Russ

[alfredo]

Russ is a retired architect, a writer and artist. Most of all, he is a good, generous man. He was one of the early Hippies. He left a good paying profession to head to parts unknown.

[Mira]

1. A poignant portrait, Alfredo.

I especially like the crop/placement, and as always in your work, the clarity.

[alfredo]

2. Thanks I worry about clarity now that my eyes are aging.

Russ is one of the better story/joke tellers in our circle.

Here's a house he designed and built. It is concrete and styrofoam. The wall is one of the tallest concrete walls you'll see. It's very high tech and very green. Heat is from the floor, the walls are 15 inches thick, with triple glazed windows. The shape of the house, and overhanging roof and porch is designed to take full advantage of the sun. They stick out far enough to block summer sun, but short enough to allow winter sun. Window on bottom right is the studio. Stairs and utilities are in the section sticking out on the dark side. The two small balconies lead to third level bedrooms.

[Mira]

3. Oh My - glad I saw this before I shuffled off to bed.

Fascinating to say the least. I wanted to be an architect. And remnants of that desire and fascination have been with me through life.
I like what I see and read in principle. But I don't like the lack of windows, and the size of those I see.

I like the photo. It is showing me something gripping and fascinating.

BTW
I know you have the problem in one eye. It's not translating into your photos.
Believe me!

[alfredo]

4. The windows are on the south and east side.

less heat loss in the winter, more solar collection in the winter. They are building an observatory on the south side. It has a great view of the southern sky. Every light within view has been shielded to protect the night sky. Russ and Tom convinced owners and bankrolled the shielding of the lights.

I have Macular Degeneration in my left eye. No blurring, just a bit of distortion. The lines above become wavy if I look at a certain angle. All this time I thought it was the line-less trifocals I wear.

[Elfin Yeti]

5. What a great portrait!

I love the textures... from the hat, to the eyebrows, to the hair, to the beard! Nice work Alfredo!

[alfredo]

6. Thanks. The hat and collar helped frame his face.

[JeffR]

7. That is just plain great.

:wow:

[alfredo]

8. Thank you.

[JeffR]

9. I keep coming back to look at it.

If he ever writes his autobiography - and it sounds like he should - that has to be the cover photo.

[hippywife]

10. You are absolutely right, Jeff!

A perfect shot of the author. :hi:

Wonderful, 'fredo. You really portrayed him as someone worth knowing, even without knowing anything about him. :thumbsup:

[JeffR]

12. Portrayed as someone worth knowing - that's exactly it!

:)

[alfredo]

11. He does write, but mostly it is poetry.

[JeffR]

13. Good enough!

[alfredo]

14. He makes great bread and his roasted chicken is terrific.

[JeffR]

15. Cookbook!

[alfredo]

16. I will suggest it to them.