Final Day | Last Hurrah

Roadside Landscape, Highway 58, Virginia 2007 © jwl

My trip home had a great number of photographic ups and downs. I struggled a bit with focus while I was out working on photographs. I may have spent too much time updating my website and beginning a book on my Delta Work, but for some reason I wasn't as productive as I would have liked. I also had my now infamous run in with Homeland Security which added some mental blockage for the day. Luckily, I worked through most of the fog and brought home some film that I think will be worthwhile.

On my final day of shooting I made my way North into Virginia then West and South toward Tennessee. The sun had come out for the first time this week and the colors were popping. Lucky for me, I found this scene. This is the digital version, I can't wait to get the film back.

Enjoy.

Knoxville, TN | 15 Dec 2007

12.15.07, Knoxville, Tennessee 2007 © jwl

People and Place

Church, Highway 347, Tennessee 2007 © jwl

I have spent the last couple of days following Highway 347 in East Tennessee. Not that it is long enough to take 2 days to drive, but with the short days I seem to be chasing the light in the early afternoon. 347 runs between Kingsport and Rogersville with a good number of twists and turns to allow you to appreciate the landscape.

Something that I have been looking at on this trip is the way that lives are built into these hills and the feeling that the land is embracing you. I took some time to look at this church and the graveyard built into the side of the hill across the highway. Behind the church is a creek that divides the calming space of the church from the steep mountain behind. This is a very special relationship between the land, the people and their built environment that I hope to express in photographs.

Jesus Saves | Homeland Security

I had the unfortunate pleasure of having my film confiscated by the Eastman Chemical Company's branch of Homeland Security today. I was parked in a small driveway on Highway 93 in Kingsport, TN in order to walk a quarter of a mile up the road and photograph (yet another) Jesus Saves type sign along the road. After making the photographs I noticed that my car had attracted some security-style attention. Two trucks were checking out my poor lonely Subaru.

I walked on down to explain myself and put them at ease. Once I explained my status and such to 2 security officials employed by the fine Eastman Chemical Co, their boss came along to explain the protocol. He informed me that I was to hand over my film and they would then process it, remove any objectionable images of the facility and send me whatever was left. I cried 'BULLSHIT' and began the argument.

I stated the case that his own co-worker had watched me come from the site that I had openly admitted to photographing and for all rights I wasn't even photographing on Eastman property, but a Sullivan County highway. He then pulled the homeland security protocol card and we ping ponged the ideals back and forth. After the call went in for the Kingsport Police to come and confiscate my equipment I caved and emptied the film into his possession. The gentleman wasn't at fault and I was parked illegally on the Company property.

I think that the whole ordeal has stained my days productivity. Luckily, there was only one image on the roll that was lost and I will redo the work tomorrow. In principal I feel like I have been abused by a system of bullshit and lies. I mean, seriously, what are they hiding? I grew up in this town and lived 2 miles from that plant for a time in high school, I know that it is evil for environmental reasons, but it employs EVERYBODY it seems. I also know that George Eastman himself was asked to move here as an employment anchor when they planned the town in 1919. I am not unaware of the power of the place, but I have never officially been touched by it before.

In the end, I just wanted to share my experience of today and shed some light on how far down the food chain the Homeland Security broomstick waves.

Wisconsin Photographs

Garage, Cudahy, Wisconsin 2002 © jwl

While away, I thought I would get some work done. There is now a page on my website for my Wisconsin photographs.

I have also updated the Gallery section of the site.

Enjoy.

Visiting With Folks

Pasture w/ Tree, Eidson, TN 2007 ©jwl

I spent a good deal of time socializing in the past couple of days. While in Knoxville I visited with old friends, Playing the obligatory catch-up, telling stories and sharing time. I miss having the everyday access with some of my friends. It seems as time goes by more of my deep personal relationships are becoming long distance. Maybe in the work of seeing each other, a deeper appreciation grows.

I also spent an afternoon with the Lawson clan at the annual Christmas potluck. I haven't made it to one of these dinners in almost 10 years. I have become a bit estranged from that side of my family, but it isn't something I can't overcome. I plan to make a tradition of seeing them at least one a year in spite of the distance.

I also visited the grave site of my father. His grave is located in the Lawson family ground on a ridge overlooking a cattle pasture (if you look carefully at the photo you can see the fence to the right). Every time I am nearby I make the climb. It is very peaceful there, a nice place for a good nap.

Corner Lounge, Knoxville TN

Corner Lounge, Knoxville, Tennessee 2007 © jwl

Spent some time yesterday and last night hanging out with friends in Knoxville. It's good to be back in the south. I think that the combination of vacation and old comforts is twice as relaxing. I didn't get much photography done, but I snapped a few things along the way.

Dry Ridge, Kentucky

Early tomorrow
I will travel familiar roads
Toward familiar places

Along the way
I will open my eyes
Try to catch something new

I never know what to look for
I know how it feels

jw lawson HOLIDAY SALE

jw lawson HOLIDAY SALE!! December 1 – 14

For the first 2 weeks of December, we will be having a sale on jw lawson’s photographs. Here’s how it works, all jw lawson photographs will be 15% off for orders placed before December 14th*. That means any image you have seen in exhibitions, at www.jwlawson.com, in a blog or elsewhere are going to be on sale for 2 weeks only. So act fast! Give us a call or send an email to place your order soon. There is also a selection of photographs on display at jw lawson FINE ART through January, so come by and have a look. We will love to see you.

*The sale price does not include matting and framing. Orders must be placed in person, via email or phone by December 14th to receive discount. Due to the strict timeline, orders cannot be delivered before Christmas 2007.