Tile Store AdventureToday KJ and I, intrepid adventurers that we are, braved the treacherous rain-soaked streets of Los Angeles on our quest for the wild tile! For those of you who do not live in Southern California, or who have never visited here on a rainy day, let me explain that driving the rain slick streets of LA is not for the weak at heart. Southern Californians (that is, anybody who has lived here for a year or longer) DO NOT know how to drive in less than clement weather. Therefore, the decision had to be made, do we postpone our long laid plans to shop for tiles or do we take a deep breath and go anyway? As it is my experience that postponed plans quickly fall into the category of plans never realized, we decided to take the plunge.

I am so glad we decided to go to Mortarless Building Supply Company which was recommended by a friend of KJ's. At first glance I was not sure this was going to be the place to find any good tiles. I was expecting something a little more polished and organized. But when we stepped into the main room it was obvious we would find some treasures. After all, I feel more comfortable in places like this that tend to be on the ramshackle side, totally unpretentious (and totally dedicated to tiles).

KJ is tiling her back porch steps (for now). I have been contemplating ripping out my ancient and tattered carpet in the living room, replacing it with hardwood or laminated wood, and decorating the transitions between wood and tile floors (at the foyer and dining area) with threshholds of 4" decorative tiles. This turned out to be my day to make that decision with no turning back. I bought 36 tiles, no two alike. Now all I have to do is decide which tiles go where. When I arrived home I placed the tiles on the carpet, along with the wood samples that have been sitting there for weeks, and I already like the look. I've been told my place looks like an Alpine Chalet, so now it's Alpine by way of Mexico.

My friend was able to find several designs that, after a lot of back and forth between the two of us, look really good together. I don't know if I confused her or helped her, but I think the final project will look spectacular. The employees at the tile store were all very helpful. If you can't find enough tiles in the right pattern they will either search their inventory or order some (but that could be a long wait). We both left feeling happy with our purchases. I'm sure I will be back there for my next tile project.... maybe the deck?

Mortarless Building Supply Company
Handcrafted Ceramic and Clay Tiles
2707 Fletcher Dr, LA 90039
323.663.3291

(All photos on this blog copyright Roslyn M Wilkins and not to be used without permission.)

Tile Two Years in the Making

In 2005 I took a trip to Italy with my friend JM. Fortunately, she is a very adventurous lady and we were able to leave the group and find our own way around on many occasions. This was one of them. While the others paid an exhorbitant amount of money to visit one island at Lake Maggiore, three of us took off on our own and for much less money were able to get to three places, including Pescatori, where I took this photo. For two years I thought about this photo, and finally it all came together and I was able to paint the tile. So here is the tile and the original photo. I already see another version of this and can't wait to get started. But I have to clean up the house today so it will have to wait.

(All designs and photos on this blog copyright Roslyn M Wilkins and not to be used without permission.)

Latest Ballona Wetlands Marsh Series Tile

Just back from the kiln, my latest Ballona Wetlands inspired hand-painted ceramic tile. 6" x 6".

I may do a series with sunsets as the theme.

(All designs and photos on this blog copyright Roslyn M Wilkins and not to be used without permission.)

Pillow Talk: Small Comforts In Hard Times

I have known Linda Jacobson since the late 80s/early 90s when I felt the need to return to making art after an abstinence of over 20 years. I took several of her courses at UCLA on creativity and spirituality in art. At the time I didn't have a clue what "spirituality in art" meant, but after many years, I do have a tiny clue.

Last night a couple of friends and I attended the reception for Pillow Talk at the Ruth Bachofner Gallery at Bergamot Station Art Center in Santa Monica where Linda is exhibiting a painting. From the press release: "The term “pillow talk” refers to a private, often intimate, conversation. Much of art is a form of pillow talk – an intimate dialogue between the artist, the materials and the intent/concept of the work. This intimate conversation is then sold as a product. The private becomes public. “Pillow Talk” is in conjunction with the Southern California Women’s Caucus for Art’s celebration of the significant influence of women artists on contemporary art."

Or, as Linda put it: "How we as women and artists comfort ourselves in these difficult times."

As I have stated on many occasions, I feel the purpose of viewing art is not necessarily to like what you are looking at. It is always amazing to me the variety of thought and creativity that comes out of different artists' visions of a singular subject. Some of the artists took the subject literally and created interpretations of pillows, others, anything but. I can't say there were many pieces that grabbed my attention. Nothing to which I had an emotional response. I liked Linda's contribution, "Sacred Altar," which is by the front door of the gallery and probably my favorite piece in the exhibit. Maybe because I am familiar with her work and therefore, in my comfort zone. As with all her paintings, it is "Other-worldly." Ah, I've said that about Katherine Kean's work too, but I identify with that. Their work is totally different, yet I make that connection between them, which I will call the physical manifestation of the spiritual.

