Forest Stairs

“The world’s a forest, in which all lose their way; though by a different path each goes astray.” –George Villiers A staircase rising out of a small ravine along the Seven Bridges Trail in Grant Park, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Shot in digital color, it was always my intention to create a black and white image. …… Continue reading Forest Stairs

First Steps Toward

First Steps Toward

“Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.” –Thomas Mann I went on a long walk today from my home on the East Side to downtown Milwaukee.  All told, it was about 7 miles.  I photographed many buildings, some flowers, a fire station, the river, the interior of city hall,…… Continue reading First Steps Toward

Hidden Stairway

Hidden Stairway

A mostly hidden outdoor stairway at the Milwaukee Art Museum.  My goal today was to capture a few exterior details of the newly renovated and expanded museum building.   Situated on the lower level below the War Memorial Center,  the six-year, $34 million  renovation project culminated with the November 2015 grand re-opening.  With floor to ceiling windows facing…… Continue reading Hidden Stairway

Mediterranean Dreams

Mediterranean Dreams

On a walk today to Lake Michigan, I stopped at the Lake Park Pavilion to take in the view of the water while enjoying the relatively warm early March weather. As I sat there, the view through the stucco arches of the picnic shelter reminded me for some reason of photographs and paintings I’ve seen of Mediterranean villas…… Continue reading Mediterranean Dreams

The Crumbling Concrete Stairs

Crumbling Concrete Stairs

“Crumbling between the fingers, under the feet, / Crumbling behind the eyes, / Their world gives way and dies / And something twangs and breaks at the end of the street.” –Louis MacNeice The concrete stairs, leaning and decaying, lead up to a locked second floor wooden door.  When dark, the single light above barely…… Continue reading The Crumbling Concrete Stairs

The Window

Window

“Strange things blow in through my window on the wings of the night wind and I don’t worry about my destiny.” –Carl Sandburg Light beams through what seems to be an opening to an outside world illuminating the dark passage.  When in fact, it is a spiral staircase inside the Milwaukee Public Library in downtown Milwaukee,…… Continue reading The Window

What is the Question

What is the Question

“Ultimately we know deeply that the other side of every fear is freedom.” –Marilyn Ferguson When I look up at the top of the staircase that is my life’s journey, I see a dark figure looking down at me. That dark figure is me.  It is the inner voice that says be afraid, quit, you…… Continue reading What is the Question

Top of the Stairs

Top of the Stairs

“And when it’s twelve a clock We climb the stair We never knock ‘Cause nobody’s there Just me and my shadow All alone and feeling blue” –from the song “Me and My Shadow” by Al Jolson, Billy Rose, and Dave Dreyer The back stairs of our two-flat just before dusk.  When it gets dark, these…… Continue reading Top of the Stairs

Take the Stairs

Stairs

“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs.” –Vance Havner A stairway in the historic Marshall Building, Third Ward, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Day 13 of my 365 photo a day project. If you are looking for art for your home…… Continue reading Take the Stairs