It began as a chronicle of fine Italian craftsmanship…
Then it evolved into a very personal story, a story of a hardworking squadra (team) giving their all, including a cherished friendship to us. Yes, I want to continue to capture the evolution and buildout of what will be the private Jed Smith gallery, but that has become secondary. No, this now is a tribute to these incredible guys and their amazing work ethic.
These guys give “it” their all.
No shortcuts permitted. They won’t allow it. When I entitled this post “Soulful Sicilians,” I didn’t do it lightly. So many workers could just get on with it, collect a paycheck, then move onto the next project. Not these guys. If fact, when a critical decision needs to be made about how to do something, they stop us, they force a conversation that considers the long range implications.
These guys have our backs. That is golden.
A stand-alone photo gallery is in the making.
And I’ve shifted from my iPhone to using (mostly) my precious Canon 5D Mark IV and my best lenses to bring the best quality and intimacy to critical moments in the work process. And these soulful Sicilians aren’t timid in the least when I point my camera in their direction. They don’t preen or act for the camera. No, they open themselves up. I’m honored that they give me this kind of trust.
Re-roofing is the latest phase.
As I write this post, they are only meters away, dismantling an old, rotten section of roof and preparing for a newly constructed roof that will withstand the test of time. Every day, I’m presented with yet additional photo opps. I could, in reality, be shooting non-stop. That’s how amazing it is to me to be witness to this kind of Italian craftmanship and Sicilian soulfulness at work.
The space our friends are building will be home (three fourths of the space, at least) to my water series paintings! The other fourth I plan to dedicate to a black and white exhibition focused on these amazing guys.
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