Turtle Hill/Mark Fletcher

Jeff and Dede: Wild Animals at 34th sketchcrawl celebration

2012-02-11T17:40:00.001-08:00

Here's Jeff and Dede with a couple wild animals at the Tallahassee Museum's Matinee of the Arts where sketchcrawl artists were featured and the museum visitors added their sketches to the Sketchcrawl 34 exhibit.

2012 Gallery Talks!

2012-02-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

Upcoming gallery talks at the Artport:

Saturday February 18, 2pm
Wednesday, March 14, 2pm
FREE admission!

http://www.cocanet.org/artport-gallery

34th Worldwide Sketchcrawl

2012-01-21T16:54:00.000-08:00

Mary Sterner Lawson's photo collage of Sketchcrawl Tallahassee participants (and Museum Exhibits Specialist Sarah Wagoner [standing bottom left photo] who is the creative planner for our upcoming exhibit)

34th Worldwide Sketchcrawl: New member showcase: Tim White did amazing and rapid drawings of the pioneer architecture with his micron pen--wish you all could see his wonderful sketchbooks!
Tim White

Tim White

Our local Sketchcrawl group got together for the 34th International drawing marathon today. The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, one of our favorite and most inspirational sketchspots, hosted the group--offering free admission and a gallery exhibit of our sketches. Free admission to the park on Jan 29th after 2 pm and Feb 11th all day to anyone who comes to view the exhibit. Thanks Tallahassee Museum!

Participants today included, Jennifer Clinard, Mark Fletcher, Bill Otersen, Barbara Psimas, Mary Sterner Lawson, and Tim White.

Today Jennifer Clinard finished her sketch of our long-time animal friend Carmella the cow (who just recently passed away) by completing the background

Mark Fletcher's portraits/sketches of our new calf Maizey, with goats behind her

Bill Otersen captured the essence of the ever-moving emus

Bill Otersen can even draw while waiting in line for lunch!

Some members sketched despite difficult life circumstances today. Thanks for your efforts!

Other members who have drawn at the Museum and will be in the show Jan 29

include John Bevis, Sara Chang, Dede Harter and Jeff Zenick.

Mark Fletcher's sketch of Ann spinning stories and yarn

Jennifer Clinard's beautiful otter

Bill Otersen's vulture

Mark Fletcher's Blacksmiths

Barb Psimas' landscape

Mary Sterner Lawson's "The Sketchcrawlers"

Mary Sterner Lawson's "The Little Candlemakers"

Mary Sterner Lawson's "Heating the Parafin for Candlemaking "

Mary Sterner Lawson's "The Contemplative Chandler"

Although she did not join us at the Tallahassee Museum crawl, Joyce Raichelson's drawing is in the spirit of Sketchcrawl and we hope she will come with us next time. Joyce drew this scene at Dorothy Oven Park.

If anyone sketched on their own in the Tallahssee area outside the museum on this worldwide art day, please email your jpgs to me at my email turtlehillclaystudio@yahoo.com for posting at www.sketchcrawl.com

2 Exhibits!

2012-01-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

Check out both exhibits!

Sketchcrawling @ the Museum

January 27--February 26, 2012

Reception: January 29, 2:00--4:00 pm

Tallahassee Museum

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs094/1102010840006/archive/1109091687874.html

"Call to Crawl" for the 34th Worldwide Sketchcrawl on January 21st 2012

2011-11-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Helllllllo Tallahasseeeeee! This your "Call to Crawl" for the 34th Worldwide Sketchcrawl on January 21st 2012 (that's 1/21/12 for all you numerologists). Location will probably be the Museum grounds--in light of our upcoming exhibit: maybe the rehab zoo there? still a lot of uncharted swamp and critters (and people)

World Wide Sketchcrawl 33

2011-10-18T17:04:00.000-07:00

Hi World Wide Sketchercrawlers! The Tallahassee group went to the "Junior Museum" (now known as the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science) for World Wide SketchCrawl number 33. My first sketch is of a dinosaur made from metal car parts by artist Jim Gary (I drew this at the Jr. Museum after returning to Tallahassee --not really for the crawl, but related by location--after returning from my sister Jane's wedding to Bill in Ohio). My other 3 sketches are from THE official worldwide sketchcrawl day when I was still in Ohio: Nephew Casey on posing as "The Thinker" on a ball, a covered bridge (we ate excellent pizza in a restaurant in another covered bridge), and the gazebo under beautiful trees that lost their yellow leaves in the 50 mph winds on crawl day --(looks like the gazebo will blow over in my sketch)--the wedding had to be moved indoors). My last sketch is the support of an old log building. Our first contributions for World Wide SketchCrawl number 33 came from Mary Sterner Lawson who chose these 4: Bill Otersen's "Museum Critters" sketch just came in! Other sketches will be posted as they come in.

A Brushstroke Path 2011

2011-10-01T09:32:00.001-07:00

Do your holiday shopping at our show/sale!

Watercolor Sketches; Curtains & Contrasts

2011-09-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

Last class we talked about contrasts.
Your homework was to use curtains (or similar motif) to augment contrast effects using as many of the following as possible:
tone vs hue, line vs wash, neutrals vs intense colors, detailed vs generalized, use of contrasting media within a single artwork, sharp vs fuzzy, cinnamon vs sugar?!;
Here are a couple quickies: 1. looking out my back window at the first cool day in a long time, and another example 2. looking into the hot oven at a the first pie in a long time. [click on the images to enlarge]

The fresh pears were from Betty Magnuson's tree--thanks for the inspiration and dessert, Betty! yum!

South Carolina State Parks Artist's Residency sketches

2011-08-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

South Carolina State Parks honored me as Artist in Residence at

Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area this summer. You really need to visit this gem--

fantastic views on mountain hikes from easy to strenuous at your doorstep; right in the middle of gorges and lake country with good fishing and more wonderful waterfalls than you can see in a lifetime--many 50-100 feet high.
I always recommend staying in state parks rather than hotels and K-TSNA confirms that; really a value (like all of SC state Parks) and with a great location. The cabin was very comfortable and big enough for extended family/friends (sleeps 10). Truly something for everyone (we had toddler to seniors with us): history and natural resources exhibits, art museums and galleries, Clemson University and the beautiful City of Greeneville are all easy day trips.

We really recommend camping here (either with hook-ups and clean, modern showers/facilities or primitive campsites on the lake's edge). Best to rent the cabin for at least a week--a real bargain for this area, especially if you share with family/friends.

