Atlanta artist Gary Cooley decided to set up his easel alongside the railroad tracks to capture an interesting, sturdy-looking structure in downtown Atlanta’s west side. He got the painting — quite a good one — but he also got the bum’s rush.
“There were a couple homeless guys hovering nearby, and I noticed I was painting close to someone’s nest,” reports Cooley. “I didn’t feel threatened, so I kept on painting. Then a railroad cop pulled up and parked his truck, blocking my view. He told me I was in danger from trains and hobos and should pack up. Once he saw what I was painting, he relented to give me a few more minutes.”
