photography

My First Visit to New York City

December 19, 2022December 21, 2022Sheila LoringLeave a comment

Visiting New York City had always been a dream of mine. So many of my favorite artists lived there — Rothko, Rauschenberg, Frankenthaler. I dreamed of visiting the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and the Met to see all of the grand art I’d studied in college. And I admit that my obsession with Sex and the City influenced my travels there.

When one of my favorite Broadway plays hit the scene in 2014, I could no longer procrastinate. I booked an AirBNB special in the hip artsy Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn off Varet and Bogart. It was fine for $60/night. Perfect location, close to the metro, quiet, and relatively safe.

Here are a few of my favorite photos. Visit flickr.com for more.

Reflections from the Lisa Perry store on Madison Ave.

Zoe Leonard’s camera obscura at the Whitney museum

Poster for Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Bellagio

Zoe Leonard's camera obscura — Zoe Leonard exhibit at the Whitney

Taken from the High Line walkway in Chelsea

Mom's motto — Mom’s motto (and quickly becoming mine)

Fall is here

October 10, 2015October 11, 2015Sheila LoringLeave a comment

In the Blue Ridge mountains September 26th

Capturing the moment

September 8, 2015September 22, 2015Sheila LoringLeave a comment

I take pictures to capture the moment — to share the moment with others or to revisit the moment myself. Technically, the photos might not be perfect, but they perfectly capture thoughts and feelings for me.

Taking pictures at Duke Gardens, I was on my way to the parking lot and discovered this beautiful gazebo and sculpture, lit up in vivid colors. Staff were strategically positioning the multi-colored lights in the gardens, preparing for a party. The colors remind me of a Wolf Kahn painting.

A sublime sunset on Myrtle Beach at Christmas, one of the best times to visit. The beach is practically vacant. Just put on a sweatshirt, hat, and gloves for a brisk walk. It’s not my favorite beach, but I enjoy shopping at the outlet malls.

My grandma and me in 2006. She had moved into a retirement home called Gran Gran’s when she could no longer live alone. The owner’s mother lived there, so the place was well maintained. Grandma always had a cute little laugh. My bracelet is from Primadora in Austin.

The sheet happened to form the shape of a flower. White cotton sheets remind me of spending the night at Grandma’s house during the summer. It was my home away from home.

Secluded windows at the Vatican. What’s on the other side? Who peered out over the centuries? All kinds of questions come to mind.

A great photo of Jessica hang gliding in Kitty Hawk. Judy, Pamela, Evelyn, Jenny, Jessica, and I enjoyed a weekend full of memorable adventures.

I walked by this woman in Pune, India on a humid 100-degree day. Wearing just a thin dress, I was drenched in sweat. How did the woman feel wearing this outfit? At least she could bare her toes and wear sandals. That religion is NOT for me.

At the Pompidou Centre in Paris, this installation is called Plight by Joseph Beuys. I scrunched down and entered the most peaceful room imaginable, lined with bolsters of warm felt to absorb the sound. Imagine the sound of nothingness. Such a sense of comfort and relief in the middle of the noisy city. I could have stayed there for hours. You’re probably not that impressed. Trust me, the sensation was amazing. Read more about the work at tayandhergay.blogspot.com/2012/11/plight-by-joseph-beuys-….

Jim, a visiting scholar at Duke divinity school, passed by with his family as I took pictures of the old Colonial Inn in Hillsborough. We talked about the house and why I found it so fascinating. I said “I’m feeling so much now”, to which his sweet daughter replied with a puppy dog “Awwww”.

The remnants of vegan tiramisu at Blossom, the best vegan restaurant in NYC. A must for both vegetarian and open-minded omnivores. Check out the Chelsea location menu…cashew cream ravioli, mushroom calamari, hickory barbeque tempeh. My next trip is in the works!!!!!

I’ll never forget the eerily quiet sensation of being nearly alone in Central Park. Several inches of snow muffled the sounds of Fifth Avenue. What an unexpected experience.

