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Happy Easter 2023 to you all !! There is no better way for me to explain this day other than this:

"He is risen." The resurrection of Christ is a pledge of our own resurrection. It is the foundation upon which our faith rests. It is the guarantee of our redemption and God's assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we are called to eternal life. "This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoice therein. Give praise to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Alleluia."

—Excerpted from The Light of the World by Benedict Baur, O.S.B.


Let us pray ..







O God, who on this day,

through your Only Begotten Son,

have conquered death

and unlocked for us the path to eternity,

grant, we pray, that we who keep

the solemnity of the Lord's Resurrection

may, through the renewal brought by your Spirit,

rise up in the light of life.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.


Photo: 'Easter Sunday Silence' - Square Tulip Flowers Sunrise - Copyright 2019 Frank J Casella
https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/easter-sunday-silence-frank-j-casella.html



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A bare altar with purple banner sets the tone at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois, where faithful Catholics visit throughout the days for prayer and observing for Holy Week. Copyright 2016 Frank J Casella -frankjcasella.pixels.com


Triduum --

The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.

The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.

The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are:

Mass of the Lord's Supper

Good Friday of the Lord's Passion

Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord

Click For More Information


Photo Reference Link https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/easter-triduum-frank-j-casella.html



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The spring season can often be a time of great excitement, with people wanting to get out and enjoy the weather. But for some, the season can also be very hectic, with them feeling restless and distracted. This is commonly referred to as 'spring fever'.

After a long, cold winter, many of us are anxious for the warmer weather and flowers. But springtime can sometimes feel more like winter.

One way to combat this restless feeling is through the power of art. Engaging in creative activities like painting, drawing, or even just visiting a museum can help to channel that restless energy into something productive and fulfilling.

In particular, art can help promote creativity, self-expression, and mental well-being. This is due to the fact that art allows us to explore and express our unique thoughts and emotions, which can help us to process and express difficult emotions. In addition, engaging in art can help us find personal meaning and connect with others.

When we take the time to appreciate the world around us, we can reduce the amount of stress and anxiety in our lives. Additionally, art can help improve mood and cognitive function. By spending time exploring and enjoying art, we are investing in our own mental well-being and enhancing our quality of life.

If you're looking to engage with fine art in a way that's more convenient for you, you can do so online. As the weather warms up, there are many art shows and art fairs. However, if you can't get to them, you can also engage with fine art online. This way, you can see and purchase the artworks even if you're not near a show or fair.

The great thing about engaging with fine art online is that you can see the art and make your own assessments without having to leave your home. Many museums and galleries offer free online exhibitions, you can also browse independent artists, artist groups, online art contest, and businesses and brands, for the best of the best in curated arwork.

If you're not up for making the trek to a show, there's no need to miss out on some of the best art in the world.



Photo: Threshold - Monochrome Tulip Artistic Photography Copyright 2008 Frank J Casella
Reference link: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/threshold-monochrome-frank-j-casella.html



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I'm afraid that I have both sad and joyful news. First the sad, my longtime friend James Wright passed away (way too young) after a long illness. The joyful, Jim is out of misery and with the Lord, and leaves behind a life of making a positive difference in a corner of the world.

This artwork of him driving the old fire car is a perfect illustration of the substance of his life, I think. And this is why I tried to give this photograph the feel of a Rockwell painting. Jim had several interests; the fire service, the church, and Homewood, Illinois our hometown where his interests revolved around.

Jim wrote exhaustive history books and articles about these interests of his, and I helped to provide the pictures for them that I could. He could afford the time and expense of this because he worked in the insurance industry and had no wife or kids. A very humble man who always got down to the brass tacks in a polite way.

Actually, Jim was in the Fire Cadet program with my older brother, and I hung around the firehouse while waiting to become of age. He worked there over the summer months while in college and I was in high school, and that is how we became friends. Jim is one of the guy's around the firehouse who coined calling me 'knarf' - wich is Frank spelled in reverse.

