Had the pleasure of making portraits of Vollis Simpson, a 91 year old former farm equipment salesman who is now considered one of the masters of the whirligig. His work graces the yard of the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore and works every day at his shop in Lucama, NC.
Mr Simpson reminded me so much of a southern version of my grandfather, John R. Scotford, who was the Dartmouth College designer for many years. They both loved stuff and hoarded it in their shops and created new things from what others may have considered junk, tirelessly working on many a project, late into life.
Lit most of the photos, both the portraits and the more reportage, working photos and thought they worked out well. Fun to bring new approaches to a story.
If you get a chance, head out to the shop and see the yard full of 30 foot sculptures, windmills and whirligigs.
Read the New York Times story here
See the slideshow here
Check out a bunch of other photos here
In the Archive