Semblance of a Whole

Two months ago, my son was browsing the internet when he found the tickets to see Conan O'Brien had just gone on sale. In a moment of uncharacteristic spontaneity (I'm working on it!), we ordered three tickets. The simple "yes" turned into so much more than just this concert!
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Here's a photo journal of our trip!

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Oh, Minneapolis - you've captured my heart!

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Look at this fantastic architecture! Old and new so beautifully merged.

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Spoonbridge Scuplture, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

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 These words are written on the side of the Walker Art Center. Great quote...isn't it cool how a brown brick wall can be transformed into something else simply by the addition of words?

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Walker Art Center: We saw an Andy Warhol, a George Segal, and even a Yoko Ono!

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View from Walker Art Center roof patio. (note the bridge in the background!)

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The Nicollet Mall

This is where the famous hat throw in the opening credits of the Mary Tyler Moore Show was filmed.

Who can turn the world on with a smile?
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Quick stops at Mall of America and Ikea (can that ever be quick?)

Record shopping at both Cheapo and Shuga Records :)

Magers and Quinn Booksellers - the best independent bookstore in Minneapolis!!!

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AND NOW FOR CONAN!

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(the sculpture my son made)

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The beautiful Orpheum Theater was built in 1921 and has staged such acts as the Marx Brothers and Jack Benny!

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Yeah! An old style marquee added to the anticipation of the show that evening.

In the three days we were there, the marquee named Barenaked Ladies, The Goo Goo Dolls and Conan!

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The stage is set...

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Conan and guests put on a hilarious show.

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Another gorgeous cityscape as we walked home after the concert!

Thanks for browsing and check out my flickr for a few more pictures!
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"I imagine that yes is the only living thing." -e.e.cummings

Karen 

May 26, 2010

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MOTION, STILLNESS, and PLACE

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I recently took a trip to Minneapolis with my son and his friend to see Conan O’Brien’s live tour (among other things). Our little vacation became much more than that—vinyl records (imagine that!) and art became its alternate focuses. On the third day, we decided to walk from our hotel to the Walker Art Center, about half an hour away.

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We had to cross a freeway to get there.

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What we found was a bridge that may have been just a big hunk of steel and bolts simply fulfilling its purpose: to transport people across the highway safely.

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But what we found while walking towards our day of modern art was an astonishing piece of art in itself.
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(image credit http://garden.walkerart.org/artwork.wac)
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Looking back, we can  appreciate the bridge's architecture and design, but as we approached, all we saw was a bridge—painted  pleasant shades of blue and yellow. After we climbed up to it's walkway, what struck us at was a poem written atop its highest beams.

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And there we stood, walking slowly above the hustle of highway traffic, reading the words written upon the
structure that seemed to melt into sky.

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Upon our return, we found out that the bridge's architect/artist had comissioned John Ashbery to write a poem specifically for the bridge. By doing this, a walk across a bridge that we wouldn’t think twice about became an experience that I just can’t get out of my head.
Inspiration!
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And I cannot remember
How I would have had it

It is not a conduit (confluence?)

But a place. The place, of movement and an order.

The place of old order.
But the tail end of the movement is new,

Driving us to say what we are thinking.

It is so much like a beach after all

Where you stand and think of going no further.

And it is good when you get to go no further,

It is like a reason that picks you up

And places you where you always wanted

To be.

This far.

It is fair to be crossing, to have crossed.

Then there is no promise in the other.

Here it is.

Steel and air, a mottled presence,

Small panacea and lucky for us.

And then it got very cool.

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-John Ashbery

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This slideshow is as close of an experience as you can get without being there! The photos were taken by trekfeet on flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7239727@N02/sets/72157621935769959/show/
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More Minneapolis pic's in a few days!
Karen xo

May 19th, 2010

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It's amazing to me how when I stop the incessant mental chatter, and actually just see things, I am blown away by how beautiful they are. The trees swaying, the leaves blowing around on the ground, the waves crashing on the shore. The simplest of things have the most profound beauty.  [...] It’s often where you least expect it.                           - Jonathan Mead

My son and I went for a walk last week. Ever since he was little, we always were looking for neat things around us. We used to play a game where we would look for the alphabet in everyday things as we would walk down the street.  "A" could be the frame of a house. The big elm tree outside our house would always pose as "Y".

