Al’s Rod Shop — part two

Stop! If you haven’t read yesterday’s post,  “Al’s Rod Shop,” you simply must visit HERE first.

Whew!  OK.  Now we can continue on this adventure!

For lack of knowing his real name, I’m going to call the truck owner “Al.”

Al and his wife just couldn’t figure out what I was doing shooting the rusty paint textures of the old truck.  I tried to explain my passion for abstract images and that I even SOLD my images.  Al just shook his head and told me to have fun. 

And have fun I DID!  Here are just a few of my favorites.

(As always, you may click each image to view larger.)

Check out the wild and crazy colors in this next one!

Al was surprised when I told him that I had a series of abstract rust images hanging in my home office.  Check out my gallery page.  Several of those are the ones I have framed and displayed at home!

While it IS possible to use these images as texture overlays, I really find them interesting as stand alone prints.  How about YOU?  Are YOU a fan of abstract art?

Al’s Rod Shop

“Coolsville, KY”

Yesterday my husband and I attended the Annual Street Rod Show in downtown Paducah.

No.  I’m not typically a street rod fan, but Jack does so much for me that I put on a happy face and tagged along with him. I’ve learned to take my camera and use this type of show as a photo op.  Being perfectly honest, however, we BOTH questioned whether we would get our “money’s worth” after paying the $5.00 “donation” each to get in to the show. 

While walking around, with camera in hand, I ran in to a former teaching colleague whose passionate interest in street rods was evident by the shirt he was wearing.

He and I had taught together for a number of years as well as played a lot of tennis together, but I had NEVER realized his interest in street rods.  He very enthusiastically talked about several of the cars.   BUT… his voiced got higher in pitch and he really got excited when he told me about the “Al’s Rod Shop” truck.

It sounded like MY kind of vehicle.  I anxiously wandered over to the direction he pointed.

Amid all of the souped up rods that sparkled and glistened in the sun was this “treasure.”  We probably spent two or three hours at the show — and nearly half of that I focused my attention on this truck.

As you can imagine, I’ve had a great time playing with post processing on these.

The texture on the above image was a photo of the leather from the interior of the truck.  The owner told me I could open the door and get inside.  I sank down in the super soft leather cushions.  The seats were made from an old sofa!

Speaking of opening doors…check out these door handles!

Hood ornaments are what I typically enjoy at street rod shows.  Check out this “hoody.”

And, often one usually admires the cool shapes of the front ends of vehicles.  The old ones are so smooth and elegant.

Oh, is that an International Harvester logo I see?  From a tractor?

The engine…

The gas tank…check out the stick behind the gas tank.  That is how the owner checks to see if he needs to “fill ‘er up.”

I stood up in the truck bed to photograph rust and noticed this bb hole in the glass.

I only talked briefly to the owner, so I don’t really know the whole story.  I suspect that he has put a whole lot more love, time, and energy into this vehicle that he would want one to realize; the vehicle has so much character.

I did learn, however, that his daughter is a graphic artist.  Knowing that, and seeing the character of the vehicle,  I’m choosing  to believe the family would get a “kick” out of my grungy processing of the photos.

Thanks, “Al’s Rod Shop” — and, more photos to follow!

And, YES…we got our “money’s worth!”

Houston — We Have A Problem

I talked with my daughter-in-law this morning and she relayed to me that my older grandson keeps checking my blog to see if there are any photos of him posted. For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you know that he was here visiting a couple of weeks ago.  And, of course I took a few snapshots while he was here.

This grandmother can’t disappoint her grandson.  If I post a few images of him, our dilemma will be solved and I’ll be back in his good graces.

Stamps – a favorite activity

.

.

Cupcakes.  YUM!

.

Building a birdhouse with Grandpa Jack

.

Not bad for a guy whose not yet five!

.

Hard at work, concentrating!

.

And, here’s one from one of our visits to Nashville where we enjoyed a soccer game.

Disclaimer:  This post is purely one to cater and/or indulge our older grandson’s wishes!  Remember…I don’t claim to be a “people photographer!”  Thanks for bearing with me.

The Daisy

“May you have as many virtues as this flower has petals.” ~ Language and Symbolism of Flowers

Giclee. What’s a Giclee?

