Nature fights back

Yesterday was our day at the Crystal Bridges Art Museum (diorama below). 

This is a large museum in Bentonville, AR, built by a Wal-Mart heir.  If you get a chance, the permanent collection is really wonderful.  They had the Angels and Tomboys exhibit on and for some reason, I’ve heard of that, but can’t remember where.  We only toured the permanent collection.

We had lunch in the restaurant at the museum and it was really good.  There were expansive garden views as well, and we didn’t get to tour that, either. 

I was really into faces, just looking at how the artists captured the facial expressions of the subjects.

 

Portrait of George Henschel by John Singer Sargent

I found this man’s expression to be quite beautiful.  I wonder if he was someone special to the artist to get that expression from him. 

Even Jeanne by Alfred Henry Maurer

Such a bitter looking sneer, like she was being made to model in a cold “smoking area”.  (honestly, my photo doesn’t do her expression justice.  she doesn’t look nearly as bitter here as she did on the wall)

And, of course, Rosie the Riveter by Norman Rockwell.  What confidence.

The exhibit was set up in time order, from the early colonial period to contemporary art. 

One of our favorites was this sculpture, Man on a Bench by Duane Hanson.  He was so real, right down to the wrinkles in his arms where they rested on his legs and the wrinkles in his socks. 

And, Dolly Parton, by Andy Warhol.

This one really spoke to me.  Old Self:  Portrait of the Artist as He Will (Not) Be. Variation #2. by Evan Penny.

After that, we got back so Syd could have a swim and we hit the big salad bar restaurant in town, where we talked bad about people that didn’t know how to act in restaurants, like the lady that slapped her child and the table full of people that got mad at the waitress because their food took so long (large group) and asked for “to-go” containers immediately, put their food in the containers, but then they sat at the table and ate it out of the containers.  Okay, you gotta admit that was weird, right?  Great dinner conversation for a group that has been together so long they’ve run out of stuff to talk about. 

We also picked up my Hawaiian style quilt kit.

Island Coconut is the pattern.  I got it in a slightly printed fabric that will give the palms some motion.  The kit has the precut applique, the white background, a muslin for a back, a thick poly batting, a color matched spool of thread, an applique needle and a quilting needle and a bit of piping that I probably won’t use, and a very thorough set of instructions.  He has 12 die-cuts he can make.  I bought an additional 2/3 yd of the print for a backing and binding in case I decide not to use the muslin.  It was $30.  I’m pretty happy about it and it’s hard not to start.  His kit has everything.  He’s an enabler.  Here’s his info if you want to contact him.  (I am a non-paid spokesperson who had a good experience and am sharing it, but I can’t guarantee your experience.  He seems like a really nice guy and would likely ship.)

I finished repairing a sock this morning, and I’m nearly done sewing the binding on the Pond Mountain quilt (strike that, I finished two minutes ago while Syd and Rob were horseback riding).  Those were my big projects for vacation.  I’ve had plenty of sewing time and have been feverishly basting hexies whenever we drove any distance.  I’ve also been replacing hexies in the part that was done. 

Those two light rounds on each side of the first border disappeared because some of the neutrals were medium and blended with the greens.  I’ve replaced most of them with light neutrals and the borders are showing up now.  (Color gets all the credit, but value does all the work)  I might replace a few more, but not many.  I said I’d replace hexies until the rows became visible.  I can see them.  Can you?  It’s really kind of a pain to replace them, so if we all see the borders, I might be able to stop the compulsion to take it apart again. 

Please see them.

Be well and have a great Thursday.  I have to get back to my packing.  Tomorrow is a travel day.  The sitter texted us from the rain guage in our backyard last night, and we’ve gotten 3 inches of rain.  Waa-hoo!  I can’t wait to see what’s going on in my garden.

The chiggers are killing us.  Rob has to bathe in repellant to go out with the dog.  Sydney isn’t phased.  I only walk on the paths, so I don’t have nearly so many.  But, last night, something climbed up my shorts leg and bit me 4 times on the butt, before I realized something was going on and ran to the bedroom for a fast strip.  It looked like a cross between a wingless bee and a huge black ant, after I beat the crap out of it with a shoe in retaliation.  And, it left welts that have luckily gone this morning.  Or, I’d be in trouble trying to sit.  And, we drive 9 hours tomorrow.

Lane