Closed out our quick trip to Missouri grabbing dinner with Jason at a Middle Eastern joint called Ranoush.

One of the highlights for this visit was to spend more time at Firecracker Press.
This go round we were able to chat with owner Eric Woods.
Great guy, loads of talent and generous to share so much insight with us.

Peat Wollaeger‘s van.

Above: a peak at Peat‘s collaboration with other artists – “Luchador Collab-o-Masks”

Fantastic identity for the Black Bear Bakery. (It’s employee owned and operated or as my friends like to say, ‘the Socialist Bakery’)

Foam Coffee & Beer provided great respite from the heat and another inspiring space and identity.

Even the wall to the restroom at Foam was beautiful.

Stopped by Jon Cournoyer’s studio for a second visit.

Detail from an LP at Phono Mode.

Said hello to the kitty and picked up a few gifts at Cranky Yellow.

At the head of the Cherokee Street district in St. Louis.

Indeed.
After a swell visit just weeks ago—coupled with gushing to partners at work—
we found they were having open studio tours out in St. Louis;
artists, printmakers, letterpress joints, the whole shebang.

So Tom and I hit the road and crammed in a whole lot of sightseeing took notes in a manner of 36 hours or so.

I used to call this cat, “Darker on the Inside Kitty” but she’s gotten soft in her old age.
Downright agreeable in fact.

And now, to close out St. Louis, a few more photos from all hours of the last day:

A confrontation at Firecracker Press.

Got a quick tour of this design and print studio.
Again, inspired by the quality of work and approach to their space.

Popped over to catch this cat and pick up some music at Apop Records.

And I almost forgot the lunch break we squeezed in between all these activities.
I don’t remember the name of this joint, but I’m going back for sure.

In all my visits to St. Louis, I’ve never been to the place that makes one of my favorite beers:
Budweiser.

That is, until this day.

Renard the fox, mascot for Budweiser’s prohibition “near beer” malt beverage called  Bevo.

How stay-tabs are made.

Ended the whole she-bang with some cold ones.

Had the fantastic opportunity to visit Jon Cournoyer’s studio and was blown away at his space, process and work.

Inspirational in every regard.

It began, with donuts.

While we made a plan of attack, Big Kitty played.

I call this one “Echinacea and Seated Male Figure.”

LEFT: A sign outside a Cracker Barrel
RIGHT: Muffins, Guardian of Time

Yet another pair of photos pulled from the phone.
The day was largely spent on the road catching up and watching the midwest roll by.

Upon arrival to our destination I was instructed to open a large wrapped gift on the guest bed.
Inside was the fantastic clock you see above.
A beauty all its own, but even more special because of where it once called home.

Jim’s father passed away in December of last year.

The months since have been filled with the monumental task of sorting through his house.
His things.

And though the home he left was radically organized by the time I got there,
I could see the remnants of the maze.
The decisions that retained what was left.

Boxes filled with potential one might entertain.
The tools to make.
The things that were made.
Paintings stacked in vague arrays.
Drawers of collections.
Shelves heavy with stubbornness.
Walls yellowed by nicotine.
Curiosities of intrigue, humor.

It all added up to a character that I wished I’d known better.
And yet I do know the man he raised, and I consider him with maximum regard.

I don’t profess to know what comprises our spirit,
but I figure a chunk of it involves everyone who crosses our path.

And I’m not sure how this all fits together, but having Jim tour me around his father’s house
I considered all these notions at once, felt the pride, frustration and love.

We take the little pieces we can, and try to make sense of them.

I left the dishes in the sink and hit the road while news reports suggested the rest of America should be shopping.

Arrived in St. Louis early enough to see preparations for the first “Sloppy Seconds” party.
(Where everyone brings their leftovers to form a smorgasbord of  tasty calories.)

Kevin’s preparing extra goodies in the form of pepperoni rolls, to fill out the menu in case the leftovers don’t amount to enough.

At this moment he does not know that the following day will have every square inch of the counter filled with tasty options.