I have been in and around Davidson County now for over 30 years. My introduction to Lexington came as a result of my marriage, and the frequent visits to her mother’s house, combined with the taste of barbecue and a dose of Bob Timberlake artwork. Two years ago, we became permanent residents of Davidson County. Like all things that are too familiar, sometimes we take them for granted. Until Saturday, it was that way when I observed Timberlake paintings and prints.

On Saturday June 16th I attended The Bob Timberlake Gallery open house. My dad and I just completed a round of golf, when we got the call from my wife to meet her at the Bob Timberlake Gallery. We arrived and as usual I was there as an observer and my wife’s designated bag carrier while she shopped.

She had already purchased some items, and since Bob Timberlake was in the gallery, autographing purchases and other items, we all got in line to have things signed and talk for a moment to the Artist and Davidson county living legend. My wife is an ex teacher and has never known a stranger. She immediately started a conversation with him. When he found out my wife was a teacher, Bob got a big grin on his face and asked the question, “Since you are a teacher, how do you spell granary?” My wife got this quizzical look on her face and spelled it “Grainary”. At that he smiled and said “That’s not the right spelling, anybody else care to try?” My dad responded with granary. He smiled and said, that’s right, the teacher missed it but you got it right. We all got a chuckle as he described his quandary over the word, as a subject of one of his paintings was a granary. He could not believe that was the correct spelling.

Next we went to the special display of 70 pieces that were displayed, to celebrate his 70th birthday. It was here I got a real introduction to Bob Timberlake’s passions as illustrated in print and paint form. I went from image to image in order. As I read the comments and examined the prints I became more and more absorbed. The comments were as clear, descriptive and colorful as the art itself. It became clear that this was a story being told by images and words, and like a good book, I could not stop until I was done. My daughter tapped me on the shoulder. She and her mom were ready to go. I shushed her and continued to read and compare the words to the images, I felt like if I did not finish this virtual book, I would not get another chance. At last I was done. I smiled for a moment, pleased that I had finished. I felt at that moment, I had a sense of who Bob Timberlake is through his passion, his art.

One piece I saw stood out, not so much because of the painting, but because of the philosophical question asked in the comment. The item was number 4 “Sunnyside”. The painting shows a fork in the road and asks which one would you take? Perhaps we could follow the artist’s lead and follow the road less traveled.

06/20/2007

Author's Note: Not a poem but this was fun.

Posted on 06/20/2007
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