It’s the annual centerpiece of the Dairy Products Building.
New York State Fair butter sculpture unveiled
Katy Resident Respects Local Wildlife through Photography
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
August 22, 2023
By Natalie Cook Clark
Wildlife live among Katy residents and are seen everyday. A Katy resident captures local wildlife on camera.
All photos courtesy of David Tumino
David Tumino moved to Katy in 2004 when his neighborhood of Seven Meadows was a long way from being built.
Much Has Changed Since the Tuminos Moved to Katy
“Katy Gaston was a 2-lane blacktop with ditches,” says Tumino. “Gaston quit at Legendary and there was no Seven Lakes HS, JH. No Bonnie Holland. No 1093 toll road.”
From the beginning of his family’s time in Katy they saw wildlife such as coyotes, raccoons, snakes, big green frogs, turtles, squirrels, alligators, nutria, rabbits, lots of migrating birds, lots of fish.
Wildlife sightings continued over the years even as the area around them developed. Tumino took his life-long passion for photography and turned the lens to capture these amazing critters that share our community.
Tumino’s passion for photography started as early as 1966 when he was inspired by a younger high school classmate.
“I purchased my first camera in 1968 from my Uncle George, who worked in a camera story in Queens, Woodhaven, NY,” says Tumino. That purchase was his high school graduation gift to himself.
He went on to be the yearbook photographer at the United States Air Force Academy. He has photographed kids sports, wedding, and various events over the years and finally turned to digital in 2005.
Katy Wildlife Gives Him Plenty to Photograph
But Tumino loves photographing nature and Katy gives him plenty to work with.
“What could be more inspirational than local wildlife?” asked Tumino. “They’re innocence, survival, diversity, and beauty. The bird traffic in Katy is also amazing.”
A Visiting Katy Bat
This last weekend they saw a new critter, a bat that took refuge from the heat under their umbrella.
“We went to raise the umbrellas and there he was at the crown,” says Tumino. “He moved around a bit while we were being nosey, but he didn’t seem afraid of us at all.”
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife, Bats are common in the greater Houston area and are great at pollinating and eating bugs.
Tumino continues to photograph Katy wildlife and enjoys it in his retirement.
“I love capturing life as it lives, as it struggles, as it survives,” says Tumnio. “Nothing is contrived…it’s all real.”
Learn more about local Katy wildlife.
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Tesla Designed a Cardboard Cybertruck for Cats
The hype building up for the impending release of the Tesla Cybertruck is palpable amongst a specific demographic drawn to its literal multi-faceted design and EV performance. But consider ourselves more curious about this Cybertruck cat accessory inspired by electric truck’s angled bed first spotted by X/Tesla enthusiast, Sawyer Merritt.
Realized in corrugated cardboard and advertised to shoulder the vital task of offering cats a comfortable spot to “meet the cat’s nature and daily needs,” the Tesla Life pet bed is as an unexpected design as its source inspiration.
For comparison, here’s the full-sized inspiration for the corrugated cardboard rendition of the Cybertruck for felines.
Beyond the angled design mimicking Tesla’s reductive angled design, the Cybertruck for cats is a typical corrugated cardboard box with thick folded sides and several layers of thickened moisture-proof corrugated paper. But as a longtime cat owner, questions do arise about the design’s purpose: is that middle “bed” really designed to allow cats to relieve themselves upon? Or is it a pad to lounge on and scratch to their heart’s content? We guess like the real truck, the Cybertruck corrugated cat litter box is multifunctional.
At 15lbs, it’s as hefty and over-engineered as the cold-rolled stainless steel truck counterpart. The product is currently available in China for 89 yuan, or just a little over $12 USD.
As any cat parent discovers in quick time, felines have an amusing affection to park themselves inside cardboard boxes and packaging. So it’s unsurprising one Cat Cybertruck customer has already extolled the design’s ability to attract their feline into the safe confines of their own Tesla.
