The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
One of the best parts of traveling is learning how to see the world through a different pair of “eyes.” By this I mean, your perspective shifts and you begin to understand how other societies, other cultures have functioned and thrived for thousands of years. But in some ways, we have discovered that so much of the human experience is universal, including our expressions and moods, often revealed in our eyes.
Inspired by Tina’s wonderful theme this week, I’ve collected a diverse series of photos which highlight the eyes.

I discovered DaVinci’s portrait on a quiet street in the Oltrarno section of Florence. This portrait, drawn by Blub, a famous European street artist, highlights the deep and penetrating eyes this artistic genius and inventor beneath scuba goggles. (Blub’s trademark feature.). I am always hunting for more of Blub’s work throughout the city.

I captured these “seeing hands” in the Intuit Center in Chicago, a museum for self-taught folk artists. I’m still wondering what the artist was trying to say in this sculpture!

I couldn’t resist re-posting this image of a glass eye ring–probably the strangest ring I’ve ever seen! We were visiting the Houdini Museum in New York City, when I noticed this ring on the finger of one of the museum guides. He said it was custom made by a man who specialized in making glass eyes…no surprise there!

On a trip to New York City, I noticed this beautiful woman’s eyes and smile. I had to take her photo.

This last image is by the portrait artist Antonia Comi, whose work I greatly admire. The eyes in this portrait reveal so much about this man–his fear and vulnerability. But I think there’s courage there, too.
If you’d like to see more of her work, her site on Instagram is Antonia Comi (@antonia_comi).
It’s true that the eyes are a window to our emotions, and some say, to the soul. It’s fascinating to see how much the eyes reveal in public and private moments and in art. A special thanks to Tina for hosting this week’s wonderful challenge. Be sure to visit Tina’s site to see her photos, which are stunning. We’re looking forward to seeing your collection of “eye-catching” photos. (Thanks, Tina for that one!) Please remember to link your responses to Tina’s, and to use the Lens-Artists tag. And more thanks go to Sylvia Bacon for guest hosting last week’s Doors/Doorways challenge. I enjoyed your terrific responses.
Next month, we are continuing our summer tradition at Lens-Artists of inviting several talented guest hosts to present our July challenges. We’re sharing their themes in advance and inviting you to join us in the coming weeks. They are:
July 2, Aletta Crouse of Now at Home is focusing on Treasures.
July 9, Jez Braithwaite of Photos by Jez is Seeing Double.
July 16, Andre of My Blog–Solaner is thinking about Summer Vibes.
July 23, Tracy, who posts at Reflections of an Untidy Mind, has chosen Surrealism.
July 30, Sarah Wilkie, who hosts Travel with Me, asks you to share Three Favorite Images.
We invite you to check out their diverse and intriguing blogs and hope you’ll join us throughout July. The Lens-Artists team will be back in August.
Once again, I hope you have a safe, healthy and inspiring week!
Categories: LENS-ARTISTS, Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
Wow Patti, you have some terrific eyes in this post. Great job!
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Hi, Anne. I’m delighted you like my collection. 😀😀. Thanks!
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Not surprisingly Patti, a wonderful collection of eyes – except the glass eye ring which REALLY creeps me out !!!!! I loved the DaVinci example and admit I’d not heard of Blub. Is he/she mainly in Italy? Also loved your NYC woman – beautiful indeed.
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That ring…yes, I completely agree. And the owner of it was so matter of fact! Yes, it’s a glass eyeball, but still!! Blub is based in Florence, but his work appears throughout Europe. That NYC woman had such a beautiful smile, didn’t she? Thanks for a great theme this week, Tina. Great inspiration.
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Liked the portrait of the beautiful smile in New York City.
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Hi, Marlene. Thank you! I thought she was so beautiful and I loved her smile! I’m glad you agree. Have a good week, too!
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Fantastic take.
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Hi, Indira. Thank you! I’m delighted you enjoyed it!
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My pleasure, dear.
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The first one is lots of fun and the second two are unique. The last two are just lovely.
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Hi, Janet. Great feedback! Thanks so much. I’m delighted you like them! I hope all’s well.
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Love those images, Patti. That first painting is really, ahem, eye-catching.
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Hi, Tracy. Um…eye-catching!! I love it. Glad you like them! Have a great week.
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Wonderful set of photos you have here. The portrait of the lady with the tray is such a wonderful happy photo!
