Butler Museum Accepts Flats Work

© Stuart Pearl 2010 (Click Image to Enlarge)

Each year Youngstown's Butler Institute of American Art holds its Midyear Show. This juried competition is open to artists nationwide. I was again fortunate to have one of my photographs accepted for display in the 2010 show. The opening is Sunday June 27.

"A Rust Rose Dawn" shows the Cleveland skyline shortly after sunrise on a December morning. The Norfolk & Western railway bridge can be seen at the bottom.

View of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge & Cleveland skyline

Heights normally terrify me. It takes a supreme act of courage for me to clean roof gutters. The Butler image was made with no less terror, from I-90's Inner Belt bridge 274 feet above the chilly Cuyahoga.

There is a very narrow metal sidewalk that separates pedestrians from roaring traffic and a cold swim. The guard rails are way to "open" for my tastes. I was able to get this shot by walking the length of the bridge, starting at the West 14th St. ramp.

I have walked this bridge a couple of times now looking for different vantage points and variations in lighting. To my shock I discovered there are others even more daring than myself. The picture above was taken during warmer times but it shows that bike riders use the interstate bridge to cross the Cuyahoga also.

There was no place to go when this lone rider came pedalling up the sidewalk. I just thought "thin" and became one with the railing. He rolled right by as if he does this everyday. That could be very likely true. Plans are underway for construction of the new Inner Belt bridge. Many have suggested a more user-friendly walkway. I can certainly understand why.Allied Corporation property on the West Bank

Views from the bridge are often unique with dramatic clouds and wonderful lighting. This panorama of the Allied operation shows gravel piles on the west bank ready for road work and other construction projects.

"The Three Roofers" Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

This early morning Tremont picture was shot during the summer as roofers repaired a church roof. It shows there is always something going on.

The city constantly changes for my lens. It's just a matter of being alert to new opportunities. The same Cleveland landmark will reveal a different face from season to season as well as from dawn to dusk. Some of these pictures end up as simple snapshots recording the ongoing history. Other images may achieve the status of "artwork," rendering an interpretation that is unique in it's composition. Hopefully all will be enjoyed.

Old Bones on Lake Erie: Cleveland's Coast Guard Station

© Stuart Pearl 2010 (Click Image to Enlarge)

It first appears as a small white art decco shape with graceful curves sitting at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. It has a beautiful tower and swept back walls leading to boat doors and dock facilities.

This is the Cleveland Coast Guard Station. It was designed by architect J. Milton Dyer and finished in 1940. It's construction replaced the government's Life Saving Service which had been previously housed in a smaller Cleveland facility.

I've seen the old station from a distance for years. I had always assumed access was only possible by boat. But this past winter I finally discovered the path to the old station by way of a nice hike through Wendy Park.

Today's empty shell stands in stark contrast to the beautiful property shown in this government photo from the 1950's.

Wendy Park is only a few years old, one of Cleveland's newer recreation areas. The land was purchased by Cuhahoga County in 2004.

It's a bit desolate during the winter but still is a favorite walk for dog owners and others out for some cold weather exercise. It offers some great views of the skyline, waterfront and of course the Coast Guard Station.

To get to this area it's a convoluted trip via the West Shoreway to Edgewater Park, with a further trek down the road to the Whisky Island marina. Once through the main gate you park in the lot an then start hiking.

I prefer the waterfront side north of the volleyball court as it provides distant panorama's of the Coast Guard Station. You eventually top a hill and come down to the old access road flanking the west bank of the Cuyahoga River just north of the railroad bridge.

The city of Cleveland now owns the station, having purchased it in 2004 for $1. Some stabilization of the structures was started last May with debris being removed and paint being added.


Restoration of the roof has also begun with some new support structure visible. The unique architecture strikes me as a combination of Adobe and Decco, with the tower being the most prominent feature visible. I would love to see light blazing from its crown some time in the future.

Boat storage building

Cleveland's skyline is visible from the old boat docks.



With the partial restoration of the station interest has been growing in the park and this area. Others continue to document the region's history in an effort to build enthusiasm for increased public use and recreation.

Christopher Busta-Peck, MLIS, and Christine Borne, MLIS edit Cleveland Area History. It's goal is to raise awareness of history in Cleveland and northeast Ohio. They have some interesting links as well as more photo galleries of the station.

