Happy Sunday! Isn't it time we all played Secret Santa? Times are tough. Next time you're near the bank, drop by and get some fives. Start out with 5. Now, next time you encounter someone living out of his car or walking the streets, stop and ask how they're doing (yeah, we already know...but it's good that someone talks to them). A little interaction keeps them from being invisible. I know you'll feel good. This might be a good habit. Jesus will keep tabs on how much you share.

In these pictures near the First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City, I suddenly realized I was looking a a beautiful sky. Good photographers can recognize quality sky, especially during the golden hour. The color i loved was barely there, but I knew I could bring in out in post production on my phone.

I saw that it was 7:30 am CST and I was on the long end of the golden hour. Normally over by now...but slightly extended by the cloudy day filtering the light. I pulled over and with no time to waste, rolled my window down and shut off the engine to kill engine vibration. I planted the phone on the window's door frame and grabbed about 5 shots including cars going by. With a little in phone editing I had several great shots.

Next, I will be experimenting with applying a wet media to watercolor paper. I like watercolor paper because the fiber quality of the paper makes the colors glow. They don't actually "glow", but the imperceptible diffusion of the paper seems to give the inks that effect. Gorgeous.

The prints I make of image on the watercolor paper will be on a Fine Art Paper with hand torn edges for an artistic look and feel.

It will be 10x14 in size with a 8x12 image print. I will sign it. The paper is acid free (archival) watercolor paper. Ask the frame shop to use cotton gloves (most good ones do) so errant fingerprints aren't visible in framing.

Jim is a listed member of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC)

To see Jim Rode’s Artist Statement and Bio at OVAC, go to https://www.ovac-ok.org/art/Jim-Rode