Category: Art

The Bushwick Collective – New York’s Other Art Scene

Not all great art is on display in a museum or a gallery. Some of the most fun art to discover is street art painted on walls, fences and garage doors. In New York city, the best examples can be found in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, which has become a fertile ground for artists that prefer to use a spray can on a wall in place of a paint brush on a canvas. Wander the blocks around the intersection of Troutman St. and St. Nicholas Ave. and explore the mural art that makes up the Bushwick Collective. You’ll find that these days, more than just a tree is growing in Brooklyn.

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Experience Kyoto’s Shibori Museum – Keeping an Ancient Artistic Tradition Alive

Kyoto’s Shibori Museum preserves and promotes a disappearing tradition for producing decorative Japanese textiles. On a visit not too long ago, I learned that the Japanese art of shibori fabric dying is to tie dying like Leonardo da Vince’s Mona Lisa is to a paint by number canvas – it’s a whole different world of artistry. I took one of the museum’s shibori dying classes where I learned all about this ancient Japanese technique and also went home with a beautiful handmade souvenir. Continue reading “Experience Kyoto’s Shibori Museum – Keeping an Ancient Artistic Tradition Alive”

Why You Should Visit the Tokyo International Quilt Festival Even if You Don’t Quilt

It is the largest quilt show in the world. Visit the Tokyo International Quilt Festival at the end of January to see the masterpieces of Japan’s best textile artists on display.

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“It’s the Great Pumpkin Carve, Charlie Brown”

The Great Pumpkin Carve is THE anticipated event of the fall season in the Brandywine Valley of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Set aside any preconceived notion you may have of jack-o-lanterns with triangle eyes and a saw tooth smile.  The 400 pound vegetable specimens serve as a canvas for artists, sculptors, and anyone up for the challenge of creating an artistic pumpkin masterpiece.

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Finding Unexpected Art and History in Fraser, Colorado

I like finding interesting art as I travel. Imagine my surprise upon finding a small sculpture and history park behind the Holiday Inn Express where we were passing through in Fraser, Colorado. 

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East Coast Meets West Coast – A Dale Chihuly Exhibit at New York’s Botanical Gardens

If you live within driving distance of New York city or are planning a trip before the end of October, I recommend a visit to the New York Botanical Gardens to see the current exhibit by master glass artist Dale Chihuly in this beautiful garden setting. Continue reading “East Coast Meets West Coast – A Dale Chihuly Exhibit at New York’s Botanical Gardens”

On the Trail of Dale Chihuly – a Day in Tacoma, Washington

This story won Finalist-  Destination Travel, Online Publication category in the 2017 North America Travel Journalists Association competition.

 

Most visitors to Seattle, Washington who want to see works by master glass artist Dale Chihuly would most likely visit the Chihuly Gardens at the base of the Space Needle.  But just 30 minutes to the south in Tacoma, Washington, you can also see a diverse series of his permanent art glass installations set in a variety of very distinct environments. Continue reading “On the Trail of Dale Chihuly – a Day in Tacoma, Washington”

Impressions of Monet – A Day in Giverny

If like me, you like impressionist paintings and gardens, then a day trip to Claude Monet’s home in Giverny is a must. Giverny is about 50 miles north west of Paris and can easily be reached by train for a relaxing break from the busy Paris scene. Continue reading “Impressions of Monet – A Day in Giverny”

Photo Essay: The Louvre as Art

The photos in this post won Finalist – Photography: Overall Excellence, Online Publication category in the 2017 North America Travel Journalists Association competition.

 

The Louvre museum in Paris is renowned for its world class collection of art. While I enjoy visiting it and viewing the masterpieces inside, the building is also a piece of art in itself. I can’t resist photographing it whenever I have the chance to visit. I am sharing some of my favorite photos of this oft photographed icon. Continue reading “Photo Essay: The Louvre as Art”

Photo POSTCard : More BIG art – a Toth Sculpture in Paducah

Exploring the Arts in Paducah , KY – A UNESCO Creativity City – Part 2

Using only a hammer and chisel, artist Peter “Wolf” Toth turned a 56,000 pound red oak log into a 35 foot sculpture honoring the Chickasaw Indians who lived and hunted in the Paducah, KY region.

Toth sculpture in Paducah

The sculpture is titled “Wacinton (pronounced wat-cheen-too) and means “to have understanding”.  This sculpture is one of over 70 such statues that make up the ‘Trail of Whispering Giants”.  Toth started the project in 1972 with the goal to donate a giant wooden sculpture of a Native American to each state in the union, which he achieved in 1988.  He continues to created more statues as well as repairing the older ones.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose