Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Vacationing Could be a Walk Away.


 Been ages since I've posted on this blog, life has been entirely too busy.  A little kick start from a mini type of travel.  Over The Labor Day Weekend we attended the annual UA Arts Festival.  Spotted this unusual flower that requires no watering, no fertilizers, and no weeding!  AND it's made of re-cycled stuff.  Click to enlarge and take a look.  I love how at a time when things are turning drab in the yard with flowers gone I can still have a flower blooming.
Last year, at the same Arts Festrival I added the little bird sitting on a robin blue egg, and the year before that....my Martini Drinking Toad.  These are positioned such that I can see them well from my kitchen window over the sink so I get lots of enjoyment from them.  One lone yellow Stella De Ora trying to photo bomb my yard trash...lol

There are many different types of travels, some are close at hand, right in your own neighborhood.  Look up your cities calendar of events and take in these little mini vacations.  This art festival is within walking distance to our house, so we got exercise (anyone else a fitbit junky like me?), saw neighbors, supported our local arts department and brighten up our garden.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Newspaper Man in Malaga Spain


Malaga Spain.  Hubby, our friend Jane and I were strolling about Olde Town Malaga, the historic area.  We spotted this fun Newspaper Man.  I don't know how people do this, get themselves to be perfectly in character and then not move!  I saw 2 such human art forms during our visit to Spain.  This one patted the seat for me to sit down, then held my hand as we read the paper.

We flew from Chicago to Madrid to Malaga airport which is about 45 minutes or less to Mariott's Marbella Beach Resort, where we stayed.  If you missed yesterday's post, scroll back to see the resort.  A few days later our friend Jane flew into Malaga from Paris.  Once we picked her up, we headed to Olde Town for food and possible visit to The Picasso Museum.  We never made it to the museum, as we continued to stroll and explore.

Blogging a-z in May, my focus is Spain Click the drop down box to leave your name and url of your blog post, not profile page.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Quilts, more then a Blanket

(Q post)
This awesome looking quilt tells quite a story of the history of Breckenridge in Summit Co, Colorado.  Though now days the first thing someone probably thinks of is skiing, there is much to it's history.  The quilt shows panning for gold, historic buildings, and churches, the stage coach period, the importance of the railroad, farming, ranching, it's forest and mountainous terrain, and dredge mining.
It is a town to enjoy every outdoor activity you can think of; but don't let that fool you..it's filled with art museum and galleries and shows a real appreciation of the softer side of things.
These are just a few of many art pieces about the town

I have skiied there when I was much younger, I've camped and hiked there  when I was younger, but more recently I enjoy the art and history and beauty of the area.

Pop in Often, remember Menu Mondays for dining tips, Traveling Tips on Thursday, and any day for vacation destinations.
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Monday, October 1, 2012

Park City Utah during Art Festival Time

Meet Bonny and her husband
Aren't they they an adorable couple!  They were such fun and so very talented.  I meant them in Park City this past July at the street fair/Art Festival.  This is the 2nd year we've been lucky enough to be in Park City, Utah when an awesome art fest was going on.  Look how well Bonny's glass beaded necklace picks up the fabric in the inside of her hat.

 This is the bracelet I purchased from them.  I love it and wear it all the time.  They've even made the claps an artistic piece, knowing bracelets spin around and well...why shouldn't it be gorgeous too.  Bonny and her husband (am sorry, I don't know his first name), adjusted pieces right there to make sure everyone was 200% happy with the item they purchased and that it fit properly.  These are made from hand blown glass.  Notice the picture to right of Bonny's husband's head...that picture is some of the glass used in their creations.

The photo of her business card doesn't quite do it justice, it's quite artistic too.  Why buy something you'll see hundreds of from a department store when you can purchase first hand right from the artists themselves!  Wearing art is special, each time you were a piece you remember the artist, the conversation, the day of fun you had....much more of an "experience" then purchasing from a large non-personal department store.  And no better way to purchase a quality souvenir that you'll treasure for ever.  Click on Bonny's name above to view her webpage and see other awesome pieces she's created.  She's located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Arts Fests, street fairs have something for everyone...the young kids were having a good time here inside the blow up castle.

