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Beauty that makes my head turn.
I don’t know who she was or why I was on a Greyhound bus, but I woke up from the dream clearly remembering:
Her appreciation wasn’t tempered because it was the best she could get.
It was the best because it was what she had.
I’ve passed this spot numerous times in my travels. It always captured my attention, but I kept driving past, telling myself I’d capture it another day. Knowing that beautiful moments can easily be missed, and knowing this sight has allowed me to pass it too many times, I decided to stop toying with regret. I pulled the car over took time to document this abandoned beauty.
Located at 22 N. Brevard St in Charlotte, NC is TAOH (The Awakening Of Humanity) Outdoor Gallery. Founded by painter and muralist, Osiris Rain, in collaboration with Piece For Peace and Proffitt Dixon Partners, TAOH Outdoor Gallery is Charlotte’s first graffiti park. Put together by a few of Charlotte’s more well known muralists, this space is a 24/7 communal space designed to foster collaboration and create opportunities for less experienced artists to learn from and showcase their creativity.
This Saturday morning, before the Grand Opening, I took a moment to walk around and capture some images of the park before the big event. It’s a beautiful space, and something much needed in Charlotte. A new space that reflects the true nature of artists and creative work - a grassroots way of providing resources to make it easier for people to express themselves and grow their skills.
“TAOH Outdoor Gallery is more than just a space—it's a catalyst for transformation, enriching lives, and shaping the cultural identity of Charlotte for generations to come.” For more information on how to support TAOH Outdoor Gallery, please click here.
A month (or two) ago, a friend invited me to go hiking at this trail at South Mountain State Park - about an hour outside of Charlotte, NC where I live. I don’t often do the hiking thing, but I do enjoy nature when I’m forced to be in it. I enjoy times where I can just pause and enjoy life without pressure.
It felt so good to be in nature. To walk. To smell fresh air. To watch natural things grow, and be consumed by natural processes. It was a treat to have inspired conversation with a friend, and talk about growth, and goals while exerting effort to walk up a mountain.
It feels so good to disconnect from all of the made up constructs that occupy our time in the world. Getting away from screens, and traffic, and housing developments, and jobs! Just being able to enjoy the things that exist! Things that work at their own pace. Things that aren’t on anyone else’s time. Things that just BE. Just ARE. That’s ultimately what I want to be. Someone who understands my inherent value, and learns to show up fully, and be valuable as I am. It’ll be a while, but I’m working on it.
Enjoy the pics!