Progress

There has been an eyesore of a building that must have offended many who approached Cleveland from the west on the interstate system. Just as you head over the I-90 Cuyahoga River bridge was an eight- or nine-story building, on the left, known to me only as the Cold Storage building.

It’s been vacant for at least ten years, and was only used as a billboard that offered drivers immense advertisements. Probably the only reason the building lasted as long as it did, as I’m sure it was vacant.

So progress deemed that it had to come down to make way for the new multi-lane span over the river.

It’s down now, and because of that, offers drivers and passengers and rather nice view of the Cleveland skyline.

I went over there a few weeks ago to see if there was a photo to be made. This image was made with the pinhole camera sitting atop a chain link fence while I stand on a Jersey barrier. Progress, indeed.

Blue comfort

Life is full of surprises. Over the last three weeks some of those surprises have kept me on the run. Running up the mileage.

But as glum as some tasks are, some of that mileage comes over the blue highways, the same ones that William Least Heat-Moon wrote about. At every opportunity on a trip, I get off the interstate. Always have, always will.

Click to view larger image.So on July first I found myself in Mayville, N.Y., at their Lakeside Park, conveniently located across the street from Boxcar Barneys Ice Cream shop.

It was there I coerced the teenage servers to attempt their first root beer shake. Yes, shake, not float. I’ve had a yen for them since childhood. And surprisingly, it was pretty good, just a bit off on the syrup/ice cream ratio.

The little lakeside park was a slice of Americana with families picnicking, casual sunbathers, kids building a mud sluice and even a scaled down paddleboat cruising the lake (Chautauqua). It felt so 1950’s and was a comfortable moment.

Boston Mills, Day One

Report after Day One of the Boston Mills (OH) Artfest.

Disappointing crowds, I’m told, by those who have exhibited here the last few years. The forecast was for Sunny and 76 degrees. In real life it was 64 degrees and overcast. Throw in a little mist now and then.

Sales matched the crowd. If compliments were five-dollar bills it would have been a great day. But as I’ve said, I’m still trying to figure it out.

For instance, my booth is the second one you see when you come in the main entrance. Last night it was opposite the wine tent. Primo spot, right? But then I got to thinking that what was happening was that as people came in, they stopped by mine almost first. But with 148 more artists to view and despite their best intentions of coming back for a purchase (because you don’t want to lug it around the whole time), the memory was gone … or, they had already spent their target amount. I don’t know, just a theory.

But what did seem to sell, was anything on a stick. So I’m working on the “photo on a stick” idea.

I in no way mean to disparage any artist who produces utilitarian garden items. I have some in my yard. They are lovely. I wish I could do that.

The couple next to me produces extraordinary pottery. They are from New Mexico. This is the fourth out of five weekends they have been out, heading to Colorado next weekend, then home. They are veterans of the national circuit. His advice, “hang in there, dude.”

But seriously, it was very well run, good music, great people, interesting conversations and more notes on how to make this better. 

Just wishin'

In my pursuit to be a legitimate "art" photographer, I have considered many routes. One of them being a recurring, personal theme , that since I'm an artist, I should at least own a beret.

My wife tells me that a beret involves divorce. So that's out.

But still, I wish I had the unassuming posture as a man to wear a hat like this. He's wearing it proud. I would be hesitant. I should learn from this.