My cat likes it pic.twitter.com/WwxUInxsrq
— 高清无码 (@belloyr) August 4, 2023
A guide to finding your photography style: Part 10
This 10-part series on finding and refining your unique style has been a journey that requires not only technical skills but also a deep sense of self-trust and confidence. Trusting your intuition is a key aspect of developing a distinctive photographic style that reflects your artistic vision and voice. Exploring the significance of trusting your intuition and providing actionable steps to build confidence in your own photographic style is all part of the process.
Understanding intuition in photography
Intuition is often described as a gut feeling or a sense of knowing without conscious reasoning. In photography, your intuition is your artistic compass. It’s the inner voice guiding you toward subjects, compositions and techniques that resonate with your authentic self. Learning to trust this intuition is crucial in developing a style that is uniquely yours.
It also means ignoring the itty-bitty voice of self-doubt, it’s a fine line sometimes.
Embrace self-discovery
Developing confidence in your photographic style begins with understanding yourself as an artist. Take time to reflect on your interests, passions, values and what motivates you to pick up the camera. What stories do you want to tell? What emotions do you want to evoke? The answers to these questions will help you define your unique photographic voice.
Embrace self-discovery as an ongoing process, allowing yourself to evolve and adapt as your understanding of your artistic self deepens.
Emulate, then innovate
Learning from other photographers you admire can provide valuable insights into various techniques and approaches. Begin by emulating styles or techniques that resonate with you. As you practice and experiment, you’ll start to identify elements that align with your intuition and contribute to your own style.
The goal is not to imitate but to learn from the masters and then innovate by infusing your personal vision, experiences, and emotions into your work. Push the boundaries and make the art your own.
Embrace imperfections
Photography is a journey of growth, and mistakes are an inevitable part of that journey. Embrace imperfections and failures as valuable learning opportunities. Don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks; these experiences contribute to your growth as a photographer and shape your unique style. Remember that exceptional things can happen when you step out of your comfort zone.
Trusting your intuition also means accepting that not every photograph needs to be technically flawless. Sometimes, the most powerful images are the ones that capture raw emotions and authentic moments, over technical perfection.
Seek meaning, not approval
While positive feedback can be motivating, seeking validation from others can hinder your creative growth. Shift your focus from pleasing others to finding meaning and satisfaction in your work. When you create images that align with your intuition and resonate with your own emotions, you’re more likely to develop a style that is authentic and captivating.
Photography is a form of self-expression, and when you create from the heart, your confidence in your style will naturally grow. Your passion is seen through your work and can often resonate with others.
Embrace patience and evolution
Building confidence in your photographic style is a journey that requires patience. Developing a unique style takes time, practice, and a willingness to adapt and evolve. Don’t rush the process; allow yourself to explore, experiment, and refine your style gradually.
Embrace the evolution of your style, and trust that with each image you create, you’re getting closer to fully expressing your artistic intuition. This doesn’t mean you ever stop striving to learn to grow and evolve. Creative expression is always evolving. And remember, an easy journey is never promised.
Practice mindfulness in photography
Mindfulness—the practice of being fully present in the moment—can greatly enhance your photographic style. As you compose and capture images, pay attention to your instincts and emotions. Listen to your intuition as it guides you to frame a scene, adjust settings, or choose a focal point.
Mindfulness allows you to connect with your surroundings and emotions, resulting in photographs that are more genuine and aligned with your unique style. Being in the moment, allows you to fully enjoy the creative experience. Just snapping or the ‘spray & pray’ method isn’t particularly satisfying.
Trust your intuition
Trusting your intuition is an essential step in developing a confident and authentic photographic style. By understanding yourself as an artist, embracing self-discovery, learning from others while innovating, embracing imperfections, seeking meaning over approval, and practicing mindfulness, you can cultivate a style that reflects your inner artistic voice.
Remember that your photographic journey is personal and unique. Developing a distinctive style requires patience, self-compassion, and a deep belief in your creative instincts. So, trust your intuition, let your passion guide you, and watch your confidence in your photographic style flourish.
