visit 43 art galleries

Today was Museum Day in Sacramento, so we took advantage of the free admission and went to the Crocker. Though most of us were fighting various maladies, it was a great time! We definitely need to go back when we are feeling well, and though I am super-glad granddaughter Kaiya went, I would like an adults-only trip sometime, too.

Both the original building and the new are amazing architecturally, as was the eclectic collection of artwork.

Being there on Museum Day was also awesome because of some special extras – Kaiya spent some time sketching a live model in Victorian garb in the old building, and as we arrived we were able to see the actual Rosa Parks bus!!! I wish I’d known it wasn’t going to be there anymore when we left; I’d have gotten on, or at least touched that piece of history.

Next time I’m hitting the gift shop before I leave, too. :)

in Sturgeon Bay – though smallish, I loved this studio. Sadly, we were there on Sunday on our way home, so nobody was doing any glass blowing (though we did see the ever-burning ovens and work space).

Along with the usual vases and gorgeous pendant lights, there were some truly unique pieces too – my favorite of which was a series of fruit castings. This picture from their website does not do them justice!

Though this was more run-of-the-mill, and more of a “shop”, I did especially enjoy some of the garden art by local artists at the Blue Dolphin, and it was a lovely wooded setting.

This gallery was by far the best one we visited in our little Door County trip. The building itself is even a work of art, and I loved the work of almost every featured artist there, and was impressed by the variety of different media they have.

This shot is of Hubby in front of one of our favorite artists – Ed Lazzeroni, who paints on copper and also uses heat and brushing techniques to great effect.

There were also these awesome lamps (don’t remember the artist) fashioned from a base of large local river rocks, copper tubing wound around wood for the stem, and handmade botanical paper lampshades topped with a small stone finial. And various handcrafted furniture pieces. Joyful and unique glass pieces by Elodie Holmes. Textile pieces by Martha Fieber which you have to see in person to appreciate. Great metal sculptures and paintings, too. And handcrafted jewelry – Hubby bought me some earrings. :)

Loved this place, and would definitely return!

get credit for my pseudo trip to an art gallery tonight, I almost feel like I should – our Netflix movie took place in an art museum. It’s called The Maiden Heist, and though I’d never heard of it before, we all thoroughly enjoyed it! All-star cast, including Christopher Walken, Morgan Freeman, William H. Macy, and Marcia Gay Harden.

Surprisingly, it appears the artwork featured was created for the movie. Loved it!

I absolutely loved this place! Though I’m not a huge fan of modern architecture, this building is awesome, and I consider the building itself to be a work of art in itself. Its setting overlooking Lake Michigan is a part of what makes it work, and the fountains on the other side are also nice. There was a wedding party assembled along the long, narrow bank of fountains as I was leaving.

To be surrounded by beautiful things is soooo good for the soul, and when life isn’t completely peachy, it really makes a person aware of that fact.

There were so many things that caught my interest there, from a collection of unique clocks to American Modernist paintings, from the stunning giant Chihuly just off the main lobby to the ebony/ivory/mahogony backgamon set and other antique games, from the extraordinarily well-designed furniture and other functional art to the impressionist collection. Sculptures. Pop Art. Unusual glass pieces. You name it, they’ve got it – and all in a relatively small museum.

I found myself noting technique of the impressionist artists especially, and also what makes for good composition, since I’ve started doing a little painting myself.

Not to mention a gift shop that could break the bank. :) Yes, I did buy some gifts.

I am so grateful they were open on a holiday; I spent 3 hours there. This was definitely worth the trip downtown!

I absolutely LOVED this gallery! You find yourself transported to an entirely different culture and appreciating not only the beauty there, but comparing the similarities and differences of the people, the surroundings, the culture.

Since I have so little opportunity to visit actual art “museums”, I’m broadening this to include galleries like the Lisa Kristine, which are offering works for sale.

OK, this was definitely not my thing. I truly hated almost every piece in the tiny place. I’ve never experienced such a thoroughly negative reaction to any art museum before …

I’ve always wanted to visit this one; my 2 youngest daughters have been and loved it. And so did I! Not only were the exhibits themselves outstanding, but the building itself is spectacular, and we were even able to grab deli sandwiches there and sit with a great view of the courtyard.

I was able to see some originals of artists I’m fond of – Monet, Van Gogh, Hopper, Dali – but also saw one of Picasso’s that I actually liked. How weird!

And sharing the experience with a great friend always makes it even better. Here is a shot of Julie out front with one of the lions.

I saw an article in last week’s paper about an exhibit in this nearby town that looked intriguing, and it was great! So worth the drive! The main exhibit was insects and it might just be the most awesome exhibit I’ve ever seen, and the artist was there working. I asked her a question on her current project, this luna moth and it was fascinating to listen to how she approaches her art. She had a group of 6 or 7 kids cozied right up next to her, and had a way with them also – got into how intensely she studies real samples (she had microscopes and insect samples galore there), other artists’ work, and even googles her subject to study them, especially the perspective or pose. Her canvases are enormous, but if you get close to them, almost all of them are composed of zillions of tiny brush strokes. Here’s the link to her project: http://www.projectinsect.com/home.htm

There was also a totally astounding exhibit of the Ultra-Realistic Sculptures of Marc Sijan. These were so lifelike in every way it really creeped out Youngest Daughter! Wrinkles, pores, scars – it’s all there. I honestly thought they had live models in there when we first arrived.

Who would have expected to find all this great stuff in teensy Muscatine, Iowa? :)