BOO!

Eager to get the party started!

The Fairy and The Spectators

 

There were a gaggle of ghosts, goblins, fairies and super heroes at the IPC Day School's Halloween Parade yesterday. The 4 and 5 year olds paraded round and around the playground to the delight of the younger kiddos and a flock of proud parents and grandparents!

And Mario

Leaf

Yesterday, I was at Kelly Ingram Park again, photographing Elizabeth MacQueen's marvelous THE FOUR SPIRITS for her. This single leaf caught my eye blown between the two bronze shoes.

Spiraling!

This stairway leads to a fabulous skylight atop the new Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children. It is one of many amazing healing places in Birmingham.

And The Winner Is........

Yesterday I watched a study in cooperative decision making, well sort of.  Two classes of two year olds at Independent Presbyterian's Day School went out to the courtyard and surveyed the pumpkins on the lawn. This wasn't a "choose your own cool pumpkin" event.  No, it was choose our class pumpkin.  There were many who found their fav but these three boys gave it some serious thought, along with some thumping to make sure it was a good one. This was their choice.  I'm happy to report that there were no tears involved. A lovely lesson learned.

A Closer Look

As you may have read on yesterday's post, I visited Railroad Park on Saturday to photograph the monks who were in town for the Dalai Lama's visit to Birmingham.  Since Wednesday they had been about the work of creating a mandala, from crushed marble in an enclosed tent there at the pavilion. The process appears to be tedious and painstaking but one monk explained that the pattern is part of their prayers so it's far more than creating a piece of temporary art.  Yes, it is temporary. Today at 5:00 , there will be a ceremony where the sand will be swept up, shared with those in attendance and the rest released into a body of water.

Welcome

This weekend, the city of Birmingham welcomes the 14th Dalai Lama.  Yesterday, I was fortunate to visit and photograph the monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in Mundgod, India.  The are creating an amazing mandala of colored crushed marble at Railroad Park. On Monday afternoon, they will give some
of the sands to visitors and then as is their tradition, they will release the rest of this beautiful creation into a water source. 

Being able to meet and interact with them was such a wonderful experience for me. They were so kind to explain the process. Such gentle souls.  I look forward to hearing from those who get to hear the Dalai Lama today.  A very very special time for our city.

Tomorrow, a closer look.

One Week Till Halloween...

and not one single pumpkin photo.  Well I can take care of that!  More where that came from.

Under the Red Umbrella

Here in the Deep South, autumn takes its sweet time getting here. We like it that way. Yesterday I sat under the Adams' red umbrella in the still warm October sun and admired their gorgeous garden. The Mexican sunflowers are glorious right now. They will die out soon and make way for the  autumn leaves to put on their show.  Everything has its own season.

A Lucky Boy

Meet Henry.  Henry is a very lucky boy. Thanks to Adopt A Golden Birmingham, he has found his forever home with a very, very, very loving family.  I sat in the grass and photographed Henry yesterday.  I brought treats. He loved me!

Meet the Artist, Brad Morton

Those of you who have followed this blog since 2008, might just remember the first time I posted  Brad Morton's work right HERE.  This installation at St. Vincent's Hospital, has always been a favorite of mine.  As I shared on yesterday's post, I was lucky to revisit Brad's studio last week.

Here, he's working in clay, the first of a very long process on its way to a magnificent bronze piece. I hope I'll be able to check back and share more photos as this piece comes to life.

Thank you Brad, for sharing your creative talent with me and my readers.

Artist's Smocks

I had some big fun on Friday afternoon.  Birmingham metal sculptor Brad Morton invited me back to his studio on 1st Avenue South.  He took time out from his work to explain the long process of creating his wonderful bronze pieces.  At some point, he plays with fire, hence the gear on the wall.  He's promised that I can come back to photograph more steps of the process.  I can't wait!  Come back tomorrow and meet Brad himself.

Scoot!