He always said hello to everyone, and I can't recall anyone saying a bad thing about him. Jim was very active in developing the Homewood Historical Society, and we now know much more about this town because of Jim's tireless research. Even at our Catholic parish when the school closed, Jim interested in recording all the history he may have missed before it was passed on to the archdiocese archives.

One memory as he was recently updating his book about the Homewood Fire Department, I noticed how much Jim was trying to get it done as quickly and with quality as possible, more than usual as in the past. You could tell he knew this might be the last time.

I kept asking Jim when he might run for Mayor, as others have, and he wouldn't think of it as he loved to be in the background of things. And that is where he excelled, to be honest with you. Jim had memorabilia in his home, but I think this fire chief car was at the top of the list. Because his usual smile was always beaming with happiness.

There are many people every day who come and go through this world, we don't always know who they are because they just do their thing, but we take for granted the things they did to make our world a better place to live. This is God's purpose for our lives. Many people knew Jim because of his writings, but he didn't do it for this reason, it was to give away the gifts that God has given him and to put together the pieces of the puzzle of our lives.

Rest in Peace Jim.

Lord, James is gone now from this earthly dwelling,
and has left behind those who mourn his absence.
Grant that we may hold his memory dear,
never bitter for what we have lost
nor in regret for the past,
but always in hope of the eternal Kingdom
where you will bring us together again.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Photo: Antique Fire Chief Car - An antique Fire Chief Car rides the parade route in Midwest America, providing young and old a glimpse of an era of days gone by - Copyright 2008 Frank J Casella.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/antique-fire-chief-car-frank-j-casella.html


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The Silence Of God

Each sunset is different. As it goes down it will never return. It will never be the same.

I am trying something different for this blog post, below, by only posting photographs with no title or caption, just let the silence of the picture happen.

Click on each image for more information or to purchase.

Enjoy!

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With sunsets the light and the earth is a bit more warm, compared to sunrises, thus each illustrates the 'personality' and love of God in the world. To bring us beauty and through other forms of weather to know the difference.

Make some time soon to watch a sunset, and then notice the stages of the changing colors of light and the clouds, the movement of shadows and silhouettes, and let the silence of God speak to you.



Thanks for viewing,

Talk with you again next time.

Frank J Casella



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Photo: Early morning crowd at the Saturday Farmers Market at Martin Square, Downtown Homewood, Illinois. I always love how the power of the color red works in the story telling of a photograph, also how that little baby is watching all the activities. 'Farmers Market Produce' - Copyright 2017 Frank J Casella. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/farmers-market-produce-frank-j-casella.html




Price, Cost And Value


"The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment."

- William Arthur Ward


"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake."

- Meister Eckhart


"Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric."

- Thomas Sowell


"The price of light is less than the cost of darkness."

- Arthur Nielsen


“Long ago, Ben Graham taught me that ‘Price is what you pay; value is what you get.’ Whether we’re talking about socks or stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.”

- Warren Buffett



I've updated my prices for 2023, and I've done this with you in mind Though it may now cost you less, this does not affect the value of its quality. I've also had to come to terms with price, cost and value.

Because relative value is the valuing how much the artwork is worth by comparing it with its competitors.

For example, while a famous painting may sell for millions of dollars at an auction, the cost of creating that painting is meaningless relative to the sale price. The value and price are being derived from the prestige of the artist, as well as other emotional aspects that you the buyer may connect with.

In other words, understanding the value of quality is essential. In general, people don't care as much about price as they do about quality.

On Fine Art America from time to time, in the duscussion forum, the question comes up what to do with an artist's account after their death. Many artists seem to have the idea their art will keep selling after death like it was when they were living. This is true for a select few, but unless the majority (of them) develop word of mouth and / or teach someone how to market their work, it won't happen.

Growing up in a family business my mom and dad showed me how there is a difference between being a freelancer and being an entrepreneur. The freelancers work ends when they are done with it, the entrepreneur builds a business to continue after they are done. (Thus when mom died we closed the business because she was the business .. people always wanted to talk to her)

Likewise there is a difference between a big box store and a farmers market: The big box store sells many different products under one roof, the farmers market is many different businesses under one 'umbrella'.

