By M.Sebastian Araujo

Amid the flutter of the few golden leaves still clinging to the trees,the North wind has begun to blow. Christmas decorations are popping up in shop windows and as I parked my old boneshaker of a bicycle against the iron railing infront of the 1930’s W.P.A gem of a Post Office on Commercial Street,here in Gay Old Provincetown a word occurred to me “Iconic ” Everything about this edifice is a good example of the Roosevelt Adminstration’s initiative to “Put America to Work” . This resonates in the classical styling of its very American Architectural Style. At the time, the whole idea, like certain current Presidential initiatives was not heralded as a great idea by those who did not wish to alter the status quo. History, always provides the truth about civil initatives be they initially well received or not.. This is Frank Capra terroritory folks…surely you know “It’s a Wonderful Life” .Now we are still enjoying and using a solid,well balanced and built to last forever Post Office. But,do you know what is “upstairs” at the Post Office???
Follow me.It seems along with a working Post Office the US Gov’t also sought to create studio spaces for artists,which is where we are heading right now,to the Studio of Iconic portrait photographer and poet,Bobby Miller.

The word “iconic” is from the Greek, pertaining to an image. An apt moniker to Bobby Miller’s work. Once we cross the well worn threshold of this temple of glamor and creativity where magic is created, we LASH BACK to the 1970’s. Forgetting the number of years as I surely have, Bobby began working as a hair and make-up artist for ALL the top photographers back in the day. Carrying a portfolio which reads like a who’s who of NY Style Society. He was always right in the thick of it. Once during a photo shoot with the infamous Robert Mapplethorpe he proffered a suggestion about a certain angle to shoot from and Mapplethorpe suggested he get his own camera and take his own pictures.That year for Christmas Mapplethorpe gave him the camera he still uses today. So he began to snap pictures,all sorts of them,and thousands of them.Remember fellow travelers,these were Halycon daze of NYC’s.Studio 54.Andy,Grace,Bianca ,Liza and Halston, were not just images in soft focus,but actual “peeps” and Bobby was right there clicking away . Like a golden haired cherub who drank from the horn of Baccahus,till he became a Glam Rock version of Toulose Lautrec. Lucky for US he statshed the rolls of film away.Before he got too busy “Loving the Nightlife” too much.

Time passed fast, and looking to escape from the tumult of being a bonvivant,Ptown offered him an alternative. Washed ashore like so many of us he took root in the sandy soil.He became a writer,and penned many a genial poem . This man has been through it all, like a Shirley Bassey Song, he is still here.Recently he began to edit and publish the many fabulous photos of his time in NYC,before it all got too serious. He has published many books and has had numerous SOLD out showings,around the country. Proving that Life goes on and things change…however Great Art ,like Great Architecture always remains vital and pertinent. Proving that anything is possible and often does happen,in this Teeny Town on the Tip of Olde Cape Cod. It is to have a life like this, that a few of us remian year round knowing that here in Provincetown anything is possible!

Color Portraits by Bobby Miller

Sebastian M Araujo

Dina Martina

To see more of Bobbys Work just click on these links, it will blow your mind!
http://www.blurb.com/b/4628639-ptown-peeps#author-bookshelf
http://www.woodmanshimkogallery.com/
Bonne Chance, Stay Warm and Remember to Breathe Deeplly and let it Flow…..Sebastian