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LaGardo Tackett Forma Coffee Server for Schmid


Forma Coffee Server – Schmid International – LaGardo Tackett – 1958

Designer LaGardo Tackett, whose studio in California began producing wonderful architectural pottery in the early 1950’s, did the Forma line of utilitarian ware for Schmid International begining in 1958. This line was distributed in the United States by Richards Morgenthau who operated Raymor.

 This is one of the most sculptural coffee servers I have ever seen. I was fortunate enough to run upon this one on a trip into Southern West Virginia a few weeks ago.

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Hank Keeling’s Summer of Love

The Purple Moon to show artist’s 1968 psychedelic mural.


Make Love, Not War – Hank Keeling – 1968

In the summer of 1967, while teaching at Marshall University, artist Hank Keeling began work on a three piece mural to chronicle the tumultuous times. Originally planned for use on Marshall’s campus the work was deemed by University officials as too controversial upon completion and was not used.

After decades of being stored away, and through special arrangement with Mr. Keeling, The Purple Moon will be displaying the three-canvas mural beginning September 18th with an opening from 5 to 8 p.m.

Measuring a monumental 5 feet by 12 feet the artwork captures the mood of the times through depictions of drugs, war and free love. In what was a significant departure by Keeling from his primarily abstract impressionist work this oil and collage mural demonstrates his adeptness in the psychedelic style in a manner rarely seen outside of the West Coast at the time.

The opening coincides wit the monthly Downtown Charleston ArtWalk.

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Art Opening – Doug Maxwell – 9/18/2008 – The Purple Moon


Monument Valley – Doug Maxwell – 2008

The Purple Moon will be opening the premier showing of works by Charleston photographer Doug Maxwell with an artist reception on Thursday, September 18th from 5 to 8 p.m.

The opening is being held in conjunction with this month’s Downtown Charleston ArtWalk in The Purple Moon’s Over the Moon Gallery located at 906 Quarrier Street.


Monument Valley Two – Doug Maxwell – 2008

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Art, Life and Memories – Madonna and Child by Campbell Neil


Madonna and Child – Crayon on Paper – Campbell Neil – 1965

I’ve probably studied this piece of art more than any other. I was about seven when my parents acquired and placed it in the living room of the home I grew up in. The artist, Campbell Neil, was a family friend and my father’s insurance agent. He had crafted this wonderful modern Madonna and Child using crayons and paper and this was a true wonder to me at the time. After all I had crayons, the stubs of which I carefully kept in an old Maxwell House coffee can, and this moving work of art had been made using crayons just like mine.

So I spent hours upon hours gazing at this art. I often did so with that old coffee can in front of me carefully trying to replicate just some of the beauty contained in this piece. While I didn’t, except on one or two occasions, try to replicate the subject matter I did try my hand blending the colors and began moving away from the technique used by most seven year old children of making a bold outline and then carefully coloring it in.

Looking back now this may have been the first artwork I ever fully appreciated and learned from. The depth and feeling Mr. Neil obtained using his economic lines and subtle shading had a lasting impression on me.

Campbell Neil was a kind and gentle man and these traits come across in his work. I remember when my father died in 1979 Mr. Neil was one of the first people to come to the house. He came not as my dad’s insurance agent, although he was, but he came as friend. His calmness was a welcome relief from the chaos my family was experiencing having just lost our father quite suddenly at the age of 52. We knew he shared our feeling of loss and his presence was a comfort just as the artwork he had so carefully crafted and which was hanging in the living room always had been for me.

Mr. Neil himself passed away a number of years ago but I thought of him last week as I once again studied this amazing work of art. It still hangs in my mother’s living room. It’s now a different house than the one I grew up in and in a different state but having the Madonna and Child hanging there certainly helped make it feel like home.

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Mid-Century Artifact – Paradise Restaurant – Screven County, Georgia


Paradise Restaurant – C. Hamsher – 2008

While on a jaunt to visit family in Georgia last week I hit the brakes while cruising through the pecan groves on Rt. 301 in Screven County to behold this mid-century marvel. Sadly standing abandoned this wonderful retro sign and decaying building are artifacts of times past. I’d of given anything to go inside for a burger and shake.

Upon returning home I tried to track down some information on this restaurant and located a postcard which, low and behold, shows what must have been the Paradise’s original sign which must have been there in the 1950’s when the restaurant first opened.


Paradise Restaurant Postcard- circa 1960

While I love to come across places like this in my travels it also saddens me that these architectural and historic structures are going to be lost completely if they are not maintained and preserved.  As the interstate highways  took over and chains prospered at each exit the local flavor of many areas of the country has been lost. Establishments like the Paradise Restaurant flourished in the days when families packed into their car and traveled two-lane roads like Rt. 301.

I, for one, miss that time.

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The Milton Flea Market Fire – Map of Destruction

The fire today which devastated the Milton Flea Market destroyed the primary buildings which housed many of the best dealers. The two structures left standing were the covered (roofed) areas which was home to many of the more transient and part-time sellers. It remains unclear how much smoke, heat and water damage these structures and their contents sustained.

The arial view above outlines the areas impacted and spared by the flames.

The loss of this venue for collectors will be felt but not nearly as much as the loss of income realized by the dealers. For many this was a primary source of income and was what made it possible to make ends meet for others.

I hope it will be possible for the flea market to rise from the ashes and be rebuilt very soon. The community of Milton needs it – and so do collectors like me.

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RIP Milton Flea Market

The Herald Dispatch in Huntington is reporting the total destruction of the flea market in Milton, WV.

I’ve spent many a day hunting for treasures in Milton and was last there a couple of weeks ago. Many of the dealers had been selling there for years and sadly, for a number of them, it was their primary income. Insurance is generally unheard of by flea market dealers and the loss will have a ripple effect through the local economy.

It appears as though nobody was in the flea market and there have been no injuries reported.

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The Mystery Hole


The Mystery Hole 1 – C. Hamsher – 2008

A visit to  The Mystery Hole has long been an annual pilgrimage for me and my family. One of the most unique and kitschy travel destinations in West Virginia, located on Route 60 one mile East of Hawks Nest State Park, it never fails to intrigue and “mystify” upon each return visit.

Roadside tourist spots used to be common fare along highways and byways throughout the country and were at their peak in the 1950’s and saw their demise as the interstate highway system took shape in the 1960’s. While nothing compares to The Mystery Hole it is part of a dying genre.

I will not attempt to describe what happens inside The Mystery Hole. If you have been there it is an experience you have not forgotten and if you have not it is impossible to fully and adequately describe.

Suffice it to say The Mystery Hole is a spot you should not miss an opportunity to visit. 


The Mystery Hole 2 – C. Hamsher – 2008


The Mystery Hole 3 – C. Hamsher – 2008


The Mystery Hole 4 – C. Hamsher – 2008


The Mystery Hole 5 – C. Hamsher – 2008


The Mystery Hole 6 – C. Hamsher – 2008

These shots were taken on a recent trip down the Midland Trail. I’ve always felt The Mystery Hole demonstrates better than any other place I have been that the purpose of fun is to have it!

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