Savannah is known for its rich history and traditions. To this day, residents work to protect it, and stood up to voice concerns over those who want to take advantage of the city by bringing about change. Change that if accepted would change the landscape of Savannah.
I'm here to take a stand for all Street performers also known traditional as buskers.
Street performance, or busking, existed in various ancient civilizations, with early records found in ancient Rome. At that time buskers were often viewed as poor beggars so they were restricted to performing in the streets and kept away from the public markets where the upper class would shop. The name refers to performers who "seek" an audience and tips by performing in public places.
Today, the tradition of buskers continues. Artists and performers engaging with their community for donations and to be recognized in hopes of opportunities beyond the streets.
For me, it's about connecting with my community and fellow artists. It's about supporting those of us who create with our hands and perform in the open for people to see. We're not out here selling a manufactured product such as prints. Prints are mass produced using an image the artist created. In some cases the images, by use of AI, are not created using conventional tools such as paint or pencil. Prints are not handmade and not made in the open. Therefore, it is not, by definition, street performance. If you go home with a piece of art created by a busker you can bet it's the only one. You hold the original. No copies.
In the city's Street Performer Policy the term performance or performer is mentioned sixty-two times. No where do you see the term retailer or market place used. And yet, a majority of those with permits, particularly in Forsyth Park are retailers. Set ups larger than what is outlined in the policy. Voicing prices and even marking their product with a price versus expecting a donation. This too is against policy.
There is a long standing tradition with buskers. In the 1800's street performance was one of the few ways to distribute music or art to the community. It was also used to express free speech. 
These days in the United States, the government protects the right to free artistic speech, and under its umbrella, busking. Public spaces generally welcome artistic expression. Street performance can be a fantastic way to breathe soul and cultural ambiance into a city.
Many of those today in Forsyth Park are not Street Performers, they are retailers with a mini market place, set up selling a product they have produced. They have bent the rules for their own financial gain. The rules according to the policy have not been enforced.
If retailers are continued to be allowed to sell and market their business under the umbrella of the city's Street Performer Policy then the city will be responsible for destroying the long standing tradition of buskers and the freedom of artistic expression. Let's not change what Street performance is meant to be into an open market. If these "retailers" want a market place they should open a shop or join those at City Market.

As an outdoorsman and artist, nature and its landscape are my studio and my subject. On any given adventure I'll hike six miles before I find the THE spot I want to capture in a drawing.

In my backpack are essential items needed for any trip in the woods. Water, first aid kit, fire making supplies, food, just to mention a few. But there is another item in my backpack that is essential to me, my artist kit containing a variety of pens by Zebra Pen.

My main medium of choice has always been the pen, and I've tried many brands and types. But I've been a fan and user of Zebra Pen for a long time. From the F301, G350, and their refillable fountain pen, they have always given me the textures, contrasts, and marks I'm looking for in my drawings and sketches.

Recently I've been experimenting and using their F701 Retractable Ballpoint. In my hand it's slightly heavier then their F301 Retractable Ballpoint I often use, but it has a balanced comfortable weight. It's heavier weight and stainless steel barrel provides the durability I need when I'm in outdoors. It's rugged, sturdy and can take a beating. I never know what I may encounter while hiking and I can't risk carrying a pen that might break and/or leak ink inside my backpack.

I've drawn in various conditions, and Zebra pens have always been reliable. Even in the cold the ink flows smooth without, clogging, blotching or hesitation in my marks. During a recent hike with temperatures in the low forties, wind and five miles into the woods my fingers became slightly cold. With the knurled grip on the F701 I was able to maintain control as I sketched out the scene in front of me that will soon become a larger drawing.

At times I like to add a watercolor wash to my drawings and having an ink that will not smear or wash out is crucial. The inks from Zebra Pen hold up without smear or wash out allowing me to enhance a drawing with color.