There were 87 artists in the exhibit which may have been a mistake. If each artist invited ten friends... well, you get the picture. It was SO crowded and SO noisy, I did one spin around the room and left the cacaphonous gallery for the peace and fresh air outside. I don't do well in crowded situations anymore. Perhaps if I went back another day with an empty room I might view the exhibit in an entirely different way. But I won't have that luxury, so this is my memory.

We wandered over to the Track 16 Gallery. I was interested by the work exhibited by Mondongo, an Argentinian art trio, comprised of Agustina Picasso, Manuel Mendanha, and Juliana Laffitte. The best pieces were the Red Riding Hood tales which looked like mosaics but, as it was pointed out to me, were actually made with plasticine, one of my favorite play things as a child. I am always fascinated when artists use materials I would never think of using to make art. All those hours, days and weeks I spent molding objects with plasticene... I should have taken photos of my creations.

Ballona Network Bus Tour

I just returned home from the second annual Ballona Network bus tour of the Ballona watershed organized by Jeanette Vosburg. The purpose of the tour was to see and learn about our unique Ballona Watershed and efforts to restore and recreate nature in Los Angeles. The invitation for the tour was extended to elected officials, artists, activists and all nature lovers. For those of us who are artists, the idea was to inspire us to create art influenced by what we see and hear during the day. As well as the views from the bus window and the places we visited, we were treated to guest speakers working on various environmental projects around LA.

I have been an avid environmentalist for most of my adult life, have been active in several Sierra Club groups for 30 years as newsletter editor, hike leader, bartender, table sitter, etc etc etc. and I am an artist. What better way to use my artwork than to let it work for environmental issues? Last year I was able to donate four tiles to the art auction held for the benefit of the Ballona Network (see end of this blog).

One of Jeanette's themes is that we have to help the politicians understand what is important to us, the voting public. If we don't speak up, how can they know what we want? Makes sense to me. Do you want more natural areas or do you want more concrete? The developers want more concrete and have no problem letting the politicians know with nice contributions to their campaigns. Those of us who care about keeping the environment green, need to be more vociferous so the politicians will have to take notice.

As you may know, there is a lot of activity these days focusing on the revitalization of the LA River, discussions and plans about parks, trails, recreation, nature areas, neighborhoods, community development, tourism, civic pride, etc. because of Councilman Ed Reyes. We need another Ed Reyes to champion Ballona Creek. I used to bicycle along Ballona Creek regularly. I was really apalled by all the styrofoam cups, shopping carts, plastic bags and other debris in the channel. I really don't believe 99% of the population realizes that if they throw trash in the street it will end up in the creek, and then the ocean. And probably don't care... that's the sad part.

But back to the bus tour. We drove up the 405 freeway to Franklin Canyon off Mullholland Drive. We visited here last year and of course my vows to drive up on my own during the year did not come to fruition. A truly beautiful and peaceful spot. As soon as I got on the bus I checked to make sure I had brought the new battery for my digital camera, and oh no, I had brought the battery but left the memory card sitting in my computer at home! Devastation! Fortunately I was able to borrow a film camera from a friend who came on the trip. But in the meantime, here is a photo of Franklin Canyon from last year's trip.
Later we stopped along the LA River. (As an aside I'll have to post some photos of the storm drain caps painted as cat faces under the direction of Leo Limón, from a walk I did with the Sierra Club some years ago, but that's a whole other story.) It was a break in the concrete channel as we know it, with trees, plants and ducks... a vision of what the LA River could look like if enough people cared. Just a little way down at the bend is the area where there could possibly be a wetlands area in the planning stages. As if on cue a Great Blue Heron flew above the trees on the opposite bank of the river. But I was not fast enough with the camera. What I learned was that instead of trying to restore the entire river, it makes more sense to do small areas like this one.

We visited several other areas including driving by the reservoir in Silverlake, stopping in Kenneth Hahn Park, driving along the new construction of the Baldwin Overlook off Jefferson (I can see that progressing from my deck), walking along the path above the Ballona Freshwater Marsh, viewing the last remaining dunes at Playa del Rey (these are threatened with development???? How crazy can things get?) and driving alongside the Ballona Saltwater Marsh.

The bus trip ended too soon.

Last year I took the excellent interpretive walking tour of the Freshwater Marsh which is offered by the Friends of Ballona Wetlands (a different organization) on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. My photos from that walk inspired the tiles I donated to the Ballona Network auction.

This year I have promised myself to take the Saltwater Marsh tour offered on the second Sunday of each month.

The art auction for Ballona Network will be on September 9th. I will be cruising the sparkling waters of the Aegean Sea then, but still intend to donate artwork for the event. Anybody can participate, and later on I will give details.

(All photos on this blog copyright roslyn m wilkins and not to be used without permission.)

