Well, apparently the big football team is now on campus, so all the buildings are locked down and it is frustrating to try to go anywhere on campus.
This afternoon the sculpture class went to the "Bradley Sculpture Garden" which is this fabulous estate filled with sculptures, beautiful lake, historic home, etc. It is only open for private tours, so we were the only ones there. There are couple works by Henry Moore and other notables. It was really incredible.
I went out to dinner tonight with one of my classmates. She has been in all three of my classes and we've become pretty good friends. Tomorrow I just have a critique in the afternoon for my sculpture class and then I have to try and get some of the pieces packed up so I can mail them home.
All is well and now I am counting down the hours --- I'm really ready to get home.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Mama Mia
Well, my sculptures are almost complete and my group finished printing our high school art curriculum today and we'll present it tomorrow. So tonight I was finally free to relax a little. I decided to go back to the posh theater that I had discovered on my first day in Milwaukee. So I sipped wine and saw "Mama Mia." It was so much fun. Meryl Streep of course was incredible and then how could it be bad with Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan? Then to top it off it also co-stared my favorite British actress Julie Walters. I haven't been to a movie in a very long time where the entire audience was laughing and having a great time. Anyway, Katie missed out. She said she didn't really want to see it, so too bad for her.
The St. Louis Rams apparently arrive on campus tomorrow for their summer training camp. The security around here is crazy. There are TV news trucks, big tents set up and apparently I will have to be parking about 2 miles away. (not really, but it seems that far) It should be interesting on Saturday morning when I have to get up at 4:00 a.m. and pull my luggage down the road to my car. Anyway, I am so looking forward to sleeping in my own bed and maybe even cooking a decent meal.
The St. Louis Rams apparently arrive on campus tomorrow for their summer training camp. The security around here is crazy. There are TV news trucks, big tents set up and apparently I will have to be parking about 2 miles away. (not really, but it seems that far) It should be interesting on Saturday morning when I have to get up at 4:00 a.m. and pull my luggage down the road to my car. Anyway, I am so looking forward to sleeping in my own bed and maybe even cooking a decent meal.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday in Oak Park, IL
Well, I managed to make it safely back to Mequon from Chicago. I decided to bypass some of the freeways and took the local Rt. 41 north out of the city. It was slow, but better than the alternative. I eventually had to get on the freeway and stayed in the right lane traveling at 55 in the “construction zone” 45 miles per hour speed limit. Ever car on the freeway passed me going about 70 or above. It was three lanes with cones on both sides and no shoulders. There weren’t as many trucks on the road as on Friday, so that made it a little better, but it wasn’t a very enjoyable drive.
This morning I got checked out of the hotel and then arrived at the Frank Lloyd house & studio about 10:30. I had reservations, so I picked up my MP3 player & headset for a walking tour of the area homes and then had a 12:00 guided tour of the home & studio. It was his “early work” which was mostly his pre-prairie style homes. After Taliesin and now this tour, I feel I am somewhat of an expert on his life and work. I was amused today that the tour guide didn’t mention anything about why he only lived there until 1909 (FYI- He went to Germany with Mrs. Cheney for 2 years and then when he returned started building Taliesin where he continued to live with her until her murder.) His official wife & family of course continued to live there for sometime, but then it was eventually sold. It was purchased by the preservation society in the 70’s and apparently it was in a bad state of disrepair. The society has restored it to the 1909 period when he last lived there.
I only got to drive by the Robie house yesterday on the Chicago bus tour. Sometime I will have to go back and tour that house, which is supposed to be his “Prairie Style” masterpiece. Hopefully I’ll have time on Friday to go by a church in Milwaukee that he designed. Someday I want to see Taliesin West in Scottsdale.
Well, I just have 5 more days in Wisconsin and then leave early Saturday morning to fly to Seattle to meet Katie. Maybe this week I’ll post some of my sculpture projects that we have been making in class.
The FLW house & studio in Oak Park.
Obama's house as the tour bus was passing by.
