Trash To Treasures: The Sculptures Of Dave Thompson

Trash to Treasures: The Sculptures of Dave Thompson is the current exhibit showing at the Spring Preserve until May 20th 2012.  Found-object artist Dave Thompson uses primarily discarded metal, recycling it and transforming it into mythical creatures and other other worldly creations.  

Mr. Thompson’s works are seamlessly incorporated into the natural landscape of the Preserve and concentrated among the gardens and the paths leading towards the gardens.  At the entryway to the Preserve one is met with a large tree made using recycled metal, old pots, pans and teapots as well as wine bottles filled with bright colored liquids.  

As you continue down the pathways there are cleverly placed long horn sheep made from old machine parts along the boulders and turtles, squirrels and frogs placed among and on the rocks.  These whimsical creations are delightful to observe and I enjoyed the bright colors of some of his works contrasted with the rusty uniform color of others.  Further in the garden among the marshlands are his mermaid sculpture titled: Misty, whose hair is even made of long metal strands and other water animals, such as fish and flamingos.  

The boys particularly delighted in the various dragons such as: Sabretooth Dragon, Hissie Dragon.  These brightly colored dragons pop out among the desert landscape.  

Dave Thompson did not train as an artist but rather worked as a welder who stumbled upon his talent while working on a welding project which required him to curve and manipulate the medium.  He eventually picked up a few scrape pieces to work with and practice and ended up creating his first dragon.  Impressed with the way in which his piece took on a life of its own he began creating more art.  

I loved recycled art- Do you? 

Guatemalan Markets

We visited many markets across Guatemala.  The larger cities like Guatemala City and Antigua had indoor markets with stalls.  The smaller towns have out door markets and specific market days.  Vendors would sell meat, dried fish, spices, vegetable, beans, candles, incense and cut up fruit or fruit drinks.  

Check out some awesome Czech Market Meals and Eastern European Markets as well as our local farmers market, our favorite treat from our local farmers market and some ethic markets in town like the Indian market and Asian market.  Finally markets in two of my most favorite North American Cities: here and here.

That my friends is a lot of market love! 

Do you love checking out the local markets around your town and when you travel? 

Colorful Even In Death: Guatemalan Cemeteries

I love that in Guatemalan culture, vibrant colors extend to celebrate the deceased.
Ever town and city we visited had well maintained colorful cemeteries full of mausoleums.
Often the apartment like blocks or small houses are owned by families and built upwards.  

 It was nice to see so many colorful and well maintained cemeteries. It was such a contrast to the cemetery we visited in Prague last April: Jewish Cemetery In Prague

Would you ever live next door to a cemetery? 

Sawdust Easter Art: Around Lake Atitlan, San Antonio, Guatemala

                 Alfombras de Aserrín (Carpets made with sawdust)

This Guatemalan tradition, practiced during the Easter season in small villages and large cities alike, is a tradition that dates back to ancient Mayan times. 

Mayans made these carpets, with flowers for the kings to walk on as they made their way to Mayan ceremonies. In the 16th Century, the Catholic church altered the tradition of the alfombra and began to use colorful sawdust to create them.

Here the boys pose with several bags of natural sawdust

The saw dust is colored and cardboard stenciles are used to create the intricate detailed design

The Alfombra de Arracin, traditionally depict scenes from the passion and other Christian and Mayan religious symbols, in preparation for the Easter Season.  Local artist put together these unique works of art in mere hours.  These carpets are then destroyed as celebrants and congregants enter into the church for services. 

It was a really fun experience to watch these beautiful carpets constructed.  The boys had a lot of fun talking to and playing with some of the local children.  San Antonio was one of my favorite towns and the people are some of the nicest we met in a country of really nice people.  

To read about an interesting Czech tradition we saw last year click here. 

To see an art activity the boys and I did, not unlike this type of artwork, click here. 

Have you used sawdust in your art?

Do you have a unique Easter tradition? 

Around Lake Atitlan: San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala

While 'living' in Panajachel the boys and I did several day trips to lake side, mountainous villages around Lake Atitlan.  One such trip had us taking a lancha (boat) to the little village of San Juan La Laguna.  Our visit serendipitously coincided with the annual honey harvest.  

Honey is used as an offering and main ingredient in celebration of Santa Semana- Holy Week or Easter.

Because Mayan culture is so intricately entwined with ancient Mayan religion and Christian religion many of the traditions and rituals are a colorful mix.  

The boys were thrilled to watch the honey be transferred and prepared for shipment.  

We managed to buy a water bottle full of honey which I brought home and put on the double broiler and strained.

It is delicious.  

CLICK here, here  and here to read more posts about honey.

I am obsessed with honey.

Do you love honey too?

February: Moments

Here are my February moments. 

We've been in Guatemala for the better part of the month-

And will be here for most of March. 

All is well- Hope you had a great February.