Peter + Polly

Polly and Peter Gott on the porch of their hand made home in Shelton Laurel, NC.

Meet Polly and Peter Gott - Pioneers, musicians, craftfolks, painters, sculptors, storytellers, architects, builders, naturalists, farmers, conservationists, and outstanding stewards of the land.

I’m not really sure where to start with this story AND I don’t want to say too much as to ruin the impact of reading it in book form, as I am in the process of writing and producing a new book project titled “Gems of the Blue Ridge” of which, these two will surely be included and highlighted. More on that soon enough.

I met Peter and Polly for the first time a few years back at the Bluff Mountain Music Festival in Hot Springs, NC. I saw Peter in his (soon to find ) signature alpine hat and red suspenders and I had to make their portrait. I had my 8x10 field camera with a lens that is120+ years old set up that day, loaded with silver gelatin paper for a very special look and feel to the photos.

Polly and Peter Gott at Bluff Mnt. Festival

Over the next few years I found myself venturing deeper and deeper into the areas haunts and hollers. I ended up meeting their daughter Susi Gott Séguret who is a gem herself, earning a diploma in Gastronomy and Taste from the Cordon Bleu and the Université de Reims while residing in France for over 20 years then returning home to turn the Appalachian Culinary Experience on its ear all the while keeping her fiddle tuned up and ready to go. Here she runs The Quintessential Table, a true treat to experience! GO to one of her events and you will leave a better human.

Susi and Peter Gott tuning up for a little *"Arkansas Traveler"*

How they got here:

Peter and Polly were students at Cornell University when Peter heard Banjo music. That was it he said, as they packed up their VW Bug and headed south following those twangs, rolls and drones. They prospected for land for several months camping out of that Bug before finding Madison County which felt like home where they would start building their log home.

Polly greeting me at their amazing Swiss door

My first morning with these two mountain lovebirds.

I spent the morning leaning into stories, experiencing artwork, and feeling handmade music. It was truly a euphoric experience for me. Lots more to come. Now for a few pictures.

Polly Gott admiring a feathered visiter to the feeder

**Natural Alarm Clock.** Polly Gott with the morning light in her eyes.

Polly Gott standing in front of her art studio/ old cow barn.

Polly Gott in her studio with hundreds of art works

Polly Gott pointing out a sculpture of one of their children

Polly Gott flipping through countless paintings

Polly Gott at her artist table overlooking the beautiful mountains

Polly Gott coming from the laundry cabin

Polly Gott sends her farewell from the doorway

For this adventure into the unknown, I worked with my Deardorff 8x10 and the Voigtlander Heliar 11 3/4” lens with paper negatives, Mamiya RZ67, a Fuji GFX100sii with some special adapted lenses and my little pocket RicohGRii.

This kit feels very compatible and complementary for me. Im working my GFX100sii very much like my 8x10 camera, locked down on a tripod with just a few very intentional frames. I really feel the end product also gets along well together. There isn't a blatant shift of feeling in the prints. While, yes, I can most certainly tell which was made by what camera, it isn't as jarring as say using a modern lens designed for that GFX set up. As for the little powerhouse of a pocket camera, the Ricoh GRii, it just fills in anything and anywhere. My favorite of all time because there are always 2 in my front pocket! Did I mention they are pocket cameras!?

Art is dying #III

a simple introduction