Park Managers Kevin Blanton and Assistant Park Manager Michael Trotter are very helpful and know the area well. Accurate maps and printed info (including driving tours) are available at the Visitors' Center.

I'll just post a few of my 31 on-location sketches.
There's a lot more to do in the area than we managed this summer; all the things we did enjoy is too long a list to blog. We'd love to see the fall colors and the spring blossoming in this area--works by other artists show how unique this area is in each season. If we can't get back this fall, we are certainly going to SC next year!

Get more info/make reservations for South Carolina State Parks at

http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/
or

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/

Swamp Buddhas at Jefferson Arts Gallery September 2-25, 2011

2011-08-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

On Top of the World (slide): Gigi's new swingset

2011-07-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of photos of Gigi's birthday present, a new swingset! It took Mommy and Mark about 6 hours to put together on a hot day (with indispensable the help of Auntie Jess who kept Active Girl distracted) but it was worth it--she loves it! Gigi could hardly keep still for one quick (and crude) sketch on Top of the World (slide).

32nd World Wide Sketchcrawl July 23 2011

2011-07-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Dede Harter, Bill Otersen and Jeff Zenick at the Downtown Market (Photo by Mary Sterner Lawson).

Here's the 32nd World Wide Sketchcrawl results: I will post drawings from the Tallahassee group who drew at the downtown market and in the Challenger Space Museum as I receive them; first in was Dede Harter's "Lunar Lander" (with the yellow moon background). My sketches are from closer to home (Green Cay Wetlands; "cormorant & gator", "contour drawing of swamp", and "raccoon with firecracker flowers and swamp potato flowers"). Mary Sterner Lawson contributed "Sketchcrawlers at Callenger Space Center", "International Space Station", "Listening to music", "Downtown Market Visitors" and "Dede's cousin".

Psychological Self-Portrait Show at Museum of Fine Arts

2011-06-09T16:35:00.001-07:00

The Psychological Self-Portrait Exhibit at Florida State's Museum of Fine Arts opens Friday June 10th 7-9 pm and is up until July 8th. We artists will give gallery tours and talks 7-9 pm July 5th. I entered my large stoneware bottle with my poem-painting "The Story that is Me". I'll include a couple of greenware photos (top) since they are easier to see without the glare of the glaze.

Artopia and sketchin' with Jeff Zenick

2011-06-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

I donated a lotus painting "Something Beautiful comes from the Mud" for Artopia [ http://bigbendcares.org/artopia11 ] from a hike & sketch trip with Jeff Zenick; my black and white trees are from our outing May 29, my first hike since I could walk again.

Stoneware Bottles

2011-06-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

Some views of some of large (2 to 3 foot high) Stoneware bottles from the latest kiln load.

Fired Aniwah Sculptures

2011-06-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my finished stoneware Aniwah. See this blog's archives ["Aniwah Workshop"] for a step-by-step on how I made the little 12 inch fish (at the top) in recent clay classes I taught at TSC and FAMU. The big (24 to 36 inch) Aniwahs stand vertically like the Japanese funerary sculptures ("Haniwah") that inspired these commentators on loss of species. "Aniwah" is just a punny nickname I came up with to suggest "Animal-Haniwa" and add some comic relief.

Artists' League Summer Annual June 10--July 8, 2011

2011-06-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

Come out to see the show! I have one stoneware bottle in it--"The Story that is Me". The reception is at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts, Friday, June 10, 7--9 pm.

compositon as springboard

2011-05-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

You can use a strong composition you recognize in other artwork as a springboard for developing your own original ideas and imagery. Just substitute different objects or creatures with similar forms as the master work, and your picture may surprise you with a story. Try to use the geometry of the abstract layout for tension to reinforce your narrative . (credit: illustration copyright 1907 Mary Hamilton Frye: "He grabbed the boy..." used for educational purposes only)

ice cream and apples wc composition

2011-05-07T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a new watercolor of apples and ice cream, showing the steps from pencil sketching to ink lines, then masking followed by watercolor wash background; after that the masking is removed and the figures are painted in before a final reinforcing of lines with a fountain pen. I started with the simple idea of circle, triangle and rectangle and went from there incorporating a revision of a poem I wrote in the 70s.

Asters in fireplace

2011-05-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a sketch I made of what looks like golden Asters pushing up through the leaves in our old fireplace. I'm not sure if these are the endangered species, but I admired their resilience.

pigeon watercolor lesson 2

2011-05-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here's the second installment of the pigeon picture showing:

removing rubber cement mask, sketching in lines with ink, washing in feathers with ink and watercolor, plus layering watercolor wash in the birds and background. Try to keep working the background as you do the birds, altho the figure will determine the values of the ground in this case.

Watercolor Lesson: Pigeons

2011-04-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here's lesson one of my "pigeons" for watercolorists:

Inspiration:

I was inspired by the way warm light shone into the shed, illuminating a mood of safety inside and allure outside; a metaphor for taking creative risks. I wondered what type of bird built the nest. I thought about a childhood story of the pigeon who gave all of his silver feathers to help the less fortunate and was reborn a golden phoenix.

Techniques:

First I blocked in the basic colors and values of the shed in my large sketch book.

Next I did numerous pigeon sketches until I absorbed their forms and attitudes.

A couple of poses that would symbolize the homebody and the traveller caught my eye; one bird looks back at the nest while the other looks outside.

Using rubber cement, I roughed in a resist of these two on 140lb hot press (smooth) D'Arches watercolor paper and subsequently washed in some light color areas while refering to my original shed sketch.

I plan on a "Wizard of Oz" effect: the light outside and where it strikes pigeons will have color and the interior of the dark shed will be mostly black and white.

(More later as this piece develops)

Aniwah Workshop

2011-04-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

I coined the hybrid word "Aniwah" as a combination of "Animals" and "Haniwa". Haniwa are ancient Japanese tomb sculpture. My Aniwah sculptures relate to these tomb figures to express my sadness at the death of certain animals, extinction of species and loss of nature. Yet there is always an element of hope or humor. This fish is a small Aniwah made from a wheel-thrown bottle as a demonstration for Art classes at FAMU and Sculpture Workshops at TSC. My larger Aniwah are 25 to 30 inches high.

