Sunday Selections #784

 

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image. 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle. 

 

The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

 

I usually run with a theme.This week I am taking you with me to our National Art Gallery that is currently showing an exhibition of Paul Gauguin's work.  He is not one of my favourite artists.  I am also not comfortable with the fact that despite his wife in France he took many teenage brides.  However he is not the first or the last.

And the exhibition surprised me.  I was aware of his paintings but did not know he was also a ceramicist and sculptor.  Settle back with a beverage of your choice and come explore with me.

Temporary murals on the walls going into the gallery.  I am going to have to explore this exhibit too.  Later.

A self portrait.

This was a commissioned portrait.  The sitter didn't like it and refused to accept it.

On the whole I like his landscapes and his still life paintings more than I do than the work for which he is better known.  Just the same I am glad  we went.

As usual (and because the exhibition is set up that way) we emerged through the gift shop where I purchased a couple of cards and some book marks which I am happy to send to anyone who would like them.  Let me know in the comments if you want one - and tell me which one too please.

And on a very different note.  Isn't this a wonderful wine label.  Himself says the wine isn't bad either.

Sunday Selections #783

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image. 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle. 

 

The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

 

I usually run with a theme. This week we are going back to see some more from the Warm Trees exhibition.

 

 I don't like bonsai, seeing it as the equivalent of foot binding for trees but we stopped in at the bonsai gallery to see their decorations as well.

This is a Prostrate Nepal Juniper and the dead branch was created for effect.

A Trident Maple.

A Japanese maple

Another Trident maple with its scarves in Chilean colours.

A Japanese maple

A European Beech

Then we went outside again.

I like these sunshades which are over garden beds showing what can be grown in the yards of homes in my city.

The condor is apparently depicted life size with its wings spread so you can see how big it is - and see whether your arm span is as wide as it's wing span.  Mine isn't.

And another glorious view.

Next week I will take you with us on a very different exhibition.

 

Sunday Selections #782

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image. 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle. 

 

The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

 

I usually run with a theme. This week I am taking you back to our Arboretum.  Specifically to see the Warm Trees exhibit.  This exhibition is run in winter each year to encourage more people to visit the arboretum.  It works.

Selected trees are wrapped in winter woollies, knitted/crocheted by volunteers.  At the end of this month, they will be removed, washed, unravelled and knitted into rugs and scarfs for the needy in my city.

My city is known as a chilly place.  And this year the Chilean embassy sponsored the Warm Trees exhibit.  Which tickled my childish mind..

Less talk.  More photos.  Lots more photos.

This is a new sculpture, set in the middle of the Himalayan Cedar Forest.  Of course I love it.

There are lovely views too.

 When we got to the Visitor's Centre there were more wrapped trees and art work on display.

The Monkey Puzzle is Chile's national tree, and the Chilean bellflower the national flower.  The Condor is their National bird, and the Magellanic Woodpecker widely spread and much loved.

There are Chilean forests in our Arboretum and I can see we are going to have to track them down in Spring and Summer.  Goodness how we suffer.  Not.

This post is more than long enough so I will stop  here.  If you are interested I will continue it next week.

I do love our arboretum and hope that even the grey days in your week are filled with as much colour and whimsy as we found on our outing.