Random Things Around Scottsdale

 

This skull has been on the wall of a Scottsdale art gallery for as long as I can remember.  It is located high up on a narrow side wall which makes it difficult to photograph fully.  But, I keep trying.  This is my latest effort.

Casa de Artistas is a Scottsdale gallery that I like to visit every now and then.  They specialize in southwestern art inside.

The paintings to the left are by Rick Kersten who paints brightly colored southwestern scenes.  His works are a good example of some of the beautiful artworks I've enjoyed seeing there.

The wall above separates the Scottsdale Civic Center Park from the private property next door.  I liked the stark look of the wall planted with ocotillo in various places. It is so bland that I doubt that many people even notice it.

Contrast that wall with the colorful glass "flowers" that adorn the roof-line of a casual Scottsdale sandwich restaurant.  Whenever I see this pretty glass creation I'm always thankful that Arizona is not prone to lots of hail storms.

Just a few photos I've accumulated while wandering around the city of Scottsdale.

The Golf Club is Now Private

 

Back in 2013 I discovered a golf club in far north Scottsdale that was built in Spanish Mission style.  It was kind of an accidental find because it was way off of the main road but it was a wonderful discovery.  The beauty of the place appealed to me and I took lots of photos while I was there.

It turns out that it's a good thing I took all those photos back then.  When I tried to return about a year and a half ago I discovered that it had become a private and rather exclusive club and visitors were no longer allowed on the property.  

I'm glad I got to explore the place when I did.  I loved everything about it.  It was so peaceful and quiet that far away from the city noises.

You can see the posts I did about this place here and here.  

I have a few more photos from here so I'll squeeze them in some time in the future.  

Solari Bells

 

Last Thursday I visited the Soleri Bridge and on Friday I featured Paolo Soleri's home and studio.  I thought I'd follow up today with some examples of the wonderful bells that are created there.

These two photos show some of the bells that were hanging in the various studios.

Above are some of the designs I saw in the gift shop on the property and to the right is another that has several bells combined into one piece. 

They have a very mellow tone that I got to hear Saturday night when we had a rather windy evening.  With all the wind we had, I wonder what it sounded like here at the studio.  It must have been wonderful.

Happy Valentines Day!

Valentine's Day is all about flowers and chocolates.  My kind of day!

I picked up the chocolates at the grocery store.  Cute heart-shaped box but it only contains two chocolates.

The roses I saw a Walgreens of all places. I was really struck by the unusual colors. I would have bought them but I had several more stops to make before going home.  I hope they put a smile on someone's face!

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  It's a short one about a singing tower.

 

My Friday Adventure

 

I had a bit of an adventure yesterday and it's all because of this cute little fellow.  My sister Judy has been trying to find a puppy to adopt but, she lives in a smaller community in northern Arizona and every time she has tried she was just seconds too late.

My close friend David works for the Arizona Humane Society as the Senior Philanthropy Officer so I told my sister we might be able to find a puppy for her down here.

She was thrilled but she won't drive down here in the valley because our traffic is so awful and she just isn't used to it.  So, I told her if she found one she wanted, I'd take care of all the arrangements down here and then meet her half way to make the exchange.

So meet Pepper, a cute little shih tzu - chihuahua mix.  He is simply adorable.

Pepper was not too fond of riding in the car in that little crate.  He made quite a fuss for about 30 minutes but finally tired himself out and went to sleep.  

To the right is Pepper when I was saying goodbye to him after meeting my sister Judy in Anthem Arizona.  I talked to Judy a little while ago and she said he's settling in but has been sticking pretty close to her.

It turned out to be an adventurous day but time spent with this cute little fellow was well worth it.

Another Look at Cosanti

 

Yesterday I featured the Paolo Soleri Bridge in Scottsdale, today I'm making another visit to Cosanti, Soleri's former home and studio.  I've featured photos from this place before.  You can see those posts by clicking here.  Above is one of the unique gallery areas.

This is a work area where students and artists work on creating some of the wind chime bells that have become so famous.  

One of those domed areas is crowned with a bright, stained glass window.  It casts a red glow over the area below.  

If you walk back far enough on this property, you can spot Paolo Soleri's former home.  Soleri lived and worked on the property for many years and he passed away here in 2013.

Next to the home is this patio area.  On the other side is the swimming pool.  You can see the water reflected on the ceiling of this place.  When we get to a point of feeling more comfortable visiting places, I'll make a return to this place.  I haven't been here in at least 3 years and it would be fun to see the newest collection of bells.

Revisiting the Soleri Bridge

 

Last year I did a post about the Paolo Soleri Bridge in Scottsdale. Today I have a few extra shots I've taken when I'm near the bridge.

It's such a unique structure that I can rarely pass it without taking one or two photos.

It actually is a bridge that crosses the canal on the walking path at the Scottsdale Waterfront shopping area.  It is also on the list of Scottsdale's public art installments so it serves two purposes.

Those two tall and shiny pillars make good photographic subjects.

The play of light on that metallic surface can create  different effects.

I can even peek between the two pillars and catch sight of a pedestrian crossing the bridge.  

It's a fun place to walk around and since it's outside, and part of a walking path, it's a safe place to walk during these crazy times.

Right on Time

 

It's the beginning of February and the flowering pear trees are right on schedule and bursting with blooms.  I started noticing them over the weekend so Monday afternoon I went out to snap a few photos.  I knew this office building would be a good spot.  I remember them from last year.

This tree is just around the corner from where I live.  

