Little of This Little of That

Ok, coming to you as always(well most of the time) from Cumberland Coffee Roasters Coffee Shop. My favorite Coffeehouse in Hope mills.
My wife had ordered one of my Anniversary presents and it didn't get here until yesterday. It was driving her a little bit nuts, you see she is a person who wants to give presents as soon as she gets them for you. She doesn't, but she really wants to. Mostly because she put so much thought into the gifts she buys. They have to be perfect for the person she is getting them for. So, she really gets excited watching you open it because she knows you will love it.
All that being said, she was really happy when it arrived.


A couple of the booklet.

It is a limited addition Moscow Mule Copper Mug. It is 37 out of 2000, which is pretty cool. It came with a card with the letter of authenticity, it is like a credit card that you swipe to read or scan it, and it came in the really cool box, that is nice to display it on. Also, there is a booklet in it that has the story of the mugs origin and recipes for the various Moscow Mule cocktails. So of course we had to try the drink ourselves, and it is great. Might have just found our new go to. We made it in our white wine glasses ( notice no stem, I get a little klutzy with stemware.) since it is a limited edition. We will go get some copper mugs at Bed Bath and Beyond for future use.

OK, that was the "This" here is the "That".... Sharon had ordered one of my photos on canvas for her office, and it came yesterday. She was very excited and very pleased with print. I was glad to see that the quality was as I expected it to be. It came out very nice and will look good on her wall. I will get her to get a picture of it on her wall and post it when she does. But for now you get to see me signing it ( very excited it is my first canvas order) and holding it (aren't you excited ...LOL).




So you can see that the quality of the Crated product is great so if you too want to own a Natures Views Photography original click here to go to the Gallery. or you can go to my Fine art America Gallery, they have a greater variety of my work. With more options for printing.

So, there you have it the photo business is off and running...sort of ...=o)

Ok as promised here are some of the Happy Customer.

( taken with phone camera and I did what I could .)LOL.

Art Exhibit At the Sweet Palette

We made it down to fourth Friday last week, and it was great. I had heard about a Rob Robbers art exhibit and wanted to check it out. It was really a fun evening. It was held in the gallery area of the cupcake shoppe on Person st. in the circle, The Sweet Palette. Really cool little shoppe, they had Tyler King playing acoustical guitar. the shoppe had a really great atmosphere and the music was great. We had just eaten and I was too full to have anything more than coffee which was really good (they get their coffee from my favourite coffee roaster Jaun at The Cumberland Coffee Rosters in Hope Mills.) Sharon did get one of their cheesecake bites. She said it was very good. Just the right size so as not to make you feel guilty for eating the whole slice of cheesecake.

So here are just some shots I made while there.



Yes, I did take most of these sitting at my table, I do plan to go back down there one evening before they take the show down and get some more. I will add them when I get them. the paintings were really cool. The artist had a real unique take on some famous people, like Edgar Allan Poe, Humphry Bogart, and Audrey Hepburn to name a few. Very interesting. I liked it. You should if you get a chance, go down and check the gallery out, and get a great cup of coffee.

Here are a couple of other shots made the same night.


Here is a few of shots my wife took:

Added to the Crated Gallery

Went through some of my older shots today and developed them to put up for sale in my Crated Gallery.Not a lot of order to them just as I got them finished.


So if you would like these or one of the many others I have listed visit my Crated Gallery and have a look.

More From Charlotte

I have developed a few more of the images from Charlotte.



I really enjoyed the market area. I have to go back there it had some very interesting booths.



Here is the Studio where Sharon attended the WorkShop Wingmaker Arts Collaborative

Touristy Stuff

I got most of the shots that I liked developed last night. Most are Uptown Charlotte a few from the South End, and NoDa. Really had a great time, we are going again this weekend, for the second part of the watercolor workshop Sharon is attending. I will be making more photos somewhere. Maybe the Raptor Recovery Center. There is so much to see in the Charlotte area pretty much anywhere is a great place to make photos.
Ok, here are the tourist photos of Charlotte, Up Town, South End and NoDa.

Also just to show that I can do color also. If you think some are over processed, you are probably right. But my blog, my pictures, and I make art not documentary. I shoot and develop what I like. Hope you enjoy also.


The African Culture Museum ....There are a bunch of museums in this area. I need to plan a trip to come and just go to them.

This is the Bank of America Corporate Tower... the architecture here is really amazing. This is the tallest building in Charlotte, Height: 871 feet Floors: 60, The building sits on top of the Rudisill Gold Mine, a mine from the nation's first gold rush in Charlotte. Construction workers actually found gold while working on this project.

Here is a sign post with the miles to the different Charlotte's around the country, this is in a park called the Green. It is in between the Mint Museum and the Charlotte Convention Center.

In front of the Hilton, there is this cool fountain. Everywhere you go there is something very interesting to see and do.

The Charlotte Firebird stands in front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art Affectionately known as "Disco Chicken" by area residents.

The Hearst Tower Truely a architectual feat.



Now this is pretty cool it is the knife edge of the Omni Hotel building, cool reflection huh....


One WellsFargo Center


This clock is in front of the WellsFargo Building, and stands near the fountain above.


The Johnston Building (known as Midtown Plaza today),


I thought this was pretty cool, they have these rent-a-bikes at the parking lot I parked in, with the Duke Energy Center in the background. They also have electric car hook up in many places in the city. Go Green!!!!

A
A parting shot of the the city, looking up at the Duke Energy Center Building. By square footage, this is the largest building in Charlotte. This building was intended to be the headquarters of Wachovia Bank .

Now to South End, I really didn't do much here just went to pick Sharon up. But, of course, when I got there I found something to shoot. I really was impressed with the Mosaics on the wall of the gallery. Her Watercolor Workshop was held in the Ciel Gallery by Caroline Brown. The other ladies, that attended were surprised that Sharon came all the way from Fayetteville to attend.




Ok I know everyone does it ..but that's just because it's Cool...lol...Me waiting for Sharon.

"NoDa is Charlotte’s historic arts and entertainment district – a neighborhood where the people are as diverse as the art, live music, craft beers, restaurants, custom gifts and tattoos you will find here. NoDa is dedicated to promoting the arts, living eco-friendly lifestyles, supporting small businesses, encouraging diversity and aiding fellow charities." NoDa
This is so cool. First they have the Smelly Cat Coffeehouse and Roasters, but the rest of the place is so Artsy cool. Also, Dweelise Zappa is playing in the Neighborhood Theater across the street from the Smelly Cat Coffe House.





Sharon joining a drum line soon???



Well I have to have at least one of us being tourist....Ha!





So, that was my view of the Charlotte area for the first time. Well the first time I really got out and roamed the city. Like I said we are going back this Saturday and have some more fun. Will post the results.