Walking on Tryon

This is a sketch of uptown Charlotte inspired very recently by a particularly great outing to Chima, a Brazilian Steakhouse in the heart of uptown. With a group of seven in place to celebrate a coming of age birthday, we braved the cold - yes cold - Charlotte December weather, and plenty of teenage enthusiasm for eating large quantities of meat.

After spending the equivalent monies on Guarana as we might have on a fine bottle of wine, tasting every meat offering, salmon, swordfish, filet mignon, all cuts of steak, ribs, pork, chicken, some wrapped in bacon, and an intense salad bar, and the tiramisu birthday cake finale, we took a rather quick walk (remember the cold) up Tryon taking in the activity.

So this is a memory of the energy, the happiness, and of being on the edge of having every door wide open, in full light, straight ahead.

Finally! Covered Bridge from Carolina Touch

Well this one has taken forever to finish. Must be the time of year or something, but I have so many things in progress and just cannot seem to finish any of them. This painting belongs to the Carolina Touch trio along with Master Potter and Potters Wheel. It completes the series as they all are from the Seagrove / Ashboro area of NC. A beautiful area with a rich history of artists and for the appreciative, just amazing scenery.

Inspiration is in the serenity and the beauty of the area. The bridge, the last time I visited it, was marred by spray paint, in large unimaginative swirls, likely done by the same sort of people that randomly message on the walls of public restrooms. The historic society that is responsible for the care of the bridge, challenged by limited funds, doubtless allowed the markings to remain longer than they would like.

Even with the low-brow graffiti, the bridge was stalwart in it's reflection of a long history and it's overarching visual remained untainted.