Dating Rules of Atlanta Real-estate! The Good, The Bad and The Butt Ugly!

OK, so its almost the end of May and yes the year is dashing past us ever so quickly! So you may be asking where I've been, have I taken ill or injured my fingers or even if I've given up on the quest to blog myself into the memories of modern society here in the deep south (Atlanta GA). Well, no one is that lucky, I'm still here though my focus on updating this page has given way to more romantic pursuits of seeking my true place in life, somewhere where I can safely nestle myself in the comfort one calls home. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed my brief time here at the Couer De Allene but it's time to move on and find a place of my own. Luckily there is ample opportunity for those of us with a bit of daring and the patience that would qualify one for sainthood. I've done my homework on this and I'm happy to tell you young urban pioneering types who want to go ITP (inside the perimeter) that there is an abundance of opportunity waiting for those of you who are curious and motivated. Currently the City of Atlanta has over 15 different grant, down payment assistance and urban renewal and redevelopment programs. Basically if your willing to roll up your sleeves and put in some time, effort and a minimal amount of money you'll be able to find a home ever so humble! So I'll tell you my story of dating in this real-estate market and you can figure out where and what you may want to do from there!

I, like any young eager suitor looked around town at a fevered pitch for several months determined to breach the threshold of as many available properties as possible. I wasn't too sure exactly what I wanted at first since there were so many options in the market these days. So I looked at them all, the abused foreclosures, the comely attractive short sales and yes even those high priced Betty's that had been completely renovated and were as polished and new as the day they were first built. I really couldn't afford those high priced uptown gals strutting their stuff in those neighborhoods where taxes were a quarter of my yearly income! So I settled my gaze upon what I considered valuable which was location, location and location with a bit of room to breath and privacy enough to lounge in my bathrobe or less if I were so inclined. What I was looking for was access to transportation, shopping and entertainment of all sorts. I also wanted some room to grow, spread out and expand if needed. What I found were several interesting candidates which I set about wooing and went on a series of extensive dates with before making any suggestion of a proposal. Where I'm at currently is in an awkward place, torn between the affections of two possible long term lovers. Of course only one will finally take my affections, where we will tie the knot at a real-estate closing, pre-nuptials and all. Drum roll, and the final two contestants are!

A lovely older gal built in 1907, large spacious with tons of potential for fixing up, renovating and expanding. She sits in a viable business district only a block from Marta and is smothered in grants from ADA (Atlanta Development Authority). I fell in love with her before I even went inside, with her Arts and Crafts charm, her looming presence above the street and granite stone work. The only down side to her was that she was holding out and playing hard to get. She was a "short sale", promising everything and yet not giving one hint of mutual affection. She would take some time to convince that I was really the one for her. The problem is I wasn't so sure I had the patience or stamina to endure a relationship like this again. She was in the clutches of another, one who held her mortgage (Satan) Bof A. True I have little or no affection for their corporate structure and communications has been abysmal. 3 months later this was to the point where I was ready to move on, done, quit, finished!!! So I went in search of another feeling rejection and frustration! I still longed to make her mine but knew I needed to let go and move forward in my search. Life is too short to spend on unrequited love!




A true Arts and Crafts transitional home built in 1902. She has the Arts and Crafts details with the grand Victorian floor plan. It really was a marriage of the best of both. She has 3 floors and a full basement. The top floor has a large 1200 sq foot space which is ready to go as a studio the day I would move in. She also has 3 working fireplaces and a great double lot with the largest oak tree I've ever seen on the planet and I've seen some big ones. I'd buy this property just to protect that tree which must be at least 300 years old. She's quite grand but needs some TLC.
She also has great potential for generating income and paying for herself, plus she is already on the national historic registry. Something about a church and the founder of the church getting it's start there. Maybe that explains all the extra parking, something not often found in an urban area! Priced well under 100K, need I say more!



I ran into several other very attractive and yes similar properties. Some on lovely streets but needing far more work or for far more money or none of the advantages of location. So I kept looking.

