zen of an american road trip / September 15, 2011 by admin

Taking a road trip is one of my favorite things in the world. I'm sure it harkens back to the days of my childhood when my family would pack up the station wagon and journey through America. With my father's career as a Navel Officer, we did our share of long distance road travels every couple of years, in addition to our countless summer vacations of camping. I have vivid memories of viewing the country from the backseat of Dad's authentic Detroit made automobiles, especially his 1968 turquoise Gran Torino. With the windows rolled down and the wind whipping in a little faster than the posted highway speed, it was spectacular.

We made the 4000 mile plus drive across the entire United States from coast to coast at least four times, including a 1300 mile jaunt along the Alaska Highway, back when it was just a two-lane gravel and dirt road and long before there was ever a thought of paving it. We reached our destination late that summer in Anchorage searching for the ferry departure to Kodiak and for a carwash to remove the heavy coating of red clay covering Dad's Ford.

Seeing America from the road has always been a Zen like experience for me. I find a centering peace in the miles of memory, beauty, and the numerous hand painted signs for Mom and Pop type stores that read "just ahead".

business of art and pez / September 13, 2011 by admin

In preparation for this weekend's 43rd Street Festival of the Arts, I recently placed the order for my new business cards. With all the advancement of technology and the addition of social media, there's a good bit more text than there use to be these things.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the best damn art show in Richmond. Period! It's a day filled with fine food, fine music, fine art and fine folks. Come get your culture on and be sure to stop by to take a look at what I've been doing creatively. If your one of those kind that needs even more incentive than all the above goodness, …yes, I'll be giving away Pez dispensers while they last.

Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011
10-5
Forest Hill and 43rd Street.

Come see me. I'll have a free 2" x 3.5" limited edition print waiting for you.

9.11.11 a good morning and a goodbye / September 11, 2011 by admin

On a day that marks the ten year anniversary of such horrific memories of hatred and loss, I found myself waking to this remarkable view. No radio, television, telephones, or headlines were able to interfere with the beauty of another morning. I was surrounded by peace.

After spending the week with my cameras and my thoughts during most of the days, I'll spend this morning packing my suitcase with dirty laundry and the enormous amount of sincere life that surrounded me for seven days. This place is mind healthy and always reconnects me. Im not sure that I could honor this date in any better place, either on earth or in spirit.

Good morning and goodbye mean the same thing today. Hatred does not exist here.

kissing a painted sky and paint bank / September 8, 2011 by admin

Following an early morning lead, yesterday sent me on a road trip to Paint Bank,Virginia located in the southwestern region of Virginia on Potts Mountain, just five miles from the WestVirginia border. The day was beautiful and my roadtrip equaled that along the stunning scenic two lane Virginia route 311. I can't recall ever having driven more S turns than I did through theJefferson National Forest. The vistas were gorgeous and I seemed close enoughat times to reach out and kiss the few clouds that painted the sky.

The day was a path of basics - core places, people, and moments of real lifeof real America. I received a genuine hello with sincere waves as I drove past two young mothers at a rural bus stop, waiting for their children to arrive homefrom school. I passed a field lit up from the sun. Sitting behind the harvestwas a pale yellow barn in the distance with an American flag covering theentire façade. The aromas of freshly cut grass filled the air along severalmiles, and the few General Stores I did pass were tidy, welcoming, andunlittered from excessive commercialism.

Nearly an hour after exiting I-81, I found myself approaching a 35 MPHzone. The square green sign with white letters read PAINT BANK. Less than halfa mile ahead, just past the Volunteer Fire Department, was the crossroads at route 608 were the Paint Bank General Store and the Depot Lodge share theintersection and all of downtown Paint Bank. I was greeted by hospitality in person, listened to authentic local music, snapped more than a few pictures, and made a new friend named Jeremy.

There are days when life is just beyond rich. I'm thankful for those kind of days.

order of something else / September 8, 2011 by admin

Today’s barely begun and it’s already been a journey. Aftersleeping in until nearly 7AM, which I never do, I jumped from the bed and rushed to the marina with hope of catching thesunrise. And all before a cup of coffee, breakfast, or even a toothbrush. There’dbe time for that after spending a few minutes on the water with my cameras,waiting for the sun to peek overtop of the trees along the lakefront. Thismorning wasn’t to be that day though. The light cloud cover diffused themorning light. Something else was in order. As I sat along the shoreline, thestillness of the water was interrupted by the synchronized swimming of sixducks. Back and forth they swam before finally making their land entrance 20 yards from where I sat. They soon, unlike me, beganenjoying their breakfast along the bank.

After returning to the cabin, the sunlight made an incredibleentrance on the day while I enjoyed breakfast, several cups of coffee, and finallymy toothbrush. There was no music or television, just the sunlight making long shadows across the room as the chirping chorus of crickets and songbirds created the soundtrack. The day was amazingly glorious.

After speaking with a Ranger this morning, I've decided to follow the lead and head out on a fieldtrip with my camerasand a winding roadtrip to Paint Back, Virginia, just east of the West Virginiaborder. Life is about now and according to my wristwatch, I'm running a little behind.

the promise of a morning look / September 6, 2011 by admin

After three days of deluge while tropical storm Lee made his way along I-81, I waited with a cup of coffee for the sun to rise and to see what the morning would bring. Most days, life is worth waiting for. I believe my cameras and I have a date today. More will follow after I warm my coffee.

truths of a late night / September 6, 2011 by admin

Being truthful demands persistence. It sits rightthere next to credibility. Honesty. It’s a willingness to act on what you meanby also relaying the information as factual. Truth. My second grade historybook told me of George Washington becoming president because of his truthfulnature. Makes me wonder if he'd lied about that cherry tree gig if we'd have adifferent face on our one-dollar bill.

Confessions are rewarding and like Mr. Washington, I too cannot tell a lie.Late, late last night I spent just a few minutes standing all by myself at thekitchen counter with a spoon in one hand and a pint of Ben and Jerry's in theother. No chair. No television playing in the background, just the florescentlight and myself as the rain made its presence on the kitchen window. The clockread 2:11 while I slowly and carefully guided the spoon along the edge if the containerfor another pass. As a man on a regimented diet and Zocor, I wasn't really being unfaithful. Iwas simply being truthful to Ben and Jerry's Late Night Snack packaging. I also happened to be on vacation. The clock ticked. I held my ground and the container before going in for onefinal pass before heading to a pillow and a nap.

I like telling the truth. It helps to tell my story rather than telling someone else's.

casting days / September 5, 2011 by admin

Fishing holes and calendar days are incredibly similar. Despite having a plan for either, the events of the experience are never really certain. There have been days where I exceeded my daily limit before 9AM. Others weren't as rewarding and I've even lost my bobber on some. The splendor of days is that I can always cast my line again tomorrow.

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