The very cool Cloud Gate sculpture. (notice the black & white photo--something on my camera got reset and all my pictures of Chicago and today in Oak Park are B&W with only some red. Very weird.
There is a big theater district in Chicago. I was thinking you you Katie!
Every bit as wonderful as I thought it would be.
This is a Cezanne I took for Nicole. Apparently this museum has a huge Impressionist/Post Impressionist collection---but I only got to see a few because of current rennovations--more bad luck.
This is a Buddah at the Art Institute. I wanted to take a picture for Brian only to reach down and realize I didnt have my camera. I went into complete panic and found the nearest security guard. It had been found on a bench where I had rested briefly. I was lucky! It seems to me I have done that before. Rouen comes to mind.....
This morning I got checked out of the hotel and then arrived at the Frank Lloyd house & studio about 10:30. I had reservations, so I picked up my MP3 player & headset for a walking tour of the area homes and then had a 12:00 guided tour of the home & studio. It was his “early work” which was mostly his pre-prairie style homes. After Taliesin and now this tour, I feel I am somewhat of an expert on his life and work. I was amused today that the tour guide didn’t mention anything about why he only lived there until 1909 (FYI- He went to Germany with Mrs. Cheney for 2 years and then when he returned started building Taliesin where he continued to live with her until her murder.) His official wife & family of course continued to live there for sometime, but then it was eventually sold. It was purchased by the preservation society in the 70’s and apparently it was in a bad state of disrepair. The society has restored it to the 1909 period when he last lived there.
I only got to drive by the Robie house yesterday on the Chicago bus tour. Sometime I will have to go back and tour that house, which is supposed to be his “Prairie Style” masterpiece. Hopefully I’ll have time on Friday to go by a church in Milwaukee that he designed. Someday I want to see Taliesin West in Scottsdale.
Well, I just have 5 more days in Wisconsin and then leave early Saturday morning to fly to Seattle to meet Katie. Maybe this week I’ll post some of my sculpture projects that we have been making in class.
The FLW house & studio in Oak Park.
Obama's house as the tour bus was passing by.
The very cool Cloud Gate sculpture. (notice the black & white photo--something on my camera got reset and all my pictures of Chicago and today in Oak Park are B&W with only some red. Very weird.
There is a big theater district in Chicago. I was thinking you you Katie!
Every bit as wonderful as I thought it would be.
This is a Cezanne I took for Nicole. Apparently this museum has a huge Impressionist/Post Impressionist collection---but I only got to see a few because of current rennovations--more bad luck.
This is a Buddah at the Art Institute. I wanted to take a picture for Brian only to reach down and realize I didnt have my camera. I went into complete panic and found the nearest security guard. It had been found on a bench where I had rested briefly. I was lucky! It seems to me I have done that before. Rouen comes to mind.....
Saturday, July 19, 2008
CHICAGO
I finally have something to write about on my blog.
My classes are going well and I only have a week to go.
On Friday morning I headed south for a Chicago weekend. I had actually planned two weekends in Chicago, but I had to condense it into one because of the unexpected trip back to Oregon. So, I had reservations this weekend to stay in Oak Park, which is now part of Chicago, but at one time it was a posh suburb. It is about 8 miles east of downtown. Oak Park is famous for the Chicago home of Frank Lloyd Wright and there are 20+ residences in the area that he designed. It is also the birthplace of Hemmingway---yes, he did get around. I’m staying at a little historic inn across from the Hemmingway museum and right down the street from where he was born.
Anyway, I arrived Friday afternoon and immediately walked down 3 blocks from the hotel and caught the train into the city center. It takes about 25-30 minutes, with frequent stops. I visited the Chicago Art Institute and of course it was fantastic—I got to see the great work by Seurat Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Grant Wood’s American Gothic, and Hopper’s Night Hawks. There were of course many other great works, but it was disappointing in that about half of the museum was closed for renovation. Wouldn’t you know it—I have wanted to come here for years and the summer I am finally here they are going through a major remodel! Guess I’ll just have to come back.
