Domestika.org has the best art projects. Recently I took a course there on vector drawings. The final project asked us to draw a collection of items that reflect our love of a particular place. I’ve lived in Greensboro for over two decades now, and it seemed like the best place from which to draw things.
Above is my final project. First off, used a blue jean like fabric pattern for the background. Since the mid-19th century, Greensboro has had strong presence in the textile industry. Even today, the company that owns Wrangler and Lee jeans calls Greensboro its corporate headquarters. The textured fabric helped the images pop a little more than when placed over a white or off-white background.
Speaking of jeans, and beginning at the top, you’ll find a pair of green jeans. If you walk around downtown Greensboro, dozens of life size jeans statues line the streets. These sculptures have ornate designs–butterflies, logos & flags. This project, known as Jeansboro, celebrates Greensboro’s deep history with textiles and, well, blue jeans.
To the right of the green jeans rests an homage to my favorite of William Sydney Porter‘s three commemorative statues, the giant O. Henry book, which lay just across the street from the Tanger Center in downtown G-Town. The other side of the statute (not shown) usually gets better billing than the plain spine side. I prefer the plain side–there’s something about its simplicity speaks to me.
North Carolina’s state bird is the cardinal. I prefer the subdued tans and browns of the lady cardinal to the flashy red of the gentleman cardinal. Part of the project required us to use a limited color palette. The light blue compliments the cardinal’s natural tan.
The collected image in the lower right corner comes from a photo I took of the greenway near my house. There, a big tree stands by a path and an aqueduct. Greensboro has so many wonderful greenways.
Just off the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway, near the Battleground Military Park, lives Ozzie’s, a relatively new ice cream shop. Ozzie’s is a friendly ice creamery–the kind of place where you’d expect Greensboro teens have their first stints of employment. Summer nights eating ice cream among family, dogs, and cicadas is sublime.
In the 1930’s the Kress building completed construction in downtown Greensboro. It’s art deco style compliments the surrounding buildings. I’ve played numerous weddings on the more recently renovated Kress Terrace, an event space that offers a charming aerial view of the downtown area.
New new city loop, Interstate 840, has been an increasingly valuable road for me. The spoke that was completed in 2018 shaved an easy 10 minutes off my law school commute. The section completed in 2021 made it that much easier to get to northern Greensboro areas. The final section, finished in January 2023, shortens the trip east. Durham is now ten minutes closer.
Big Burger Spot is my favorite restaurant. I love a good hamburger and BBS has the best I’ve ever had, not to mention the best fries, the best milkshakes, the best hot dogs, and the best Greek salads. The reuben at Katz’s Deli in New York is conventionally known as the best reuben in the world; however, BBS’s reuben has smoked corned beef, an original twist on a classic that’s hard to beat. I’ve eaten at BBS every Sunday for the past ten years. It’s that good.
I practice law at Coltrane & Overfield, PLLC.
The observatory at Guilford College has a couple really cool telescopes. I’ve been to a few open houses where the public gets to see what kind of things they’re working on. The telescope at the Frank Center Observatory isn’t as large as the one I put in my collage, but the place always leaves an impression on me.
One of the first “sit-in” non-violent protests of the 1960s civil rights movement occurred in the Woolworth building in downtown Greensboro. At the time, the Woolworth had a segregated lunch counter. Four brave men broke the rules and refused to leave. Nowadays, the Woolworth houses the International Civil Rights Center & Museum.
Triad Stage is one of the best places to see a play. While it’s not a grand broadway style event center, Triad Stage has an immersive, small stage that’s perfect for more intimate productions. I always feel like I’m inside the show when I see a show at Triad Stage.