Monday, September 6, 2010

Clay Huffman Serigraph

Today I was browsing ebay and stumbled across this serigraph by Clay Huffman:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Clay-Huffman-1957-2001-Serigraph-Pest-Control-Shop-/140445935739?pt=Art_Prints&hash=item20b33ae87b#ht_3461wt_704

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I've never heard of this artist before but I love this print. It's colorful and captures my love of old buildings and signage. I found a wikipedia entry on Huffman but very few images of his work. I would love to see more. The ebay price is too steep for me but I will be looking.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Memphis - Old Signs, Elvis, and History

I was in Memphis this past week for work and made a stop downtown at the Arcade Restaurant on Main St.
The Arcade is supposed to be where Elvis ate fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I figure if it was good enough for Elvis, it's good enough for me. So, I find the place and a parking spot and head in. I noticed the block was practically empty but didn't think a lot about it. Well, I swing the front door open and the guy behind the counter tells me, "I'm sorry, we're closed." I ask him their hours and he says from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. It was 3:30 pm! I guess I'll have to wait until next time. At least I got some good sign photos.

So, I decided to head on into downtown to see if I could find some more signs I've may  have missed in the past. I see a signs for a coffee shop at this old hotel called the Lorraine Hotel (that name sounded strangely familiar). After parking, I headed down the street to get the coffee shop photo and looked to my right. I see the hotel and immediately recognize it as the spot where Martin Luther King, Jr,. was shot. It was kind of eerie. The front of the hotel even has cars parked in front just like the day of the event. Then I see that this is the site of the Civil Rights Museum. Pretty cool. I was hungry so I didn't go in but I did take some photos. I eventually made my way to the Cupboard restaurant on Union Ave for chicken and dumplins, cole slaw, fried green tomatoes, and cucumber salad with sweet tea to drink. Yum!

Coffee shop sign that caught my eye
The Lorraine Hotel
MLK's death site - Made me think of the U2 song "In the Name of Love"