My wife and I met her brother and his family for a long hiking trip. There was a total of six of us. Near the end of the journey one of the last hikes was to Crabtree Falls - a great loop hike. The beginning of the hike had several football size rocks you had to walk across. It was a down hill trail and well maintained. We got to the falls where my niece and I took several photos of the falls. Just before leaving I went down to the rocks to take this stream photo from a stabilized rock to rest the camera to get the slow shutter smoothness of the water flow.  Climbing out of the gorge on the trail was very steep and thankfully we didn’t have all the rocks like we did going in. This is just a portion of the waterfalls. The really cool falls had too many people playing around it and in the shot.
We went inside of the last AirBnb and picked who got which rooms. I went back outside to get the bags, when Jenn started yelling “Raymond come in here, hurry, you’ve got to see this.” I went back in and found here pointing at my Photo’s on the walls. The owner had 4 of them in the room we would be staying. We Txt her. 86-19 Crabtree FallsCRABTREE FALLS MARION, NC My wife and I met her brother and his family for a long hiking trip. There was a total of six of us. Near the end of the journey one of the last hikes was to Crabtree Falls - a great loop hike. The beginning of the hike had several football size rocks you had to walk across. It was a down hill trail and well maintained. We got to the falls where my niece and I took several photos of the falls. Just before leaving I went down to the rocks to take this stream photo from a stabilized rock to rest the camera to get the slow shutter smoothness of the water flow. Climbing out of the gorge on the trail was very steep and thankfully we didn’t have all the rocks like we did going in. This is just a portion of the waterfalls. The really cool falls had too many people playing around it and in the shot. We went inside of the last AirBnb and picked who got which rooms. I went back outside to get the bags, when Jenn started yelling “Raymond come in here, hurry, you’ve got to see this.” I went back in and found here pointing at my Photo’s on the walls. The owner had 4 of them in the room we would be staying. We Txt her.

My wife and I met her brother and his family for a long hiking trip. There was a total of six of us. We hiked 4-days and 3-nights and stayed at AirBnB’s along the way. On the last night driving to the AirBnB we passed an old two story school house along the road. I started to think that this would be a great photo and that I would be going back. We passed it a couple more times going to eat and that is when I decided it would be a good one. The morning we were departing we stopped along the road and I took several photos. This one is the photo to go along with my school and old house series. I tried to look up some history but have not found anything yet.  I hope you enjoy.  
We went inside of the last AirBnb and picked who got which rooms. I went back outside to get the bags, when Jenn started yelling “Raymond come in here, hurry, you’ve got to see this.” I went back in and found here pointing at my Photo’s on the walls. The owner had 4 of them in the room we would be staying. We Txt her.

87-19 School House DSC_4840

85-19 Sunset Hawaii

Travel photography is great when you find locations like Hawaii. We ate at a restaurant across the street from this beautiful scene of waves crashing into the lava rock. We ordered our meal. I just had to go back to the car and get my camera. I stablized the camera on the lava rock wall in front of me. I love the colors of the ocean and the color of the ocean against the black lava rock. It seems only fitting to name this one Pushing Back - the waves trying to move the lava back from where it came from. I wanted a picture of flowing lava. Sadly there was not any during our trip. The latest flow was 35 years long and stopped in 2018. It took out 500 homes, 16 miles of streets and a small resort. The island grew by 900 acres during that event. I may have to go back when their is another eruption. 84-19 Pushing Back Hawaii

On the way home from a beautiful day of picture-taking in Adairsville Kentucky, my GPS lead me down a back country road I had never traveled. In one of several S turns, sat this old house. Since there was no traffic, I stopped right in the middle of the road and started taking photos. I later with permission from the landowner returned for several senior portrait sessions and was told others had done the same and that it was a very popular location. I ask the owner if she knew any history about the house. Because the court house had a fire all she found at the court house was back in 1919 George Button sold it to James March, who eventually sold it to Caudill family. The land was mostly farm and milk cows. Since the photo was taken it has been vandalized. All of the doors were stolen and more windows broken by kids.  I added a little artistic technique to enrich the photo. 50-14 This Old House

58-15 Standing Strong

09-08 ChoicesDebut 1/30/2016 This is a numbered print. You will need to contact me to have one printed, singed and sent to you. Thanks.

