The Fantastical AFA Gallery

In Las Vegas I stumbled upon a gallery that was filled with amazing sculptures and limited prints, doodles and artwork from a variety of modern artists. Many of whom are a part of the Low-Brow Pop Surrealism movement. An aesthetic I have grown to love over the last few years. I'm not one for spending money on well-known artists as they've already made it and I try to support the little guy or girl but wandering through here was wonderful. There is what I consider an odd amount of surreal art in Las Vegas. Though as I've reflected on this last visit it has occurred to me that places don't get too much more surreal than Las Vegas. Have a look at the AFA Gallery website for a lot of information and you can buy things as well. I do so love those animal sculptures by Dr. Suess. I could especially imagine a cat perching atop the bird as if it was some sort of prize.

The lovely world of Daniel Merriam…

Beloved Maurice Sendak…

Northern Spark 2015

This past weekend was the annual all night art festival Northern Spark. It's such a great thing to wander around the city looking at creations all night long and then watching sunrise from the bridge over the river. One of the best events the city hosts for sure.

Art in Bloom 2015 (Part 1)

I take so many pictures at the Annual Art in Bloom event that I break the posts up. So here is the first group! Happy day!

Wonder Women

A collection from female artists at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery at the University of MN. There was a challenge for men to try walking in high heels. My guy did it, no problem.

Art Junkie

I was just at the MIA this weekend for the Habsburgs exhibit(what a bunch of inbred weirdoes) (but worth it to see the Werewolf Syndrome painting). It was the first known case to be documented.

*source of picture unknown

*source of picture unknown

I was not allowed to take pictures in that exhibit but the first week of Jan. I visited the museum twice in one week. The first visit on Jan. 3rd was to see the Italian Fashion exhibit which was only ok in my opinion. But I did take some snapshots of some cakes created to celebrate the MIA's 100th birthday.

Then I went back with a friend who was in town visiting and she lent me her Olloclip lens to try out on my phone. I still have an iPhone 5 because well, around here we pretty much use things till we cannot anymore. It took some pretty good pictures even with my tired old camera. I will have to get one in the future as I use my phone a lot for snapshots. Have a look:

Ella Cerulean, Throwback Thursday

My throwback Thursday is my book launch party from this past July. My book Ella Cerulean was published this year and I am working on my second one! Some snapshots from the party.

Snap Shots

Bits and Pieces of my shop's holiday!

Blanton Museum of Art (or the time I realized I like taking pictures of naked people)

I went to this museum about a month ago to see the exhibit they had on Cats & Dogs. The Blanton Museum of Art is not a big museum which worked out well for me since I did not have a lot of time. Sadly, I was not allowed to take pictures of the Cats & Dogs exhibit but I did capture some snap shots only to go through them and realize so many of my favorite paintings contain the soft, curves of a naked lady. But of course. I mean we look nice. Don't get me wrong I also like naked men. Naked people. Anyway. The coolest thing to me was that I didn't get a lot of time to capture information about all the works but this awesome place has a database in which you can return time and again to read and enjoy the works. Thank you internet!

Matisse on a Monday

I actually saw this exhibit of Matisse about two months ago. But with working on my book and launch party, I've been unable to share it. The exhibit was at the M.I.A. and I went on the same day to see the The Art in Bloom exhibit for 2014(which I love). I knew a little about Matisse and I do like some of his work. It's a bit out of the realm of art I favour as I tend to be more in love with the romantic and fantastical. There are pieces in his fauvism work I do enjoy and of course, like so many-his paper-cuts. Here are some snaps from the exhibit.

Papercuts. The Pretty Kind.

I didn't know too much about papercuts. I've seen smaller ones and have always thought they were cool. Of course, when we are kids we try our hand at making paper snowflakes. Recently, I went to one of my favorite places in Minneapolis, the American Swedish Institute. I love going here because I see art I've not experienced anywhere else. On this particular visit it was not very crowded for once and I was able to examine details in the mansion I haven't been able to see before. I only wish the cafe was a bit vegan friendly. The gift shop is very cute and I have bought many gifts for people from it for various holidays.

~Beauty on a Monday~

Last month's trip to Pittsburgh took me to the Carnegie Museum of Art. It's not a large place but it is a lovely place. I found several new pieces to add to my favorites list.

Art in Bloom 2014 Edition

I think this may be the 4th time I've been to the Art in Bloom event at the M.I.A. I have to admit that I really like it. Most of the crowd is older. And I do mean much older. I imagine women who have more free time in their lives to garden and really appreciate flowers. I drag my boyfriend there. I'm not always sure if he likes it or not but he does go without complaint which I appreciate. Here of some of my favorites from the exhibit this year. None of them really blew me away as they have in the past but they are still quite lovely.

To Be Surrounded By Art

I had been wanting to check out the Third Thursday event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and kept having plans on the nights they would happen. I managed to get to one last week and I just love going to the museum. I will probably post hundreds of pictures from museums in my life. Here are some snaps from around the museum as the celebration was for the Matisse exhibit that is in town.

Inspire, The Met.

I love art museums. I love photographing them as well so that I can go back through what amazed me and be amazed all over again. I went to The Met in New York about 3 and 1/2 years ago, I fell in love over and over again. I was looking through those photos recently to be reminded of the wonderful things people can create.

Museums have given me endless decorating ideas for both home and events as well as inspired writing, never mind all the jewelry. Have a great day!

San Antonio Museum of Art

Going through many, many pictures. Here are some favorites from the art museum from my visit in September.

The SAMA showcases a lot of Hispanic and Latin art. Including lots from the immediate region. I never pass up a chance to go to an art musuem.

The Wonderful & Tremendous NORTHERN SPARK!

This is the 3rd year of Northern Spark and I had not been able to make it to the first two years, much to my disappointment. But I went this year and oh my, I loved it. I didn't make it till sunrise but I'm going to try again next year. All the projects and people and food and positive energy!  Snacking on the railroad tracks, listening to the river, launching glow in the dark water balloons....eeeeeeppppp! It was so much fun! I didn't get nearly enough pictures!

Art in Bloom 2013 Part II

A second round of photos from the Minneapolis Institute of Art, See Here. The Art in Bloom event is wonderful. The whole musuem is really. Check out their website and follow their instagram for daily inspiration.

Art in Bloom 2013 Part I

A few weeks ago I went to my fourth Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It's such a beautiful place and well-put together. It gets bigger and bigger each year. 

Art in Bloom is an event in which local florists come and create arrangements inspired by the pieces in the museum. There are always a lot that I adore so, I'll post photos twice from this event. ENJOY!