Art & Whimsy

April 7, 2016 by LB

On our last full day of fun in Sarasota, we were able to take another long walk on the beach,

followed by opportunities to explore some of the downtown architecture, Farmer’s Market, restaurants, and street activity.

We also visited the Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy, where “part of the mission is to collect and preserve work of artistic and whimsical importance. Our collection is bright and colorful. The artwork will lift your spirits and, hopefully, inspire creative expression”. It was a bright, sunny day, and these images do not do justice to the colorful, metal works.

Take my word for it, our spirits were definitely lifted!

Before I knew it, the time had come to fly home. What an incredible 3 days! I’m grateful to have friends who value this tradition as much as I do!

Thanks for coming along with me on the adventure!

The ERA and the Art of Snow

February 15, 2016 by LB

I’m a day late for the Valentines Day love, but I’m right on time for the snow love.

Southwest Virginia is in the midst of another winter storm. So far, we’ve got 6 inches of unexpected snow, which is soon to be followed by an inch of ice, and I am missing the Equal Rights Amendment Rally at the State Capital. Did you realize that the ERA has STILL NOT, 100 years later, been ratified? I’m bummed about that and about missing the rally.

In an effort to keep a positive attitude, I decided to show the snow in a different way.

How ’bout a little Through the Screen photography?

Or even some Screen Art?

or the abstract Snow on Leaves?

Hang in there, my friends.

Vintage in the Garden

June 17, 2014 by LB

This past February, I posted photos of glass vintage airport runway lights found atop the posts of a garden fence. The cobalt blue lights offered a stunning contrast against the bright white snow. During a recent visit, I found another of these lights, this time in teal, gracing the railing of the front porch. In the post linked above, I labeled them Insulators, but was corrected and told they were runway lights. My Facebook friends are confident that this one is indeed an insulator.

Liz and Wilson have the most beautiful spaces within their garden. In addition to a variety of flowers, vegetables, and fruits, the garden is decorated with intriguing pieces of art and vintage items.

This last piece adornes the deer fencing that surrounds the blueberry bushes.

Liz and Wilson raise the concept of “yard art” to a whole new level.

Carport Art

November 19, 2013 by LB

Yep … just taking out the trash

Can you see the reflection of the tree in the remains of the puddle?

Now if only Liana would write some lovely words to go along with these images … or Joe to find a song

http://thehourofsoftlight.wordpress.com/

http://joeinfocus.wordpress.com/

It Just Made Me Happy

November 16, 2013 by LB

And happy is good these days!

Atlanta!

September 5, 2013 by LB

My friend Ruth and I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia this past weekend, the latest installment in our annual road trip to watch the Hokies. As avid Virginia Tech Football fans (and basketball fans, too, for that matter), we choose one away game to attend each year. We’ve traveled to Chapel Hill, NC; Huntington, WVa; Morgantown, WVa; and to Washington, DC and Atlanta twice. We try to find a town or place to explore along the way, and search out the historic downtown of any community we visit. This was our 5th year in a row, and our 7th road trip overall.

We posed for the traditional start of the trip photo and then hit the road!

The normal 6 1/2 hour trip turned into 9 due to a combination of Friday afternoon rush hour, labor day weekend, and football traffic. A stop in Kings Mountain, NC and dinner at the Cherokee Grill was just what we needed.

We finally saw the lights of Atlanta a little after 10pm. I was so excited about finally arriving that I attempted to take a picture … with my cell phone … while Ruth navigated the interstate at 65mph! This picture doesn’t reflect it, but the night skyline of Atlanta is beautiful!

The next day dawned hot and muggy, but we had plenty of time to explore a few of the neighborhoods of Atlanta while waiting for game time. Theresa, our host for the weekend, was an excellent tour guide.

Photography on a trip with friends is a bit of a challenge. How do you find time to shoot quality images while spending time with friends? I definitely want to document the trip but I don’t want to spend all my time behind the lens.

We explored the neighborhood near Emory University and had a delicious breakfast at the Rise-n-Dine.

Theresa drove us through the Krog Street Tunnel, which is known for it’s street art. I jumped out of the car and had less than a minute to shoot what the locals call their “living bulletin board and urban art gallery”.

The CNN Center and Olympic Park were both crawling with Tide and Hokie fans, although Virginia Tech fans were far outnumbered.

Virginia Tech met Alabama in the Georgia Dome, and while we did not beat the #1 team in College Football, our defense was outstanding. We held them to fewer yards and our offense gained more yards than most teams did in 2012.

Sunday morning came quickly and it was time to head back home. We briefly stopped in Spartanburg, SC and I wish we’d had more time to visit. The downtown area, while quiet for a Sunday, showed evidence of historic renovation and revitalization.

Loved this Urban Art installation called Artcycle.

The sun was bright at midday and the photos aren’t the best, but the artcycles were great!

Locally owned businesses have the most creative signage and curb appeal.

We were back in Radford in the late afternoon and had a short visit with friends who had gathered for labor day. A lovely way to end the weekend … even if we did miss the music.

Green Shoes at the Krog Street Tunnel

September 1, 2013 by LB

While in Atlanta this past weekend (watching my beloved Virginia Tech Hokies) my friend Ruth and I were given a tour of several local neighborhoods. Theresa, our friend and tour guide, was good to let me jump out of the car at various times to capture some of the flavor.

These shoes were hanging over the Krog Street Tunnel, which is known for it’s street art.

Locals call it “Atlanta’s living bulletin board and urban art gallery”.

More Photos from the Road soon!

Sidewalk Art: Would You Have Stopped to Shoot?

July 19, 2013 by LB

Well, maybe not art exactly. Just some oil on the sidewalk, made more colorful by the late afternoon light and the recent rain.

So … would you have stopped to take the shot?

Day 1 – Radford: A Home to Trains and Building Art

March 4, 2013 by LB

Why a post combining trains and building art? Mostly it’s about timing.

I am on the first night of a 7 night / 8 day, mostly business trip around Virginia. As I was trying to get out of Radford and head on down the road to Richmond, I was drawn to two scenes that I see almost on a daily basis. I’m not sure what made me stop to take pictures today, especially since I was already running late, but … have camera … well you know.

Trains and building art could easily fill several posts, but today, a few pictures will have to do.

Radford has been a railroad town since the 1850s when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad (later the Norfolk and Western Railway) came through. The population grew dramatically as did business, industry and education. Passenger rail service no longer exists in Radford, but the railroad through the city is still a major component of Norfolk Southern Railway’s Roanoke to Bristol route. As is typical of those who live in a railroad town, it is easy to become immune to the sound of the trains and their whistles as they pass through the city.

The structure pictured below sits right behind the railroad tracks. I am sorry to say that I do not know what it is … I was guessing a water tower. A quick FB call out to local Radford folks revealed that most agree, especially given it’s proximity to the rail yard. I’m hoping I can learn the date it was constructed and any other interesting bits of information as well. We’ve got some serious history buffs in our little city. I’ll pass on what I learn!

Since I posted this morning I have heard from several who tell me that the tower served to store water for use by the steam engines.

As buildings are renovated or unfortunately torn down (or fall down), art in the form of advertisements is often revealed. Radford, like many localities, has many more examples of building art than just those pictured here. These particular ads were revealed when the City of Radford took down an old partially burned out building (which even had a tree growing in it) and created a community courtyard. This lovely little area is now called Carson’s Courtyard.