So anyway, I walked out of the museum yesterday took a couple of photos and then the clouds decided to open up. Having no umbrella (forgot it in the rental car a couple weeks ago) I ran across the street to little restaurant and ordered a salad until I could venture back out and find my way back to the train. I did manage to get on the right train and headed back to Oak Park where I had a nice Italian meal before heading to the hotel. I also took a detour as I walked back and saw FLW’s Unity Temple.
Back at the hotel I continued to read “Three Cups of Tea,” which is such a great book. Long story, but I met the author’s wife in Portland last spring when I was taking an art education class.
This morning I got up fairly early and planned to head back into Chicago so I could take a city tour. Well, I woke up and it was really pouring. Remember I have no umbrella and it is about 3-4 blocks to the train station. I also only have sandals along, so I really didn’t think I could make it to the train without being completely drenched and miserable. I waited and waited and finally about 8:15 it looked like it was easing up a bit, so I jogged to the train—forgoing coffee and breakfast, because I needed to get to the tour office to buy a ticket for the 9:30 tour. I got on the train—no problem, but then there were delays, so again I was jogging to buy the ticket. I ended up with about 10 minutes to spare before the 4 hour tour was to begin, but the only coffee to be found had a line out the door. In other words, No Coffee…. No Breakfast.
The tour was great. It was the perfect way to see Chicago during the pouring rain. I got to see everything I wanted from the comfort of the bus, sculptures by Picasso, Calder, Chagall, Moore and others. We drove by Oprah’s apartment building on Lake Michigan, Wrigley Field, through parks, the Magnificent Mile, then south to the Hyde Park area where we drove by the famous Robie house designed by FLW, drove by Obama’s house, and the University of Chicago area. The tour ended about 2:00 and I was really hungry. It was still drizzly but not as bad as earlier.
I spent the rest of the afternoon walking down Michigan Ave. I went into the original American Girl store---kind of glad I didn’t have to spend any money there. It was so crowded, but fun to see. Then I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art. There was a Jeff Koons show. Not my favorite artist—It was an OK museum. I was just glad that my Portland Art Museum card got me in for free.
From there I continued walking along Michigan Ave. to Millennium Park. I have pictures, but I didn’t bring my camera cord. Maybe tomorrow night I’ll just post photos. By this time I was working on several blisters, so I made my way back to the train (I’m now an expert on the Chicago Transit system) and headed back to Oak Park. I wasn’t going to walk anywhere else, so I ate dinner here at the Inn.
The bistro was really good. Goat Cheese salad to die for and the most amazing prawns I’ve ever had.
Nicole just called and reported that they arrived safely back from Pennsylvania.
I think I am going to crawl into bed and read. Tomorrow I will tour the Oak Park neighborhood of FLW homes and then tour his home and studio. In the afternoon I will head north to Milwaukee, but I have to figure out an alternative route. The main freeway between Milwaukee and Chicago is about 100 miles long and the entire thing is being reconstructed. It was the most miserable stretch of road I have ever driven. I think I’ll try the secondary roads for my safety and sanity.
Tomorrow evening I’ll post photos. I now know why Wisconsin & Illinois lawns are so green all summer without irrigation. It rains more here than in Oregon.
Oh yea, Chicago is a great city. Clean, beautiful flowers, and art everywhere. I'm so glad to finally experience it.
My classes are going well and I only have a week to go.
On Friday morning I headed south for a Chicago weekend. I had actually planned two weekends in Chicago, but I had to condense it into one because of the unexpected trip back to Oregon. So, I had reservations this weekend to stay in Oak Park, which is now part of Chicago, but at one time it was a posh suburb. It is about 8 miles east of downtown. Oak Park is famous for the Chicago home of Frank Lloyd Wright and there are 20+ residences in the area that he designed. It is also the birthplace of Hemmingway---yes, he did get around. I’m staying at a little historic inn across from the Hemmingway museum and right down the street from where he was born.
