Carmen's Gallery

You’ve been to Carmen’s Galley, haven’t you?  If you have, you know what a wonderful Gallery it is. If you have not gone, you really ought to spend some time there. Today, my wife and I toured the gallery because of a special demonstration by a pottery artist that Carmen’s is featuring.

 Ron Korczynski was painting a serving tray when we arrived. The tray featured a fish and was beautiful unfired, so I can hardly imagine what it will be like once completely finished.  Perhaps I don’t really have to guess completely, since so many of his amazing pieces were on display.

A sizable portion of his work is functional artwork. Trays and platters of brightly colored animals predominate, though there were tea pots, vases and some other works. The detail in the pieces are exceptional as you’ll see in a few of the photos.

I didn’t want to disturb Ron while he quietly worked, but he was chatting with a couple when we came in.  The travelers and Ron were talking about their native Pennsylvania and the condition of the roads and bridges. I gather Maryland has nothing on PA in terms of road hazards.

Mr. Korczynski is acclaimed nationally and internationally and has some works in museums.  Several of the art pieces seemed very reasonably priced given the workmanship that is put into every work. The quality of art you will see throughout Carmen’s Gallery is remarkable. The rooms of what once must have been a home are filled with exquisite art, some jewelry and what I might term “accessories.”  For example, one room on the lower floor included items made of cork fabric.  To my untrained eye these bags, wallets, purses, iPad covers and folio covers simply look like cork.  They are fabulous and incredibly light. 

No sooner is one finished (above) and another (below) is started.

The other artist currently featured is Larry Ringgold.  The Chesapeake native grew up around watermen and taught woodworking and carpentry. Sculpture using driftwood is a more recent passion. Ringgold’s large statue of a horse is outside of Carmen’s Gallery for all to admire as they walk by. A Heron and Balk Eagle are among the number of smaller pieces inside the gallery. You could spend hours just studying the compositions on display, or maybe buy one to study at home? Pictures of those works will wait for another day, as will some of Carmen’s feline companions that prowl the facility.

I hope you take some time to wander the gallery.  I’ll be back at some point to explore the latest featured offerings which do change over time.

Disappointment Averted

Awaking to a day holding lots of promise might be a recipe for disappointment. The Solomons Screw Pile Regatta continued today, and the plan was to take photos of the finish of the race.  The race was scheduled to finish right along the Solomons Riverwalk providing a great view of the boats and crews. Being told that the finish was likely to be around 1:00 PM, I arrived early and waited patiently. The finishing buoys were set and all looked well.  Well, except for the light breeze. Still my camera and I were ready.

if you look close.. the chain is off!

I happened to run into a friend, and sailor, who knew the inside scoop.  Her husband and son were out racing, and informed her the finish was now more likely to be 2:00 PM or later. Disappointment gave way to hunger offering  an opportunity to find a welcome relief from sitting in the heat and humidity. The relief was short lived.

Returning to the same spot on the Riverwalk, I quickly noticed the buoys were gone. Not a good sign.  Not wanting to give up I continued to shoot what I found available in the overcast light. The light was soft, but gray with a tinge of blue. Nice light for close-ups but not so fabulous for distance work.

A beautiful Heron in flight

Taking in the sights, shooting randomly and walking to the end of the island, I finally did locate the buoys. Not good. They were now at least a half a mile out in the river.  Worse, I saw boats that were under power and on their way back to port.  It took the longest lens I had to see the boats still sailing in the bay. Given the heat, and the distance of the boats, I packed it in. Things would turn around pretty soon though.

The Osprey were taking in the sights too, and this is about as close as I got to the 'action'

There were very few spectators, this couple was well prepared

Ashley helps keep an eye on things.

Hot summer days and industrious kids equals lemonade stands- right? Well, today there was such a stand on the main road into Solomons Island. Hot and tired, and not sure whether it would be worth the stop, I drove past. Curiosity got the best of me and I turned around.  I’m so glad I did!

