Well, we finally got our Charleston weather back! Can’t complain too much, things were handled well during our cold snap, but it is nice to see temps creep back up! Things are definitely looking up… speaking of looking up… images of Charleston… looking up – I believe a few of these were taken during the last Second Sunday (when the city closes King Street to car traffic allowing people to walk in the streets. It’s a festive time here in Charleston!).
We just have the most wonderful architecture here in Charleston! Love, love, love it!
Little details like that bit of gold make things really stand out!
Fabulous old brick, and the color of that sky! Wow… it was a beautiful day!
Doesn’t look too bad, especially if you’re used to a cold climate. But let me tell you… things are different in the South. We aren’t used to snow and ice (I’m from Michigan, but have lived here almost 25 years, so I do know about snow/ice and all the fun that goes along with it… as well as all the beauty!) it just doesn’t happen here very often. Maybe an occasional dusting of snow ever once in a great while (the last time it snowed was years ago, snowed and then quickly melted). But this time there was ice. I’m sure you’ve heard about it on the radio. How Atlanta was crippled by the deep freeze. We were lucky here in Charleston. Officials dealt with it well keeping most people off the roads. Smart. You just don’t mess with Mother Nature!
We took a walk in our neighborhood, Charlie’s first snow, he was thrilled… was going full speed ahead looking for every single puddle and loving it! Crazy beast.
Charlie and his beastcicles…
We headed to the bakery, well, because they were open and it was something to do! It was nice to be out, and Charlie was having a blast, but his adventures in the puddles quickly turned to beastcicles on his body… time to get back home! Ha ha…
Make the best of the time you have… make everything an adventure and it will be less of a hassle ;)
Sometimes, all you need is a nice hot cuppa love… like this one from Black Tap Coffee in Charleston, SC (70 1/2 Beaufain Street). If you haven’t been there I highly suggest that you go. They do not disappoint. Ever! The coffee is different. It’s good, very, very good. The atmosphere is very with it and you will leave with a smile on your face!
Here is an image from their Facebook page (Black Tap Coffee) to give you an idea what a cool place it is:
Gorgeous, right? One day Fred and I were walking in our neighborhood (Windermere) and the nearby area (South Windermere), and we saw a house that was empty and on the market. It had undergone a complete restoration by a high quality builder in our area. This is the backyard… Low tide… Gorgeous, isn’t it? I think these two adironack chairs and the view may sell the house!
Charleston has many wonderful hotels. Top notch. We also have beautiful bed and breakfasts. I mentioned the Wentworth Mansion last week, which is a gorgeous inn to stay at. Another is 27 State Street Bed & Breakfast. 27 State is convenient to all that Charleston has to offer. Check out their website! Remember the gas lantern from yesterday’s post? This is it!
When you’re walking around Charleston, SC you never know what you’ll see. Sometimes it’s the small details that make a place really stand out. Details like the lighting at this doorway. Gas lanterns go way back, and that wonderful warm light that glows makes everything look better! Interesting colors downtown as well. Not the typical colors you see everyday, and they look striking! Look at the detail in the woodwork. It’s not the norm anymore. If you head downtown I would highly suggest bringing a camera!!
I know I’ve featured James Richards a few times already, but his work never ceases to amaze me. Oh how I adore Lost in the Marsh! It’s an impressive 36×48″ oil painting that has the perfect amount of looseness, and I just think it’s incredible! James has the uncanny ability to be able to paint an everyday scene with a twist, and I love that!
James Richards is one of the most sought after landscape instructors around, his workshops fill up quickly and there is good reason for that. He’s as nice as he is talented. Truly. If you get a chance to check out his work in person, I highly suggest it. Locally, in Charleston, SC you can see his work at Galerie on Broad*. He’s got some amazing pieces… come see for yourself!
*Galerie on Broad is no longer in business, but you can see his work at the Meyer Vogl Gallery in Charleston, SC!
This painting stops people in their tracks. It’s mesmerizing. No, cows aren’t normally purple, but they sure are pretty darn cool when they are! Very striking indeed!
James Richards: Nationally-known landscape painter and instructor is driven by a passionate connection with nature and a deep sense of obligation to relay his vision in the most truthful manner possible. This ethic, manifested in his work, is giving Richards’ painting their own place in the world of today’s art.
James has spent years studying the nuances of painting with world famous instructors, which has given him a keen sense of understanding and control over the medium. James is an advocate of painting from life and spends his time traveling the world teaching workshops and searching for inspiration.
