Riding Detroit's Public Bus System
The Hoops series is a part of a large body of work created in response to observations while utilizing Detroit’s public transportation system. My reaction to the daily abundance of source material led to the practice of limiting my observational drawings to record only what I witnessed in terms of one color each day. This methodology of isolating subject matter through the lens of color resulted in an in-depth look at the apparel of my fellow bus riders. Clothes offer clues to the culture of a place on many levels. They may indicate age, sex, employment, climate and of course, personality. On days reserved for metallics, I discovered the common denominator of ear ornamentation of a particular shape. The practice of riding the bus to gather source material involves direct or indirect interactions with others. An important component of the Isolated Observations: D-DOT project is the potential to meet and talk to strangers, and the possibility of forging new friendships.