Wicked...or Not?

In trying to find the interesting and artful for this weeks blog, I heard about the Broadway musical that seems to have taken Salt Lake by storm.

Wicked.

My sister-in-law went and saw it Saturday with her children. Her youngest is a boy turning 8, and all he had to say was he didn't like the "kissing" parts...lol.

This is the musical based on the book written by Winnie Holzman.

I've known the book was around for sometime, and while my sister and everyone else seemed to be reading it, I was never attracted to it. Hearing the basic idea behind the story makes it sound intriguing, and the musical sound inviting. I'd like to see how they manage the idea of two total opposite girls becoming friends in college only to become enemies in adulthood.

I'm afraid that I have the Wicked Witch of the West firmly entrenched in my mind as the crotchety voiced crab (played by Margaret Hamilton)who acted in the original movie with Judy Garland as Dorothy -- my all time favorite actress. Who didn't want a pair of ruby slippers after watching that movie? Perhaps it's just the old fashioned part of me -- but then I don't like a lot of the remakes that have come out in the past ten years either.

Be that as it may, if you like theater and musicals, you'll probably not want to miss this one. It's truly a spectacular on stage presentation.



I hear the stage setting and costumes are amazing, and that everything is very much what you'd see on the Broadway stage. There is even some reference to the movie of it's base, The Wizard of Oz, and that would be interesting to see. Apparently everything is vivid color, like the movie, but the wizard is black and white. I guess you'd have to read the book to understand that.

The recommendation of my sister-in-law? She thought it was awesome and fantastic.

So, if you're in the mood for some musical theater this week, see if you can get some tickets and check it out.(I've heard two different sides to this...tickets are readily available, and yet, tickets are all sold out and the show ends May 3.) So -- apparently they're in short supply. I think the munchkins got to them...grin.

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Two Wonderful LDS Artists

If you watched the in between conference presentation on channel 5 Sunday, you were able to see a program about the art inside the Draper Temple. I've already talked about the windows and how wonderful the decor is, but I'd like to touch on these two artists, because their stories were so inspiring. Especially the first one...

Linda Curly Christensen

This wonderful artist has been able to realize a dream by heading up a team of Art Missionaries. Until this point, I never knew there was such a thing. She heads up a team of artists that paint the murals for the temples. What a wonderful mission! that would be simply...heaven on earth to me. Imagine getting up in the morning and going to paint for the Lord!



Fortunately, she has married a man who was equal to the dream and to the task of helping her in these projects. Greg built her a studio that will fit the tall panels of murals used in the temples, and also built large easels that roll on wheels. I can't even imagine the scope of these paintings. The largest thing I've ever painted was about 27" by 40".

She is really an inspiration to artists in the church, and a talented woman who has been able to share this wonderful talent with all of us who attend the temples. If you've gone through the Draper Temple, you've seen how amazing those rooms are.

The other artist that worked on those projects was Keith Bond.



He does amazing work as well. According to the program, and his website, he practices the art of painting en plein air which means outside. Of course he paints larger pieces in a studio, but he tries to do as much as he can outdoors where he can experience the reality of what he wants to put on canvas.

In addition to the murals he did for the temple, he has done two murals for the Utah Capitol building. They are both large and amazing works depicting two distinct scenes from Utah, in a way intended for those working there to remember that their state is beautiful.



This is the style of painting that I aspire to, since I love to paint flowers and the outdoors.



I was inspired by the program and the highlighting of these two artists, and wanted to share their talents with you. I hope you have a chance to see their work soon, and to enjoy the wonder and beauty of the world around us that was created by our Savior, and gifted to these talented people who are quick to share and answer the call.

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The ART of Relaxation

When I think of spring break, I usually think of vacation time. Usually though, we don't go anywhere. If anyone has tried to travel during spring break, they've discovered how that's the same thing everyone else is doing, especially if it involves a warmer climate -- like beaches. Since a crowd cuts down the relaxation, that doesn't work very well.

This year we're doing some much needed remodeling on our home, which involves refinishing the floor in the front room. We figured we were going to want to clear out of the house for at least three days, so that involved actually going somewhere.

Since we're like most of the nation right now with not a lot of loose change, it involved "who can we bug to stay at their fancy condo??" Grin. You see, we are lucky enough to have relations who have a condo in Deer Valley. For those of you in the know, Deer Valley is a nice secluded little valley behind Park City. It's quiet, and calm, and gorgeous.