In May at Butchart Gardens on Victoria Island, thousands of tulips were blooming, tulips of every color you can imagine, all mixed with contrasting flowers (like these forget-me-nots). I felt like I’d been transported to some perfect psychedelic alternate reality. Robert Butchart was in the cement business and moved to Victoria for the abundant limestone. His wife Jennie followed a few years later and began gardening, though she didn’t know much at first. I’m sure glad that didn’t stop her.

My family’s dogs enjoy being fed human food from human utensils. Here, Buddy chomps down on banana creme pie at Thanksgiving. So spoiled…and unhealthy.

Star’s first time on the bed. She was so darn cute and cuddly. I let her have her way in subsequent visits but only on the bedspread. No dog hair on the sheets, please.

Star and I lazed on the bed a lot before bedtime followed by lazing in the bed at bedtime. I remember her corny basset hound smell (I called her “taco girl”, among other things) and that shiny red coat. She was a beautiful girl.

My mom and I visited Charleston, South Carolina in 2008. This photo is from the nearby Cypress Gardens. I love the reflections of the trees in the swampy water.

More feet please

August 27, 2015August 28, 2015Sheila LoringLeave a comment

A large number of foot fetishists search Flickr for photos, judging by the number of hits my shoe and feet photos get. What’s so fascinating about feet? They’re all different, and shoes are like icing on a cake (however, not a cake that I’d like to eat). One can learn a lot about a person with just a glance at the feet.

“Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.” A fashionably clad foot with polished toes.

“Look at me!” Gladiator sandals at the MOMA.

“Functional yet stylish.” Comfy shoes and roomy pants made for walking.

“A semi-free spirit.” Heel slightly dirty but clean shoes.

“Practical and cute.” My cushy Keens in India. Perfect travel shoes.

“Granola art lover”. My Birkenstocks next to a poster I’d just bought in New York.

“Exhausted tourist and Happy tourist.” The same Birks at the Vatican. My feet would have been MUCH happier in his shoes. This one got 1,000 views. Why? WHY?

“Oh, the places these boots have been.” Tattered boots at the Vatican.

“Precious shoes for precious people.” Handmade shoes in Florence, Italy. Worth $500? Perhaps not.

“Shy girl.” The perfect pedicure at the beach.

“Shall we dance?” A whimsical dame in San Francisco.

“Earthy dude.” Squatting to dig a sandcastle, heels worn smooth.

“Grim.” Shoe of a female gone missing in Columbia. Sealed into the gallery wall with a slice of cow’s bladder and stitched with animal hair. From Doris Salcedo’s Atrabilarios, which means defiant.

People of Raleigh

July 30, 2015Sheila LoringLeave a comment

These pix are from Artsplosure, an annual festival of artists from around the South selling their wares. I enjoy meeting the artists and learning what inspires them. Jewelry, paintings, pottery, clothing — there’s something for everyone.

This guy certainly knew how to pose! His mom, the artist, slept next to him in a chair. He said go ahead, take a picture of her. I somehow resisted.

I loved the contrast between this girl’s green eye shadow and the red streaks in her hair. Plus she was wearing a beautiful flowing rainbow-colored dress.

Artist Paul Flack hamming it up for the camera.

Cute young couple I spotted under a tree. How nice of them to pose for me. Ah, young love! I wonder if they’re still speaking to each other.

One of the fire-eating Aerial Angels, a group of aerial acrobats, contortionists, and ladies with other artistic talents.

People of San Francisco

July 27, 2015Sheila LoringLeave a comment

Walking around in the Mission District, I came across this young boy asking folks to sign a petition to provide health care to the poor. He seemed so sweet and sincere.

This is my favorite photo from San Francisco. I passed these two ladies somewhere in the Mission District and wanted to take their photo. They didn’t speak English, so I held up my camera and smiled. The mother lit up and sat down with her daughter. Their smiles. The little girl’s frizzy ringlets and red nails. The sequin heart on her shirt. I love everything about this photo. I wish I could have asked them some questions, but alas, I only know English.

“I used to be handsome,” the street vendor joked when I asked to take his photo.

In Muir Woods, this boy sat watching his sister and mom fighting. His sister did something to revoke her cell phone privileges. As they argued, he cried, “STOP! STOP!” I felt so bad for him.

