Ask a Hills & Heighter

The idea for this post was completely borrowed/stolen/taken from this post by Southside RVA. I’m taking a slightly different tack but a thanks is still owed.

My mission is simple, find out more about my neighbors and neighborhood. I plan, if I can find the volunteers, to ask the same questions to other artists, craftspeople, musicians and local business owners. First up is Keith Ramsey, you’ve probably seen him if you have spent anytime in Crossroads or any of the other coffee shops in town.

Where did you grow up and how did you end up in the Swansboro neighborhood?

I grew up on the York County side of Williamsburg, VA and moved up here to live permanently after spending some time off from VCU in 1991. I lived in every area of town from the west end to northside & downtown/Church Hill till , in 2005, I found my house in southside…I call the my blueish-gray and burgundy cottage bungalo “the farm” because of the amount of land around it and the garden I’ve planted.

GAS 2007 Oil on Canvas

How would you describe your art?
“Contemporary Impressionism” for my Cityscpapes In Noir (CIN) series, because of the way the work is painted and the view of the interpersonal conflicts that seem to engulf the figure(s) that occupy the paintings.

But, a few of the other series I continually work on (Hourtime & Diluted Loss), I find it difficult to classify…. maybe abstract, I don’t know. They’re created from found objects, organic material, fire and paint to produce a stronger voice than if I were to just paint them, and the fact that I have to study the subject matter before approaching the painting makes the process feel different than the other work. Classifying it is something I’ll have to think about.

What other ventures/projects do you have going on?
I have METRO R MEDIA,LLC. My small (very small…just me.) freelance graphic design business that somewhat helps pay the bills. I’m also proud to have joined the Richmond “blogging” community by creating and writing IntheToGocup.com, which has turned out to be is a successful project to get me meeting new people, helps me learn about coffee and it gets me out of the house on a daily basis. Now that spring is coming and its time to prep my garden which keeps me connected to the earth after being digital for several hours during the day. And trying to teach more swingdance lessons around town as much as possible. That’s about it…for now. (Editors note: In the ToGo Cup has a post today about beer coming to Crossroads.)

Favorite part of living on the Southside?
The people I randomly meet at the coffee shops on Southside are awesome and welcoming. Plus, at night, the neighborhood can be surprisingly quiet for being in the city.

What would you change about Southside?
Because of the incredible lack of jobs that can lead to financially stable future, if you don’t have a car, which is a lot of people in my area, then you have no way out of the “redline”. I’d like to see more “green-tech” jobs and businesses take advantage of the empty buildings and move into the area an start supplying jobs (and education) that will be part of the future economy and create a better Richmond. Right now unless you’re looking to sell used tires or clothes your pretty much out of luck. Hull Street and Midlothian Turnpike seem to be stuck in the 80′s and forgotten.

Advice to someone moving into the Southside?
Make several trips on different days of the week and at different hours to get a feel of the area. Also look at community blogs to see the high and low crime areas, plus find a home that has places to walk or bike to so you can leave the car at home.

5 words to describe your neighborhood.
Quiet, under-utilized, low-income, homogenized, friendly

Thanks to Keith for being our first in this new little project. If you live in the H&H area and are either an artist, craftsperson, musician or local (business is located in H&H) business owner and want to be a part of this series let me know at richard.hayes13@yahoo.com.