Wide-eyed in Iceland
I've traveled a fair amount, but I have never felt such an emotional response to a place as I did in Iceland. Back last night, I'm still wide-eyed and mouth-agape and filled to the brim with images of that gorgeous country.
Iceland is the youngest land mass on the planet, a mere toddler at 20 million years old. Created by volcanic eruptions issuing from the ocean's depths, it remains a place where earth, air, fire, and water play out their eternal drama before your very eyes.
My Iceland story will continue here, with more photos and sketches, in the next days. Come back, won't you?
Wow--your new camera took awesome photos, Laura! What a mysterious, haunting peek you've given us into your birthplace! Can't wait to see more! Welcome home!
Posted by: a brush with color | August 28, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Hi Sue and thank you for your prompt and (as usual) warm comment! I was not born in Iceland---I was born in Alaska, on a small island in the Bering Sea. I have not been back since I left there as a baby. You intuited rightly ---Iceland feels like a spiritual home, perhaps partly because it has geological and topographical similarities to my birthplace. It also has elements in common with Scotland, where I've lived, and Ireland, a country I visited often when I was younger---only it is far more dramatic and elemental than even those magnificent countries!
Posted by: Laura | August 28, 2008 at 10:27 AM
You know I'll be back!
Posted by: Barbara Weeks | August 28, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Your pictures are dramatic and makes me feel that I must visit this part of the world at least once. Can't wait to see more.
Posted by: Indiaartist | August 28, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Oh yes I will be back - you have tempted us for sure!
Posted by: Sandy | August 28, 2008 at 11:39 AM
That 2nd picture takes my breath away! Absolutely incredible colors.
Posted by: Sapphire Dakini | August 28, 2008 at 12:03 PM
What fantastic landscapes and colours - it somehow looks 'new'. Am so looking forward to coming back to see more - really exciting!
Posted by: CathyG | August 28, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Ahh. I'm so jealous that I feel ashamed of myself! But I'm so glad that I'll get to see Iceland through your eyes!! Can't wait to see more.
Posted by: laura s. | August 28, 2008 at 12:39 PM
What a gorgeous gorgeous place!! WOW!
Posted by: TeriC | August 28, 2008 at 12:58 PM
welcome home! what a treat we've to look forward to if your drawings are anything like these photos (and I know they will be!) these are spectacular!
Posted by: Cindy | August 28, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Wow! These are smashing! You really get all the drama of the earth from these picures.
Glad to hear you had such a good time there. It's a place I'd like to visit someday.
Posted by: problemchildbride | August 28, 2008 at 02:55 PM
AWESOME PHOTOS!!!! I'll definitely be back!
Posted by: Deb | August 28, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Oh Laura! How beautiful! I'd never have thought of going to Iceland, but now I'm dying to.
Posted by: Casey | August 28, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Welcome back! Wonderful photos of a really great landscape - I can't wait to see the drawings and paintings.
It reminds me very much of Scotland - although Scotland manages to have that weathered look which goes with boasting a Pre Cambrian heritage in parts!
Posted by: Katherine | August 29, 2008 at 03:45 AM
Beautiful photographs of a fantastic country! Glad to have you back and looking forward to sketches and more photographs.
Posted by: Jenny | August 29, 2008 at 04:58 AM
I can't wait to see what you did in this stirring and inspiring place, sweet thing! I wondered when you were getting back...
Posted by: Cathy (Kate) Johnson | August 29, 2008 at 09:06 AM
wow. that second picture is so shivery gorgeous
Posted by: maggie | August 29, 2008 at 01:17 PM
oh wow. these shots are very inspiring. thanks for sharing!
Posted by: M. Nova | August 29, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Wow. Absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to see what art this inspires!
Posted by: Linda M | August 29, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Thank you, buddies. I feel so grateful to have been able to visit this magnificent place. I'm sure it will be working its ways on my heart and in my art for a long time to come.
Katherine, I was afraid it would be very much like the Scottish highlands, but it really isn't. There's an angular, primordial feel to the countryside that is absent in Scotland, for all of its glory.
Posted by: Laura | August 30, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I would imagine that these magnificent photos are nothing compared to standig there in person, taking the whole scene in at once. Plus the sounds, smells and all the sights the camera didn't pick up. Can't wait to see more of them. Thank you for posting!
Posted by: Peggi | August 31, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Thank you for sharing these awe inspiring photos of Iceland. I luv,luv luv them. I want to go there immediately! Oh they are so lovely. The landscape there is breath-taking.
Posted by: Nadine | August 31, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Goregous photgraphs! Iceland is on my "dream" list of places I hope I get to visit someday.
Posted by: stephanie | August 31, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I want to grow up just like you! I am looking forward to seeing your artwork!
Posted by: mary | August 31, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Astounding!
Posted by: Sallie | September 03, 2008 at 10:11 AM