Monday, August 30, 2010

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Illustration

Yes. I mean that car! Nicely done with KIWI touch! ( Famous cartoon characters, BTW.)

Friday, August 27, 2010

Palm - Shop Window

Where always have an uniquely decorated dress in their window.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Heads Up

Those are my broad beans coming out. Some of you may be harvesting your toms and zucchinis now; we just started to think of seeds to sow. We've had lots of sun, but we have a shady garden, and the temperature still drops considerably at night. Still, signs of spring are all over the place.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Huge!

It's not the simulation program with red dress character...

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Höglund Art Glass Revisited

We received an invitation from Marie Simberg-Höglund to come have coffee and another look at one of Nelson's art institutions, (our words, not hers) Hoglund Art Glass. So we did yesterday. Outside, it was raining and gray and pretty horrible, but it was nice to walk the grounds, taste Marie's almond muffins, and admire the colorful artworks. And to talk to her.

There's been some changes/development since the last time we posted about Höglund Art Glass, and here are some updates:
  • There has been no guided tours offered to individuals after 2007 - however, a trained guide can be pre-booked for larger groups. You can, however, read about the process, see examples, and view a video in the room behind Gallery Reception, (note the wine glasses with bent stems, my favorites!) Then, proceed to view glass blowing through the back door. Glass blowing can be observed some days when their schedule work demands it; other days they work on other processes elsewhere, so you're best to contact the gallery a little ahead of time if you want to be absolutely sure.
  • On Fridays and Saturdays there is no glassblowing, though the gallery is open and you can still view the video and see the bent stems.
  • There run workshops as well; Ben is eyeing the Paperweight Experience already.
  • There is no cafe.
The loveliest piece of information was that the Höglund's two sons decided to continue the work and are now apprenticing under their father, Ola, and some days they can be seen blowing.

Over the years they have had around 100 apprentices/trainees from New Zealand, Australia, Asia (including a woman from Japan), and beyond. Some have returned to be trained further.

Because this establishment always welcomed visitors, local and from afar, to some extend it was mistaken as a tourist attraction in the past. It was and continues to be first and foremost a seriously art-making studio, and that was the most valuable point I heard.

If you're over the ditch, you have the option to visit their studio in northern Queensland, but we have to say "boohoo" to that! Come to the Nelson gallery/studio.

And a big thank you to Marie for her patience and professionalism in assisting us deliver accurate information.

Photo by Ben, text by Meg today.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Angle

At the back of When in Rome are photos of monuments. The angle in this one intrigues me, because the photos are positioned higher on the wall than where you might expect, but this is the only one that looks up at an acute angle' I'd imagine this might be closer to what I will see if I stood in this spot.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Monday, August 02, 2010

Veggie Shopping

Luckily there are now quite a few veggie shops in and around Nelson. I go to this one (on Montgomery car park) because it is the most convenient for me; I think I should learn the name of the store because some friends have started comparing veggie shops.

Here's to healthy eating!!

Sunday, August 01, 2010