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Behind The Story

July 27th, 2022

Behind The Story

Photo: Reading in the Park - City of Chicago - Copyright 2016 Frank J Casella

Great summer weather and quiet nature brings people out to Millennium park in Chicago, Illinois. It's important in life to have balance and to do some reading so that we may grow our knowledge and prosper our life in this world.

Every photograph has a story to tell. As well, behind every photograph is a story. And behind every story is history that brought the story to this point in time.

(Do you need to read that again?)

In other words, when I click the camera shutter to make a photograph, there are many hours of learning the background why the photograph has a story.

In the same way, every good writer is a voracious reader. Behind every hour of writing, it is said, is at least 10 hours of reading.

Every great musician is known as an insatiable listener. .. and so on.

An interesting thing I have learned from reading the books, and listening to the podcasts, by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, is that he claims Jews make up one of the smallest communities in America. Yet, they are the most wealthy in the country.

Why is this?

He says because they keep reading, and you will find in most of their homes books and books on the shelves and everywhere else.

So my point being, the more you read, the more you learn, and the more you master the category of your field of interest.

Today, however, it is hard to know how much a person reads, or how many books they own, because you can fit shelves of books in the hard drive of an iPad.

The iPad has become a consumption device, for example.

Compare (or contrast this) with the many people on social media and the like who share opinions without even knowing the full story or history of what they mare making opinion.

Some of our Lawmakers in Washington D.C. have the same issue, I think. They don't understand the 'why' behind the story .. or the law ... or the US Constitution.

My favorite app for this is Hoopla, because you can loan most any digital book there is through your public library .. for free!

When you know the background to the 'why' behind a story, it gives the story ... and life .. more meaning.




Image reference https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/reading-in-the-park-city-of-chicago-frank-j-casella.html



Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


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Prayer

July 19th, 2022

Prayer

The power of prayer is an important aspect of our lives. It is illustrated in Art immensely. I believe in the power of prayer to God through Jesus makes a positive difference in our world. I talk about it much here on my Artist Blog.

Because, as I have said, "this blog is a creative outlet for me and my works. When I want you to know something, I'm going to talk about it here, both with the mails I send you and with the blogs. This is where you'll be able to find me over time and space. This is my home."

Most importantly, I have found prayer in numbers - the more people who send intercessory prayers - make a powerful impact, as well as the depth of how much we believe in answered prayer.

Although I have developed to live my life as a prayer, if you will, my life is still a work in progress. Here are some thoughts on developing a prayer life:

- We are all called to holiness.
- Personal prayer – try to spend a few minutes a day in silent prayer training yourself to listen to the will of God.
- Get a spiritual director or companion. Find someone who has more experience than you in the spiritual life to help you on this journey.
- Read the Bible. Such as reading the daily Mass readings every day as part of your prayer.
- Participate often in the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation, if your faith that you belong to practices it.
- Stay close to Mary, Jesus’s mother. She is the first and best disciple of Christ because she, above all others, followed the will of the Father.
- Surround yourselves with other strong Catholic Christians who help you live your faith. Community is very important.

Below are some of my favorite posts about prayer (links are to the FineArtAmerica version in case you wish to post a comment):

Worry
-

Perpetual Adoration
-

Reflectin On Lent
-

Silense Is Still Golden
-

Lord God Of Peace Hear Our Prayer
-

Prayers OF A Mother
-

Father In Prayer
-

Let There Be Peace On Earth
-

Prayer Does Not Go To Waste
-

God In The World
-





Image reference https://fineartamerica.com/featured/when-men-put-god-first-frank-j-casella.html



Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


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The Best Moments

July 12th, 2022

The Best Moments

Photo: Breezeway - Chasing the golden hour sun, I found this summer morning light moment in my neighbors back yard. Many times, both in life and in photography, the best moments are where we're planted if we look for them.


- The Best Moments -

In photography, the best moments to me are when all the elements line up together: The light, the weather (if outdoors), the people or subject, the background, and the involvement of all these together. Back in the day when I was more so making more pictures of people, yet still today, I always say a little prayer when I pick up my camera that the Lord will put before it what He wants the world to see.

In life, the best moments to me are where you become enriched or Enlighted or, better yet, where you inspire another and become enriched or Enlighted through it as well. Like when I was a young boy visiting my late Grandmother, we would sit in the breezeway together on a summer evening to watch the sunset and the birds out in the backyard at the feeder and birdbath, especially when the humid weather brought out the mosquitoes and other bugs.