31st World Wide Sketchcrawl 4 16 2011

2011-04-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

Mark Fletcher

Mark and Jeff

Jennifer, Mary, Mark, Jeff

Mary Sterner Lawson Mary Sterner Lawson DeDe Harter DeDe, Jeff, Mark Jennifer Clinard Jeff Zenick Jeff Zenick Jeff Zenick

Here are some images from the 31st World Wide Sketchcrawl. We had a great day! To see images from friends around the world go to http://www.sketchcrawl.com/ and click on "forum", then "31st world wide sketchcrawl". Have fun looking and you are welcome to join us sketching next time, probably in July; just email or call any of us for info. (Or if you are not in Tallahassee go to the link above to start your own group wherever you are.) There is a special link in sketchcrawl to help with the Japan Disaster if you want, but sketchcrawl is always free.

30th Worldwide Sketchcrawl 1 22 2011

2011-01-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

Dee Dee Harter

Barbara Psimas

Mary Sterner Lawson

Mark Fletcher

Mark Fletcher

Mark Fletcher

Jeff Zenick

(left to right) Mary Sterner Lawson, Barbara Psimas, Mark Fletcher, Jeff Zenick, Dee Dee Harter

at the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science

FAMU Art Faculty Exhibit January 10--28, 2011

2011-01-16T11:17:00.001-08:00

Check out the great exhibit at FAMU Foster-Tanner Art Gallery! (www.famuart.com)

Autumn Tree Postcard

2010-11-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

Mark painted the tree image in the background. This is our holiday postcard for 2010. Jeff Zenick created the unique t-shirts.

29th World Wide Sketchcrawl

2010-10-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

It was a great day for a sketchcrawl in Tallahassee!
Mark Fletcher
Mark Fletcher

Mark Fletcher

Mary Sterner Lawson

Sunny Spillane

Barbara Psimas

John Bevis

Jeff Zenick

Sketchcrawlers (back l-r): Mary Sterner Lawson, Jennifer Clinard, Mark Fletcher, Jeff Zenick, Sara Chang

(front l-r): Sunny Spillane, Barbara Psimas (not pictured: John Bevis)

Sketchcrawlers (l-r): Mary Sterner Lawson, Jeff Zenick, Barbara Psimas, Mark Fletcher, Sara Chang (photographer)

Brushstroke Path Exhibit and Sale

2010-10-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

Come by to do your holiday shopping! Asian-inspired gifts: ink paintings, art jewelry, photography, t-shirts, aprons, wine sacks, greeting cards and many more gift items!

Oconee State Park Artist-In-Residence and 28th Worldwide Sketchcrawl Update

2010-08-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more sketches from Mark's Artist Residency at Oconee State Park in South Carolina; great location, sights:
Thanks SCPS staff for the opportunity and guidance, plus botanical and historical information!
CCC 1930s fireplace at Shelter 1 (above)

Old CCC waterwheel at the new reconstruction site (above)

lower section of Hidden Falls (above)

upper section of Hidden Falls (above)
We highly recommend you stay a few days when you visit Oconee State Park South Carolina: there is so much to do; hiking, fishing, swimming, square dancing, guided hikes, history and more...
click on this link to find out more http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/ for the best camping, cabins and resorts like Oconee State Park and others in South Carolina!
click on this link to find out more about http://www.sketchcrawl.com/ the absolutely free world-wide hike and sketch exhibit site!

28th Worldwide Sketchcrawl July 31, 2010

2010-08-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

drawing by Mark

drawing by Kailey

Mark and Kailey

Budding artist Kailey joined the worldwide sketchcrawl at Oconee State Park, SC where Mark served as Artist in Residence for the park service. These are works in progress; it was necessary to take a break for lunch and swimming. Look forward to the finished works to be posted on the worldwide sketchcrawl page later.

click on this link www.southcarolinaparks.com for more info on Oconee State Park and for the best camping, cabins, and resorts in South Carolina!
click on this link www.sketchcrawl.com for more info on worldwide sketchcrawl, the absolutely free hike and sketch exhibit website

Pinnacle Exhibit at FAMU August 23--September 30, 2010

2010-07-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

Mark's sculpture, "Stump Turtle" was accepted into the Pinnacle exhibit at FAMU's Foster-Tanner Art Gallery. Hope to see you at the opening reception (Wednesday, September 8, 6--8 pm)!

Leon County Public Library Exhibit June+July, 2010

2010-06-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what kind of paintings Mark created back in the 80s and 90s? Now is your chance to see 2 of those pieces at the downtown branch of the public library! Go to the 2nd floor to the exhibit area. This group exhibit is sponsored by the Artists' League of FSU Museum of Fine Arts.

Summer Annual June 11--July 9, 2010

2010-06-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

Check out Mark's 2 pieces at the Artists' League Summer Annual exhibit at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts. This piece is titled "Rush".

27th World Wide Sketch Crawl

2010-05-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

This time, we went out to St Marks National Wildlife Refuge, before the oil spill gets here. It was a sunny and productive day! Check out the photos at the following:

http://www.sketchcrawl.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=5150

26th World Wide Sketchcrawl, Tallahassee FL USA

2010-02-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

MF: House at Dorothy Oven Park

MF: Jar and Gazebo

GEM: Camellias

GEM: detail of Camellias

GEM: landscape sketch

(left to right) Greg Mannheimer, Mark Fletcher, Jeff Zenick

Passion Art Show+Sale February 5--26, 2010

2010-01-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

Come see Mark's new ink painting of a lively tiger!
Celebrate Chinese New Year with the Swamp Buddha Sumi-e Artists!
Opening reception is First Friday, February 5, 6--9pm, at the Brokaw-McDougal House on Meridian Rd.
Affordable paintings, bookmarks and cards will be on sale!
Tallahassee Bonsai Society's trees will be on display this evening only!

World Wide SketchCrawl Tallahassee 11-21-09

2009-11-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

Water Under the Bridge by Mark Fletcher

Today we celebrated the 5th anniversary of Enrico Casarosa's World Wide Sketch Crawl with 'Zine artist Jeff Zenick (who was featured in Abstract Comics, 2009). This was the first SketchCrawl in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, as far as I know. World wide artists celebrated a spirit of solidarity and joy by sketching on location. We plan to participate more often since we've been sketch/hiking on our own for a long time. For more info and to see art created simultaneously around the world, please go to Enrico the Creator's site http://www.sketchcrawl.com/.

Jeff and I sketched at Myers Park, met my wife Sara at the duck pond and then returned to Jeff's studio/home for coffee with Jeff's wife, Paula, and more sketching.

