Guitar Gig at Sackets Art Gallery and Snappy Grillers

Saturday September 6, 2025 

Ukulele group playing at Sackets Harbor Art Gallery

Woke up to rain, heavy at times, put a damper on my Saturday Farm Market gig. I usually play there from 11:00 - 1:00. Then I had a one hour gig at the Art Gallery in Sackets Harbor at 3:00. This was an opening for a music themed art show. A woman demonstrated a sort of new age music shower utilizing crystal bowls, a drum, rain stick and couple other instruments. She created quite a relaxing atmosphere and guided attendees through a meditation of sorts. Next up was a ukulele playing a variety of folk songs and some sing along tunes. I was on at 3:00. I was caught off guard as I wasn't expecting a recital type presentation. So I winged talking a bit about guitar history and playing pieces by Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani and Francisco Tarrega. Followed that with some Beatles tunes, Classical Gas, and a few others. Overall I got positive feedback and folks seemed genuinely impressed. Personally I feel it was one of  my better performances. But I did enjoy it once I got started. 

By the time I got home the weather had cleared, was windy, cool. I lit up the grill and out on some Hoffman Snappy Grillers hot dogs. Had home grown tomatoes and green beans too.

Lit up the grill for some Snappy Grillers

Hoffman Snappy Grillers 

Tomatoes and Jalapenos from our garden

Portrait Painting of Me by Jerry Merrill

Wonderful portrait of me by Jerry Merril.

Here is a painting of me playing guitar created by artist Jerry Merrill, Rodman, NY. He painted it from a photo of me taken back in October while I was playing guitar at the Orion Art Gallery on Mullin St., Watertown, NY. Jerry revealed it to me and others at Orion Gallery during their Christmas Party on Dec. 14. I was very honored that Jerry took the time to paint me. I am also impressed with the result. I truly feel he captured my likeness. I was blown away by it. Jerry and I have been friends for quite a few years. I really got to know him when he took some guitar lessons with me. Jerry is quite a prolific painter and also a talented sculptor. 

Jerry Merrill shows photo his portrait of me during Orion Art Gallery Christmas party.

Pictures From An Exhibition: iPhone Hip Shots

 

This photo was NOT shot from the hip. I looked  and composed it normally.

Friday August 2, 2024

The following are some photos that I "shot from the hip" with my iPhone 6s set in one of the black and white modes. This was during an exhibition opening reception at Fibonacci Art Gallery in Watertown. NY.  I held the camera by my hip and snapped photos with one of the volume buttons. No shutter sound. Of course I couldn't see what exactly the camera was seeing.  CORRECTION: The top photo was not shot from the hip. All the following were.

"Shooting from the hip" iPhone photos at Fibonacci Art Gallery.  copyright Gary Walts 2024

"Shooting from the hip" iPhone photos at Fibonacci Art Gallery.  copyright Gary Walts 2024

"Shooting from the hip" iPhone photos at Fibonacci Art Gallery.  copyright Gary Walts 2024

"Shooting from the hip" iPhone photos at Fibonacci Art Gallery.  copyright Gary Walts 2024

"Shooting from the hip" iPhone photos at Fibonacci Art Gallery.  copyright Gary Walts 2024

Winter Dog Walker Photo & a Guitar Gig

 We got some snow yesterday (Saturday). I was toying around with black and white camera setting on my iPhone 6s, looking through living room window, through the blinds, spotted this person walking a dog. Snap, snap, snap. I would like to have done better with it, but I like it. 

Person walking a dog past our house in Chaumont, NY.

I snapped this photo in the morning. In the afternoon I had a guitar gig at Orion Art Gallery, Alexandria Bay, near the thousand islands bridge. It was 2:00-4:00 and went well. Used my Guild guitar and battery powered amp. 

I forgot to have someone snap a photo of me playing.