Travels part 3

We live in such a small world now due to technology and my world became just a wee bit smaller when I was able to meet up with the wonderful artist Robin Pedrero whom I had met a year earlier on Twitter. Robin graciously took time out of her busy schedule to play tour guide to me and thankfully we were able to do a few things she had never done so she wasn't too bored:)

First she took me to one of the galleries that shows her work- Gallery 1792. Tommie was fun and I also got a sneak peek at the Red Chair piece they were all working on.

Then we were off for lunch to the Ravenous Pig. I realize that the name may not sound appetizing but the restaurant itself had a wonderful comtemporary setting with some rustic qualities like tin tile ceilings and a brick wall. The food was fresh and eclectic. We both enjoyed our meal while getting to know each other and finding out we had more in common than just our name:)

Our next stop was the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Garden. These gardens are set right on one of the lakes I had just toured so there is a water view as you stroll through the vibrant flowers and sculptures.

Our view as we stepped through the gates into the gardens.
I know that this sculpture is stone but it has such an organic feel to it in color and in it's depiction of leaves.

More statues along the path. He liked to do human forms and busts.

I have always been enamored with the large trees of the south covered with spanish moss. Maybe one too many romance novels as a young girl:)

A close up of the moss from the tree above.

This is heading back to the Museum building. They have different exhibits from time to time.

Next Robin took me to the Maitland Art Center in Maitland, Fl. The grounds are gorgeous and the galleries are set up beautifully. There are additional buildings for classes and artist studios.....I was so envious.

The outdoor gardens contain this chapel where they hold weddings. The gardens are full of beautiful mayan style tile work....I was in love!

This picture is the peaceful garden outside of one of the gallery spaces. It really was a magnificient center. By the end of the day I was on complete beauty overload and my brain was swimming with so many ideas. Robin was a terrific ambassador for her hometown of Orlando and I feel she will be a lifelong art friend.

It felt great to get out of my world for a change of pace and scenery and to do it all with a companion that saw the beauty around us in the same way. On more than one occassion we both said, "look at that" at the same time with the same enthusiasm. This is what I was refering to in my earlier post about sharing the experience. These moments sparked a conversation about color and composition that is one dimensional when I am alone even when the other voices in my head are chiming in...LOL :)

As I drove back to the hotel, I was on the phone and so I pulled the car over to finish my discussion. It was then that I noticed this family of birds...I don't know what they are but it was sweet to watch the three of them. At first the mom was with the baby in the shade and then they all wandered off together pecking through the grass as they went.