I love the street art in Firenze, they are wonderfully humorous takes on high culture. Blub’s doing well
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Hi, IJ. Yes, Blub is doing well. He’s selling now in galleries. I love his irreverence. 😀😀. Glad you like the woman in NYC, too. What a great smile! Have a good week.
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A really different take on the challenge: the ‘seeing hands’ and the ring are certainly unique. And I might have guessed you would find a place for your favourite and mine, Blub.
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Ah yes, Margaret. We’re both Blub fans. Glad you like the ring and seeing hands. 😀😀. They’re out of the ordinary. Have a great week, and thanks so much for your insightful comments–as always.
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What a stunning collection of eyes you’ve got here Patti! Wonderful post!
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HI, Aletta. I’m glad you like my “eyes!” Thanks so much! Have a great week. Beach??
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Maybe, depending on the weather 😊
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First and last are stunningly good, Patti. Wishing you a great week!
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Hi, Jo. Thanks! I loved that portrait of DaVinci…and yes, I’m delighted you like Antonia’s work. She is so talented! I hope all’s good with you, Jo. It’s hot everywhere, isn’t it?
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We spent the morning at the beach. Can’t walk far as I twisted an ankle last Friday so it’s a good excuse 🤣💗 Sitting in shade at home now xx
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Oh, sorry about your ankle. Yes, sitting in the shade is a great idea. We’re going to the Yukon this week, near the Artic Circle and it’s warm even there. Crazy.
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Warm in the Arctic? That’s crazy! My friends in Yorkshire are not impressed with their weather 🤫☔💟
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I love all your images, naturally, but what especially resonated with me in this post was your opening paragraph about the benefits of travel – it says everything that I feel about travelling 🙂
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Hi, Sarah. I’m glad you agree. That’s the best reason to travel, isn’t it? I’m glad you like the images, too!
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That ring “caught my eye”. Quite unique
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Hi, Nora. 😀😀😀. I was fascinated by it, but I don’t think I could ever wear it!
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A wonderful gallery, Patti, and again a fantastic piece of streetart (the portrait) 👍
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Hi, Andre. Thanks!! I’m glad you enjoyed Blub again. I hope you have a good week!
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You’re welcome, Patti. Have a great week, too😊
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Beautiful take on, Patti! Especially like the young lady and the DaVinci portrait. Perfect post for eyes!
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Thank you so much, AC. I’m so happy hearing your feedback! 😀😀. Enjoy the weekend and the walks in the woods.
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Thank you, I will. Too hot for walks though.
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Ha! VERY unique. Well done.
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Hi, John. Thanks so much!! 😀. I hope all’s well.
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The Blub’s art is certainly amazing. An aquatic DaVinci!
And that NYC waiter’s smile is definitely the cutest 🙂
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Thanks so much, Hammad! I’m delighted you like them both. Blub is amazing, isn’t he?
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Hi patti
Such an artsy take on the eyes theme – of course !
And glad you shared the ring again because I missed it before – that is weird and cool
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Thanks so much!! I thought that ring was really something else. I’m glad you “enjoyed” it!!
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👀😉
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Comi did a great job of capturing emotion in that painting, Patti. Especially in the eyes. I see why you admire her work!
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Hi, Siobhan. I totally agree with you! She really has captured the emotion. That’s why I love her work! 😀. Have a good week, too.
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Great pics, Patti 👏 The eye in the ring is a bit freaky though 😂😂😂
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Um…I’d say very freaky!!! But I love the weirdness of it!! Thanks, Jez.
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Great series, Patti! It takes special observation to capture them in photo. I love the artwork. The b&w image is stunning.
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Thanks so much, Amy. 😀. They’re my favorite reflections. I hope you had a good trip!
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It was a nice escape from the TX heat. 🌞
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