LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 59 special lighting effects or a fog machine. For my book, The Knight and the Beastly Battle, I set up a scene with a real fire breathing dragon. Fortunately, I was able to get the shot on my first try, because the knight was literally on fire. I was not expecting him to ignite so easily! But honestly, my favorite shot is whatever I have planned next. The planning and building of the props is just as much fun as actually being out in the woods photographing. I have to ask–where did the idea for the toilet se- ries come from? My wife always says, "Once a boy, always a boy!" After seeing another artist make an acorn toilet, I knew I had to try. My first simple photo with the toilet quickly became my best seller. I tried different scenes and props to make them funnier. I even built an acorn- sized outhouse. My favorite bathroom scene is Acorn Man waiting in line to use the outhouse and ahead of him are several animals. The whole bathroom series really took off when Windmill Books chose that topic for my first children's book. They asked if I had enough toilet scenes to fill 22 pages. I didn't at the time, but after two months and a little travel, I had more than enough. I am always looking for new ideas to improve the toilet series. I have recently added a plunger and have thoughts of having the toilet in a tornado, ani- mals stealing the toilet paper, and even an elephant as a bidet. I've noticed a number of photos of Acorn Whimsy in the Adirondacks. What spaces and places did you two visit? In the Adirondacks I hiked with Acorn Man up White- face Mountain. I built a backpack and hiking pole for a scene with him standing on top of Whiteface Moun- tain with Lake Placid in the background. I also took him camping at Rollins Pond outside Saranac Lake. Together we would wander through the forest looking for tiny scenes with mushrooms, logs, and moss. I also photographed some Olympic venues in Lake Placid during the winter specifically for the Winter Olympic scenes. Will Acorn Whimsy be making any more appearanc- es in the Adirondacks? Definitely! One of the biggest reasons I haven't pho- tographed the Adirondacks as much as I would like is the fact that I work full time as an elementary school librarian. I am limited to weekends and summer for when I can make a visit, but all that will change come this June when I officially retire. I will then be able to look ahead to weather forecasts and come up to the Adirondacks during prime conditions for extended Chasing Olympic dreams off the ski jumps in Lake Placid. Taking a bathroom break overlooking Crater Lake National Park. Taking in the sights of Lake Placid from Whiteface Mountain.

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