Artsy Monday.

One of my most favorite things about the Spring time in Atlanta is all of the lovely festivals. The Dogwood Festival is a particularly special one for me because I always leave Piedmont Park feeling inspired and ready to paint!

I stumbled upon the works of Michael Bryant  at this years Dogwood Festival, his prints of fluffy white clouds against acid colored skies screamed at me from across the park. I was instantly in love with the use of his Holga toy camera.

Michael  calls Atlanta home, but he discovered his love of photography whilst in Europe having been moved by the rich history, architecture and art on the other side of the pond.He bought his first Holga before a trip to Paris in 1999 and never looked back, preferring the mystery and unknown of the old time camera than the instant perfect image of the digital age.

I asked Michael a few questions, here are his short and sweet answers;

What made you want to be an artist?

What makes one want to create? I have no idea.

What is your favorite camera? 

Holga.

What is the most difficult part about being an artist?

Selling.

What is your favorite piece that you have created?

The next one.

What piece of art would you most like to put up in your own home?

Anything by Cannaletto.

The Grand Canal and the Church of the Salute

What are your goals for your art?

For it to bring pleasure to others.

What is your favorite thing about Atlanta?

Camellias in the winter

What is your favorite drink at a coffee shop?

Earl Grey Tea.

Cheers Michael! 

Click on the pictures below to see more of/purchase Michael s work.

Oh Happy Day!

Got our permits!!!

*jiggin all over the place*

~krystle

Update.

We've been waiting for the City of Atlanta to get our building permits together. Hopefully we should have them this week. I'm not holding my breath though. At this point in the game, I'll believe things when I see them. I'm not being negative; I am being realistic. If this process has taught me anything it's that patience really is a virtue.
The road we chose to follow has been rocky. In the time that we signed the lease to today we've been put back approximately 7 months. We've definitely had our feelings hurt, lost some sleep, bitten off our finger nails, meditated, lost a partner, gained a partner, filed taxes and thought about changing the name to "The Whipping Boy" (don't ask).
Another coffee shop actually opened and closed in our neighbourhood in the time that we've been waiting. That seems crazy, but it's true.

This week I'm putting together a "to do" list of all the things that need to be done as soon as we get those permits in our hands. Krystle and me are going to attempt to reupholster some furniture and look for chairs for the dining area.

Everyone please keep your fingers crossed for us, we're dying to start painting/sanding/building!