Into the sunset
by robertach

Comment:
The tracks curved around the snowy bend.
I, like a hunter, followed the lead trail.
Eager to catch light of the sun's first rays,
I ran forward to chase away the chill.

It looks so cold and dark among the wall of trees! The rails of the train tracks just glows golden like a trail promising the warmth of the early morning sun that lies just beyond.

Northern Milky way
by JonoTucker

Comment:
The Great Maker dipped his brush
into the colors on his palette.
With quick brushstrokes onto
the canvas of the night sky,
an impression of purple
and impasto of green.

Love the shimmer of stars high above the mountains. The splashes of color, green and purple, captivates the eye. Very beautiful.

Miss July (Playboy Calendar 2011)
by MAK

Comment:
"O.K., I'm as ready as I will ever be - just don't laugh," spoke Spike as he stepped out the dressing room and into the studio.
Sasha had seen some strange client requests over the years but this one took the cake. He and some of his buddies came in saying that they were going to do a calender shoot for charity. Sasha had assumed that meant the men were doing something akin to a GQ shoot. But this, well, she just stood there mouth agape.
"Yeah, I know. But I'm doing this because a friend asked me too.," quipped Spike, "but, hey this is for charity after all. So it's a good deed. And you know, the dress is actually comfortable. It's more roomy down...O.K. just shoot me"
Sasha smiled and raised her Cannon, "No problem. Now, smile."

Hmhp, well what can I say - I do take it that it was all in good fun:-):-) Like Sasha in the mini story, I too smiled after I got over the surprise:-) The studio lighting is great and the red of the umbrella and dress pops vividly - perfect for the month of July (red being a warm/hot color and plays into the summer heat of July). BTW, I am assuming Mr. July's name is Spike because of the tattoo.

Paper Swan
by bnilesh

Comment:
The papers curl
as the story unfurls.
The tale takes shape
as I stand here agape.
A swan song leaps from the book
Her music has me hooked.

Very nice pastel lavender hues. The simple lines and curves make for an elegant abstract.

welcome
by nick_hinch

Comment:
She looked at her daughter holding the new babe and her heart filled with pride and joy. All was quiet for a few moments when the little one awoke suddenly and started to cry.
"Mom," her daughter looked up with her big eyes,"the baby is cute, but...where is the off button?"

First, congrats on the new addition. Now, this is what the moment speaks to me as that the little girl's expression reminds me of how my eldest reacted many years ago when she met her newborn sister. It is almost akin to panic - did I do something wrong? and when the crying doesn't stop it turns to the question "is there an off button?":-) Lighting is on the subjects is really good and you gotta love the expressions:-)

Valley of the Rocks
by PennyStreet

Comment:
Within this desert sea with shifting sands
are stone sentinels who stand silent and grand.
Wind, rain, sun, and time paint these rocks.
Look close at the brushstrokes to see earth's epochs.

Absolutely beautiful - love the lines the undulate in the sand. The desert rock and stone sentinels in the foreground are nature's beauty at such a grand scale it just makes you feel small and takes your breath away.

The Bean
by jumboshrimp

Comment:
It is such a funny bean
planted on a metropolitan street.
It grows not branch nor leafy green
but reflects the pulse of city heartbeat.

I like the angle you took this for it adds visual interest. The reflected lines on the concrete and the city skyline makes the Bean look like it monitoring the heartbeat of the city vibe. Having seen some other picture of the sculptures that grace Millennium Park, the bean does indeed reflect the art vibe of the city:-)

Green Snake
by rhoadesurf

Comment:
Green slithers and slides
on forked branch the serpent
seeks out the apple.

Great detail on the scales of the snake. I like how he is surrounded by all those greens that almost hide him. Great light too as that it makes me think of early morning sunlight streaming through the treetops of a lush forest...and of course the story of the snake and the forbidden fruit.

lion3
by thilom

Comment:
Across the wild Savanna's spread,
deadly paws in silence tread.
The hunt begins with the chase
the lion pride keeping pace
until prey falls to their embrace.


Great details in the fur coat and face of this predator! Love the colors and details. She looks as if she is scanning the horizon for the pride's next dinner.

Art Deco Loo
by dswann

Comment:
Runway lights
give the green go ahead.
Foot traffic taxis up to a stall
When one heeds Mother Nature's call.

Those art deco green lights act like runway lights directing foot traffic to the loo. You have some fabulous leading lines:-) BTW the chairs to the right confuse me as to what their purpose is...