Changing Waters

 
 
 
 
This was one of the interesting, and complicated, exhibitions on display. The artist Nathalie Miebach has done a great job in incorporating so many aspects into her pieces such as marine life, weather pattern. Additionally the artist uses complicated basket weaving methods such as twined, coiled, woven and plaited. Show the intricate and complicated data in her work. It was fascinating to watch how the artist uses art as medium or language to think some ideas or concepts through.

At one point when I was looking through this piece all I wanted to do was is to know the numbers on these pieces and its relations. It almost look like the storm starts from the bottom and spiral its’ way up and can observe the collateral damage it does to the marine life.

In her own words Nathalie Miebach says that the basket weaving is a very slow process and it allows her t think trough some of the concepts and finds answers to the questions that come to her head. I personally agree with this since I am knitter I can think through some of the problems and work my way through complicated patterns. Not only that according to experts in neurological studies there have been tests conducted that repeating the same activity allows you to produce more endorphins. According to Nathalie it looks like she has found the perfect harmony in this medium to show the intricate detailing in the marine life in ME.

I was fascinated with all the details in her work, how she choose to displaying her work was amazing. According to the artist with a proper key you can read the data in her work like as a chart or graph. According to the artist the shape and the composition of the work is determined by the trends and the changers in the interpreted environmental information. This is more like an abstract visual interpretation or representation of the landscape. I thought it was interesting how the artist was trying to understand her astronomy class through the 3d work. It shows that she has a great interest in all of this work and how she was able to find UNITY in these two subjects together and yet to show art through her work. With a political science degree she later finds and incorporate ART I her work to convey her message was phenomenal work of art.
I choose the above creation because it reminds me of the tsunami which occurred in Sri Lanka.

At the bottom of the piece it shows a tail end of the fish and on the top it shows the head of the fish. It makes me think the velocity of the storm and its impact on the marine life. I thought this was very interesting and how the artist has maneuver the materials and her weaving abilities to illustrate this information in to 3d formation was very intricate. Not only that the lighting plays around this piece adds some depth to this work as well. Artist has done a wonderful and job in creating this in to a piece finding and giving the piece completeness was great and I personally think she has accomplish the goal of giving completeness to her work of art. As of the materials she has incorporated into these works are amazing from paper, plastic, wooden and the list goes on.

Quote of the day " walk softly,live gently"

Enjoy!

Play Dough and Organizing...

 
 
I had the opportunity to help Nicolette to organized her play dough activity. Yes, It was a lot of fun we are working on opening and closing without help. She still needs a little help but loves to play with play dough.
I have collected a bunch from B'day parties so I had tiny tubs with different colors and I received a small heart shape cookie cutter from a wedding party. we do play with play dough for hours so I decided to make a little bag out of cloth so when she is done with playing she can put those away all by herself nurturing independence. Actually she does a great job on this activity with some help.
She can roll them out and cut the shapes out I love to watch her play on this. So I decided to add a mat for this activity which involves rolling using her hands and making sure to to roll properly. the best part is she is engage with this for a long period of time. she takes the activity out lays it out unroll the mat and take objects out of the bag which involves following a sequence and that's exactly what I wanted to learn. I love our play dough activity.

Quote of the day "share your professional know-how"

Enjoy!

Portland Museum of Art...

 
 
 
 
This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to Maine. My first time to Mane. A beautiful city I guess in summer still the winter chills are wicked. However this weekend was not that cold. I wish my older son was with us he was in ski trip to NH while we were visiting Maine.

We had a great dinner at Dimillo's Floating Restaurant. According to locals one of the best and to my friend (thanks Kathy for recommending it). I had baked stuffed lobster and a steam lobster didn't finish it it was the twin deal but the food was GREAT and the service too! We enjoyed it very much so did the little one.

Next day morning we decided to got to the Portland Museum of Arts for many reasons... I am working really hard on my 3D Art class and wanted to expose my self more to art. It was a great opportunity for my little one to participate. This was all new to little Nicolette but she did a great job. I think she did enjoy the sculpture room a lot and it was truly amazing...

They had the Greek Gods sculpted in marble and it was breath taking. I cannot imagine the work that goes to it. Recently I have been reading more about art and getting my self familiarized with so many concepts.

If you ever to visit Portland Maine I would highly recommend you to visit the Museum of Art. if you have the time... The Children's Museum is right next to it. I couldn't take Nicolette to it I was exhausted by the time finish viewing all three floors. Loved the paintings and the photographs.

There was so much history in to the building. This museum was originally a house that they have tun to a museum I thought was very interesting itself. I have posted some pictures for you to view and in some areas you cannot use the camera to take pictures and flash cannot be use when taking pictures.

