Sunday, March 5, 2017

FREDERICK, MARYLAND


I posted a similar photo shown above in my previous post, but in this one there are two extra people on the left.  One of them is staring at something on the wall and my attention was drawn to the object that took her attention.




A Duck!  It took me a few moments to realize that it was another painting, and when we finally walked around to the other side, I got a closer look.  These artists are very talented.




Here's one of the real ones swimming up and down.



Here are those painted bricks I talked about in my other post.  If you missed that one you can find it here.


The stories behind the symbols are on this page of the website.  I didn't take photos of every symbol on the bridge, and could not match up a few to what I read on their page.  However, I have posted what I did find.


Neverending Knot

"This knot reminds me of the spirit of the community for many reasons: because it represents a continuum, it closes the loop, it is like a hand-off from one to the other.  It is like a spiral, always overlapping, yet it never ends.  It is a symbol of energy."

~Thomas Sterner ~ also Alicyn Cratty  

I didn't get the following information about the coins on the above website, just a general search on Google.

The Lincoln Cent 

The Lincoln cent, sometimes called the Lincoln penny, is a one-cent coin that has been struck by the United States Mint since 1909.  The obverse, or heads side, was designed by Victor David Brenner, as was the original reverse.




The Indian Nickel

The Buffalo nickel or Indian Head nickel, is a copper-nickel five-cent piece that was struck by the United States Mint from 1913 to 1938.  It was designed by sculptor James Earl Fraser.  As part of a drive to beautify the coinage, five denominations of US coins had received new designs between 1907 and 1909.


The actual time it took Mr. Cochran and his ten assistants to paint all these amazing works of art was a total of five years. The ivy fascinated me.  I learned that one of William Cochran's assistants took six months to paint those ivy leaves alone.   



Passing by one of the columns I almost missed the sunflower.




Here are more of the symbols.



This one of people entwined comes from an actual design adapted from The Book of Kells.




Begging Bowl




Sheaf of Wheat




Children playing, climbing trees.



Heart


Hand helping another



Chameleon
"The Chameleon has the ability to alter to suit its needs.  A community should be able to change in order to suit the needs of the people involved."  Julie O, 16, High School Student.



"The spirit of community is a sense of sharing and intimacy among those with common challenges.  Enclosed is the logo for the Frederick County Commission for Women.  The thistle - sometimes tender, sometimes prickly - grows undaunted all over the country."  Sandra West, Myersville



A few more symbols to end this part of my post.



Another view of a bridge with the decorative clock that you may have seen here.   



There were a couple of policeman patrolling the area on their Segways.  This is one of them in front of the very nice building that is the local library.  Must go in there next time.  If anyone is unfamiliar with a Segway, you can see one here.  There are different types these days.  There are Segway tours offered in Washington DC, and I daresay in many other cities around the world.  I would be interested to find out how popular they are.  A few years back when they were first being sold, we saw a man park his outside our local coffee shop.  I haven't seen any around here since, only when visiting DC.  It was fun to watch people in groups go by, and though they look like an enjoyable way to get around, I have my doubts that I could balance on one successfully.  I can be pretty klutzy truth be told.



At this time of year when there are hardly any people on the Riverwalk, it is an ideal place to run with your four-legged friend.



We walked over these metal grids with an oak leaf design.  I guessed that they covered a draining system down to the water, and its 'tiles' could be removed for easy access.  You can see my feet just in view.  I make no apologies for my scruffy shoes.  I take scruffy above style any day when it comes to comfortable footwear, at this stage of my life.  In my youth I remember spending a large part of my weekly wages on a pair of green satin, five inch stiletto heels with a pointed toe (winkle pickers was the term for them), and actually could walk in them quite well.  I loved them but they were a chiropodist's dream!  This was a few years before I met Gregg.  I wish I had kept them.  I would have had them in a glass case on a shelf somewhere.   Maybe just as well and I have no memory of where they went.  




And that is the last of my photos from our trip to Frederick.  I am looking forward to going back in the warmer months, as I have seen photos of the water lilies and other flowers on the Riverwalk.  Gregg also wants to go to Gettysburg, which isn't too far away.  It has been several years since we went to Gettysburg.





59 comments:

  1. The more you show the more amazing it all is! I love that one farm scene in the first group of symbols. And love that mallard and that sunflower!

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    1. Thank you Rose, I haven't shared all the photos I took. Maybe I'll do another post sometime down the road, unless I have gone back in the warmer months and will definitely do another post.

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  2. Thank you so much! This is such an interesting post!

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    1. You are very welcome Jedidja, glad you enjoyed it.

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  3. Stunning images - thank you.
    There are Segway tours by our lake, but I rarely see people using them.
    And, like you, I am a klutx.

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  4. Your last picture is awesome!! An artistic grid even. Well, I wear Crocs all the time! And yes, I remember well all the gorgeous shoes I bought when I was younger. I cannot remember what happened to a single pair. But at some point in our lives, comfort means more than fashion. I have enjoyed your photos SO much!!! I thought the mallard was real!! And the very subtle sunflower, with the leaves all over the pillar, that is another favorite. FIVE YEARS!!! And worth every day. How wonderful. And each one is uplifting in some way, no negativity here.