Friends had told us about how pretty and adventurous this place was. When we finally had a chance to do a little traveling we did. We stayed in a rustic cabin that overlooked the Great Smokey Mountains. We sat by the fire, made Smores, and watched the sunset over the mountains. I took a few sunset photos. One rainy day we traveled a little farther from the cabin into Nantahala Gorge where kayakers and rafters were few due to the end of the season, colder than normal water and weather from hurricane Irma.  We had BBQ by the river, and I had the opportunity to take a few photos of the river. I tried to hold the camera and brace against trees on other streams and waterfalls to get this effect, but its really hard to do. I took this one with my camera on a tripod, and it’s the best of all the photos from the week. THE NANTAHALA GORGE BRYSON CITY, NORTH CAROLINA

Beautiful night in Florida and a great opportunity to shoot the beach and sunset. We arrived early and set up and moved around to a couple places to get a better shot, as the sun went down. The crowd came in and everyone watched as the sun faded into the ocean. The clouds made a beautiful sunset. I have added some saturation to the photo for enhancement.

University of Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

On a family trip to visit my stepdaughter, we took several walking tours of the town including, Market Square and the UT Gardens near the river. Since my wife and I were on our own one night while the girls were at a party, we decided to do something I love – take some night shots. We found ourselves at Neyland Stadium, home of the UT Volunteers.  I thought this was a perfect spot for a photo of the much-loved stadium. It is second largest in the SEC by just 57 seats. (Kyle Field, the Texas A & M stadium, is the largest.)

I was ask to do other college stadiums. More next month.

Neyland Stadium Collegiate Licensed Hologram attached. Call to orderNeyland Stadium Collegiate Licensed Call to Order NEYLAND STADIUM UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE On a family trip to visit my stepdaughter, we took several walking tours of the town including, Market Square and the UT Gardens near the river. Since my wife and I were on our own one night while the girls were at a party, we decided to do something I love – take some night shots. We found ourselves at Neyland Stadium, home of the UT Volunteers. I thought this was a perfect spot for a photo of the much-loved stadium. It is second largest in the SEC by just 57 seats. (Kyle Field, the Texas A & M stadium, is the largest.)

Hwy 69 - McCollum Alabama

On the way home from a beautiful day of picture-taking in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, I decided to take the road less traveled home. As I topped a hill, there on the right was the reason I took the back road. This old tractor had a For Sale sign on it, sitting near the road. I pulled into the driveway, moved the sign and started taking photos. No worries - I replaced the sign before leaving. There wasn’t a price on the sign but faded really bad on the gas tank was a price of $2100. It was worth the extra time traveling on the back road instead of the interstate. I hope you enjoy.

Near Tennessee / Kentucky

State line

On the way home from a beautiful day of picture-taking in Adairsville Kentucky, my GPS lead me down a backcountry road I had never traveled. In one of several S turns, sat this old house. Since there was no traffic, I stopped right in the middle of the road and started taking photos. It being only a mile and a half from my home at the time, I later with permission from the landowner returned for several senior portrait sessions and was told others had done the same and that it was a very popular location.  We finally had a winter snow and I made it back to the house to take a winter snow photo. I added a little artistic technique to enrich the photo and now I like it as my best winter shot thus far.

48-15 This Ol House Winter Snow.This Ol House Snow Call to Order

Blount County Critter Festival

Maryville, Tennessee

A few years ago we were selling dog treats dog events. This event was to draw people in who wanted to adopt a pet. It was rained out a couple of weekends but it finally happened. During a slow spell and while my wife Jenn was selling at the booth, I took my camera and walked around taking photos. This relaxed and cute kitten was in a wire cage when I got this shot. She was adopted later that same day. My stepdaughter LOVES cats, so I named this photo “Grace” after her.

Debut 12/3/2016 Art Galleries and Art Crawl Nashville this week.