I just wanted a picture of the Lenny Kravitz lookalike in the foreground. The yawning guy snuck into the frame, which I didn’t realize at the time.

An evening at Drag Bingo

July 13, 2015August 1, 2015Sheila LoringLeave a comment

The Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina hosts Drag Bingo to raise money to support those living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers. You play bingo (not that fun in itself) while watching high-heeled, lipstick-laden, bejeweled he-women pounding the stage (that’s the fun part). Trust me, you’ve gotta experience it at least once. Watching the audience is part of the fun. It’s a mixture of all gender preferences. The leather-clad gentlemen, in particular, are fun to observe.

For each event, there’s a different theme. TV Moms. Madonnarama. Pop stars. Viva Las Vegas. Here’s Marilyn Merlot belting out some showtune. I really like the blurry watercolor effect…and those glistening red lips.

Homeless man in San Francisco

July 11, 2015August 1, 2015Sheila LoringLeave a comment

Mom and I met in San Francisco in July 2010 to tour Napa Valley. We spent a day driving around the San Francisco area, visiting John Muir forest, Fisherman’s Wharf and, of course, City Light Books, former literary home of the Beat writers. Three floors of Heaven, the site of Allen Ginsberg’s historic reading of Howl. Such a rich history. Imagine who stepped into that bookstore in the past — Kerouac, Neal Cassady, Burroughs!

One morning I wondered around the Cyril Magnin and Ellis area as dozens of people rushed to work. I wanted to take a picture of one of the homeless folks asking for money. The toothless woman was belligerent, so I decided to move on.

Then this guy came along. Not sure how I introduced myself to a homeless man. Perhaps “Hey, do you mind if I take your picture?” sufficed. I asked a few questions about how he got there, the answer to which consisted of the words “Fresno,” “prison,” and “parole.” He moved slowly and seemed so worn down, poor guy, and understandably so. Sand peppered his beard, as if he’d been sleeping on a beach. I wanted to know more if he cared to talk but felt I’d worn out my welcome.

He’s holding the only money I had with me.

One September evening at Falls Lake

July 7, 2015July 7, 2015Sheila LoringLeave a comment

What a lovely weekend with Evelyn, camping at Falls Lake in late September. Perfect weather. The moon rose as we sat on the dock and talked.

On traveling alone

July 3, 2015December 2, 2016Sheila LoringLeave a comment

Friends ask me what I like about traveling alone. I’ve enjoyed it so much, I wondered myself. Am I a closeted misanthropist? Why not spend these great moments with a friend?

Here are a few of my favorite aspects of solo travel:

The ability to get lost in the sights, sounds, and sensations around me
The freedom to do what I want at a moment’s notice
The sense of accomplishment at finding my way alone, relying on Google Maps and my questionable navigational skills
The gratitude for surviving scary moments alone

Solo travel drives home the silver lining of being geographically lost. In Pune, India, I walked off the beaten path near a popular shopping area and found myself the only white American girl in a Muslim neighborhood. Sadly, I know little about the Muslim faith other than through sensationalized stories on the news.

Stern men, congregated outside the houses, stared as this lone woman wound her way through the streets, trying desperately to remain calm. My heart beat madly even after finding the main road. How thankful I was to feel safe again.

The stern men most likely wondered how this stranger ended up in their neighborhood. Here’s the “beaten path” I enjoyed exploring before wandering off.

Neighborhood I enjoyed *before* walking off the beaten track

I traveled to India with a friend, however, wandering around alone was essential.

Getting lost in the moment is essential for taking good photos. I can take pictures with friends, but I want to be with them, not trying to capture the moment with someone or something else. For example, walking down Madison Avenue alone, I escaped into the reflections of this Ralph Lauren window display.

Capturing the moment is most satisfying, whether I’m alone or with someone else. I was sitting next to Jessica near the Vatican when this photo presented itself.

A moment with the pizza guy in Rome — A moment with a stranger in Rome

Life Revealed a Way

photography

My First Visit to New York City

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Fall is here

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Capturing the moment

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More feet please

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People of Raleigh

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People of San Francisco

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An evening at Drag Bingo

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Homeless man in San Francisco

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One September evening at Falls Lake

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On traveling alone

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