Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe

Wall Murals in Tampa, con't

I do love finding and posting wall murals and I had waited a long time to really capture this entire wall. It's too long for one shot so this is "part 2" of yesterday's image. John of "I Love Old Cameras" in the UK (who shoots fantastic black and whites and has a wonderful collection of film cameras - click HERE to visit him) said he'd like to see the right side of the exploding yellow block wall. Well. here it is. Enjoy? (There's a left side to the wall as well.)

Wall Murals Rock, Dude!

Lebowski's Men's Hair Salon was on Channelside Drive across from the dry docks. Described as a "man cave," men received the royal treatment from the "Lebowski girls." It has recently closed but the outstanding wall art remains. It was always so crowded with cars when I'd drive by I could never get a clear shot of the huge and colorful exploding wall art.

Changing Identities: Len Prince's Photographs of Jessie Mann

This image is a favorite of mine from the exhibition that closed today at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. This evening's Wrap Party for the exhibition, Changing Identities: The Len Prince Photographs of Jessie Mann, gave us all an opportunity to get up close to the prints and to the photographer who created them. This image, a close resemblance to the artist Andy Warhol - including the darkroom setting and Polaroid SX-70 camera around her neck - was hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg Friends of Photography. The event featured the photographer, Len Prince, in a very casual one-on-one discussion of his art, his model and muse, Jessie Mann (the daughter of photographer Sally Mann), and an enlightening Q & A with Prince about his techniques and working relationship with Jessie. It was all terribly interesting and a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the artist.

Here is the Museum of Fine Arts' description of the exhibition: "Len Prince is celebrated for glamorous portraits of Hollywood stars and sleek advertisements for Cartier and Estée Lauder. In 2001 he met a self-possessed young woman, Jessie Mann, who had practically grown up in front of the camera. Sally Mann’s nude photographs of her children, including Jessie, created great controversy, igniting debate over child exploitation, censorship, and the nature of art.

"By the end of Prince’s first session photographing the adult Jessie, she had become his muse. What followed was a five-year collaboration exploring archetype, transformation, and identity. These have become some of Prince’s most accomplished and respected photographs.

"Prince and Mann make compelling images that reference paintings, famous photographs, historical figures, and mythology. They have been inspired by Ingres’ sumptuous Grand Odalisque, May Ray’s solarized image of Lee Miller, and Robert Mapplethorpe’s self- portrait in leather chaps, among other images. While these photographs can be disturbing and stark, they are often beautiful and fascinating. Theatrical and seductive, these unforgettable images explore the relationship between viewer, subject, and artist by examining personae and their meaning, as well as the very nature of the self." - Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, FL

Full Moon Howls at Night

Full Moon Saloon on 7th Avenue in Ybor City is a popular night club. If you think that you can look straight through the second story windows, you're right. There is no ceiling or roof over the saloon. Hey, it's Ybor City in Tampa. If you want a peek at the actual club scene, click HERE. Oh, go ahead, take a look.

Black & White Weekend: CAUTION - Palm Tree Mistreatment

A real Florida palm tree growing up against a wall in the courtyard of a Ybor City bar has been wrapped by a metal tabletop, hung with strings of lights and decorated with fake, metal palm frawns. What other abuse can a palm take and still live? How 'bout gallons of beer poured around its roots. Yeh, that'll make it happy.

The Weekend in Black and White is hosted by Dragonstar HERE. You'll love the monochromatic images. They are spectacular.

Indian Chief Says Smoke 'Em Boys and Girls

It's nice to see a cigar store Indian outside an actual, honest-to-god cigar store. This one stands at the entrance to Stogie Castillo's Cigar Lounge & Factory in Ybor City. And, yes, they do sell a large selection of beers and 31 different varieties of wines and ports to go along with your fine smoke. If you want to visit them online click HERE.

Table for Three: Sulas' in Ybor City

Hyde Park Village Fountain Gurgling (No water shortage here!)

Go-Fast Boats on Garrison Channel: Design, Speed and Fun

A Nor-Tech High Performance "go-fast" boat is tied up at the docks of the Tampa Waterside Marriott Hotel on Garrison Chanel in downtown Tampa. Harbour Island lies just across the channel. The Nor-Tech was joining in a "fun run" sponsored by the West Coast Powerboat Club of Florida. The boat to its left is a Donzi ZR, another fantastic and expensive fantasy-craft. The boats ranged from sport and multi-use center consoles to luxurious performance cruisers plus the a bevy of sleek, colorful Go-Fast boats that such as this Nor-Tech, Spectre, Donzi and Cigarettes. It was a fast, fun and colorful show of watercraft.

SKYWATCH Friday, Season 4, Episode 10

Visit Skywatch Friday to see the beauty and wonders of the world's most magnificent skies.

It's always an amazing show presented by Skywatchers in cities, countries and continents around the globe.

Tommy Bahama and Little Umbrellas

Tommy Bahama Restaurant, on John Ringling Boulevard on St. Armand's Key in Sarasota, right at the entrance to Lida Beach, is all about the laid-back island lifestyle. Enjoy an incredible menu, Tommy's-own craft beers, coconut shrimp, scallops and the world’s best (!) crab bisque made with lump crab meat, butter, sherry & cream. (It's worth driving for...and we do!) Plus warm Gulf breezes and tiny umbrellas. For the ultimate road-trip, and a great experience, from Mauna Lani, Hawaii to Las Vegas, find a Tommy's. Click HERE for locations and menus!!