Nashville, Tennessee

Once known as Overton Alley, local businessman Daniel C. Buntin created the Nashville’s first enclosed shopping area now known as The Arcade. Buntin persuaded owners of buildings along the alley that an arcade would be a lucrative development. They commissioned the local firm of Thompson, Gibel, and Asmus to design the two-story arcade who modeled it from the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele in Milan, Italy. Identical Palladian facades mark the entrances to the Arcade, at Fourth and Fifth Avenues.  Shops and restaurants line both sides of the first level while shops and offices occupy the second floor mezzanine, now includes many Art Galleries. The Arcade caused so much excitement that more than 40,000 people attended the grand opening in 1903. At the time, the population of Davidson County was approximately 125,000.

Debut November 5th 2016 Art Crawl in the Arcade downtown Nashville "O" Gallery Second Floor.

Knoxville, Tennessee

During a weekend visit with my wife to see my stepdaughter Grace in Knoxville attending University of Tennessee. I took the opportunity to shoot some of Knoxville.  Though short on time I did sneak back for a night shot of the Sunsphere.

I really debated on black and white or color. For now, I’m settling with color.  The Sunsphere was constructed for the 1982 World's Fair and served as the symbol for the fair. This was the last successful World’s Fair. According to the official website, the Sunsphere closed to the public with the Fair's end and remained vacant or underutilized for most of its post-fair life. The Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater are the only structures that remain from the 1982 World's Fair.

Debut November 5th 2016 Art Crawl in the Arcade downtown Nashville.

Gordonsville, Tennessee

My wife and I took a weekend to ourselves and went to a bed and breakfast called Butterfly Hollow.  This is a great location for a getaway. They also preform weddings if your ready. This old wagon is on the property near the B&B and I love the thought of the history that would go along with it. I love doing the splash of color photos but this time I used the sepia for the background instead of black and white. This one has been my screensaver for a couple months now.

Gordonsville, Tennessee

Weathered

My wife and I took a weekend to ourselves and went to a bed and breakfast called Butterfly Hollow. This barn is on the road going to the B&B so we took our cameras and hiked back down the road to the barn for a few photos. I loved the jagged edge of the barn’s torn roof. When we returned home, I added a little saturation of color to intensify the look.  I hope you like this one as much as I do. 

Barn In the Hollow

All Cropped Out

My wife and I took a weekend to ourselves and went to a bed and breakfast called Butterfly Hollow. This Case tractor was almost hidden by weeds. I have a full shot of the tractor, but I liked the cropped version so much it is now my screensaver on my computer. When we returned home I added a little saturation of color to intensify the look.  I hope you like this one as much as I do.

Near Tennessee / Kentucky

State line

On the way home from a beautiful day of picture-taking in Adairsville Kentucky, my GPS lead me down a back country road I had never traveled. In one of several S turns, sat this old house. Since there was no traffic, I stopped right in the middle of the road and started taking photos. I later with permission from the landowner returned for several senior portrait sessions and was told others had done the same and that it was a very popular location.

I have taken the wider angle of the house showing the full front of the house along with the trees and printed as a “Giclee” on canvas.  It will only be at the in the Tennessee Art League Gallery which has moved inside Corvidae Collectives also in the Arcade for the month of April 2016.
2014-06-08 003 copylighter 7-30-14 Posterized

This is also my introduction of professional Digital to print Service. I can come to you or you can come to me. I can convert your Art to print and the size if your art is unlimited due to I shoot with a Professional Nikon D800E 36.4 meg. pixel Camera. I then edit the files to make them print ready, then I use a Professional Large Format Printer Epson Stylus Pro7900 printer. I use only Epson Archival Ink, and Epson Archival Media. Media includes Photo Paper, Canvas, and Watercolor paper. I was so excited after printing my first canvas I ended up printing half the roll before stopping. My next test will be Watercolor paper due to a special request so lets see what happens.

If you have your Art digital ready I can also print your Art.  I can print 24” wide up to 100’ long or 40’ on Canvas.

