Upstairs Downtown

I've been gushing over the fabulous architectural details of the old Florentine Building ( 1926) on 21st Street for 7 years. The upstairs has finally been renovated as a new event venue, for which our city is so gratelful.  There was a grand opening event last night. How wonderful to see the lights on upstairs after so many decades!  I took this shot as I was leaving. Another landmark saved.

Roll 'em

One thing I've learned as I have photographed many artists' studios over these last 6 1/2 years, expect the unexpected. Artist Kevin Irwin's workspace was one delight after another. Today......proof.

Black and White

A group of local nuns out enjoying a stroll in the Botanical Gardens in better weather.

Photo Homework

I am leading a book study of Chris Orwig's terrific book, Visual Poetry, at Independent Presbyterian Church right now. I'm also a participant. At the end of most of his chapters, Chris lists some fun yet challenging assignments. I'm all in with the other class members, so this week I chose "photographing a number of people with the same object." I grabbed my Tour Eiffel rouge and yesterday I visited Advent Episcopal School. French teacher Anne Barton kindly offered her 7th grade class. Granddaughter Eva is in that class, so I knew her classmates would be fun and willing subjects. I thought I'd share a few, although every single student was creative and fun to photograph, as well as their teacher!

 

Since 1871

Oak Hill Cemetery was Birmingham's first city cemetery.  Most of the city's pioneers are buried here. The record of burials is still intact since that time and is a fascinating read. If you are lucky enough to run into the cemetery's director, Stuart Oates, you might get to thumb through it.

Urban Shadows

I was killing time near the 24th Street viaduct last week waiting for a friend, and decided to take a walk up. There you go, some nice shadows just waiting on me.

Earth Angels

Birmingham artist Barbara Morgan festooned her Christmas tree with these handmade angels she created from treasures she finds on her walks throughout the year.  Recently we had lunch at her home and she let us choose one to take home!

Fog Encore

I know it's a repeat of sorts,  but we have had soooo much dreary weather of late, and today on my way home from work, the fog in Forest Park made me stop, get out and shoot with my phone!

Looks Are Deceiving

They do look a bit creepy but actually these stairs lead up to Kevin Irwin's art studio we visited yesterday. This building was constructed in 1890 and they have kept it in it's original state for the most part.

Color Explosion!

Oh yesterday was a very good photo day. I met my talented photographer friend Kimberly Wilson at Kevin Irwin's art studio. Kevin is a MULTI talented artist. Where to begin: ceramic artist, painter, glass blower, and jewelry maker, and it's all there in one fabulous old building. This was Kimberly's first visit but she is the proud owner of some of Kevin's pieces so she was thrilled to meet her. Kevin's a neighbor and I dearly love her and her work.

Today I feature the glass rods she uses in her bead and jewelry making. I'm including another photo of some finished pieces along with one of her whimsical cats that I dearly love. Not to worry, we'll be back!

Still Beautiful After All These Years

 Built in 1925 by Richard Massey, this 10 story building on the corner of 3rd Avenue North and 21st Street is still one of my favorite downtown buildings. Renovated in 1988, it houses attorney offices.

College Bound

These college and university pennants hang along the Senior hall at Vestavia High School. A colorful reminder that for most of these students, college is their next big step.

In the Artist's Studio

I am so very blessed to have such talented friends all around me.  Last week I had lunch with very special friends at the home of our friend Barbara Morgan.  We started in  her fabulous basement studio. I could live there. I had fun as always taking pictures, then we adjourned to the dining room for lunch and laughter and fellowship.  Barbara is a painter, a photographer and does so many more creative things I'm in awe. Today her brushes. I have more.

Sunday Church Series - Centreville, AL

This is the First Presbyterian Church in Centreville, Alabama. I love small town churches. Simple but beautiful.

Faceless Portraits I - The Artist's Hands

In just one week, I've had a discussion about "faceless portraits" with my Visual Poetry class, with portrait artist Dawn Whitelaw at Portraits, Inc. and then my friend Janet Ort sent me a link to Inside National Geographic's site that invites photographers to post their photos on particular themes.  This week, Faceless Portraits, was one of the topics. I entered this photograph taken a few years ago at the Pepper Place. These are the hands of Alabama outsider artist Lonnie Holly. I believe this qualifies as a portrait of this man. I plan to let this be the first in a series on this theme.

