South West Wandering, California Dreaming

As I come to my last few days in California preparing to return home I am equally saddened to wave goodbye to good friends. I complete my trip with an exhibition 'Stitch Stories at Visions Art Museum.( Sneak image preview below.

I spent some time in San Diego taking in local culture. Loved the Do Ho Suh exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

Equally I enjoyed the bamboo in the botanical gardens. Beautiful views through to the green and light. I love art inspired by nature, This new E Book by pat of a series being produced by  Textile Artist should prove mouth watering:'Textile Art Inspired by Nature' E-Book 

And the patterns in the sand and the majestic trees at Torrey Pines....inspiration for artists everywhere.

The Canyons in the city are full of wildflowers and wild habitats. I enjoyed walking through these overlooked spaces with Maureen of Studio Maureen and the Next Door Gallery (housing an eclectic mix of vintage finds and fine local artists work.

Good to revisit the Mingei Museum and look at some stunning Ai-Zome stencil Kimono with text by the great Soetsu Yanagi who was one of Japan"s Living National Treasures, a master  potter and founder of the Mingei, Japanese  Folk Arts Movement. Beautiful indigo and white stencils.

 All to soon I will be leaving on one of these planes flying over Little Italy. An airport really in the heart of Downtown.Thankyou sandiegobookarts.com, Visions Art Museum, Sedona Arts Center and many more who have made this trip such an enjoyable and richly rewarding experience.

There and back again

Well the 'word on the bird' is that she is back again.  This little bird has migrated to the West Coast of the USA.

My last point of call was St Diego and I made some garden sketches in friends gardens.

Went off for the day flying with two friends..One of whom is a pilot. Never been in a small plane. The images below are of the mountains and Los Angeles as we flew. Note the Queen Mary in harbour. I even took some stitching with me but for once I could only look.

 

 Had a lovely Japanese meal at a small coastal town North of Los Angeles .Loved the teapot and bowl.

 

 Whilst back to earth, workshop commenced. A few folded drawings from a quick warm-up in my workshop in San Diego NTC Point loma. hosted by the wonderful Jane LaFazio

 And some more contributions for Tea Flora Tales from some of the students who attended. Brilliant artists by the way.

Some more Tea Flora Tales and some book forms in progress form my second workshop in St Diego with the San Diego Book Arts

 

It was a wonderful finish to the marathon tour. Had a day off in the hills overlooking the desert of California during the time the roads were closed to high rise as the fierce Santa Anna winds blew.

 

Some lovely shadows on the blinds which helped keep the equally fierce heat and winds from the desert at bay. Finally, as the sun came down on my marathon trip a last walk on the beach.

Thankyou to all my friends on the way who made this trip so rewarding in so many ways. For the laughter, warmth and companionship.  See you again soonish.