Canvas Prints_1

Choices  This is a numbered print you can order from me or purchase in galleries. Debut 1/30/2016

I asked a friend of mine who owned one of the buildings on the square in Gallatin TN. that was being renovated, if I could use the upstairs to do a photo shoot.  He said yes and loaned me a key. As I waited for the model to show up, I took a few photos of the building this photo is one of those.  From the group this one I like the most, each door leading to a different room giving you different choices. Months later I found out the upstairs building was a brothel.  It upsets me to hear someone has committed suicide or was even thinking about it, and I've always said you have choices to make a change in your life. I have often said if a situation is so bad, you can change the situation yourself, even if you move to a new town or just make new friends. Life has too much to offer.

40-16 The Boat

The Boat

Tampa, Florida

While on vacation in Florida or wherever I may be I usually satisfy my craving for ice cream by finding the local ice cream parlors. This time the parlor was across the street from an old boat yard with this unique dry docked boat from years past. I thought it was a great opportunity to catch some history. I sometimes stop and think, or attempt to put myself in the events that might have happened around these historical items back in the day.   By the way I did shoot the ice cream parlor before leaving Tampa. We’ll see if I print any. This print will debut at the Tennessee Art League for the January Art Crawl 2016 Nashville TN.

This one drew a lot of attention this past weekend in print only and I was told that I should number it. The next day I numbered it and framed it. So I now have it in a black frame with a gray mat. It looks great in the frame.. It's called Midnight Snow. I actually woke up one night and while going to the kitchen to get a drink of water I notice it had snowed. So I got the tripod, and camera out and took this photo through the front door glass. It was taken at 11:55PM.. close enough to midnight. Find #1 in Gallatin at Amberleaf on the square.

First time first time ever a numbered print from my collection hit the Galleries this weekend. I hold numbers #1 thru #5 for orders only sells please view my contact information to make inquires. During the Art Crawl April 4th. 2015 in Nashville and it was this photo's debut. I sold the #6 to a repeat customer who also bought two other framed prints on this same night. Thanks David. There are other numbered prints in Tennessee Art League Nashville and "O" Gallery Clinton Street at Marathon Village.

Actually saved and forgot to Publish this Blog several weeks prior to October-fest. 

I had a great day in Gallatin and had a chance to meet a lot of people and a lot of Classmates, this past weekend. I will need to restock the wall with more Fall items.

We'll see.. I still think I'm okay with maybe a slight lean to thinking I might have something with this Photography thing.. Ever since the first night I met Olga in her private Gallery on Clinton St. in Nashville which was across from the Marathon Music Works Cabin Fever Hey Day Event and she took me to the Arcade to show me the wall I needed to be on, I thought wow this Gallery is the place to have your work to sell, It has a lot of traffic from the American Pickers across the street and lots of other events and business in the Marathon building.

Well the other day I was by her Gallery picking up the key so I could take my turn and be the Artist represented sales person in the "O" Gallery in the Arcade that opens 1-4 PM every Saturday. Olga kinda dropped a hint that she may want to let me be in that Gallery. Later that day I was back to drop off the key and she ask me if I wanted a wall and it was in a great location. I thought about it and later that night I txt her and excepted that offer. As far as I know I'm the only other artist she has ask to take a wall in that Gallery. It is more likely that I was in the right place at the right time.... (refer to Plan or Coincidence) I took the wall.

It is a challenge I have to bring in my work that is different from hers. She does Nashville so other than the Pedestrian Bridge I won't have Nashville or Parthenon in that Gallery. Life is full of challenges right. She said bring Antique stuff, like the trucks. So we set up the wall and first week I had a sell "Ol School" Yeah!!!! The next week I had another sell "Ol School". Yeah!!!  Well see what time has to tell.

Time to catch you up on me.  Last October 2013 I became once again a single man and I’m sure it was both parties at fault but during this time. My life changed in two ways.

Due to going to be divorced, I was shopping for furniture and had frequented a furniture store several times trying to decide what I wanted for furniture and hadn’t really figured out where I would be living, if I wanted to keep the house or move. During that time searching stores I noticed the furniture store had a lot of art on the walls, so one trip I actually and with my future x-wife who was also looking for furniture, ask the salesman if they sold very much art. He said, “Yes”. I showed him some of my work, he took me to the manager, whom said we’ll try it and what you bring in I’ll mark it up X% and we’ll see what happens.

