Thursday, June 13, 2013

Inorganic Flora Art - Macoto Murayama

Artist Macato Murayama has created these gorgeous images by dissecting flowers, sketching their parts, and then modeling them in 3D Studio Max. We don't often think of what marvels of engineering flowers are (and we also don't tend to view them as what they really are - the reproductive organs of plants...)

I found these flower images breathtaking even when deprived of their normal color and I found myself still imaging their scent.


Satsuki Azelea, modeled by artist Macato Murayama

Chrysanthemum, modeled by artist Macato Murayama

Japanese Lily, modeled by artist Macato Murayama

Spider Lily, modeled by artist Macato Murayama

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Lotus House - Ken Kellogg, Architect

So, a rare opportunity cropped up for a tour of some of Ken Kellogg's fantastic work. The only one I could get to was the (luckily) the one I wanted to see the most, the Yen House in La Jolla (also called the Poppy House or the Lotus House.)

Pictures from the tour - which supports the Institute for Organic Architecture he is constructing.

Best quote: "Architecture is a love affair with nature."

Lotus House - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Lotus House - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Lotus House - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Lotus House - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Lotus House - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Monday, May 20, 2013

Stillness - Poetry

Today, something a little different. I've been delving back into the world of poetry and want to share a first effort.


Stillness


My mind needs a garden.

A place to find stillness of the soul.

A place with both familiar paths
                      and unknown trails leading off into dappled woods.

A bench to rest a weary life.

Quiet.

Peace.

The lullaby of running water.

A sense that there is something bigger at work.

A letting go and finding clarity of purpose.
                Or maybe finding that I don’t need one - that the only task is to just be
                              and do no harm.

Color.

Scent.

Sudden bursts of beauty, unfurling, nodding in the breeze.

I want a place
in which to bloom.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Creative Cob House - Somerset

Thanks to a commenter, I stumbled upon a whole trove of amazing examples of organic homes over at naturalhomes.org.  The first one that caught my eye was this piece of livable art built by the Goatlings in Somerset, UK.

It will come as no surprise that one of the owners is a artisan woodsmith. I may need to import him when I build my house ;)



Cob house in Somerset, UK

Cob house in Somerset, UK

Cob house in Somerset, UK

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Atoll House - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

It's been awhile since we visited the wonders of architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg, a favorite of mine and pal of James Hubbell.

His name came back up when I recently got an invitation to tour some of his homes and chat with the architect (pictures and goodies coming!) While this beauty, called the Atoll House (La Jolla, CA), isn't on the itinerary, we do have some eye candy.

Stained glass and chandeliers are by James Hubbell.

Atoll House, La Jolla - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Atoll House, La Jolla - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Atoll House, La Jolla - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Atoll House, La Jolla - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Atoll House, La Jolla - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Atoll House, La Jolla - Kendrick Kellogg, Architect

Thursday, April 18, 2013

A Dome House in Thailand

I'm not sure what's more enchanting about Steve Areen's Dome House in Thailand - the house or the story behind it. 

1. Mango Farm? I am so there. Yes, please. 
2. Dome house? Check, like that's a surprise. 
3. Built with less than $9,000? Holy organic architecture, Batman! 
4. Results? Gorgeous, when can I move in? 

There are tons of pictures over at the website, these were my favorites. 

Steve Areen Dome House - Thailand

Steve Areen Dome House - Thailand

Steve Areen Dome House - Thailand

Steve Areen Dome House - Thailand
 
Steve Areen Dome House - Thailand

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Nymphaeum Omega Fountain - Ernst Fuchs Museaum

Maybe it's just my mood, but there seems to have been a little lull in eye candy and things that make me go "ooohhhhh" in my content streams lately.

Or it might also be that blogging is hard work and my few remaining neurons are focused on other projects ;)

But, hark, there is a bit of pretty to be shared - the Nymphaeum Omega Fountain and Moses Statue at the Ernst Fuchs Museum  After much searching, I regret that I can't find any story about how the Pump House for the estate came to be such a glorious creation. Art is like that sometimes. It just is.

Nymphaeum Omega Fountain & Moses Statue, Ernst Fuchs Museum

Nymphaeum Omega Fountain & Moses Statue, Ernst Fuchs Museum

Nymphaeum Omega Fountain, Ernst Fuchs Museum

Nymphaeum Omega Fountain, Ernst Fuchs Museum

Pump House, Ernst Fuchs Museum