Chrystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas

This museum was founded in 2006 by Alice Walton, daughter of the founder of Walmart, Sam Walton. Her love of art started as a child when she painted watercolors with her mother on camping and hiking trips. I really enjoyed its architecture and the grounds are superb! 120 acres of Ozark forest and 5 miles of trails. So lucky that it was a beautiful October day. The spider is a sculpture called "Maman" by a famous French artist Louise Bourgeois.

Elmwood Cemetery Solarplate Etching

Another in my Norfolk series isn't a building but an angel at Elmwood Cemetery that I couldn't resist drawing. The cemetery is an historic municipal one that was officially established in 1853. It's listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The tombstones have much Victorian funerary including shells, lambs, wreathes, lilies and anchors. And there are quite a few angels, this one being my favorite. I drew it on glass and then exposed it in the sun on a solarplate that is light sensitive. It needs to be near noon and a bright sunny day. (Panic can set in when clouds suddenly appear!) It only took 30 seconds! That's so amazing to me. Then after a couple of other steps, I was ready to make some handmade prints from the exposed plates. 

Elmwood Cemetery Angel

 

Sweethaven Lavender Farm

To my surprise I discovered that there is a lavender farm in Williamsburg, Virginia so I had to pay a visit since I was there for the day anyway. It was a tricky weather day but it stopped raining just as I got there. I was given a basket and some scissors and sent out into the field to gather my own bouquet. How pleasant, I thought! After I finished, I went to the shop where various lavender products are produced and sold. It brought back memories of Provence....I'm sure that's what most people think about when it comes to lavender!

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens - Solarplate Etching

The Hermitage is an early 20th century Arts-and-Crafts estate located on the Lafayette River in Norfolk, Virginia. It features 12 acres of gardens and grounds, contemporary exhibition galleries, a Visual Arts Studio and an impressive art collection. I took my first painting class here years ago. Then I was hooked on art! This is the 11th in my series of solarplate etchings of Norfolk buildings. Contemplating the next one!

This building has a lot of textures!

 

"Homebound " linocut

The inspiration for this linoleum cut print was inspired by a visit to France and the town of Carcassonne in the south. I love all the details in a building like this...and there are a lot! I put some details from the inside  of the church in the background using another piece of linoleum. The church opened up as a parish church in the 13th century and was elevated to cathedral status in 1803. It seems appropriate that a pigeon would be passing by!

Cathedral Saint-Michel de Carcassonne

Doumar's Restaurant -Solarplate Etching

"Welcome to Doumar's, where everyday is Ice Cream Day!" That's what they say at the restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia that sports this funky sign! It's very famous for its ice cream and handmade waffle cones, made by hand on the original waffle machine, built in 1904. It was invented by Abe Doumar and was first used at his restaurant on Coney Island, New York. In 1907 he relocated it to Norfolk where it’s been ever since. Reading about the history and the food on their website certainly has made me hungry! It's true!

A Sunny Gathering - Bird Linoleum Cut

 I see goldfinches quite often in my yard and at my bird feeders so why not be inspired to make a new linocut of them? I like colored backgrounds with black on top. I carved two plates of linoleum and printed both with one first and the other on top. The final looks nice alongside the one I did of the seagulls which is the same size.