Anyway, I arrived Friday afternoon and immediately walked down 3 blocks from the hotel and caught the train into the city center. It takes about 25-30 minutes, with frequent stops. I visited the Chicago Art Institute and of course it was fantastic—I got to see the great work by Seurat Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Grant Wood’s American Gothic, and Hopper’s Night Hawks. There were of course many other great works, but it was disappointing in that about half of the museum was closed for renovation. Wouldn’t you know it—I have wanted to come here for years and the summer I am finally here they are going through a major remodel! Guess I’ll just have to come back.
So anyway, I walked out of the museum yesterday took a couple of photos and then the clouds decided to open up. Having no umbrella (forgot it in the rental car a couple weeks ago) I ran across the street to little restaurant and ordered a salad until I could venture back out and find my way back to the train. I did manage to get on the right train and headed back to Oak Park where I had a nice Italian meal before heading to the hotel. I also took a detour as I walked back and saw FLW’s Unity Temple.
Back at the hotel I continued to read “Three Cups of Tea,” which is such a great book. Long story, but I met the author’s wife in Portland last spring when I was taking an art education class.
This morning I got up fairly early and planned to head back into Chicago so I could take a city tour. Well, I woke up and it was really pouring. Remember I have no umbrella and it is about 3-4 blocks to the train station. I also only have sandals along, so I really didn’t think I could make it to the train without being completely drenched and miserable. I waited and waited and finally about 8:15 it looked like it was easing up a bit, so I jogged to the train—forgoing coffee and breakfast, because I needed to get to the tour office to buy a ticket for the 9:30 tour. I got on the train—no problem, but then there were delays, so again I was jogging to buy the ticket. I ended up with about 10 minutes to spare before the 4 hour tour was to begin, but the only coffee to be found had a line out the door. In other words, No Coffee…. No Breakfast.
The tour was great. It was the perfect way to see Chicago during the pouring rain. I got to see everything I wanted from the comfort of the bus, sculptures by Picasso, Calder, Chagall, Moore and others. We drove by Oprah’s apartment building on Lake Michigan, Wrigley Field, through parks, the Magnificent Mile, then south to the Hyde Park area where we drove by the famous Robie house designed by FLW, drove by Obama’s house, and the University of Chicago area. The tour ended about 2:00 and I was really hungry. It was still drizzly but not as bad as earlier.
I spent the rest of the afternoon walking down Michigan Ave. I went into the original American Girl store---kind of glad I didn’t have to spend any money there. It was so crowded, but fun to see. Then I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art. There was a Jeff Koons show. Not my favorite artist—It was an OK museum. I was just glad that my Portland Art Museum card got me in for free.
From there I continued walking along Michigan Ave. to Millennium Park. I have pictures, but I didn’t bring my camera cord. Maybe tomorrow night I’ll just post photos. By this time I was working on several blisters, so I made my way back to the train (I’m now an expert on the Chicago Transit system) and headed back to Oak Park. I wasn’t going to walk anywhere else, so I ate dinner here at the Inn.
The bistro was really good. Goat Cheese salad to die for and the most amazing prawns I’ve ever had.
Nicole just called and reported that they arrived safely back from Pennsylvania.
I think I am going to crawl into bed and read. Tomorrow I will tour the Oak Park neighborhood of FLW homes and then tour his home and studio. In the afternoon I will head north to Milwaukee, but I have to figure out an alternative route. The main freeway between Milwaukee and Chicago is about 100 miles long and the entire thing is being reconstructed. It was the most miserable stretch of road I have ever driven. I think I’ll try the secondary roads for my safety and sanity.
Tomorrow evening I’ll post photos. I now know why Wisconsin & Illinois lawns are so green all summer without irrigation. It rains more here than in Oregon.
