steve Heap

Would love your thoughts about this image. It's not something I typically do. I photographed the scene from a distance after hiking up a mountain trail in Virginia. Wondering if there's too much dead space behind the barn or is it fine as is? Title suggestions are welcome too.

Very strong image! Fav, Tw

Calm Contemplation by Jim Love Calm Contemplation Photograph by Jim Love

Thank you to the couple who just moved to the area (Northeast TN & VA) from Ashville North Carolina. I hope the framed, canvas print of the "Home of Country Music Museum" graces the walls of your new home for many years to come!

For relaxation or exercise your local park should have options for both. The following photos were taken while visiting the beautiful Thompson Park in East Liverpool Ohio. The park is beautifully maintained with many amenities. They include a large, sheltered picnic area, perfect for family reunions or other events. Nearby are tennis courts, discus golf course, children's playground, rest rooms, and benches placed along the walking paths where you can rest or just stop and enjoy nature. These areas are all surrounded by flowering plants and trees, and several bird houses to view the comings and goings of their occupants.

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"Inferno" A lone figure seems to be looking at an apocalyptic scene of an inferno destroying all in its path. The forest is in flames as well as a distant city skyline. This image was constructed by compositing 3 of my photos. The base photo was shot through the top glass of a wine bottle, the 2nd image of the lone figure was actually an infrared image titled "Time Traveler" The 3rd photo of flames was then overlaid several times over the others.

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Scenes from recent trip to Portugal and Spain

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/dreaming-of-palm-trees-jim-cook.html?newartwork=true
Dreaming of palm trees and warm ocean breeze. Full description at link above.

Dreaming of Palm Trees by Jim Cook Dreaming of Palm Trees Photograph by Jim Cook

Busy Spring Birds. Here in our backyard, spring has become delightfully busy. With our windows open overnight because of comfortable temperatures, we are awakened by the myriad songbirds, chirping their songs in search of mates, food or communicating with each other. The following photos are a sampling of our visitors and their activities. Not shown but always here are cardinals, bluejays, mockingbirds, wrens, finches, hummingbirds as well as others.

Thank you to the couple who purchased "Soliloquy" yesterday while in the Bristol TN Work of Art Gallery and Gift store yesterday. The photo is a composite of a photo I shot of a Super Moon, and the other photo was of my good friend Curtis Salonick.
In describing the photo I borrowed some words from Victor Hugos "Les Misérables "He was there alone with himself, collected, tranquil, adoring, comparing the serenity of his heart with the serenity of the skies", Full photo & description at the link below.

Soliloquy by Jim Cook Soliloquy Photograph by Jim Cook

Feedback appreciated!

Title: "Conversation with Her Shadow"
This elderly woman appears to be conversing with her shadow.
The woman, her shadow and the patterned walk appealed to me.
I'm not sure what else it might say.
Empathy for being elderly and alone (at least in this moment), admiration (for not giving in to mortality)?
Imagining oneself in her place as aging relentlessly advances?