A New Day and a New Blog
Sometimes my ATM blog wanders away from its primary focus which isn't a good idea when people come here to read about Art, Tiles, and Mosaics.
But I am in writing mode these days and there are other subjects I want to explore.
So I decided to start another blog I am calling One Good Life. And ATM can concentrate on its original purpose. So, when you have nothing better to do, click on over to my new blog.
And, don't forget Friday's blog at Friday's Amazing Adventures!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Feast for the Eyes, if not for the Palate
If you have traveled to Greece and can't wait to go back—like myself—in the interim you can enjoy the LA Greek Fest on the grounds of Saint Sophia's Greek Orthodox Cathedral (just a couple of miles west of downtown Los Angeles). Every year in September the tents go up and the dancers and musicians come out to celebrate all things Greek. There is no real Greek community in Los Angeles so Saint Sophia's is the next best thing, located in Koreatown and surrounded by hispanic neighborhoods.
My friends and I arrived at 4:00pm on Saturday, September 12, just in time to see one of the cooking demos. Although the vultures lined up for samples after the demonstrations, as the dishes were mostly made of wheat or meat, or a combination of both, I only had a small taste.
So we went in search of dinner. I had my taste buds primed for grilled octopus, remembering the delicious meals I had enjoyed in Athens. As I arrived at the line, I was disappointed to see octopus being scratched off the menu. So my only option was to order the calamari at another booth. Huge mistake. I've eaten a lot of calamari over the years in various forms but this was unequivocally the worst I have ever eaten. I would rather have chewed on my shoes as I am sure they would have been tastier and more tender.
The highlight of the day for me was the cathedral itself. I have lived in Los Angeles all my adult life and consider myself to be reasonably knowledgable about the city and fairly adventurous in discovering her nooks and crannies. But I don't recall ever seeing Saint Sophia's before, not even in passing. Or maybe, not being sure what the building was, it just wasn't on my radar.
The exterior is elegant in a southern California eclectic, art deco-ish way with both Mission and Greek influences. With its three domes I imagine this is what Union Station would have looked like if it had been built on an island in the Aegean. As stunning as the exterior is, it in no way prepared me for the lavish interior. I have had the good fortune to visit cathedrals and churches in various parts of the world and found many of them to be awe-inspiring. But I don't recall ever seeing so much gold leaf work in any one place before. Amazingly, the interior is not garish in any way—it is gorgeous.
After visiting so many European cathedrals I decided if I ever felt the need to follow a structured religion I would convert to Roman Catholicism, or at least the Church of England, just so I could be attached to a beautiful cathedral. But after visiting Saint Sophia, I'm thinking Greek Orthodox might be the way to go! Now, of course, I am being facetious and probably already offended somebody, although that is not my intent. As a non-religious person I always have the sense of being close to heaven (or at least the Christian perception of heaven) when I am in a cathedral—and certainly no less so in this particular place.
Although the beauty of the main part of the cathedral is overwhelming, my favorite spot is in a side chapel. In the dome is a mosaic of Jesus (not painted as it seems to be on the dome of the cathedral) and the altar and walls are of exquisite marbles in varying shades of greys, tans, and beige. Stained glass panels of Jesus, Mary, and saints hover over the altar.
The cathedral is worth a visit if you are in the area, but you should check their website listed below for the cathedral visiting hours.
Saint Sophia Cathedral
You can view a gallery of my photos by clicking here.
(photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)
If you have traveled to Greece and can't wait to go back—like myself—in the interim you can enjoy the LA Greek Fest on the grounds of Saint Sophia's Greek Orthodox Cathedral (just a couple of miles west of downtown Los Angeles). Every year in September the tents go up and the dancers and musicians come out to celebrate all things Greek. There is no real Greek community in Los Angeles so Saint Sophia's is the next best thing, located in Koreatown and surrounded by hispanic neighborhoods.My friends and I arrived at 4:00pm on Saturday, September 12, just in time to see one of the cooking demos. Although the vultures lined up for samples after the demonstrations, as the dishes were mostly made of wheat or meat, or a combination of both, I only had a small taste.
