Visiting Xanadu

 

Xanadu Gallery is one I visit quite often.  I've pictured many large sculptures that are always in front of this gallery.  You might remember Amelia Earhart and Claude Monet that I pictured in October.  

On my visit last Saturday, I stepped inside to see what I could find.  I was struck by the creativity of this one by Dave Newman.  His works were all multi-media pieces using all kinds of found bits and pieces.  This one is called Twilight Saguaro.

This second one is called Famous Saguaro.  Not all of his pieces were cactus.  He had other interesting mixed media pieces.

Another artist who is represented at Xanadu Gallery is Stephen Hansen.  I love seeing his whimsical pieces.  He always has the painter working on some famous work of art like Van Gogh's Cypresses in this example.  You can see a few of his other pieces here.

There is always something fun to see at Xanadu Gallery.

Monet is Back

 

Monet has returned to the Xanadu Galley in Scottsdale. He's still working on that same painting that he was working on back in 2015.  At least he doesn't have to be chained to the building this time.  

Monet has a friend to join him this time.  It looks like Amelia Earhart is back for a visit.  She's in a different pose this time.  When she was here in 2020, she was just relaxing on the bench.  This time she has a model airplane to keep her company.

The Xanadu Gallery always has a few distinguished guests outside their door.  I enjoyed the time that Albert Einstein stopped in for a visit.

The Disney Effect

 

I have been like a little kid with a new toy the last couple of days.  The photo editing application I use had and update and added a new effect.  They don't call it the Disney Effect but that is exactly what it is.  I had a huge amount of fun playing with all kinds of different photos.  

This one is of a little antelope squirrel I photographed last year at the Desert Botanical Garden.

This is the real photo.

This one amazed me.  It's actually a photo of a bronze sculpture of Mark Twain.

Here is that real photo.  

This one is a photo of the inside of a Scottsdale restaurant.  The place has one room with a wild looking skylight.

See what I mean about that skylight.  It gives this room a sort of under-water look.  Notice the parrot on the perch in the upper right of the photo.  The software couldn't quite figure out what to do with that.  

This last one is me!  This is a photo that my friend Glenda took of me last October.  I look like a princess in this one.

I don't really look like a princess as you can see.  I don't enjoy having my picture taken but I have to admit I did like this one.  But I think I like the Disney version even better.  

I'm going to be having lots more fun with this special effect.  I'll pop in a few more from time to time.  

Amelia Earhart

 

There is a new sculpture in front of one of my favorite galleries in Scottsdale.  This time it's Amelia Earhart taking a rest on that park bench.  The last person I photographed here was Albert Einstein and before him it was Mark Twain.  Sculptor Gary Lee Price does an amazing job bringing these people to life.  

I love the quote that is printed on the bench.  "Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless?  Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?"

Visiting With Albert

I ran into Albert Einstein sitting on a bench in front of a Scottsdale art gallery recently.  I sat down for a chat and discovered that he's a great listener.  Not much of a talker but, a great listener.  😁
This sculpture is by Gary Lee Price and it was sitting in front of Xanadu Gallery.  They always have an interesting sculpture in front of their gallery.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  Take a look at the "grotto" that was inside the villa on Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore in Italy.  It's another strange feature in that incredible place.

Mark Twain

I find the best sculptures in old town Scottsdale along Main Street where there is one gallery after another.  In fact, this particular spot seems to be the best place to see a new sculpture every few weeks.  This time it was this great bronze of Mark Twain.

You might remember two other sculptures that I've featured here that were located in this same spot.  This one I posted back in 2013 and this one I posted in May of this year.

I did not see a sign for the artist on this one but, whoever it is has quite a talent.

The artist at work..

Look who I found working on a painting in front of a Scottsdale art gallery.  He's a little "bronzed" but he has been sitting in the Arizona sun for a little while.  :-)

I like this sculpted depiction of Monet at work!

Conversation with Myself

I found this interesting sculpture in courtyard in the Scottsdale gallery district.  It's called "Conversation with Myself" by Lorri Acott.  I have conversations with myself all the time and now that I think about it, they do look a little like this!