<![CDATA[REBECCA ARTHUR PHOTOGRAPHY

<![CDATA[REBECCA ARTHUR PHOTOGRAPHY - BLOG]]>Thu, 17 Jul 2025 21:01:53 +0900Weebly<![CDATA[My Osaka Garden Roses]]>Thu, 15 May 2025 07:50:08 GMThttps://www.rarthurphoto.com/blog/my-osaka-garden-rosesThe roses in my garden are blooming and I am thankful. I love roses but, goodness, they are hard to grow in this part of the world. While they are fussy to begin with, they really dislike the heat and humidity. It's been a battle to keep them alive and healthy, much less get them to bloom. However, I am stubborn and this year it has paid off. So, welcome to the roses that are blooming in my garden today.

You'll note that there are no captions. That's because they would read something like "This one always gets infested with bugs!" Or, "This one was a gift from a friend many years ago and would probably be much happier in a cooler climate." (^.~)

]]><![CDATA["Instagrammable"]]>Sun, 11 May 2025 07:18:21 GMThttps://www.rarthurphoto.com/blog/instagramableSomething that has become increasingly common when visiting shrines or temples in Japan is the presence of instagrammable arrangements and displays. On the one hand, I don't particularly like them. I'd rather find interesting things to photograph on my own, thank you very much! On the other hand, who can resist? Apparently, not me!

I came across this while attending the Takatsuki Jazz Festival during Golden Week. It was located next the purification basin at a small temple. And, yes, there were people battling for the best location to take a photo. I was patient...

Barrel filled with flowers at a small temple in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture

]]><![CDATA[Shaga Iris]]>Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:08:32 GMThttps://www.rarthurphoto.com/blog/shaga-irisThere is a special place in my heart for shaga irises. They are just so beautiful with their fringed petals and exquisite colouring. My first encounter was in rural Kyoto many years ago. While walking with a friend, we stumbled across a shaded area alongside a creek full of shaga irises in full bloom. I was entranced! I did not know such flowers existed! And in the wild, no less!

Later, I mentioned this at my workplace,and a short time later, to my delight, one of my colleagues brought me some shaga irises from her garden. It took some time for them to settle in, but now, every April, sections of my garden are filled with blooming shaga irises. It always brings me joy. (Thank you, M.N.!)

For more about shaga irises, visit iNaturlist's website: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/322012-Iris-japonica

Shaga Iris in my garden, Osaka, Japan

]]><![CDATA[No Name Flowers]]>Fri, 18 Apr 2025 12:47:12 GMThttps://www.rarthurphoto.com/blog/no-name-flowersDid I plant this last year? Yes, I did. Did I save the information about this plant? Yes, I did. Do I remember where I put it? No, I don't. Do I have a cellphone so I can just take a picture and have it identified in a flash? No, I don't. Do I want to spend time doing a search on my computer? No, I don't. So, I'll just enjoy them as they grow and prosper in my garden. Nothing wrong with that! (^.~)

Spring flowers growing in my garden. Unfortunately, I have no idea what they are...

]]><![CDATA[The Three Graces Painting by Janet Anderson]]>Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:33:54 GMThttps://www.rarthurphoto.com/blog/the-three-graces-painting-by-janet-andersonI'm honoured to have Janet Anderson paint yet another of my photographs. This one is of three roses that I took several years ago at Nakanoshima Rose Garden in central Osaka. I love what Janet has done with light and shadows. Stunning, as usual!

Visit Janet's Instagram page to hear her talk about this work and for a better view of the final painting. Below are links to the two other paintings she has done of my photos. I'm still not over it! (^.~)

Visit Janet's website to see more of her beautiful paintings!

The original photo of three roses, Nakanoshima Rose Garden, Osaka

A photograph of the painting on the easel in Janet's studio. (Click on the image to go to her Instagram page for clearer image of it.)

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