Grandma would make me a sandwich and tall glass of cold milk, usually it would be hard salami with butter or liver sausage with mustard on Italian bread. I remember Grandma reading to me from National Geographic about nature, or from the encyclopedia about things like the flowers and the bugs we were seeing out the breezeway.

I also remember her sharing from Time Magazine about when Gerald Ford became president, and his history in the state of Michigan, as we have relatives from his home town. How this inspired me that you can be an ordinary person and still become extraordinary.

I few summers I would stay with my cousins in Michigan for a month. My Dad would drop us off at the train, Grandma would ride with me from Chicago and stay a couple days, then come back again a month later to 'pick me up'. I would tell Grandma about my thoughts and dreams, and wondering what it would be like, and she would listen carefully and share or expand on what I was saying.

This would always provide me insight and encouragement. Because Grandma has been (as we say in Chicago) 'around the block'. She raised five children by herself after my Grandfather passed away when my Father was himself a young boy. So Grandma had much wisdom about life.

Her advice always started with the words 'bloom where you're planted'. Because many times, as she put it, we want jump to the end before we get started. But when we start where we are, then we learn more on the way to the end result. Grandma was born and lived her childhood in Austria, so she had that European way about her, though she was also a gentle woman.

So whether it is with photographs or with life, the best moments happen I believe because with God there are no coincidences. That, if we look for it, there is something God wants to say to you through another or experience, or (say) to the world through you.

Just look around you.



Image reference https://pixels.com/featured/breezeway-frank-j-casella.html



Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


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In His Will Is Our Peace

July 5th, 2022

In His Will Is Our Peace

Photo: Lakefront Vibe City of Chicago - Urban Landscape Photograph Copyright 2018 Frank J Casella. From strollers to segways, people enjoy the beautiful weather in Grant Park on the lake in Chicago, Illinois.


Note: Below is from a private newsletter that I wrote in 2017, slightly edited for relevance (in some ways I think that my writing was better then, in other ways not so much).

--

In His Will Is Our Peace

My wife and I have two boy's, and this is a picture [I no longer share pictures about my family online] of them from a decade ago. We at that time, more than recent, would go on walks in the city of Chicago for a day. It provides them structure in many ways, and also examples to them how to be street smart, and working together (as a family). The couple walking in the background competes the storytelling for this picture I think, because I titled it 'Peaceful'.


We live in a war torn world. Relationships, families, and marriages are struggling. The United States has the most wealth in the world, with the most resources (apart from money), has the power to lead the world towards peace. Many times, though, I find Americans with a heavy weight on their shoulders. Many of us have deep worry, yet we do not know true poverty because we have government programs to at least keep food in our stomach. Food pantry's are becoming more in need than not.


Some think we are divided about the true meaning of our Flag. I think we are more divided about how to treat others in complimentary ways. Our president loves the flag and arguably is trying to remind us of the 'rules' we have forgotten.


When I was a kid, and work needed to be done around the house, we always had neighbors who either could help with something we could not do ourselves, or the tools to get the job done. Today, it seems, we all have our own tools, and lean on Google to learn how to do something.

I don't know ....

God's will mostly is that we depend on Him. Yet I don't see us living this. We want our way more than God's way. Or rationalize that our way is God's way.


Every morning I wake up and ask God to speak to me, then open the Bible and read the page that comes to me. Here are some recent scriptures that I have received:

Ben Sira (Sirach) 23:15 - Those accustomed to using abusive language will never acquire discipline as long as they live.

Isaiah 7:19 - Unless your faith is firm you shall not be firm.

Mark 13:8 - Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquake from place to place and there will be famines. These are the beginnings of labor pains.

Ben Sira (Sirach) 30:1 - Whoever loves a son will chastise him often, that he may be his joy when he grows up.

Mark 12:29 - Jesus replied "The first is this: Hear O israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.


What does all this mean?

1) Many American's are seeking structure in their lives. We have so much available to us, and so many wants, that our wants are distracting us from our needs. Parenting is about what our children deserve instead of what they need.

In other words, my wife and I to this day provide structure for our boy's, that structure is to look at the world through God's eyes and live your life as a prayer. People ask how they've accomplished so much. We say that we've never told them they couldn't. (because they lean on God for strength and guidance).