Finally I came across another who made my heart leap. It was by accident that I found myself in a lovely old neighborhood with wide tree lined streets, charming Arts and Crafts homes and very well situated right in the middle of the city. It seemed to be the best of everything I was looking for. Shopping, coffee shops, and yes even a bit of entertainment and access to transportation. She had many of the qualities of my previous love, with her commanding view over the street, open light spaces and even the possibility to expand a bit. She was also totally redone, dressed to date and even marry after the first kiss! She is all brick, solidly built but graceful, refined and well breed with just a bit of that sexy slut thrown in. She sports a lovely modern kitchen, great bathrooms and even a charming breakfast nook with all the old original built in cabinets and paneling. Simply lovely! She had a heftier price tag as well but sat only one block off the Belt-line access. The neighbors are quite, and keep good care of their homes. She seems like a great long term investment and yes I could be very happy with her. She's still within my financial target range and affordable though I would still like to be a fair bit lower in my obligations each month. She isn't as spacious as my previous love interest and she doesn't hold the financial possibilities the other does but she is in far better shape! She is also less of a prima-donna and requires less maintenance and attention.


This charming brick bungalow was built in 1920 and sits in the charming WestView Neighborhood. Originally asking 125K, things are looking more affordable and true love is setting in. Ain't she sexy!



I love this style house with the carriage porch, sitting high above the street which is quite and less traveled. The only thing this house needs is some low maintenance landscaping and a privacy gate across the drive to keep unwelcome visitors away. The front yard will be planted in shrubs sporting thorns, just to keep the curious away! Step into my garden uninvited and it will get evil on yoo ass!



There is a great porch to sit out on to catch the afternoon breeze. The all brick face makes her a very low maintenance lover which I need at this point in my life. After all I want to put paint on canvases and make some art, not paint a house!


So here I am, trying to make up my mind! Over time both have made significant advances toward me, prices have been lowered, paperwork has been completed, attorneys have approved the final sales and all seems to be ready to move forward with either. Hard choices have to be made, and they are mine to make! Who will it be? Who will win my true love!

Well I guess you'll have to stay tuned! Things are going to start moving a lot faster over the next few weeks. There is much to do but let me assure you that which ever one I choose, I'll be very happy and would have never dreamed that I would have been so lucky to have called either mine! I'm going to let you know right now, I'm going to do everything I can to encourage all of you to look for a great place just like these on the West End of Atlanta. It's a transitional area,
true, and the sooner I get your creative butts over there with mine the quicker we make it one of the coolest areas of the South to live in! The City, bless their little pea picking hearts has other plans of coarse. They will try and steer you into one of their buddies luxury condos or some nonsense. The fact is that they are selling whole lots of these homes to developers who will mow them down and put up crap housing that no one wants to live in. That's why the city is making the effort to bail their butts out with all this grant money. Politics as you may have guessed!
What I would like to find is a core group of people committed to bringing these homes, neighborhoods and creative culture and flavor back to this city. We have the talent, we now have the resources (money) and even better if its not our own and with a bit of determination and vision we can make this a much better place to live! Maybe I'll run for office, that would scare the shit out of them, a white boy from the West End! How crazy is that!

2010 Artful Garen Tour, Calling Artist to participate!

The basics are as follows: The artful garden tour is sponsored by the High Museum of Art and Art Partners each year. About 500 to 1500 people tour some of the finest gardens in all of the Atlanta area. I've participated in this event for the past 4 years and have always enjoyed the experience. The tour will take place in 6 different gardens this year in the north west side of the city. Most of the properties are large in scale and will afford each artist ample opportunities to show their work.


SCULPTORS / CERAMIC ARTISTS and OTHERS


The work displayed will be in the nature of sculpture, pottery and other 3 dimensional work that would be safe placing outside in the environment. Installation for the work can take place the morning of, or several days before the event and each artist will arrange time to un -install their work with the gardens owner. Once assigned to a specific garden I will be happy to give each artist contact information for the owners so they can arrange a time to view the site, or make arrangements to install their work. Please look over the following information and view the provided photos to get an idea of the types of locations available. Feel free to contact me directly if you have any further questions. I'll be happy to assist you! You will be provided tickets to go on the tour and I'd encourage you to do so.

