A few pics...

David and Katie have a camera, so here are some visuals...


Dave and Jill at the Naples Museum of Art.




Eating sushi for the second time! This is from Blu, a restaurant in Naples. We got an order to go tonight and ate before heading to the beach for sunset.


















David makes me laugh!












With Katie on the beach.

Art for (lots of) Money

By the way! - I almost forgot to tell you! Part of the art I got to see yesterday was the Chihuly installations at the Naples Museum of Art. They were amazing. I think my favorite was the blue icicle one in the stairwell. (see picture on left)

If you are keeping up with news in the art world these days, Dale Chihuly is currently involved in a rather sticky controversy over the rights to his type of glass work. He is suing a former assistant and another artist for creating similar work. Personally, I think this is small of him. Even if they are copying his work (which I'm not sure that they are,) artists have been copying the techniques and methods of great artists for hundreds of years. Just because an artist paints ballerinas like Degas, doesn't mean that he is Degas! (Or that people will pay the same for their work, or stop buying Degas.) I don't think collectors are going to pay less for Chihuly's work just because someone else is similar. After all, they want a genuine Chihuly. Of course, I really don't understand all the factors, but I do believe the cliche that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Chihuly is certainly a successful commercial artist. He makes a lot of money doing what he does. Does that make us respect him less? Is there something about the "starving artist" that we respond to? Should art be a way to make a ton of money? Honestly, I have no problem with artists making a very good living. (I just wish that I could afford their work!) :-) If only great teachers made the same. :-)

Sittin' on the couch with Posey

I just wanted to give you a quick update on my vacation. It's been a blast! I'm currently sprawled out on my brother and sister-in-law's couch with their dog, Poe. (She's so pretty...) I've eaten great food, looked at some beautiful art, rested, seen some beautiful Florida scenery and watched the entire Lord of the Rings extended series with David and Katie! It's been a great time.

One thing that's kind of strange is that it feels completely normal to be here. As if I just live an hour away and could pop over at any time. I hate to think that I'll be leaving tomorrow and I have no idea when I'm going to be able to come back. (Part of that is probably fueled by the fact that this is the third time I've visited in the past year. I doubt I'll be able to do that again...)

I wish I could give you pictures, but I don't own a digital camera yet. That will probably be my next big technology purchase, but I've got to save up! Do any of you have suggestions? Good cameras? Cameras to stay away from? What is worth the money and what is a dumb extra expense?

Chihuly's Glass

Without a doubt, my favorite living artist is Dale Chihuly. I have been fascinated by his work for probably twenty years. I remember reading an article about him and his glass when I was in 5th or 6th grade and I just couldn't get over what he could with glass and color.

I rediscovered that love today when I found his website. I have spent hours today looking at his work and watching videos of his installations, selected works, and process of creating his art... There is actually a Chihuly installation in my hometown. One of his chandeliers is hanging in the Beech Museum of Art here in Manhattan. (My little town continues to surprise me...)

There are several things I love about Chihuly's work. First of all, glass seems to be a little unpredictable. There are accidents that can make a piece more beautiful and intriguing than it was designed to be. Chihuly works fast to take advantage of this. He deliberately tries to avoid thinking too much about his creations during the design phase because he believes that spontaneity is part of the process. He also seems to be one of those people who inspires those around him to reach their full potential and go beyond what they thought they could achieve. People become better artists because of his influence.


The more I think about it, the more I realize that glass is incredible. Sand makes up a large part of it. Sand. And it turns into something desperately beautiful. Something relatively unattractive and very cheap is transformed in the hands of a master craftsman into something exquisite and very, very valuable. What a picture of the Lord and the touch of his hands on our hearts.

I think what I love most about Chihuly's work is how he uses color. I love color. Especially bright, bold color. I also love flowers and nature and the color combinations that God put together. If you visit Chihuly's website (and I highly recommend that you do) check out the video on the chandelier he created for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It's amazing. I think one of the reasons I love that piece is that it's the color of leaves and the sky on a beautiful Spring afternoon. Also, check out the ceiling of the Bellagio hotel. Talk about color!!

Someday, if I am given a lot of money by an unknown relative (and I don't have any, so it's not likely,) I would love to own a Chihuly piece. If I had hundreds of thousands of dollars, I would build a house with a space to hang a Chihuly chandelier. If I had tens of thousands, I would love to have a piece from the "Macchia" series. Since I'm pretty sure that isn't going to happen, I am enjoying his website. Check it out. Your day will be brighter...

FLORIDA!!!!

