Photos: Olive Orchard Road and Burson Road

Much of what I enjoy about being an artist revolves around selecting a subject and learning about it. To that end, photographs, notes, and observation are a large part of what I use. They serve as references for when I am back in the studio. While many artists paint their pictures "on scene", my work is a combination of starting in the field so to speak and finishing in the studio.

As part of my process, I try to do research in to the history of the place or building in order to connect with my subject. Sources include The Internet, books, or a verbal discussion with someone with some knowledge of the building or area. Sometimes the subject that I have selected may not have a lot of information associated with it. The building or land is so specific or too general that it needs to be viewed in some larger context in order to be explained. I think the below three shots may fall under this category.


The above shot is of the view up Olive Orchard Rd, just off of Highway 26 going West towards Linden. Short of asking someone who lives there, I am guessing that this is a housing development that may or may not have gotten off the ground.


I love signage of nearly any type and the above housing development sign certainly qualifies. I wasn't able to find anything on this in a cursory Internet search. Again, short of asking someone who lives in this area about the history, I couldn't find much out. I will say that there is a very nostalgic small town quality to this sign. It reminds me of It's a Wonderful Life and the housing development funded by George Bailey's bank. I can imagine the hope and anticipation experienced by the builders, planners, and residents.


Lastly, this is a view up Burson Rd just a little way off of Olive Orchard Rd. I was actually headed back towards 26 but this shot is looking towards where I had just come from (Olive Orchard Rd.). Country roads of any type hold a draw for me. As someone who grew up in a small suburban town, roads like this just aren't very familiar. I have learned to appreciate their curves and vistas and how they meander from one place to another. The roads seem quaint but in reality, they are what connect people to each other, to the wider world at large, and can be seen as a common thread running through the lives of many residents of rural towns across America.

OK, as always if there is information to be learned let me know.
Libby

update: please see the post from 10/13 for what I learned about olives and the Olive Orchard Rd Developement