CONTEMPORARY EXPLORER

  Call it learning or envy if you like. I always try the painting style of departed artists, marveling at how easy they turned inspiration into wonderful work. Perhaps it’s because I have never found my style or had the courage to.  Efforts on my part to emulate great artists quickly bring understanding of just how talented they were. My Rothko attempts are in the garage, my Kline’s still in the art studio, and Picasso’s long ago given to Goodwill.  Still I try. Recently, Etel Adnan died. She lived in several countries and was gifted in speaking different languages. Her paintings follow no rules. Mountains are blue and sky’s yellow. Meadows are red and suns almost any color you can imagine.  Somehow Adnan grew to understand the world can be what you want it to be. Reminding me, that I could too. David Young Further Reading: Etel Adnan Obituary by Diane Theunissen - Wallpaper Magazine

Past wanderings along the great Pee Dee River have taken me through Wadesboro NC. I always felt there were some good photos. A walk through town did not disappoint my camera. Wadesboro is probably most famous for two things. In 1900, the Smithsonian decided it would be the best place to view a historic total solar eclipse. Thousands came. Then in 1985, The Color Purple movie was filmed in Wadesboro (chapel), nearby Lilesville (home) and Marshville (town scenes).  Walking the streets, you find new life, interest and even some found art. Great stops along your wandering might include H. W. Little Hardware (founded in 1894 and still owned by the Little family), Price’s Place Pottery and Antiques, Ansonia Theater, a locally owned coffee shop and Olivers Restaurant (boasting a NYC trained chef).  My camera loved the many colors of the buildings and street scenes. History echos from every corner including the old Western Union building where Price’s Place is located. In 1894, during the glor

    A photographer once told me that whenever you are taking a picture of something, turn around. Often the best photo is behind you. Sometimes, the lines are just right, leading you to an unplanned find. It’s about taking the time. Often not found much in todays fast pace world. The time to really study the detail of life before you. Stretching yourself to let all your being embrace and enjoy  even the simplest of moments.

  What can I say about the New Asia Market, its a blur, a trip, a study, and most of all a game of thrones. The market is located in the Charlotte suburb of Stallings. An urban escape from its original location near Sugar. Going there takes you to a world apart. A blur of colors, people, products, tastes and sensations. Seemingly hundreds of people work there, going about their various tasks. The fish monger, the bamboo tree seller, the shelf stacker, the baker all proud of their own corner of the store. Colorful products you’ve not seen reach out to you from every direction played against a melody of dialects from shoppers you strain to understand. A must stop is the restaurant section of the market. A long curving counter separates two great empires, the bun people and the soup people. Here it gets confusing. If you want pork hum bao or pastries you go to register on the far right, a picture sign guides you to selections. No matter how long you wait in line, the people behind you

Union a small factory town in South Carolina is full of many stories. The local eatery (The Bantam Chef) is always busy. Pictures of local football legends adorn the wall. It almost seems like half the town works there and the other half eat there. Union is not a big place. The Monarch Mill once defined the town until it closed sending unemployment to nearly 20%.  The economy has recovered since then, but stories about the history of the place linger. Sherman on his march to Atlanta bypassed Union, flood waters sparing the burning of the place. Segregation persisted here through the restoration. In 1860, there were more enslaved than free people living in South Carolina. The town has a noted used book store that supports the library. It has moved to different locations over the years. Our last visit found the books moved to a historic building in town, the once black only Union Community Hospital. You could feel the history here. Books sales were now on a donation basis, no attendant p