My Mr. Basketmaker will be returning to Nantucket to teach a class and his confirmed dates are September 8, 9 and 12 of this year. And that means I’m going to Nantucket as well! (One of the many perks of being a basketmaker’s wife.) So in honor of visiting the island again, tonight’s art walk is all about “looking down.” Following are all the photos I took of textures that inspired me on Nantucket, by aiming my camera down… street, sidewalk, etc.
What I’m drinking tonight? A nice Italian Sangiovese. And if you are like me and mispronounce roughly 85% of wine names, here’s how you say this one: SAHN-dJOH-VAYZ (Note: Spelling is based on my interpretation of how it sounds. May be different in the dictionary but I’m confident it’s pretty close.)
What I’m listening to? I have a nice modern folk playlist going… Samantha Crain, David Dondero (aptly titled ‘pre-existing condition’) and the Lumineers
So here we go… The Sights of Nantucket While Looking Down
Can you guess what this is???
As an abstract artist, this is one of my favorites. And it’s from the deck of the Ferry en route to the island. The sun was so bright, creating a great contrast on the weathered concrete below.
This next image visually describes why you need to “look down” when you are walking along the side streets of downtown Nantucket — the roots of 300 year-old trees are lifting up the sidewalks. Some of them are two feet high! The one below doesn’t show you the uprooting perspective but I love the detail of the exposed root. I find it beautiful…
I took many pictures of utility covers. To me it is urban industrial art, especially when it is surrounded with old colonial brick walkways and falling leaves like this water meter box…
With the name TAYLOR, I had to show this one…
***Interruption: one of my new favorite songs is “I Like You” by Eleni Mandell (from her Let’s Fly a Kite album) and it’s playing now… just thought I’d mention it. It’s a sweet song. Now back to regular posting.
This water meter cover, below, is unique to Nantucket since it has it’s map is embossed. I also liked the patina of the plate amongst the old bricks, weathered fence and greenery…
This next one is amusing and I had to include it, especially since I’m fond of monochromatic effects…
Initially I wished I took the above photo facing the other side. However, I somewhat like how you have to turn your head to read it. After all, it is a sewer manhole cover but clearly it’s from Nantucket and I can’t help but think it’s misplaced! Who would put the words sewer and Nantucket in the same sentence? I have it in the same image.
This next image is from my most favorite place on the island… The “Greater Light” house, created by two eclectic sisters from Pennsylvania:
It is from the outdoor patio and the patina on the bricks is absolutely stunning. I wanted to sit in the middle of it and meditate.
Next is a sweet little whale image that was an inlay on the front steps of the Thomas Macy House where we stayed. I would never have seen it if we didn’t arrive at the house early and had a short wait for the Historical Association’s intern to bring us our keys. After Eric phoned her, we briefly parked ourselves on the front stairs where I was able to see this little hidden gem right below the front door:
And finally, another sidewalk shot…
I loved the little hint of nature’s colors on top of a weathered, old gritty sidewalk.
Have a great Saturday Night! See you in two weeks for another curated Art Walk!
So interesting, usually we are encouraged to look up or forward to see beautiful things, never to look down! This goes to show that it’s worth it.
Love Nantucket and love these photos!
I love the pictures. My favorite is the old tree roots lifting the brick walkway. Really pretty. I think that would be awesome as a really Big print on a wall. It makes a definite statement the longer you look at it. Like it draws you into the picture. I would say the photographer is Very Good!! 😉
Why thank you Miss Donna!
Very interesting. Enjoyed the art walk.
Glad you liked it!