An introduction made....

in un mondo di fiaba 
(in a world of fairytale)

My husband and I were able to spend a day in Genova, Italy this last month. Walking the character-filled streets we came across Il Vicolo Galleria d'Arte. I spotted a piece (Emanuele's Concerto grosso di Bach) through the window and had to go in.

I realize the image to the left is quite small and therefore certainly doesn't give justice to the piece itself, but it was the closest I could find on the web that reminded me of my recent love at first sight.  Created by the late Emanuele Luzzati I was drawn immediately to the colorful and dream-like state of his work. I was also intrigued by the variety of medium the artist used in one piece.

I do think I need to see the short films he has created as well as the children's books he's illustrated. And I can just imagine the costumes and sets he designed! I'm sure his style was through and through.... He would probably be one of those people I would love to have met....

Unexpected eye-candy

My grandparents were avid birders and I, at a young age, connected birding with the retired and/or the elderly! Oh dear, I now stand corrected!
As I don't consider myself elderly and I certainly haven't retired, I have, over the recent years, found unexpected inspiration in these fine feathered friends outside of my studio and home windows. The layering of feathers and the miniature texture and details throughout their little bodies... are all so inspiring to me. Not to mention they exhibit such personalities!

The picture above is one my husband took on our recent trip to Ecuador. I absolutely love his eye! and find his work (in addition to the subject matter) very inspiring....

So many layers!

My husband and I returned recently from an amazing trip to Ecuador. The first half of our trip was spent in the rain forest near a tributary to the Amazon. It was here especially I marveled at what it is that I'm not able to see, but that is able to see me. Above is a picture I took where this is summed up perfectly. Perhaps you can see him/her? It is slightly to the left of center.....

The magnitude of the layers that where all around me no matter where I looked was so very inspiring. I could have easily sat in one spot for a very long time to just observe all that was in front of me - that in a glance wouldn't have been captured in my gaze (and then maybe not even!) unless it hopped, crawled, leapt or swung.....

Stay tuned. I'm working on organizing my photographs from this trip and am looking forward to sharing more....

I'm feeling the bug....

Up until now I haven't had much of an urge, desire to be inspired by the seed catalogs that have come in mail. Well, that all changed when my co-worker shared the "Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds" catalog with me the other day. What a glorious catalog to behold! and one that has a story that is inspiring in all of it's own..... Oh, what to purchase... Which would be more inspiring? Would it be the Moonshadow Hyacinth Bean or the Gherkin Spiny Burr (gourd shown above)? though perhaps the Delica Thorn (also a gourd (yes, I'm a sucker for those gourds!)) would be..... Hmmmm.... such choices there are! I definitely think the Tassel Flower (aka "Flora's Paintbrush" in Victorian times) would be a nice addition to my summer bouquets... Such a decision will need to be as the greenhouse at the farm is gearing up for the season.... So stay tuned and we'll both see what sprouts    :)

On a side note, I would love to travel and see the 'Seed Bank' in Petaluma, California. What an amazing place it sounds to be!!

Bugs, bugs and more bugs!

I was recently introduced to the artwork of Christopher Marley and am completely taken with his story and that he creates art using bugs.... though actually they are art in and of themselves with all of their shapes, colors, textures and patterns (but I'm guessing he already knows this as this is most likely what has drawn him to do what he does).

Personally, I've always liked bugs (my dad built me a 'bug house' when I was little - it was where I could put all of what I had found inside a miniature world that I had planted and cared for) and I am always excited by the possibilities of coming across some strange and unknown creepy crawly when I travel. I'm always the one looking for and even wanting to touch what I come across (though perhaps not always the safest thing to do as I found out on our recent trip to Costa Rica). Regardless, I am fascinated with them and appreciate the approach Christopher has taken. Check out his link: http://www.formandpheromone.com. "Center of Focus" and "Carnivorous Plants" (both found under 'Artwork') are my favorites....

My first trip to Madison

We went to Madison, WI. this past weekend to see Max, my husband's son, who is a freshman at the University (what a neat campus!). After the football game (Badgers won) on Saturday we met up with good friends of mine from college. We spent the late afternoon with them and their daughter at the Chazen Museum of Art. In and of itself, we found the collection of work throughout the galleries to be wonderful in its variety of imagery and medium. Even more inspiring (to me) were the frames around some of the paintings. I was completely taken with their details, profiles, etc - each one was designed to extend the painting's motif or chosen to compliment. It was perfect timing for me after my conversation with Roger from Master Framers the day before (see previous day's post). I now have some ideas on how to proceed with paintings of my own.... Stay tuned :)