Category: Art

Escape to the Boutique XVA Art Hotel in Dubai

In a city filled with extravagant and luxurious 5+ star hotels, the small, boutique XVA Art hotel in the historic Al Fahidi district of Dubai stands out for its elegant simplicity and unique art decor. The facility hosts a hotel, an art gallery and also a gourmet vegetarian cafe. But most importantly, it’s  a serene refuge in a city that can feel a little too busy at times. A stay at this unique property provides a quiet retreat in an environment that feels both creative and authentic.

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Checking Out Dubai’s Art Scene on a Dubai by Foot Art Tour

Yes – Dubai has an art scene. I should not have been surprised by this. After all, the city itself is a lesson in unique architecture. It is clear that when it comes to buildings at least, form and design are just as important as function. So, I decided to learn more about Dubai’s emerging art scene by taking the Dubai by Foot Art Tour. Continue reading “Checking Out Dubai’s Art Scene on a Dubai by Foot Art Tour”

Finding Street Art in Dubai

Dubai is known for its cutting edge building designs. Lots of steel. Lots of glass. Lots of interesting angles. So you might be surprised to find buildings and walls decorated with murals. Street art in Dubai is alive and well. Continue reading “Finding Street Art in Dubai”

PhotoPOSTcard: A Date With Chihuly in Dubai

It is no secret that I love the work of master glass artist Dale Chihuly. So I will admit that the Palm Atlantis Chihuly sculpture in Dubai was, in part, one of the reasons I wanted to stay there. The combination sculpture-fountain is about 30 ft. tall and is made up of 3000 individually hand blown glass pieces. The sculpture took about two years to complete. It certainly is the show stopping centerpiece to an otherwise stunning hotel lobby.

Thanks for visiting

Rose

Washington DC Monuments – Where are the Women?

Washington DC is well known for its many beautiful monuments and memorials dedicated to the great leaders that helped shape this country. There are architectural wonders designed to honor George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, among others. But what about the women?  With a little bit of effort, and a lot of walking, you can find the Washington DC women’s monuments and statues dedicated to a few of the many ladies that helped shape our nation.

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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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