I've always been a firm believer that a portrait does not require a face. I've had fellow photographers take issue with this but I'm holding fast. I welcome your thoughts.

FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

I am pleased to announce that I am now partnering with Vestavia Hills United Methodist's Conservatory of the Arts, and will teach my basic photography course beginning Thursday, February 5th, from 6-8 p.m. The course fee is $165 and all classes are taught at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

This fun, five week course is designed for amateur photographers who want to improve the quality of their photos.  All that is needed is working knowledge of your digital camera. For more information regarding the class, click HERE.

Paint Art

During a visit to Wade Sand and Gravel last fall, I was fascinated (obsessed?) by this beautiful aging paint on what looked like an old water tower. Seen through my lens, an abstract painting. I fear for some of you, it's more like watching paint dry. We all see things in a different way, and that is what I love about photography.

FROM SNAPSHOTS TO PHOTOGRAPHS

I am pleased to announce that I am now partnering with Vestavia Hills United Methodist's Conservatory of the Arts, and will teach my basic photography course beginning Thursday, February 5th, from 6-8 p.m. The course fee is $165 and all classes are taught at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church.

This fun, five week course is designed for amateur photographers who want to improve the quality of their photos.  All that is needed is working knowledge of your digital camera. For more information regarding the class, click HERE.

Leftovers

Those squirrels, nobody ever clears the table after lunch.

Meet Us Under The Clock

 

If you grew up in my era, the 60's, under the clock at Loveman's department store was a meeting place on  Saturdays for lunch and a movie. Built in 1890, thanfully it still stands in downtown Birmingham as a part of the McWane Science Center. Grateful it's still part of Birmingham life.

Two Friends And A Book

A sweet, quiet moment in this kindergarten class at Independent Presbyterian Day School yesterday. I love my time there.

Kid's Eye View

Taken from the playground at Railroad Park, this is a nice view of downtown Birmingham.

Sunday Church Series - 16th Avenue Baptist Church

On September 15, 1963, this church was bombed by Ku Klux Klan members killing four little girls. This was taken from Kelly Ingram Park. It shows Elizabeth MacQueen's powerful Four Spirits sculpture with the church in the background.

Making Tracks

Downtown Birmingham viaduct

Since 1927...

the glamorous light fixtures in the Historic Alabama Theatre have been lighting the Showplace of the South. A treasure!

It's Hard To Get Good Help These Days

They are always whining for a scratch behind the ears.  These two "guard" dogs, and I use that term loosely, are eager employees at What's On 2nd?

Whatever Happened....

to chalkboards?  High tech learning going on in Vestavia Hills and a lot of other classrooms in this city.

Covering Up!

 

Here in Birmingham, we don't get a lot of hard winter freezes, but we do get the occasional snow dump or as expected this week, some below freezing temps at night.  This sweet cherub, who reigns over the Adams' garden fountain, is ready for the cold!

Alley Abstract

This old door in an alleyway off 20th Street North caused me to stop my car, jump out and take a quick shot.  My photographer friend Larry O. Gay says, "Art is where you find it." I listened.

BADP On The Road - First Presbyterian Church, Union Point, GA

The First Presbyterian Church in Union Point, Ga. built in 1898.

Under the Viaduct

Under the First Avenue North viaduct at Sloss Furnaces.

In 2015 Resolve To....

Kick your shoes off....

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty...

                                                              And CREATE!

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up."

Pablo Picasso

CDP Theme Day - Photo of the Year

Today is Theme Day for all of my City Daily Photo blog friends around the world. This month we were to choose our favorite photo of the year. This was a piece of cake. I posted this collage on World Down Syndrome Day, with all of my sweet little friends from the Bell Center, as they participated in the annual Bellrunners Run before the Mercedes Marathon. 

Click HERE to see the great photos chosen by my CDP blog friends!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I thank all of you for stopping by my blog and for the wonderful comments that you leave. I hope you will come by often in 2015.