Some people call Fine Art America the Amazon or Walmart of Art online. I tend to think of FAA as the farmers market of Art online. There is a movement now where people are not shopping the big box stores and instead shopping local stores based on product and need.

This because the mostly larger retailers now allow something critically human to be getting lost: the spirit of our democracy and the backbone of our privacy. You know who they are, and how they're treating us as commodities. They somehow mistake people signing up to use their services, or buying from their stores, as a welcome invitation to target, track, spy, and sell our information to advertisers and the government., as well these companies and organizations are funding the attack on traditional American values, instead of simply serving the customer.

This is one of the reasons you see Amazon and WalMart closing stores or loading off empoyees. With the present economy I tend to think the farmers market has a better leverage to be in business because of lower overhead, and they ususally better understand how important simply serving all customers is to their business. Likewise, Fine Art America, unlike other Print On Demand sites, does not have investers or a board of directors and thus the owner can make quick adjustments (like the farmers market) as needed.

This too is why my artist website is powered by FAA. There are many artists on FAA who can beat me on price but nobody beats me on cost. Price is a one time thing, cost is a lifetime thing.

The value of my art photography is in the eye of the beholder. I don't want you so much to own my artwork because it is a Casella photograph, rather I want you to feel an emotional connection that is priceless to you.

I invite you to view my collection of colorful uplifting photographs and gifts, and bring new light and life to your home or workplace and those you love. My Online Portfolio address is - https://frankjcasella.crevado.com - and a larger collection can be found on my website at - https://frankjcasella.pixels.com

Order any size print - on canvas, paper, wood, metal, or acrylic - for all size spaces and budgets, plus phone cases, pillows, tote bags, greeting cards and more! These photos are quality printed in partnership with pixels.com (a Fine Art America company) and will be shipped directly to you from them.

Why?

Because many people who purchase my photographs say how much it makes them smile.


"Your smile doesn’t change them, it changes YOU. And THAT’s what changes them. "

~ Bob Burg



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Friend’s,

This photograph is from my personal project:

Home Sweet Homewood 1 Day

Moments In Time Photographs of Homewood, Illinois,

— my home town.

I share with you each new post from this project a few times throughout the year.

Enjoy!

— Frank

Bookmark this photo project ‘Home Sweet Homewood 1 Day’ – at this short link: fjc.tiny.us/h1d

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Every community has its unique elements, what I call gems, and this wetlands of the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve are no exception. There are certain times throughout the year, and times each day in fact, that these elements just pop for your eyes to behold.

Usually I reserve this project for pictures of people on the street, or simple moments from within the community were I grew up, however, this photograph I think adds wonderfully to the others. Becasue I always love the power of the color red in a photograph, and how this blends well with the other colors in this scene.

Blending in can be a tricky thing for us to do in society with our own lives. Especailly when we are made aware of our own unique elements that possess a power like the color red. I think we have to look for how the ‘Light’ illuminates others around us, and highlights how we can work together, to make the world a better place and a beauty to behold this side of Heaven.

That’s it for this Sunday Letter. Thank you for reading, talk with you again soon,

Frank

Reference Link: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/red-in-the-wetlands-preserve-frank-j-casella.html



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There are many artist colleagues of mine who create beautiful images that need no words. Yet when you only look at the captions to their works, the words usually need the images to be complete - it is said a picture is worth a thousand words.

In other words, many times the captions to my pictures are, in my mind, for the internet crawlers / bots to read. A good picture should posses three-second-impact to be effective. A picture that is a work of Art should move you with emotion that needs no words, based on your own life experiences - and the words might be used later only to add better context.

For those of you who are new to this blog email list (Welcome!), the mission for my pictures is to share moments in time, and human interaction, that share hope, and God's love in the world - In short I let the picture tell the story. My imagery over the years has progressed from fire service pictures, portraits and weddings, photojournalism, documentary, people and street pictures, artistic wall art, and a few others in-between.

