Post mortem
Suite 6 at 201 East Main Street in Floyd sits empty today, vacated by the studio and gallery once known as Blue Ridge Muse. Amy and I, along with the help of good friend Mark Warren, finished packing up the last items and hauled them home, leaving behind two years of hope, memories and dreams.
We appreciate the condolences sent along by many readers, the friends who dropped by during the final days to say goodbye and to say how sorry they were to see us close. The comments and expressions of sorrow are very much appreciated.
Some in Floyd have offered varied opinions on why Muse didn’t make it as a business. It’s the economy, some said. Others suggest Floyd simply can’t support the number of businesses that struggle for attention. Still others suggest the time is not right but may be in future years.
One local businessman had another explanation: “You’re too controversial for retail,” he said. “You can’t make people mad and expect them to come in and buy things.”
If that is true, then so be it. I’m a passionate man, driven by strong beliefs and what some call an old-fashioned, even arcane, since of justice. I expect our elected officials to be honest, our governments to be open and spend our tax dollars fairly. I have this traditional notion that men and women of principle should conduct themselves with integrity, be they members of local, state or national governing bodies. As both a journalist and a citizen, I see things in black and white. Grey areas are not an option.
I’ve made many mistakes in my life. As both a recovering alcoholic and a human being, I struggle every day to come to grips with my failings and weaknesses. I neither claim perfection or believe it possible. All I can do is try to be the best person I can and face my shortcomings.
Our nation stands at a crossroads — both morally and historically. So does Floyd and Floyd County. When greed overtakes integrity, nobody wins. When hidden agendas replace open and honest government, everyone suffers.
Blue Ridge Muse the studio is gone but Blue Ridge Muse the web site continues. The lights may be out but the fire that burns in my belly is as bright and strong as ever.
I’ve never measured a person by the thickness of their wallet but by the depth of their soul. Those who choose to sell their integrity for money are doomed by the shallowness of their greed.
I’d rather be a poor man of principle than a rich one without a conscience.
Possibly this perceived business failure is a blessing in disguise. You seem to be a man with many irons in the fire, possibly far too many to be able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life you so richly deserve.
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Success and failure are both difficult to endure. Along with success come drugs, divorce, fornication, bullying, travel, meditation, medication, depression, neurosis and suicide. With failure comes failure. … Joseph Heller, novelist, playright most famed for “Catch-22″
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So be it, indeed. I doubt very much that the controversy you stir up has as much to do with your closing the studio as the economy. Photographs can’t be eaten and folks just don’t have much discretionary income any longer. Priorities are priorities – I imagine that artists in all media are not doing so well these days. I’m glad to read that the “fire that burns in [your] belly is as bright and strong as ever” – governments everywhere need people like you. I share your concerns about hidden agendas and greed, as I’m sure many other Floydians do.
Well said. My best to you
If your bricks and mortar studio & gallery couldn’t make it in this economy, maybe you can develop an online market for your photography. You’re continuing to take photos, and certainly have the web site expertise, plus the photography page of Blue Ridge Muse already exists, and you would have the benefit of being able to run it from home.
Success is a relative thing. Most, perhaps nearly all, highly successful people have had their failures, even great failures, on their march to success. You have created — and are still creating — successful projects on several levels and you have earned the envy of many of us who are simply standing by, watching in awe. Best wishes!
“I’ve made many mistakes in my life. As both a recovering alcoholic and a human being, I struggle every day to come to grips with my failings and weaknesses. I neither claim perfection or believe it possible. All I can do is try to be the best person I can and face my shortcomings.”
You are a good man, Doug, a very good man. Best wishes for sure!
Kent