Art in Dallas

While visiting in Dallas a few weeks ago, we went to the art museum which has an awesome children's section with lots of hands on and child friendly exhibits.  We made buttons for a happiness tree.  Each person got to hang their button and take someone else's which they were to then give to someone else.

 Then, there were places for the children to sketch tableaus.

Lunch and Art

 Fran, Sue, Kathy and I used to teach together: English, Spanish, French and German teachers.  We are mostly retired and now go out to lunch every few months.  Since the St. Louis Art Museum just opened a new wing, we decided to meet there for lunch and browsing.  Although we were told we should have made reservations at least 24 hours in advance, they were able to seat us.  We had turkey, curry chicken salad and trout sandwiches with a cantaloupe and peach beverage (which we at first thought was salad dressing)

After lunch we visited the new East wing which had mostly modern art---some very good and some that looked like raw hide bones.  One looked like it had pieces of my old Camaro.

 As we crossed into the "old" section we noticed  a "wishing tree".  So we each added a wish to the wishing tree.  There have been many new exhibits added outside including one with Missouri limestone  arches.

There were several old familiar pieces, then I noticed this French portrait next to a bust of Louis XIV and said, "I think I know who this is---a relative of mine who was married to Louis XIV after she was his mistress---Francoise d'Aubigne' " (click on the link to see several of her portraits) But the chins look a little different. . . artistic license?

Madame de Maintenon

Portrait of a Woman

Madame de Maintenon AKA Francoise d'Aubigne

For more than you want to know about my genealogy, click here.

 The St. Francis above is one of my favorites because it looks so  contemporary with the browns---love the lines and the light.  Below is a painting that both Fran and her sister have copies of in their homes:  New York City near Central Park on a rainy day.

Quilt Show: Traditional

I love quilts, have bought and made several (Click here).  I especially love log cabin and wedding ring.  Here are some of my favorites from the Arthur, IL quilt show (Click here).  But there were some creative uses of traditional patterns.

Quilt Show: Contemporary

 As part of an Amish tour of Arthur, IL, we went to a quilt show.  I was expecting more traditional quilts, so was surprised at the contemporary look of many of them.  The note on the one above said her daughter-in-law wanted a black and white quilt, but the quilter thought it needed the dragonflies for a little color.  Her daughter-in-law did not agree, so the quilter was able to keep this one for herself!  I liked the use of vintage handkerchiefs in the "tea" quilt seen in the photo below.

 Sadly, many of the quilts were quite close together, so it was hard to photograph them in their entirety. We liked how the edging was "broken" in the above quilt and the trapunto design in the one below.  I loved many of the black and white quilts, but also enjoyed the whimsical snow man and chicken quilts.

Magic by Night Part II

 I think we all agreed this was the cutest---to see all of these pandas nestled in and among the bamboo growing at Shaw's Garden (AKA MoBot)

 We were also a little disturbed to see that we were too old to make the Chinese lantern horoscope. With a little deduction, we were able to figure it out (I am a Rooster)

We stopped, sat and were mesmerized by the music, magic and art at the "lily pond basin"

 Although most of the lanterns were made of silk and wire, the dragons were made of china dishes.

 The ship above was made of plastic water bottles and the display below was made of small "medicine" bottles filled with colored water.

 Many of the lanterns were beautifully reflected in water.

All in all, this was a wonderful exhibit---we are so lucky to have this fabulous garden here in St. Louis!  To see it all in May as it was being constructed, click here.

Magic By Night

 Although Dave and I had gone to Missouri Botanical Garden in May, I revisited it with some friends at night.

 We got there a little after 7 PM, so it was still light out. 

 But, at 8:00 PM, the lights came on while we were in the Chinese Garden.

 The dragons on the mural above moved and there was music in several places.

 Often the lanterns lined the walks.

 And often, they told a Chinese Folktale.

They did have several displays showing how these were made (on site). Teams of Chinese artisans worked on the parking lot in tents for several month preparing this exhibit.  And, yes, it was warm.