Furniture Making 101 (or Maybe 100.5)

There are a number of exceptionally good furniture makers in our local area, several who exhibit in art and craft galleries.  Every time I run upon their work my envy meter spikes.  I finally got up enough nerve to attempt a simple piece for our house.

The console table is constructed from a five foot piece of local 4/4 live edge walnut. The legs and stringer are made from red oak lumber from the local big box home center.  Fearing  more sophisticated construction methods, I used dowels on all of the joints.

The piece is finished with four hand-rubbed coats of tung oil  and a final coat of finish wax.

Patience is not one of my strong suits when it comes to construction projects.  I'm more rough framing carpenter than detailed furniture maker, but I have to admit I really enjoyed the process.

Once the yard work season ends this fall I think I'll start on another console table - this one with a little more flair and pizazz!  The plan is already in my head.

Maybe one day I can add "furniture maker" to my artist statement!

What a Charming House. What Great Outbuildings. What a Beautiful Pond. Oh My Word, WHAT is That?

The Idol House

For those readers who don't know: mid December we moved from a rural horse property near Burlington to a much more urban setting fifty miles to the west. 

Our new neighborhood, although still somewhat rural in nature, is smack in the middle of three moderately dense cities (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point).

Hiding in the Thicket

As typical of urban areas, there aren't many large, rolling stretches of farm land. Most of the farms are small operations nestled between other non-farm properties - both residential and commercial.  We understand that progress marches forward, but admit I've had a culture shock exploring the surrounding back roads.  There's rural and then there's "sort of" rural. The Idol house, shown above, is a good example of "sort of".

The Idol house appears to have begun as a two-over-two farmhouse. If the current siding was removed, one would expect to find a log structure. Over the decades, small side wings were added to both sides, and a longer annex was added to the rear.  The tie to today's world is the detached three-car garage. My informal research indicates the house sits on part of  an original 18th century, 2800+ acre land grant.

Rusty, Yet Proud

The Idol property was most likely a tobacco farm of modest size - the current outbuildings include several barns, a large chicken house, a storage shed, and a wood-fired curing barn.  A beautiful 3 or 4 acre pond graces the rear of the tract.

Nothin' especially unusual up to this point, you might suggest, and I'd agree. Except. . .

Let's take a look at the image on the left. It's one of the great little barns - proudly standing on a little rise, with a wonderful fluffy-cloud sky in the distance.  I was pleased with the outcome.

Now let's talk about Adobe Photoshop's capability of replacing backgrounds - something I've never done to a published image - until now!  Yep, I confess - I broke my long-standing rule about adding thing to images. But I just hadda' hide IT. Check out the finished picture overlaying the original image:

Just to give you a visual reference, the farmhouse sits immediately beyond the tree on the left side of the image.

You can rightly assume the modern-looking, architecturally unappealing building in the background isn't some newfangled tobacco barn. And the large yellow pipes running rampant aren't for irrigating the pastures.

Only half of one side of the white building is showing.  However if you step around to the back of the barn, here's the full view of. . .

the soon to be completed 600,000+ square foot distribution center for Ralph Lauren, and. . .

the soon to be completed first business in a much larger planned industrial park.

<sigh>

New place. New rules. New goals.

First, I need to get over the Photoshop thing - and just consider it artistic license. Next, capture more of these historic urban farms while they're still standing. And as always, remember "when served lemons, make lemonade".  Here's another gallery-ready glass from the Idol farm. . .

The Barn at Ralph Lauren, (c) 2015

I've set a goal of posting to this site with greater frequency. 

Stay tuned.

Next episode: another farm house - this one with what appears to be original slave quarters, located across the road from the equally large, ultra-modern Herbalife (once was Dell Computers) manufacturing facility.

Later... Lane

It's Almost Leaf Season Again

"Early Morning on the Farm" | The Backroads Studio | lane watson | (c) copyright 2014

My favorite season for rural photography has to be Fall.  This year in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, the peak of the color is still several weeks away. I couldn't contain my excitement -  last week a road trip through the southern area of Alamance County and adjacent areas of Chatham County was in order.