My present artistic concentration is with the elements of nature and urban documentary. For 2023 my goal is to share uplifting and inspiring photographs that are relatable and affordable to the masses. So as many walls and surfaces as possible have (one of) my photographs. Not so much to feed my ego or to make my works a Brand, rather to speak to our hurting and war-torn world in ways that words cannot.

Our digital lives are saturated with images and information, videos and podcasts, we are in an age of being educated and informed by headlines and sound bytes rather than spend time learning the full story. There are many artists works that I admire, as I have said, and who inspire me, and for this reason I also plan to share those that cross my path on Mastodon Social and through my website email list.

Because the best way I think to make a positive difference in the world - visually - is like the motto for this Pixels / FAA website that sells our words: Independent. Together. People need pictures - through works of Art - that are examples of goodness and hope. Many people have let me know how much my pictures mean to them, and what they say to them more than the words I have used to caption them, and some even go ahead and buy them.

Either way is fine with me, that is what it's there for. Yet, you may not know that my pictures are really a by-product of my work with the Catholic apostolate that I co-founded, and if you prefer to support that instead of investing in my pictures, look here. When you donate, or buy wall art and more with my pictures, you and I work together to make a positive difference in the world.

Pictures need no words, yet words need pictures. It used to be this way too, I understand, back in the stone ages as a form of communication? The digital world is doing the same thing today. There has been more pictures made since the iPhone camera has been introduced, than all the pictures in the history of photography. Take a moment to let that sink into your thinking.



Thanks for reading. Talk with you again real soon,

Frank

Picture Reference: Morning Light Flowers And Trees https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/morning-light-flowers-and-trees-frank-j-casella.html


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Here are the top five most popular posts for 2022 as a blogger on Fine Art America. By popular, I mean a combination of most blog views and email list stats (I only get stats to be sure the mails are read).

The mission of my blogging, and photographs, is to share artistic pictures and thoughts of (my) hope, and God's love in the world.







Here are the top five in order of post date:

Life Is A Work In Progress

Listen To The Street

Weathered And Worn

Thank Someone

Keep Doing Good Things

In conclusion, I hope you will see by these topics of the most popular reflects how people resonate with my mission, and fosters examples of hope and God's love in the world.

Thanks for reading. Talk with you again real soon,

Frank




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Photo: ' Sunrise on the Winter Pine ' - A beautiful backyard pine tree, covered with fresh snow, absorbs the winter sunlight. Copyright Frank J. Casella All Rights Reserved.



-- Keep Doing Good Things --


Something I like about fresh snow is how it illuminates the sunlight.

The sunlight, especially in the morning, illustrates for me the warmth and blessing of God on his creation.

And in order to see the beauty of the sunlight, we have to see the shadows behind it.

The interplay of both is what I think makes this beauty interesting ... different from day to day .. such as with our own lives.

Life is messy and full of struggles and shortcomings. Our lives and culture are full of fault-finding.

But there is hope, if we accept it: Mercy.




" Mercy is the first attribute of God. God does not want anyone to be lost. His mercy is infinitely greater than our sins "

-- Pope Francis


Saint Thomas Aquinas defines God's Mercy as the eternal perfection of the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier in His relation to people.

Through Mercy, God brings creatures out of poverty and replenishes their shortcomings.

Jesus tells us the next step, “ wisdom is vindicated by her works. ”

In other words, let the good things you’re doing do the talking.

Keep your eyes on God. And keep doing the good that God is calling you to do.

We are now in the season of Advent ... waiting for Christmas.

This waiting period is a time to prepare, by removing the clutter in our lives, known as sin, and to better practice what we believe.

And not to disbelieve because our expectations have not been met.

Like a pine tree is changed by the beauty of the fresh snow, so too can we be changed by Mercy.

A blessed Advent, and a Merry Christmas to you!

Frank




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