Realism is a challenge in these days. As a youngster I started seeing plastic used to replace all kinds
of things. I used to think it was invented in Japan because every time something broke it was pro
ported to have been made in Japan and sure enough it was plastic. Today few natural products stand
up to their representation in plastic.
Years ago on a family trip to Hawaii, when our children were about 10 and 12, we visited an
outstanding orchid nursery. The profusion of color, shapes and greenery could not be accomplished on
the mainland. I certainly was impressed and went out of my way to explain to my 10 year old son he was
standing in the midst of one of Gods wonders. After a significant "ah" I asked what he thought? "You
know, Dad, this stuff looks good enough to be plastic." I finally have an appreciation for the Japanese
or whomever invented the stuff.
I related this event recently to a couple of members of our art board on which I once served. We were
discussing an upcoming "art" display of photography. You need to understand I have a great respect for
photographers. I myself use slide photos to guide my artistic endeavors and if the photo is great my
results are more than acceptable (to me). I don't pretend to be "an artist", but I do know what I like and I
am able to do pencil photo copying that is some what desirable (at least it sells). M work depends on
realism, maybe that's why photography works so well. What's more real than a photograph?
The photo's observed, at the time of this discussion, were a profusion of plants with blossoms, ferns,
etc. They were skillfully fuzzy and provided a mystic beauty as if one were walking in a fairytale world. I
must admit I was impressed and my thoughts returned to that trip in Hawaii. "You know", I said "those
look good enough to be pastels".