There have been some setbacks, and they've only made us all stronger.

2) Many people today are alone. They want to feel loved, respected, and have purpose.

Something interesting: I've been talking with an artist coach, he asked me what one picture do I have in my head that describes the 'why' or purpose of my photography. I said that would be two people embracing or sharing a peaceful moment with each other.

If you look at the picture above that I made a decade ago, the themes from these two points here, and the scriptures shared, its not too far off from the major events going on. This gives me a heavy heart, to make sure that what I'm doing is truly God's will.


God uses people to do His work. They key is we have to be open to His will and depend on him, not ourselves. This takes time to think, to pray ... and to mostly listen. To hear His voice.

Something more interesting: Although I target my artwork towards Catholic's living their faith, in recent months there has been a theme from people saying how they are not Catholic and my works speak to them .. and stop them.


In His will is our peace.



So now I've again gone over my seven hundred word limit that I've promised you. I will continue this very soon ...

Peace to you this day,

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America

Image reference link https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/lakefront-vibe-city-of-chicago-frank-j-casella.html


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Not Good Enough

June 29th, 2022

Not Good Enough

All of us go through times when we think that we are not good enough, or do not measure up. After reading this discussion thread on Fine Art America where one artist asked 'Do you ever wonder if your Art drawings or Photo images are not good enough ... ?'

Many of the artists making comments in the thread shared some insights that not only applied to the business of art, but applied to the way of life as well. Very inspiring!

The short answer, at least for me, is that many of my photographs that I think will not sell, actually have the most engagement and sales. So it is all perspective ... but ...

This got me to thinking what I have learned about measuring up, especially now in what seems to be a divided world of being accepted.

A lot of times that I have felt to be not good enough, looking back at it, were the times that I was alone in my own thoughts, looking at others or what I thought they had or where about.

I used to measure my artwork, like many artists do, by its engagement with how many sales, or comments, etc. each of the images would see. We see this a lot on our own social media as well. But then I came to the realization that activity does not measure accomplishment.

What I learned instead is from Pope Benedict XVI, where he says something like the best way to see your value in life is to constantly be reaching out to others with your gifts and abilities. Don't measure the response.

The late Zig Ziglar says it another way, that 'the best way to find a friend, is to be a friend'.

One way that I have reached out to others or to be a friend is with writing personal notes. For example when someone says a nice thing (about me), when I notice something a person I know does something to make a positive difference in the world, or just to simply say thank you.

I learned about how to do this when I worked for the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin. He would write thank you letters for thank you letters. His Eminence, I noticed, seemed to have a simple format that he used:

- Be honest and to keep your message concise.
- Be real and write how you talk.
- Express your appreciation for the recipient's involvement in this matter.
- (If possible, mentioning the past and alluding to the future. This can be as simple as saying it was nice to see the person at a recent event, and/or that you look forward to seeing them at an upcoming event.)
- In closing, use the words 'thank you' as often as possible.
- Close your message by restating your appreciation and signing the note, preferably with your first and last name.


I usually send the notes on the Pixels Greeting Cards product with my photography to inspire them, unless I need to send them a link or other digital content where I would then send an email instead.

The impact of a hand-written note can not be understated to making a lasting impression, especially in this digital world as the price of a postage stamp to send this note becomes a tremendous value to the recipient.

I remember the time when I wrote a note in response to a person who wrote me to say they made a very large art canvas of one of my photographs and put it on the wall in their dining room where they live in Trump Tower Chicago.

Later on I was at a baseball game and introduced myself to the person sitting next to me. They asked if I was a photographer, I said yes, and they informed me that they noticed my name because the thank you note that I wrote to the art collector, whom they know, was on display and framed next to 'my' art canvas on the wall.

The art collector simply cut the card in half to frame the front picture of the card with the inside note side by side. Ever since I heard that, I make it a 'note' to only write inside on one side of the card, as I did with this one.

Another thing I have been doing is something I learned from broadcaster Paul Harvey when he was a guest speaker at one of my classes back at Columbia College Chicago, talking about how to tell a story. It goes like this, for example, and I have done this many times when I was the director for my local Chamber of Commerce, I would write a note to a person that I saw at a breakfast place (or wherever) but could not walk over to chat with because the person I was with needed my attention.