Fortunately, my sister said yes! So, we are planning on hiding out for a couple of days.

Now, if it were my mother-in-law, she would go stir crazy. She would want to have every day with something planned. She isn't thrilled with doing jigsaw puzzles and reading books or watching movies, munching on goodies and generally lazing around. That's not her idea of a vacation.

That's where we get into a discussion. There are Vacations, and then there are Trips. A trip is where you have locations and activities planned. You take a trip to see Yellowstone National Park. You take a trip to tour Zions National Park. A trip is going to the Grand Canyon and hiking down the trails or riding a burrow all the way to the bottom.

In our view, Vacations are for RELAXING. Did you know there was an art to relaxing? There is! One has to determine what that is for each individual, but for my family, it's easy. One of our favorite places to relax is Fish Lake.



This place is perfect for relaxing. If you like to fish, you can do that to your hearts content (actually catching something is optional). If you would rather relax in a cabin or tent, that's the best prescription -- at least in our view.

My sister has a cabin down there that's to die for, and when we go, we have no intention of doing anything. We go for walks, we do puzzles, we play games, sometimes I paint, the kids play Foosball until we want to toss the game outside, and we generally laze around and soak up the non-electric silence.

It's Heaven on earth.

What is your idea of relaxation? I've discovered there can be many ways to relax. Most of which can be done in your own home. If you like to take bubble baths, that's a great way to relax. Like to read? Curl up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa and tell the children to leave you alone for an hour. (Doesn't always work, but it's worth a try.) Finding a way to relax with children can be a challenge, especially if they are small children.

The best way I found was to get them to bed early and have a romantic relaxing dinner with my hubby. I remember one time I set up the wading pool in the back yard, found some ocean/beach sounds, lit some candles and fixed dinner outside. We relaxed in the pool with our dinner and it was a wonderful evening.

This past week has been extremely stressful for me at my work. As a result, the subject of relaxation has largely occupied my brain. I'm sure many of you can relate. We live in stressful times. How we handle that stress, and how we are able to relax, is very important in our relationships.

Chocolate is a great start!

I'd love to hear about your favorite way to relax.

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Robert Duncan's Art

My dentist has several paintings in his dentist office, not in the reception/waiting area; but in the rooms. One of my favorites is this one at the top. I've often admired these paintings and wondered who the artist was. I love the way he uses light and color together. How he can imbue the painting with emotion and peace. They are wonderful.

Today a co-worker was showing me a little calendar she had purchased, and it was the paintings of this same artist, so I finally discovered his name. Robert Duncan. I was so excited that I finally knew who it was, I wrote down his name so I wouldn't forget it.

Now, I realize that I'm probably one of the few ignoramuses who didn't know who this man was, or how talented he is. I'm sorry! Grin. But, I'm repenting and determined to own some of his work as soon as I can afford it. Even if it's just a calendar.

This one of the boys in the orchard is another favorite from the doctor's office.


It makes me think of days gone by, when boys worked on farms during the summer, went fishing at nearby springs, and learned the values that are so important.

But what really grabs me is the ones he has painted of snow. You feel as if you are totally there in the picture, in the snow, feeling it coming down and enjoying the fun of play.

Obviously, I hadn't seem much of his work before today. I've only been privileged to see a handful of paintings, but they were enough to grab my attention and want to see more.

A good artist is able to do that. That's why people collect their work, hand their paintings, and sponsor them in galleries. When you come across something beautiful and inspiring, you always want to share it. Our joy in something grows in the added appreciation of others.

As we begin to see spring on the horizon, and winter edges out of our nights, these paintings help to bring those feelings into our hearts; make them real and bring back memories that are much the same as what is painted.


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I read in one article that Robert Duncan was elected into the Cowboy Artists of America and that he's received two silver medals in their annual exhibition. I would say he's captured the heart of the home, as well as the west and nature. He truly is an artist.

