Even though it’s not nearby and has hills, Fort Tryon Park holds the title of my favorite Manhattan park. Why? First, it is a ten-minute drive and has loads of free parking. Second, I’ve never seen it crowded, a rarity in the city. Third, and perhaps most germane to my visit there yesterday, it has an easily accessible flower garden. … Read More
Street Art Bushwick, Brooklyn
The last time I visited Bushwick to explore street art was during one of the worst parts of the pandemic. Streets were devoid of people but filled with fabulous art. This time, people swarmed the neighborhood. And, because marijuana is now legal, pot shops were everywhere, including a slew of pop-up shops and mobile weed trucks. Several tour groups passed … Read More
Whirligigs
Even if you think you’ve seen whirligigs, you’ve never seen anything like the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson, North Carolina. I’m visiting my cousin in Raleigh, and we took a drive because she knew I’d love the park. Anything hinting of the unusual is attractive to me. This place blew me away, literally—the wind was fierce—and figuratively. I’d seen … Read More
North Carolina Museum of Art – Raleigh
Today my cousin and I went to see an exhibit at the NC Museum of Art: To Take Shape and Meaning – Form and Design in Contemporary American Indian Art. I’m fond of both traditional and contemporary Native American art and have seen a lot of it over the years. This was a small but well-curated exhibition. While we were … Read More
Recycling
A growing trend is using recycled materials to create art. Think of the quilts created in Gee’s Bend with old clothes and fabric scraps. Scrap metal is a favorite of many artists, as are abandoned plastics and construction materials. Cassette tapes, CDs, old tires, books and much, much more are also used to create beautiful art and make a statement. … Read More
Seattle—Day 1
I’m in Seattle visiting a client, @Pacific Northwest Ballet. Last night, as their guest, I attended one of the best evenings of dance I’ve ever experienced. There were three pieces choreographed by women—Twyla Tharp, Jessica Lang, and Crystal Pite. While they were each different, they complemented each other perfectly and together made a powerful impression. In McCaw Hall, a venue … Read More
Seattle Day 2
The day began watching a professional class at Pacific Northwest Ballet . While I’ve viewed many classes, the dancers never fail to impress me with their flexibility, grace, and athleticism. Seemingly effortlessly, they get into positions I wouldn’t have been able to manage, even at age 5. Usually, Seattle is gray, misty, and overcast. But yesterday the weather was perfect—blue, … Read More
Seattle – Day 3
I was glad to have gone to the top of the Space Needle yesterday because today started cloudy and never cleared. It seemed a good day to do two of my favorite things in Seattle—go to art galleries and to the Pike Place markets to see the flowers. Pioneer Square has one of my favorite galleries – The Glass House. … Read More
Seattle – Day 4
The prediction was for a gray, chilly day. Fortunately, the forecasters got it wrong. Today has been sunny, though a bit cool. I’ve truly lucked out weatherwise, something to be grateful for in Seattle. I met an old colleague and friend Charlie, and his wife MJ, for breakfast. We hadn’t spent time together since pre-pandemic, so we had a lot … Read More
Super Bloom Road Trip — Day 1
Yesterday I flew south from Seattle to Ontario (just outside of Los Angeles). My friend Jeanne picked me up for a week’s adventure on the Pacific coast. She’s got a truck camper that gives us the freedom to meander and stay overnight in nature. Plus no packing and unpacking. We drove about 90 minutes to Castiac (still in LA county). … Read More