Crooked Creek Gallery – Carthage, Ill

As many of you know, Carthage, Illinois is my home town.  While it is small in number of residents (less than 3,000) it is rich with talent!  I have ALWAYS been proud of my home town and the opportunities it has presented me over the years.

Growing up as a younster, I was fortunate to have some musical performance opportunities that were out of reach for many teens.  I won’t go in to that at this time — this is a photography blog.

Getting back to photography, Crooked Creek Gallery is home for Carthage artist, Terry Newell.

Terry and his family lived across the street from my family when we were children and  I’ve known Terry and his family all of my life.

When I began my photography adventure, Terry, and his wife Sue, were kind enough to allow me to feature some of my pieces in his gallery.  Crooked Creek Gallery really is for Terry’s work, and I have since removed my work from the gallery.  Terry’s resume, art work, and experience is extensive.  His personal web space can be found HERE.

During my last visit to Carthage, Terry and I had a long visit.  I asked him to review my “portfolio” and I was asking for some advice.  Our first brief conversation quickly lead to several meetings over the next few days.  And, before I knew it, Terry had convinced me that it was time to print a couple of giclees in signed and numbered limited editions.  Fortunately I had my computer and external hard drive with me and we were able to move forward right then and there!

He first had to talk to me about WHAT a giclee was.  I was aware of the term but knew little beyond that.

A few links for information about giclee.  One – Wikipedia Two – “About Giclee Prints” Three – “Giclee – Guide”

The  next step was the selecction of the piece to feature as a giclee print.  This was a challenge, indeed.  For several reasons, we finally decided on companion pieces that were shot at my Grandfather’s farm on a very foggy morning.

After Terry proofed, scanned, and printed the first pieces, he gave me a quick lesson on “Limited Edition Prints” including signing and numbering, Certificate of Authenticity, marketing, framing, etc.

He was able to print very quickly the images we selected at his home using his personal (and very expensive) printing setup.  The gallery is now framing the pieces and  I will pick them up on my next Illinois visit.

It’s very thrilling and rewarding to view one’s work LARGE.  And, it’s very thrilling and rewarding to have an artist of Terry’s stature express interest in one’s work as well as share his expertise and knowledge.

Thank you Terry.  Hopefully we’ll team up on more limited edition giclee prints!

For any interested — Terry can be reached at:

Crooked Creek Gallery & Atelier/Publishing

Terry Newell Artist/Owner

528 Wabash Ave PO Box 294

Carthage, Il 62321

suenewell at frontiernet.net

Phyllis’ Irises

While I was in Illinois visiting my father, I got up early one morning to shoot photos at my cousin’s place — often referred to as “The Timber.”  The light was glorious and the wind still.

Many of you have viewed images that I have made at her place before — such as here, here, and here.  She has many little “vignettes” up and down the long and winding lane which leads to their home.  This trip the irises were at their prime.

Often, as a thank you to friends or family, I will make note-cards and give them to the owner of a location I have photographed.  I think the individual irises that follow will be especially nice note cards for Phyllis.

Blogging friend, Anita Bower, has posted a beautiful “fine art” photo of an iris.  You might enjoy viewing it; it’s worth the “click” — click here.

I didn’t have the opportunity to work on any “fine art” photos during this trip to Illinois, but I do have some exciting “fine art” news that I will soon be sharing.  As they say, “Stay tuned!”

Backdoor Beauties

A few quick shots all taken yesterday within a few feet of my condo.  It’s amazing what one can find literally out one’s backdoor!

(As always, you may click to view larger.)

I want to welcome my Wolf, my blogging friend,  back after his recent sabbatical from blogging.  I will be adding his blog to my blog roll of favorites, but in the mean time you may click HERE to visit his “Enigma3 Photography” blog.

As is the case every six to eight weeks, I will be away from the computer for a few days.  Please exuse my absence from viewing and commenting on your blogs and know that I will get back in the swing of things soon!

Nearer the Goal

“Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer the goal.” ~Elbert Hubbard

Surrounded…

“Surrounded by the right sounds, we all can be invigorated, energized, and balanced.”
Dr. John Diamond

Discovery

“The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
~Marcel Proust