I soon found out that Henry J’s  Lemonade is a serious operation.  Henry J is a likable young man with a zeal for his business.  This stand has been going for three years! You have to understand the thoroughness of the stand.  Both pink and yellow lemonade are available or $1.00 per glass. The drinks are tasty and cold, and hit the spot on a hot day. Beyond that, the customer service is beyond compare. Henry J has a website! Not only that but you can leave your email address with him, and be entered into his VILD Program. Very Important Lemonade Drinkers (VILD) receive coupons for future discounts!!! Amazing!! Henry J had sent me an email just several hours later. He thanked me for stopping by, told me about VILD and get this – there is a link to Survey Monkey so he can receive feedback!!! Awesome!  This young man is going places, and his sights are squarely on college.  Check out his web site henryjlemonadessomd.webs.com. And if you visit Solomons, he’s open during big events – like today’s Screw Pile Regatta.

So, disappointment was again overcome, and I’m so glad I stayed around Solomons this afternoon.

Till next time,

Blessings,

Brian

July 5th - another Sunday on Solomons

A photography course my wife and I watched suggested trying some different angles, times of day and topics to spark some creativity.  The bottom line to the first 'episode' of the class on DVD , by a National Geographic photographer I might add, is to have fun and to take multiple views and see what works.  He actually said multiple time; "Have fun."  I liked that approach, it's in complete alignment with me.  So, today, I tried looking for a little different approach.  I arrived a little earlier in the day, and tried to find a different type of lighting on the island.  While the outcomes were decidedly 'mixed' in that many of the trials produced less than thrilling results, I definitely had fun.

The sole remaining farm on Solomons has fascinated me for some time.  It seems both out of place and right at home on the banks of the Patuxent all at the same time.  The Thomas Johnson Bridge is very close to the farm, and this morning I tried to find a new angle on the scene.

The gray cloudy sky didn't provide the best of backdrops, but I "went for it" anyway.  Just walking along the fence which is elevated a few feet above the road next to it gave a new perspective of the place.  Perhaps the best part was that I witnessed a group of youth coming the streets for trash left from the 4th of July festivities the evening prior.  They saw me too, and soon there was a chorus of: "Take my picture!!"

Now, there's always one in the crowd that is not so willing a participant... and I'm guessing you can tell who that might be!  It turns out the Youth Group from Lusby, and I'm sorry I don't recall the specific organization, does this every year!!  They were a wonderful bunch, and full of energy.  Well, at least while the camera was out.  Their leader needed to remind them to carry and not drag the garbage bags, and one of the crew said that she should be paid.  The playful response was that she was being paid... in food!  Like I said though, they were a delight and beautifying the island.  

Then next several shots are from church today.  Notably, this young lady was twirling around on the grass, just enjoying life.  And like the group above, she noticed the camera and nearly immediately and without me asking, went into 'pose' mode.

The two photos below are of the table settings in the fellowship hall.  Again, this was all in the name of trying something just a little different.

Solomons Island United Methodist Church got a big 'plug' from Bare Naked Ladies (BNL) the other night during their concert.  It turns out that BNL saw a sign on our church advertising BARF Kids, and they created a short song about it, with lyrics such as "purging for Jesus" or something similar to that.  For the record, BARF stand for Being Around Really Fun.  So, BARF Kids.

The sign was modified just a little today:

A little trash that was left behing

There's always something going on, or something to look at while walking on Solomomns.  Today on the walk to get lunch there were some typical sights of motorcycles, bicycles and flowers. 

you don't normally see too many mopeds

I like the contrast in this photo.  The cyclist at the table had some very nice high tech bicycles on the far side of the iron fence - you can make them out if you look closely, but this near side had some beach cruisers. All are welcome on Solomons - high tech and low tech.

Lunch is always good at Lotus, and today was no exception. It was even better shared with friends and their mom and the new star of the family.  By that I mean the extremely adorable 7 week old.

The final shots of the day were of some flowers and nature, and for full disclosure the last couple are actually from in front of our house.

I was looking for 'textures' and liked this succulent flower.

Another outstanding Sunday on the island.. and home.

I hope you all had a great one as well.

Blessings,

Brian