I went up to the Art Prize in Grand Rapids this morning. These are just a small sample of the art on display. It is the artists' work that should be emphasized. Taking pictures of someone else's art is almost like visual plagiarism.

Amos 5:24-25. Impressive piece.

Four Seasons Tree. This is the winter side

From a larger work "American Hero." Visitors were provided black sharpies to sign their name or add a thought. 

Beating swords into plowshares

Representing Detroit automakers

GR skyline!

Desecration of Adam - from Beauty to Tragedy

Some amazing woodcarvers submitted works

This is a detail from a much larger work: 8.5' x 12'. "American Icons" In the style of early 19th Century works.

I ate lunch at "The Bob." This was the decorative wainscoting.

This Dahlia was probably 6' wide.

reflections

Street performers

de ja vu all over again: can you say Hippie?

Detail of a welded globe

This oblisk was amazing!

Hollywood Wax - in crayons

These next are done by wood burning. Really wonderful work

Another interactive piece. Detail of a large piggy bank on which visitors were encouraged to add their colored handprint.

Always fun to kick around the Art Prize. I didn't see half the works but I was was running out of gas. A great venue if you have the chance to visit.

I finally finished the rest of the images from the Air Zoo from last week. Here's a few more samples. The first two are different treatment of essentially the same image.

The stinger on a B-17.

And on a B-24

Firing up the Merlin!

Again, two ways to process similar images.

Exhaust burn.

Brooks Field in Marshall. This old twin has been going to rack and ruin there for years.

OK, way too many images of the pilot, but it was cool to have a model with the plane. Fun way to spend a morning!

The Collings Foundation stopped by the Air Zoo for a couple of days to show off three of their planes: B-17, B-24, P-51. I went over after breakfast to take a look. Here's a quick peek at a few of the pictures I processed.

Two views of the chin turret and bombardier station in the nose of a B-17G

Ball turret (and selfie)

P-51 going wheels up on takeoff

An Air Zoo volunteer dressed as a waist gunner

I used a Nik Color Efex  Pro4 filter on several of these

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Ball turret inside the plane. This is the hatch where the gunner entered the turret

Stearman Bi-plane. This was the primary trainer for many WWII pilots.

The Fighter Pilot

The cockpit of the Sopwith Camel in the East Campus

Drove through Marshall on the way home. This fountain was beautifully back-lit

Wildflowers

FBC downtown

I still have a ton of pictures to process. Just had to get a few under my belt.