Category Archives: Art

A look at local, regional, and global art – and of course, the art I create too!

June 29, 2013 · 12:16 am

Shadow Shot: Savannah

I enjoy writing posts about art and I enjoy taking pictures and the Shadow Shot challenge is a way to participate in both. Why then, have I neglected my shadow shots for so long? I hope to make up for lost time with a few shots from Savannah, Georgia.

I visited Savannah last month on the annual trip I take with a few friends. What a gorgeous city–and full of history! We enjoyed wandering through the historic part of town and snapping shots of brick and ironwork.

I’m always happy when I see palm trees–it means winters can’t be that harsh.

The skies were blue and the weather was perfect–mid 80s (mid 30s for all you Celsius folks!).

Is it the shadows or do those cherubs look angry?

We found a lot of tattoo parlors, each with interesting signs. Here’s one of my favorites.

Even misplaced recycling looks nice with the sun shining on it.

We imbibed too, at a second-story bar next to our hotel, The Mansion at Forsythe Park. I’m so glad I didn’t find out until after our visit that the hotel was built on a cemetery and the bar was once a funeral parlor. Yikes!

By day, the hotel doesn’t seem haunted at all. The pool was in a relaxing courtyard surrounded by palm trees.

Savannah is a wonderful city and I’ll add other posts soon too: The fashions, the beach, the Scottish Highland Games–we had a fun and busy weekend and I can’t wait to share more pictures with you.

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Filed under Architecture, Art, Photography, Travel

Tagged as architecture, art, Georgia, photography, Savannah, shadow shot sunday, shadows, style, travel

March 28, 2013 · 12:00 am

Hendrix Hits London at the EMP

I recently paid a visit to Seattle’s Experience Music Project, a music-themed museum housed in a Frank Gehry structure near the Space Needle. One of the current exhibits is called Hear My Train a Comin’ and features clothing, instruments and artifacts that Hendrix and his band owned and used in London in 1967 as they were gaining popularity in the UK.

Hendrix is arguably the best guitarist in history, so I often forget what a style influencer he was too. He also broke color barriers and turned heads wherever he went. He would be 70 years old this year.

In the late ’60s, the London Scene was the place to be and much of youth culture originated there. Mods, rockers, dandies, folkies, and jazz-heads. It seemed London had it all.

Hendrix changed his name from Jimmy to Jimi when he landed in London. He was fortunate enough to find the music scene and jam with musical influencers like The Animals and Cream. After holding auditions, he joined forces with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. The Jimi Hendrix Experience began.

Several of Hendrix’s outfits were on display at EMP. I was wowed with his custom, tailored jackets by Dandie Fashions. Why can’t men dress like this today? Add some color, pattern, and textures into your wardrobes guys!

This jacket was part of a suit, but Hendrix chose to wear the pieces separately. Good move! If you have a suit, the best way to freshen it up is to break it apart.

I never was a fan of destroying musical instruments–although it’s a very rock ‘n’ roll thing to do. But seeing the remains of Jimi’s guitars gave me an appreciation for them as art on their own.

Some of the instruments made it back to the US unscathed.

I liked seeing who influenced Hendrix. Everyone from Ravi Shankar to Johnny Cash, apparently.

The exhibit is still on and I highly recommend it.

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Filed under Art, Events, Fashion, Music

Tagged as Dandie Fashions, EMP, Experience Music Project, fashion, Hendrix, Jimi Hendrix, music, style

March 5, 2013 · 11:51 pm

Visiting the LeMay Car Museum

Cars are an important part of American culture. From songs like Bitchin’ Camero and Little Red Corvette (and that’s just the 80s), cars are front and center in our lives.

That’s why visiting the LeMay Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington was fun for my parents, husband, and myself–There’s something for everyone.

LeMay Museum

Harold LeMay amassed the world’s largest private car collection and captured the evolution of the American car. He had examples from the Ford Model T to Tuckers and Packards.

LeMay collected American cars mostly, but also foreign automobiles…

Fiat

…and even motorcycles.

motorcycles

I never really thought about how car trunks used to literally be trunks strapped to the back of a car.

I’m glad tire technology has evolved. Stamping the words non skid onto the tread isn’t that effective!

The collection is stunning, and so is the building the cars are housed in.

With six ramps and four floors of cars, it took us a while to go through it all.

My mom liked the swingin’ 60s exhibit that tied the cars and clothes of London together.

This Sunbeam exemplifies that era.

My Dad liked the tie-in with the music of his generation.

My husband liked anything fast!

I liked this original Mini Cooper.

The museum houses about 350 cars–only 10% of what LeMay collected (the rest of the collection is still in the family and is in the process of being donated to the museum). In addition to the vehicles, there are interactive displays, a mini RC racetrack, theater, restaurant and gift shop. throughout the year, you’ll find lectures, classes and car shows.

If you’re in the area, I hope you check it out!