Oh yea, Chicago is a great city. Clean, beautiful flowers, and art everywhere. I'm so glad to finally experience it.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wednesday in Wisconsin
Nicole wondered why I hadn't written. Well, there is a very good reason for that. Since I arrived last Saturday night, there hasn't been a whole lot to report. In fact, for the first 24 hours I think I may have been the only person on campus. I saw no one in the dorms, I walked across campus twice on Sunday and through many of the long hall ways to the computer lab and didn't see a sole until Monday morning. It is kind of a eerie feeling actually. I've basically been trying to get caught up. My sculpture class started and it is going to be even more work than the drawing class. We have to complete something like 8 sculptures in three weeks. Today we spent 2 hours of the 4 your class working on an installation. We did a tree wrap. Mine actually turned out rather well I thought. I think students would love this assignment.
Then lets see...I have been too busy to go out for dinner the last couple of nights, so that means I ate my Trader Joes frozen dinners. Tonight I ventured out and I wish I hadn't. It took me about 20 min. to flag down a waitress to get a glass of water and then somehow they managed to produce the most awful shrimp salad--it is pretty hard to believe that so many people were in the restaurant because it was really bad. I guess I'll have to stick to the many Mexican restaurants that are in the neighborhood and forget about having any variety.
Let's see....anything else to report? No, I don't think so. Oh yes, I have to go get my ID card punched with a hole tomorrow at Campus Safety and have a lanyard attached. Then I guess I have to start wearing it at all times. Security is being increased because the St.Louis Rams are coming to campus for there Summer Training Camp. Apparently it will also mean that instead of being able to park about 1/4 mile from my dorm (because the roads are currently torn up), I will soon have to be parking about 1/2 mile away. Not because the parking lot is actually that far away, but because you have to walk through all the buildings on campus to get there.
Well, I'm sure you will all agree that now there is a good reason why I haven't posted to my blog. Check out another wrapped tree, just for excitement. (at the top-I still can't figure out how to place photos where I want them) Mine is the cool one with the long magenta yarn flying in the wind.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Back in Milwaukee
My Delta flights got me here right on time---no problems. There were no compact cars available when I got to the Budget desk, so they had to upgrade me to a PT Cruiser. That will be fun to drive this week. I'm back to the deserted campus and the parking lots are still under construction so I got to drag my suitcase through grass and gravel across campus to get to the dorm. I think I may sleep in tomorrow. Good night.
Friday, July 4, 2008
4th of July
Yes, we did actually find a place to eat in Albany. First we were going to go to Red Robin--but their water heater blew up and they were closed. So then we called Rene and she suggested Dos Amigos. It was pretty good Mexican food. But next time I am in Albany I will have to try a new Italian restaurant that is opening soon. Albany is growing...
Well, I slept much better last night and then got my laundry done today.
Dad and I went out to dinner tonight and then he talked me in to going to see Ironman. You can probably guess how good it was. Of course it was another movie with "rave" reviews. There is another big hole in downtown Portland. The block between Nordstrom and the 10 St. Smart Park is now undergoing a big dig.
Fireworks are going off now and Oscar was crying for a while, but I guess he got tired. Charlotte is glad to have me here and won't leave me alone. Brian apparently drove up to Vancouver, B.C. this morning to see friends. I would assume they would be friends from Japan. So I guess he'll be celebrating his 30th in Canada.
My flight back to Milwaukee is in the morning. I'm really not looking forward to heading back. I feel like I should really be staying here and helping out with my Mom.
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday today.
Well, I slept much better last night and then got my laundry done today.
Dad and I went out to dinner tonight and then he talked me in to going to see Ironman. You can probably guess how good it was. Of course it was another movie with "rave" reviews. There is another big hole in downtown Portland. The block between Nordstrom and the 10 St. Smart Park is now undergoing a big dig.
Fireworks are going off now and Oscar was crying for a while, but I guess he got tired. Charlotte is glad to have me here and won't leave me alone. Brian apparently drove up to Vancouver, B.C. this morning to see friends. I would assume they would be friends from Japan. So I guess he'll be celebrating his 30th in Canada.
My flight back to Milwaukee is in the morning. I'm really not looking forward to heading back. I feel like I should really be staying here and helping out with my Mom.
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday today.
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