Saturday 11/18/2006

Harold Ave. Lake Claire “Yard Sale”

This sale was on the in the yard and on the curb of a nearby street. Among the stuff gathered together was a table filled with promotional plush Chihuahuas put out a few years back by a Taco chain. Below the miniature dogs was a selection of buttons with slogans that included “What Has Reality Done for Me?”, “I am a monster”, “Atlanta is dying slowly”, “Searching for someone who is not threatened by a remarkable woman” and “Stressed out”. On another table was a container of novelty Pimp Daddy body detergent, a silver menorah, a kit for learning to play the piano overnight and a costume derby. On another table was a ceramic dog placed before a computer monitor like some post modern Nipper of the digital era. Strangely it had an antiquated feel since it was a CRT monitor. On some shelves I found the following books - Normal Family Processes”, “Mysteries of the Unexplained”, “Deviant Behavior”, “A Place I’ve Never Been”, “God on a Harley”, ”Lesbian Sex”, “Considering Parenthood”, “Having Your Baby By Donor Insemination” and “Man Woman and Child”.
On the ground I found a body massage box gift set, a Gauguin print and some sporting equipment.
I bought nothing.



A Nipper for the cyber age?













Table filled with promotional plush miniature canines.

Mathews St. – Lake Claire “Estate Sale”

I just happened to stumble across this inside the house sale in my neighborhood. The sale was inside and in the front driveway of a relatively small infill home built within the last ten years. The sale did not appear to be operated by a professional reseller and seamed a little on the disorganized side. In the driveway was a colorful pile of mops, brooms, crutches and long handled garden tools. Near the pile was a box containing camping foodstuffs that included Honey and Lime chicken and a package of spaghetti.
In the first room inside was a room that was either being torn apart of rebuilt. Here I found a pair of Chuck Norris boxing gloves, a set of magnetic musical notes, a bright red gas mask, a pillow that resembled a slice of watermelon, assorted things made from straw and wicker, a bicycle seat, assorted hardware, switch plates and mismatched Xmas décor.
In the living room I found a retro red portable television tuned to Sesame Street next to a several pairs of brass conquistador boots. Scattered about the same room were old electronics, jigsaw puzzles and various candles of different sizes.
Upstairs I found boxes of old mismatched computer gear, some board games, a makeup mirror, camping gear, picture frames, dried flowers and a dirt devil.
Back outside I examined a few boxes of books to discover “Murder on the Menu”, “Gone to Her Death”, “Wicked Uncle”, “False Gods”, “The Courage to Heal”, “To Study a Long Silence”, “The Perfect Murder” and “How Far Will You Go?”.
On the other side of the driveway I found a free pile containing a lampshade, an umbrella, some wicker objects, dirty luggage and an old computer monitor.
I bought nothing.
Chuck Norris approved pugilist apparel.














Retro TV next to footwear of the conquistadors.













Camping edibles found in driveway.














Eclectic pile of free stuff.

Inman Mews – Inman Park “Multi Family Sale”

I was curious to visit yet another sale in a new in-town development. But this one was disappointing in that it feature only three very meager sales in the garages of this row home complex just off Dekalb Ave. As in the sale a few weeks ago the garages were immaculate, no grease stains, no piles of unruly yard tools, simply well organized storage facilities located below Disneyesque homes. There was so little here there is not much to describe aside from some sporting goods, women’s clothing and a few electronic items.
I bought nothing.

Candler Park Dr. –Candler Park “Yard Sale”

This event was also quite meager with a few children’s items lining the walkway to this craftsman bungalow. Far more interesting were child the constructed signs being posted on every utility pole on the street while I was there. One of the better examples is shown here on the left.

Kirkwood St. – Kirkwood “Yard Sales”

Here were two larger sales in adjoining yards. One of the sales had opened the prior week and I had visited it sans camera while biking through the neighborhood. That sale appeared not to be a true empty the house yard sale but a strange collection of assorted clutter from who knows where.
Scattered about and one several tables were all manner of party decorations, a massive pool flotation device, some old furniture, boxes of brightly colored popsicle sticks, boxes of dirty plush animals, board games, garish faux flowers, crutches and hula hoops.





Box with popcycle sticks.

















Massive flotation device in Kirkwood yard.














Festive party items on sale.













The yard next store was a bit more organized and it appeared the clutter there was actually housed in the brick Greek revival home that it was in front of. Here I found old mugs, old lamps, a tangle of Xmas lights, a broken Celestine Sibley sculpture, a door mat with the image of a largemouth bass, a wicker duck, a plaque that said “grace” and a portrait of Jesus nestled between two pillows on a modern dinning room chair.
I bought nothing.







Duck and grace.





















Chair with icon.
















Sportfishing door mat.

Videos from last summer's exhibit

I have finally uploaded the video works from my exhibit at the Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center onto Youtube.

Promenade - Pictures at a Yard Sale



Oakdale Ave.

Saturday 11/11/06

As I think the season is coming to a close the sales continue. The ground is covered in fallen leaves and the glaring bright fall sun low in the sky makes it challenging to capture the beauty of the clutter on display. But the changing seasons also inspires me to understand the full essence of individual souls seeking to rid their homes of excess.