This photo gives you a feel for the number of booths, the volume of people and the popularity of this event in Park City.  There's something, almost every Sunday afternoon during the summer months.  Yes in the beginning Park City was a booming mining town, then turned into a winter mecca for skiers; but....summer has just as much, if not more to offer.  Plenty to do, and see.  This is main street.  Can you imagine main street being totally blocked off in your home town?  Here in Park City, people don't view it as an interruption in daily life; it's an event looked forward to by locals and travelers alike.

Now, I'm not really a fan of yarn bombing.  I often think how many people might be clothed and kept warm by the hours of knitting and crocheting something like this represents...but, this was actually a useable piece of art, unlike a tree or street sign that gets yarn bombed.  What a hoot.   Some of you may know, I knit and I crochet.  Almost everything I make is donated to Bridge and Beyond, to aid the homeless and others in need; thus my previous comment.


People always have to eat, and enjoy refreshments at street fairs/art festivals.  This is a unique hand made corn on the cob roaster.  He loaded it up, husk and all and the corn rotates inside the trailer.  It was very cool, and quite popular.  People were lining up for his corn.

**Bear with me please folks, some things here on the blog are moved, and or gone.  You've no doubt noticed it's a new template.  Apparently many of the graphics from my previous blog template were no longer being stored and therefore 403 error was stamped all over the blog.  This is still a work in progress, as I learn how to operate the blog with bloggers new (that I don't like improvements/system...much like the ones facebook mandated aren't improvements and not well received).  The search doesn't seem to work well, and the bottom of the blog is a mess.  Working my way through it, plus...I might find another template I like better or that works better.**



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Sunday, September 9, 2012

Labor Day and Art

I don't know if this is Toad or Frog? I don't know if one is a more correct term. I do know. I love this little dude with his Dirty Martini! Hubby and I saw him last year while touring our local Labor Neighbor Day and for some reason didn't buy him. All year we thought about it, and were glad to find him again this year. This is rather large Art Festival held annually at Northram Park. There's something for everyone. Sculptures for indoors and out, glasswares, hand blown glass, lots of jewelry, paintings, photo's and more. The favorite item every year are the handmade brooms. Though, I'm clueless why they're so popular. They're made by the same Amish Man, and every year he runs out of them earlier in the day then the year before. I don't know anyone who uses a broom vs a swifter and or vaccum...so I'm afraid it's popularity is lost on me.

A family affair. Lots of kids hands on activities from making their own drums, to face painting, to weaving, to painting a public art peace and more.

Naturally there are food options. It's always a good time, mingling with friends and neighbors; not sure we've ever been there without running into someone we know. If you're anywhere near Central Ohio, you really need to put this on your list of things to do.

Typically it's hot, though this year was a bit overcast.

I think Frog/Toad needs a name...don't you? For now he's on the upper deck where we often have our cocktails/Martini's before dinner. At some point, I might let him decorate a flower bed. Only time will tell.

Suggestions of names? Sing out. I love supporting artists vs buying something at anywhere USA Mall.


Sunday, September 11, 2011

Include Art Festivals in your Travels

Got a shovel, a rusted rake and screw drivers you don't know what to do with? Fred Jacobs of Lima Ohio (41-222-3659) uses his creative mojo to make something fun, interesting and useable. This is re-purposed, re-cycled, clever and a favorite item I recently saw at Upper Arlington Labor Neighbor Day and Arts Festival. I got his business card and had his permission to photograph his work. Assumed his business card would have his webpage url, sorry to say it doesn't. The Card reads Visions and Memories Fred Jacobs. I wasn't able to find him listed when I googled his name or Visions and Memories. There were lots of metal sculptures present at The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival. We traveled...lol, walking distance from the house for this event; but I do highly recommend it, and all arts festivals in your travels. We've been luck in our travels to hit one in Park City a few months ago, one in Breckenridge last summer and others. Check with your hotel desk staff to see what's in your area while you vacation. Support local artists. 99% of you will purchase souvenirs of your trips, why not make it art from a local artist while you're at it.
I considered buying this little guy (not the same artist). I didn't see business cards for this artist to share with you. Many of the metal scuptures were large and would be awesome in a beautiful garden, this one I thought might be cute sitting on my deck....and I love a good martini. Perhaps we'll come across this little frog another time in another arts festival. Cat lower right right is pretty cute too.
Hey Gator fans......think you need this one for your front yard. lol This is the same artist as the frog.
Pinon Designs. This Red Creek Agate looks great around my neck. I like interesting, and unique jewelry pieces. This is the 2nd necklace I've purchased this summer at art festivals. Leslie Heath and Christian Wig are the artists listed. Though no website is listed there is an email ccwig@bright.net.
This year the festival was held on September 5th from 10 am to 5 pm. It is always a free event with something for everyone. Often it's hot and dusty, this year it was cool and overcast; but that didn't stop the festival goers. It threaten rain all day; but luckily we all stayed dry.
Plenty of space to move around, to enjoy the art, to sit down and enjoy a snack or just rest your feet a bit. There were children's activities scattered about. Hands on art activities for the kids, face painting, bike races in the morning, a pet show and a family Wiffle Ball Tournament.
Neighbors catch up and celebrate the end of summer, the beginning of fall.
You can tell I was into the metal art this year, look at this Bumble Bee...........how cute he'd look in a nice large garden area. This years event had 350 applicants with 200 fine art, fine craft artists being selected to participate in this one day blind juried event. Mark your calendars for next and add this to your Labor Day list of things to do.
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Friday, May 14, 2010

