Nature's Textures

In all my travels this summer, I've been taking quick shots of moments in nature that inspire me.  Most of them have either been grand vistas or extreme close-ups. Here are a few of the extreme close-ups -- I love them for their muted colors and textures:

Where did my words go?

I've been waiting -- impatiently -- for the muse to descend or arrive with some apt words to describe all I saw in Spain.  But, you see, I've been silent inside for so many years that even a blast of beauty like Spain cannot coax that muse out of hiding (this, by the way, would be the subject of a ponderous post if, yes, you guessed, if I had the words! )
In lieu of words, more pictures!
First, a little more Barcelona and Gaudi.

And now, a few pictures of new work:

This one has a lot of ceramic figures throughout -- I've been calling it "Dorothy's Dream" as I've worked on it.

Here are a few detail shots -- sorry about the poor quality!

And a couple more windows:

Barcelona!

Hola!!

I am writing this post while still in Barcelona -- where I am "suffering" with a case of mute awe.  So pictures will have to suffice for now.

First, I have got to thank my friend Margot -- to think that I was about to let her three years in Spain slip by without getting my butt over here! What was I thinking?  Nada, apparently.  "Nada y pues nada" -- to quote Mr. Hemingway.  Fortunately, Margot was thinking.  Raise a glass to Marvelous Margot and her beautiful daughter Claire:

Day 1:  Parc Guell and the Palau de la Musica

The house where Gaudi lived -- in Parc Guell

Next, an evening concert by the Orquestra de Cambra Terrassa 48 with Kai Gleusteen on viola at the Palau de la Musica (an amazing building designed by Lluis Domenech i Montaner).  

See the forms on the wall behind the Musicians?  The upper bodies are three dimensional -- the rest is mosaic!  Oh, watch out, remaining walls in my house!!  If you are not yet covered with mosaics, prepare to become three dimensionally mosaic!

Day 2:  La Pedrera designed by Antoni Gaudi 

There are amazing things inside, but my photos were pretty poor :(

Day 3: La Sagrada Familia -- remember to breathe!

There is so much more to show (and tell -- if I can find the words).

Hello at last!

Greetings!
It's been a long time since I've added a post here, but the time has come!  
I'm off soon to visit a dear friend in Spain and to see the work of Gaudi (at last!)!  The anticipation is uncomfortable.  It is so much better for me not to imagine what a trip will be like so that I am surprised and happy with whatever comes my way.  But I have wanted to visit Barcelona for so long that I can't help it: my hopes are high!
I'll focus my mind on other (related) topics and show you a few of the things that I have made while I've been away from the blog.  Unfortunately, I haven't even been very good at photographing my work before it goes out the door, so this is just a small sampling:

Here's a lamp I made for my brother. (I used gold leaf over silk on the shade!)

A couple of transom shaped windows that I let go without proper pictures!

One more shot of the sunflower transom.

A piece I just finished and sent off to the gallery.

A first: a glass tabletop made for a friend's newly remodeled porch.

In other news....

I've also been on a trip to the Czech Republic since I last posted.  It was a glorious week in April with a promise of spring around every corner.  We stayed with good friends and explored parts of southern Bohemian we had not seen in the past.  Here are a few shots from that trip:

Do you see that village way down below?  That's where we had lunch -- and, yes, we had to hike back up!

A beautiful day in Prague.

We had to visit Vysehrad for old time's sake (we used to live just below this church).

A shot from one of our country drives .