McLendon Ave. – Candler Park “Yard Sale”

I arrived here shortly after nine and the sellers were still in the process of setting up. Something that is even more difficult on a cold morning such as this. In the front yard of this frame bungalow among a sea of fallen leaves I found a walker, some old darkroom accessories, lamps, vases, fireplace tools, a back massage device, a box full of decks of playing cards, two carvings resembling oversized chess pieces and some board games. On one table were two elongated figures of the Virgin, a set of mugs with Teddy bears on them and a hand painted welcome sign. Among the board games were “Win Lose or Draw”, ”Upwords” and “Relativity”. In a box of books were the titles “Hints from Heloise”, “The Women’s Day Book of House Plants”, “Inspiring Messages for Daily Living”, “Lets Cook Microwave”, “Crossing the Threshold of Hope”, “Adobe Photoshop 5.5 Classroom in a book”, “The Little Red Book of Adobe Live Motion”, “Where Miracles Happen”, “Stick A geranium in your hat and be happy”, “Surviving Manic Depression”, “Faith is the Answer” and “Mind Over Back Pain”. With the books was a VHS labeled “Dancin’ Grannies”. In another box I found some Xmas décor and a framed hand drawn portrait of a Christ-like figure. It was signed by Mo.
I bought nothing.
Images found on a cold morning.

Hardendorf Ave. – Lake Claire “Yard Sale”

This small sale was located just down the street from my home. In front of a frame bungalow I found a selection of children’s things that included a large doll size play barn. Also in the yard was a painting of two wineglasses and a pillow. A box of art books held the following titles “Finding ones way with clay”, “Water color made easy”, “The Landscape Painters Manual” and “Joy of Painting with Bob Ross”. The seller’s children were also marketing Krispy Kreme Donuts and hot coffee.
I bought nothing.




Painting found on Hardendorf.

New York Ave. - Lake Claire “Yard Sale”

I want to lovingly call this the crusty and dirty old hippies sale. The seller was a weathered bearded man sitting on a folding chair in front of a collection of crusty and dirty and badly aging junk. Around him were some old tires, a toaster, a large iron pipe, some old calendars, the horn of some farm animal and some sea-shells. Everything was delightful in it’s decrepitness. Other stuff included a gun cleaning kit, a few sculptures made from bent silverware, some old 60’s rock Lps, a filthy VHS tape with a hand written label that said “Made in America” and an old metal folding chair with a peace sign spray painted on the seat. I don’t need the mention that this sale was just a few homes away from the Land Trust.
I bought nothing but rejoiced in the continuing diversity of my neighborhood.

Shells, horn and calendar from some unknown year.













Yuri Geller influenced art.














The clutterof an aging antiestablishmentarian.

E. Parkwood Dr. – Druid Hills “Estate Sale”
When I arrived at this one story traditional home there was not one other shopper inside the residence. It was like being able to wander alone in an old burial site. But since the sale started on Friday it was more like being in a pillaged burial site. With much of the goods having already been sold it was difficult to get a ready understanding of life in this home. I headed first to the basement seeking thinking perhaps that that region might be less disturbed than other areas. There I found several old mattresses stacked on their sides, some old gardening tools and a emergency escape ladder. It seemed strange that the ladder was in the basement instead of an upstairs room. Also on the lower level was some old Xmas decorations and old sports equipment. In one corner were the remnants of a work-bench with tools, hardware and some paint cans scattered about the work surface.
Upstairs things were in much better order. In one bedroom I found a pile of unframed prints on the carpet. On top of them was a painting of a white haired woman. Among the prints were images of sailing ships and scenes from Israel. In the same room I found several canes and a few bottles of Old Spice aftershave. In the corner of that room was an old console TV with a simple pedal style leg exerciser in front of the screen. In another bedroom were some piles of linens and some women’s clothing.
In the den I found a book entitled the “Complete Book of Corporate Forms” as well as “How to cash in on your hidden memory power”, “The New Money Dynamics”, “How to develop a super power memory”, “Washington Waste from A to Z”, “Keeping your money”, “In search of excellence”, “Word power made easy”, “Sidetracked Home Executives” and “Phobia Free”. On a shelf in the den were several empty canisters for super 8 home movies and a film projector. On an ottoman was a large Mexican sombrero and on a nearby chair a matching serape.
In the kitchen I found the usual assortment of redundant utensils and glass ware. On a table was a plaque the said “If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world....”
Next to it was a trivet that said Peggy’s Kitchen.
A portrait of Peggy?

















CD and quaint ceramics.
















Headgear from Old Mexico













In the front of the home I found a small leather case that with an inscription that read “A stud in the hand is worth two under the bed”. On a chair were two small pitchers next to a copy a CD of Rob Zombie’s “Music to Strip By”. Also in the room were two Spirograhs.
Up a flight of stairs were two small rooms. In one I found a walker, a large fan and a desk covered with old office supplies. In the other room was an exercise bike.
I bought a yard-stick.
View of the attic.