So we went in search of dinner. I had my taste buds primed for grilled octopus, remembering the delicious meals I had enjoyed in Athens. As I arrived at the line, I was disappointed to see octopus being scratched off the menu. So my only option was to order the calamari at another booth. Huge mistake. I've eaten a lot of calamari over the years in various forms but this was unequivocally the worst I have ever eaten. I would rather have chewed on my shoes as I am sure they would have been tastier and more tender.
The highlight of the day for me was the cathedral itself. I have lived in Los Angeles all my adult life and consider myself to be reasonably knowledgable about the city and fairly adventurous in discovering her nooks and crannies. But I don't recall ever seeing Saint Sophia's before, not even in passing. Or maybe, not being sure what the building was, it just wasn't on my radar.
The exterior is elegant in a southern California eclectic, art deco-ish way with both Mission and Greek influences. With its three domes I imagine this is what Union Station would have looked like if it had been built on an island in the Aegean. As stunning as the exterior is, it in no way prepared me for the lavish interior. I have had the good fortune to visit cathedrals and churches in various parts of the world and found many of them to be awe-inspiring. But I don't recall ever seeing so much gold leaf work in any one place before. Amazingly, the interior is not garish in any way—it is gorgeous.
After visiting so many European cathedrals I decided if I ever felt the need to follow a structured religion I would convert to Roman Catholicism, or at least the Church of England, just so I could be attached to a beautiful cathedral. But after visiting Saint Sophia, I'm thinking Greek Orthodox might be the way to go! Now, of course, I am being facetious and probably already offended somebody, although that is not my intent. As a non-religious person I always have the sense of being close to heaven (or at least the Christian perception of heaven) when I am in a cathedral—and certainly no less so in this particular place.
Although the beauty of the main part of the cathedral is overwhelming, my favorite spot is in a side chapel. In the dome is a mosaic of Jesus (not painted as it seems to be on the dome of the cathedral) and the altar and walls are of exquisite marbles in varying shades of greys, tans, and beige. Stained glass panels of Jesus, Mary, and saints hover over the altar.
Saint Sophia's story has an interesting connection to Hollywood and 20th Century Fox which I won't go into as it is ably described at this website.
The cathedral is worth a visit if you are in the area, but you should check their website listed below for the cathedral visiting hours.
Saint Sophia Cathedral
1324 S. Normandie Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90006
323.737.2424
You can view a gallery of my photos by clicking here.
(photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)
Friday, September 18, 2009
Postcards from Ballona Mural Updated
Lori Escalera recently updated the video of the original Postcards from Ballona Mural project (1995-1997) to add the recent (2009) renovation. So now you can see the entire history of the Postcards mural in one place at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWOL9FYUi8
Just as a reference, you can still check out the blog, Culver City Murals Restorations, which documents the May, 2009 restoration.
Lori Escalera recently updated the video of the original Postcards from Ballona Mural project (1995-1997) to add the recent (2009) renovation. So now you can see the entire history of the Postcards mural in one place at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWOL9FYUi8
Just as a reference, you can still check out the blog, Culver City Murals Restorations, which documents the May, 2009 restoration.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Illuminating Art
On very short notice my friend BG announced she wanted to see Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce at the Orange County Museum of Art. As the exhibit is closing September 13 we hustled on down to Newport Beach last Saturday, the 6th.
These four women artists were paired up, one famous, one relatively unknown: Georgia O’Keeffe with Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin with Florence Miller. I have to admit the only one I am familiar with is Georgia O’Keeffe, who happens to be one of my favorite artists—no surprise there. What was a revelation were the works of Agnes Pelton. I immediately fell in love with and established a connection with several of her paintings.
