Spring has sprung in the Mohawk Valley!

The run of warm weather and plenty of rain has catapulted the MV from the last remnants of winter, and right into late spring and summer like conditions in the last few days....even need to mow the grass already :(. Anyway, enjoy if you're a local, and for those who don't live here, I'll post spring photos from around the area.

I Love NY Barns

In the pastoral rolling hills of many Upstate New York
communties, barns have been fixtures and landmarks for as long as most can remember. Tragically, every year so many of these wonderful structures fall in or are taken down as these family farms become neglected or close, forever changing the landscape and the face of these communities. The book should be printed sometime in late summer. The book will be available for $28.95 plus shipping, and include pictures and paintings of over 60 barns plus some interesting stories, poems and writing.

Boilermaker Filling Up Fast!

If you're planning on running this years Boilermaker Road Race in Utica, you should sign up soon. It was reported that there are now over 7100 registrants with a cap of 13,000. This is well ahead of last years registrations at this point.

Amsterdam, NY

Like many upstate NY cities, Amsterdam has struggled to "find itself" in the post Erie Canal/Manufacturing era that defined much of the upstate NY area. As factories shut down, and the Erie Canal's usefulness as a commercial transportation link to the western part of ths state eroded, so has a great percentage of the states population.
Amsterdam still has a strong foundation of it's historical architecture in place, hopefully to be the cornerstone of the resurgence of this once prosperous city.

Beautiful Early Spring Day in the Valley!

Starting with the beautiful moon this morning....


....sunrise and into....


the day...and then...

Utica Retro Series Now Available....

42 x 30 " framed as set....I have other images of this series also. If interested please e-mail me @igcgraphics@verizon.net

B52 at Griffiss Business Park

Recent news events remind me that much of the recent history of the Mohawk Valley includes the 40 years or so that Griffiss and the military was a significant part of the valley. The thousands of Air Force personnel, it's aircraft, contractors, and associated businesses, were an important as well as visible part of the areas economy from WW2 until the end of the "Cold War" and until the base closed in the mid 90's. Still today, the military defines Griffiss Business Park and the city of Rome, as this is the home of the Air Force Laboratory and the military accounting offices, as well as the NEAD's (Northeast Air Defense) which includes a few thousand military personnel and civilian contractors located in the confines of the business park.

I even remember walking my dog in Roscoe Conkling Park by the "Eagle" just before the start of the first Iraq war. It was early evening when you could ominously hear the squadron of B52's "powering up" and then taking off. The B52's mysteriously circled the Mohawk Valley for quite a while, upwards of an hour or so.They most likely were awaiting their orders to go to war. I would needless to say only learn of this later when President Bush announced what the B52's were up to. Anyway, the last remnat of this legacy of the Mohawk Valley is parked at the entrance of the former base now turned business park in Rome. It is worth a look as you can park near the plane and see this piece of military and Mohawk Valley history up close.

Prayers and peace to the people of Japan

The ocean can be a sanctuary of untold beauty, calm and reflection.
A provider of food and opportunity for life...
As we have become all too familiar with in the last few days....
......she can also be a dark and cruel mistress bent on undoing in one fell swoop, all of the best laid plans of man in a few moments. -Patrick Yasu Huther

The Art of Patience & Impermanence

In late fall last year, I enjoyed watching these Buddhist Monks at Hamilton College as they labored away on this beautiful and incredible sand art. After working on for several days they simply brush away all their hard work and craft. Illustrating the impermanence of all life and things on earth.

Mohawk Valley Barns

Part of the character of the Mohawk Valley....

...is our rolling hills and pastoral farmlands. Farms dot the Mohawk Valley and I love taking photos of and painting many of our local landmarks including barns. This barn is located in Barneveld. The piece is 16 x 20" acrylic paint

Utica Sunset

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.
Mohandas Gandhi

Like watching the geese fly south in the fall, this time of the year I'm often envious as I watch the jets fly high over head, of those people I imagine in those planes, who might be heading to beautiful and warm, sunny, destinations.

Photos 02.14.11

The "Eagle" Roscoe Conkling Park, Utica, NY


"Maple Tree and Home" Utica, NY


Octagonal House, Newport, NY

Eagles In The Adirondacks

I was inspired to do this painting when I canoed down Evergreen lake in the Adirondacks, I was startled by an American Bald Eagle as he lifted off a treetop and flew along the treetops and then off into the clouds. What a magnificent site that I will never forget! Acrylic Painting 16 X 20"

Views of Utica 02.07.11

Utica, NY 02.2011

Working With Winter -Not Against It.

Skiing near Val Bialas, Utica, NY
After an exhilirating early evening XC ski 1/2 mile uphill climb, you're rewarded with a magnificent sweeping view of the city lights below. Add a backdrop of the sun setting over your shoulder against a remarkable contrasty pallette of inky and cerulean blues, and salmon and sherbert orange colours. No matter when, or how many times I venture up, the view always takes my breath away.

Exciting Opportunity For the Mohawk Valley...

I try to stay out of politics and the economy on this site...but I was quite excited by my recent visit with my son to the SUNY Albany/Sematech Nanotech Research Facility.



CNSE hosts 100 Mohawk Valley business and community leaders
The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (“CNSE”) of the University at Albany hosted more than 100 business and community leaders from the Mohawk Valley on January 19. The visit was prompted by the growing partnership between CNSE and SUNYIT to enable nanotechnology-related education, innovation, and economic development.

Read More....


http://www.cnse.albany.edu/Newsroom/MediaCenter/PhotoGalleries/2011PhotoGalleries/CNSEhosts100MohawkValleybusinessandcommunity.aspx

Additional Utica Retro Look Photos

More Utica, NY Retro Look Photos

More Old Forest Statues

Utica Retro Photos

Love or hate Utica, you have to admit the city has a lot of character. It is so apparent if you take the time to get out of your car and walk around the downtown area.

I have many images available for sale if you are interested you can see more at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=319159&id=55953941662&saved#!/pages/IGC-Digital-Graphics/55953941662