Thursday, February 27, 2014

It Is Raining Chairs


I saw this installation on a porch down a side street in Old Naples.

Do you think the Naples artist was inspired by the similar
installation, "Bang," at the 2013 Venice Biennale by the Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei?


(I never expected to find an opportunity to show this Biennale photo
from my June 2013 trip to Venice and the Adriatic.)

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Street Legal


Three weeks ago I showed an amazing car I found in Naples, a Morgan.

Today I am approaching the other end of the automotive spectrum.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Collier County Public Library


Naples is in Collier County.


There is a city library system and a county library system.


This is the main library for the county.  Lots of people -- like me -- 
have a Naples mailing address but live in unincorporated parts of Collier County.


I asked this man to walk quickly past the stacks to give some life to a photo.
I wanted a blur, but he is a very slow walker.

UPDATE:  I am tall and my DSLR has a swiveling LED screen that lets me hold it high,
low or to the side and still see what I am doing.  Shot from eye height, this would have been a boring view of books and shelves.  But, with the camera held at arms' length above my head, probably
8' to 9' high, I could show the tops of the light fixtures and a view of the room.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Art in the Park

The Naples National Art Festival was held  over the weekend.


Barbara paints realistic watercolors of Florida birds and nature scenes. 


Darren offers large-scaled, brightly colored and super-detailed photographs of Italy.


A happy artist and happy buyer do business.


Jef creates ceramic sculptures of humans, incorporating animal forms into their bodies.
He calls them manimals.  (It is worth clicking on the photo to see the details.)
Oops.  Didn't see the no photography sign 
until back home on the computer.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Egypt


The Naples-museum-that-cannot-be-named-because-photography-is-not-permitted
is showing art by European artists visiting Egypt in the 19th century.
It is a beautiful exhibition.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

George Washington


George Washington was born on this day in 1732.
His painting by Gilbert Stuart hangs in the Senate chamber of Hartford's Old State House.

(I couldn't think of any Washington relationships in southwest Florida.)

Friday, February 21, 2014

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Leoma!!!


Leoma Lovegrove is an ebullient artist from Matlacha,
a fishing village or artist colony -- depending on who you talk to -- north of here.
I ran across her colorfully painted trailer on Tuesday.


Leoma uses big, fast strokes to create a fun and colorful work of art.


Leoma has licensed some of her Florida images to a chain of stores
to use on colorful tee shirts, tote bags, beach towels and more.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Beatles!


It was twenty FIFTY years ago today last week
Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play
They've been going in and out of style
But they're guaranteed to raise a smile
So may I introduce to you
The act you've known for all these years
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band . . . . .

Tomorrow let me introduce you to the artist.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Hans Und Renate


Hans and Renate are a charming German couple.
They live in Florida for five months in the winter and in Germany for the rest of the time.


Renate's wonderful "Sei Wild" sweater is what first attracted my attention.
I used my high school German to translate it as "Be wild!"
And, I was right.


Hans' business was publishing, a family-run company for many
generations, currently operated by their son. 

Monday, February 17, 2014

Filosophy


Katie sells colorful, handcrafted, artisan jewelry, bags and leather products.
She is primarily a wholesaler of Fair Trade articles made in Thailand.
She also sets up booths in art festivals and farmers markets
so she can hear directly from her customers.
Katie's website is here.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Olde Naples Miscellany

Sometimes I end up with a bunch of photos that don't warrant a post all by themselves.


Goin' fishing, Olde Naples style.


A bench for VP and Malyss.


When I was a kid, the slogan was "I'd walk a mile for a Camel."
Now, the camel rides shotgun.  In a vintage convertible, no less.


Pink.


Another day at the beach.


How much is that cat in the window?


And finally, homeowners with a sense of humor.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Evan


Evan is a photographer, but he doesn't like being on the other side of the camera lens.

I caught him in a weak moment.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Best of Everything


Hey, it is the name of the store.  It's not my fault.

Happy Valentine's Day

(There is that pesky photographer again.)
Please visit Weekend Reflections to see more photos with reflections.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Exercise

While taking a walk in the neighborhood, I decided to do 
a depth-of-field photographic exercise.  I focused sharply on plants
and  gave the backgrounds pleasing bokehs.









How did I do?

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

A Day at the Beach


Naples Beach with Naples Pier on the horizon.


Even small waves are pretty fearsome at this age.


Laura is a Canadian who spends the winter in Naples.  She was a
Shakespearean scholar until she found she liked working on government policy better
than academia.  Her apartment is an easy walk to the beach.


When have you not seen a sea gull at the beach?


I always try to help my human subjects look their best on this blog.
But, I could not pass up this anonymous -- and very red -- sleeping man.  (I'm sorry.)


Lost.  And not yet found.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Winnie


Winnie was a college soccer and basketball player.
She has taught photography in high school.  These days she is a barista.


Last Friday Winnie dressed up to interview for a new job.  (She got it!)


What a great smile and cute dimples!