To see more images of Cleveland's skyline and industrial flats visit Stuart Pearl's fine art galleries.

Alien Ice - Cleveland Deep Freeze

© Stuart Pearl 2010 (Click Image to Enlarge)

I was just a few miles from downtown Cleveland.. And yet the landscape resembled a frozen moon. Bizarre shapes surrounded me in the 15 degree weather as I slowly hiked across the icy boulder field.

It had been at least 10 years since I'd last visited Cleveland's Edgewater Park Beach. Back then it was sunny and 85 degrees. Surf sprayed across the rocky beach as I strolled in shorts and shirtsleeves back then.

Today I wore a flannel shirt, fleece vest, parka, hat, hood and earmuffs. The cameras were not so well protected and the batteries died after 90 minutes.

A thin coat of bright powder covered uneven ice and it was difficult to find a safe pathway. The setting sun glared off trunk shaped icicles and caused deep shadows between the shoreline boulders.

Some of the structures resembled sea anemones, pointing skyward, in search of aerial plankton.

The odd thing was the twisted nature of these lakeshore stalagtites. In Early January while the lake was cold but still unfrozen, the high winds must have whipped the surf spray at an angle across the trees and shrubs. Ice then formed as the wind-driven droplets twisted around branches and trunks causing the extraordinary patterns.

Other structures resembled spiked leviathans foraging across the boulder strewn landscape.

With Lake Erie to the north, a few lone shrubs still manage to rise from the snow and ice.

Although the landscape fascinated me in the warm, late afternoon light, I was curious how it would appear under cooler, early morning illumination.

Returning two days later at 7:15, I encountered a bleak overcast sky with just the faintest morning glow. The quality of the light was completely different from Saturday's high contrast sun, with an emphasis now on the blue part of the spectrum.

You can see an enlarged slide show of these images by clicking HERE.

The Buck Stops Here

© Stuart Pearl 2010

And a number of his friends often join him. Sometimes we'll have as many as eight deer grazing our myrtle beds, hosta plants, and other shrubbery. And during the warmer months they do this seeminlgy oblivious to the racket of yard equipment and neighborhood traffic. Who needs hamsters?

Our lot is bordered by a small wood to the east. To the back are 850' deep properties. This provides some degree of cover and safety for the adult deer. They and their young will often visit for a while, dining on our ornamentals during the summer, or digging in the winter snow for any greenery.

Our property is situated between two local park systems. To the West we have the Euclid Creek Metropark and off to the East is the North Chagrin Reservation.

Some feel the deer travel between the two parks depending upon food supply and the pressures from human activity. Either way we have daily sightings. We've actually see more wildlife in our backyard than we have during our visits to the Adirondack, Shenandoah and Smoky Mountains.

Thank You!

© Stuart Pearl 2010

Fundraisers remind my of my high school PTA days, the time I spent as a Band Parent, and my years in the Jaycees. Projects are very gratifiying when they generate profit for a good cause.

This is the second year that the Cleveland Sight Center has been kind enough to use one of my photographs for their Holiday card sale. I want to thank everybody who purchased any of the cards that were offered this year. They earn revenue for critical projects, and I get some greeting cards.

Although sales were down slightly from last year, "Arch Reflections" was the top seller for 2009. Of 55,242 cards sold, it accounted for 12,582 of total sales.

Trevor & Mary Shull - November 28, 2009

© Stuart Pearl 2009

Now and then I'll shoot a very special wedding out of town. Last Saturday I spent a wonderful day in Columbus with the Hughes and Shull family covering Mary and Trevor's wedding day.

(A slide show of Mary and Trevor's complete photo gallery can be viewed HERE.)

The November weather cooperating perfectly with a cool but sunny and clear day. We began our photo session at the Franklin Park Conservatory. It's beautiful floral grounds mix classic architecture with avant garde sculpture and contemporary design.

The formal gardens were a perfect backdrop for Mary's classic beauty. Trevor cleaned up pretty well also.

The 5 p.m. ceremony was held at the Atonement Lutheran Church for about 120 friends and family.

The reception was held in the Whestone Park of Roses Shelter House a couple of miles from the church. Bill Hughes introduced and toasted the happy couple.

Carol Shull with son Trevor.

Click HERE to see the entire gallery of Mary and Trevor's wedding photographs. To see more work from Stuart Pearl Photography please visit my Social Event and Fine Art galleries online.