guest covers: Lisa Hoffman and Jim Cox

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Day 18: As soon as I asked my dear friend Lisa Hoffman to look for and photograph manhole covers in her area she was ON it. I know she walks her dogs so I thought it would be interesting to see what was underfoot on her daily routine. Not only did she send those, but she and her partner Jim became eagle eye reporters from all the surrounding areas. Just look at these findings!!

This first one has glass inserts, originally clear and meant to let in light below, they become purple over time. I've only seen one like this in New York – my favorite kind of cover. This visual as a real score. See more about glass "vault lights" HERE and more visuals HERE.

How about this one? Once you go down the rabbit hole of looking online, or looking in real life, you really appreciate the ones that deviate from 'the usual'. I'm sure this one gets a lot of well-deserved attention, from those who catch a glimpse when walking by in Boulder – and it has to bring a smile, and very likely has them looking at every manhole cover in the vicinity.

Here is the full collection of Lisa and Jim's findings so far….

Lisa is a mixed media artist and recently started turning her sketchbook drawings/paintings into miniatures. Big beautiful pages reduced to an adorable collection of stickers. Genius! And fun for your planners, journals, blank envelopes and more. Collection No.1 & No. 2 available on ETSY, click HERE. Another set is about to launch!

Visit Lisa Hoffman's blog HERE.

Thank you Lisa and Jim for accepting this mission and educating us on covers in your area. xoxo

manhole madness

Comments

10 responses to “guest covers: Lisa Hoffman and Jim Cox”

October 18, 2016

Marylinn Kelly

Such cool finds. The face seems like a world-class discovery. And I am partial to anything with old glass that has purpled. Will any of us ever look at the street the same way again? xo

Reply
October 18, 2016

Marylinn Kelly

Such cool finds. The face seems like a world-class discovery. And I am partial to anything with old glass that has purpled. Will any of us ever look at the street the same way again? xo

Reply
October 18, 2016

Bobbi Mastrangelo

Lisa,
I am delighted with your finds. I especially like the skylight chimney cover.
I actually did little sculptures of three covers using the glass rounds.
But I wanted to share with you what a fifth grader wrote about manhole covers in the school newspaper
“A Teacher Turned Artist”
“Bobbi Mastrangelo, a former elementary schoolteacher is now a Port Jefferson Artist. Her art is very different than most people’s idea of art. She makes reliefs and sculptures of manhole covers. Bobbi has been doing her art ever since the 1980’s.
Manhole covers are covers used by town, utility and municipal workers to gain access to everything underground like storm drains and gasoline pumps. She does this art not only for a hobby, but to preserve history. Some of the manhole covers could be over 100 years old and not be here anymore, so she likes to preserve history.”
By Robby Grisafi, 5th Grader: 2003 Smithtown NY Elem. Sch.

Reply
October 18, 2016

Bobbi Mastrangelo

Lisa,
I am delighted with your finds. I especially like the skylight chimney cover.
I actually did little sculptures of three covers using the glass rounds.
But I wanted to share with you what a fifth grader wrote about manhole covers in the school newspaper
“A Teacher Turned Artist”
“Bobbi Mastrangelo, a former elementary schoolteacher is now a Port Jefferson Artist. Her art is very different than most people’s idea of art. She makes reliefs and sculptures of manhole covers. Bobbi has been doing her art ever since the 1980’s.
Manhole covers are covers used by town, utility and municipal workers to gain access to everything underground like storm drains and gasoline pumps. She does this art not only for a hobby, but to preserve history. Some of the manhole covers could be over 100 years old and not be here anymore, so she likes to preserve history.”
By Robby Grisafi, 5th Grader: 2003 Smithtown NY Elem. Sch.

Reply
October 18, 2016

michelleward

Bobbi, thanks for sharing your story about making sculptures with the rounds, and how a 5th grader recognized the importance of regarding covers as special relics. That’s a cool kid.

Reply
October 18, 2016

michelleward

Bobbi, thanks for sharing your story about making sculptures with the rounds, and how a 5th grader recognized the importance of regarding covers as special relics. That’s a cool kid.

Reply
October 18, 2016

michelleward

MK, didn’t Lisa score some good ones? I love that glass one too! I love your observance – hopefully we won’t look at the street the same way again. xo

Reply
October 18, 2016

michelleward

MK, didn’t Lisa score some good ones? I love that glass one too! I love your observance – hopefully we won’t look at the street the same way again. xo

Reply
October 26, 2016

Hallie

That face! I think I would freak if I saw it on the street. But then I would probably walk around the block to look for more surprises. Cool finds Lisa.

Reply
October 26, 2016

Hallie

That face! I think I would freak if I saw it on the street. But then I would probably walk around the block to look for more surprises. Cool finds Lisa.

Reply