Gallery Cat

Casey lives at this loft on 1st Avenue North and he was a wonderful  host for those stopping in last night for the first of the two day ARTWALK.  Photographer's John DeMotte's work is featured here.  We loved his work!  ARTWALK resumes today from 12 -5. Don't miss it.

Art Walk Reflection

My friend and talented Birmingham photographer Karim Shamsi Basha reflected in a doorway at Art Walk last fall. I was taking a class from Karim, and as we wandered Morris Avenue in search of photographs, I caught the photographer himself!

The Faces of Artwalk

Stranger # 96

What a great smile, and love the hair!

Java remembered me from our chat at the 2008 Artwalk. We had a

good visit, and of course I had to take a photo of my friend while he painted right there on the street.

Let's be honest here. I am as busy as you are, and when I perused my photo stash, there was just nothing current to post. OH NO POUTING NOW...... I dug around and found three nice portraits I took last September at Birmingham's terrific ARTWALK! It all worked out and look, you get to meet one new stranger, one bagpipe player and say hello again to our artist friend Java Lewis. I promise to take my camera with me tomorrow. Fair warning, you might get some shots from inside the Apple Store or Target or....... the mess, I mean the wrapping station in my basement. HO HO HO!!!

The bagpipe player was in conversation so I quietly took her photo.

Frick and Frack

Several weeks ago I walked all over the loft district of Birmingham for the annual Art Walk. I ran into these two pups with their owners in tow, everywhere I went. They just cracked me up. I named them Frick and Frack! Can't you just see the two of them working as a team to get out of the fence and then getting in all the garbage cans in the neighborhood? And yeah, I noticed their funky tongues too!

BLOG WORD A DAY

From Biz Stone's book Who Let the Blogs Out

Comment Spam: Noun. Unwanted comments promoting another site.

Larry Gay, BADP Guest Photographer

Well meet my new friend Larry Gay. I met Larry at Art Walk last Saturday. Come to find out he's a Birmingham photographer AND a follower of my blog. We had a great time chatting, and I might add Larry has one very large, very fine lens! ( I'm a little jealous). He sent me some of his Art Walk photos and I decided to take the day off, prop my feet up, and let Larry take over today. Take it away......Larry!

Oh don't forget to check out his website!

Creative Kids Show Their Stuff

This past weekend was Birmingham's Art Walk. Artists were tucked in every nook and cranny of the downtown loft district. At Space One Eleven, I fell in love with these colorful wind socks created by students that benefit from their terrific program for Birmingham's youth.

Kate

Meet Kate Merritt Davis. She might look familiar because I featured her here as one of my 100 Strangers a while back.   I met her at Art Walk last fall and she and I have kept in touch.  Today, I visited Kate at her home/studio and not only had a nice cup of tea with her but got to snoop around and have a look at her work in progress.  I asked Kate how long she'd been painting and she laughed and said she'd been making art forever.  What a talented young artist she is.  How fortunate I am that this "stranger" has become a new friend!!  I'm saving my pennies.  There's an original Kate Merritt Davis in my future I hope!

*Kate's work is available on Etsy right here.

Our special thoughts and prayers are with our friend Steve Buser on he loss of his brother Ted this past week.

Skater's Paradise

I've noted that many of the CDP bloggers are experiencing a photo deficit.  I feel their pain.  I have been dumpster diving for photos for what seems like months.  Today's photo is from last fall's Art Walk.  This morning while doing a little "office cleaning ",  I found the business card of this artist so I can finally share this photo.  During Art Walk, artists were housed in various businesses, lofts and many on the streets of downtown Birmingham. Faith Skates, skateboard store was the perfect spot for Joseph Longoria's vibrant muscian portraits.  They have so much movement and energy they seem to jump right off the canvas.  I loved his Elvis against the backdrop of all the funky skateboards!   As a side note, I had never been in a skateboard store in my life.  I guess the kids have to buy them somewhere,  but I never gave it much thought! The brick walls were lined with all these colorful boards and there were shoes and wheels, and I guess everything you need in order to go out there and try and break your neck!

The Tune du Jour is "Don't Be Cruel" by Elvis of course!

Discover Elvis Presley!

Take My Hand

I didn't set out to collect grandfather/granddaughter street portraits, they just materialized right before my eyes and I couldn't resist.  The grandpa in the top photo was spending a lovely afternoon showing his granddaughter around the Birmingham Museum of Art.  The bottom photo was snapped while these two were enjoying Birmingham Art Walk together.  In order to capture the moment,  I had to compromise the quality of the shots a little.  In this instance,  a good trade off I think.

" Grandchildren don't stay young forever, which is a good because Pop-pops have only so many horsey rides in them."  Gene Perret  

The  Tune du Jour will be "The Forest Gump Theme" by Christopher Peacock

Space One Eleven - Creative Kids Welcome!

Thank heavens for places like Space One Eleven! This non-profit visual artists' organization does a lot of great things in our community.  Featured today are two examples of work produced from their City Center Art Program.  It offers a creative studio experience for children 6-18 from primarily area public housing. projects.  During Art Walk their windows were filled with the colorful work produced by some mighty creative kids. Space One Eleven is a place I will visit again soon.   Maybe they'll let me get some paint on my hands!

" Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

Picasso

The Tune du Jour is " Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" By  Carole King.

Artist in Bloom

Move over Leonardo, I saved the best for last.  This budding artist was creating her own masterpiece, and I was lucky enough to capture her in the act.  Is she adorable or what??

"Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

Pablo Picasso.

Today's Tune du Jour is "Clementine" by Pink Martini.

Capturing Birmingham, One Landmark at a Time

Meet Myron Pierre.  Myron is an extremely talented artist whose specialty is detailed drawings of Birmingham landmarks.  I have seen him over the years camped out in different areas of town drawing away.  Myron and I got to know each other several weeks ago in Five Points,  and as luck would have it, we met again at Art Walk!   What a delightful and gifted artist he is.  Can you imagine trying to draw, with chatty onlookers like me,  hanging over your shoulder?   If you are lucky enough to have a Pierre rendering , you my friend,  are lucky enough!

Tune du Jour is "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Rod Stewart. Pun intended.

A Watchful Eye

This past weekend the creative juices were flowing in downtown Birmingham.  The 7th  annual Art Walk started on Friday night and rolled thru Saturday.  I have to say it was the most fun I've had in a long time.  Artists and crafts people could be found in every nook  and cranny of the loft district.  Today's photo is one of those that you take,  and then when you get home you find the added element of surprise.  Note Leonardo da Vinci's subject giving this artist's drawing the eye!  The poster by the way, was advertising an upcoming exhibit featuring Leonardo da Vinci's  collection of drawings at the Birmingham Museum of Art.  It begins September 28th.   More Art Walk photos to come. 

The Tune du Jour is " I'll Be Seeing You" by Rod Stewart.