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Filed under Art, Events, Fashion, Technology

Tagged as automobiles, cars, LeMay Car Museum, museum, style, Tacoma, technology

February 25, 2013 · 9:43 pm

A Hike, Art, and the Trip to Kailua

Saturday morning we grabbed breakfast at an outdoor café and returned to the hotel to pack our bags. We were leaving Honolulu already. But not before we tackled a one-mile urban hike to Manoa Falls, a beautiful, 100′ tall waterfall about ten minutes north of the city.

I wore Timberland sandals with grippy soles and a sturdy construction, but the 2″ heel brought me a lot of attention. I think I heard the words “look at those shoes” in a few languages. I swear they weren’t impractical for a short hike! If anything, they kept the mud off my feet.

After the hike, Hubby had a terrific surprise in store: Lunch at the Honolulu Museum of Art courtyard café. From our table, I took in the sculptures as I drank Riesling and munched on an apple-walnut salad.

I recognized a small Henry Moore sculpture (middle right, above). They had a Seattle import there too: A ceiling installation by glass artist Dale Chihuly.

We took a quick walk through the open, airy space, which seemed like a blend of Spanish and Asian styles.

Our drive to Kailua was shorter than I expected. The mountain pass led us straight to the beachside town and we settled into our bungalow. We booked through Airbnb and chose this place based on a lot of positive reviews. Beth, our host, introduced us to her dogs, walked us across the street to the beach, and left us to do our thing. I highly recommend her place. It’s decorated so nicely, is completely private, and sleeps 5.

Compared to Friday, today seemed relaxed. We explored the town, relaxed in the bungalow, and found a neat dinner spot at a Korean-Thai restaurant.

We had to get to bed early though. Sunday was a big day: Our trip to Waianae Harbor for a boat tour and snorkeling!

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Tagged as Airbnb, art, fashion, Hawaii, hike, Honolulu, Kailua, Manoa Falls, Museum of Art, style

January 14, 2013 · 10:16 am

Roq La Rue Group Show

A couple of days ago I dropped by Roq La Rue gallery with my friend Suzanne. She’d invited me to a group show called I’ll Love You ’til the End of the World. The gallery showcases pop art, surrealism, and underground contemporary works by a variety of artists. This exhibit focused on the theme of post-apocalypse (or rather post what-if-the-apocalypse-never-happens. Like it didn’t on December 12, 2012). It’s about continuing to live and what that means to the artists involved.

Some works that caught my eye:

Glory by Sarah Dolby

Forever Yours by John Brophy

End of Her World by Laurie Lee Brom

Greg and Steve, On Vacation by Scott Musgrove

There are other great pieces too. Here’s the artist list: Camille Rose Garcia, Chris Berens, John Brophy, Martin Wittfooth, Nicola Verlato, Jean-Pierre Roy, Sarah Dolby, Eric Fortune, Jane Kenoyer, Sail, Laurie Lee Brom, Scott Musgrove, John Brosio, Travis Louie, and Marco Mazzoni.

The exhibit runs through Feb 2, 2013 so hop on over if you’re in the Seattle area.

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Tagged as art, art gallery, art show, paintings, Roq La Rue, style

January 1, 2013 · 10:12 pm

Getting Over Sticker Shock

My dad taught me a neat trick and I am so impressed with it I just have to share.

Have you ever bought something with an annoying price tag that you can’t peel off? Maybe you peel off the top layer and the sticky backing stays behind? It happens to me a lot, and I’m left picking at the remnants or looking for nail polish remover to clean up the mess.

The remedy? A hair dryer!

My parents and I were at the Habitat for Humanity store a few weeks ago and they picked up some neat artwork. The sticker was smack dab on the front of one of the paintings. My dad pointed the dryer at the sticker and slowly peeled it back. It came off clean with not sticky residue left behind.

He says it works on a variety of surfaces: wood, metal, plastic. If the material can handle a bit of heat, give it a try.

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Filed under Art, Decor, DIY, General

Tagged as art, DIY, hair dryer, removing stickers, style

December 15, 2012 · 11:48 am

Shopping in Kirkland with my Mom

My parents visited me from their home in Canada recently. They were here for a workshop: my dad worked while my mom shopped! You might remember the kitchen remodel post I shared last week. Here’s a “during” shot of my dad hard at work.

One afternoon while he was working, my mom and I went to Kirkland, Washington, a small city just east of Seattle. Kirkland has a lot of neat shops, including one of my favorite consignment stores, Ragamoffyn’s.

My mom and I did a bit of window shopping and had an impromptu photo shoot. When a passerby saw us taking turns with a camera, she took our photo as we posed by a neat bunny statue.

A few years ago I took a picture of these two rabbits and painted a picture of them, which I call “Snuggle Bunnies.”

snuggle bunnies

I blogged about my dining room before I moved. Here, you can see the table and chairs in my new place, complete with the painting on the wall. I’m still deciding what color to paint the room.

One of the great things about hanging out with my mom is that I have my own personal photographer (and so does she). My mom runs the blog Fashionable over 50 and captures her stylish moments, shopping trips, and adventures too. It runs in the family!

