Fernando Morales
A brief encounter with Fernando a few days ago in El Rincón Coffee/Gift shop in Mesilla, NM. Wasn’t a lot of time to get to know him, but he was visiting from Carlsbad, with ties to Hermosillo, Sonora, MX.
Jo Owens Murray
Jo is an artist I encountered her while photographing some of the scenes being set up by Netflix filming of “Chupa”in Mesilla, NM. She is a self taught artist well known for her assemblage sculptures and has work in the permanent collections of several museums. Via social media I noticed recently that Jo Ellen was battling cancer.
Aurelio
A good friend who passed away a few years back. Aurelio came from Buenos Aires, but married a lovely Swiss woman and lived in Northern Bucks County. Always interested in literature, he was a long term member and a marvelous contributor to Sociedad Hispana Doylestown. We all miss him.
Free
Spirits
Mr. Cub
As a kid I was fortunate to see a few baseball games at Wrigley Field in Chicago. It was a special treat to see the Brooklyn Dodgers with Campanella, Hodges, Reese, Erskine and Snider come to Wrigley. Stuff of legends today
Tombstone,
Arizona
This man was one of several who earn a living staging gunfights, given history tours, and generally helping tourists understand what the OK corral was all about.
Chicago Lakeshore Biker
Bucks County PA
Each year, save pandemic years, a professional bike race is held using 1-2 mile criterium race thru a closed to traffic loop in Doylestown PA. It is well attended and a highlight of the year as it coincides with the art show occurring inside the race loop course. A lovely event!
Day of the dead
Mesilla, NM has great celebrations throughout the year, however The Day of the Dead is at the top of the list. Unfortunately the crowds did not permit me to develop a back story about this man and his wife who was sitting next to him.
MAGDALENA
Magdalena emigrated from eastern Europe as a young girl. This portrait was taken as she was recovering from breast cancer. After she beat cancer I wanted to photograph her again under identical conditions of dress, location, etc. She declined. Magda is into leopard spots-both in interior decorating and dress. A lovely woman we are happy to call a friend. She proudly displays a 20x28 framed portrait of herself in her living room.
Isabelle
Isabelle is a 23 year old shop owner of The Messy Arrow Market in Mesilla, New Mexico. She is into underground music and tarot cards. When I saw a large number 17 tattooed on her hand I questioned its significance. She explained the 17th tarot card represents enlightenment. Her shop motto is happiness is home made.
Grandpa Elliot
Elliot is a street musician on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. This picture was taken in the early 1980’s prior to Elliot losing his vision due to glaucoma. He later became famous as part of an international group called Playing for Change. He sang the national anthem in Dodger Stadium and other venues. Stand By Me is his benchmark song that made him, and others famous. May he rest in peace.(July 10, 1944-March 8, 2022)
Meet the Mayor
Esequiel Salas is the Mayor of Columbus, NMEX located a few miles north of the Mexican border. Why is this town famous? On March 9, 1916 Francisco Villa (aka Doroteo Arango, aka Pancho), crossed the border with 600 followers and attacked/looted the US Army Camp in Columbus. Villa looked to resupply his División del Norte as they fought in the Mexican revolution. General John J. Pershing, and a few thousand troops were then sent to punish the Villistas. Villa was not caught, but a young Army officer named George Patton was successful in killing two Villa officers. History records that this US Army campaign was good training for troops as the US entered WWI, as it was one of the first times mechanized vehicles were used in combat by the US Army. It was also the first time airplanes were used. On the mayor’s calling card: “Cradle of American Airpower.”
Jared
This marvelous young man is now 18 years old, and headed for college. Seldom does a portrait of mine capture personality as completely as this one
Clayton
This great young boy grew up on a farm in the northern part of Bucks County, PA. This portrait was taken in 2017 as he helped his parents and grandparents sell their farm produce in local markets. I once saw him playing in the rural farm field where he lives…A refreshing change from always seeing kids on cell phones.
New Jersey
I was unable to converse much with this woman. When I asked if I could photograph her, the response was “please hurry I have a lot of men to meet.” She was attending a revolutionary war reenactment ceremony
Holly Tancred
A remarkable and endearing 82 year Tufts graduate, who taught for 25 years at American schools abroad in México, Chile, Honduras, Argentina, and Tokyo. She secured these positions thru a Northern Iowa University job fair that continues to this day.
She is currently the curator at the 1902 RR Depot Museum in Columbus, NMEX. This museum contains a significant number of historical items relating to the 1916 raid on the US Army camp at Columbus by Pancho Villa.
North Philadelphia
In most North Philly neighborhoods one finds ordinary street scenes I enjoy photographing. The names of some of the houses of worship bear testament to the variety of inhabitants. One church invited me in for a service, which I happily attended. The Pastor had received his mail order authority to lead this congregation via a certificate. The congregation loved him.
Lancaster
County
PA
Amish country west of Philly along the old Lincoln highway has lots of photographic potential without interfering with local customs.