First Flight and Flat Stanley

First Flight StatueWish this picture had turned out better of Mother swinging a child in great delight with hair blowing in the wind. Art can be fun, can be series, can be controversial; but who doesn't enjoy looking at a statue? Don't we all love to pose by statues. See Flat Stanley is no different. This statue, titled "First Flight" in Worthington, Ohio on High Street in the NW quadrant of The Village Green is in front of The Senior Center. It's the only publicly owned piece of art in Worthington. It was purchased in 1998.

The sculpture is Alfred Tibor, a man with a fascinating story. He was born in Feb of 1920 in Hungary with the name Alfred Goldstein. Being Jewish was beyond difficult in those days. He was a very talented gymnast. He was self taught because of being Jewish he wasn't allowed training. But through hard work and dedication, on his part he qualified for The Hungarian Olympic Team. Though he qualified, he was not permitted to attend and compete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, simply because he was Jewish. They wouldn't let him register.

In 1940 he was a slave laborer for The Hungarian Army, and was captured by The Soviets and held prisoner for 6 long years in a Siberian Prison Camp. There were 273 men at this camp. Alfred Tibor was one of only 2 men to live through that ordeal, all others, all 271 died. He survived The Holocaust, though most his family didn't. Of the 82 members in his family, only he and his brother Andre lived.

Once freed he changed his name to Tibor after his older brother who'd been executed. He lived in Budapest for 9 years where he worked as the exhibition designer for the Government. He fled the country with his family 2 years after The Hungarian Revolution and made his way to Miami, Florida here in The United States. Sixteen years later he moved to Ohio and has produced many meaningful and beautiful pieces of art. His art can be seen in many outdoor locations around Ohio and The World.

In 2005, he was in the news, but not because of his art. He was injured and hospitalized when a Deer burst through his living room window and attacked him. He's truly a fascinating man and has been honored repeatedly for his wondrous works of art.


close up First FlightHere you can see his signature at the foot of the Statue (on the right), as well as The Statues Title.

Take the kids, walk, ride bikes, stop the car and explore what's around you. Take pictures of the kids individually in front of statues, even the young ones will enjoy it. This topic- in it's detail may not be age appropriate for all; but certainly parts of it are. A wonderful opportunity to discuss religious freedoms. What activity do the kids enjoy, ask them how fair it would be for them not to be able to do it; because they're Catholic, or because they have blue eyes, or red hair?

Have an art activity after you've been to a statue. Does your computer photo software have an option to make coloring book pages? Many do, you take your photo's and with a click can turn them into pages for the kids to color. How cool would that be, with them in the picture? Grab clay or play dough and have the kids make their own statue. As in all previous posts, there's always the math that can be done with dates and ages, places to find on the map, calculate distances, find pictures of flags to color. Make a word puzzle, or look up words in the dictionary.

Active learning is fun and so much more rewarding then too many hours in front of the TV.

Until next time, Friday May 21st Flat Stanley out.

Flat Stanley's Previous Adventures:
First adventure, books and libraries
Second Adventure, Hero or Traitor
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