Follow the Art Updates:
Feb 22-March 1: From Darien, GA to HOME!
Feb 22:
At dawn, we drove from Brunswick to Darien, GA. We returned to the shrimp docks to get some drone footage. While walking the docks we met Kelly, a lifelong fisherman. He had been shrimping since the age of 17. After some conversation, he agreed to be interviewed for the film! He spoke straight from the heart about his lifelong love for the sea.
Afterward, we drove to Thunderbolt, Georgia to revisit the local museum and digitize their archives. We met with our good friend Shirley and interviewed her before we left. She was thoroughly knowledgeable about the history of Thunderbolt, and the many changes the town has faced throughout the years.
After a few hours at the museum, we set the GPS for Atlanta and got underway. Partway through our drive I was notified that my photography gig had been canceled. We decided to make the most of it. Instead of heading west, we took the northern route toward Asheville, NC! It’s one of my favorite artist collectives in the USA, and I had to share it with my dad.
We made it as far as Clinton, North Carolina, and got a motel for the night.
Feb 23:
En route to Asheville, we saw road signs to Woodruff, SC. My mom and dad had visited there years ago. We had to stop to grab a photo and sign some autographs.
Later we arrived in Asheville. We spent the morning at the Ultra CoffeeBar writing the blog and planning our course back home. After, I took Dad to see some glass blowing near Wedge Studios and we continued to the many galleries along Depot Drive. Around every corner, we met fellow artists, and spread the word about our project! Sending a special thank you to our new Yose-mite friend Mark at the Grind Coffee Shop! Also, to Aaron Hill for giving us the grand tour of his studio, and for a fantastic on-the-spot interview. Aaron shared his inspiring story from his beginnings as a sign painter, to eventually having his own gallery space.
Ready for a bite to eat, we went to the River Arts District. Every face of every building had works of art upon it. We took countless videos and photos in this artistic haven, grabbed some food, and hit the road.
Feb 23-25:
In Oak Ridge, Tennessee we visited with my friend Robert. He and my dad hit it off right away. Robert is a photographer, natural scientist, geologist, patent writer, and author of 15+ books on rocks and minerals. We spent a couple of nights there. I did some photoshoots in the area, while Dad and Robert toured the Tennessee mountain roads in his Jaguar. We spent the days catching up, listening to psychedelic rock, visiting his experiments in the greenhouse, and going through his extensive fossil collection.
Feb 26:
In the AM we met up with our good friend Ren at a local cafe on the outskirts of Nashville. We sipped coffee and caught up on life! We're excited to connect with him again in either Northport or Nashville, whichever comes first.
Later that afternoon, we set up for our after-school drawing program at the Boys and Girls Club of America. Students of all age ranges entered and settled in for a creative time. This was such a rewarding experience, with wonderful staff and students!
Feb 27-29:
We returned to Louisville and stayed with our friend Susan Hardy. She has strong ties with the Waldorf school, which allowed us to share two days of programs with different age groups. We’ve long been aware of the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, and the Waldorf school, and this was a wonderful introduction. Looking forward to future programs with this creative organization! A huge thanks to Susan, and Angeline for making it possible.
Every night spent at Susan's place was filled with music, love, laughter, and new friends! We have adopted her into our world as a lifelong friend, and are grateful for the quality time we spent together!
March 1:
We made our way to Bloomington to meet up with my good friend David! He is a photographer, and artist, and is extremely involved in the Bloomington arts community. We wandered the city all morning and planned future art programs in the area.
Around noon we headed out for the 8.5-hour drive home! We sang at the top of our lungs, recited poetry, and annoyed each other to pass the time. Before we knew it, we were rounding the corner into our village, and pulling into the driveway! Home Sweet Home!
______________________
Thank you all so much for following this journey! This is just the beginning, so stay tuned! I've already got the next trip planned.
In the meantime, Dad is finishing paintings and stories in preparation for the art show in September. I'm organizing the footage from the trip, getting Zava the Van fixed, and working to get a computer so I can edit some videos for you guys!! Lots of yoga to recoup from 4000+ miles of driving.
Want to share a HUGE thank you to everyone we met along the way! Both old friends, and new, you made this trip so special for us!
Want to thank all of our donors on GoFundMe as well! We couldn't have done this without your help. Thank you for making this a reality.
Much love to everyone involved!! #FollowtheArt
Follow the Art: The Creative Journey of Tom Woodruff
Comments