Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

This gazebo by Creative Carpentry is full of awesome, that all I'm sayin'. I, personally, would either put a hot tub in this baby or turn it into a drawing/creative daydreaming space.

What would you do?

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Gazebo by Creative Carpentry

Solaria Off-Grid Earthship, Taos NM

I've finally been nudged out of my overwhelm by this lovely piece of architecture in Taos, NM called Solaria. While I love the house - and especially that mosaic column - the landscape around is a little bleak for me. I'd want trees. And lots of them.

The idea of being totally off the grid appeals to me in so many ways...right until the part about internet connectivity and speed. That's the deal killer. I suppose that if I didn't make my living needing high speed internet it might not matter, but for now it does. Sigh.

The video is a slide show of many of the pictures of the interior/exterior of the house, sadly it isn't a walk through talking about construction and livability. But we can't have everything I guess ;)

Solaria Earthship - Mosaic Column

Solaria Earthship Bedroom

Solaria Earthship Oculus

The Flaming Lotus Girls Light My Fire

I believe I have just found my people.

Kinetic sculpture? check.
Large scale art installation? check.
Fire? check.

Where do I sign up?

Flaming Lotus Girls - Merope 2

Flaming Lotus Girls - Serpent Mother

Flaming Lotus Girls - Tympani Lambada

Flaming Lotus Girls - Xylophage

Luminasia at the LA County Fair

It's a rare treat when I get to actually go see some of the amazing things I feature on this blog!

I was delighted (DELIGHTED, I tell you) to run across this fantastic lighting sculptural display at the LA County Fair this week called Luminasia.

49 artisans from China have built this spectacular display right on site in Pomona over the course of 6 weeks. I have to admit that I have no love for the gaudy, carny atmosphere of county fairs but this is worthy of the trip if you can avoid the instant-heart-attack food offerings. Bonus: you want to see this at night when temperatures have cooled off.

Luminasia at the LA County Fair

Luminasia at the LA County Fair

Luminasia at the LA County Fair

Luminasia at the LA County Fair

Luminasia at the LA County Fair

Rock Mosaics from Ancient Art of Stone

Sometimes art is not only a love story between a creator and a medium, but between two creators and a medium. 

Frankly, I'm more than a little envious that Naomi Zettl & Andreas Kunert have a relationship based on love of each other and their art. We should all be so lucky to have someone share our passions so completely and be able to translate that into something beautiful that can be shared by everyone. 

I've been making my first forays into working with Pebble Mosaics and they are so much harder than they look. My tendency is to not want to waste material, but that's just not possible within the confines of a pattern. You have to choose the right pieces, the ones that result in the best design realization, and not all your pebbles meet the grade. 

What's not shown in the photographs - the piles of rock that didn't make the cut. The challenge for those of us who hate to waste is to find ways to use them somewhere else. 

Rock Wall Mosaic from Ancient Art of Stone 

Fireplace Mosaic from Ancient Art of Stone 

Rock Wall Mosaic from Ancient Art of Stone 

Rock Wall Mosaic from Ancient Art of Stone 

Pebble Mosaic from Ancient Art of Stone 

Cave Digging with Ra Paulette

I've long been a fan of James Hubbell's statement "A house is a piece of sculpture that you live in" and I'm adding a second quote to that from Ra Paulette "I want to create a space that's transformative".

This is exactly what draws me to organic architecture - transformative spaces. Maybe it's just me, but I don't find boxes transformative. They're just boxes that hold your stuff. The curves and softness of organic shapes is what I find transformative. 

I find beauty transformative. 

I find artistry and craftsmanship transformative. 

I hope you find Ra Paulette's work as transformative as I did.

The caves are carved by hand into the sandstone cliffs of Northern New Mexico by Ra himself. 

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Wire Fantasy Sculptures by Robin Wight

It's fascinating how fast word spreads amongst the arty folk when something "cool" is discovered. Robin Wight is enjoying his newly acquired fame and I'm going to pile on because pretty must be shared....everywhere!

By the way, if these inspire you, there are kits available and the artist has detailed drawings and photos of the works in progress. It always looks so simple...hey, I've got wire in the garage!...but the reality is always that creating takes time and mastery.

Butterflies by Robin Wight

Cobwebs by Robin Wight

Wishes by Robin Wight

Raindance by Robin Wight

YinYang by Robin Wight