Portrait of Paula Zenick by Mark Fletcher

Magic Mushroom Shikabob by Mark Fletcher

Portrait of Jeff Zenick by Mark Fletcher

Good Goose Good Gander by Mark Fletcher

Feeding Frenzy by Mark Fletcher

Desktop Published by Mark Fletcher

The following by Jeff Zenick:

To view more of Jeff's art, please visit eBay and search for "Zenick art". To order Abstract Comics, edited by Andre Molotiu, please visit http://www.fantagraphics.com/

Halloween-Hakuween

2009-10-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

Two days before Halloween, Mark comes home unexpectedly with a large pumpkin bought at Publix. So we brainstorm for a design. We finally decide on Hakuin's frog and name our jack-o-lantern Hakuween.

Windows Art Project September 4--23, 2009

2009-09-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

Mark created a piece titled "The Spirit of LeMoyne" for LeMoyne's Windows Art Project. It's a painting with a poem. Go check out the exhibit soon!

A Visit to Duck Pond Pottery, Brevard NC

2009-07-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

On our way back from Connestee Falls, we stopped by Duck Pond Pottery shop on the side of the road to Brevard. Nick Friedman, the potter, fires his pottery in a hybrid kiln he made himself--it uses gas and electricity! Check out the shop if you're visiting the area!

Connestee Falls

2009-07-20T17:41:00.000-07:00

Mark was sketching at Connestee Falls, located south of Brevard, NC.

Mark Meets the Obamas...

2009-07-14T06:46:00.000-07:00

at the Pentagon City Mall! Yesterday we went into DC to visit the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Botanical Garden.

Big Creek-Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2009-07-13T05:01:00.000-07:00

While Marilyn Faringer took us hiking at the Big Creek trail, Mark stopped to do some sketching.

5 Rings of Passion Exhibit June 12--July 10, 2009

2009-06-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

For the Artists' League Summer Annual exhibit: 5 Rings of Passion, Mark submitted this acrylic on canvas painting titled "Rescue". He won a $35 Honorable Mention award! You may be wondering: Did Mark do this painting because it doesn't look like his style? Yes, he did paint this but it was during the late 80s when he was still painting with acrylic. Yes, it's OK to exhibit good work, whether new or old!

Please go see the exhibit! It's at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts (850-644-1299).

Allegro June 5--27, 2009

2009-06-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

Last night, we attended the opening reception for Allegro at LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts (www.lemoyne.org). Mark has 3 pieces in the group exhibit: 2 paintings and 1 clay vessel. Hope you can see the show this month!

Upcoming Exhibits!

2009-05-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

Please view my artwork at the following upcoming exhibits!

Town Show, May 15--July, 2009 Tallahassee City Hall Art Gallery

Allegro, June 5--27, 2009 LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts http://www.lemoyne.org/

Summer Art Show, June 1--July 27, 2009 Leon County Public Library, downtown branch

Artists' League Summer Annual 5 Rings of Passion, June 12--July 10, 2009, FSU Museum of Fine Arts http://www.artistsleaguefsu.org/

Hope to see you there!

Apalachicola Art Walk Saturday April 4, 2009

2009-03-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Come visit us at the Grady Market! We'll be in the back garden 12--4 pm (www.apalachartwalk.com) See you there!

"Creative Light" Exhibit March 6--27, 2009

2009-03-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

Mark is exhibiting some ink paintings and a set of Heaven & Earth clay wares at the FAMU Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery. Hours are only weekdays 11 am--5 pm. Check out the show!

Creative Light Exhibit at FAMU

2009-03-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

The Swamp Buddhas will exhibit their work at the Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery March 6--27, 2009. The opening reception is First Friday, March 6, 6--9 pm. Come out to see the show!

Year of the Ox

2009-02-01T08:58:00.000-08:00

The Swamp Buddhas sponsored a Chinese New Year celebration at member Ann K's home last night. Mark painted a Year of the Ox sign for the yard and a variety of ox postcards for the guests. We had some really good food!

In Memory of Mom

2009-01-04T20:00:00.000-08:00

Mark will exhibit this heart-shaped sculpture in memory of his mom who passed away this past December. He fused used cones in the kiln to create this piece, which will be in the FSU Faculty exhibit this month at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts.

Turkey Platter 2008

2008-11-23T07:33:00.000-08:00

Mark won 2nd place in the juried turkey platter contest at FSU...

Featured Artist in Golden Review

2008-11-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

There was an "Artist Spotlight" about Mark in the Golden Review supplement in the Tallahassee Democrat this past Sunday, November 9, 2008. Hope you got to see it!

Teaching at the Senior Center

2008-11-05T15:53:00.000-08:00

Mark now teaches Artistry in Clay at the City of Tallahassee Senior Center on Mondays, 10 am--1 pm. Sign up today! Enrollment is on-going!

New Website!

2008-09-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, we have upgraded to DSL with our phone company so now Mark has a new website:

www.markfletcher.embarqspace.com

Thanks for visiting!

Table Rock Painting/Poem

2008-08-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, Mark has finished his piece for the Table Rock State Park artist-in-residency agreement. We finally got it photographed today.

Paint and Burn

2008-08-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

Part of Mark's studio practice is maintaining spontaneity by making large-scale gestural ink paintings. He has to splash a lot of ink around to work out the compositions and keep his work lively. Working on big newsprint keeps the product from becoming precious, and makes "the process" primary. Artistic discoveries and (hopefully) some of that dynamic spirit are translated into finished works on clay and archival papers. Some of these big sketches becomes giftwrap or packing materials. Others are "offerings".

Green Cay Wetlands Park

2008-07-23T17:10:00.000-07:00

This morning, we visited the Green Cay Wetlands Park in Delray Beach to do some sketching and photographing. This park is sponsored by the Palm Beach County Water Utilities department. We saw the usual birds--herons, egrets, limpkin, spoonbills, woodstork, ducks, moorhens, gallinules, cormorants, anhingas and 1 turtle, 1 gator and 2 snakes.

River Rocks

2008-07-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we did a shopping spree at Pearl Art and Craft in Ft Lauderdale. Mark painted these SC river rocks on new Annigoni paper that he bought there.

Visiting S Florida

2008-07-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

We've been visiting my family in Palm Beach County (Delray Beach and Lake Worth). During this time, Mark has been working on his assignment for the Artist-in-Residency agreement with Table Rock State Park, SC. In addition, he's also been playing with niece Gigi (www.thegigster.blogspot.com).

Soul Mates August 2008

2008-07-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

Maid in the Shade

Pomegranate Way

Real Blossoms

Mark will be showing 3 pieces in the upcoming Soul Mates exhibit at LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts (www.lemoyne.org). The opening reception will be Friday, August 1. Come out and see the exhibit!