The point of the short trip was to identify specific areas for an actual shooting trip later in October.  No stopping - just burn that cheap $2.99 gas and move on.  But I couldn't help pausing several times to shoot images that work regardless of the season. The one above is an example.

Although the image needs some more work before printing, I believe it will be a stunner.  The final composition is a combination of three vertical shots pieced together via software.  As a consequence, the resolution of the image goes from a respectable 16 MB to around 48 MB. The higher resolution will allow me to print an impressive 4+ ft wide gallery canvas, should I wish.

Meanwhile I'll clean my lenses and charge my batteries in preparation for the real thing.

Stay tuned. . .

lane

The Art Collection at the NC Vet School

Collection Catalog

This week I received a catalog of the permanent art collection at the Terry Center, which is a large, state-of-the-art companion animal clinical facility at the North Carolina State Veterinary School in Raleigh.  

Here's my accidental connection. . .

"In early 2011, with the Terry Center scheduled to open in May of that year, the need for art came to the attention of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation Board of Directors. The [board] is an advisory and advocacy group that attracts support for the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. The Board received permission to assume the task of acquiring art for the building and quickly created an Art Committee to direct the project.

The mission of the committee was to place in the hospital quality, animal-themed art that would compliment the building, enhance the experiences o both clientele and the staff, and celebrate the animal-human bond. Every piece was given to the Foundation. Each piece was reviewed and approved by the Art Committee before inclusion in the collection."

Around this time I was contacted by an artist friend who was familiar with the vet school project and who suggested I submit a series of my images of farm animals.  She provided the contact person's name and email address, but no other submission details. My work at that time consisted primarily of rural landscapes.  Any images of animals I had consisted mainly of larger farm animals such as cows and horses, and perhaps a goat or two!  From those, I submitted four images for the jury process.

Several weeks later I was contacted by Susan Ward, who was then the foundation board president.  She explained that the work was being curated for the new companion animal facility and hoped I had some companion animal (i.e., cat or dog) images I would like to submit, as they liked my work.  Disappointedly, I told Susan I had none to submit and, after polite goodbyes, the conversation ended.  I mentally wrote off the project!

Several months later I received another phone call from the foundation - this time to let me know one of my submitted images, "Art on the Farm", had been selected for inclusion in the collection.  I was floored. First, because the image was of a "cow" and most importantly, the "cow" was constructed from an old oil tank and assorted metal parts.

The foundation person explained that the new facility would overlook the dairy operation that operates on the vet school property.  The art committee thought the image to be the perfect piece to hang beside a  window overlooking the barns and pastures!

So out of the sixty-five pieces in the collection, mine is the only one not featuring a dog or cat.  The 24 " x 24" stretched canvas piece is in place and indeed complements the view of the real cows.

I was (and am still) pleased to be a part of this wonderful collection of art.

Maybe the next time I'll better research an application process beforehand.  But then again, maybe not.


lane watson | the backroads studio | almost spring 2014

Yes, There Was a Sunny Day in February!

Don't Dat Sun Feel Good?

February in our area hasn't been one of the best - we had below normal temperatures, freezing rain, sleet, snow and a lot of strong winds over the past several weeks. Enough was enough!

Last Saturday provided a break. The sun was out. Temperatures neared 70 degrees. And I spent the better part of the day outdoors.

As a guest of newly-found friend Brian Towey, his wife and two daughters, I attended a living history event in Reidsville, North Carolina. 

Brian is a dedicated, long-time member of The Society for Creative Anachronism.

Fighters in Action

The national group defines themselves as "...an international organization dedicated to researching and
re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Our 'Known World' consists of 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which feature tournaments, royal courts, feasts, dancing, various classes & workshops, and more".