A few of the persons that I wrote have my note on their desk, and others tell everyone they can what it says and means to them. Though most of them the person would thank me the next time they saw me or called me on the phone, etc. This tells me the impression made, but that is not why I do it.

So, again, the point is that when you reach out to others this is how you find your value in making a positive difference in the world, and this keeps you from focusing on self perception. God will show you that you are good enough and how, if you seek Him and look for it.



Photo: Bird House in the Prairie - Heat Effect on a Greeting Card. Reference link https://fineartamerica.com/featured/bird-house-in-the-prairie-heat-frank-j-casella.html?product=greeting-card




Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


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Pennies Make Dollars

June 22nd, 2022

Pennies Make Dollars

Last week I talked about The Value of Art, so this week I will add to it by talking about how pennies make dollars. Because many of you who responded to last weeks blog asking why I talk about framing greeting cards when the frame cost way more with the card you purchase. The answer to this is you buy the frames at the Dollar Store, which is the illustration I meant to provide with talking about affordable food purchases.

Growing up in a family business my parent's (who were born in the 1920's) had a mantra, if you will, that pennies make dollars. My father also emphasized this with my siblings and I as we got older on how we should work and provide for our families. In other words, pennies make dollars because people spend them - if there were no pennies, people would have to spend more money to purchase the same amount of goods - and this usually works best with repetition and duplication.

For example, as a business model, one of the reasons fast food restaurants make so much money is because customers are drawn in by the affordability of small burgers and fries. The average fast food meal costs just over $4, and customers are likely to buy multiple small burgers and fries instead of one large one.

In fact, fast food restaurants have been known to make as much as 80% of their total sales from small hamburgers and fries. Large burgers and fries, on the other hand, only account for around 10% of total sales. This is likely because customers are often more likely to order a large burger if it is more affordable, and they are less likely to order it if it is more expensive.

The same is true with the simple Greeting Card framed, and this can be just as important to our survival as food. Thus my description about Greeting Cards and the value of Art is how they are an affordable way to own artwork that speaks to you. Living simply is the best way to make it through the economic inflation we are now experiencing.

I actually create my photographs for cards compared to the average artist on Pixels who put a lot of energy into selling big sizes and more of them. But my true intention is to help people to live simply.

The other question many of you asked is what I mean by my intentional living the lay Catholic vow of poverty. The lay Catholic vow of poverty requires participants to live below their means and to make every effort to minimize their possessions. Participants are also expected to give away any extra money that they earn. This vow is meant to illustrate the importance of voluntary poverty and to encourage people to think about ways to decrease their materialism.

A part of the vow of poverty includes redemptive suffering, which means what I give up (with food or possessions, etc.) is in sacrifice for a specific cause. Redemptive suffering is a powerful tool used by God in the salvation of sinners. It allows Him to bring about eternal forgiveness in people's lives.

It is through the power of Christ's shed blood that we are saved from our sins, and through His resurrection that we are called to new life. In fact, it is through our suffering that we are able to learn and grow in our relationship with God.

Finally, some of you asked about the food from the Dollar Store, how some of it is more expensive than say Walmart or Aldi, and some of it does not use as good ingredients as other stores. Yes, this is why I also mentioned stores that sell the Best Choice Brand / Always Save Brand as, for example, canned or frozen veggies cost less than a dollar with these brands, if fresh produce is not a choice. And Laundry detergent 'flys off the shelf' at the Dollar Store.

You can shop Aldi or Walmart if you prefer or have no choice, but since I have a choice the organizations these two businesses donate to are not in agreement with my Catholic values. It didn't used to be this way, but now more and more we are forced to make these choices. Especially in our culture of abundance, and the recent business climate where pennies makes dollars.

So this is my take on helping each other make it through life, and the business of Art.



Photo: Glorious Morning 2 - An egg sandwich on a plate and a steaming hot fresh cup of coffee illuminated by the morning sunrise, makes for a glorious morning. Reference link https://pixels.com/featured/glorious-morning-2-frank-j-casella.html




Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


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The Value Of Art

June 14th, 2022

The Value Of Art

For sometime I have been food shopping at the dollar store (and other stores that sell Best Choice Brand), because I intentionally live the lay Catholic vow of poverty. It is amazing how well you can eat for about twenty dollars a week. Usually at the dollar store check-out line there are about three people in front of me. In recent weeks, I suspect due to the economy, you will see no less than twelve in line.

