Friday
03Jul

The Wall

Ole's been working on the "The Wall" numbered series of paintings for many years. It was initially inspired by a polaroid image of a canvas stretcher shot in his studio (without much thought) by a peer UGA art professor and friend Art Rosenblum. Ole taped the polaroid to the wall for inspiration – something to paint – and a powerful body of work began to emerge.

As I'm slowly processing all that Ole and I discussed during our time together this past week – topics ranging from visions of Vietnam to the intensity of cadmium red – what I remember most is the quiet. He said nothing as he painted on the wall. And I said nothing as I moved through his studio, attempting to preserve the energy contained within the space we shared... the magic made visible on the wall.

Wednesday
01Jul

His Beauty

I had the pleasure of spending the past two days with artist Richard Olsen, affectionately known as Ole' in and around the University of Georgia Fine Art School. We connected recently at Dr. Robert Nix's photography exhibit reception a few months ago. I knew shortly after our conversation started that I would have to emerse myself in his studio and art, watch him paint, and soak in his creative soul.

I'm looking forward to sharing the experience (images, thoughts and video sequences) with you as the second episode of my Southern Creatives digital documentary series soon, but I couldn't help but publish this image of Ole' holding his beautiful bride.

Monday
29Jun

That Open Space

Hope is that open space between where you are and where you long to be.

Monday
29Jun

Where the Roses Bloom

rising from a wooden bench
she moves with purpose
bare feet on concrete
eager hands
clutching plastic grocery bags
and crumpled cans
the screened door slams
scattering mismatched cats
beneath a mighty presence
where the roses bloom
drenched in heavy scent
easing into the leather seat
consuming space and breadth
she affirms, "I am blessed"

* * *

Poetry is really intimidating to me and I honestly have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm playing with words and phrases in my mind these days – feeling inspired by my friend Sage Cohen's latest book, "Writing the Life Poetic". In the introduction to her book, she writes, "The poem gives us a kind of cosmic canvas to savor a moment, make sense of it, put a little frame around it, and digest our experience more completely." This rings so true for me. It feels like photography.

Friday
26Jun

My Girl

I often come across little scraps of paper with hearts and the word "love" in her handwriting. She draws me with yellow hair smiling and holding her hand. This makes me happy.