On the Road with Ralph

High Ground

2010-04-15T17:26:00.000-07:00

Even the Little Folks have to head for high ground in last week rain!

Early Spring Bloom

2010-03-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

One of the cheeriest sights you'll see while the ground is still almost frozen is the Adonis Flower.
Beware, mark it's location because after blooming and a modest growing time the Adonis disappears until next year.

Old Factory Clinton, MA

2010-03-13T12:22:00.000-08:00

This old building looks like it had Railroad Spurs going behind it and up to the side of it at another level. It's amazing how well these old building, put together with cement and bricks, are lasting longer than new construction with all the fancy new materials. Photo Ink Art

Tweety Bird on a Rope

2010-02-23T15:57:00.000-08:00

Funny who you ride by at 300' in a Helicopter !

Reflections

2010-02-17T16:26:00.000-08:00

Winter Snow and Thawing Brook, a great combination for an early morning photo. The soft new snow in the morning light creates beautiful reflections of the sky, the trees and the snowy brook edges in the water.

Rocky Chipmunk

2010-02-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

What's for Lunch?

Not the Olympics!

2010-02-15T17:02:00.000-08:00

I
Know
Your
Supposed
To
Say...
"Break
A
Leg"

But why be so prepared!

Vermont Sugar House, "Rustic"

2010-02-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

A good lesson: We were intently photographing some famous Red Barns on a dirt side road and almost missed this simple sugaring operation down in the woods on the other side of the road.
I like the surrealist look of this Photo Ink Art piece.

Vermont Sugar House

2010-02-07T13:55:00.000-08:00

Saturday February 6, 2010: I rolled out of bed at 4:30 AM, left my house at 5 heading to Jaffrey, NH to meet up with 20 other Photographers for a day of shooting in Vermont. Great day, very cold, it was 9 degrees when we took our first photos of the Quechee Barns. Later in the day I took this shot of an idle Sugar House, I'll be going back again to photograph it when the sap is boiling, it will be spectacular with the steam pouring out the vent pipe!

PhotoInkArt

Old Frieght Station

2010-02-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

This Old Freight Station the Berkshires, I think it's in a part of Great Barrington, MA.
Notice the graceful Iron Braces under the eaves.
PhotoInkArt

Daylily, closeup

2010-02-02T13:48:00.000-08:00

The inside of a beautiful Daylily, closeup and "Painted" with Watercolors.

Summer Vacation Home

2010-02-01T11:49:00.000-08:00

Time to make your travel plans...

Rip Van Wood?

2010-01-31T10:42:00.000-08:00

We visited Tower Hill Botanical Gardens this morning and viewed the "Flower Arraignments" done by various Garden Clubs. Quite a variety of designs, this looked like a cross between Rip Van Winkle and a Stump! Actually a lot of thought and work went into this piece...it was very well done.

Winter 1/15/2010 Harvard, MA

2010-01-26T13:57:00.000-08:00

Photo Ink Art of field and trees after a mild snow storm down the road a piece. I was just driving by and this scene said "stop and shoot me".

Green Frog

2010-01-25T15:05:00.000-08:00

Cold and Wet

Green Frog ...

"America the Beautiful"

2010-01-24T07:37:00.000-08:00

Democrats, Republicans and Independents...it's imperative that we keep working to stop this business of the Donkeys vote one way and the Elephants vote the other way. Nobody is ever all right or all wrong. You'd think someone on the other side would agree to something!

Create Jobs...Now! By giving Tax Breaks, Incentives and yes...even Money directly to "The People".

Working together, Health Care can be improved, not totally destroy it in favor of a "New Government System"...Fix what's broke...First!

Do you think Congress will have the same Government Health Care Plan they want to shove down our throats?

Create Financial Stability by genuine banking reform, not just "Lip Service" and throwing "Bailout Money" at the Banks with no accountability, sure they're paying it back, how? by "Selling more Shares/Borrowing"...do you think that will bounce back on us?

Do you think Politicians of Both Parties used good judgement leading up to this crisis?

Shouldn't they pay a price for their complacency...nope, they just keep being reelected...who's fault is that? Ours and Only Ours!

Clean Energy, of course but how about building a strong economy using our conventional resources...not those of our enemies...and working toward Green Energy. The way we are going...Green Energy and Nobody can afford to use it...sure makes sense!

Global Warming...Maybe, Global Pollution...Definitely! But it's Global Warming that made Al Gore a Multi-Millionaire.

It's time we voted for politician that are working for us...not themselves. Have you ever checked out what they've voted for themselves over the years?

Google "Government Benefits...I Dare You!

Beware of Bigger and Bigger Government, the Secular Progressive Movement and Our Own Complacency...it's not too late, but the clock in ticking!

Comments Welcome...

3 Bay Engine House

2010-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

This Large [44"x32"x21"] 3 Bay Engine House is quite a project but well worth the effort. It's "Stick Built" from a Garden Texture Kit, with a few added materials to give it a finished look. It's constructed using Waterproof Glue, Brass Nails and GE Silicone III, there must be over 3000 individually applied shingles. I can't wait to see it on a Garden Railway!