I hope you have enjoyed this series and got some valuable insight into developing and finding your own creative style. Happy shooting and refining your style!
In case you missed it:
2 Exciting Outdoor Artworks in New York This Summer
Two must-visit sculptures have just debuted in New York City in equally incredible outdoor locations. Whether you’re visiting the city or a resident looking for a new reason to love where you live, plan your weekend around these epic free experiences.
Nicholas Galanin at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Nicholas Galanin’s 30-foot steel sculpture In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra is an engaging site-specific work at Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, framed by two famous bridges and set against the full Manhattan skyline. Presented by Public Art Fund, four giant letters spell out “LAND” in an arrangement and font that references Robert Indiana’s famous “LOVE” design. Using the same material and height as the US-Mexico border wall, it’s an intense mix of emotions that ultimately finds openness and connection.
Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight
Opening Event for Nicholas Galanin: In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra Photo: Asya Gorovits
This metal is not a “copy” of the border wall – it’s the actual material that would otherwise be in route to the wall’s construction right now. Given that provocative fact, the biggest surprise on my visit was that it felt significantly more joyous than dividing, more hopeful than polarizing. It’s about borders in general, and the demonstration of an optimistic alternative to how we view the land.
Nicholas Galanin, born in 1979, is a Lingít and Unangax̂ contemporary artist and member of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. His work often speaks unapologetically to indigenous issues, but always with a certain whimsy and wonder that draws visitors to the work. Whether in a museum or within a park, art that aims to challenge our current beliefs must first draw you closer and tempt you to stay longer. Galanin is a master at using fun, beauty, joy, play, and curiosity in concert with heavier ideas.
Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight
Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023
There’s a rush of exhilaration in first seeing this work against the backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge (a pairing that somehow makes both landmarks feel even larger), and is a great conceptual pairing of “wall” and “bridge.” Walking closer, it tempts you to walk around it and invites you to walk inside. Do it. The letters explode into a network of abstraction and shadow. On my recent visit, a young child gleefully discovered that they could walk through the middle of the “D” (after they left, I did it too). In other words, this material has been transformed to achieve the polar opposite of its original intention. Galanin isn’t asking you to pick a side, he’s inviting you to reconsider how we all divide ourselves through borders.
Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight
Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight
The title In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra is in two languages – neither of which are native to North America. The idea reminds us that these lines we’ve drawn aren’t natural or original or permanent as they cut across rivers, migratory routes of animals, and indigenous lands.
Nicholas Galanin, In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra, 2023 Photo: Nicholas Knight
Packed with complexity, emotion, and intelligence, the work is ultimately about connection.
I highly recommend this 2-minute video produced by Public Art Fund featuring a literal walk-through with Nicholas Galanin.
[embedded content]What: Nicholas Galanin’s In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn, presented by Public Art Fund
When: May 16,2023 – March 10, 2024
Pamela Rosenkranz on the High Line
Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission
Meanwhile in Manhattan, a strange pink aura will catch your attention from 15 blocks away. Created by Swiss artist Pamela Rosenkranz, the sculpture Old Tree is the 3rd High Line Plinth commission, located directly over 10th Avenue at 30th Street.
The 25-foot-tall sculpture is composed of foam and resin over a steel armature, painted in bright pink and red that achieves an unbelievable level of florescence.
Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission
Though its form resembles a tree from a distance, closer inspection reveals branches that have more in common with blood vessels in the human circulatory system. Even the “roots” grasp the pedestal like an animal more than a plant.
Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission
Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission
This bizarre hybrid between human, plant, and object speaks to that same strange combination within the High Line itself – a crumbling elevated railroad track that has been transformed into a popular park, landscaped with native plants to Manhattan. It’s unnatural and natural, built and grown. Like Nicholas Galanin’s work, the enduring resonance of the work comes from its challenge to reconsider our own viewpoints, combined with the creation of a joyous social spot and exciting visual appeal.
Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission
Pamela Rosenkranz, Old Tree, 2023. A High Line Plinth commission
The video below, produced by High Line Art, includes some great clips of the sculpture’s fabrication at NatureMaker.
[embedded content]What: Pamela Rosenkranz’s “Old Tree”
Where: The High Line – at 10th Avenue & 30th Street
When: May 2023 – Fall 2024
I’ve been a fan of both artists for years, and to see both of their work at this massive scale in a single weekend is a moment that cannot be missed. Both works are as beautiful as they are emotionally complex. They ignite conversation and re-consideration of the relationship of humans and nature that only lead to a greater appreciation of our environment – whether built or grown.
Best of all, both artworks are on view for several months and across multiple seasons. So when I revisit in the winter, will Nicholas Galanin’s In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra feel more brutal without the green of summer and laughter of nearby picnickers, or will the work feel even more open and transparent in the quiet? Will the bright pink of Pamela Rosenkranz’s Old Tree buzz EVEN louder against a fresh blanket of white snow?
The bottom line is – if you’re visiting New York, add these to your priority list. If you live in New York, see them this weekend and schedule a re-visit in winter. Though they’re both on view for a while, the time is too limited to delay, and too incredible to miss.
All images for Nicholas Galanin’s “In every language there is Land / En cada lengua hay una Tierra” are courtesy of the artist and Public Art Fund, NY. Photographed by Nicholas Knight or Asya Gorovits (noted in captions).
All images for Pamela Rosenkranz’s “Old Tree” 2023 were photographed by Timothy Scheneck. Courtesy of the High Line.
Sons finish Riverside sculpture after creator, father dies prior to completion
During development of The Riverside Running Man sculpture, local fabricator Patrick Kennedy — who was creating the sculpture out of rebar — unexpectedly passed away prior to completion. Determined to
Wildfires, waves and women’s blind football: Tuesday’s best photos
Scotland, UK
The cast of HOME during a photocall in the Water of Leith, Edinburgh. The show highlights the climate crisis and how flooding is affecting the Fens in East Anglia and is being performed at the Edinburgh festival fringe
Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA
The Long Museum’s Billionaire Founders Plan to Sell an Estimated $150 Million Worth of Art at Sotheby’s This Fall
A decade ago, Liu Yiqian, a Chinese taxi driver-turned-billionaire, began turning heads in the art market by paying tens of millions of dollars for Chinese art with his credit card. As the Long Museum in Shanghai, which he co-founded with his wife Wang Wei, transformed into China’s leading private institution, the power couple became market makers at the highest level in Western art as well. In 2015, the two acquired Amedeo Modigliani’s Nu couché (Reclining Nude) for a record $170.4 million at a Christie’s sale in New York.
Now the couple is poised to send shock waves through the art market again—but this time as major sellers.
Liu and Wang asked Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips to pitch for a group of Western modern, postwar, and contemporary art valued at about $150 million (in excess of HK$1 billion), according to people familiar with their plans. Sotheby’s won the bid, the people said.
The group included some works that have been featured in the Long Museum’s recent two-part exhibition celebrating its 10th anniversary, including Modigliani’s Paulette Jourdain, originally from A. Alfred Taubman’s collection, as well as significant works by Jenny Saville and Kerry James Marshall, according to people familiar with the pitch.
Many details remain unclear, including whether the sale will feature the couple’s impressive collection of Chinese painting and antiques. The museum is not closing its doors, sources told Artnet News.
“Sotheby’s is honored to be bringing to its Hong Kong sale rooms a truly outstanding group of works from the legendary collection of Liu Yiqian and Wang Wei—two of the greatest collectors of our time,” Sotheby’s said in a statement on Tuesday in response to Artnet News‘s request for comments. The house’s Hong Kong sales usually take place in October. The spokesperson added that “proceeds from the forthcoming sales [are] destined to further key initiatives at the Long Museum, while also funding future acquisitions and the continued fostering of cultural dialogues between different artists, geographies and generations.”
