Brian McClear at Art Walk

Brian McClear is a terrific representational oil painter who has an exhibition through the end of June at Art Walk, a gallery on the third floor of Hartford Public Library.

The exhibition has two parts.  One is a series of portraits of heavily tattooed subjects.

The second is a series of still lifes using found objects paired to show similarities.

I liked the tattooed subjects best.  Here are close-ups of parts of three portraits.
I have photographed many tattooed people.  I would like to run into these people with my camera.

Transferware

When you are over 70 and have recently updated your estate plan, you realize that your eventual executor would get massive headaches trying to dispose of 100 two-century old plates and platters.

I built a collection of blue and white Historical Staffordshire over four decades. Yesterday I consigned it to a Virginia auctioneer who specializes in Americana.  In the fall, my stuff will pass into younger hands.  I kept a dozen Hartford and Boston items that mean something to my daughter.

Out of the Jurisdiction: Shenandoah

I have an appointment outside Harrisonburg, Virginia, this morning.
So, I drove down here on Sunday to avoid weekday traffic.  

That gave me all of yesterday to drive around country roads . . .

. . . see James Madison University . . .

. . . and then drive the lower half of the Skyline Drive.  I first drove the Skyline Drive in the 1970s.  My car today is far stronger, more comfortable and more reliable than the one that did it in the 70s.

Pretty in Pink

The Victoria's Secret store at Westfarms Mall has a brilliant striped pink façade.

I waited for a while until people wearing pink walked past.

Yup.  All women.  Not my fault.

I think she said she is Shehem.  It is an Arabic name.  I took photos on her phone that are better.

Alecia.  Reluctant at first, then she got into it.

Victoria.  Shy, but she said "OK."

Three on Prospect

I can't remember if I have shown this beauty before.  It is on the West Hartford side of Prospect Avenue.  No longer a residence, it now houses an insurance agency.

Further up, one of the finest homes in West Hartford is on the market for the first time in eons.
Eyrie Knoll is a 3.5 acre estate near the highest point on Prospect Avenue.



And this one, guarded by lions and now by a cow, has a dumpster in the driveway.
I wonder if it will make an appearance in the real estate listings before long.

Celebrate West Hartford

Arts.  Crafts.  Food.  Rides.  Nonprofits.  School jazz band concerts.  Always busy.  Always fun.

A woman makes whimsical tassels from vintage and collectible salt and pepper shakers.

dancingbeartassels.com

Over the years I have bought this potter's vases, coffee mugs, wine cooler and berry dishes,

but these days I have stopped buying stuff for myself.

I liked these watches and bands, but I have enough watches . . .

monardaz.com

 Lamps made from salvaged musical instruments.  Clever.

pichedesign.com

Marie makes lovely glass bead jewelry with a Japanese Kumihimo braiding technique.

bearsneststudio.com

My sister likes birdhouses.  A few years ago I couldn't decide so I bought her three.

birdhouseaccents.com

A month old social enterprise company sells fanciful socks.  They employ physically or intellectually disabled adults in the business and the net proceeds are donated to HARC,

a Hartford nonprofit that works with those indivuals.

sockstarausa.com

Pink!!!

For the June 1 theme of "pink," what else could I choose but this beauty on Kenyon Street in Hartford?  Especially when the rhodies are blooming.

Click here for other City Daily Photo bloggers exhibiting their "Pink" images.