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    1. Thank you Ginny, fun to look back isn't it? Remember those mini skirts too? I guess everything comes back in style eventually but like you, comfort means more than fashion. Great way of putting it. Glad you enjoyed the post, to see this kind of artistry is really inspiring. And their sense of community shines through the work.

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  5. When you showed photos of the individual blocks I caught on as to what the bridge was all about.

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  6. Awesome bridge! Thanks for sharing the artistic details.

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  7. Denise, what lovely symbols and designs in your photos! And I love the views as well, and I never tire of watching birds. Thank you so much for sharing. :)

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    1. Thank you Linda, I haven't gotten out to take too many photos of birds lately. Hopefully it will warm up soon :)

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    1. Thank you Francisco, a hug and a good week to you also :)

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  9. Hello, Denise! I love these images from Frederick. The duck painting is amazing, it looks real. I have been by and all around Frederick but I have missed this river area. I must go for a visit. Your photos are awesome, love this post. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

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    1. Thank you Eileen. I hope you get there yourself one of these days. Happy Monday to you also, and a great week :)

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  10. I was quite concerned that the Mallard (?) was stuck there, until I read on. The artists were not only talented, they had a sense of humour too.

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  11. I can't believe I have not seen or heard of this bridge. the bridge and all the art on it are absolutely spectacular. so much talent. the duck looks like it could quack. every piece of the bridge is gorgeous and I LOVE that sunflower ...

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    1. Thank you Sandra, you mentioned two of my favorites here. I am very much looking forward to going back and see what I missed.

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  12. Always such good fun to be with you. Loved these

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    1. Thank you Cloudia, I feel the same when I visit you :)

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  13. The work, to accomplish this magnificent display, is mind staggering.

    I would hope that there is even more police surveillance/presence, at night. When "loonies" come out, under cover of darkness, to vandalize. :-((((

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    1. Hi LC, Fortunately I haven't heard anything negative happening. I hope that is correct.

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  14. Incredible work on these murals and the tiles especially. I've never seen anyone on a Segway here, let alone a police officer.

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    1. Thank you William and interesting about the Segways up your way.

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  15. I love the look of green satin. Those shoes sound lovely, though probably difficult to wear for long periods of time.

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    1. Probably Gigi, I don't remember them being uncomfortable but thankfully memory is fuzzy on that subject :)

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  16. It is really encouraging when utilitarian objects are treated in this fashion and used to provide entertainment and education for people who are inclined to take the time to explore. Thanks very much for sharing this with us. Kudos to everyone involved.

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  17. Hi Denise again what a wonderful bridge, the different symbols the artists have put around are brilliant, love the Mallard duck on the pillar. When you look at the quality of the artwork, you can understand why it took five years to complete. All the best, John

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    1. Hi John, thank you for the visit. I agree with everything you say :)

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  18. That bridge is an art museum -- a real work of art -- you could visit time and again and not see everything. What a wonder!

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    1. Thank you Sally and I want to go again so badly as I know I didn't see it all.

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  19. The symbols are beautifully done and mysterious. They are perfect characters for an Indian Jones style puzzler in a computer game. You managed to categorize so many … each one is a work of art and tells its own story.

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    1. Never thought of that before Penelope but you're right. Thanks for dropping by :)

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  20. This was incredible artistry, Denise! I really did think the duck was real! There is just so many drawings to see & thanks too, for sharing the history of the coins too!
    Have a great week!

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    1. That duck fools a lot of people Christine :) So happy you enjoyed the post.

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  21. wow, what a work of art! there's so much to see!

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  22. Frederick looks like an interesting place. I love the bridge with all the symbols and such. You really have to have an eye and look. I like the riverwalk, it reminds me a little bit of the walk that Oklahoma City built. I think amenities like that, if done well really pay off even though they drive the curmudgeonly crazy with the cost. And I join you in going for comfort and sturdiness in footwear.

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    1. I haven't explored Frederick at all and now am eager to do just that. Yep, comfortable - and sturdy - shoes are the right way to go.

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  23. Very interesting place you showed the great symbols. Duck I like it. Regards.

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  24. Thanks Linda, we're looking forward to going back to Gettysburg.

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  25. Enjoyed this tour, Denise, and especially the artwork. Yes, I thought it was a real duck by the side of the wall especially with the young child looking over at it.

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    1. That duck took several people by surprise Beatrice :)

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  26. i could spend forever and a day in a place like this, the artwork is so beautiful!! i am going to google this area and see how far it is from me. pretty captures of the artwork and all the surprises there!!!

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    1. Me too Debbie, that's why we are going back at the first opportunity :)

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  27. A rare place with lot of symbols. Thank you for sharing...

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  28. Oh, my, what a fantastic find! That bridge is just a wonderful work of art on its own. Thanks for the info on the artwork, too.

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  29. Oh my, this is so special isn't it. I've never seen anything like it.
    I've really enjoyed reading this post, and your previous one.
    Just beautiful artwork

    All the best Jan

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    1. So glad you enjoyed Jan, thank you. All the best to you also. Denise.

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  30. This is so awesome! One of the other bloggers just went there too and I was oohing and aahing at her photos. Now I'm seeing even more of yours and they are making me want to go there myself. Apparently it's over an hour away from my son's place. Hmmmm....

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    1. Hi Kay, I saw her post also and really enjoyed her perspective. I hope you are able to go there when you visit your son.

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