Colorful Creative Covington, Kentucky

If you’ll remember from my post yesterday, I was walking around Covington, Kentucky, in the freezing cold, taking photographs and talking to shop owners.  These next two photos are from a candy store!  That wasn’t difficult to guess.  It’s hard to believe that Pez candies are now collectibles.  There’s something to be said for those people that collect and/or keep things for many years.  I’ve moved over 40 times in my life…so I’ve become an expert discarder of things!

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Photo Shopping in Covington, Kentucky

Yesterday, I explored Covington, Kentucky, which is located right across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio!  In the area called MainStrasse Village, I found princesses and fairies at Stoney’s Gifts, where the owner Sandi Stonebraker has created a magical shop.  She and I chatted for a while…about travel, art, and photography, but I forgot to ask her if she painted the paintings in the shop.  I believe she did!  They are whimsical and fun.

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Interesting Characters at the local Thrift Shop

In my quest to further develop my photographic skills, I went to the local Thrift Shop this week.  I met some interesting characters and thought you might like to meet them also.

This guy tried to joke around with me while I took his photograph.  I think his blue eyes are beautiful, but he may drink too much…look at his big red nose.

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Cheers to Art

Last night I went to a place called Cheers to Art in Madeira, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.  Initially I heard about it through the wine meetup I belong to.  They had a private party there.  It’s a place to let your creativity flourish by drinking wine and painting a picture during a two hour class.  I auditioned earlier this week to work there.  They’re opening another location in Downtown Cincinnati and need people to set the room up, check people in upon arrival, tend the bar, clean-up, etc.  They also need people that can instruct a class.  After attending one of the classes, I believe I could do that, with a little more practice!  Either way…what fun!  To watch people create and have fun!

The owner was the instructor last night and I really like the way she made it so simple and fun!

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Essex Studios Art Walk – Part Three

This is Part Three of my series on the Essex Studios Art Walk held in Cincinnati, Ohio this past weekend.  If you missed Part One and Two…go here.  I wandered through a large warehouse for a couple of hours taking photos and talking with artists.

This was painted on one of the hallway walls…

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Essex Studios Art Walk – Part Two

This is Part Two of my series on the Essex Studios Art Walk held in Cincinnati, Ohio this past weekend.  If you missed Part One…go here.  I wandered through a large warehouse for a couple of hours taking photos and talking with artists.

This is the young lady that is one of the members of my Meetup group and the artist that we were showing support for by attending the Art Walk.  If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you probably know that I love reflection shots…so when I saw this mirror, it seemed to be the perfect shot for her!

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Essex Studios Art Walk – Part One

The Essex Studios Art Walk is an opportunity for the public to view and purchase pieces of art (paintings, sculptures, photographs) from 120+ artists, displayed in a large 2-level warehouse, located near Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.  Although there are resident Artists who offer regular classes, the Art Walk is only held a few times per year.  Having recently joined a new creative Meetup group, I went to the event to show support for one of our members who was selling some of her work.  I spent about two hours walking the large warehouse, taking photos and chatting with the artists.  There was so much to see, I’ll have three parts to this series.

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This was the first display of art I encountered upon entering the warehouse.  I like the creative use of old pallets to show the art. Continue reading

Finding Art in Unexpected Places

Looking at this photo…you would assume it was taken outside.  Actually, it’s a painting in a friend’s house.  I went out with girlfriends last night and we ended the evening at one of their homes.  Always looking for practice with my camera, I took a few photographs.  I like the way the water droplets have a 3d effect.

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Cold Art

Art is everywhere!  Dark/light… cold/warm…hard/soft…Contrasts help us appreciate life.

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A little magic is always fun!

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Jake loves to roll in the snow and be joyful…and coy!

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Taking a walk on our property…leads to a creek…with more Art!

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You’re never too old to sled-ride!

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Our cabin in the woods.  I like that it blends in with nature.

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Nature loves to change colors!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe bricks made their own Art!

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What magic is around you?

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton, Ohio is a beautiful place to visit.  Randy and I went there yesterday to get some exercise and for me to take photos.  He used to live in Hamilton and we affectionately call it “Hamiltucky” because many of the people from there have a Southern accent…similar to some “folks” from Kentucky!

The park is situated on 265 acres and they have golf carts to rent if you’re not able to or don’t want to walk to each of the 62 sculptures.  I’m guessing we walked about 2 or 3 miles and saw only half of the sculptures!

Citizen by Walter Driesbach

After picking my favorites to show, I have 12 of them for your viewing pleasure.  The sun would disappear behind the clouds occasionally and it was interesting to see how that affected the photo.  Sometimes it was better without sun/shadows.

Triumph by Michael Tearney

I found the names the artists picked out for each sculpture to be interesting and a reflection of their interpretation of the piece.  Roxanne has pretty hair…don’t you think?

Roxanne by George Sugarman

Still Life by Ed Benavente

Tory’s Comet by Harry Gordon

This is a historic stone house built by pioneers in the 1800’s.

The landscape was beautiful…

A girl’s gotta have fun.  At least I’m not lifting anyone this time!

Laocoon by Alexander Liberman

I used the pop art function on my camera for this shot.  It made the colors really pop!

Abracadabra by Alexander Liberman

J.S. Bach’s Fugue by Tony Rosenthal

This was one of my favorites, but it isn’t listed on their brochure…so I don’t know who the artist is.

The gardens were peaceful and lovely…

I love the way the sun’s rays are hitting these star crossed lovers!  And I can see my reflection.

Wherefore Art Thou by Sam McKinney

Adam’s First Breath by Sam McKinney

Melinda at the Beach by Bill Barrett

I was informed by a reliable source (Randy) that this is a manure spreader.

I’m gaining a greater appreciation of art as I age.  I wonder if that is normal.  Anyway, hope you enjoyed and if you’re able…check out some of the links listed below…especially the second one!

White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand

The Wat Rong Khun temple or “White Temple” is located in Chiang Rai, Thailand and we stopped there while en route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong.  As you can see it is beautiful and very artistic.  It was in fact designed by an artist named Chalermchai Kositpipat.

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The hands sculptures were on either side of the walkway at the front entrance!

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He had quite an imagination…

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At the border of Laos we boarded this slow boat for an eight hour trip on the Mekong River.  We had the boat all to ourselves!

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We stopped at a village where the Hmong hilltribe people lived in Laos…and a discussion began concerning happiness.  One of the women on the trip felt very sorry for these people.  They seemed quite happy to me!  So long as people have a roof over their head, food to eat, clean water, and medical attention when necessary…especially if that is the life they have always led…then perhaps the simpler life style is less stressful.

The history of Hmong people is very interesting…you should take a look.

Beautiful girls…

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Pet monkey on a chain…:)

Next…more of Laos…followed by Vietnam!