South Station 2009 Big Hit!

2010-01-23T10:20:00.000-08:00

This years G-scale Railway was the best yet! An all new configuration let more folks view it and still left more room for SS passengers to get by. The biggest thrill was watching the little kids stand right up to the clear Lexan fence and see the Trains go by about 4" from their faces.

South Station Railway 2009

2009-10-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

This year we are completely redesigning the G-Scale Railway Display at South Station in Boston. The Display will run from December 5th through January 10, 2010. I will post photos as we design and build the display. Today photo is some of the Dickens Scrooge Scene Caricatures I will be using.

Fall Evening

2009-10-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

Well, it's time to put the yard to bed for the Winter. There's nothing like a Patio Fire, Toasted Marshmallows and Hot Chocolate to end a beautiful Summer...

Evening at Colonial Williamsburg

2009-08-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

The Village of Colonial Williamsburg Virginia really goes to sleep a dusk. It's a great time to walk around without the crowds and get a feel of what life might have been like back in the day. Photo Ink Art

Bolton Fair at Night

2009-08-16T12:06:00.000-07:00

Last night we stopped in at the Bolton Fair just so Joni could have her once a year Polish Supper. This particular Food Wagon is operated by a genuine Polish Cook, we shared a Sampler Plate that was Great! All the Concessions and Rides are lit up spectacularly at night, like this Candy Apple/Cotton Candy Wagon.[Photo Ink Art]

Aerial Photos from Farm Country

2009-08-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

As we, Fly Girl [Harvard Helicopters] and I headed to Farm Country we went right by Tweety, quite a surprise on a weekday morning. In Farm Country we found my brother Bill hard at work in his highly profitable Truck Garden. What a wonderful life!

How's this for Recycling?

2009-08-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

Take an Old Claw Foot Tub, set it on bricks, add Water and Waterlilies. Winter storage of the Waterlilies in a deeper inground pond is a must.

Supper?

2009-08-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hey, anybody seen my supper?

Park in Gloucester MA

2009-08-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

It sure is great to see some cities and towns are still patriotic!

Motor Home ingenuity

2009-08-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

Who said you had to spend $100,000 on a Motor Home? This Camper's from Florida, talk about ingenuity! I bet they're having more fun...

Health Care by Obama

2009-08-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

Ask Them!
Ask the Your Senators and Representatives...
Are you going to be on this new Health Care Plan?
No, Why Not?
Then Why Should We?
They are doing it to us again!
O...One
B...Bad
A...Ass
M...Mistake
A...America

Floating Work Shack

2009-08-03T04:56:00.000-07:00

Through the Scope; A Floating Work Shack in a floating dock at East Gloucester, MA. It looks like in the Winter they pick this little gem right out of the water and store it in the boat yard.

Acorn's Tree Farm

2009-07-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Last week Fly Girl, Harvard Helicopters, and I went Helicopter Photographing, on of our job sites was Acorn's Tree Farms in Harvard. They grow, sell and plant large trees...for old guys like me it's great, instant shade! They are good guys that know what they are doing. http://www.acorntreeandlandscaping.com/

Old Freight Station

2009-07-29T17:08:00.000-07:00

The last time I drove to Great Barrington, MA I came across an Old Freight Station that was right beside the road. The Roof Line and the Curved Cast Iron Braces just screamed "take my picture"! Can you imagine the activity here 100 years ago? Photo Ink Art

Pickety Place, Mason, NH

2009-07-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Sunday, the four of us had another interesting Lunch at Pickety Place Mason, NH. This is definitely a destination, as in "you can't get there for here" The whole story can be seen at: http://www.pickityplace.com/

It's a must for folks that like something a little different.

Tracks, Acton, MA

2009-07-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is one of my wilder creations in Photo Ink Art, I love the Sweeping Curve and Incredible Fall Colors. I seems to have it's own surreal motion.

Backyard Oassis

2009-07-24T18:30:00.000-07:00

I know it's not the best Summer weatherwise but if you have your own retreat, when the Sun Shines you're there! We can help you plan for next year!

http://www.rwldcreates.com/

Adams National Historic Park

2009-07-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

This door opens into the John Adams birthplace and first home, a very modest home at best.

Now, the only way to get a glimpse of this important history is:

Sign in at the Visitor Center 1250 Hancock Street in Quincy, MA. For $5. you get a a trolley ride and a 3 hour guided tour of the homes where John and Abigail Adams spent most of their, at home, lives.

NOTE: If you are a Senior Citizen, like me, for $10. you can get a Lifetime Pass to all of the National Parks in the USA!

Urban Back Yard

2009-07-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

Quiet street, old neighborhood...good folks. The signage tells it all; Marine Parking Only. Nana and Grandpa's House. Hugs and Kisses/Sleep Overs.

This is the stuff America is made of...

If Benches could Talk

2009-07-20T16:12:00.000-07:00

A secluded Old Bench in a quiet park...

