Blue Footed Boobies of the Galapagos Islands

 

Photo courtesy: Mick Billstein

Having only seen images such as these Blue-footed Boobies in magazines such as the National Geographic, they were a sight to behold. These beautiful birds, flocking together on the rocks were amazing. I'd always wondered how they got their strange name "Bobbie" so asked our guide. He told us the Spanish word roughly translates to "clown feet, clumsy, but funny..." Now I know.

One thing I will mention about our fabulous trip. I should have been better prepared. For instance, I'm not as young as I used to be (even though quite fit) my knees could have had some help on the hikes. If I had used walking sticks, they would have greatly helped me on the trails. 

The islands are very, very carefully monitored, controlled and protected (as they should be to maintain the invironment). A visitor will get roughly 60 to 90 minutes per island visit, so be prepared for strenuous climbing into --and out of a Zodiac several times a day. This is of course wearing a life vest for either a wet or dry landing. Remember to take a special bag to keep your phone dry as most of us use our phones for taking photographs.

To actually walk and see what Darwin saw in 1835, was a true gift. After months of sailing on HMS Beagle, one can only imagine how he must have felt seeing the islands. It is an exceptional place to visit and one I will remember for the rest of my life.   

The Galapagos Islands

 

On a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands, I had the privilege of getting up close and personal with this magnificent tortoise. He or she (never did find out--but it has something to do with their tail) is one of the Big 15 animals on the islands. I was amazed that I was able to get so close to this wonderful animal. We had been advised by the ranger we should only approach from the rear and gradually move around so as not to scare the tortoises in their habitat. This beauty was roughly 500 lbs.

Visits to the islands are carefully controlled and monitored. The guides and rangers kept everyone organized and safe. Often, we were given one hour to visit and leave...take nothing and leave nothing accept our footprints. It was such a special time to walk in Darwin's footsteps. What an adventure!  

An Untitled Piece of Art

This large original piece of art is just waiting for a suitable home. It sits in a 51" x 41" frame so it's a heavy piece. It began life as a drop cloth used for probably hundreds of paintings, most of which have been sold over the years. When I spread the cloth on the ground and stepped back, certain colors, shapes and images appeared. I concentrated on those images and expanded most of them allowing the original shape to determine where I should take the painting. The colors are subued with occasional blue, white and taupe highlights. There's also some use of permanent markers for added effect. 

Untitled is for sale at $1000 in the frame plus packing/shipping. Or $500 plus packing/shipping rolled into a tube.  For more information please contact: 

For more information go to:

Instagram: @stu_art_wall_ace

and

@groundedcafeinc

Art Sale --- 25% Off!

 

Even while working for Fortune 500 companies most of his life, Stuart Wallace has never stopped painting. His work has been exhibited in London, New York (DUMBO) Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City and across Colorado. Stuart's abstract paintings explore tension between raw and refined, often drawing on organic forms, physical structures, and fractured patterns. His process in rooted in movement, material and a sense of visual rhythm shaped by his own unique sensory experiences. 

For more information go to:

Instagram: @stu_art_wall_ace

and

@groundedcafeinc

30 Exceptional Places to Visit in England...Off the Beaten Track

The concept for this book began many, many years ago. As an Englishwoman living in the USA, I was often asked the question, "I've visited all the usual places of interest...I'm ready to explore the real English countryside...what do you recommend?" That question led me to collect an extensive file on the places I know best (and some I discovered for the first time) that I believed would be of interest to a visitor. Stories of Kings, Queens, Norsemen, ghosts and witches, including The Witch Finder General who became wealthy because of his special ability to find witches (for a fee from the Crown) sometimes just because they owned a cat! 

The book begins with a story of Reverend Lawrence Washington, great-great grandfather of our first President in the sleepy little hamlet of Purleigh, Essex. How the Reverend Washington lived and died both of which led to his two sons, John and younger brother, Lawrence, disgusted by their father's treatment, left for the New World. The rest is American history. Six members of the Sherman family also left seeking a new life along with the Penn family. They are all included in 30 Exceptional Places to Visit in England...Off the Beaten Track.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZS1DP1Z

"Spine" By Stuart John Wallace

 

Stuart Wallace is never one to let a large piece of canvas go unused...he turned this piece into roughly 128" x 62." The title is "Spine" the medium is mixed paint, and the piece is stretched over a wooden frame. It was displayed at the BloBack Gallery in Pueblo for months approximately two years ago, along with several other artists. 

Large pieces of Stuart's work are not unusual to find. Some years ago, he was commissioned to paint a large piece for Starbucks Coffee for use in one of their coffee shops. For that painting...he never used paint of any kind instead chosing Starbucks coffee brewed and cooled and then painted it directly onto the  canvas. He used various strengths of coffee from dark to blond, often leaving the background white to indicate the swirls of cream. A photograph of that particular artwork will be posted soon. Or you can go to his site below.

          To see more of Stuart Wallace's artwork, please go to Instagram: @Stu_art_wall_ace

 

The Sacred Return: When Life Remembers Itself

The Sacred Return: When Life Remembers Itself is a contemplative poetry collection that invites readers into stillness, presence, and inner awakening. Through spacious, reflective verse, Linda Hildebrant offers not instruction, but a gentle remembering—that the sacred has never been separate from who we are.  She is also the creator of the website SacredBeyondWords.com which displays more of her writings.

https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=IUOiJxnhReVY60djLmb4Tlnc7QQrtl6U5jhL45byB5q