Into the Wild

Happy Labor Day. I hope your holiday is filled with family and friends and some quiet time as well. In between mastering Vista, learning the complexities of my new computer and feeding family, I have three very pleasant pastimes.

Last night we watched "Into the Wild," a beautifully directed movie by Sean Penn. I had read the book a couple of years ago, about Chris McCandless, a bright young man, but nevertheless troubled enough to run away from his past and his future with a Jack London sort of style. Sadly he died in the Alaskan wilderness while on an epic adventure. His story is recounted by author Jon Krakauer who was able to recount the journey of McCandless through his journals.

I'm also reading two books. One is "Nicholas and Alexandra," a nicely written history of the last Tsar of Russia. I saw the movie years ago, and am enjoying now reading the book, which was reccommended by a neighbor of mine who just returned from a trip to Russia. I've always wanted to visit St. Petersburg, but now have two additional destinations in mind. The Crimea area, where the tsar vacationed and Tsarskoe Selo, where the royal family once lived, if it still exists. So much of Russia's past has been wiped out by its Communistic era.

The last diversion I have going, other than dog sitting for two extra dogs, is Obama's book, Audacity of Hope. Politicians have discovered it is more effective to write a book before getting the office, rather than after, because it is a great way to be heard without being hacked to death by the media. The book, for the most part is fascinating, although I don't need to be convinced of similar values I apparently hold with the next President of the United States, I am thankful there is a candidate out there that upholds decency and generosity.

The family arrives tonight and we will have a last summer fling. Have a great one.--Ruth Mitchell

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Incredible Auto

We've written about the Tesla before, but thought you might enjoy seeing a more comprehensive article appearing on justluxe.com. Also, see our entire collection of articles on this glitzy site.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

A Season for CERF

Forty-three craft related businesses have already signed on to participate in CERF's 12th annual nationwide fundraising event, A Season for CERF. Craft Emergency Relief Fund is committed to supporting the careers of craft artists throughout the United States. Through business and career-strengthening programs, emergency relief support, advocacy and research CERF helps professional craft artists strengthen and sustain their careers so that they can thrive and, thus, contribute to the quality of life in our communities. CERF wants to provide participants who choose to host an event the option to have it take place anytime between September and December 2008.

CERF counts on its A Season for CERF community of gallery owners and others to help educate customers, artists, and their local community about CERF's mission and work. In 2007, A Month for CERF raised $42,815. Sign-ups for this year's event are still welcome. Register online, contact Elissa Campbell via Email or call (802) 229-2306.
Click here for a full listing of A Season for CERF 2008 participants. You can also view our A Season for CERF Google Map to get customized directions from your home to a gallery near you, making your visit easier than ever.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Need a Wedding Gift? Then buy an Heirloom Gift

This stunning Stoneware "Wedding Plate" by award-winning potter Allan Buitekant, features a Shino glaze, and is fired in a Carbon Trap atmosphere. The 18kt gold glazed handles set this piece off as heirloom gift that will be loved and passed down through the generations. It has a 17" circumference. This is a limited time offer to own or gift this wonderful hand thrown piece. - Love this work of art? Then BUY NOW. We do not charge your card until we have a guarantee from the artist this original work of art is still available. We further guarantee your satisfaction with our return policy. Your art will be shipped absolutely free as quickly as possible. We also know security is important and that's why we use Authorize.net, the best on-line payment system with 100 % guaranteed safety.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Give it Away and You Shall Enjoy Mortality

Back in the day when I was working as editor of a, what they call in the trade, "shelter," magazine I had the privilege to meet artist Benini and his wife Lorraine. At that time they were living in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas and if not solely responsible for the upswing of the downtown area, they were certainly a driving force in breathing new life into the urban setting of the only National Park in the country that has an urban setting.

