I get a lot of messages asking me where Kelly is if I don’t put her photo up on my blog, it is always a curious thing to see what catches the eyes and hearts of people, what grabs their attention in world nearly drowning in information and imagery.

Regina told me she loved the photos of Kelly Nolan, the bartender and waitress most week nights at Foggy Notion, a/k/a the bog a  tavern, bar and biker hangout (and horseshoe gathering) in the middle of my town of Cambridge, N.Y. The blog is one of our favorite hangouts.

I started taking photos of Kelly months ago, he was drawn to her especially radiant smile, which never fails her, even when the crush of work is overwhelming. Maureen wrote me asking why the photos of Kelly are so popular.

“I look for them every week,” she wrote, “her smile makes me smile.”

First, I said, because Kelly is so at ease with herself, her strength and confidence shine in her photos. Secondly, Kelly has a beautiful smile, it reflects an inner spirit. Then, I think Kelly has the quality of grace. She has a dignity and refinement about her, a poise and finesse.

In the Christian faith, grace is central. In the Old Testament, grace speaks of deliverance, of gratitude and acceptance.

My own definition of grace is secular, I see it as a quality of acceptance, of courtesy under pressure,  of a willingness to take responsibility for oneself and to treat other people with courtesy and respect. The waitress and the bartender are often called upon to act in grace, although they are rarely singled out, their work is no considered newsworthy.

I guess it is newsworthy to me, Kelly sparked my interest in portrait photography, which led to my monochrome camera, which led to my portrait show, which is now an integral part of my creative life. I appreciate Kelly for her heart and soul, I am sure she is no saint, but she is possessed of grace.