He has won multiple national awards and is regarded as one of the top landscape painting instructors in the country. James Richards paintings are collected by discriminating collectors both nationally and abroad.
This photo was taken on that walk that I’ve mentioned in previous posts… Fred, Charlie (woof) and I were zipping along at a brisk pace while I was trying desperately to sneak in some photos… I love this early morning light, there’s nothing like it!
The Battery is one photogenic place in Charleston, SC. There are the gorgeous old homes, White Point Gardens (park) and more beautiful homes. Right now the city is working on repairing portions of the battery… There is a slight detour, nothing major. It’s definitely a fabulous place to walk (and take photos, hee…) I simply cannot walk downtown without a camera of some sort… Here’s the info you need to know (from charleston-sc.gov):
Seawall Repair 2013
The first phase of the Battery repair & reconstruction project involves the reconstruction of “The Turn” – the portion of the High Battery that connects the stone High Battery along East Battery with the Low Battery along Murray Boulevard. This portion of the Battery was identified in the Seawall Evaluation and Study, prepared by Cummings & McCrady,Inc., as a priority due to substantial deterioration of the underlying wooden deck and pile system. More specifically, the work will include:
Lane closures and traffic control to establish a safe work zone
Installation of a temporary cofferdam and dewatering systems to allow work during all tidal cycles
Removal and disposal of the existing concrete seawall
Removal of the timber platform
Testing and removal of selected timber piles
Installation of new composite (concrete and steel) piles
Construction of a new reinforced concrete foundation and seawall structure
Removal of all temporary cofferdams and traffic control
The estimated time for construction is nine months. The Engineer’s estimate of probable cost for the project was $3,500,000. Three bids were received from seven potential bidders that were prequalified due to the complexity of this project. The bids ranged from $2,665,000 to $3,939,000. After careful review of the bids, staff is recommending award of the contract to the apparent low bidder, Crowder Construction Company, in the amount of $2,665,000.
We will commence construction on “The Turn”, which should be completed nine months from the construction start date. Design services for the next phase of the High Battery restoration are underway. This phase includes the renovation of the stone High Battery from “The Turn” to its northern terminus. The renovations will consist of resetting and repointing the existing stones to provide a more level walking surface and more aesthetic appearance. It is anticipated that the bidding and work on this phase will begin after “The Turn” is completed. Once the High Battery is completed, work will begin on the Low Battery portion.
Fred, Charlie (woof) and I took a walk the Sunday after Christmas… we headed downtown and the weather was perfect! I tried to sneak in a few shots… not easy at a brisk pace, but I managed a few ;) The sun was out and the day was gorgeous! I don’t think one car went by us. It was heavenly. See, I can post these beautiful photos while friends and family in the colder regions are probably cussing me because they’re stuck in a deep freeze… but they get their fun with me come summer! So I have to get my beautiful weather photos in while I can! Hee.
Warm golden light. That gorgeous light that makes you look healthy and tan (ha ha)… it gives you a glow. Well, it does the same thing for the buildings. Charleston, SC is such a beautiful city. The history, architecture, food, and art galleries are beyond compare. Everywhere you look you see gorgeous settings just like this one! If you aren’t from this area, stop by, check it out… visit the restaurants, stores and galleries. You’ll be coming back year after year!
Truly, one of the best places to walk around – Especially with a camera! This golden light is incredible, just as it is in a painting, to see it in real life, well, it just makes everything look so much better!
The Dock Street Theater is a beautiful building with quite a bit of history! Did you know that this was “America’s First Theater”? Wow… It’s one of my favorites to photograph… check it out next time you’re in town! They have a wonderful lineup of shows, we’re very fortunate to have them in our city!
Here’s a blip from their website (click the link to read more!):
America’s First Theatre
On February 12, 1736 the Dock Street Theatre opened with a performance of The Recruiting Officer. Built on the corner of Church Street and Dock Street (now known as Queen Street), the Historic Dock Street Theatre was the first building in America built exclusively to be used for theatrical performances. Flora, the first opera performance in America, took place at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.
Philadelphia Alley (nicknamed “Dueling Alley”)… located between Cumberland and Queen Street in the French Quarter of Charleston, SC, this is one historic alley. Read more about it HERE. Fascinating, isn’t it??
This is also Charlie’s favorite little walk downtown… gotta keep the puppy happy, right? If you get a chance, check it out… too cool for words!
ARTFOODHOME.COM 