Exequiel Mapa

Photography

Beauty lies hidden in small and ordinary things! We have been fashioned in our own unique and special way by our Creator. Embrace and celebrate who you are! You are made in the image of our Creator.

Painting

A way to highlight God's presence in a snapshot of sunrise in Chicamauga Dam in Hixson, TN. The author relates well with Meister Eckhart's experience - "God's presence is all around us, embracing us!" The picture won the First Prize (Amateur Level) during the 2012 National Arts Program Competition at Memorial Health System in Chattanooga.

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One of the author's first amateurish snapshots in 2008. This shot led him to discover that he, too, with no photography knowledge and experience, can capture beauty though his crude lens. Empowered by others, the author has been propelled to share his creations to those who have the same passion and appreciation for beauty around us.

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Early Snapshots from PA Botanical Gardens in 2008.

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A macroshot of Hydrangea - Longwood Gardens in PA

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A newly hatched Blue Butterfly (from the dorsal side) taken from the Butterfly Garden at the TN Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN.

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It's always a delight to see others being with us whether in our perspectives and in our life direction. Birds of Paradise blossoms snapshot taken in 2008 at Longwood Botanical Garden in PA.

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A proud mother of six cignets, Agnes survived a coyote attack that killed George, the male Swan. Agnes painstakingly yet sucessfully raised her newly hatched young until they mature. See the family as mature swans in one of the author's photos in the gallery.

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The author captured Agnes and her six fully mature cignets by Mary's Shrine during his time as an Alexian Brother in Elk Grove Village IL. He remembers a portait of courage and survival, of Agnes and the cignets, as they move forward after losing George, the male swan, from a coyote attack when the babies were still hatching.

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A snapshot of an old mighty oak tree towering over the author's rented car in Fall Creek Falls, Spencer, TN 2009

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Birds can also be Battered and Abused. This snapshot is one of "Mr. Birdman of Cleveland's" rescued parrots.

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A Water Lily blossom opening up at night.

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A macro shot of White Magnolia core stamen. For the author - our inner core of being is the source of how we radiate who we truly are as persons around us.

Painting

The author's favorite tree by Chicamauga Dam. The oak tree has survived after being hit by lightnings and storms. Grown stonger by the dam water, it has stood strong and has become an imposing figure behind the dam's horizon. The author captures a snapshot of the tree against the backdrop of a foggy sunrise. It depicts how life when rooted well in hope and resiliency can be a great source of inspiration for all.

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Another Gorgeous Sunrise snapshot taken by the author from the Chicamauga Dam -2003

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The author caught this snapshot of a lamp post against background of the sun rising in the Chicamauga Dam! The author has been reminded of the powerful imagery of light, i.e. that we all are called to be God's light in our dark broken world. He invites us all to be always be attuned to God's light!

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The Battered Oak Tree by the Chicamauga Dam in the Spring of 2013. Beaten up by storms and hit by lightnings, the mighty oak depicts the much needed human spirit of hope and resiliency that we need to survive in our sometimes hostile world. "Beaten but not broken"

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Sunrise in Chicamauga Dam in Hixson, TN

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Sometimes we are off center because we look elsewhere for our blessings. But all the while, we missed seeing that we are always bathed in God's grace. We have just have to look straight in where we are or from where have been to recognize God's continued blessings to us.

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The Cross has been the comsummate sign of Christ's final act of self-giving and sacrifice for all of humanity and has been the symbol of eternal salvation for all Christians. The Sunset was captured by the author against the cross before it sets down from the horizon.

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A tenacious bee feeding on a cosmos blossom.

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A snapshot of the two Blue Macaws at TN Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN. Macaws lifespan can reach over 75 years and they partner for life. Can you imagine that life-long relationship with a partner?

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Let's celebrate the dignity and the honor of doing the work that we have been called to do! Mother Theresa said "it's not how much we do, but its in how much love we put in the doing!"

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A macroshot of the core of the newly opened White Lotus (2012)

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The author captured a snapshot of these four ducklings with their Sgt Dad and Cpl Mom in their perfect "military" swimming formation.
Chicamauga Lake 2013

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A macroshot of the Magnolia Core Stamen as the blossom just opened up at night.

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Nature has its ways of surprising us with its beauty! These giant mushrooms sprouted out of nowhere from the dead bark of an old oak tree the day after several days of heavy rain in Hixson, TN.

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Lady Gouldians are one of Australia's endangered bird species. These finches are usually caught and sold in the wild because of their beautiful colors. In the US and in Europe, these gouldians are bred as pets to raise the awareness of everybody in saving these birds and to help increase its dwindling population. This shot was from author's green back lady gouldians which he raises during his spare time from work.

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A snapshot of sunrise in Chicamauga Dam on one foggy morning in the Spring of 2013.

Painting

White Magnolia

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"The experience of God is in the long run a vocational experience. It always impels some sort of service always awakens an energetic love. It never leaves the self where it found it." - Evelyn Underhill