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Stained Glass

One thing that has always captured my interest and amazement is stained glass. I was somewhat taken back when I discovered my sister was creating her own works of stained glass. I thought it was a difficult and time consuming, let alone, um, dangerous, hobby. (Cut fingers, cut arms, missing fingers...grin)

When I went through the Draper Temple Open House, I was moved by the stained glass in the doors and windows. In looking up the information on the work, I came across this blurb:
"All of the art-glass windows created by Utah artist Tom Holdman for the Draper Utah Temple miraculously survived a fire that left only a portion of one window damaged, even though the art studio itself was so badly burned, it was condemned."
That tells me the Lord looks after the works of His house. I thought it would be nice to explore the other temples and some of the stained glass that we are given in them.

The Redlands Temple has some unique glass work around the edges of the windows. I tried to get a close up look at them, but this is as good as I could get. The contractor who had been in charge of the building of this temple (and a few others) used to live in our ward. When we helped them clean up (the youth of our ward), they offered to let us have some of the leftover glass pieces that made up this unusual design. I was able to have two (I had two sons helping) and gave one to my sister for her glass making. The other I'm trying to frame.

Here is a photo of the young man who designed the windows for the Rexburg, Idaho Temple at work. Amazingly enough, he didn't even know his designs had been accepted for the windows until he was already on his mission. He was able to work on them when he came home. His name is Josh Lewis. Below is the completed example of his windows.

(All photos of the Rexburg, Idaho Temple are from this website)
Last, but certainly not least, is the Palmyra Temple. The windows there were made unique by following the foliage from the surrounding countryside. They were designed to match the Aspen trees that made up a great deal of the forestry, and I think they're gorgeous.

I would have added more if I could locate good photos of them, but that's hard to come by unless you have access to the open house brochures...grin.
So, hopefully, that's enough to wet your taste buds and make you want to see all of them in person. Thinking about the idea that there are over 140 temples around the world, the idea that you could visit each one of them is remote. (though there was a time you could have done so...)
I hope you take the time to visit the ones closest to you and enjoy the spirit and beauty that you'll find there.

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The Art of Temples

This week I had the privilege of touring the Draper Temple. What an amazing building to add to our wonderful list of temples. I was astounded to realize that we have either built or are building 148 temples around the world! And to think that there will be 12 in Utah alone? What excuse do we have now to do our temple work? None!!

The insides are simple gorgeous. I know each temple has it's own 'theme', and this one appears to be the Sego Lily. It's all along the ceiling and in the carpets. The windows and doors are gorgeous, but my favorite room was the bride room. The chandelier and wall sconces were made of a metalic product and shaped into flower petal type design, it was so beautiful! This shot is of the ceiling in the Celestial room.



My autistic son kept walking into everyone in front of him because he was just so thrilled with it and the beauty he was seeing -- especially in the chandeliers. He is quite obsessed with them...grin.

I was able to find a LDS Jordan River site with photos of the inside, and I wanted to share some of them -- they just glow.



My son loved the idea that the Baptismal font was the same in this temple as in the Bountiful one. I loved the open feeling, and the wood work. I really loved the windows. The stained glass work, the height and tone of them...I wished I could have them in my home.



Since the church is dealing with the Big Love controversy right now, I felt this was an appropriate place to include the video the church has put out to help those who are unfamiliar with our temples and the work that goes on inside. Here is the video that explains things quite simply and clearly. I hope that anyone who needs to know or is curious will have the chance to see it somewhere.



Unfortunately, I think any openings left to see the open house are taken, and the chance to see the inside before it's dedicated is probably gone. I hope these photos give a taste of the beauty and peace that is found inside. I sincerely hope that you'll have the chance to see the insides for yourself someday.

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Brandon McConnell

Writing a blog sometimes takes all I've got. Coming up with new subjects for your interest is a time consuming and sometimes frustrating job. I want to present things that capture your imagination, but I don't find such things very often. Sometimes I come up with something interesting, like the Indian jewelry and sand art, which I found fascinating -- and then sometimes I find things by pure serendipity. (Although, I don't believe in coincidence.)

A friend emailed me a video of a spray painter and his one minute painting. She knew I was an artist and she thought I would find it interesting. I was grateful, because though I've seen it before, it gave me something new and different to present to you. Brandon McConnell has been able to take a medium that most of us don't understand or use for anything other than mundane tasks and turn it into an amazing art form. I've always thought that spray paint had potential, anyone who's seen the art work on the side of trains, or the second Santa Clause knows how it can be used. But Brandon's work is a whole new level.