Fraternal Twins

2008-07-05T09:25:00.001-07:00

Mark's sister, Jane, had commissioned these twin paintings--one for herself and one for her reiki teacher. We delivered them to her recently when we traveled to OH for their oldest brother's wedding. Can you tell the differences?

Happy Birthday Mark July 1, 2008

2008-07-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

On Monday, June 30, we left the Walkers' home around 11am. It was 63 degrees at that time! We felt cold but we didn't think anything of it. We drove south on I-75 and stopped at the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea. I bought a jar of bourbon garlic jelly and a packet of spoonbread mix for my sister and family as souvenirs. Then on to Atlanta to stay two nights in Douglasville with the Harrar family. Sofia, the youngest daughter, is now 14 months old. That evening, Mark and dad Jamie celebrated Mark's birthday by drinking some absinthe. That seems to be the tradition everytime we visit the Harrars.
The next day, we hung out with Jamie and Sofia in the morning. Then we went to Spruill Art Gallery to pick up Mark's work. The gallery is getting ready for major construction (expanding the gallery and building a tall condo complex behind it). We met up with Robert at Jason's Deli for lunch and then return back to the Harrars' home for a delicious dinner of shrimp scampi on linguini. Even after a long day of work and being stuck in accident traffic jam for 3 hours, mom Debbie whipped up a chocolate cake to celebrate Mark's birthday.
By now, unfortunately, I had developed a sniffling cold. I think it was due to the sudden change in weather temperature and the stress of traveling. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our road trip immensely and I am always grateful for being a teacher and having these vacations!
The next day, on July 2, we left Atlanta to return to Tallahassee. On our way south, we stopped at Tanger Outlet Mall (our usual stop to do our annual shopping) in Locust Grove to buy some clothing at Eddie Bauer and a new pair of New Balance sneakers for Mark. Now we are glad to be home until our next trip later this month to visit my family in South Florida.

Cincinnati area, OH June 27--30, 2008

2008-07-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

On Friday morning, we got ready to go south to Cincinnati for Dave and Marcia's wedding. First at 9:30 am, Eva got her hair done at Lisa G's in Mentor. Then we drove southwest and stopped in Ashland for a late breakfast/lunch at a Perkins restaurant and to get gas. We arrived in time to film/photograph the wedding rehearsal at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Montgomery. I served as the "official" videographer for their wedding. After the rehearsal, Dave and Marcia hosted a pizza party at their recently built home in Maineville, OH. Lots of guests attended the party. During this long weekend, we stayed at the home of Carol and Dick Walker in Oxford, OH (home of Miami University, yes, Miami is a famous name also in OH, named after the Miami Native Americans). The next day, we arrived at the church early so that I could set up my camcorder and tripod. Unfortunately, I think my new wireless microphone ran low on batteries so I could not record the vows clearly. Later this summer, I will edit the wedding video for them. After the ceremony, the official photographer photographed everyone at the church formally. Then they went to a local park for an outdoor photo shoot but a giant rainstorm came and everyone had to get back in the limo. Meanwhile, Mark and I went to a local Staples store to get more blank dvds for my camcorder (I had forgotten them at the Walkers' home!) and went on to the reception at Maggiano's restaurant, right across the street in a mall from the church. The menu was excellent! There were buffet appetizers (stuffed mushrooms, raviolis, artichoke dip(?)), 2 kinds of salads, 4 family-style entrees (salmon, 3-cheese raviolis, lasagna, chicken parmesan) and 2 kinds of desserts: tiramisu (yummy!) and apple crostadas with vanilla ice cream. Everyone also danced the night away until about 9:30 pm. The adult children of Dave and Marcia (Brent+Noelle, Cindy+Mike) served as wedding attendants and gave heartwarming speeches about their parents. At the end of the evening, we drove back to Oxford, tired and exhausted but very happy for the bride and groom.
On Sunday, we hung out at the Walkers' home and ate delicious meals (homemade blueberry scones for breakfast, grilled mushroom/cheese sandwiches for lunch and grilled shrimp/scallops for dinner). We also hiked a little in Hueston Woods State Park and played a form of dominoes game called "Mexican Train". Carol also showed us her bonanza of first-place/Best of Show ribbons that she had won at the Butler County Fair in 2002. She is an excellent quilter/fiber artist and is currently showing with Mark at The Story exhibit at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts.

Mentor, OH June 26, 2008

2008-07-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

This was a easy day, hanging out with Eva and the nephews, Patrick and Casey. We went putt-putt golfing and Eva treated us to ice cream at Dairy Queen. Mark worked on rearranging the contents in our truck since Eva was riding with us down to Cincinnati for the wedding of Dave (Mark's oldest brother) and Marcia.

Heath+Mentor, OH June 25, 2008

2008-07-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

The next day, Aunt Dot and Uncle Jim drove us to a historical house in Heath. Here, Aunt Dot often volunteers as a catering staff to serve tea lunches to patrons. This historical house, named Davis-Shai House, is owned by the City of Heath and was relocated to a large patch of pastoral farmland (ironically behind a shopping center). Now they are going through major renovation to expand the space in order to accomodate more patrons. Afterwards, we stopped by Amish-owned Yoder's Country Kitchen to buy 2 jars of jelly for my dad. Afterall, one can't go to OH and not get an Amish souvenir!
We ate a small lunch at Aunt Dot and Uncle Jim's home and left for Mentor, OH, to visit Mark's mom, Eva. We arrived in time to go over to the Kolledas' home (Mark's sister, Jane, husband Chris and sons Patrick and Casey) for Casey's 7th birthday dinner! Casey and grandma Eva had baked a caterpillar cake earlier and we ate that for dessert. Since Uncle Mark was visiting, the nephews were eager to spend a night at grandma's house that evening.

Athens+Granville, OH June 24, 2008

2008-07-03T15:02:00.000-07:00

Yikes, I'm way behind on our blog. We're home now! We traveled 2600 miles and paid $552 in gas!
Now I'll just update the blog day by day with photos.

When we arrived in Athens, we visited Maya Lin's "Input" earthwork installation on the Ohio University campus, next to the stadium. Maya Lin is the architect/artist who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Her parents were Chinese immigrants who taught Art and English at OU. Maya Lin grew up in Athens. For their bicentennial celebration in 2006, OU commissioned her to install this artpiece.

Then we visited Mark's nephew, Brent and his girlfriend, Rachel, who just graduated from OU and is currently job searching. We ordered ciabatta sandwiches as take-out and lunched at nearby Stroud's Run State Park.