People are buying on total price more than total value. .. so they think. They are buying their pop and chips and other things that don't usually add to nutritional value, as usual, but now I see more of them buying everyday food staples too.

This got me to thinking about the value of Art and, specifically, art photography. In other words, more people buy my photography on a greeting card than as a framed print, for example. And in recent weeks, even more people are buying my photography on greeting cards. Because they can also frame the cards and hang them on the wall, it has the quality of a mini framed print. Plus, this is why I price my cards to be affordable works of Art and inspiration, compared to the prints.

The value of an Art photograph is determined by its sentimental value, its aesthetic value, and its historical value.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes the words can't express the beauty and worth of a photograph. Photographs are like time capsules that capture a moment in time and can be looked at over and over again to get a new perspective and feel. Whether you are a collector, historian, or just appreciate the beauty of photography, an art photograph has amazing value.

How much is an artwork worth? That's a question that has engaged thinkers for centuries. Some experts estimate that a Rembrandt painting could be worth upwards of $250 million. Other artworks, like a Van Gogh painting, can be worth more millions of dollars.

No one can definitively say how much any given artwork is worth, as price fluctuations are often tied to the artist's success or popularity at the time of sale. Rather than guessing, it's often better to consult a reputable art appraisal service (for this Great Art).

More importantly, I think, the value of art is subjective and can vary from person to person. However, art is often seen as a form of expression that can evoke strong emotions in those who view it. Some people believe that art can help to improve the quality of life by providing an outlet for emotions, while others believe that art can provide a sense of community. Ultimately, the value of art is up to the individual.

In a similar way, one reason I food shop the dollar stores is because flavor and consistent quality of the food is often as good or better than the big name brands, and this is what usually gives me the value.

And the reason I sell my artwork through Pixels is not only their proven fulfillment service but, with you in mind, so that I can say what my art will sell for on their superbly printed and consistent quality products.

And the words that I hear from most of you about my Art is that it is not what price you pay, but what it is about my Art that makes it priceless to you.

That to me is the value of Art.



Photo: Eggs With Steam - Copyright 2014 Frank J Casella - reference link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/eggs-with-steam-frank-j-casella.html



Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


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First Time Dad

June 7th, 2022

First Time Dad

The newlyweds who live next door are expecting their first child. And I notice the husband getting 'big' along with his wife, because he seems stressed about all that is involved in having children, especially a first child.

So I walked over and handed him my books about being a Father for the first time, and answered his questions about this topic. By the time I left you could see the peace on his face, that he is not the first guy to experience this event.

Ever notice how the first born gets 'detailed' because mom and dad are learning how to be parents for the child, and with each other, but the rest of the kids after that it seems more laid back a bit. Like the parents know what to expect the next times so they just move with it ... again.

I remember our first child - though I want to believe that I had it a bit easer because my wife and her mother were extremely sensitive and detailed about all the needs, and have been ever since - all of the unanswered questions, concerns and worries dissipate once you see that new person for the first time. There are no words or pictures to describe that feeling of positive overwhelment. God knows what He is doing!

Men do not usually talk about this stuff like women do. I do not recall my Dad or Father in-law telling me about what to expect, other than what a blessing children are and a gift from God. The greatest concern I had was to be a loving father. This is more important than being a great (financial) provider or anything else.

If every kid in America had a loving father in the home, we would have far, far fewer problems that we would have to deal with as a society. There are many societal problems to the growing lack of active fatherhood, calling on fathers to be “interested,” “present,” and “setting a good example” for their children. Our society down plays fatherhood, and the family structure of a man and woman with children as well.

The feelings and emotions of a new mother are extremely important, so too are the hurts of the new father. Many do not realize what a man goes through as result of a misscarrage. On the other hand, I recall this social media post not too long ago:

" My former girlfriend aborted my child. I learned about it through my attorney. I wept for months. "

We need to encourage as a society more children born into families, because it is what makes the world go around (as the saying goes). We need more pictures around depicting children and parents interacting, and the role of the loving father in the Childs life. And we need society to get out of the way of husbands and fathers so they can be encouraged to naturally lead and be the dad they all want to be, and that we really want them to be (men don't talk or cry about this stuff).