Saved by a Banana Peel

2009-07-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

The Small Boy was tickled when he found that an Old Banana had saved his Little Blue Ball from the Dreaded Street Drain. "Photo Ink Art"

Scott Kelby's World Wide Photo Walk

2009-07-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today was Scott Kelby's World Wide walk, an incredible project if I do say so. http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

We did our walk in Leominster, MA not a hotbed of Photo Opportunities but we had a blast! Nice group of Photographers and Great Food at the Monument Grill. I shot this Old Powerplant through an opening in the fence and then processed it with "Photo Ink Art" http://photoinkart.com/

Signs of things to come?

2009-07-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

On a Fishing Shack in the Spring of 2009 Rockport, MA

Oximoron Time Again

2009-07-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Colonial Williamsburg, VA is a fascinating place to visit, you'd Almost like to live there. Even Old Historic Williamsburg has to bite the bullet. I shot this Photo this Spring, must have been before the Stimulus Money showed up...or did it ever show up? Makes you wonder...

By the way this is the actual Carriage used in the HBO John Adams TV series last Winter.

Hardy Cactus in New England?

2009-07-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

Yep, quite hardy in my Massachusetts Garden Railway. They come in at least two colors, Bright Pink and a really Pretty Yellow. The flowers are about 2.5" across. They make one area of my Railway look like the South West.

Hat Tree and Warmth

2009-07-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

A Photo taken a Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Ma.

You can feel the warmth and see a little of their daily lives.

UnLandscaping

2009-07-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

How about a lesson in UnLandscaping?

We plant Gardens and Trees with careful planning and always have a vision for what the mature Landscape will look like. Sometime we goof...and this is an perfect example. The Alaskan Weeping Cedar just plain outgrew its allotted space and blocked the back yard view from half the windows in the house. By removing the Overgrown Tree and planting a Red Vein Enkianthus Shrub along with a few filler plants we reconnect the house and back yard. Rethink your Landscaping; move a few plants and maybe build in some new hardscape to create added function with a whole new look. http://www.rwldcreats.com/

Rain

2009-07-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

It's July 8th and still raining. What a Summer! I just thought it would be nice to post a Photo of my Front Walk...

My Fly Girl

2009-07-07T16:39:00.000-07:00

She's the best, we are lifting off Friday, weather permitting, for a very interesting Photo Shoot of local Landscapes, Swimming Pools and Garden Railways that we have created over the past few years. Next week I will post Photos of this Aerial Jaunt. My pilot, Ellie Callahan, is available for Scenic Rides, Photography and Helicopter Flying Lessons.

Old Shed in Infrared

2009-07-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

This Old Shed, maybe a Chicken Coop, was about to be flattened along with the Farmhouse behind it. Now there is a New Foundation on the land, probably a Three Car Garage Trophy House. So much for Farming in New England...

Garden Railway

2009-07-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

I finally made it back to the Lower Berkshires. I would like to show you a fantastic Garden Railway we Designed and Installed last year. Two Waterfalls, Bridges, Trestles, Building made of Plastic, Buildings Hand Crafted from Cedar & Redwood and lots of Track to run on. Dozens of Miniature Plants add Greenery and Accent. For more Photos go to: www.trainsandtrees.com

Fourth of July, Independence Day

2009-07-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

July 4th should mean more to Americans than any other Holiday, every year everybody should reread, out loud, the Constitution of the United States of America. Think of the Quality of the Men that drafted it, what they intended and where this Great Country now seems to be headed.

Time to Wake Up America!

2009-07-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

Ti's the Night Before Independence Day,

I hope we have hundreds more

Independence Days and...

we never need to say...

Dastardly Government Dependence Day

Keep an eye on em!

2009-07-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I talked about the Three Sisters Sanctuary and said "Look for the Tin Man" but didn't put up the Photo...so here he is. Tomorrow we go the the Lower Berkshires to see a Garden Railway.

Three Sisters Sanctuary

2009-07-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Today I visited my friends at three Sisters Sanctuary in Goshen, MA...ya I know...where the heck is Goshen, MA? Well the Gardens are on RT 112, off RT 9 or RT 2.

Heck, just go to threesistersgarden.com and check it out. Ask for Sara the Stove Princess or Stove Black Richardson, they also run the Good Time Stove co. They have put together the most amazing collection of Huge Stones, Large Flat Goshen Stone, Plants, Water, Old Iron and Grass to create an imaginative and beautiful Landscape.

You can't miss it because there is a Huge Tin Man right in front of their "Good Time Stove Co" goodtimestove.com

Leominster Street Stroll

2009-06-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

The Day was beautifull until 3 then a rain shower, no big deal, but at 4:53 wow! Lightning, Thunder and Rain by the Buckets! Photo Ink Art was well recieved dispite the crowds being driven home early. See Photos of Puddles and my Little Corner

2009-06-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Beginning

This is my, obviously, first post as well as the launching of my new Web Site PhotoInkArt.com
This Saturday the 27th I am exhibiting my work in Leominster, MA at their Summer Stroll. I will be set up 2-6PM in the "Art in the Park" area.

Love the weather! It's so........