PLEIN-AIR PAINTERS

Please contact me and I'll be happy to assign you a garden. I'm trying to place at least 3 and up to 6 painters at each location. You should arrive about 9am if your painting in the morning or around 1pm if your painting in the afternoon. The event last from 10am till 5pm rain or shine! So please plan your day accordingly. You could paint all day if you wish or take the tour and just paint half a day. If you have a preference please let me know and I'll schedule you where and when you wish as best I can. This is a great opportunity to meet the art loving public, so bring up to four of your finished and framed works and lots of cards and promotional materials. For those of you who have participated before I feel this will be the best year yet as the gardens are fabulous and you'll be given the opportunity to get around and see the gardens and meet some of the other participating artists.



Locations: There are six wonderful locations on this tour, please see the attached brochure for a map and garden description!







1. The Garden of Dr. Joel and Toni Adler
2677 Ridge Valley Road
Atlanta, GA 30327





There is something blooming year-round in this appealing garden, which features remarkable outdoor sculptures and rare plantings throughout. The charming patio with pergola outside the rear door is the perfect setting for viewing the beautiful fountain and the small reflecting pool. Here visitors are also greeted by Art the scarecrow, who oversees the large fenced vegetable and herb garden. The lush lawn area is circled by abundant woodland plants such as hellebore,
hosta, and fragrant Daphne. A casual pathway leads along perennial beds to the back of the garden and a large, white marble contemporary sculpture. The rear garden also features charming trellises, arbors, and flowering containers. Not to be missed is the whimsical sculpture garden in the front of the home, where a giant wind chime hangs over the large central winter hazel plant.


2. The Garden of Edward and Claudia Leinss
2649 West Wesley Road
Atlanta, GA 30327





This garden is making its debut on this year’s tour. Alec Michaelides of Land Plus and Cla Allgood of Allgood Outdoors collaborated on this spectacular hardscape design that incorporates a terraced back yard employing a variety of stone patios, stairs, and walkways, and three waterfalls fed by more than 150 feet of flowing water. Marcia Weber of Gardens to Love was instrumental in selecting the plantings to enhance the architectural design. Numerous azaleas,
japonica, and rhododendrons and the sound of trickling water greet visitors to this expansive garden throughout which large planters and fabulous sculptures can be found. This peaceful setting can be best enjoyed from a bench placed midway along the gentle pathway to the top. A romantic, screened summer house occupies one of the top terraces, and a playground and basketball court can be found at the very top of the property. The large stone patio outside the back door is perfect for cocktails or brunch, while the large patio near the top of the property is an ideal spot for family cookouts. The latter space is the only garden element remaining from the original home and includes a large outdoor fireplace and grill.


3. The Garden of John and Marty Gillin
4645 Harris Trail
Atlanta, GA 30327






These homeowners and designer Dan Cleveland have created a special “mountain retreat within the city” using native woodland plants, water features, wooden structures, and secluded spaces. A charming ivy garland draped across the brick wall and an elegant driveway created by Randall White of RTW Concrete greet visitors to the front of this French-style home. At the left rear corner of the home, a small parterre garden with a honeycomb boxwood maze creates a serene, private spot for guests. The central feature of the garden is a fabulous stone waterfall cascading from twenty-five feet above the expansive flagstone patio, just outside the sunroom. A large Japanese maple provides a natural canopy for dining. Rustic black-locust handrails, made by Buzz Stone of The Rustic Garden, lead visitors safely up the curving, moss-covered, stone trail to the top of the waterfall. A thoughtfully located bench provides the perfect spot for the homeowners to escape from city life and enjoy the wildlife and serenity of the upper garden. To the right side of the home, intricate wrought iron gates open toward the guest house and into another formal boxwood garden. The impressive arbor flanked by tall birch trees is just the spot to stop and admire the large urns exploding with trailing roses.



