North Light Studios

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to travel to Pasadena. Yes, my husband had business there, but we turned it into a kind of busi-vaca-thing, because we all really felt the need to get out of town. After my husband met with the people he needed to, we were directed to the Huntington Library, which I had never heard of before. Why hadn't I heard of it? I'm not sure. Because it was FANTASTIC! I couldn't believe how many amazing and gorgeous pieces they had there, not to mention the current exhibits. They also have several gardens, including a botanical garden in a dome filled with warm, moist air and the biggest cactus spines I've ever seen. Henry Huntington, apparently, was filthy rich and loved the arts. Anna married into the family somewhere (She might be a great-niece? Not sure). There's a good place to start... Diana, Anna Hyatt Huntington Diana, Close up How about this? Anna Hyatt Huntington's Diana. Okay, I don't know who those peopl

Unlike many of these places that I blog about that I want to visit, I've actually been to St. Petersburg. Not recently, of course. This was about fourteen years ago, and I went in the middle of winter with my husband. We were crazy, of course, but it was an amazing experience and so worth it. From the gorgeous architecture and brightly painted buildings to the eerily beautiful cemeteries and roomy town squares, I loved every minute of it. I remember walking into shops or buildings and I would start to thaw, mascara and phlegm running down my face. The instant I would walk back outside it would all freeze up again. Very cold, but so full of history and intrigue that it filled my blood and intoxicated me. We stayed in the Hotel St. Petersburg, which at the time was undergoing renovation. We didn't have the money to stay in the nice rooms, so our room was an old communist un-breeding ground with two smaller-than-twin beds nailed to the walls end to end. My husband and I still ma

I have this weird dream about living on the east coast, and I'm positive that one of the reasons is the artwork there. I'm not talking about the upscale galleries in New York that sell extremely modern art and nothing else, but about the public art. Have you ever wondered why people love to go to places like Rome and Paris? Now you know. I want to start off with New York. We all know about the Statue of Liberty. I don't even need to post pictures, but that is one freaking fantastic statue. Next on my list isn't as impressive, but it's still pretty good.  Columbus Monument in Columbus Circle, Central Park, New York This is a monument to Christopher Columbus. No, that's not him that you can see there, but an angel (really quite subtle and lovely). Chris is at the top, which is hard to see from there. Here's another view: Columbus Circle Sculpture, top, Christopher Columbus Personally, I like the angel figure at the bottom better than the Columbu

Mike has been doing a lot of research about the Armenian Genocide, and one of his most recent sculptures is of an angel that will be used as a memorial for a gravesite. In the past few years I have lost many people I love, most recently a young, 20-year-old girl who I was very close to. It's been heartbreaking, and I decided to do this post on the Monmartre Cemetery in Paris because of the way we use art to help in our grieving process. I could've picked from several cemeteries, and though the Staglieno is my favorite, I'm saving that for another day when I can really put together a lot their most gorgeous pieces. Tombs at the Monmartre Cemetery, picture from Ila Chateau The tombs alone in this place are amazing, building up a miniature city of the dead, clearly protecting the bodies and souls of those who've gone before. There are beautiful plants and flowers, well-kept and beautified out of respect.   Didsbury Monument, "Douleur" I can't

I know I said I would focus on places this year, but don’t call me on it just yet. Paul Dubois had a lot of public art pieces in many different places, so it counts. As I searched through images of the sculptures he’s done, I was incredibly impressed with his talents, and this is why my blog this month centers on him.   The first of his works that I’d like to bring to your attention is The Tomb of Paul Baudry. Dubois sculpted only the bust of Baudry that you can see in the center, the other figures were done by Antonin Mercie. I've included this one particularly because I love cemetery art, which is something else you'll see a lot of this years. Le Chanteur Florentin This sculpture, Le Chanteur Florentin, is one of the most sought-after pieces he's done. The bronzes are still being sold. It is currently displayed at the d'Orsay museum in Paris. He's talented with faces and expressions, and at catching this young minstrel in the middle of his song. Y

Happy New Year! It might be a little late to say that, but I'm excited about the blogging subject I picked for this year. There are many places - not including museums or galleries - where sculpture leaves its lasting mark. I'm an advocate for public art, and though my views may differ from many, this is my list of fantastic and beautiful pieces and their places. Today I will focus on places of worship. Your groan is not unheard, but I'll also add that many churches have artworks of not only religious pieces, but historical and social pieces as well. George Washington by Lee Lawrie This statue of George Washington is on permanent display at the Washington National Cathedral. It looks like it might be marble, but I can't tell for sure. It's a great rendering, slightly imposing but almost in a subtle way. Washington was well known for this subtlety, the humble power that emanated from him and still does in nearly every rendering of him I've ever seen.