TAG (The Artists' Gallery) in Santa Monica

Saturday evening we attended the opening reception at TAG (2903 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404) for a friend, Katherine Kean. Also exhibiting were Anne M. Bray and Carol Kleinman.

I always enjoy Katherine's work which she describes as "memories, dreams and visions." Her paintings have an other-worldly quality which take me on journeys of the imagination... disquieting, yet peaceful and safe, all at the same time. The photo here shows Katherine in the center surrounded by her paintings.

The inset painting of the field of sunflowers (which I couldn't quite squeeze into the photo) is my favorite from this exhibit. I have always loved sunflowers. My mother is from Argentina and made sure we always had sunflowers growing in our garden in England. Of course, Van Gogh's sunflowers have a special appeal for me. Katherine, as always, has her own spin on this subject, not the bright, sunny scene we might expect, but one of mystery. I was especially taken by the one sunflower that refuses to conform and turns its back to the viewer, either out of mischieviousness, or perhaps saying to the other sunflowers, hey guys, let's make a run for it! Or perhaps just wanting to drink in the view for itself.

One of the other artists, Anne M. Bray, showed some landscapes in pastel. I was particularly interested in the sunset over the Nevada desert. Rough, dark storm clouds contrast with the smooth sweep of the foreground hills depicted in rich browns. A line of blue/grey mountains divides the foreground hills from the sky which occupies three quarters of the landscape.

Unfortunately, the TAG website, which is supposed to be at www.tagtheartistsgallery.com, is not currently in operation. But give it a try anyway, maybe it will be back one of these days.

(All photos on this blog copyright roslyn m wilkins and not to be used without permission.)

Tim Hawkinson at the Getty Center

Whether you are a Tim Hawkinson fan (I am) or have never heard of him before, it's worth the effort to see his Überorgan installation in the atrium lobby at the Getty Center. This is a wondrously organic conglomeration of balloons, hoses and horns which floats about your head as you walk in the entrance. We were fortunate enough to arrive (on Saturday around 2:00) just as the "music" started (for five minutes on the hour). I put the word music in quotes for a reason which you will discover when you hear it. The piece of art itself and the music puts a smile on everybody's face.

After enjoying the organ, we went in search of the rest of the exhibit. We found it in a small room in the basement. Having seen the immense show of his work at LACMA two years ago, this was a little disappointing, but I realize this was just a sideline to the main event.

We also drifted into "A Place in the Sun: Photographs of Los Angeles" by John Humble. I've seen a lot of photo exhibits of LA and after a while they all look alike, after all, how many times can you photograph the corner liquor store and the LA River. But this was pretty good. With his artist's eye he looked at some pretty awful landscapes and made them spectacular. Truly, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Another great day at the Getty. The only downer was the parking. Just making a left turn off Sepulveda was a major achievement, only to face the traffic jam snailing its way to the kiosk. With all the engineering and design resources available to the Getty, how did they end up with this mess? We expected to see a mob of people at the museum but it was not that bad once inside. Next time, we just have to arrive earlier.

I believe now I am Getty'd out for a while, I don't need to visit either the Villa or the Center for the next few months.

Stories in Stone at the Getty Villa: Visits 2 and 3

I attended the gallery course at the Getty Villa on March 21 in conjunction with the Stories in Stone exhibit which I had previously seen. In the morning there were three speakers on different topics including a general history of mosaics (while interesting, I could easily have delivered this talk myself), current mosaics (with Lillian Sizemore, a working mosaic artist herself), and some insight into the conservation of mosaics in Tunisia and how the exhibit was brought to Los Angeles. A real treat was a visit to the conservation lab where the head of the department was preparing a new backing for a large mosaic using techniques and materials used in the aerospace industry. Similarly, in the exhibit there is a display of dental tools which are used in conserving the mosaics on site... next time my dentist is invading my mouth I'll just try to think of myself as a mosaic... As it was, I did have a dental appointment that afternoon so after listening to a docent's talk on the exhibit, I ended the day stuck in traffic on Wilshire Blvd. in a desperate attempt to get to Beverly Hills on time. That certainly spoiled the tranquility of another day at the Getty Villa.

But I was back that Sunday with another friend in tow. Everybody's favorite mosaic in the exhibit seems to be Oceanus (third century). It is an amazing mosaic, more so everytime I have seen it in person. More amazing is seeing the photograph of it in context with the mosaic work that surrounded it. As I have mentioned elsewhere, until recently archaeologists thought the right thing to do was to remove the figurative portions of the mosaic for safekeeping in museums, leaving the surrounding, usually more geometric designs, to rot. So in the museum, not only do you not see the mosaics intact but totally out of any kind of architectural context. Fortunately, the light bulb went on some years ago and now the policy is to leave mosaics in situ as much as possible, sometimes even covering them with the local soil to bury them for posterity after documentation.

This exhibit closes April 30 and the mosaics return to their homeland. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to see them three times.