After our brief visit with them, Mark was intent on seeing the famous Hocking Hills area of OH. We stopped to stroll around Ash Cave (more twisty/turny roads to get there and back on the main highway!) Then we drove north to Granville to stay overnight with Mark's Aunt Dot and Uncle Jim. They treated us to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant called La Paloma that specialized in stuffed sopapillas. Mark and I ate sopapillas with beans, cheese and rice. At their home, Aunt Dot graciously offered some hand-crochetted lap afghans to me so I chose two--one for our home and one for niece Gigi, whom we will visit soon on July 15.

On the Road Again June 23, 2008

2008-06-23T22:28:00.000-07:00

After a week at Table Rock, it was time for us to check out and get on the road again. We traveled north and at south of Asheville, we visited the North Carolina Arboretum. We saw an excellent painting exhibit by Luke Allsbrook--mostly landscape paintings of Western NC. We also walked around the gardens and bought some souvenirs. After that, to avoid traffic delays at a tunnel in VA, we traveled the small twisty/turny small roads of VA to get to WV--beautiful farmscapes. Now we're staying overnight at a Budget Inn at Beckley, WV.
Tomorrow we'll meet Mark's nephew, Brent, and his girlfriend, Rachel, in Athens, OH (home of Ohio University) for lunch and then onward to Granville, OH to stay overnight with Mark's Aunt Dot and Uncle Jim. Good night!

Jones Gap State Park June 22, 2008

2008-06-23T22:12:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Jones Gap State Park, a neighboring park east of Table Rock. We saw the Jones Gap Falls. I also did some photography while Mark painted at various locations along the Middle Saluda River. It looked like the trail is a popular spot for hikers and their dogs and families with children.

Sketching and Photographing

2008-06-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

This morning, we decided to try out a breakfast buffet at Aunt Sue's Country Corner, 2 miles east of Table Rock State Park. We had eggs, hash browns, biscuits, gravy, grits and coffee.
After that, we hiked along Carrick Creek again but this time in a leisurely pace since we wanted to stop and explore to do some photography and sketching. When thunder began rolling, we returned to the cabin for lunch and a nap.
Now we're at the Visitors' Center again to do some blogging and Mark bought a souvenir t-shirt and some postcards. Those same Canada geese are going around and around eating grass like lawn mowers!

Blogging and Sketching June 20, 2008

2008-06-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

I am blogging at the Visitors' Center while Mark went hiking to do some concentrated sketching/painting. We'll meet up again later this evening. Here's a view of Table Rock Mtn from the porch of the Center, with some Canada geese thrown in.

Greenville City June 19, 2008

2008-06-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

We took the day off from hiking and went into the city of Greenville. We cruised Main Street downtown until we found a place to eat. We lunched at Bertolo's and we each ate an eggplant parmesan sub with chips. In the same building was the Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville, a co-op gallery. I bought a pair of metal earrings by Laura Dahl. She does etched metalwork. Afterwards, we strolled the beautiful Falls Park on the Reedy River, centered around its waterfalls. Along the river, there was a retail section called Art Crossing where artists can rent a studio space and people can visit the artists at work. Then we took a break at Spill the Beans Cafe to check our email on our laptop. After that, we visited the Greenville County Museum of Art (always FREE admission!) and viewed a watercolor exhibit of Andrew Wyeth and His Contemporaries. We chose Thursday to go into Greenville since the museum is open until 8 pm. There was a free concert that evening but we were too tired to stay for it.

Pinnacle Mtn Trail June 18, 2008

2008-06-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

We hiked another long, long trail, this time, the Pinnacle Mountain Trail, Mill Creek Falls Pass and part of Ridge Trail. This was about 8 miles from 8 am until 7 pm. Needless to say, my legs were VERY tired at the end of the hike. They were stiff as logs and I felt like I couldn't move anymore.
On the hike, we saw salamanders while wading around on the falls. Mark saw a mama bear with 2 cubs but I had missed them (I just didn't have the strength to climb a short slope quickly to see them in a ravine in time.)
At Bald Rock, Mark did a fast sketch of Table Rock Mtn. This trail was more woodland-like and we saw lots of blooming Painted Indian flowers.

Table Rock Trail June 17, 2008

2008-06-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

We hiked the Table Rock Trail, up and back, about 7.2 miles total from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm. It was tiring! My sandal strap broke and luckily Mark had his velcro pant leg strap to tie down my broken sandal. At the top, we could see the reservoir lake that provides the drinking water to the City of Greenville. At the end of the hike, we were eager to soak our hands and feet in the Carrick Creek waterfall.

Table Rock State Park, SC June 16--23, 2008

2008-06-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

This year, Mark is doing his Artist-in-Residency at Table Rock State Park in the "Upstate" area of South Carolina. This is his 4th year doing this kind of residency. In exchange for a free week stay at a park cabin, Mark agrees to donate a piece of artwork, inspired by our stay, to the hosting state park.

On 6/16, we drove to Table Rock State Park (in Pickens County) via Macon, Eatonton, Athens, GA. In Eatonton, we visited the Uncle Remus Museum and tried to find Alice Walker's childhood home but didn't have time. In Athens, home to the University of GA, we lunched at Eat Hibachi, a Korean/Japanese eatery. We ate tasty bibimbop. Now why can't we have such a eatery in Tallahassee?!

2 Latest Paintings

2008-06-15T16:55:00.000-07:00

Mark is currently working on 2 poem paintings. One is titled "In a Pomegranate Way", commissioned by Dick Puckett, retired director of LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts. When he commissioned the piece, he had only ask Mark to create something about the fruit pomegranate. The other painting, "Maid in the Shade" is for the upcoming juried group exhibit at LeMoyne titled "Soul Mates" (www.lemoyne.org).

Go Green! June 13--July 11, 2008

2008-06-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Mark and I have collaborated on 3 pieces for this exhibit. His poems are illustrated by my photographs. The opening reception is this Friday the 13th! 7--9pm at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit is the Artists' League Summer Annual (www.artistsleaguefsu.org) . Come out and see this environmental show!

Update on Eva's Visit

2008-06-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after their boating excursion, while Mark and Charlie were tying up the boat, poor Eva misstepped on the floating walkway and fell into the water. She also hit her head on the concrete seawall. She got a bump on the back of her head but she seems OK now. Her camera, unfortunately, also went into the water. It may not work anymore but luckily her camera card is OK. We checked it at a local Walgreens today and all her photos were intact.

