Saturday, April 7, 2012. Hundreds of protesters marched in Washington, DC demanding justice for Trayvon Martin, the Florida teen who was killed. Marchers represented people of all races, young and old. Buses and cars blew their horns in solidarity.
Beautiful lights make the party.
I photographed a birthday party at the Appian Way in NJ over the weekend. One of the reasons that the pictures came out so well is that the room had the most beautiful lighting coming from the chandeliers.
I took plenty of pictures of the party goers and there were soft beautiful hues cast on them from the lighting. Just like the dj, the chefs, the food, the banquet captain, and the attendants the lighting performed beautifully.
Larry B. Quick: the painter with the sewing machine.
A first glance at one of Larry B. Quick’s pieces and one may not understand what one is seeing. Looking closer one will see stitches and notice complexity. Quick’s art is unique. He paints on canvases, cuts pieces and then sews them together. What follows is a wonderful story told with meaningful colors and tones.
Larry and I have been good friends for about 5 years and I have had opportunities to photograph both him and his work. Hundreds of hours have been spent discussing life and the arts. While he has been a working artist for many years I am confident in the near future you will be hearing and seeing more of the works of Larry B. Quick. A few samples are shown below.
Larry’s art is a reflection of his life growing up in Washington, DC and was honed by his studies at the Corcoran School of Art of which he is a graduate.
Larry is also known to many in the Washington area as one of the co-founders of Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a mentoring organization for young African-American males. His life has been as interesting as his art.
At 90 years old, you saw a lot before most of us were even born.
Today a lot of focus is on youth. While that is fine there is something special about having enjoyed a long life. In this case a life of 90 years. Youth can learn from those crowned with age. 
We celebrated my father-in-law’s 90th birthday over the weekend and my aunt’s 90th last year. Both are in relatively good health and are still enjoying life. My father-in-law still drives occasionally and my aunt still makes it to all family events.Continue reading “At 90 years old, you saw a lot before most of us were even born.”
Everyone loves a beautiful cake. Half eaten cakes as art.
Hat and white shirt. Portraits. Eric D
Black and white portrait of Eric D.
Photos: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial -The Memorial and the People
This photographic essay is about the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial and the people who visit it. The memorial stands out to me because of the peaceful spirit there. The design of the memorial allows people to get very close to the spirit of Dr. King. Visitors are invited to touch the roughness of the Mountain of Despair. From the main entrance they are encouraged to look through the opening of the Mountain of Despair towards the Stone of Hope. I found the Stone of Hope which includes Dr. King’s statue to not be very tall and to give a sense of Dr. King being right there among the people gazing out at them. Also, Park Rangers give very informative and inspiring talks about the King legacy. I think that a visit to this great memorial should be on everyone’s list of things to do.
In these images I have intentionally included the people and tried to show their connection and reverence for Dr. King.
Have you visited the King National Memorial? What was your experience?
Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall – Remembering those who served.
It was a beautiful but cold fall day when ceremonies and remembrances took place honoring those who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. On Veterans Day 2011 in Washington, DC. dignitaries were on hand as well as veterans and family and friends of the fallen. The most moving part is seeing the tributes and flowers being left at the wall and seeing people reacting to the names. Many bring paper to trace the names.
One name that stands out for me is a childhood friend Curvin Clayton of Durham, NC who died at age 20 in Vietnam. He was known as Cup and I often think about what life for him would be had he lived a full life. Each person present has a story to remember about someone on that wall.
The brilliant sun caused beautiful reflections on the wall as though it was blending people present and the fallen together once again.
Tremendous gratitude to those who served and gave the supreme sacrifice.
You’re only as good as your last biscuit
I recently learned how easy biscuits are to make or thought I did.
Last week I went online and found a recipe for cheese biscuits and made what turned out to be great biscuits even though I didn’t quite have all the ingredients that the recipe required. Since I had no buttermilk I just used whole milk. I had no shortening so I used butter. I had no cheddar cheese so I just used what was left in a package of mixed shredded cheeses used for making Mexican dishes and though it was not quite the quantity required it was ok. I followed the recipe and what resulted was some excellent cheese biscuits that were all eaten within an hour out of the oven.
Later in the week I was asked to make them again. It was the same situation except this time I did have some cheddar which I shredded up. I threw a little extra cheese in and added some herbs. They turned out even better and I was so proud of myself.Continue reading “You’re only as good as your last biscuit”
Same old blanket but beautiful new baby.
Whenever I see someone show a picture of their beautiful new baby and I see what looks like the same hospital issued blanket it brings wonderful memories. There is something about those blankets that I really adore. Their simplicity makes the babies look all the more beautiful. Though the blankets all look the same each baby still looks unique and special.
Earlier this year NPR published a wonderful article about the blankets and asked people to submit pictures and stories of their babies wrapped in the blankets. I had taken a picture of my grandson Laron within an hour of his birth and I submitted it. NPR included the picture in the article NPR Article: Born In The USA? This Blanket Might Look Familiar.
NPR Article: Born In The USA? This Blanket Might Look Familiar
Does this look like the blanket your bundle of joy was wrapped in? Did the blanket follow you home?