This is the first painting I had seen. I didn't really even know his name -- an now you do.



This is the second one I came across, and I was amazed at how he produced it.



And just when you think there can't be anything more, he shows how he has developed his craft into using other items with the spray paint. Regular items that I would use in painting, and items I would use in painting my home...Kind of reminds me of Bob Ross in how he presents and makes it easy for the watcher to learn.

Some of his stuff is a little to strange for my taste, but I thought you would enjoy seeing him work and the amazing stuff he comes up with. Amazing what people can do.

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Indian Jewelry

As I was thinking about the sand art I talked about last week, I realized there was another aspect of the Native American culture that I find fascinating. Their jewelry!

In looking it up I discovered there are several different kinds. Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Pueblo and Cherokee -- and many more. I'm sure you've driven through the reservations in Arizona and New Mexico and seen the roadside stands selling authentic jewelery. It's amazing work of silver and turquoise. We stopped at Four Corners on our way back from Oaklahoma and it was fun because they had shops from all four states. Each state had their own particular type of jewelry. It was wonderful.



Back in ancient days, they made lots of jewelry with beads, corn, shells and other such available items, but the work they do with silver is simply amazing. I also am surprised at all the different shades of turquoise. I had no idea, I thought it was all just a basic blue/green.

This one is called an emerald valley turquoise.


This is called green king turquoise.



I could spend hours looking through all the various sites that offer authentic jewelry. There's a site that claims to have the only official Cherokee Nation jewelry, there are others that claim to be representatives of the Hopi, Zuni and others. It's mind boggling.

Especially when you think about how few of true craftsmen there are left compared to jewelers in our culture. Their training comes from the tribal elders or apprentice to others that know the craft.

Jewelry making has become a hobby for many women now, with beads, stones and other things available at every craft store in the state. But this is serious art -- something that takes years of practice and learning. Just like anything that is worth doing, takes time to do it right.

Next time you have the chance to go by a roadside stand, take a minute and admire the work -- tell them how much you appreciate their efforts, and perhaps purchase something that you will remember. Native American art abounds and is available to wear.

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Sand Art

When I came home from my mission I grabbed the first job I could find. That ended up being at Jacob Lake Inn in Arizona. I had never heard of the place before that point in my life, and I was in for an eye opener.

It was my first real exposure to Indian culture and art, as well as the Grand Canyon. I'd never even been to Arizona before. I had pictured it full of cactus and barren deserts. Boy was I surprised. Jacob Lake Inn is right at a junction in the highway to either the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, or south toward Flagstaff and the rest of Arizona. Jacob Lake is also on the top of a mountain...so they get snow. Lots of snow. I was in heaven.

Anyway -- they have a gift shop at the Inn, where they sell everything from Indian jewelry to hand woven rugs. The work is amazing. The pottery is gorgeous and I was very impressed with what I saw. One of the things that fascinated me was their Sand Art, or sand paintings.



These paintings are such works of art. I purchased a small one and brought it home with me, along with a small piece of pottery -- unfortunately anything larger was way out of my price range, but they are worth every bit charged for them.

There is sand art that you can make with your kids, involving different colored sand that you pour into a jar, (this site shows it being done--it's way cool) but this is more like a craft which involves glue and sand on paper.

In my research on Native American sand art, I have heard that it was a way of chasing away evil spirits, keeping nightmares away, and also part of the medicine man's healing.


Veronica Begay is the artist of this amazing piece, called Pollen Boy on Sun. I think the blues are eye catching, and are a different touch.

I can't explain exactly the way I feel in looking at their art work. It's so unlike any other medium. It captures a feeling of rural wilderness and yet a simple beauty unlike any other. It's refined, it's delicate and it's amazing.



This piece by Wallace Ben show's painstaking patience in developing each line, each color. I wish these artists had web sites that you could learn more about them, but apparently they tend to be private people, without much presence except for their art.



If you ever get a chance to visit that area of the world, you should. There are wonders and amazing things to behold and witness. You'll be impressed.

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Book Cover Art

There is an oft quoted phrase: "Don't judge a book by it's cover". Okay, I guess that's a good axiom, but I find myself doing this all the time. Why? Because some art on the covers of books just grab me. Face it -- it the cover looks interesting, you're more likely to want to look at it.