As my son has gotten older, we still remind each other of what is happening around us: the budding of the trees, the first tulips, the color of the sky. Alot of time we'll take pictures!
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Today, I'd like to share some of those pictures!
I hope you find some small beauty as you walk through your week.
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Karen :)
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"We cannot perceive beauty but with a serene mind."

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

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Balancing Stones!

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I thought I'd share some rock balancing with you! This is an activity that my family has been doing for years. I know that there is a lot of rock enthusiasts out there, and this is a great addition for anyone's garden. I have a collection of stones just for this purpose! People have brought me stones from all different parts of North America over the years.
All you have to do is take a pile of rocks and stack to your delight (It might take a bit of patience at first!!)
If you decide to try this, send me a picture of your creation to post!
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If you want to see some real CRAZY inspiration for your Rock balancing, check out Bill Dan, who takes this to an entirely different level!  ROCK ON!

http://www.rock-on-rock-on.com/gallery-rock-balancing.html

Karen :)

Inspire Me Wednesdays

ADAM FUHR IS AWESOME

Inspiration:

Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.

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 Each Wednesday, I will share the special things that give influence to my work and my life.

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To me, inspiration is something that lifts me up, makes me want to do, improve, create.

It gives me chills (good ones!), moves me, and fills my soul.

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Here's a list of things that can inspire me, encourage me to think deeply, or just make my day!

I'd love to hear from you if there is anything you would put on your list!

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BOOKS, animals, PHOTOGRAPHY, children, cool fonts, innovation, PURE JOY, volunteers, great album covers, history, FRIENDS, positivity, creativity, curiosity, a kind gesture, trees, MUSIC, laughter, fearless individuals, BALANCE, sunshine, a really good CONVERSATION, forgiveness, FAMILY, ideas, honesty, quotes, lifelonglearners, artsy movies, MY CAT, the first tulips of spring, travel, BAKERIES, sticktoitiveness, live theatre, the beach, LIBRARIES, ANYTHING handmade and, of course, ROCKS!

love to all the moms

(image credit: www.bfpo.mod.uk)

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Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!
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(Bryce Brown Figurative Art)

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If there is happiness in my heart, you helped put it there.

If there is gentleness in my beliefs, you showed me compassion.

If I believe in myself, you pushed me towards what I love,

If I face the world with grace, you have filled the world's dreams.
-Anon.

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Have a wonderful day!
Think of your mama today, and if you are one, hope you are well taken care of!
I love you, mom!
Karen

Etsy Shop Launch!

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What an exciting day! ArtRocks Online has opened it's "doors".

Click here to begin walking up and down it's aisles!

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Please e-mail me with any questions, comments, or concerns.

To my local customers: Remember, if you are interested in purchasing an Inspired Stone online, you DO NOT have to have it shipped. Just click "other" under payment options and we'll talk about payment and pickup!

Karen

Many Thanks

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Hi everybody!

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The last few days have been busy. I've been off showing my art at a few different venues!

My first stop was at Global Village Artifacts and Accents in Stonewall. What a beautiful store and great people.

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Then it was away to Fort Whyte Alive for the Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library Artisans Sale. I always feel reconnected to nature after being out at Fort Whyte.

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I will always remember the first time I was in this sale, two years ago. As we drove up to the building early in the morning, we were amazed to see a dozen deer lazing in the parking lot! They musn't have been too disturbed, because as we slowly drove past their little gathering, they simply moved over to the left and observed us unpack our wares.

Now that doesn't happen every craft sale!

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Well, no deers this year, but I was glad to see many geese. I was happy to be walking closely among a score of the creatures until I observed one of the many signs that warned that the geese could be very aggessive this time of year! When I phoned my son, he reassured me by saying it reminded him of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". Well, I sure felt better then.

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Thanks to all my great customers for all the wonderful conversations.

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Check back on Wednesday for the launch of my new Etsy shop(pe)!

Karen :)