San Antonio Places

Cessna Citation San Antonio TX

Never a bad day when it involves directing airplanes for a photograph :)









Food Collages

These collages are on display outside of counter culture cafe at 281 and Evans.  The pieces are  9 ft x2.5 ft.  Large enough to guide you to the restaurant.  They were created to entice your taste buds while adding an  artistic element to the ambiance.  All the kitchen shots were photographed at Counter Culture, and the most of the veggies were photographed in my studio.




Main Plaza Farmers Market

The Main Plaza farmer’s market is a nice break from the monotony  of Tuesday Lunch break.  Strolling through the historic plaza in the center of downtown, I experienced fresh produce, a history lesson, fantastic fish tacos, live music, and a general sense that all is well with San Antonio.  Main Plaza was recently named one of the Top 10 “Great Public Spaces of America” by the American Planning Association.  The ambiance just in front of the San Antonio Courthouse invites you in to sit and relax.  A main focal point of the plaza is the San Fernando Cathedral.  Built in 1731, San Fernando is the oldest Cathedral in the nation.  Inside is houses the remains of Alamo defenders Crockett, Bowie, and Travis.  The San Antonio Food Bank provides a great lunch at the Plaza, and the live music is unique to San Antonio roots.  I was able to see accordionist and singer Eva Ybarra perform.  The farmer’s market is a lovely way to spend a Tuesday afternoon, so if you find yourself downtown go stop by!

Weekend Sampler

The weekend began with the incredibly rare snow day.  A thing of legend to the children of San Antonio who know of this phenomenon  only of  from their parents stories of 1985 (or was it 86?).    After a day of snow excitement,  it was definitely a soup kind of  night.

I attempted to photograph the dinner I prepared, but only got the first ingredient documented.  I quickly realized that my first dinner guests (8 of them) would need the meal that had my full attention.  I used Tyler Florence’s roasted tomato soup recipe.  It was a warm ending to a cold day.

Saturday morning included a breakfast at Magnolia Pancake Haus.  This place has absolutely my favorite pancakes in the world.

Saturday it was party time for my best friends mom.   Th3 50th birthday party was a surprise in its entirety for her, but the expression documented here was the look of surprise from seeing her daughter (hiding in the back) who had come down from Chicago to celebrate.  So much more I could have documented this weekend, this is just a little sampler!

Family photos at Chris Park

It was a pleasure to photograph the fourth generation in a line of strong women.  This was baby Cristela’s first trip to America as her parents are currently stationed in Germany.  While here she got to know her Great-Grandmother who is her namesake, as well as her Great Grandfather,  Grandmothers,  and Uncle.  Her mother, Adrianna, knew that this special time needed to be documented, and I’m so glad she asked me.  We met up at Chris Park in San Antonio where the gentle breezes added to the ambiance of tranquility that encompasses this tiny little jewel in downtown San Antonio. What a great day!

Diwali, Festival of Lights, Downtown San Antonio

Following the aroma of curries and sounds of rhythmic drumming, Scarlet and I found ourselves at the Diwali festival in Hemisphere park.  Wecame up upon the dance floor that was packed with kids who seemed to have transferred club energy to the park.  Heavy  DJ beats mixed popular Indian and American dance sounds which were accompanied by a very talented Indian  drummer.  There were food booths whose amazingly fragrant scents filled the air, and  similarly amazing lines accompanied.  Rows of tables were heavy with bangles, earrings, necklaces, and tunics for sale.   At the base of the Hemisphere Tower,  the fountain area held small floating votive candles that created an air of romance.

Still in its infancy for San Antonio at year 2, the Diwali festival at Hemisphere park packed ‘em in.  The Downtown Blog highlights how San Antonio began their version of the celebrations

Diwali, festival of lights,  is a India’s largest and most important celebration.  Rich with traditions; it’s a time to glorify the triumph of good over evil.  Of high importance amongst these cultural roots are the lighting of candles, and fireworks.

Oh my the fireworks were glorious! It was so great to watch them explode  next to such a recognizable San Antonio landmark  I really couldn’t decide which fireworks I liked best, so I had to post a few of my favorites.  Even more can be seen on facebook.

Zombie Walk Downtown San Antonio

Zombie’s descended upon Hemisphere park in mass consciousness to infiltrate the streets of downtown San Antonio.

Annual event ushers in Halloween Week .

Begin the Countdown!!! More photos on FACEBOOK

San Antonio’s Abandoned Condos

More photos on facebook

You’ve may have seen this building before.  You may have even wondered about it yourself.

Right at the intersection of 281 and Broadway this unfinished building has been languishing in a state of hopeful revitalization for quite some time now.

I pass this spot on my daily morning route, and once I saw campaign signs begin to adorn the top floor I knew there was a way in.

From what I know (which isn’t much) it was right on course to being the coolest set of condos for the coolest San Antonians when the project ran short of funds, and now there it sits.  An omnious structure of steel and gray.  Given that the Pearl Market is becoming such a boom, and Tobin Hill is following suit in this art enclave, I don’t understand why such a great location isn’t scooped up by some anxious developer to create the talk of the town

I love old buildings.  I love the textures and desaturated color.  Without an occupant the building takes on its own personality, as if all along it had been hiding some of itself.  My imagination runs free as I pretend to be a medium for the talking walls.  There’s also the sense of adventure and general intrigue.  What other San Antonio structures are waiting for me and my camera?

Update:  All about the latest in building development on MySA.  Apparently A LOT is in store

281 and Jones Maltsberger, San Antonio

Here is a view from the KSLR studio at 281 and Jones Maltsberger.  It looks south to the super duper new interchange with 410

UTSA ART

It’s possible that I would have learned a bit more about world civilization had I not avoided the scheduled regime of torture that is IDS 2203.  Instead I wondered around the 1604 campus looking for art.

Here’s a bit of what I found

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