Not only has Zebra Pen become an essential tool to me as an artist, but they have come along with me on many adventures, have seen countless miles of trails, endured various seasons, and weather. And they continue to impress me with their durability and reliability as an artist seeking to capture the landscape as I see it. From trail to studio Zebra Pen is an essential part of my journey as an outdoorsman and artist.

I can't say I have a particular favorite as each type of pen has become an essential tool depending on what I'm creating. But if you're looking for a quality pen whether you're an artist, writer or both I highly recommend giving Zebra Pen a try. You won't be disappointed.

There's a subtle beauty
In the ordinary. 
Unfortunately, one which often goes 
Unnoticed. 
Busy eyes and busy minds 
​Glaze over and go about their way. 
It takes a trained mind 
And opened eyes 
To appreciate the details. 
It is within those moments
​Of recognition 
That the beauty grows.
​- by R. Shae

Thank you to Black Valley Provender for having me today on #smallbusinesssaturday and the debut of your Signature Blend Coffee and the opportunity to share my artwork.
Thank you to R. Shae for giving me the honor of using your poetry to accompany my artwork. Your words tell a story that will resonate with many.
If you did not make it to Black Valley Provender today you can see my artwork and R. Shae's poetry over the next few months. All pieces are available for purchase.
While you're their enjoy a great cup of coffee or tea, and I highly recommend their Bacon BBQ Smash Burger and a piece of their Chocolate Espresso Cake made by Deb Ott, Black Valley Provender Baker.

Well, I guess an introduction is in order. For some of you reading this you already know me, but you may be curious as to why HBF Outdoors has gone in a different direction. The truth is, my art is not new. Ever since I was a kid I have been creating through drawing. I'd spend hours in my room drawing the latest comic book heroes. Through high school the one class I excelled in was art. During my senior year my class time consisted of art, advanced art, yearbook photographer, gym, lunch and study hall. But something within me changed between high school and attending art school. That change would cause me to pack away in the depths of my soul my passion and talent for art. I'll spare you the long story and details of what caused it and simply sum it up with this... I allowed what other people thought of me, my art, and what I should do with my life to dictate my decisions. Simply put, I was a people pleaser and I remained a people pleaser for over twenty years.

Over the next twenty plus years my art remained deep inside of me, but I continued to plug ahead doing what I felt others wanted me to do. But when a global pandemic changed everyday life and routine, political tensions rose, and our society became more divided I found myself exploring and searching deep for the things in life that really matter. My artistic identity was pounding on the door begging to be let out. So I dusted off the art supplies, picked up a pencil and sketched out what was in front of me, the woods. Of all the essential items in my backpack my sketchbook and pencils were included. The more I sketched the deeper the desire to create. It became a hunger, a knot would develop in my stomach if I went more than a day without drawing. A sketch a day kept the frustration away.

There are two elements that make up the real me, the outdoors and my art. Combined they are a big part of who I am. I use to think I knew my calling in life, but those were only the voices and noises of others that I chose to listen to rather then listen to my heart. Sometimes a person doesn't discover their true calling in life until later. Here's the thing I've discovered, now later in life at the age of fifty, about finding your calling. How do you know it's your calling? When every fiber within wants to do it regardless of what other people say or think. You will do it anyway no matter the cost. You become so focused and driven that those who are not with you or support you become that blurred object on the side of the road that you don't pay attention to and you keep on driving.

I recently was asked if I regret setting aside my artistic talents for so long and not discovering my true calling until now. I smiled and told them; "No, for me this is the right time because I believe it's based on God's timing." There was a reason why, though it was my decisions, that God has chosen to bring me back to my art. I haven't discovered the full reason yet and that's okay. What I do know, is after all these years I know what I'm meant to do. It doesn't come without it's days or moments of frustration or discouragement. Oh, believe me, it does. This difference is I'm doing what I'm meant to do at this time. The right time.

This is the real me... I'm an outdoorsman and an artist. A guy expressing his love and passion for the outdoors and nature through drawing and painting. Nothing else I used to do matters. 

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