Big boat, little boat

Governor's Island opened this weekend. A lovely ferry boat ride from NYC, you never know what you will see floating around the island. I spotted several boats-all dwarfed by the huge Queen Mary that looked ready to sail out. The island itself is currently a work in progress and it should be interesting to see it evolve. I love sense of history , the idea that you can walk around the entire island fairly quickly,rent a bike (or get one free -for an hour on Fridays) and best of all-the ferry ride is free. 

Sewing something new

I hauled out my sewing machine last night...and it worked! I have been thinking about sewing fabric onto paper for some time now. Like all NEW THINGS the first few experiments can be pretty hideous but then you take what you learn from your mistakes & eventually something decent is created .  But those first few awful false starts can be rough to face without strong faith that things will improve with each step forward. (In this way, the art making process can be a lot like life itself...)

Signs of summer

I visited Coney Island late today  & I have to say it looks a lot like the Coney Island of 2008. I made a point of being there on closing day (9/7/2008) last year since much had been made of the coming changes and  words like "Disney" were used to imply a  theme park like future was in store  come summer  2009. While change may still be coming , right now Deno's Wonder Wheel & "The Freak" along with many of the other familiar sights & sounds are still very much alive & well. 

Erie Basin Park,Bklyn N.Y.C.

Went somewhere new tonight: Erie Basin Park in Brooklyn. It is a very interesting , mixed use site. Thoughtfully  designed with wonderful mix of natural & metal materials & well done  displays that give a sense of history about the historic  ship building space & amazing views , especially at sun set. 

The park flows along the waterfront and is behind a new IKEA. Perhaps that is why some of the design elements feel so well suited to the setting?

I liked best they way the park blended nature with it's waterfront industrial setting, giving you the best of both worlds and a real appreciation for each element. I am really interested to see the park as the seasons change it-imagine snow on everything pictured here! I also liked how the park used "art" in a way that made you think. 

One odd note:what little  remains of the  wooden piers is actually lose and waivers back and forth as the water moves like reeds in wind  . 

Green collar jobs?

Speaking of trying something new : I signed up for a one night class in "green collar jobs" at a local college. Should be very interesting and  I am hoping it will give me some new ideas!

As I was exiting the campus I spotted this amazing sunset & began taking pictures. Soon, everyone who passed by had hauled out their cell phones & was taking photos too. I had to wonder : If I had not stopped to capture the beauty of the moment-would everyone else have just passed it by, unaware? (In the left hand side of the photo you can see part of the world's fair buildings.) I wandered around a bit and spotted some cool art and a very nice architectural detail. Nice. 

Laundry on the line to dry...

The spring semester has come to an end just as I begin a new series of cards. I am rarely completely certain were a piece of art is going and these are no exception. Last night, they took quiet a turn for the unexpected and hang, drying on the line of holidays lights. What's next, I wonder? 

I also came very close to completing one of my "mandala" prints & seeing them displayed like this reminds me of the tile work I spotted a few weeks ago while visiting Atlantic City. I am, maybe, one or two colors away from DONE ! How exciting !