The skies have been gray for about two weeks and we've been pelted with snow off and on for most of that time, so, having all the gray images I need, I've been watching a lot of tutorials, including how to navigate Photoshop, when I came upon this picture that I had forgotten about from Van Alstyne, Texas. I was reminded at different times that this picture was in my file, but one thing led to another and by the time I'd get back to the computer from some other "engagement" the thick haze of forgetfulness would have set in and.......nothing.
The town of Van Alstyne is an interesting little town where some of my family lives and is very reminiscent of a town of the 30's or 40's if you could blank out the cars and trucks from the 21st century. Old town buildings, the court house and a railroad track running through a side street were enough to get me excited and go hunting for a picture or two. Along this side street was a wall with a tattered American flag painting and dabblings of graffiti in various places. While I was walking down the street toward this canvas of color a cowboy (or just an old guy with a Stetson) happen to cross the street and I couldn't believe such an opportunity for a western type image could be taking shape. He stopped, looked intently at the wall and I just started capturing images. Of course I was mumbling to myself, "turn more to the left" or "step more to the right", but before I knew it his interest in the wall vanished and he moved on down the street.
As it is, I'm glad he didn't turn toward me and his stance is a non-verbal gesture of indignation at the closeness of the graffiti to a cherished symbol, the grand old flag. I don't know what he was thinking, yet I could almost here his words "why do kids do this" or something to that effect, or maybe I was just being reminded of what my father or mother would have said in the same situation.
I did a little post process work on this in the digital darkroom and gave it a touch with a Topaz plug in filter to enhance the texture and that was about it. The more I look at it the more excited I get about making a full print of the image and I get a real hankerin' for some good Texas barbecue at the same time.
For more views of my work visit:
"A Piece Of Work", Spirit Lake, Iowa www.apieceofworkinc.com
Art Of The Vine Gallery http://www.artofthevinegallery.com
Artisans Road Trip www.artisansroadtrip.com
http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V1
The Cornucopia Art Center, Lanesboro, Minnesota www.lanesboroarts.org
