Category Archives: Art

21st Century Victory Gardens

Although not being quite old enough to have actually experienced the phenomenon of the victory gardens in WWI or WWII, the concept came to mind with regard to the current pandemic.  During war time, Americans were called on to grow food in whatever space they had.  To quote an article in the New York Times:  ‘that idea resonates as trips to the grocery store become fraught with fears of coronavirus exposure…’

Unknowingly, I had a victory garden of sorts underway….using kitchen scraps.  Weeks ago a sprouted Bermuda onion from my kitchen was the first contribution.  Next, potatoes that had begun to sprout were added,

along with some garlic cloves,

then a beet.

Finding that some loose peas had sprouted in the crisper, I dug a shallow trench for them.

 

I’ve recently done the same with tomato seeds.

Watching, what would have otherwise gone to compost, take root and sprout new life, is satisfying in its own right.  Being engaged in a productive activity which may yield food to be shared helps give purpose to these days of isolation.

Please share what is helping to give meaning and purpose to your life as we weather these days together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Positive Contagion

In our world today ‘contagion’ is on every mind.  As we take steps to slow the spread, to flatten the curve, as they say, we can also create an atmosphere of positive contagion.  Walking in my new neighborhood yesterday, as the sun shone briefly in the late afternoon following rain, I was surprised by a new feeling of community.  Children out on their bikes with parents jogging alongside, couples walking dogs, and babies in strollers, lone walkers and runners.  As I passed, a smile, a nod, a word of greeting – a sense that we are in this together.  We’ve always been in this life together, whether acknowledged or not; now we have a common thread running through the fabric of our lives.

My job involves bringing beauty and order into the lives of others.  I like it to be a collaboration – my clients ideas and sensibilities, filtered through my eye, executed to our mutual satisfaction.  So many different ways exist to share beauty….a picture, a story, a thought, a word of endearment or encouragement….the list really is endless.  In the digital age in which we live, we can be contagious in a positive way, without risking the negative.

Logging in this morning, I see that I have not posted on this blog since 2017.  Many events    conspired to rob me of the joy I once had.  In 2020, in the mist of pandemic, I’m taking a fresh look at life through a very different lens and finding it more beautiful than ever.

As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Several weeks ago my five year old granddaughter took what we had accumulated from a bit of garden clean-up and fashioned  a still-life on the flagstone….beauty in my eyes and hers….possibly in yours as well.

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I hope to continue to share that which is beautiful in my world, to reconnect with past loyal followers and make new friends.  Please respond; let me know what your world looks like today  – spread the beauty!  Be well!

Susan

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Filed under Art, Exteriors, Family history, Garden, Inspiration, Nature, Welcome

Day in LA…part 3

One thousand heavenly voices

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singing Dona Nobis Pacem

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in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels

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John Nava’s tapestries line the walls

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my cousin Katherine Rose standing in as Jacinta

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JOY!!!

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Day in LA…part 2

Blocks from Terroni to our destination venue filled with amazing sights:

the Broad Art Museum

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Mural at MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Artimg_3591

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Walt Disney Concert Hall

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Ramon C Cortines School of Visual and Performing Artsimg_3609

grounded by the 101 freeway in the foreground – 21st Century reality!!!

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Eggplant

TABLE DECOR

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WATER COLOR SUBJECT

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DINNER

 …though not vegan or vegetarian; I’m inspired, nonetheless,  by ‘Love and Lemons’ – pure food, clean, minimalist photos…

eggplant sliced and salted

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let rest while making:

basil, arugula, walnut pesto

toast the walnuts,

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pulse together walnuts and one clove garlic,

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add two large handfuls fresh basil,

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one large handful arugula,

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juice of 1/2 lemon,  sea salt, freshly ground pepper, pulse again; add 1/4 olive oil, pulse to desired consistency.

Drizzle eggplant slices and tomatoes with olive oil, grill over medium-high heat, sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper,

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toast bread slices drizzled with olive oil,

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spread bread with pesto, add eggplant, tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, top with additional pesto.

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The eggplant:  attractive, useful, and delicious!!!!!!!!!!

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Postcard from a five year old mind…

a boy and his dog

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assemblage and photography by Curren Ivor – with encouragement from Nona

 

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Filed under Art, Family history, Postcards

An artichoke observed

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 a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!!!

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A gift of opportunity…

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March 7, 2016 · 7:55 am

A touch of Asian

Many years ago a design-savvy friend remarked:  a bit of Asian enhances any design genre.   Not only have I found this to be true…I have, over the years, become increasingly drawn to Asian art.

Artist:  Hokusai  1760 – 1849

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woodblock illustration:

The Hanging Lantern of Kaya Temple

From:  “Views Along the Banks of the Sumida River”

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detail of fan-shaped woodblock print

Flock of Chickens

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woodblock print

Poppies

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Detail of woodblock illustration:

Shower on the Shin-Yanagi Bridge

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woodblock print

Fuji on  a Clear Day with a Southerly Breeze

from  “Thirty-Six Views of Fuji”

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Enough inspiration to drive a design project in any genre..!

 

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Homepieces signature neutrals

Are you getting a sense of the place???

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Really quite small, filled with pieces having lived life alongside their owners, now waiting to bring new life to another space.

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Focused, carefully curated, each piece an individual treasure.

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Always such a joy to visit Miss Vicki – to see beauty through her eyes.

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I’ll be back in August for another family event in Crossroads!!!

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