Revisiting the RxR Bridge Graffiti

Coop’s Work

It was early Saturday morning that I hiked through the muck, slid through the hole in fence with the “No Trespassing” sign and raced over the railroad track bridge to see what new graffiti was in progress. On our last trip in- I was accused of being a “cop”. I was wearing my sunglasses on my head and they were reflecting sun as I stood next to the bridge admiring the handy work of the graffiti artist. A gentlemen cautiously approached me, certain that I was with law enforcement. He was wearing a large backpack and was checking on the state of the street art on the bridge walls. What I learned that day is- there is a turf war going on among graffiti artist. If you are considered great and respected among your peers, you do not paint over anyones artwork. I had entered a new underground world of talent and by returning to the tracks I found a new war- this time they were after COOP. The warnings were strong and threatening. Whomever you are- they are out to get you. You have crossed the line, left your mark, and are now being watched. They say they know who you are “bitch”. See for yourself. Coop’s work is actually different and illustrates a new style in my mind.

Do Not Trespass

WARNING

SWAP is the man.

Cans of paint.

Meet my Neighbours at the pool

While living in South Carolina I met a photographer who was part of a large group of photographers’ looking in their own back yards for small critters. They not only could identify every bug in the state but all over the world. They are part of a group of international conservation photographers and anyone interested in checking out their- website here it is: http://meetyourneighbours.net/?doing_wp_cron=1369328764.8896501064300537109375. At this website you can find instructions on how to properly set up your lighting gear outside- to capture nice images of what you may find in your backyard.

So recently on a trip to Florida I began looking at the bushes. I only saw a few tiny lizards at first but upon a more intensive look at the green grass and the scrubs surrounding the pool, in the apartment complex, I spied these two interesting creatures. Both are natives and common, but the Florida Lizard was very large and I believe measured at least three feet in length.

Haunted by Polar Bear and NY Subway Doomed Man

There is still a lot of buzz on Linkedin about the role the photographer played in the NYC subway story, about the doomed man on the tracks. What do you do? Photograph, or save a life?

Here is the link to the story:

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/12/04/photograph-of-doomed-man-on-subway-tracks-sparks-outrage/

Reading the LinkedIn discussions gave me faith in mankind. I can only hope that if I need help someday one of these contributors is close by.

But… what does that have to do with a Polar Bear? Well, some time ago, while watching the polar bears swim in a pool at a zoo in St Paul, MN. (zoo now renovated to ensure safety) a women turned to me and said:

“What would you do if your daughter fell in? Would you jump right into the tank to rescue her? I would.”

This question has bothered me an entire lifetime. I had actually forgotten about it- until this story and image appeared on the cover of the New York Post. What does one do when faced with a horrible decision? As a photographer, I too was holding a camera while  holding onto my daughter-who was standing on a fence overlooking the bears-when I was asked this question. At the time, I was really angry that she even posed such a dreadful scenario. “Of course I’d jump in,” I said as I thought long and hard about being eaten by a polar bear. I wanted to scream at her for putting me on the spot. What a terrible decision to have to make.

This photographer probably acted on his instincts to just shoot. He will no doubt be haunted by the image-not only by the money he made from it but more so the reactions it brought.  I personally find it in poor taste on the part of the NY Post, and I sympathize with the photographer for being in that wrong place at that wrong time – even if he was looking for a story. The question I now ask myself, “Why didn’t he jump into the polar bear tank?” I think I know the answer.

Childhood Memories Series

New Artwork at Clever Hand Gallery, Wellesley, MA. Starting Thursday, January 17, 2013
My new photography images are black and white photographs printed on hand made paper and attached to artist panels. One of the two images, I embellished with oil pencils and pastels.

These two pieces are from my collection of childhood memories.

John Wilson at the Danforth Museum of Art, January 2013

It is a really gloomy day today here in Boston. Yet taking a short drive out to Framingham, Ma really lifted my spirits. The art work of John Wilson, a black man still working at age 90, has several watercolor and gouache works on paper in the museum. His work rivals anyone’s work hanging in the MOMA. The first wall on the left, I said “wow” these look like Picasso’s then it transitioned into Fernand Leger paintings. Leger was a French painter and sculptor whom I had written about and made art pieces like while in college. Our assignment was to copy a great artist.
This artist, John Wilson, really made my day. I especially fell in love with the large black portraits and the bronze head of Martin Luther King.
Well worth a visit to this museum

.John Wilson Danforth Museum

Can’t Sit Still new Klezmer CD

Today! In Worcester at the JCC, 633 Salisbury St, Worcester, MA Ok, I am really late in posting this. It’s the battle of the Klezmer Bands 2- 7PM

Biking in Savannah, Georgia. Where luck meets opportunity.

Sometimes I feel my heart beating when I see a photograph. While waiting for the light to change near Forsyth Park in Savannah- a young SCAD student stopped in front of me. Her look, the latest and most admired style in clothes, caught my eye. Her red jacket matched the waiting car and her beautiful red hair, neatly contained in a ponytail, clearly illustrated her sense of design. I was able to get off a couple of shots before the light changed.

 Finely dressed with heels matching her wheel guards.

 

 

 

Funny Guy and mom

Have you ever tried to get a shot of a mom with her very theatrical son?

Can’t stop a performer.

You just have to go with the flow and let him do his thing.

Cool Encaustic Clown Puzzle-Happy and Sad

The clown photo was taken in Brooklyn, NY many years ago, I believe on Atlantic Ave. He was in a window of an antique store. I made the image into an encaustic puzzle and all six pieces move.

Boston from the Fells Trail in Medford in August

This is a great place to take a hike. It’s located in Medford, MA. Here is a trail guide.

http://www.fells.org/Visit-Trails.html

The photo attached is the view from the Tower.

Hiking the Skyline Trail at the Fells.