Unfortunately, it might not be an indication of the real quality of the book, but I didn't want to get into that. I just wanted to share some of my favorite art in books. Two of my favorite books of all time are The Little Princess, and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.



I've loved these books since I first read them, especially the illustrations. The book I have has a different cover -- it has the girls walking along the sidewalk, with Sarah at the head. I love the artwork by Tasha Tudor. She seems to capture the mood of the book and pass it on to the reader. We are drawn into her drawings and it makes me want to open the book and discover the world inside.

Another author that I love the illustrations (generally) is Anne McCaffrey. She has written a never ending tale of a planet called Pern, another one about Petaybee and the list goes on. My favorite illustrations come from Pern and Damia.



The dragon singer series was the beginning of her Pern series, and are wonderful tales that pull you into that world. The covers I've seen of hers are the ones done by Greg Call.


The Pegasus series is another one that the cover draws you in and makes you curious about what's inside. I love this series too. The first book shows a young boy floating and you discover that he is able to move his body through kinetics...not with his muscles.



The last one I want to highlight are the covers for Brandon Sanderson's books. He is an LDS author who has made a name for himself in the science fiction genre. He's wonderful! I had the privilege of meeting him at a LDStorywriters conference two years ago, right after Elantris came out. The illustration for this novel was done by Stephan Martinière. I've never heard of the man before, but then, I don't read alot of science fiction any more. I liked the way he did the cover of the book though -- it's very attention getting.

What draws your attention to a book? If you pick up a book you've never heard of, what makes you want to read it? I believe the purpose of the cover is to draw your attention into the book, and many of them achieve that. If I had more time and room, I'd list many more -- several LDS authors who's books have great covers. I invite you to go seek them out and look at one's you haven't read yet...you might have a new favorite series and author -- you never know!

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Calendar Art

One of the things I love about the beginning of a year is the calendars. Calendars come in all shapes and sizes, all types and an amazing array of colors and styles. If you want a calendar of a particular thing or animal or person, chances are you can find it at your local Wal Mart or grocery store.



Calendar art is one of the most affordable ways of putting art in your home. I've highlighted a calendar before that was done by
Miss Wheelchair Utah 2005, who draws amazing cute stick figures with her limited mobility. There is everything from cartoon stuff including Peanuts, For Better or For Worse, Dilbert, Maxine (which was a personal favorite for last year, all my co-workers would come see what each month had to say),



to art gallery calendars, promoting their shows.


But beware...the price tag is reflective of what's inside, and you have to think about how much you want to pay to keep track of the days of the year. That peanuts calendar I've got up above? It's for sale on Amazon for over $50! You have to be a true collector to want to pay those prices.

Many famous artists have calendars of their work put together so that you can get copies of the prints without paying the price to frame. Although, I'm sure you could frame them when you were finished with the calendar. ;) James Christensen an artist I've commented on before, has started doing calendars. This is from the one for this year.


I love looking at calendars. When I went to Hawaii a year and a half ago (man, it's been that long???)I brought back calendars for everyone. I kept it above my desk to remind me and when the end of December came, I had a hard time taking it down. It felt like an era was gone and I wanted to go back and get another...

Photography ones are excellent for keeping areas in mind, for being inspired and for promoting an area.

There are religious calendars (such as ones with the temples on them). There are sports calendars. Just about anything you can think of can be made up into a calendar. It doesn't mean it's always art.


So what tickles your fancy? Does your family lean toward the comical or the serene? Artistic or thoughtful? Our family calendar is usually simple -- a plain wall thing that we buy where ever we can find it the cheapest, because all we do is write all over it. Then there is the free one from the Credit Union that has the gorgeous photography and we put that one up mainly for the pictures.



My daughters buy what interests them that year. This year, my oldest bought one that has dragon art on it. Oh yeah...feel the power...grin. Last year it was puppies -- I decided to ignore the hint, we have cats. Lots of them.

My husband has a Dilbert Calendar on his desk. I have Anne Geddes on my computer at work, but it's not the kind of calendar you can write anything on.

So what do you use your calendars for? Do you write all over them like we do, or do you gaze at the pictures and imagine yourself there?



I figure I could put together my own calendar with the illustrations I did for Sorry, the Stork Takes No Returns. If anyone is interested, feel free to email me and I'll send you one -- only $8 each! It's a bargain! grin.



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