AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION

Seriously now! Do you really need another reason NOT to pick-up hitchhikers?

MUCH ADO ...

Think Romeo and Juliet the first time they laid eyes on one another;lightning bolts, a heavenly choir, magic. That is what it was like for this young couple. When it's right, it's right. The stars aligned and it happened. Harmony in the universe, they have found one another. Life is good!

THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA

Tall, and tan, and young and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking and when she passes, each one she passes goes - ahh. Ooh but I watch her so sadly, how can I tell her I love her, yes I would give my heart gladly, but each day, when she walks to the sea she looks straight ahead, not at me.

Tall, and tan, and young, and lovely, the girl from Ipanema goes walking and when she passes, I smile - but she doesn't see, she just doesn't see, she doesn't see.

DESDEMONA LISA

Many masterpieces required countless hours to reach that which we admire so much. Have you ever wondered if there were different versions? Perhaps, something different the artist rejected. The above works by some very famous artists demonstrate this point. Each is close to the art we have come to admire. Then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and each of these ladies is holding beauty.

LATE FOR HIS TEE TIME

This was one of my favorite booths at the Art Fair. I especially like the first guy riding a bike carrying balloons and a golf bag. Another case of art imitating life. The other pieces are interesting, as well, but no golf bags. A big thank you goes out to Tricia @ Bluff Area Daily for bestowing me with The Sunshine Award. You are all invited to the banquet;my treat.

YOU NEED MORE SUNBLOCK

You never know who you will run into or who you will meet at one of these art fairs. The couple above met and instantly knew they had much in common. They asked me to take a picture for posterity. I was only too happy to oblige. Good looking couple, don't you think?

TWO BY TWO

You never know what you are going to see at an art fair. You expect to see art, of course, but not a circus. I found this particular herd of various species grazing contentedly;just minding their own business. A short while later, I encountered a man who appeared to be rather agitated. I inquired as to why on such a beautiful morning would he be so. He said his name was Noah and something about something missing from his ship.

SEE FOOD OR SEAFOOD ?

I saw this unusual table at the Art Show. I was struck by how unique and original it was. I could see it in a beach house or a seafood restaurant. The question is, can you see it in your home?

ANYTHING FOR ART'S SAKE

There was a huge art fair last weekend in the downtown area. There will be shots from time to time of various works that I was able to take. It seems that artists don't like to have their works photographed. The artist pictured above took great umbrage at my shooting. He looked extremely agitated and tried to give me the evil eye. Apparently, I made him so angry his hair stood up. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to get some quality shots. It is very hard to focus when you are being chased by a mob of angry artists. They couldn't scare me. After all, I drive a Yugo.

WHO ARE MEG AND ESSER, ANYWAY?

While I am certainly no fan of graffiti, there is something about this otherwise nondescript side of a building. It is located in a rather unsavory part of town. Maybe it's the bars on the windows that give it away. I usually go exploring in my Yugo in pursuit of photos for this blog. Occasionally that endeavor involves the other side of the tracks. Neither rain, nor sleet, or the countless people that chased me, shall deter me from my chosen task. Perhaps next week, we will focus on murals in a better part of town. Enjoy your weekend.

MANY DIFFERENT FISH IN THE SEA

I'm not sure this qualifies as a mural or art. I'm always suspicious of so called art that I am capable of doing. I never knew what type of establishment this catered to until after I looked at this photo;not that there is any thing wrong with it. I do like the fish, although I have never seen any with such large eyes.

I'D HATE TO HAVE TO POLISH IT

ThiS interesting piece of art adorns the front of a Community College in the downtown area. It is titled "PEACE." The artist's name is Leonardo Neirman. I don't know anything more about the artist or his work. I do like it and find it to be very, Twenty-First Century.

RIDE 'EM

I am aware that some art can seem strange to those of us who aren't artists. The above work, for example, is a case in point. It is a boy sitting on a fish sitting on a serpent. Maybe this piece imitates life. I can say with certainty, I have never seen anything like this in my life. Boys in my neighborhood simply do not ride fish. I can safely say that our local fish do not ride serpents. I am pretty sure this piece is a poor copy of the original from somewhere in Europe. Rumor has it, their fish are more athletic than ours. Mystery solved!

BONEFISH GRILL

Any guesses where this piece of art was hanging? There is a prize to the person that guesses correctly. Fish Market? No! Sushi Restaurant? No! Bait and Tackle Shop? Wrong again! Give up? It was adorning the building housing a furniture store. It housed a motorcycle shop before the furniture store took over. Now that I can see.

I'LL MEET YOU BY THE RED CHAIR

I am confused when looking at some modern art. Take the above piece which resides in front of a downtown office building. It is Modern, obviously not part of the 16th, 17th, or even the 18th or 19th centuries. One look tells you it is somewhere between one month and 10 years old. Kind of makes you wonder what people will think of it and similar pieces in the not too distant future. Just down the street, is a wonderful exhibition of Norman Rockwell's works. I think I may rest in this chair before heading down to see it.;if I can just find the missing cushion.

REAL STREET ART

It is more than amazing the things you can see if you just open your eyes. While taking a walk the other day, we happened to look down on the path and found this beautiful chalk drawing. I'm sure it took some effort and time to create. The elements will combine to afford it a brief life. The artist was aware of it. And yet, here it is;preserved forever in digital memory banks. While it may not be of museum quality, it sure gave rise to many different thoughts and emotions within me. Art really is all around us;in museums, galleries, nature, and right below our feet.

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST

I saw this piece of art at a street fair awhile back. I didn't think much of it at first. But, it began to grow on me. I've come to appreciate the expression on her face, the position of her outstretched arm, and the angle of her head. She's an artist gazing at life passing in front of her and getting her inspiration. It's a nice piece. What do you see?

SCHOOLS OUT

These two fish stand guard at the Boyer Glassworks Studio and Gallery. It is their job to watch over the area, tell a few jokes and alert people when their parking meters are about to expire. The shop is owned by Harry and Kathleen Boyer. He creates beautiful pieces of handblown glass many of which are one of a kind creations acquired by collectors and discriminating buyers. It is fascinating to stop by and watch Harry create marvelous things from molten glass. If you are ever in the area stop by, but you may want to bring a sardine and extra change for the meter. The fish will thank you for it.

SOUNDS OF SILENCE

We attended an art show the other day at Nub's Nob. It is a ski resort located just outside Harbor Springs, Michigan. While walking around, gazing at the various booths, I came across these two gentlemen who were taking a break. I sat down and attempted to strike up a conversation. I inquired about their dog, commented on the weather;nothing. Not a single response. The dog even ignored me. These two guys were rather stiff and very poor conversationalists. At least the art show was interesting.

BASS IN THE BLENDER

Modern art can be thought provoking, quizzical, and a whole host of other words. It can be considered good or bad or like this. This particular piece is certainly "outside the box." It did not  have a title or a name attached to it. I can't come up with one either. If you can, please let me know.