documentary photography
“Underneath the poet tree,
Come and rest awhile with me,
And watch the way the word-web weaves
Between the shady story leaves.
The branches of the poet tree
Reach from the mountains to the sea.
So come and dream, or come and climb –
Just don’t get hit by falling rhymes.”
(photographs taken on the corner of Franklin & Columbia streets in Chapel Hill)
(photographs taken on the corner of Franklin & Columbia streets in Chapel Hill)
Much like circus tents, these lights form the crux of temporary holiday tree shops peppered throughout town evoking images of spider webs dotted with eggs, carnival rides, or firework streamers.
(photograph taken off of Highway 54 in Chapel Hill)
A plethora of makeshift Christmas tree shops have sprung up around town. Box stores: Food Lion & Lowes. Local concern: farmer's markets and churches. North Carolina farm tents: Cranberry Farms. Some prefer the freshest tree or the best price. Others like to support the state farms. But while on your pine tree pursuit consider Holiday Trees by TROSA (Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers). The local organization offers those on the path to sobriety a boost to rebuild their lives through vocational training, education, and job opportunities like those who work the TROSA pop-up tree shops throughout town. They are happy to drag out and unfurl tree after tree until you find the right one. Or take pictures of your brood posing against the tree-topped sedan with the 8-foot beauty you hope will not tumble off on the ride home.
(photograph taken at Rams Plaza in Chapel Hill)
(photograph taken in the parking lot of The Shops at Eastgate in Chapel Hill)
“Yeah we all shine on, like the moon, and the stars and the sun. ”
(Photograph taken at "Artful Fall Reception," an exhibit by visual artist Murry Handler at the Bold Building in Governors Village, Chapel Hill. His contemporary paintings and drawings will be on display through December 31st. Murray resides in Pittsboro.)
From a distance, this mural of a world map embedded in the United States appears to be flecked in arbitrary pastel shades. But look closely to decipher the allegory reflected in the statement (in English and Spanish) that accompanies the piece: "We are a Nation of Many Colors." Each brick has a distinct word or design, yet in collaboration it appears as one seamless object. The mural was painted in 2005 by volunteers from El Centro Latino. Alaska and Hawaii are hidden behind the creeping greenery.
(photographs taken near Lloyd and Main streets in Carrboro)
The newly opened arcade bar, The Baxter Bar & Arcade, stocks a full bar and 46 restored arcade games from 1978-1998. Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, Centipede, Millipede, Dig Dug, Mario Bros., Tron, on and on.
(photograph taken on N.Graham Street between Franklin and W. Rosemary streets in Chapel Hill)
“Innocence is one of the most exciting things in the world.”
(photograph taken at Weaver Street Market at Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro)
Age and ability are a moot point. The Ackland Museum offers affordable hands-on art workshops for those who lean into pencils or pastels, sculpture or still life. The image above captures the Drawing for Tweens program for 10- to 13-year-olds. An instructor demonstrates techniques using the museum's collection as the classroom.
(photograph taken at the University of North Carolina Ackland Art Museum in Chapel Hill)
She packed a wallop belting her signature seductive songs in raspy soul. Folk-rock singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata nailed it Saturday evening at the Cat's Cradle, only rivaled by her endearing stage banter. From behind draping locks, she alternated between new tunes and classics from Happenstance that a decade ago catapulted her career. Nearing the culmination of the concert, the crowd hushed and Jeremy (striped shirt below) -- who lip-synched ditty after ditty in the audience -- piped in softly harmonizing with Rachael. Applause and whistles from the crowd....he made Carrboro proud.
(photograph taken at the Cat's Cradle Back Room on Main Street in Carrboro)
Reproduced in repetition on this umbrella is Van Gogh's The Starry Night (1889). It is perhaps the artist's best-known piece. The painting depicts the night sky outside Van Gogh's window during his stay at a mental institution in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. Van Gogh committed himself to the hospital in 1889 after he severed his ear with a razor. He later delivered the ear wrapped in paper to a brothel he frequented. It was at the hospital that he arguably created his best work including the blue self portrait.
(photograph taken on the corner of Franklin and Columbia Streets in Chapel Hill)
“If it takes more than 5 minutes, it’s not graffiti.”
(photograph taken off of Smith Level Road in Carrboro)
Halloween occurs four days before elections. These Carrboro folks express political views using the eve of All Saints' Day as a backdrop. Nonetheless, a billboard reminding us to vote.
(photograph taken near Hillsborough Street in Carrboro)
(photographs taken present day -- 10/2014 -- in Chapel Hill and Carrboro)
(photograph taken near the train tracks that run through Carrboro)
“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and souls of its people.”
(photographs taken at the Chapel Hill-Durham Japanese Association fall picnic at Wilson Park in Carrboro)