The Reidsville gathering was hosted by the Central North Carolina Chapter of the SCA. It was attended by hundreds of people of all ages, genders and races - all garbed in medieval clothing.

The crowd and activities provided a goldmine of photo opportunities.  I was fascinated by the overwhelming amount of colors, shapes, and textures surrounding everything.

Six fascinating hours absorbing sights and sounds found me with 268+ wonderful images.  After many hours of post-processing I ended with an album of ninty-six images.  If interested in viewing them, visit my website gallery by clicking here.

If you'd like to know more about SCA, click here.

There's only about 3 weeks of winter left!

To Paraphrase Bill Clinton : "It's the Photographer, Stupid"!

In most of the beginning and intermediate level photography courses I've taught, I've led off with a discussion on "It's not the equipment, it's the photographer that makes great photographs."  Many attendees bring along their $5,000 worth of  Nikon (and/or Canon) cameras and lenses, and they always look amused at my obviously (in their mind) unfounded theory.  

Well folks, here's an honest-to-goodness, livin' proof example. . .

I'm actively involved in the Point of View Gallery in Burlington. We currently have an exhibit of artwork from students attending Hawbridge School in Saxapahaw.  The exhibit began with an opening reception for the students.  As one would expect, there were a number of proud parents and their children in attendance.  One of these parents was Brian Towey.

We were just casually talking. Brian was providing his favorable impression of my printing techniques on several of my hanging pieces.  He mentioned that he liked to take photographs and had a few that he might be interested in having me print for him.  I assured him I'd see what I could do - if he would email them to me I'd take a look and get back to him.

In a few minues Brian realized he might have one of the photos on his smartphone. Would I like to see it?  Being polite, but with low expectations, I said "Sure."  

I was absolutely blown away. Here's a version of the photograph:

Although a photographer, I'm a big fan of Renaissance-era Dutch and Flemish painters.  Here's one of Gabriel Metsu's that reminds me of Brian's. . .

Here's Brian's Story:

“We’re a home schooling family. In 2009, we were setting out on a year-long RV expedition, from North Pole, Alaska  to the jungles of Chiapas, Mexico. I had my trusty old Canon G2 along to document the trip.

On our way north we detoured through Chicago to visit relatives. In the RV park where we were staying, some neighbors encouraged us to visit the Bristol Renaissance Faire in nearby Bristol, Wisconsin. For many years we have all participated in living history. That’s the only kind of history lesson that sticks. So, we didn’t need much urging. It’s a particularly big and splendid fair, as such things go, a very entertaining blend of the historical and the hysterical.

The best part of living history, besides lots of beer and knives, is when the costumes and settings work perfectly. You find yourself watching a scene that could have popped out of a museum picture frame, or perhaps you walk through torchlit mists with cloaked friends and just for a minute your mind slips a gear and you feel it might be real. I keep my camera handy just in case.

This young lady was one of the costumed reenactors at the fair. Her costume and props were so good (at least from this angle), that she looked just like a painting. Because she was outdoors under a canopy, light just poured onto the scene. The picture practically took itself.

We got a lot of great photos on that trip: Moose and glaciers, pyramids and palm trees. You expect that on a grand tour. This photo stands out for me because it was such a perfect and timeless moment. When people ask me what I mean by living history, I pull this out to show them.”

=====

Just to reinforce my equipment vs. photographer theory - the camera that Brian used for this shot, a Canon G2, can be purchased on eBay for $29 or best offer! 

Meanwhile, I'm spending some time with Brian's image in Photoshop.  Although not a Photoshop fan, I'm trying to emulate the Renaissance style for a canvas print version.  Other than removing the person in the background wearing bluejeans shorts (!), I'm just playing with the tonality and shadows.  

But let me be clear, Brian's photography stands on its own and would make a beautiful print without any post-processing. 

Thank you man for sharing this with me!

