Dusk on the Pond in Swainsboro, GA
You never know who you will meet and what you will learn when you are open. By open, I mean open to looking a stranger in the eye, talking and, most importantly, listening to him/her. While I was out taking photos, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Charles Bady near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Bady draws signs, all kind of signs, which are also pieces of art. Mr. Bady sets up his business under the awning of a vacant storefront and displays his signs in an orderly fashion. It’s only $6 to look at the signs, $20 to photograph him, and different prices to purchase one of signs.
Sign business
Like most people, Mr. Bady has a very poignant story about the origins of his signs. He’ll tell you without shame that he was in prison for three long years. While in prison, he didn’t have a paper or pencil or anything to draw with. He longed to draw during those years and vowed that he would draw as soon as he had the chance. When he was a free man again and trying to make a fresh start, he found that no one wanted to hire him. So he started to create these signs and turn his passion into an honest way to make a living. He minds his business and tries to stay out of the way. When he needs to move on to another corner, his business is mobile.
Mr. Bady’s signs
Each sign has a story or meaning. Mr. Bady took the time to explain the meaning behind a few of the signs. In the photo below, Mr. Bady explains that the hands have music and feeling that gets expressed through the trumpet. He used to play the trumpet, so he knows how this works. The trumpet is featured in many of his signs.
The Hands Have the Music
In this photo (below), he explains that this singer was once well known, but now no one knows who he is. A forgotten singer, perhaps a forgotten man. You may notice in the bottom left corner of the photo is a drawing of the sun. This sign was inspired by a morning television show that, I’m guessing, is shown on Sundays.
Once Known, Unknown Singer
Without fancy pens or canvas, Mr. Bady takes great care in the making of each sign. He seems quite proud of his work. When someone buys one, he will make another just like it.
Works of Art
What I learned from Mr. Bady is the importance of following my passion. For me, my “signs” are my photography. Each one has meaning or a story which I share on this blog. If you are near Centennial Olympic Park, maybe you will see Mr. Bady, take the time to view his signs and talk with him. I’m sure he would appreciate it, especially if you support his business. I plan to go back to visit Mr. Bady again. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Shhh! I have a confession to make. I over indulged at Sweet Confessions Cafe , a wonderful bakery and cafe in Stone Mountain, GA (66670 James B Rivers Drive, Suite 300). You must try, taste, and sample. Sweet Confessions makes delicious cakes and cupcakes as well as special occasion cakes for wedding, bridal showers, baby showers, and more. One of my favorites was the Daisy Cake with its beautiful purple icing. I could hardly believe it when they told me that the delicate, detailed daisy flower and butterfly on the cake were made of edible icing. No way!
Daisy Cake – Sweet Confessions Cafe
Piled high with creamy icing, the cupcakes called my name and beckoned me to eat them. “Miriam,” they called, “taste us, eat us.” I had to have one, two, or three of them. I may have lost count. The Snicker Cupcake with the miniature snicker on top may have been my favorite, but I might have to try them all over again to make sure. Don’t you just want to bury your face in this cupcake?
Snicker Cupcake – Sweet Confessions Cafe
On the other hand, the Cookies and Cream Cupcake was the perfect marriage of moist chocolatey cupcake and Oreo cookie mixed with creamery icing. Yes, I know creamery is not a word…yet.
Cookies And Cream Cupcake – Sweet Confessions Cafe
I was awed by the beauty and artistry of the occasion cakes and their decorative icing. This Wedding Cake, pictured below, had the most realistic, dainty rose blossoms made of icing. Yes! These roses are made of edible icing. Just wow! I must confess that I had to resist the urge to break off a petal and taste it just to make sure it was really icing.
Wedding Cake – Sweet Confessions Cafe
There were so many cakes to choose from. The Baby Shower Cake with tiny rose buds, ropes of yellow and green icing, and little green candy pearls was delightful. Topped with a pecan, the Carrot Cupcake was a favorite among my carrot-cake-loving friends. Of course, I shared with my friends. I loved the asymmetry of the modern art cake, that’s what I called it, that leaned to the side by design.
Baby Shower Cake, Carrot Cupcake, and Modern Art Cake
And last but not least, because this is just a sample of what you can find at Sweet Confessions Cafe, was this enchanting multi-layer cake in purple and turquoise icing. I especially love the sparkling bits in the icing. As if it can’t get any better, they also have gluten-free cookies, pies, cakes and cupcakes. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Drive on out to Sweet Confessions Cafe in Stone Mountain and try for yourself.
Bridal Shower Cake – Sweet Confessions Cafe
Something about red cars suggests fast, exciting, and racy. Red leather seats are even hotter. But these red cars, once fast, spicy, and exciting, have moved on to a much slower, mundane lifestyle. They are just hanging around the parking lot, visiting with their other senior car friends. I can tell they’ve got stories to tell, if I’m patient enough to listen.