So today we took it easy and went shopping at New Leaf Market, a local natural foods store. We also browsed at Crystal Connection, a New Agey store and lunched at Habana Boardwalk, a recently opened Cuban cafe. Eva had shrimp in wine sauce with fried yuca and sweet plantains while Mark ate the usual fish in beer sauce and I had the pan con vegetales.

Mark's Mom's Visit to Tallahasee June 4--10, 2008

2008-06-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

Mark's mom, Eva, is currently visiting with us in Tallahassee. She flew down from Cleveland to view The Story exhibit at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts since her own parents' hand-created books are part of Mark's mini-installations in the show.

In addition to MoFA, we have also

June 5: visited the Tallahassee Community College Art Gallery and dined at Bianca's Italian Restaurant

June 6: visited the Florida Caverns State Park, lunched at Old Ice House Restaurant in Marianna where Eva posed with a 13-ft gator and participated in the First Friday Gallery Hop at Railroad Square in Tallahassee

Today we'll visit Havana and dine with the Corbetts. Tomorrow Mark and Eva will go boating with the Donahues on the St Marks River.

Check the blog again later to find out what we're up to!

The Story May 9--July 11, 2008

2008-05-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

Mark is currently exhibiting in The Story at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts. This exhibit is a result of a 3-year partnership between the museum and Leon County public school teachers. The curators chose artists based on the "narrative" nature of their artwork. Also in the exhibit is Carol Walker, who is a quilter. She was Mark's high school art teacher in Fairborn, OH. The museum is open only during the weekdays 10 am--4 pm. Please come out to see the show!

Essential Nature III, April 13--May 3, 2008

2008-04-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, April 13, we and Ann Kozeliski drove to Chipola College in Marianna to set up Essential Nature III. Many thanks to Jackie Boulanger who organized this exhibit. After our lunch at Jim's Buffet, a Southern cuisine restaurant, Mark and I went to the FL Caverns State Park to tour the caverns and hike on a trail. It was a very pleasant spring day!

Painting Workshop with Henry Wo

2008-04-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, Mark attended a 3-day Chinese ink painting workshop by Henry Wo. He is internationally known (www.henrywo.com). We traveled to Mobile, AL, along with fellow Swamp Buddha, Mary Beth Zeni, to attend the workshop. While Mark and Mary Beth painted, I went sightseeing at the Mobile Botanical Garden and Mobile Museum of Art. I also observed during the workshop and photographed some students and Mr Wo demonstrating. It was a fun-filled weekend!

Like Grandma, Like Grandson

2008-04-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

Mark is in the process of creating 3 mini-installations for the upcoming exhibit, The Story, at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts (opens May 9, 2008). He is connecting his own poetry, paintings and sculptures to his maternal grandma's 3 handmade books (created in Europe during the Nazi era). Here, he is creating a vase with imagery from his grandma's book, Princess Sunshine. His grandma was an artist and his grandpa was a poet. This project is an opportunity to honor his grandparents who were victims of the Holocaust and his mom who is a Holocaust survivor.

Certain Sandcastle

2008-03-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

Mark is working on a new piece titled "Certain Sandcastle". He's also working on his installation pieces for the upcoming Story exhibit at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts in May. He'll include 3 handmade books created by his maternal grandmother during the Nazi era in Europe. He'll also do a Poetry Walk with Riley Elementary School 4th graders on April 16 and April 30 as part of this exhibit's educational outreach. The exhibit opens May 9.

Essential Nature II March 2--April 5, 2008

2008-03-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

Once again, Mark and Ann Kozeliski are co-exhibiting their artwork, this time at the Turner Center for the Arts in Valdosta, GA. Yesterday was the opening reception, along with Youth Art Month, so as you can imagine, there were plenty of kids and their families. The Center is quite spacious and provides excellent facilities for art exhibits. Come out and see the show!

Rat Fest 2008

2008-02-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

The Swamp Buddhas celebrated Chinese New Year on February 16, 2008 (yes, we were a little late). We potlucked at Ann Kozeliski's home and ate a lot of good food. Earlier in the day, Mark painted Year of the Rat postcards as souvenirs for all guests. We wrapped up the celebration with lots of fireworks in Ann's backyard (the men lawyers were in charge of shooting them). Thanks, Ann, for hosting this celebration!

Clay is the Way February 15--March 7, 2008

2008-02-16T09:36:00.000-08:00

Mark is exihibiting his new piece, The Wildman, at the FSU Oglesby Union Art Gallery, as part of the Seven Days of Opening Night art festival. The sculpture is lighted on the inside with a little bulb. Please go check out the exhibit!

FSU Faculty Annual

2008-02-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

Since Mark is adjuncting this semester at FSU, he got to be in their Faculty Annual exhibit. His next show will be at the Annette Turner Center in Valdosta, GA starting in March.

Hanging out with the DeOliveiras

2007-12-29T18:15:00.000-08:00

Today we went over to the home of the DeOliveiras for a Jamaican style dinner and played with niece Gigi. Ana made conch fritters, peas and rice and curry beef. Gigi allowed us to stroll her around the neighborhood without her parents following along. What a milestone!

More Outings in S FL

2007-12-29T14:15:00.000-08:00

Visiting the Green Cay Wetlands Park in Delray Beach with Mark, niece Gigi, mom and sister Ana

Visiting Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach with mom, Gigi and Ana

Winter Holiday in South Florida

2007-12-25T19:30:00.000-08:00

Visiting the Walkers in Ocala/Belleview

Attending a Christmas Eve party at the cousins' down in South Broward

Christmas dinner at the home of Ana, Ron and Gigi

Piggy Bank for Ethan Liu

2007-11-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

Last night, the Swamp Buddhas celebrated with the Liu family Ethan's 1-month birthday (born October 15, 2007) at Ann Kozeliski's new home. Mark had created a clay piggy bank to collect good fortune for Ethan. We presented it to him while he was sleeping in his mom's arms. Happy Birthday, Ethan!

Synergie Salon, etc

2007-10-31T19:45:00.000-07:00

Mark was the featured gift shop artist at LeMoyne for the month of October.

Mark's mom, Eva, visited us from Cleveland. We attended the reception for Sense of Habitat at the Tallahassee Museum. Mark has 3 poems/paintings in the exhibit, curated by Linda Van Beck.

Mark is currently in the Synergie Salon exhibit at the Claude Pepper Changing Art Gallery on FSU campus. The exhibit opens on First Friday November 2 and runs until November 30, 2007.

