Groundhog Gala

The 2011 Groundhog Gala was held at Route 46 in Sanford this year. Along with vintage cars and a swinging band, there were Rockabilly guys and Pin-Up girls. I've been to a lot of car shows (for a girl who's not a car enthusiast) and this is one of my favorites. It's the people that make it interesting for me - their commitment to this 50's-inspired counter culture.



Ignorance = Bliss





Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho DeVilles

 

Mt. Dora's Bookstore Facade

Mount Dora is one of my favorite hidden gems in Central Florida. It's so quaint and artsy and everywhere you go, there's something really cool that catches your eye.

I have been in love with this storefront facade since I first saw it. It's one of those pieces of art that just endears itself to you. At first glance it looks real, but upon closer inspection you realize it's actually sculpture. Sculpture on the entire facade of what used to be the Dickens-Reeds bookstore/coffeehouse on Fifth Avenue. Apparently the couple that owned the bookstore commissioned an artist to create it in the late 1990's. It's so cool, something you really should see for yourself.

I did some online searching and discovered that the artist was sculptor Thomas Merrell. He worked with a mortar and bonding compound, creating bas-relief scenes that become a part of the building. From what I've gathered, he employed the help of four young area artists to create the hundreds of individual elements that make up four panels, each 10 feet tall and 7 feet wide. Each panel contains a gothic-arch window opening, surrounded by busts of famous writers, and shelves containing objects such as a telephone or a globe and LOTS of books. 

''When you put something up that everyone can share, that's humanity. Art shouldn't be kept in museums. It should be out in the public where people can see it. It should be considered a part of daily life.''  ~ sculptor Thomas Merrell

Words

Project 52 - week 6: Words

Words are all around us...
I didn't realize when I took this shot just how many times the word 'you' showed up. But I like that there's this hidden self-motivation message in there. It's simple wisdom, really. All inspiration and motivation starts with YOU.

My muse(s)

Well, 2011 hasn't been the easiest year so far. Between surgery, strep, and other viruses, my little trio of a family hasn't been feeling that well. But much like marriage vows, we keep on loving each other through sickness and stress. Because life can't always be happy-go-lucky.

Project 52's theme for week 5 was "Muse". Everyone has a different definition of what inspires them. I've got two things that inspire me constantly. Even when they're under the weather...