Solomon's 

Castle

Yes, it is a castle!

The windows are stained glass.  Some are nursery rhymes, nine of them are the planets. Many windows depict nature, the arts and well known stories. 

 Metal works are plentiful at the castle. Howard Solomon is an artist.  He has a sense of humor and uses every "pun" in the known world to create pieces of art.  His metal creations are made with junk that have no more use in this world.  

Wooden montages are a specialty of Mr. Solomon.  They were my favorites. Some were made with over 200 pieces of wood. 

All doors in the castle were made by Howard
Solomon.  Many of them being metal, most are
of wood with stained glass insets.  Stained
glass being one more of Howard's crafts; he is
excellent at it too!

A car made from the tinplates that cover the castle.

Where in the world is Waldo?

A train that runs~but goes nowhere.
The tour guide, on the first tour I took.
Yes, I've been to the castle twice now.
Second time Mrs. Solomon was our guide. 

The Cat in the Hat wooden montage.  A chair made from beer cans, 80 some beer cans!

Metal art - junk metal turned into interesting art.

 Wooden montages ~ so many pieces.  He likes to copy famous artists.  There were many "copies" in the castle that were representations of famous art.  Of course, Howard puts a twist to them, creating a humorous display.

 Our tour guide was very engaging, humorous and detailed in relaying to us the hows and whys of Mr. Solomon's creations.  This elephant was made from barrels, many barrels. The colorful blanket, on the elephant, depict the labels from the barrels.  The tusks are ribs from an animal. The toenails are seashells.  Another favorite of mine. 

Mae West above the stained glass windows.  The windows are not really visible, due to the sun. 

Wooden montages of famous baseball players.  These represent enlarged famous stamps. 

  Self portrait in wood.

Redneck coat of Arms ~ Solomon style.

SCREAM

The seasons in stained glass.

Part of the tour includes the Solomon home.  This is their sunroom. All furnishings being handmade by Howard.  This building and art has been going on for 40 some years.
An accumulation of his life, in his art.

 All of the arts in stained glass.  The stained glass was amazing.  Better definition and color from the inside of the buildings. The windows in the hall are amazing.

The nine planets are the stained glass windows on this side of the castle.  The balcony is off the Solomon's guest bedroom. 

                          The Boat on the Moat Restaurant.  
Excellent lunches were served to us!  The boat was built by Howard, a restaurant being inside of it, run by his daughter, son-in-law and grandkids.  We ate out on the patio, over the bridge from the boat.  Very calming atmosphere.  There is also a gift shop off the patio.

 Even the doors on the sheds and garages were made by him.  
He is now in the process of making life size marionettes.  We met him in his workshop, which is huge and fully equipped.  He was so personable and willing to answer all of our questions. 

Howard Solomon ~ a very creative person. 

As I previously mentioned Howard creates his art from puns of the world. After visiting the Alamo, in Texas, he built this Alashmo next to his workshop.
Not quite the same as the original.  Looking closer, the second time I was there, the Tin Man is in one of the windows.  Across the road from this building is another, where his daughter and family reside.  They call it the Chocolate House.  Sitting on their porch was very relaxing.  Rocking away in the rocking chairs with vines hanging down and butterflies fluttering by.  Someday, they told us, the Chocolate House will be a bed and breakfast.