Strange Bedfellows

2007-10-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

After a hard day in the studio, Mark takes a nap...

Upcoming Fall Exhibits

2007-09-05T17:31:00.000-07:00

It's fall season again and here are the upcoming Turtle Hill exhibits. Please visit us anytime you can!

First Friday, September 7, 12 Dreams Gallery in Railroad Square, 6--9 pm: Sketches of South China

First Friday, October 5, Big Brothers Big Sisters agency, 565 E Tennessee St (across from Leon HS), 850-386-6002, 6--9 pm: preview of A Brushstroke Path 2007--Asian-style artwork by the Swamp Buddhas

First Friday, October 5, LeMoyne Gift Shop, 6--9 pm: featuring Mark's artwork for sale

Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14, Tallahassee Nurseries, 10 am--5 pm: Artisans in the Garden

Saturday, October 13, Tallahassee Museum: opening of exhibit titled A Sense of Habitat--
on display until January 6, 2008

First Friday, November 2, 6--9 pm
Saturday, November 3, 10 am--5 pm
Sunday, November 4, 12 noon-- 5 pm
Forest Meadows Park and Athletic Center, 4750 N Meridian
A Brushstroke Path 2007: Sumi-e Art Show and Benefit (for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Friends of Our Parks)

Monday, November 19--Sunday, December 23, Spruill Art Gallery, Atlanta (http://www.spruillarts.org/): Holiday Artist Market

Thursday, November 29, 10 am--6 pm
Friday, November 30, 10 am-- 6 pm
Saturday, December 1, 10 am--4 pm
FSU Museum of Fine Arts (corner of Call and Copeland Sts)
Art and Antiques Fair (benefit for the FSU Museum of Fine Arts)

Saturday, December 8, 9 am--4 pm
Downtown MarketPlace
"Just One More" Invitational

"Cheer-Awe" Painting for Cheraw State Park, SC

2007-09-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Mark has finished his painting for Cheraw State Park, SC. As part of his Artist-in-Residency agreement, he is to donate a piece of artwork 2-3 months after our stay at the park. The painting is an illustrated poem titled "Red-Cockaded Happiness."

Sketches of South China

2007-08-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Today, our friend, Jeff Zenick, invited Mark to exhibit his sketches from our trip to South China, at his 12 Dreams Gallery at Railroad Square. So check them out at the next First Friday Gallery Hop (September 7, 2007) from 6--9 pm. You will see new work--plein air watercolor sketches of Macau and Zhaoqing City, Guandong Province.

More Photos of Cultural Interest

2007-08-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

Li Ping Kang, a visiting clay artist from Foshan, China, at the Mandarin Historical House in Macau

a visiting embroidery artist from China in Macau

land of scooters, primary mode of personal transportation--bicycles are not used much anymore

rice paste rolls for breakfast

a fellow hiker took off her heels during the hike at Mt Dinghu

a trash can shaped like a pine tree stump at Mt Dinghu

stainless steel seats (keep you cool) on an old local bus to Mt Dinghu in Zhaoqing City

pasta handmade on the premises of a shop in Macau

wooden bed with an 1-inch foam pad on top (improvement from last visit when there was no padding)

local hair salon in Macau--hair is washed/head massaged at the seat, then rinsed at the sink

salted fish drying on the side of the road in Macau

thin kitchen-like towels as bath towels

no dryer at grandma et al's apartment--clothes are dried outside the window (washing machine is in the kitchen now)

water heater in the apartment bathroom--5 liter tank--before we heated water in a kettle and bathed in a bucket

Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region) August 4--7, 2007

2007-08-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

On August 4, we rode the turbojet boat from Macau to Kowloon, Hong Kong. Ron Ana and Gigi traveled with us, along with mom, dad and uncle. We stayed at the Minden Hotel while the rest of the gang stayed at Marco Polo Prince. Once we arrived, we did our own sightseeing and met with the gang in the evening for fast food dining at one of the bizillion shopping centers in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, along the harbor area. According to the guide book, 7 million people live in the Hong Kong region while 500,000 people live in Macau (yes, only 28 sq km/about 10.5 sq mi!) We flew out of the Hong Kong airport on Lantau Island on August 7. The worst part of our trip was going through TSA/Homeland Security at Newark Liberty Airport. Lines were backed up and no organized consideration were given to passengers who had connecting flights. We had a 2-hour layover in Newark. It took us forever to 1) go through immigration 2) pick up our check-in luggage from the carousel 3) walk through customs to hand in our claim form (luckily they didn't check our bags) 4) re-check in our luggage for our domestic connecting flight and 5) go through TSA again! Why do we need to go through all this hassle in the name of "war on terror"? Needless to say while we were rushing to our gate, we heard the announcement that they were closing the gate on our flight to West Palm Beach in 3 minutes! We practically had to run to our gate! On top of that, when we arrived at PBI, one of our bags was lost so we had to go to Baggage Claim to file a claim. Poor Jessica had to drive around the airport for 30 min while waiting for us to come out of the airport. But all in all, we had a fun and interesting trip to China!

view from the front entrance of Hong Kong Wetland Park in the western part of New Territories

paper cut exhibit at Hong Kong Wetland Park

view of Hong Kong Wetland Park (Shenzhen, another Special Economic Zone, in the background)

another view of Hong Kong Wetland Park

waterfall at Sha Tin Park, a neighborhood park

Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin suburb

replica of studio of Chao Shao-An, famous Chinese painter who founded the Lingnan School of Painting in Guandong Province and Hong Kong

exhibit of paintings by Henry Wo (student of Chao Shao-An) who turned 80 this year

a Buddhist temple in Sha Tin suburb

lobby of Minden Hotel

our hotel room and the Courtney's dining room at the Minden Hotel

Hong Kong Museum of Art in Tsim Sha Tsui downtown district of Kowloon

Incidentally, the museum was having a blockbuster exhibit titled Pride of China. We had to get timed tickets for 8:00 pm entrance. A famous original scroll, Along the River after the Qingming Festival by Zhang Zeduan, from the Ming dynasty era, was on display. There were long, long lines to view this scroll and a museum guard held a timer in his hand while trying to move viewers along the scroll display case.

Hong Kong and Macau museums employ A LOT of security guards! We would never see so many guards at our American museums due to budget reasons. Their museums also have excellent facilities and high-end display designs, such as papering long walls with printed images from the exhibits and using 3-D lettering for exhibit titles.

at the harbor area next to the museum--background: view of Hong Kong Island business district