4. The Garden of Robin and Marc Pollack
5225 Long Island Drive
Atlanta, GA 30327



This expansive property covers three acres of natural topography and sits on a sixty-foot-deep private lake. Follow the eight different paths through the orchard, woodlands, vineyard, and terraced gardens and discover many delightful garden features. The orchard produces figs, apples, and pears in the summer. Primitive constructions made from trees cleared from the property create inviting outdoor rooms; bridges, paths, and old stone walls form an outdoor amphitheatre along the dry creek bed. Camellias and Japanese maples add to the Zen feeling of the koi pond created by Atlanta Water Gardens that is nestled in the center of the home. The outdoor sculpture garden contains many ceramic pieces created by the homeowner, a local artist and instructor, along with a brightly painted steel bench, a birdbath sculpture, a butterfly house, and a primitive scalemodel birdhouse of the home. A fifty-year-old grapevine swing and masses of white azaleas await the casual stroller in the vineyard. Rustic seating overlooks the lake and a mature ginko tree. Situated on the lake are a charming boathouse and a bird estuary that attracts many local species. A lakefed irrigation system is used throughout the property.





5. Garden of Ryan and Debbie Lieberman
3897 Powers Ferry Road
Atlanta, GA 30327

Behind their 1948 stucco home, the Liebermans and David McMullen of New Moon Gardens have created the ultimate playful garden, with a spot perfect for any season and any time of day. Never before on tour to the public, this exciting contemporary design incorporates flowering trees, masses of hydrangeas, and fatsia japonica along with interesting garden structures that maximize the flexibility and use of the space. Visitors to the home are greeted with an expanse of white hydrangeas. In the back of the home, a contemporary square firepit on the pea gravel patio provides a perfect vantage point for the entire garden space and provides an inviting setting for gatherings on chilly mornings and evenings. The side deck features a large year-round container garden overflowing with ferns and vines. The steps from the deck and patio lead down to a lush lawn and back up to a terraced garden, which includes a charming pergola, ideal for outdoor dining. On the right side of the property, an architecturally distinctive wooden bridge connects the patio with the back pergola and creates the support for swings constructed under the bridge. A pea gravel surface provides for soft landings in the children’s play area.








6. The Garden of William and Jean Astrop
205 Blackland Road
Atlanta, GA 30342

The 1938 English Regency home of the Astrops was designed by Philip Trammell Shutze, renowned classical architect who also designed the Swan House. These spectacular grounds have evolved over the years without a master plan.

The wandering trails, exceptional gardens, and structures came about as a result of footpaths linking neighboring homes, acts of nature, imaginative landscaping solutions, and inspired homeowners and their guests. Today the grounds include original plantings of large English boxwoods in the front of the home; a formal rear garden with a lovely urn fountain, designed by Charles Jones of Monroe Landscaping; and a small formal garden with a birdbath, designed by Ray Padgett around large lion-head urns as well as a charming garden house.


The vast lawn area in the rear provides room for fun and games or just strolling. One of the most spectacular elements is the abundant use of hydrangeas—185 are used throughout the garden. Masses of rhododendrons and azaleas, hostas, irises, tall magnolias, and colorful annual plantings complete the scene. This garden has a 6,000-gallon rainwater holding tank covered with a stamped concrete patio and arbor. The tank is part of an efficient water system designed and built by Ray Padgett and crew. Rainwater flows from gutters to the underground holding tank; from there it is recycled into the pond over multiple small waterfalls and under a bridge. The refreshed water finally enters drip lines for irrigating the garden area.

Where I've been the past 2 months!