FATHERHOOD WALL ART - A beautiful collection of images inspired by father and child. Many Fathers, whether they know it or not, are at the center of their kids world. Depicting the loving bond between a father and child, or the things dad's love, these photographs are sure to captivate art lovers all over the world, and speak to the child in all of us and remind us of how it felt to spend time with the greatest man in our lives.

Remember, we have the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph - as a great example of what a family is and should be.




Image reference link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/in-daddys-arms-frank-j-casella.html



Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


----



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Listen To The Street

May 31st, 2022

Listen To The Street

- Listen To The Street -

It's been known that one of the most effective ways for writing stories is with the use of picture words. This is something I learned much about back when I was at Columbia College Chicago, as my favorite class (outside of photography) was Writing Workshop. And for most of the class sessions we did a thing called 'listen to the street'.

This is where the professor would open up the windows, as our building was in the deep of the Chicago Loop, and we all were still and quiet as we listened to the sounds on the street. After a short time the windows would close and all of us would share from our notes through picture words what we ' saw ' on the street.

This is where I came to understand the reverse of picture words for my photography, as ' word pictures '.... thus the thought behind my mantra of ' pictures people listen to '. What this means (to me) is that when you study my photographs you should find many elements to describe it in words. This photograph - Chicago L Between The Walls - is only one example:

-- A colorful photograph of the average neighborhood street scene in the Chicago Loop, with sunlight and shadow play, with an L-evated train track between the walls of several different old and new colored buildings down the street. There are cars and people moving about in the shadow of the ' L ' tracks. When I made this photograph there was a dog barking, a person yelling from their window to another person yelling back, a woman with her high-heel shoes tapping as she's walking across the street behind my camera, as well as the roar of an airplane overhead along with the rumble of a distant L train approaching. There's a van slowly moving through the scene with loud music echoing off the different buildings. Yet, amongst all of this activity there seemed to be a scene of peace and quiet moments if you looked for it. --

All this to say that, words play an important role in society and in our relationships. Unfortunately, in our present culture we all need to do a better job of listening to one another. Communication does not take place if listening has not taken place.

I remember back in grade school the Nuns used to say ' God gave you two ears and one mouth, so that you listen more than you talk '. It is said that Saint Augustine used to encourage listening with the heart, to receive words not outwardly through the ears, but spiritually in our hearts: “ Do not have your heart in your ears, but your ears in your heart ”.

And this too is how I aim to communicate through my photographs, spiritually with my heart. For example, watch this weekly short video (that I make) for ' my ' Catholic men's apostolate, here and is on this subject ' Listen To One Another '.



Image reference link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/chicago-l-between-the-walls-frank-j-casella.html


Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


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Grandpa

May 24th, 2022

Grandpa

-- Grandpa --

With this photograph: Grandpa - A Grandpa gives a child a ride on his lap on the tractor. Telling from the smile on his face, he was enjoying this as much as the boy seems to be.

But this is only one role a grandfather plays in the family. Another one is to be a mentor to his children about parenting from the male perspective. I am sure you know of, or can think of, others ...

I never met my Grandfather from my Dad's side of the family, because he passed away when my Dad was a young boy. This got me to thinking one day how my Grandfather gave me something that only he could.

In his short life he not only gave me my Dad, and my Dad to me, but he gave both of us the family name: Casella.

Although as a Catholic my true identity is in Jesus Christ, here on earth I have my identity by my name. Family names are very important in the Bible, and they are also important with my Italian heritage.

My Dad instilled in my siblings and I how important it was to make a good on the family name. He had to learn growing up without a Father how to be a man, and then example this to my brother's and I. And example to my sister's what to expect from a man (to marry).

All this to say that the role of a grandfather transitions from that of a father setting the mission for the family, towards teaching life lessons to grandchildren. And with this picture of the boy on the tractor, Grandpa shows him what it's about maybe more by example than with instruction.




Image reference link: https://frankjcasella.pixels.com/featured/grandpa-frank-j-casella.html


Thank you for reading,

Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Art Photographer
Blogger on Fine Art America


----



Subscribe by RSS https://fineartamerica.com/rss/blogs/frankjcasella

To receive blog posts like this one straight in your inbox, subscribe to my E-mail list. Delivered to your inbox about once a week. Unsubscribe at any time.


 

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