Springdale Rd. Druid Hills “Yard Sale”
This sale was in the rear driveway and garage of a large brick manor house. On the way to the garage I passed a disorderly pile of stuff marked “free”. Among the stuff in the pile was a Norman Rockwell print, a tote bag, a dish drainer and a pattern for a Halloween costume.
Outside the garage was a rack of women’s clothing with a bright red dress at the end. Inside the garage I found a pile of books, in the pile I found “The Pet name book”, “All Politics is Local”, “How to live happily as a teenager”, “The Family Crucible”, “Creative Costumes”, “I love you but why are we so different?”, “The Four Seasons cookbooks”, “Second Time Around” and “The 7 Habits of highly effective people”. Other stuff inside included some golf clubs, a life like ceramic cat and a children’s dish set that resembled junk food.
I bought nothing.
Vintage Rockwell among the free stuff.













Rack of clothes in Druid Hills.

Saturday 11/04/2006

Clifton Rd. – Candler Park “Yard Sale”

It’s late in the season and the yards are covered with fallen leaves and only the most determined are having sales. This event on Clifton was sort of a repeat sale from a few months ago. There was a lot less stuff in the yard than the earlier sale. In front of this Italianate manor home I found an old case or Rit dye, a Gore Lieberman button, some women’s clothes, a small dresser, a few light fixtures and some women’s magazines from the 50’s. Among some books I found “Tooth Imprints on a Corndog”, “Tips and Traps on Buying a Home”, “My Sister from the Black Lagoon”, “WCIYP”, “The Wrinkle Cure” and “How to Buy and Manage Rental Properties”.
I bought nothing.



Door leading to a repeat sale.

Beringer Dr. – Inman Park “Moving Sale”

This sale in a small commercial/warehouse living space was not fully ready when I arrived shortly after nine AM. They were in the process of moving stuff out to the curb and I did not want to irritate the sellers so I quickly snapped a photo of a strange looking exercise device on the curb and drove on.

St. Charles Ave. – Virginia Highlands “Yard Sale”

At this sale a selection of goods were set up on a few tables under a large oak tree in from of a bungalow. A constant rain of festive colored leaves fell upon the clutter the entire time I was there. It’s moments like this that make visiting sales in the off season so enjoyable. Among the cascade of leaves I found a box labeled “Retreat Box- Calm”
a ceramic mouse holding a piece of cheese, a display of faux ceramic cheese, some kitchen implements, a few items of holiday décor and a globe.. There was a selection of cookbooks on one of the tables, among them were “Good Food Gourmet”, “Much Depends on Dinner”, “All About Meat” and ‘The Art of Making Sausages”. Leaning against a tree was the headboard of a metal bed. A man in a heavy coat and winter hat watched over all this.
I bought nothing.
Two decor objects depicting cheese.













Calm in a box.

Rocky Ford – Kirkwood “Yard Sale”

There was not a lot left here when I arrived but this did not seem to have been a large sale from the start. Among the stuff remaining was a floor mat for a Burger King, one of those big ionic air cleaners that operate by questionable science, a comic figurine representing three monkeys passing gas, some kitchen stuff and two strange looking wood carvings that resembled bird heads.
I bought nothing.





Primates with gas issues.













Avian wood carving found in Kirkwood.

Lamont Dr.- Decatur “Estate Sale”

This was a larger sale filling up the yard and driveway of a one-story home. I was surprised to see that they had their yard sale permit prominently displayed on the cashier’s table. I asked if Decatur required permits for sales and they told me this had been the rule for some time. According to the seller there is no cost for the permit but only two are allowed per year.
After inspecting the paperwork I looked around perhaps to see if the legality had affected the presentation of the clutter. Here on Lamont I found that the goods were departmentalized. Neatly printed signs indicated the value and use of goods in the driveway. One sign read “Bathroom”, another “Home Décor’ and a third “Hair Supplies”. The hair supplies table included blowers, curlers, brushes and a few tubes of bottles of creams and lotions. There as also a 1980’s book of men’s hairstyles included in the mix. The area marked bathroom supplies consisted of an unruly pile of soft goods on the driveway pavement. Some Monopoly money was mixed in with the towels and draperies. The Home Décor area included several porcelain clowns, small picture frames, some lampshades and a few candles shaped like apples.
In the yard were several large piles of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. A collection of games was displayed on a tarp. Among them were Chauvinist Pig, Therapy-The Game and CEO. The later was a business trivia game.
Among some books in boxes I found ‘When Muscle Pain Won’t Go Away”, “Physiology Coloring Book”, “Learn to Relax”, “How Good Do We Have To Be?”, “The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook”, “Anita Guyton’s Anti Wrinkle Plan”, “How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci”, “Inline Skating” and “Do What You Are”.
The final item of note was a large pile of faux fall leaves in the middle of the yard. As the sale progressed real leaves mixed with the fabricated ones.
I bought nothing.
Illustrated book of mens hair styles.

















Pile of stuff for your bath.














Table of things for your hair.















Game found in Decatur.














Man made Autumn leaves in the yard.