I printed a couple of pieces, had framed and took one Nashville B&W and one of the Arch’s of Antigua Guatemala basically the pastel colors thinking furniture store.

I took them in on a Saturday morning, leaned them up against a recliner, and a lady checking out was distracted by the salesman who noticed I brought a print of Nashville when he said Wow that’s Nashville. She turned around, glanced, took another look and said "Wow that’s Nashville I’ve got to have it! How much is it.” The store employees looked at me and told her, we don’t know you’ll have to ask him, he just brought it in. I told her the agreed on price I had with the manager and she said, "I’ll take it." It was in the store less than 10-minutes.  I watched it go back out to her car, after she bought an Easel to display it with. I didn’t have the photo, Gallery ready to hang, as I learned the technique soon afterwards.

Now where can I get frames at best cost, so I go to Old Time Pottery in Madison TN. Looking for frames had a couple in my cart and was headed out the door when I noticed a very pretty young lady with two kids and the one in the cart was starting to climb out. I said you’re about to loose one. She took care of the situation and I gave her my card and said, “If you ever need family portraits give me a call.” She replied, “You’re a photographer?” I said “Yes” she said; “I’m a framer” I said your kidding. I got her number, and after sever txt messages she said she didn’t think her frames would be what I needed for my photos, but I should go to Market Place @ Amberleaf in Gallatin on the Square and look up her booth “A Piece of the Pie” and look at here frames.  With me spending most of my life in Gallatin I knew just where to go.  (Note: She was 30-minutes from her home towards Ashland City, and I was another 30-min opposite direction from my house in Portland.  Either of us at 30-seconds either way, this plan would have be altered.)

I walk into the store Market Place in Gallatin and I’m greeted the first 20ft in the door by a lady, Melissa J. She ask if it was my first time there I said yes, could she help me, I said, “Looking for the ladies booth who does frames” she took me to the booth. I quickly agreed the frames were beautiful but not what I needed for B&W photos. Melissa asks what I did to need frames. I said I’m a Photographer. She said I sell Art I’m on the second floor, and she represents people and sells their Art, and other items, as we were going up the steps she said she has some photos from a photographer but can’t get enough. I told her I could load her up with photos. So now I am packaging smaller items for her to sell for me. She said in December 2013 she was going to do a show at the Expo center in Hendersonville and ask if I wanted to join her in the booth.  I said I might show up. Well I did. I had the chance to meet people and talk. (Who would have thought that, me a talker.) I sold enough photos’ that I had to go have more photos printed, buy frames and go back to the Expo to sell more the same day.

Melissa on this day at the Expo Center mentioned an event in Nashville called Hey Day only once a year event, she was thinking about doing, I said we could split it but I’d get half the booth. The term “Booth Hog” was brought up in a nice way. I think. Later after many conversations she decided not to do it and said I should, and that I would meet Olga of “O” Galleries across the street from the event.  She actually said Olga would find me. I had to research the event if I wanted to get in. I found it. Cabin Fever Hey Day Feb. 8^th. 2014 at the Marathon Music Works Building. Booth rent $275 for 6-hours. I said to myself. Go Big or Go Home. I jumped in with both feet and a couple borrowed feet; Sherrie G. my Sons girlfriend was very helpful.  It was an awesome event. I really enjoyed it and had a great day. Melissa came to the booth that day and later said I very well could have been the top seller at the event.

During the day while taking money from a customer, I turned and saw Olga in my booth. She looked around and asks if I was Raymond, I said Yes… She said, “You need to be in “O” Galleries in the Arcade.” I said. “I do?” She said, “Yes”. When you pack up this evening, come across the street to her Gallery and she would take me downtown to the Arcade on 5^th Ave. Nashville TN. and show me where I needed to be. I agreed. We meet, went downtown, she showed me a wall in the Gallery and said this is where you need to be. I accepted she also discussed rent, and commission.  Feb. 8^th. 2014

On October 2013 I had just heard about the Nashville Art Crawl from Melissa. I actually went downtown November 2^nd. 2013 to explore the Art World of Nashville, and did the Art Crawl. I had visited the Tennessee Art League 5^th Ave. Nashville, along with many other Galleries, and I had also been inside “O” Gallery in the Arcade.