The plaza at the entrance to Avondale Park is the perfect place to ride, skate or scoot!

Popular Pops!

Steel City Pops has taken Birmingham by storm.  Fans line up at events to buy these tasty "gourmet" popsicles. These aren't your ice cream wagon pops. They have taken this creamy treat to a whole new level. Flavors like Maple Bacon and Bourbon, Buttermilk, Poached Pear and so many more that change with the seasons make this one fast growing business.  For you folks in Dallas, there's a Steel City Pops in your town now as well!

Centerpiece

When you walk into the beautiful Alys Stephens Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, this Frank Fleming sculpture welcomes you.  I heard the marvelous Alabama Symphony there last Friday night.  This is the perfect venue for our outstanding orchestra!

Birds of a Feather

 One of the key attractions at Saturday's Art in Avondale Park had to be the Birmingham Parrot Rescue booth. Stan and Steff Davis have been doing this for three years and brought these and many more birds to delight the youngsters and adults as well. Their booth was swamped for the entire art show and I never saw them even sit down for a break. They are passionate about what they do!

First Touch of Fall

Fall takes its time coming to Birmingham.  Last Saturday, I found a few signs at Avondale Park.

Duck, Duck, Goose!

Avondale Park's pond is a kid magnet. Who can resist feeding the ducks, even when there's a big art show going on all around you!

Dog Tired!

After working all day at the very successful Art in Avondale Park, I knew just how this sweet pup felt.  Look at those paws, this baby won't be hanging over his mom's shoulder much longer! #ilovegoldens

Proud Grandpa

When of the best parts of spending the day at Art in Avondale Park is people watching.  This very proud granddaddy was thrilled to show off his precious 15th grandchild!

Art In Avondale Park - Today's the Day!!!

Make Good Art - See Good Art - Buy Good Art!

ART IN AVONDALE PARK 

10-4

Art In Avondale Park - Fun Clowns and Face Painting!

 

 

Art for the grownups and the kids but also music, dancing, face painting and clowns for the kiddos! 

Saturday, October 11th 

10:00-4:30

Avondale Park

Art In Avondale Park - The Countdown Begins!

CALLING ALL BUDDING ARTISTS!

For several years, I've had the pleasure of serving on the planning committee for Art In Avondale Park with a small but dedicated group that loves our community and is dedicated to putting on an art event that focuses on children, giving them many great opportunities to create and also raise money for the art program at Avondale Elementary our neighboring school.  Thanks to the many wonderful artists and non profit groups, it's always a success for our city and especially our neighborhood. For the next two days, I will be featuring photos from past events.

ART IN AVONDALE PARK

OCTOBER 11th 

10:00 A.M.

Chalk It Up

Even outside Space One Eleven, the space beneath their windows is put to good use by budding artists!

SPACE ONE ELEVEN

2409 2nd Avenue North

Birmingham, AL 35203

Dusk

The old City Federal Building, Birmingham's first "skyscraper"in 1913, has found a new life as downtown condos. Thankfully, the left the beautiful façade in tact. 

Happy Sticks

One of the many things I love about visiting Sweet Peas Garden Shop in Homewood is their creative way with color. They painted this bamboo fence along the back of the gardens these wild and crazy colors. See what I mean?

Shards

Saving shards, the sign of a serious gardener.

The Last Lotus

From a friend's beautiful koi pond.  Thank you Jason and Robert for the wonderful home tour!

Tools of the Trade

 For a beekeeper.

Stewart Perry Construction's wonderful LEED certified facility is home to some happy bees as well!

Throwback Thursday - Stay Tuned

Back in the day, I would have tuned in WSGN or WVOK!  Thank you Becky Denny for letting me photograph these treasures!

CDP Theme Day - Motion

Trying to capture tiny ballerinas in action.... what fun!

Today my City Daily Photo blog friends around the world are posting their take on MOTION, our October theme. Please click HERE and have a look!