Every time I set foot in the Taubman Museum I get this swell of pride that is hard to explain. I think about the generosity of the many people who made this wondrous architectural work of art possible, and I am so proud to be a part of it in my little way. Friday night was such a time at the opening night of the RVSPCA’s Best in Show exhibit featuring the work of local artists to benefit the RVSPCA. The opening night was hosted by the Taubman Museum and it brought out hundreds of enthusiastic supporters for this most worthy cause.

I contributed a piece to the show which I titled “Jack with Stick” and I was pleased to find out that it had sold before I even got there! I was only an hour late getting there for the start of things, but unfortunately I was too late to snatch up my favorite piece by local artist Mary Bullington. Nevertheless, I was pleased that Jack was able to contribute in his own way to the organization that helped him get such a great start in Life. Jack and I donated 100% of the proceeds to the RVSPCA. I also wanted to thank whomever purchased the piece and say that I hope you enjoy it for many years to come. This piece means a lot to me, and I hope it does to you as well.

So, if you haven’t had an opportunity to see the Taubman, you missed out on the freebie. But, please go and join the support of the thousands who have been so impressed with Roanoke’s newest jewel to the crown.

Kemper

Just a little promo. Come on out and see the Taubman and help the RVSPCA. I have a piece in there and have donated 100% of the proceeds from its sale to the RVSPCA.

Tripped downtown today to see the Nashville Portraits: Photographs by Jim McGuire exhibit at the Art Museum of Western Virginia. Even though I’m not a huge country music fan, some of my favorite music artists are pure country. There’s Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, and Doc Watson (who btw is playing at the Jefferson Center on March 7th…..got my tickets!). They were all in there. There was even a portrait of Carole King. Most were beautiful silver prints but there were a few digital prints in there as well. It was a small exhibit by most standards but if you’re into photography or country music or both, it is definitely one to see. McGuire’s career as one of Nashville’s premiere album photographers has spanned more than 30 years so it is a fascinating a walk down memory lane and some mighty fine portrait photography.

After the exhibit I checked out the new Mexican restaurant Alejandro’s, which took over the space vacated by the recent closing of the much loved Green Dolphin Grille on Campbell Ave. I gotta say that I have a new fave place for Mexican now. Great food and a total bonus with the Salsa Bar and its wide assortment of gourmet salsas. HOT! MMMmmm.

Of course today was just a little cold with temps in the 20’s and a wind chill dragging that down about 10+ degrees. Tonight is supposed to be the coldest of the year so far with temps dipping in the single digits. So, how appropriate it is to display this shot of a fine item I saw today in the window at Twists & Turns. All that glitters is not gold. Stay warm!

Thursday was a beautiful summer day and what a better way to spend it than in downtown Roanoke to participate in the celebration of our new Art Museum of Western Virginia by signing and then watching the last piece of structural steel be hoisted and fitted on the west roof.

I am a HUGE advocate of this generous gift and am certain that even the critics will be convinced that this is a great thing for Roanoke once the building is completed. It will be stunning as we can already tell by this artists rendering..

So here are a few shots of the signing and hoisting event and then I’ll close this blog with a few shots of the fountain in front of the #1 Fire Station. It was indeed a gorgeous day!!

Then, I wandered on over to the fountain in front of Fire Station #1 and took a few shots….

What do you think this one below looks like…….I’m thinking panther…