I get to go visit my brother and sister-in-law!! Woo Hoo!!!!!! They live in Naples, which is the beach in the above picture... In a few weeks, I'll be lazy in the Florida sun (and hopefully, eating some really good sushi!) :-) :-)

Much thanks goes to my Dad, for helping me out with part of my plane ticket... Thanks, Dad!

I love the mail...

One of my favorite sights when I get home is a brown box with a swoopy arrow sitting on the counter. Yes, it's the beautiful box from Amazon. It might seem a little crazy (and maybe a little "Shoppers Anonymous") but it's so much fun to tear into those boxes! Yesterday, the mailman brought me a few graphic novels I ordered. I'll let you know if they are any good.

Amazing Chocolate

Let me tell you a little story. Tucked into a small Texas town, in a beautiful old Victorian house, is the most amazing chocolate I have ever tasted. This is Wiseman House Chocolates. Wiseman House Chocolates is a creation of Kevin Wenzel, a friend of my sister's. When she and I recently visited her in-laws, we took a little trip to Wiseman House.

Kevin is a genius with chocolate. I don't throw that term around lightly. He uses the most unique ingredients and creates chocolate truffles that are simply a taste of heaven. When we went to visit, Kevin took us back to the kitchen and let us taste a new flavor he was creating. Readers, this is art. Kevin is an artist as much as, if not more than, a painter or sculptor. In addition to being very conscious of the aesthetics of his chocolate, Kevin is also deeply concerned about the taste, texture, flavor and aroma of his creations. He attempted to explain some of the science that goes into truffle making. (I confess, I got a little lost around the second or third application of heat and specific temperature. Suffice it to say, this is a difficult procedure, folks.)

After all of that, when you put a truffle into your mouth, the visuals don't matter and it's just the chocolate that is melting own your tongue. Wow. I put a link to their website above and I highly recommend you order a few. I think that this is going to be my gift of choice for a few people and I'm looking forward to ordering some myself, especially when the weather cools down a bit. They ship anywhere and include a cold pack in the summer months to avoid premature melting. :-) Right now, my favorite is the "Love Potion." This is a truffle with slight hints of cinnamon and chipotle pepper. It's incredible. Then there is the "Wild Woman." This one won "Best Truffle" at the Austin Chocolate Festival. Of course, we can't forget "Snooky" or "Southern Hospitality" (with a hint of Jack Daniels) or any of the other unique flavors.

(P.S. - The picture above is from their website. The truffle on the left is "Wild Woman" and I'm not sure about the others. Please don't use this picture for anything other than talking about Wiseman House Chocolates. (And Kevin, if you happen to see this and don't want me using the picture, just let me know!)

Hello Again

Hi Everyone...

I know, it's been ages since I've written. For a long time, I just didn't feel like I had anything to say. Then, I wasn't sure how to say what I did have. :-) When I last wrote a real entry on this blog, I was definitely at a low point. I finished the school year feeling like I was drained completely dry. It's only been recently that I've begun to feel human again. I want to thank everyone who has been praying for me and listened to me. Thank you so much for being listeners and not advice givers. You have all given me so much grace to be where I am, instead of trying to make me feel better. That is such a rare gift.

That said, I think I'm emerging from the dark a little. God has been faithful through it all and even when I almost couldn't see him, he was there. As I look back, I see evidences of this along the way. Jesus has been with me and usually he has revealed himself through a friend. There are a few people that I want to thank especially -- Jessica (friend), Jessica (sister), Melody, Shelley, Precious, Mom, Amber, Davelyn, Aunt Susan and everyone else who has been loving up on me the past few months. A few days ago, a friend asked me if there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I told her, not yet...but I think I've traveled past the blast radius of the big explosion. :-) Maybe there's a glimmer ahead... I know that's all a little vague, but I didn't want to start posting on random stuff without letting you know how I am.

I am taking this summer off and, let me tell you, it feels a little weird. I'm not sure that I'm all that comfortable with not have a list of tasks. In fact, I think I enjoy having stuff to do. It's very weird. I thought I would love having a summer full of reading, sleeping, movies, and playing on the Internet. I think it's actually stressing me out a little to have nothing to do.

So, I've got a few projects. What is so restful about them is that there is no deadline. I have been organizing my library and if there are books on the floor for a few weeks...that's okay. My wonderful new roommate doesn't care! (Thanks, Alethea!) So, I've come to the conclusion that the most restful thing for me to have is a few projects, but no real pressure to finish them in a timely manner and no one who cares if they are perfect but me. I'm off to assemble my new bookcase! :-)