Funky Fatima Designs Still Has A Wow Factor

October 19, 2020


I've lived in this part of the city for nearly three years, worked here for nearly four. As long as I have been here, this building has been empty. Not a shock in this town, economic hardship is par for the course. But, this is a busy street, a lot of traffic. I don't know why this building, a building I found out was much larger than it looks from the street, doesn't have a bustling business inside - even the pandemic hasn't seemed to slow down the rest of the area.


Front of commercial building with gray paint and pink color blocks.

Main Façade - Super Funky and Fly!


What I do know is that the façade of this place stands out. It has a funky 80s - 90s South Beach vibe that is not equaled anywhere else near by. I'm not singling this building out to ridicule it in any way. Quite the contrary, I admire this building. In a sea of corporate sameness, this building stands out like a flamingo on a glacier.


Signs of changing times...


Fatima Designs sign with gas station sign in the background showing $1.92 for a gallon of gas.

I have to wonder what gas cost the last time this building had an active business.


Front entrance. Gray angular pillars topped with pink spheres. Front doors with triangular handles. Long view of the front of the building taken from the corner showing traffic lights in the background. Front corner of commercial building with gray paint and more pink color blocks.

Plywood façade with color blocks - instant funk!

Unkempt, overgrown shrubbery to the side of the main entrance.

In this town, the tiny decorative shrubberies like to grow into mighty trees overnight.


As with everything this early in The Process, I am learning a lot. Firstly, I learned I need to get to my shooting sites earlier because light is a precious and fleeting thing. I also learned I need to play with all the toys much more. I have much to learn about my camera, although, as you can see, it did fairly well set to AUTO. I made my first videos for Facebook Live and Instagram. I have a lot to learn there, but those videos made me eager to open a new YouTube channel - that's coming soon!


In all, not a bad first “simulated travel” shoot. It's not grand vistas or epic forests, but I dont think I'm much of a vista or forest guy. I guess we'll find out. I am a Halloween Guy - I'm planning a trip to a couple of local graveyards, if the weather holds out. Fingers crossed.


Keep On Going!



#Photography