I would be definitely re-visiting Portland, Maine soon may be this summer for sure...

Keep visiting those who are out in the west coast. More museum pictures to come soon since the vacations are around the corner. Why not capture Boston... a great city to live. I can't wait for this summer, to take kids to Boston my son is all gang up to hit the Museums with projects... I am planning to take summer classes... I know isn't it too much... yes... but the key to this is balance... which is always a leaning experience...

Quote of the day "look for containment from within"

Enjoy!

Healthy Choices…

 
 
Recently I came across a blog that drove me to motivate to take on task that has no instant gratification. I have been on this road many times but I would get tired, give up, bored or I cannot reason things out logically. The scope of that blog entry was how to approach the FINISH LINE. Sometimes I dream a lot or work too hard to achieve above mention line.

However this entry was able to turn me inside out and look at the finish line in a different prospect. Which I came to love. My recent visit to DR.s office was not that too bad but she told me to continue what I was doing which is eating sensibly and regular exercise. She also added to this I might not see a dramatic improvement in weight loss but will showy hard work in my blood work.

This statement and post was in very close in timeline for my benefit in other words within reach to my mind… so I decided to go a little deeper into healthy lifestyle… Basically a little encouragement and a good advice to look at achieving that hard to reach FINISH LINE.

What did I do to make the change instead of complaining no time to make food for myself, no one to take care of me, too much demands from kids and husband, and keeping up with regular meals there is no way I am going to do this...

I decided to take control of the situation or change by preparing a big salad bowl in advance so when I am hungry or working late meeting ends or writing that paper, needs of the demanding family instead of finding that healthy meal. I decided to eat small portions of what was cooked. Still it adds up in the long run I might not see it immediately but can assure that I will fit into that next pant size in a timely manner.

Now I am in total control of this situation with a very healthy alternative  which is MY BIG SALAD. The secret to success is always plan ahead... took a while to get there...

Quote of the day “ Join your company’s wellness program”

Enjoy!

Carry on Mat for your little one…

This project was in my head for a long time. I bought the fabric thread but didn’t work on since I was loaded with work. I have notice the busier I get more productive I could be with planning and accomplishing my goals. We are heavily hit by snow this year. I doubt there will be school tomorrow due to the second snowstorm we are getting on Wednesday. That’s mean no school for me too. More studying, mental breaks to finish projects from summer… see the win win situation.

This is a upholstery fabric with a thicker solid lining ½ yard from each cut into two rectangles. Place the right sides together and sew all around leaving a 5 inch opening to turn inside out. Then press the seams pick a decorative stitch and go around the rectangle. You are officially done making your mat simple easy and fast project for a snow day.

Sit back let your little one enjoy it. I place this in a diaper bag. When you are travelling this comes very handy waiting in line, at the bank, yarn shop, and even in the fabric store. Layout and the little one can play for a while may be pack some toys to go with the mat it could be simple as flash cards to play a game. Specially waiting for layovers, flight delays anything under the sun or how about getting ready for a spring break!

This could be a simple gift to a new mother to have one on one time with the newborn…

Quote of the “accomplish what you undertake”

Enjoy!

Signs of Early Spring…

 
I was talking to a friend over the and there was so much activity in the woods… I mean birds flying… I started to take a closer look. To my surprise I saw a flock of Robins, yes.

I mean their chests were dark orange and looks like they were resting or taking a break. I told my friend who was not happy to the second snowstorm that spring is just around the corner.
We were happy to see the Robins…

Quote of the Day “have sunny thoughts on cloudy days”

Enjoy!

Forcing Bulbs

 
 
 I had wonderful opportunity to teach my daughter about bulbs. I went to the library and lend books went to the store and got some bulbs however the first attempt was not very successful. So I cleaned everything and put them away. When I was at the grocery store I found another bulb forcing kit which was markdown with some doubts I did purchased this. After couple of days I work on this project with her I did talk to her about bulbs.

On this project however the bulbs have sprouted a little bit you can see the green tip obviously the reason for making it down. We planted them and continued to water and it was not doing much and it started to grow after couple of weeks. It was fun to watch this she had a great time and my son too.

Finally it bloom only one bulb. All the other bulbs are still hiding their buds inside but this particular bulb was adamant to grow first it was really interesting to watch this. This could be due to many reasons.

Probably the timing of the bulbs are harvest, possibility of getting sun on the window sill but I do enjoy this early bloomer and anxious to watch rest… It does add a strong aroma to the room which is lovely.

Quote of the day “compassion is based on knowing that all human beings have the same innate desire to be happy”

Enjoy!