San Rafael Valley, AZ ~~ Photo by Bill Haas

Sunday, February 7, 2010

COMMONLY USED FOR WINDOWS

Fused, blown, stained, textured, pressed, crystal, dichroic, slumped, moulded, etched, sculptured or cast -- I love ALL glass artistry. My rig, Second Wind, can find its own way to glass museums, exhibits and installations! Glass art is versatile, it's reflective and luminous, and most often three dimensional. Sometimes it's functional, sometimes whimsical; sometimes it tells a story. Pieces often change colors as one walks around it. And most important of all: somehow wine tastes better when drunk from a glass!!!

And so ... my rig found its way to the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea, Kentucky for an exciting exhibition of glass that had been "cooked" in a kiln. (Later on, I'll post some photos of pieces from two other guilds, one in Mississippi, and another in West Virginia.) For now, here are some pieces of kiln-formed glass artistry, a not very common process, with unique results.
My favorite, an extraordinary installation by Sungsoo Kim, is called "Cells 0510" in five pieces.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

WHO DAT?

I LOVE THIS CITY
GEAUX SAINTS!


Friday, February 5, 2010

SLIDING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA

Well, it's not the ROCK that's sliding -- didn't mean to confuse you. It's PEOPLE who slide down the rock. I mean boulder. BIG boulder!

Along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, in Pisgah National Forest just outside of Brevard, this exhilarating 60-foot long water slide appeals to children of all ages. There are changing rooms, observation platforms, lifeguards; a token entrance fee is charged.
~~~~~~~~~~
Change into your suit, water shoes are recommended, line up, patiently wait your turn...
...position yourself at the top...
...push off and...
...enjoy the thrill of...
...riding that refreshing mountain water...
...straight down that 60-foot slippery slope...
...splash down into the seven-foot deep pool...
...just a few strokes to return to shore, get back in line and ride that boulder again ... and again!
Thanks dear; I'm going to line up again. I can't think of a better way to cool off on a hot Summer day!