2 Peter 3:16

I see stillness, quiet, peace. I feel relaxed when I look at it. I see the strength of being one. Standing tall...strong. I don't hear the ocean, or the wind or the birds. I don't hear the hum or chatter of people overlooking the estuary in the background. It is centered.

You, may look at this picture and see something else. Perhaps you see something that resembles a sword, arrow or knife. Perhaps it evokes bad memories or hurtful feelings that you would rather not had been reminded of. Or, perhaps you see nothing at all. A weed. A wondering of why I would take a picture of some dried up plant growing on the side of a cliff. It is boring or uninteresting, surely I could have used my pixels wiser...

My perception of this photo is my own. It expressed something for me and I chose to share it. Maybe some will see what I do, maybe they will see something completely different. Do I feel responsible for it? To a degree. I took the picture. I posted the picture. I do not, however, feel responsible for how someones views it or is influenced by it. Any action or reaction to it is the sole choice derived from the experiences of that particular person.

I think it is the same for any medium of Art. Be it paint or sculpture, the written or spoken word. Photography, song or dance. What moves me should not be halted because someone else may find it offensive. If that were the case, we all would be sitting around staring at white walls because someone doesn't like blue. Can you imagine what would not be in existence if this were the case? Those things that you belive in, have Faith in, and hold in the highest regard may not even be, because someone didn't like it. It isn't to say that there is not some manner of responsibility in how someone displays their art. But again, that is the choice of the person and their own personal perspective of what a responsible choice is for them and for those that will view it.

I have received emails in the past, from some that didn't like something I had posted. And while I appreciated their passion and their expressed truth, it didn't mean that because they spoke it to me, that I found it to be truth too. They were coming from their own perspective and I understand that, but in return they need to try to understand the why of mine before passing some kind of judgement on the meaning of my words.