Jacket: Jones New York
Top: Ross Dress for Less
Pants: Dickies
Boots: MIA
Purse: Crystalyn Kae

It’s a lot more fun to have a friend or loved one snap pictures. Posing with a tripod does the job, but an expert eye for composition goes a long way. I wish we lived closer together. Other than our yearly visits, I use a tripod or solicit the help of my husband–but he can’t always follow me around with a camera!

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Tagged as boots, bunnies, fashion, Kirkland, painting, skinny jeans, style

October 18, 2012 · 10:00 pm

Seattle’s Space Needle Turns 50

My house and the Space Needle are the same age–and both show no signs of slowing down. Middle age suits these two buildings well.

space needle

Mid-Century Modern design was all the rage in 1962. The Space Needle was built for the World Fair. The fair was comprised of structures and exhibits that showcased science, technology, art, fashion, and the world of tomorrow. To celebrate the half century mark, the owners of the Space Needle painted the top galaxy gold, just like it looked during the 1962 World Fair.

After the fair, the Space Needle remained, of course, along with the other buildings. The area is called Seattle Center and is the home of the Pacific Science Center, Experience Music Project (a recent addition), International Fountain, and the brand new Chihuly Garden and Glass, featuring work by local glass artist Dale Chihuly. It’s also where the monorail departs from.

Just peeking at the Seattle Center site, shows an enormous number of events. In addition to walking the grounds and taking in the art and architecture, on any given day, you’re bound to find music events and cultural celebrations.

point of view

When I first came to Seattle I was disappointed that the Space Needle wasn’t taller. The CN Tower in my hometown of Toronto is over twice its height. But after living here since the needle was 38 years old, I realize that size doesn’t matter. The character, the history, and what the needle represents is what’s important.

Even though the Needle isn’t the tallest building in Seattle, it appears that way from Highland Park in Queen Anne. That’s where I took these pictures. From this vantage point, the needle is in the foreground and the city is behind it. Downtown Seattle is almost a mile away from the Seattle Center.

view from Highland Park

If you’re in Seattle, check out the park–it’s just a strip of land, but has fabulous views. Then, head over to the Needle. Instead of paying (and waiting) to go to the observation deck, I recommend going straight up to Sky City, the revolving restaurant at the top of the Needle. You won’t need to pay for an elevator ticket and you can bypass the lines. Once there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and Puget Sound while you eat.

Happy birthday Space Needle!

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Tagged as Seattle, Space Needle, style

September 2, 2012 · 3:52 pm

Visiting Fallingwater

Two years ago, I traveled to Mill Run, PA with my friend Donna to visit Fallingwater, an amazing home by Frank Lloyd Wright, built for the Kaufmann family. The Kaufmanns owned a department store of the same name and liked to spend weekend in the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of Pittsburgh. Frank Lloyd Wright is probably America’s most famous architect. He designed the house and built it in the latter part of the 1930s.

Fallingwater house by Frank Lloyd Wright

I’d always wanted to visit this home. Thankfully it’s a National Historic Landmark and is safe from demolition, unlike a lot of Mid-Century Modern architecture (including other houses by Wright). Who would tear down an amazing piece of history–art you can live in?

edge of house

The multilevel home is long and linear and seems to float over the falls. Inside, it’s exquisite, yet unassuming. The ceilings are low and the rooms are open. Light floods in and it’s hard to tell where the walls stop and nature begins. That was the idea: To bring nature in and enjoy living with the falls.

fallingwater architechture collage

The Kaufmanns were world travellers. They collected art from all over the world and the decor in the house reflects their eclectic style. You might see a modern Picasso painting in one room, a 200-year-old Persian rug in another, and a 15th Century Madonna statue in yet another.

fallingwater art collage

Donna and I drove from my parent’s house in Cambridge, Ontario through Buffalo, NY and on to Pittsburgh. After a fun weekend traipsing though galleries and shopping districts, we made the two-hour drive to Fallingwater. We wandered through the house and grounds on a guided tour, snapping shot after shot of iconic art, furniture, and the architecture that we’d only read about in university. It was an amazing experience.

fallingwater interior collage

The department store is now a Macy’s, and the Kaufmanns are long gone, but their legacy, and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, will live on in the woods in Mill Run, PA. If you ever get a chance to visit, you won’t regret it.

multilevel home

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Tagged as architecture, art, Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright, style, travel

August 11, 2012 · 6:52 am

Shadow Shot: Factory Ruins

I’ve neglected Shadow Shot Sunday almost as much as the owners of this factory neglected their property. And look what happened to that! It fell apart, but in a beautiful, shadowy way.

shadows

woodpile

I like how I didn’t have to do anything to these shots. The light was great and the subject matter was so monochromatic that some of these shots seem sepia-tone.

fallen fence

decaying cardboard

This time last year, my dad was in Jamestown NY for Lucille Ball’s 100th birthday celebration. He captured excellent shadow shots of an abandoned factory. This was my turn. Nothing as cool as what he found though. Just a Seattle warehouse a few weeks before it was razed.

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