Seeking Respite at Portland’s Japanese Garden

My plate is so full I needed a day of respite at the Japanese Garden in Portland.

Today was their ‘Free Day’, so I picked up a friend and we headed into the city.

Alas, so did everyone else.

We found a place to park but it was a good hike from the garden entrance.

Once inside the garden we decided to venture the opposite way as everyone else.

Not exactly what I pictured for a day of respite, but you know me … captivated by the surrounding beauty, everything but the garden and emergence of spring faded from my thoughts.

Until the troop of boy scouts going the wrong way in the one way zone, but even that made me laugh.  Three tall men leading a dozen or more little scouts across a narrow path with clearly marked arrows, maneuvered their way around the rest of us.

A quick trip, big crowds, but well worth it.

As my friend said with longing “The blossoms let me know that our spring is really just around the corner”.

I’m back in the studio this evening, working on a few things for a mini solo show at ‘The Nook’, inside Columbia Art Gallery.  My show will open the First Friday in March, I hope to see some of you there!

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Friday February First

Happy Friday!  Happy February!  Tonight is my opening for The Blues at Columbia Arts in Hood River.  30 artists have submitted wonderful work and I know I’ll see some of you there!  Columbia Arts hosts fabulous winter parties for their openings this time of year.

One week from today the Yard, Garden & Patio Show opens!  I’ll be in booth 659 near the display gardens.  Stop by, say hello and tell me you follow my blog.

This morning I’ll be pulling new wall pocket vases out of my kilns.  I have lots of new glass for your home and garden PLUS….

I’ll have new note cards made from my photographs AND some canvas wraps and metal prints that are absolutely stunning!  I am loving my new photographic efforts and results.

Get $2.00 off admission with this coupon:  YGP 2013 admission coupon

Next on my calendar is a mini-solo show at ‘The Nook’ at Columbia Arts.  It will open March 1st, in addition to work I’m submitting for the ‘Gorge Artists Open Studios Preview’ at Columbia Art Gallery with 29 other artists.

This just in, my jewelry is included in an article, ‘Top Jewelry Trends’ in Glossi Magazine!

April will be a killer month with an event each weekend, beginning with the Glass Craft & Bead Expo in Las Vegas – although my classes are not filling this year, so I may not get to go.  My open studio sale is the second weekend, followed by ‘Artists of the Gorge’, a weekend art show at Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River!  The last weekend in April is the largest show of my year, ‘Glass Gallery’ in Portland at the Convention Center.  The Gathering of the Guilds is the largest event of its kind on the West Coast and is always a must see.  If at all possible, plan to spend a couple of days perusing all the fabulous art at this show.  There is so much to see, so many artists and media that you’ll want to take home one of everything!

You will find my nature photographs above published as all occasion greeting cards in my Zibbet shop. Just click this link.