One evening after work Feb. 19^th. 2014. I walked into Tennessee Art League TAL and ask about having a photo on the Gallery wall. They said it has to be Juried in I said okay. So the next Friday Feb 21^st.  I stopped by and paid the yearly fee, and dropped off a print. Nashville B&W on gray matte, and framed. The two people there were a lady and a gentleman, they started doing the Ooo… Ahhhhh so I’m thinking I might get in. That same evening I figured out the lady would be my competition at the TAL, well, we shoot the same locations and she has a different style she said we really don’t compete.

Feb 25^th Tuesday prior to the Art Crawl on Saturday night. I remember about the Gift Shop at the TAL and I called and ask what I needed to do to get smaller photos in. Again I would have to be Juried in. but needed to call this other lady. I got the number and called.  She said I’d have to be Juried in. I said okay, an example of mine was just hung in your Gallery this past Sunday (prior to the art crawl) the B&W of Nashville. She said, “Gray matte, black frame, and are you Raymond?” I said, “Yes” “She said bring your stuff on down for the gift shop.” Now it is Wednesday Feb. 26^th. prior to the Art Crawl, I’m eating supper at a restaurant and get a phone call. Is this Raymond, I said "Yes,” This is the Tennessee Art League, “Would you like to have your own wall.” I said “Yes I would”. They said short notice but can you be ready by Saturday. I’m thinking, I have to get Prints, Frames, Mattes, and put it all together, and said Yes. I hung my wall Saturday the day of the Art Crawl March 1^st. 2014.

I’ve had enough success, I have not only just finished April Art Crawl, but also I have already told Olga, that I would be there in May.  

I’m really stretching it with my next adventure, and I really only give it a small chance of success, but once again. Go Big or Go Home. I’ve at least made it to the second phone contact level and leaving messages, but you never know until you try.

Now stop and think about any of this happening if I hadn’t meet the lady Lisa S. with the two kids at Old Time Pottery in Madison, TN.  October 2013.

All this probably wouldn’t have began had my now x-wife, Jenn, not purchased my first quality Digital Camera while we were dating several years ago and my latest Digital Camera 2013.

I used to be the bashful, quite person in High School. Imagine that.

Coincidence or Plan?

I know which it is, and apparently I was getting behind on the plan that God had for me.

I hope you follow me and see where this trail takes me. I need the company.

06-13 Black Bear

What was beginning to be a rainy day drive in the park turned out to be a great opportunity to catch a few photo's of momma bear and her cubs. The 70-200 f2.8 lens gave me a few closeup photo's.  Just moments prior to this photo we were driving down a road and saw several cars parked and people out wandering in the woods. I started towards the woods when I heard there was a bear sighting and cubs were up a tree, I had to go back to the car and swap the lens from the 18-70 f2.8 to the 70-200 f2.8 which would allow me to keep a safe distance from the family. I think I had great success even though I was tucking the camera under my rain coat to keep it from getting wet. Pulling it out to snap a shot or two. I think my next purchase will be for a camera rain coat or a cheap umbrella. By the way.. Thanks to the lady who loaned me an umbrella at an earlier sighting of another bear family.

Now the only problem I have, you, me, and everyone (correction Satellite Only) has and don't think it possible. There is a data limit of uploads and downloads. Normal users on the internet won't realize it, but the photo's I'm shooting currently are very large in size, most are 36.2 meg photo's 25-26 meg file size. I'm uploading to six and sometimes eight commercial stock sites plus here. I uploaded 280 photos this month. I have loads of photos coming for here, just give me time. Cable company says were not even in there Long Long term plans.  You may think;  What about DSL?  LOL. LOL. LOL.  Cell phone hook up.. there's a four foot circle in our office where we get two bars on our smart phones. I'm at 70% uploads, and could probably keep uploading. I'm just being careful and easing into the uploading.

What makes it worth it? I used to live in the city, had super speed cable, the sounds of cars and there speaker noises way to often, and now I'm in the country, while I'm typing this I'm listening to the music of at least 3 owls, crickets, and frogs on the pond, and an occasional dog bark trying to quite the owls.