Summer Photos

Found some gems while cleaning out my camera... after 3 months...

It was a good summer. But enough with the oppressive heat already! Hurry up fall!

I'm Famous in China (Part 1)

Last summer, my husband and I went to Hong Kong and China for a business trip/vacation. It was really pretty awesome. The political climate is bad but the people are very, very gracious and climbing the Great Wall was a once in a lifetime experience we will never forget.

We kicked off our Asian Adventure with a 5 hour plane ride from NC, followed by a 14 hour flight from CA to Hong Kong. (Have I ever mentioned that I hate planes so much I have to be medicated to get on one? Well, I do!) After a quick business meeting in Hong Kong (totally worth the flight), we settled into southern mainland China where we did the bulk of our work. We were blown away by the massive size and exotic history of Shanghai, which is full of fabulous art deco architecture. More on that later.

From there we ventured north on a flight that included 1) a military style take off and landing a la Top Gun 2) the plane being boarded by MPs scanning people for H1N1 with big laser pointers and 3) confused yelling by Chinese passengers being hauled off the plane to a mysterious quarantine location. One Xanax later, we exited the plane in Beijing where we did most of our sightseeing.

Now, that leads me to the art part of today's post.

Shanghai's not exactly old "Old Town"

In China, building and art preservation efforts have only geared up recently and much of what the Chinese call "historic" isn't really historic at all. In reality, many of the nation's tourist sites are reproductions, standing within the vicinity of where the original once stood. I'm sure there are many reasons, both political and cultural, why this is a common practice in China.

However, there are several original (but clearly heavily restored) sacred spaces in China open to tourists. And in the northern part of the country, these sites all feature spectacular hand carved ceilings, doorways, eaves and columns.

Temple of Heaven

Beijing, China

The Temple of Heaven is an excellent example of Chinese "caisson" and "dougong" architecture. The top center of the temple ceiling features a carved relief set into a layered dome (caisson) and the carved, interlocking wooden beams form the dougong style support system. The result is almost dizzying.

Temple of Heaven, Interior

(I had to reach over an energetic crowd of Chinese tourists at the entrance to take

this picture. The building was not open to the public, which is too bad.)

Caisson ceilings and dougong beams featuring intricately carved reliefs also thoroughly coat the 800 buildings of the massive Imperial Palace Complex in Beijing. The relief carving is shallow and the grooves are filled with gold leaf, making the ever repeated dragon theme pop against vibrant background colors.

Imperial Palace (aka The Forbidden City), Detail

While dragons and other mythical creatures dominate the relief work, fanciful paintings of fruit and plants are also included in ceiling art.

Peaches (or possibly Lichee Nuts, a Chinese delicacy) in the Imperial Palace

The Chinese Emperor had strict rules when it came to pretty much everything and many activities, articles of clothing and colors were reserved only for his personal use. The yellow-gold color seen here on the roof tiles of the Imperial Palace is called "Imperial Yellow." It could only be used or worn by the Emperor.

Imperial Yellow

This next ceiling has to be my favorite. I remember wanting to reach up and run my hands over relief work. It reminds me a lot of the US Capital Building's dome.

Imperial Palace

Here is a similar but less ornate ceiling in the Ming Tombs, located in the countryside outside of Beijing. The plain beams and columns make the ceiling appear more primitive but its craftsmanship is equally fine.

So tell me, what do you think of these two Chinese architecture styles?

A few pictures

What Easter Weekend looks like in the Carolinas:

The best part of spring

Tulips in the front yard

Love these adorable Easter crosses in front of St. Patrick's Elementary School in Charlotte. I've filed this away for next Easter / when I get a jig saw:

Happy Easter!

Huckleberry the Basset Hound spent his weekend lounging:

Allergies won't stop this dog!

and getting some love:

Huck & Aunt Jenny

*His ears are yellow because he was dragging them through pollen. This is not the best time of year for dogs who are allergic to both trees and grass!

So Sorry

I'm back. We art hearters have been busy with work, visitors, weekend trips and life in general. I promise more thoughtful (and educational) posts this week. But in the meantime, here's a glimpse into my weekend:

Salem College Campus, Winston Salem

Someone buy this please so I can stop obsessing about it:

A Patio in Arles by Gerrii Spach

Oil, Salem Art Sisters

On second thought, don't. Let me just step out for a lottery ticket right quick. That way I can buy this too:

Unknown artist, Salem Art Sisters

Now, I won't be spending my Carolina Cash 5 money on this creepy "John Wayne as a Baby" porcelain statue I found at an antique store this weekend, I can tell you that:

Mount Airy, NC

(I was sensing a theme...)

Mount Airy, NC

Mount Airy, NC

(aka Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show)

Coke signs always make me smile:

Americana at its finest

So do basset hounds:

And yet, he still has selective hearing.

And pretty surprises popping up in my yard:

Irises

And Costco:

Tulips from Costco

To all our lovely readers, thanks for spending a few minutes of your day with us. We will be better, I promise :)

Love love love

...the doors & windows project on flickr. Especially this, this and this.

These would be the two I would add to the pool:

Shanghai, China

2009

Savannah, Georgia

2008