most of our moisture came in the form of rain and some heavy water ladden snow
we're used to it...the little grape hyacinth and most tulips and even the flowering trees came through in good shape
making little altars in the studio...hunting and gathering
grateful for some quiet time and space
grateful for the water we received and not the forecast big dump of snow
Lovely weekend...Pete graduates, Tess did an amazing job of organizing families and friends that gathered...
the big blue bear looking into the huge crowd
Lunch with a view from the other side of the big blue bear
Greg and I wandered around Denver until the graduation party later in the evening
The Art hotel and bar...lots of interesting art and views of the gently falling snow and downtown lights...
and speaking of lights...the last night of Hannukah
sending love and light via Krista Tippett's On Being
Beautiful venue, the Denver Botanic Gardens never fails to offer up interesting artwork amongst the ever-changing landscape. Deborah Butterfield and her Nature of Horses, perfectly set in the gardens
a quiet walk about in anticipation of...
a late summer picnic, gathered to hear the Adios Tour of the Buena Vista Social Club
a magical evening...some of the original performers,
Omara Portuondo, such a sassy performer...really got the crowd dancing! No better place to see them...except perhaps
in Havana!
ENJOY
Paula's photo of the original stone bridge
My book group read the eco/memoir A Bushel's Worth by a local author Kayann Short last month and we were very lucky to arrange a trip to visit Stonebridge Farm. Kayann graciously led us on a tour of her lovely little farm and explained the workings of this, one of the country's first CSA's...community supported agriculture, where with their 90 shares they feed about 300 people.
Walking her farm through the meadows and beds of numerous vegetables, flowers and bees...descriptions of the constant struggle with weather and water...and bears, brings into focus the difference of scale between a farm and garden...
our lovely garden, that we adore and that feeds 10 people, that takes about all we have to keep up with...but feeds us none the less for a season,
compared to the reality's of a farm. I enjoyed hearing how she and her husband make this possible by engaging the help of farm bartering and CSA shares...a community working together to feed themselves.
the garlic and scallions harvested in June and drying...a bounty's worth
and my share of our little garlic harvest...yes so very proud of this
milkweed pods, so lovely to see
Thank you Kayann for this visit and all that you do to keep this way of life and good food alive.
We spent a weekend in Santa Fe...soaking in all the amazing artwork as well as the International Folk Art Market. 750 artists from over 88 countries...so overwhelming but in a fabulous way.
The museum hill where this takes place makes sure every detail is perfect, each walkway and booth with a different hanging sculptural theme, fantastical against the New Mexico sky.
The artist take home 90% of the sales of their artwork. There are so many stories of how this event impacts the lives of artist all over the world. One small women's collective of stitching artists from India made enough this weekend to supply food for their entire community for the coming year.
This Guatemalan hooked rug came home with me... and the delightful woman who is part of the cooperative that makes them.
and then there is all the art on the plaza and along Canyon Road
throw in great food, yummy drinks, Flamenco...
pretty happy we live a reasonable drive away...
sharing a most beautiful poem, 'Zacuanpapalotls' by Brenda Cardenas
We are space between-
the black-orange blur
of a million Monarchs
on their two-generational migration
south to fir-crowned Michoacan
where tree trunks will sprout feathers,
a forest of paper-thin wings.
Our Mexica cocooned
in the membranes de la Madre Tierra
say we are reborn zacuanpapalotls,
mariposas negras y anaranjadas
in whose sweep the dead whisper.
We are between-
the flicker of a chameleon's tail
that turns his desert-blue backbone
to jade or pink sand,
the snake-skinned fraternal twins
of solstice and equinox
The ashen dawn, silvering dusk,
la oracion as it leaves the lips,
the tug from sleep,
the glide into dreams
that husk out mestizo memory.
We are-
one life passing through the prism
of all others, gathering color and song,
cempazuchil and drum
to leave a rhythm scattered on the wind,
dust tinting the tips of fingers
as we slip into our new light.
a weekend of creative inspiration brought me to the blog today...a gathering with women artists to discuss the coming year, a trip to a new Museum, an old neighborhood...a bit of time in the studio and such unseasonably incredible weather I took off on my bike and simply ran out of time for the rest of the trips on my list...saving some for next time
Helikon, a gallery and studio space in RINO, it's hip and smart and filled with inspiration...also offers life drawing sessions each Saturday
the Museum of Outdoor Art, some interesting outdoor pieces but not displayed all that well...
the indoor exhibit however...wonderfully thought provoking and interesting work by the Colorado Springs Artist Scott Johnson.
his exhibit entitled Mute Earth, speaking to the nature of earth and dirt and other elemental matter...these pieces, books that were covered with slip and fired, turning into a delicate sculpture of line and form, seeming to be slipping away before our eyes.
salt encrusted garment, fired to this solitary looking creature of the earth...
a little time spent on this new piece...monarch dialogues, more layers to add to this conversation between life and spirit...movement between the planes of life and death
I wanted to get to the Loveland Museum to see xylem: innovation in botanic art...didn't quite make it, next weekend
A pretty perfect way to spend the day...art and inspiration, in many forms. Chihuly at the Denver Botanic Gardens...my 2nd visit, this time in the late afternoon, the light amazing and the flowers in bloom matching and contrasting the installations beautifully.
exotics to natural local grasses, such a quiet and relaxing place in the middle of the city
the Denver Art Museum, we enjoyed a few of wonderful exhibits, Daniel Sprick's photo realistic portraits that go beyond just an exact representation...some pieces of the work dissolving into loose abstraction.
Beyon Pop Art, a Tom Wesselmann retrospective. I really enjoyed seeing his work over the years, early collages to laser cut steel and cut paper works.
Also a beautiful collection of Japanese wood block prints
and RINO, one of Denver's best art areas...urban and fresh and vibrant. We visited Ironton, studios and a gallery space that I am applying to install Las Monarcas, a gentle push to send the migration southward...cross your collective fingers for me please
a very good way to slip into August...
you gather your friends to use these empty walls as canvases...until they come down...
Gamma Acosta and friends are doing just that, come see it quickly though because it's all going to be gone and since it's private property we won't be able to wander this wasteland...
new fire hydrants ready to install...it's all pretty surreal
the texture, pattern and color of the neglected roadways looking pretty interesting too...
Finding much to enjoy in the decay, loving this palette of yellows and gray
guerilla art at it's best...
Here I am.
Recent Comments