This weekend, Anthony and I hit the High Line. I was on a mission to capture nature walk photos for my workshop with Alice. And Anthony had never been to the park in the sky. So after a quick and yummy brunch at The Grey Dog, we hopped on the elevator at W14th Street and ascended a couple flights up to the elevated park.

One of the things I love best about being on the High Line is the view of windows above street level. When I’m traipsing around town I don’t look up toward the sky very often. For one thing, I don’t want to bump into someone. For another, it was ingrained in me during childhood that when you walk in the city you should carry yourself with purpose…like you have a destination to get to…lest someone mistake you for a lollygagger and clip your wallet. On the High Line you don’t have to worry about this. Relax, take your time and enjoy the view in every direction.

In the spring and summer the High Line bursts with the scent and color of wild flowers. But right now, at the end of winter, there isn’t much nature to see in the park. There is always a visual surprise waiting just around the corner though…maybe in a store window or looking down over the railing to the street scene below.

I couldn’t resist snapping these affirmation mobiles. Seeing them sparked inspiration to make my own affirmation system. I don’t know exactly how I’ll do this, but I have a few ideas percolating including a typographic theme, kind of like this MiMA billboard I saw by the elevator.

On Washington Street just below the High Line were all these commissioned graffiti works. The business community seems to be trying hard to maintain a certain rough around the edges quality to the neighborhood. Works for me.

And just across the street from The Standard Hotel were these tattered posters. I wonder if they were made to look that way or if the posters were really weathered and stripping away? Sometimes it’s hard to tell.

Mary Maru