It has been my experience that our homes truly are a reflection of our personalities, and artists I find, as a rule, have fascinating homes. Benini and Lorraine's home was no exception to this rule. In addition to the exotic atmosphere,on the second-story flat with the gallery below at street level, Benini had a library of thousands of volumes which he shared openly with anyone interested in benefiting from this collective knowledge. Benini and Lorraine not only actively promote his work, but encourage the success of other artists with their frequent ARTS Encounters at their Sculpture Ranch in Texas hill country, a piece of property once owned by President Lyndon Johnson. While Benini is an accomplished artist, it is in this spirit of "giving it away" that he has prospered. And giving credit where credit is due, Lorraine creates an environment of generosity throughout their endeavors.

Someone recently sent me a memo, "give it away and you shall enjoy mortality." Benini and Lorraine certainly fall under this category. And while immortality is a lofty goal, giving it away, or sharing one's life experiences is a rewarding endeavor in and of itself. We share with you now, a presentation sent to us by Lorraine, and hope you come to enjoy and know the work that is Benini.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Upcoming Exhibits for Abhilasha Singh

We thought you'd like to know...


Zsombrak Art Gallery
http://www.zsombrak.com/
Abhilasha Singh
"Women"
Jul 23rd - Sep 21st 2008



Buy Art Fair
Manchester; UK
October 9-12 (2008)
Represented by PopChoc gallery
http://www.popchoc.com/

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Eye on the Crescent City

You live in New Orleans and you're a photographer and everywhere you point your camera, the city speaks. We bring to you the works of April Allen.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Alex Koll Please

He was on the cover of the San Francisco Chronicle, our friend, comedian Alex Koll, but they spelled his name wrong. Let's hope Mr. Awesome won the 2008 National Air Guitar Championships last night.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

"I painted my own Reality"--Frida Kahlo

It's been a long time since I have been so emotionally intrigued by an art exhibit. To tell you the truth, I knew very little about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) until a recent visit to San Francisco and the immensely popular exhibit being held at the San Francisco Moma.

The place was packed, and for good reason. The exhibit not only had lots and lots of Kahlo's works, but an extensive photographic and historical display of her colorful life. André Breton described Kahlo's work as surreal, but Kahlo claims she never painted her dreams, "I painted my own reality."

And if this is her reality, then I think it might just be a little spooky to meet her. She was plagued by physical ailments, her whole life, a husband who betrayed her (with her sister no less), the famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera and she held nothing back using her art to display to the whole world her physical and emotional pain. Some of the images are quite uncomfortable to view such as the one she painted after a miscarriage, or one titled "A Few Small Nips" inspired by a murder trial in which the drunken perpetrator justified his actions by proclaiming "I only gave her a few small nips."

This exhibit continues through September 28, 2008, and if you are in the area, you really ought to see it.--Ruth Mitchell

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Non-Traditional Weddings Merit Non-traditional Gifts

A little over a year ago I wrote about my daughter's very non-traditional wedding. We're still receiving a high volume of hits on that blog entry. Why? Because young people today want to personalize their most sacred wedding ceremony to reflect their style, tastes and interests. The non-traditional wedding is not something new, although it has grown in velocity in our culture since the middle of last century.

Just like the ceremony, the interest in non-traditional wedding gifts is widely apparent. There are more men in the kitchen than ever before with the changing of roles women are playing as they seek careers in addition to traditional child-bearing roles. Fancy china is no longer seen as a status symbol, but in many cases Grandma's China collection has become a liability young people have to cart around the country as they pursue career goals.

As our society becomes more technologized (heck, you can't rely on paper and pen anymore you have to have one of those nifty computers that will transpose your notes; so does our need for authenticity That's why art and fine handmade things are always so desirable to newlyweds. What could be nicer than a piece of hand thrown pottery from Allan Buitekant's studio? Or a hand blown glass sake set by glassblower Andrew Pollack? Have you seen the latest paintings by Diana Bradley, or April Shurgar? What about a beautiful cutting board from Jennifer Adams at Kentucky Cutting Boards?