While I enjoyed the O’Keeffe paintings on display, a couple of which were new to me, I was totally enraptured with the discovery of Agnes Pelton (who lived from 1881 to 1961). I love abstract art because to me it has a spiritual quality that realism can never achieve. It comes from the deepest corners of the imagination and leaves the interpretation to the viewer. But like any kind of art, there is good and there is rubbish. Fortunately, Pelton’s art belongs in the first category.
She was also a poet, and as a sometime artist, sometime poet myself, I appreciate this combination. In fact, I am not a big fan of reading poetry by itself, but combined with visual art, it takes on a different dimension.
I am really surprised that Agnes Pelton is not more of a household name. And while not belittling Georgia O’Keeffe in the least, perhaps, like a splendid little wine from a small winery, she is better served to a small audience who can truly appreciate her. I am grateful that I discovered this wine and intend to keep my eyes open for more of it.
As there doesn’t seem to be much available in print on Agnes Pelton, your best bet may be to acquire the catalog for this exhibit which sells on Amazon for forty bucks ($15 less than at the OCMA bookstore—although I am sure OCMA would appreciate your dollars more than Amazon).
I haven’t said anything about Agnes Martin or Florence Miller. While their work was interesting, it didn’t blow me away like the paintings of Pelton—or O’Keeffe. If you want to see for yourself, hurry on down.
On very short notice my friend BG announced she wanted to see Illumination: The Paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, and Florence Miller Pierce at the Orange County Museum of Art. As the exhibit is closing September 13 we hustled on down to Newport Beach last Saturday, the 6th.
These four women artists were paired up, one famous, one relatively unknown: Georgia O’Keeffe with Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin with Florence Miller. I have to admit the only one I am familiar with is Georgia O’Keeffe, who happens to be one of my favorite artists—no surprise there. What was a revelation were the works of Agnes Pelton. I immediately fell in love with and established a connection with several of her paintings.
While I enjoyed the O’Keeffe paintings on display, a couple of which were new to me, I was totally enraptured with the discovery of Agnes Pelton (who lived from 1881 to 1961). I love abstract art because to me it has a spiritual quality that realism can never achieve. It comes from the deepest corners of the imagination and leaves the interpretation to the viewer. But like any kind of art, there is good and there is rubbish. Fortunately, Pelton’s art belongs in the first category.
She was also a poet, and as a sometime artist, sometime poet myself, I appreciate this combination. In fact, I am not a big fan of reading poetry by itself, but combined with visual art, it takes on a different dimension.
I am really surprised that Agnes Pelton is not more of a household name. And while not belittling Georgia O’Keeffe in the least, perhaps, like a splendid little wine from a small winery, she is better served to a small audience who can truly appreciate her. I am grateful that I discovered this wine and intend to keep my eyes open for more of it.
As there doesn’t seem to be much available in print on Agnes Pelton, your best bet may be to acquire the catalog for this exhibit which sells on Amazon for forty bucks ($15 less than at the OCMA bookstore—although I am sure OCMA would appreciate your dollars more than Amazon).
I haven’t said anything about Agnes Martin or Florence Miller. While their work was interesting, it didn’t blow me away like the paintings of Pelton—or O’Keeffe. If you want to see for yourself, hurry on down.
Smokin’ at the Huntington 
Several intrepid Culver City Art Group members braved the heat and smoke on Sunday, August 29 to meet at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena. The last time our group descended on the Huntington five years ago it was a stinking hot day around 105 degrees. So, being gluttons for punishment, we ended up picking a similar day. Added to the heat was the smoke from the adjacent Station fire that ate up 150,000 acres of the Los Angeles area.
But soaking in the beauty of the gardens, we hardly noticed what was going on just next door. As an artist, or any kind of creative person, if you can't find inspiration in this place, you just aren't going to find it anywhere!
First we roamed around the gardens with the intention of hitting the galleries later on as the heat intensified. The Botanical Gardens contain more than 14,000 different kinds of plants in more than a dozen themed garden areas. We spent a good amount of time in the Desert Garden and Conservatory reveling in the gorgeous cactus and succulent varieties. Many years ago when I had a house my pride and joy was my cactus/succulent garden. As the sun and heat devastates any kind of flowering plant on my front balcony, perhaps it’s time to grow a mini succulent garden in pots—worth a try! I will report back. 
