Q: What is the symbolism of the painting on the back of the Fairfield Inn & Suites at 54 Peachtree St. in downtown Atlanta? We have been trying for years to figure out the meaning.
— Ronnie Spicer, Atlanta
A: Spanish artist Sam3 painted the mural of a person kneeling in a prayerful position, with its head tilted back and hands pressed together, on the side of the Fairfield Inn & Suites as part of Atlanta's Elevate/Art Above Underground program in 2011. Sam3, whose paintings and murals can be seen on buildings throughout Europe and other countries, such as Argentina and the U.S., told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an email later that year: "I didn't paint a 15-story wall to (explain it) in a few words. Sorry, it has no title. If it can help, I can remember an old Chinese proverb: 'We do not see things as they are, but as we are.' "
Q: What happened to Mike Francis, the weatherman on WXIA?
— Peggy Robinson, Johns Creek
A: Francis left 11 Alive in late January, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. He had been the chief meteorologist at 11 Alive since the summer of 2011. Francis has started a blog called "The Weather Geek Nation" at wxgeeknation.wordpress.com and is active on both Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheChiefMikeFrancis) and Twitter (@MikeFrancisWX), where he posts forecasts and comments on the weather. Francis' attorney, Rick Carr, told the AJC in late January that Francis is looking for employment and would like to stay in Atlanta. An attempt to reach Francis was unsuccessful.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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