If you have a young couple in your life that are about to say their vows, be a cool dude or dudette and give them something they will cherish for a lifetime, an heirloom gift from buyoutsidethebox.com.--Ruth Mitchell

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Do You Know the Way to Santa Fe?

"Blue and Green Music" - The Art Institute of Chicago Collection

I finally get to see Santa Fe, and what to my wondering eyes does appear, why a wonderful exhibit at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum featuring works by herself and her close friend Ansel Adams. The Exhibit, titled Natural Affinities, was a real treat for me. I first discovered both of them at about the same time, years ago, while studying photography. Oh, and by the way, Georgia was married to Alfred Stieglitz another American photography icon.

O'Keeffe and Adams met in Taos, New Mexico in 1929. O'Keeffe was visiting from New York, and Adams was working on a collaborative effort, Taos Pueblo, with text by Mary Austin. At that time Adams was a relative unknown, but O'Keeffe was one of the most well-known and celebrated modernist painters. She was 42, he was 27. The two became immediate friends.

In 1933, Adams went to New York to meet O'Keeffe's husband Alfred Stieglitz, who was by then in his '70s. Three years later, Stieglitz gave Adams a show in his New York Gallery. O'Keeffe and Adams remained friends until their deaths in the 1980s, he in 1984 at the age of 82, and she in 1986 at the extraordinary age of 98.

Although their mediums are very different, the two artists held a fascination with landscapes both large and small that brought out the similarities of nature rather than the differences.

The exhibit is ongoing until September 7th, so if you get the chance, stop by and take it in.--Ruth Mitchell

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

AARRGH!

We all have those technically challenged days, and I've been having one. First I got an email stuck in my Outlook outbox. In the past I've spent a large part of a day on this problem, because I couldn't email anything. Couldn't find my instructions to fix this, but luckily, I remembered what to do. Then, for the first time in the history of our site, I couldn't get to the site. Never had this happened before. I'm calling our techie, Will Hall, and he sees no problem with the site. Must be on my end. That's kind of like calling the city to find out the sewage stop up is on your end of the line. Aaargh! I hate this. If it weren't for the wonderful distractors outside my window, I think I would have stomped off from my desk about two hours ago.

For instance I have a spirited band of hummingbirds at the feeder, one of which is enjoying giving chase to a Chickadee, three times his size. Then I just sighted at Black and White Warbler, the likes of which I've only spotted several times in my life.

The birds have come back by the way. Its a broiling 101 degrees today, and the birds have been absent for several weeks now. I quit feeding them because all I was doing was fattening up the chipmunks around here. One morning a couple of weeks ago, I went out to chase one off and to my chagrin, he/she did a terrible belly flop to the ground. I was so upset that I might have caused this little cherub to hurt himself. So I threw up my hands and quit feeding the birds. Now they are back in full force, and the chipmunks and squirrels stay at bay. Such are the fascinating cycles we have around here.

Guess what, a live update from Norton fixed my computer, and I'm back in business again. Thank God for nature and its distractions. Now back to work...Ruth Mitchell

More Photos of the National Parks of the West

Heck no, we're not through sharing our latest adventure with you. If you didn't get enough pictures of the West yet, try this link for a more in-depth article and 35 photos of the train trip on the GrandLuxe Rail to see the National Parks of the West.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Smokin'

TESLA

She's hot, 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. She's clean, just look at those sexy lines. But most of all the Tesla Sportster is all electric. Why can't we all be driving one? Well you can preorder your 2009 model right now, but unless you live close to California, repairs might be a little pricey, even if you could afford the $109,000 price tag. That's because you have to ship your car to the factory for maintenance and repairs. I can't wait to order mine, but I think I'll have to wait until they are a little more accessible.

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved

Just In Time for Summer

We think you'll like these new watercolor images from artist Diana Bradley. See more here...

(c) 2008 - Ruth Mitchell - all rights reserved