The auction house did not elaborate on what works will be included, but noted that the offering “spans everything from works by the greatest names in art history to newer pieces by today’s rising stars.”
The Long Museum has not responded to Artnet News‘s request for comments by the publication time.
Amedeo Modigliani, Nu couché, 1917–18. Courtesy of Christie’s New York.
Liu built his fortune investing in the stock market as China’s economy began to take off in the early 1990s. The chairman of Shanghai-based investment company Sunline Group, which has a portfolio ranging from pharmaceuticals, financial services, and properties, ventured into art collecting and bid at auction for the first time in 1994 in Beijing, acquiring a Chinese calligraphy work by Guo Moruo and a Chinese painting by Li Keran.
Together with his wife Wang, the couple became the best-known Chinese collectors in the West with high-profile purchases at auction that included the 500-year-old Ming dynasty Meiyintang “chicken cup” that fetched $36.6 million (including fees) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2014, setting a new record. After the sale, Liu was photographed drinking from the cup while swiping his American Express card 24 times to pay for his winning bid.
At the time, his flamboyant behavior drew criticism, but he said in his defence that he needed to pull such stunts to generate publicity for his collection.
“I have a museum opening to the public. If I don’t tell people I have acquired these works, then no one would know, and no one will come to my museum to see them,” Liu said in an interview with the South China Morning Post in 2015. He also took pride in placing world class artworks in his museum in China.
Liu Yiqian drinks from his $36.3 million Meiyintang chicken cup. The record he set may be broken in October. Photo: courtesy Sotheby’s.
In the Hurun China Rich List 2022, Liu and his family was ranked at 131st with an estimated accumulated wealth of 37 billion yuan ($5 billion), up 33 places from the previous year. His wealth has reportedly grown to 38 billion yuan ($5.2 billion) according to Hurun Global Rich List 2023, which ranked him at 513rd.
But the couple has been keeping a relatively low profile in recent years and their art purchases have slowed down, according to people familiar with their activity.
That coincides with the slowdown in China’s economy, which is struggling to recover from the prolonged Covid lockdown. While major economies are tackling inflation by raising interest rates, China’s central bank, People’s Bank of China, announced on Monday that it has lowered its one-year loan prime rate, a key interest rate in the country, for the second time in three months from 3.55 percent to 3.45 percent, according to the BBC.
China’s property market has also been hit with an unprecedented crisis. Embattled property giant Evergrande, which was revealed to be the world’s most indebted property developer (it accumulated more than $300 billion debts), filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection in New York last Thursday, August 17. Country Garden, once China’s largest property developer, is suffering from a cash crunch and is said to be removed from Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index. Reuters reported property developers accounting for 40 percent of home sales in the country have defaulted since mid-2021 when the sector’s debt crisis began to deepen.
The group that Liu and Wang asked the three auction houses to evaluate included Marshall’s painting Plunge (1992). It last appeared at auction at Christie’s in 2016, fetching $2.2 million, then an auction record for the African American artist.
Another work was Saville’s large-scale painting Shift (1996-1998), which sold for 6.8 million pounds (about $9 million at the time), also in 2016, and a record for the British painter at the time.
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Wildlife Photography Is My Passion, And Here Are The Best 45 Of My Shots
Photography is art, but it first needs to become a passion… Only with passion can one create art. Wildlife photography is my passion. However, just being in nature changes my creativity for the better. The creativity generated by the surroundings of nature flows right back into other areas of my photography, such as landscape and cityscape photography. I try as much as possible to make use of other photography genres, which forces me to become even more creative.
“Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.” Ansel Adams
Although I am not a full-time professional photographer, photography is my passion. There is no doubt about it. Second to photography but just as important is my passion for nature, wildlife and conservation. I was fortunate to have visited many places during my lifetime and even more fortunate to have had the opportunity to capture those moments and memories in my photographs.
This 21-foot-tall interactive sculpture has a new permanent home in Aurora
“Umi” is made by renowned South African artist Daniel Popper.