We visited the peaceful lily ponds and the stunning Japanese Garden where I enjoyed a welcome cooling Silver Jasmine iced tea. By now the plume cloud of smoke hanging over the next ridge of mountains was unavoidable. Magnificent in its own way, of course it was bringing heartbreak and destruction on its wings.
It‘s impossible to do justice to the Huntington in one afternoon, but on this trip we visited areas we had not seen on our last excursion. And there is still more to see. We ended the afternoon in the new (to me anyway) Scott Galleries of American Art from the Colonial Period through mid 20th century—not quite my cup of tea. Then the refurbished (since our last visit) main Huntington Gallery (which was the residence) housing Gainsborough’s Blue Boy. The heat by then had penetrated our bones, and we were ready to leave.
On the way out I had to stop for a quick sprint around the exhibit on Samuel Johnson in Library Hall. As one of my favorite historical English characters I’m always interested to learn a little more about him. Some wonderful books, manuscripts, and paintings tell his story—I was happy I didn’t miss that.
As there are so many places to go and so many places to see in our Southern California playground, perhaps it will be another five years before we delight in the Huntington again. If it is, so be it, but I hope not!
Several intrepid Culver City Art Group members braved the heat and smoke on Sunday, August 29 to meet at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena. The last time our group descended on the Huntington five years ago it was a stinking hot day around 105 degrees. So, being gluttons for punishment, we ended up picking a similar day. Added to the heat was the smoke from the adjacent Station fire that ate up 150,000 acres of the Los Angeles area. But soaking in the beauty of the gardens, we hardly noticed what was going on just next door. As an artist, or any kind of creative person, if you can't find inspiration in this place, you just aren't going to find it anywhere!
First we roamed around the gardens with the intention of hitting the galleries later on as the heat intensified. The Botanical Gardens contain more than 14,000 different kinds of plants in more than a dozen themed garden areas. We spent a good amount of time in the Desert Garden and Conservatory reveling in the gorgeous cactus and succulent varieties. Many years ago when I had a house my pride and joy was my cactus/succulent garden. As the sun and heat devastates any kind of flowering plant on my front balcony, perhaps it’s time to grow a mini succulent garden in pots—worth a try! I will report back. We visited the peaceful lily ponds and the stunning Japanese Garden where I enjoyed a welcome cooling Silver Jasmine iced tea. By now the plume cloud of smoke hanging over the next ridge of mountains was unavoidable. Magnificent in its own way, of course it was bringing heartbreak and destruction on its wings. It‘s impossible to do justice to the Huntington in one afternoon, but on this trip we visited areas we had not seen on our last excursion. And there is still more to see. We ended the afternoon in the new (to me anyway) Scott Galleries of American Art from the Colonial Period through mid 20th century—not quite my cup of tea. Then the refurbished (since our last visit) main Huntington Gallery (which was the residence) housing Gainsborough’s Blue Boy. The heat by then had penetrated our bones, and we were ready to leave.
On the way out I had to stop for a quick sprint around the exhibit on Samuel Johnson in Library Hall. As one of my favorite historical English characters I’m always interested to learn a little more about him. Some wonderful books, manuscripts, and paintings tell his story—I was happy I didn’t miss that.
As there are so many places to go and so many places to see in our Southern California playground, perhaps it will be another five years before we delight in the Huntington again. If it is, so be it, but I hope not!
(Photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Your Bright Future Quickie
August 23 I had the good fortune to return to LACMA for a second look at the Pompeii and the Roman Villa Exhibit. This time I remembered my camera and was able to take a couple of shots of the outdoor pieces for the Your Bright Future exhibit which I wrote about on my Busing to Art blog. As you can see these are fun to walk around if you are a kid or a kid at heart. The exhibit closes September 20.
(Photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)
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