MICHAEL PAUL SMITH He was SUCH a lovely talented seeing sensitive man. An excerpt of one of Michael's e-mails to me in 2016 before his stroke:
"I have to say, I am looking forward to moving permanently to Elgin Park. For all of the excitement, both good and bad, of this reality, the story line is getting thin for me. Time to move on. Eric, I hope I'm not bringing you down with all of this. If anything, I'm just thinking out loud.
On a different note... When I come across something soul stirring, such as your Art or the story you wrote about your Father, everything stops for me. It's almost like entering a reality "out of time" filled with understanding and comprehension; Life Distilled, as it were. I love these moments and always keep an eye out for them. Music and humor are also avenues to these moments.
The photo you sent of your '66? Chevy Impala presented another life distilled jolt. The fact that it was snow covered and missing it's hubcaps, made it all the more potent. Plus it was a far more romantic image than if it had been clean and polished.
The smell of the cold interior, the feel of the hard plastic steering wheel, all of the miles on the odometer.... I found myself nodding and smiling. Like the rooms you had drawn, I also knew this car.
There is a drawing you did of yourself behind the wheel of an automobile: a cowboy hat, rain on the windshield, the glimpse of a rear fender, and a very focused look on your face - it was quite the image. Would you feel comfortable sharing some insight into what was going on at that time? Self portraits are always fascinating snapshots into one's internal landscape. And not just the image itself, but what you were feeling while you were drawing it.
When I was an art director, one of the activities I liked best was reviewing peoples portfolios. The finished images were of interest but it was the process of how they got to the final product that was more intriguing. All of those creative miles they had to travel before they arrived.
Eric, I realize am rambling here again; a thousand pardons.
I hope you feel better. Good vibes are being sent your way.
My father died over 36 years ago, but I miss him every day. He started all sports car racing in Canada in 1951 with Jack Luck, he owned the first Porsche in Canada, and he was a good friend of Briggs Cunningham. Photos of my dad in 1952 at the top of Mount Equinox, with the first Ferrari in America owned bt Briggs, and just him. I'm in a documentary movie about my 40 year dream of driving a 356 across the country for the memory of my father. The trailer needs a password: quantum.
I invite everyone to take a very close look at this layout. Numerous details and lifelike scenes to be discovered. How about the waving laundry caused by the passing freight train. The flooded street. Very well done Eric.
Great work on the truck. Another fine detail added. Same for the Harley in front of the biker's pub. Is there still a bridge to be installed, or was it like that , a locomotive crossing the water just on two rails. Are you gonna put people in the deserted streets?
Love this truck. (LOL) Especially appropriate for a Maine resident to have as a featured item on his home layout. Did you create the truck signs on your computer? Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ In the Heart of the Sonoran Desert
Splendid detail Eric...reminds me of another urban layout that gets all the rave but I always thought it a bit "cartoonish"...yours has a more honest and prototypical feel to it.
Looking good MG....always enjoy seeing your work...would like to see it in person but doubtful I’ll get to Maine in this lifetime....unless I make a trip to Acadia NP Terry
Love that weathered Shell tanker...I also like how you mixed in what looks like leaves or debris after putting down the static grass. Often don't see that added and it really makes a nice effect.
Kebmo, here is a pretty good overview of the railroad, but expansion is coming in the form of an entire On30 layout which will interchange at the wharf.
Also a fruit truck I've been building. Penobscot Falls is not big on citrus saying: "I ain't eatin' none of that Californee-A stuff!"
Comments
"I have to say, I am looking forward to moving permanently to
Elgin Park.
For all of the excitement, both good and bad, of this reality,
the story line is getting thin for me. Time to move on.
Eric, I hope I'm not bringing you down with all of this.
If anything, I'm just thinking out loud.
On a different note...
When I come across something soul stirring, such as your
Art or the story you wrote about your Father, everything
stops for me. It's almost like entering a reality "out of time" filled with
understanding and comprehension; Life Distilled, as it were.
I love these moments and always keep an eye out for them.
Music and humor are also avenues to these moments.
The photo you sent of your '66? Chevy Impala presented another
life distilled jolt. The fact that it was snow covered and missing
it's hubcaps, made it all the more potent. Plus it was a far more romantic
image than if it had been clean and polished.
The smell of the cold interior, the feel of the hard plastic steering wheel,
all of the miles on the odometer....
I found myself nodding and smiling. Like the rooms you had drawn, I also
knew this car.
There is a drawing you did of yourself behind the wheel of an automobile:
a cowboy hat, rain on the windshield, the glimpse of a rear fender,
and a very focused look on your face - it was quite the image.
Would you feel comfortable sharing some insight into what was
going on at that time? Self portraits are always fascinating snapshots
into one's internal landscape.
And not just the image itself, but what you were feeling while you were
drawing it.
When I was an art director, one of the activities I liked
best was reviewing peoples portfolios. The finished images were of interest
but it was the process of how they got to the final product that was
more intriguing. All of those creative miles they had to travel before
they arrived.
Eric, I realize am rambling here again; a thousand pardons.
I hope you feel better. Good vibes are being sent your way.
Best regards,
Michael"
Are you gonna put people in the deserted streets?
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ In the Heart of the Sonoran Desert
Terry
Want to send a postcard? Send it to Hobo, Penobscot Falls, Maine 04915. It will get there. Thanks to Brett for sending the box!
Most exciting thing Penobscot Falls ever did. The locals still talk about it. Some towns raise a cathedral, but PF raised a DC-3. God love them!
Also a fruit truck I've been building. Penobscot Falls is not big on citrus saying: "I ain't eatin' none of that Californee-A stuff!"