Local photographer Jim Begley took this photograph of the McBurney home. Nationally known artist James Griffin found it online and purchased the rights to it for use on a book cover.
Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney is accustomed to people stopping to gaze at his beautiful downtown home. The stately 107-year-old Victorian is now just more than a local phenomenon. Thanks to the work of a local photographer, and nationally renowned artist, it is gracing the cover of a widely distributed romance novel by New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas.
"Somewhere Along the Way," released nationwide last November, is a follow up to "Welcome to Harmony," the first in what is planned to be a trilogy in the "Harmony" series. McBurney said he was surprised and flattered to learn that his home would likely be used for the cover of "Somewhere Along the Way" almost by happenstance.
Well-known artist James Griffin came by an image of the home taken by local photographer Jim Begley. Begley specializes in a technique known as "high dynamic range imaging," or just HDR that give his photos a vibrant, almost painted, look with high contrast. He posts many of his images to a popular photo sharing website called "Flikr," which is where Griffin first noticed it.
"I got an email from him [Griffin] saying he’d like to use it, possibly for the cover of a book," Begley said. "I said ‘yeah’ that would be great. He’s a really gifted artist … I thought it was just a neat situation."
Griffin purchased the rights to use the photo for $150. It was the basis for a painting he did for the book cover. Though some minor changes are made (surrounding houses removed, changed landscaping, etc), the final product would be recognizable to anyone familiar with the McBurney home.
"I changed a lot about the setting and of course, translated it in my own way. I may use it as a Christmas card, if I ever get around to writing any! Many thanks to Jim for his lovely house picture," Griffin wrote in an online blog.
McBurney said he and his wife, Darlene, are flattered there has been so much interest in their home.
The couple purchased the house in 2002, but spent two years renovating it before finally moving in for good in 2004. Their son, Steve, a local interior designer, did much of the work.
"My son has an eye to see the potential in things like that," Willard McBurney said. "We love living in that house. It’s a great, well-built old home. Really and truly, it’s not changed that much since it was built."
McBurney said former railroad official Henry Hardy and his wife Ella built the home in 1903. It has not been added on to or significantly altered since. During its 107 years, the home has served as a boarding house and even a honeymoon destination. Former Corbin Mayor Bert Rowland, who served in the 1940s lived there. The McBurney’s purchased it from Shawn Ozment.
The hardest part of restoring the home was making the original woodwork vibrant again. When the McBurney’s purchased it in 2002, it had fallen into some disrepair, overgrown with trees and in need of maintenance. Now, it is a town centerpiece.
"It just kind of stands out. There are not many older homes here like that and I think it is unique," McBurney said. "People seem to relate to an old home like that. They are interested in it."
Begley said he’s photographed McBurney’s home numerous times. The picture used as the basis for Griffin’s painting was taken last winter.
"It is a very photographic house," Begley said. "I could do a calendar of that house."
Locally, and to a certain extend statewide, Begley has become well known for his ability to master HDR techniques to startling effect. He has a website that features his photos, www.wowphotoshdr.com, and all of his photographs are for sale for those interested. Though he has branched out to other subject matter, including some recent images of national parks in the western U.S., Begley has focused his efforts mainly on Corbin. He is a lifelong resident. His photographs are a way, he said, of seeing the town he’s so familiar with in a different way.
"I’m into taking photos of old things and making them look new and different," Begley said. "It’s gratifying when your work has some credibility to other people. I think it’s good for Corbin."