An Art Installation in the New ARMC Cancer Center

This week Alamance Regional Medical Center opened their new 40,000 square-foot cancer center. This two-story center has been designed to provide the optimal healing environment for patients.  Features of the facility include an abundance of natural light, a welcoming atrium, a boutique for cancer patients, a family lounge area with internet access, and a café that offers coffee and smoothies.  The center  also includes a family resource center and space for community education and support groups.  Come Spring, adjacent green space outside the new center will provide a walking area and healing garden in a courtyard setting.

Working with the Cancer Center staff, the Alamance Arts Council selected a body of local art that was purchased for the facility. Funding for this project was provided through generous private donations.  

Artists selected for the project include David Nance, Jude Lobe, Ali Givens, Pat Scheible, Steven Durland, Laine Francis, Tracey Huley, Linda Holch Gordon, and others - including me.

I created three special edition pieces specifically for the permanent collection. The frst two shown here are 30" by 45" gallery wrapped canvases installed in the Resource Center Family Lounge located off the lobby area.  The third piece is a 30" by 64" craddled board triptych canvas installed in a hallway of the exam room complex.  All three of these images were captured last Fall and are from the southern part of Alamance County.

"A Place for Reflection"

"Path Through the Poplars"

"On Our Sunday Drive"

It's satisfying to know that my work may be of comfort to patients and their families.  Thanks to ARMC and the Arts Council for including me in this project!

Another Successful Studio Tour

As promised to the hardworking group of 49 artists who participated in this year's Alamance Artisans Guild Studio Tour, here are all of the 500+ photographs from the event. These are stored on my Picasa site and should stay up until next year's event.  Simply click on the image below to see the album.

AAG 2013 Studio Tour

Feel free to use any of these images for your marketing. You can download any of them, but must do so one at a time. When an image is enlarged by clicking on it, select Download from the Action menu above the image.

For anyone wishing more information about the Guild, visit the website by clicking here.

Enjoy.

A Site Revisited: The Dye House at Glencoe Mill

Several years ago I made a number of trips to Glencoe Mill, and spent numerous hours photographing the interiors and exteriors of the buildings in the complex.

The mill, one of the last of southern textile mills built to be powered by running water, operated from the late nineteenth century until its closing in the mid 1950's.  

While the entire property held my interest, the dye house was the most appealing, at least from the visual perspective.  

As seen in this image, the building interior had a movie set feeling appropriate for the next post-apocalypse blockbuster. 

Since my initial visits, portions of the end wall, rear wall, and part of the roof collapsed into a  pile of rubble on the floor of the building.  It was a sad sight! 

Recently Hedgehog Holdings of Raleigh, owners and stewards of a number of historically significant mill properties (including Glencoe), began repairing the damage.  

I was asked by Hedgehog to document the rebuilding process.  I jumped at the opportunity to participate in the next metamorphosis of Glencoe Mill.

The project, expect to last around five months, has just begun. To date the contractor has cleaned the debris, salvaged as much of the original material as practical, including the handmade bricks, and is restoring the shell back to it's original design. The interior will be updated to accommodate the new tenant - a nonprofit environmental learning center.

Here's a slideshow of the images to date. More images will be posted  as the restoration continues.  Stay tuned!

lane

The Road Less Traveled (at least on this day)

Alamance Artisans Guild had the Opening Reception for their exhibit at Caswell County Arts Center yesterday. The event was attend by a large number of artists and patrons.

During the afternoon I had a conversation with several artists about a tree-lined farm driveway along Highway 49 south of Burlington.  We were guessing as to the specie of the trees lining the drive.  During the conversation I promised to send someone images of the drive that I took during a spectacular snowfall in December 2010.

Unfortunately, as it seems to happen more often now days, I've forgotten to whom I promised this!  Nonetheless, here're the images...

(click on any of the images for a slide show)

Dorothea Lange Again - Orange County NC, 1939

It's probably a good thing that Dorothea Lange only spent a short time in North Carolina, or I'd overwhelm readers with photos of her subjects that are still hanging around after 74 years!