OK, I know I've been missing in action or something for too long. I do have my reasons though! I've been looking for a new and permanent place to live and this is what I've found. Currently there are many houses, town homes and condos on the market. This is especially true on the west end of Atlanta. True you have to be a bit cautious and adventuresome to look over there but the fact is that now is the best time to invest in that area. Why you might ask! Well because the city is literally giving money to people who want to buy there in the form of 15 year grants. Yes, grants not loans. You can check with HUD and the Atlanta Housing Authority for more details but for a bit of your time on the weekend you could net up to 120K in grants. I'll be happy to share what I find out as the process moves forward. Like any government program there are hoops to jump through and not all properties qualify so it's best to start early and ask a lot of questions.

So here is what I've settled on and currently in the process of buying. Wish me luck! The house was built in 1914 and is a true Arts and Crafts transitional house. It has all of the craftsman details with a bit more formal Victorian floor plan. Yes, it's a big house, more room to work in! The rooms are very large and for the most part will remain just as they are. The first floor is in great shape with little to do.



This is a series of photos of the house including some detail shots of the architectural elements of the home. Double click on the photo for a larger version.


The following 3 drawings are plans of the house layout. The floor plan is accurate as I've measured everything in the place. The Kitchen area is a planned improvement as well as the 3rd floor bath area.





Butlers Pantry between Kitchen area and Formal Dinning Hall.



The second floor will remain unchanged except the removal of carpet and refinishing some floors.




The 3rd floor is the main reason I'm buying the home. It has a large well lit open space for a studio area. It needs a bit of cleaning up but is functional and ready to go!



I fell in love with the light in this space. It is constant much like North light throughout the day. It really doesn't change much and the space remains comfortable throughout the day without air conditioning. They knew how to build them back then!

I'm looking forward to having drawing groups over and sharing the space with all the artsy folks I know. I'm looking forward to a few halcyon days!

February bits of information!

Today was one of the best days of the year thus far. The weather was perfect to attend a walk on the Beltline Project in Atlanta GA. For those of you who haven't heard yet, Atlanta will be opening up a new pedestrian trail, light transit and art corridor starting this summer. It's been a dream which has been on the drawing board for quite some time now and yes it will finally start becoming a reality starting June 5th of 2010. I for some odd reason I have lived no more than 50 feet away from the project since moving into the city 5 years ago. So as you might imagine I'm excited by the possibility of accessing such an available resource. You should as well, since this corridor goes through almost 50 different neighborhoods and is totally level with no hills up or down. When completed I'll be able to walk to Piedmont part in about an hour at a liesurely pace. The complete loop is 22 miles total and stretches from Lindberg Station on the north end down to just outside my front door (literally) at the corner of Allene Ave. and Avon Avenue in south Atlanta.


South of City Hall East along the soon to open Beltline.




Looking Down North Avenue toward BofA building.


Lofts along Ponce de Leon Ave.


View of Midtown behind Trader Joes on Monroe Ave.

For much more information and ways to get involved please go to www.beltline.org. How will this effect my personal little economy? Well, I am getting involved in the opening of the project by submitting a proposal for an arts project along the walking paths.



I've been working toward creating public art projects for the past 5 years and this will give me a fair chance at having one funded. I'm a painter as most of you know and would love to create a mural to install. Public art has its problems though such as vandalism so I personally would be nervous about creating something as fragile as a painted surface. My solution is to propose a mural made of ceramic tiles. Please see the sample of my concept tile above to get a feel for what I'm proposing. The final size would be somewhere in the area of 6' X 25' and be made of 12" square tiles. It would be more durable in the long run and could be cleaned if tagged. I'm also thinking there are 3 more supports that could use some art on them as well, possibly later as the project develops. I have also asked Jack Meachum to help me on the mural project as he has the sculpting and drawing skills required for this project and it may be too big for me to produce by myself.

This is a sketch of my friend Jack Meachum who sat for me last night after we went to the movie Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges, Robert Duval and other great actors in what has to be a heavy contender for an Oscar. If you get a chance, go see it. It's money well spent.


Beyond that I've been busy with several opportunities and fine art projects. There will be a show of artwork created entirely with graphite to be held at the Rose Lane Gallery in Decatur GA. The show will open in March.