While talking to Keith Allen at a recent artist reception we got around to the recent Dorothea Lange find I wrote about in the previous blog.  Keith, who lives in the Cedar Grove area of North Carolina, asked if I knew there was another country store captured by Ms. Lange, and did I know it was also still standing.  Of course I didn't, but I wanted to know everything Keith knew about the store! This was Thursday night.

The next day I found the Lange picture (actually there are two) in the Library of Congress collection.  The photo shows a group of ballplayers and others getting ready for their July 4th baseball game at a ball field down the road.

By early Sunday morning I was at the rural crossroads known as Cedar Grove shooting away at the cluster of buildings. Seems my enthusiasm has me treating this as a breaking news story, even though the event happened seven decades ago! Forgive me.

The Cedar Grove store has a sign identifying it as the "C. H. Pender Grocery". It appears to no longer be open for business, but the structure is in much better condition than the previous Person County store.

As typical of rural crossroad communities, the intersection has several other buildings.  Another commercial building (appearing to be of the same period) sits on an adjacent corner.  The current day post office, a small, cinder block structure sits to the immediate right of the Pender store.

This route, heading north off of Hwy. 70 through Efland makes a great Sunday afternoon drive.  Before the afternoon ends you'll have a serious craving for an RC Cola and a Moon Pie!

(As always, you can click on an image for a larger version. If anyone knows more about Cedar Grove please comment with the information. Thanks...)

A Brush With Our Past - Person County NC, 1939

Dorothea Lange was one of about a dozen photographers sent out by the Farm Security Administration to document rural poverty during the Great Depression. Dorothea's iconic work helped change the style and power of documentary photography.

Most of her images depict migrant farm workers in the West and the Japanese-American resettlement during World War II. But during July of 1939 Dorothea spent several weeks documenting rural life in the central Piedmont area of North Carolina.  

The photograph above was taken during this trip and remains one of the most-published Lange photographs. The "Country Store on a Dirt Road on a Sunday Afternoon" is prominently featured on the Library of Congress photography site.

As I type this post I sit no more than fifteen miles from the location of this store.  It is identified in Lange's notes as the "Bayne's Store", which is how I discovered the image, as I was researching the Bayne's Store in  nearby Caswell County.  Although the store in the photo might actually be the Bain's Store, by the time I researched the location I realized the Lange-version store might still be standing.

Fortunate for me, it is.  I found it . Here it is today. . .

As you can see, it's a little worse for wear - the pumps are missing, along with those great advertising signs and the entire left wing of the structure. But, after seventy-four years, it's still there! 

I've spent hours comparing both images and am fascinated that the stones supporting the porch are the original ones, the siding still has the nail holes from the signs, and on and on...

No doubt I've stood in the tracks of Ansel Adams while photographing in Yosemite, but it's special knowing that Dorothea Lange captured one of the iconic photographs of the previous century from the very spot I was standing.

The property is private and I believe the owner lives immediately across the road, but if you would like directions, let me know.

FYI: If you click on the images they will display a larger version.

Working My Way Back Online. . .

Thanks for visiting!

I've been professionally practicing fine art photography for the past three or four years. In the early days I created two WordPress websites (LaneWatsonPhotography and TheBackroadsStudio), each with blog content.  The sites grew considerably - at least until recently.

Each has been destroyed multiple times by hackers. An international internet security group called to ask me to remove a phishing site hiding on mine. They were right - it emulated a commercial bank in Malaysia.  

I restored sites from my cloud backup on many occasions only to have them destroyed again within a few days.  Based upon the recommendations of WordPress, I strengthened both sites - including changing and strengthening log ins, database passwords, FTP password, and much much more.  

Finally I just got fed up and deleted the content of both sites! They still remain in that state.

My new game plan - create another Internet presence without the use of WP and my current hosting organization. Thus here I am on blogger. I'm currently evaluating photography sites and hope to have one up that encompasses both of my old sites.

Thanks again for visiting. Stay turned for more.