Irenka, one of the many wonderful models now working in the Atlanta area. The model list has gotten much longer from when I came to Atlanta 22 years ago. A sign that the art community is growing and evolving to a much better place.

Peonies, this is a graphite drawing of a vase and flowers around my loft. I've adopted peonies as one of my favorite flowers because of their beauty as well as rarity. They are only available in early spring which gives me another reason to hope for a change in the seasons till I can see them bloom again. It's kind of a promise of a new beginning!

The Bond, Someone asked me to come up with a wedding gift for a couple they know and this is a concept I developed. Taking two different people, represented by the glasses of wine, one red one white and tying them together to create something sweeter and more lasting than themselves alone. A bit sentimental I suppose, but I'm a romantic and I don't apologize for that.



Speaking of romance, "The Muse" is on display in a show at the Atlanta Artists Center and has taken an honorable mention. The model (Irenka) sat at my friends Shane McDonalds studio for this quick little study. I was quite happy with the result.

I've also taken on a portrait commission for the Arts for the Heart project sponsored by the Atlanta Fine Arts League. The project provides portraits of American Servicemen and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'll update you as these projects progress. Thanks again for your interest and pass my blog address along to other art lovers, creators and patrons.

Blessings!
Chazz

Your invited to Dinner on the SouthSide.

Ah, what a wonderful way to spend a Friday evening. Great group of people, good food and yes just a few adult beverages to help ease us all into the weekend. I had invited about 25 people down for a casual dinner at my loft on the South side of Atlanta. Nine showed up for dinner with a bit of an offering toward dinner and some even brought some Art. Dinner was set for 8pm and most of us were here by 8:30pm. I planned a special menu of Iranian dishes, salad, fruit which seemed to be well appreciated.

For the next 5 hours we ate, drank, laughed and shared stories and news from around the neighborhood and world around us. Of course the discussion turned toward art, our work and a whole host of subjects. I'd like to thank all of those who came out and hope we can do it again soon.

Charles

2010 begins, a new year, a new decade!

Happy New Year to all of you who follow this page, I hope you all find the next year and decade one of prosperity, hope and grateful blessings.

The end of 2009 whizzed by and I have since completed several work of art I'd like to share with you. I'm in the process of moving toward having a clearer and stronger voice in my art. I'm seldom working on commission these days which gives me the freedom to express my personal views with out fear of offending someone. Having a nearly full time job with Fulton County limits my time to do my creative work, yet affords me the opportunity to explore while not worrying about selling my work. I'm thankful for this and hope to grow in ways I can't even fathom yet.

So here are some of my latest offerings:



Stewart Scogins, age 21

This is a quick sketch of my son, I did from life on my last trip to Chattanoogha to visit him.




Cavalia Sunrise, Atlantic Station, Atlanta GA
Oil on canvas, 9X12

This piece was painted plein-air on a morning which was 28degrees just after the New Year. I completed the details indoors in an environment more concussive to completing a painting.




This is a 9 X 12 figure study completed at Shane McDonald's Studio one recent Wednesday evening. It's always fun for me to paint with that group and this model is becoming one of my favorites to paint. I've considered going back into the piece to achieve a more finished look, but I've come to the conclusion that the painting is already complete and to go further with it would only risk losing some of the feeling it already has.




This is a little sentimental piece I've recently completed as a wedding gift that someone requested. It's yet to be purchased or viewed but I feel the concept is correct and I'm looking forward to showing to the person who requested it.



Mermaids have preoccupied my thoughts these days and I have expressed them in clay. The image to the right was a small vessel I created which inspired me to explore the figure mounted on a wave to the left. Each have the same green finish which is more accurate in the image of the vessel. Funny what light will do on a surface! I've enjoyed the process of creating them which has lead me to try new things this year in ceramics as a media. I want to explore not only the forms but also the surface and colors I can get. I'll post more as my explorations continue.

So, go make some art and have a bit of fun!