And, here is a close-up of the blooms on the tree that grows in the courtyard where I live.  I love seeing these pretty trees every year at this time.  They are a sure sign that spring is on the way.

Tuesday Trivia

 

Today I have another post of random photos from my photo archives.  Up first is a pile of very cuddly bears.  They were found in a home decorating store back in the days when we could all go shopping.  I was very tempted to take one of them home with me.  

Next is a funny sign I saw sometime around the holidays.  I'm guessing that it refers to passing dogs who of course can't read so hopefully the dog's humans will take note.

I saw this cute sign at my local wine store.  This one was taken around the holidays too.  It's a nice suggestion but these days, lengthy strolling around any store is not an option.

This last one is about  another shoe discovery I made.  The shoe was in the window of Saks Fifth Avenue.  No one will have to guess at the designer of these shoes because that heel says it all.  (Yves Saint Laurent for those few who might not recognize that emblem.)  I bet they were expensive.  

Giant Equipment

 

I found this mural on the back wall of the Arizona Mining and Mineral museum located near the Arizona state capitol.  Unfortunately, the museum itself has been closed for several years.  In 2017, its management has been given to The University of Arizona and volunteers have been working to refurbish the building and update the collection.  I recently read that they were halted by the pandemic but returned to work in January.  I visited the museum back in 2008 and enjoyed my visit there.  I hope they are able to open it again soon.  I remember there being a fascinating display of minerals and gemstones.  

The mural displays one of the truly giant vehicles that roam around the deep copper mining canyons here in Arizona.  It is a Komatsu 930e, haul truck designed to haul extra heavy loads.  Imagine driving one of those!  And this isn't even the biggest Komatsu makes.  

Taking part in Monday Murals.  

More Neighborhood Scenes

 

I was able to get out for neighborhood walks a couple of times this last week so I have a few more photos to share of the grand homes that are around the corner from me.  This one is the newest of them.  It was just completed in December of 2020.  There is nothing small scale about this place.

This one sits a little higher than street level giving it an uphill/downhill driveway in front of it.  That fountain out front is always splashing pleasantly when I walk by.

There are three homes in this area that have a Tudor design to them.  I like them all but then I've always been a succor for Tudor style.  One of these days, I'll have to photograph them all and then compare them here.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm recalling a special visit to EPCOT in Florida.

Brilliant Sunset

 

We've had some interesting weather the last two weeks and that means we have experienced days of overcast and days of patches of clouds rolling across the sky.  When the clouds break into patches, it makes for some brilliant sunsets like this one last Wednesday evening.  I ran out and snapped the top photo with my iPhone.

Then I grabbed my camera and took another shot.  I don't know which I like better.  They both have captured the rippling effects of those clouds very well.  I do see subtle differences in color.  

Grackles are 'Almost' Everywhere

 

I've posted many photos of the variety of birds I see when I walk at the Desert Botanical Garden but it occurred to me recently that I never see grackles at the garden.  I find that unusual because grackles are certainly everywhere else.  Grackles are common to both North and South America and they are a very common sight in the Phoenix area.  They seem to have adapted quite well to human environments.  They can be seen at almost every shopping center or office complex.  The fellow above was enjoying a decorative fountain at a nearby shopping center.

This fellow joined me for lunch one day two years ago when I was out taking photos on the far west side of the valley.  He sat on the chair across the table from me and watched while I ate.  They are said to be very smart birds who are content being around people.

This one joined me last February when I was having lunch at Kierland Commons in north Scottsdale.  

The fact that they are everywhere else in the valley brings me back to why they don't appear at the Desert Botanical Garden.  Maybe there is just too much competition from all the other birds who live there.

Fine Art and a Mystery

 

Many of my readers may remember that every year I attend an event called Celebration of Fine Art in north Scottsdale.  It runs from January through the end of March.  I actually thought that it might be cancelled this year but it hasn't been and my tickets arrived in the mail a few weeks ago.  

The event is set up in large white tents that are set in a U-shape with a sculpture garden in the middle as shown above.  I haven't gone to this year's event yet.  I decided to wait a couple more weeks before I venture out there.  The two photos above are from past visits.

Now for the reason I'm bringing this up.  Since I've been home so much, I've been slowly cleaning out drawers and file folders of things that have accumulated over the years.  I came across the artist's card that I have scanned and shown below.  I remember meeting this artist many years ago probably around 2006 or 2007 but he has never been back to the show.

The artist's name is Glen Plourde and he was showing a collection of fascinating surrealist art works that were incredibly well done.  I admired every one of his pieces in that show.  Finding the card made me curious about what he has been up to these days so I did some searching.  I found something about a showing at a gallery in Denver but that turned out to be an old posting and the gallery doesn't seem to exist any longer.  (Here is a link to it.).  I also found an old YouTube video featuring many of his works that I saw displayed all those years ago.  However, I can't find anything about the artist today.  There is nothing recent on line at all.  So that is the mystery.  What happened to this very talented artist?  I remember talking to him all those years ago and thinking he had such bright future ahead of him.  

As for the card I found, I'm going to frame it and keep it.  It will be a reminder that both time and talent are fleeting commodities.

Scottsdale's Old Adobe Mission

 

I've featured photos of this Scottsdale landmark before on my blog, most recently here.  However, when I saw this photo in my photo archives, I thought it would be a good one to post.  I always like shooting that stark white against a bright blue sky but that little splash of red from an aloe bloom added just the right contrast.

The mission is the oldest standing church in Scottsdale.  It no longer provides services but is open during the day to view or for quiet contemplation.  

Rusty Stagecoach and Cowboy

 

I took these photos back in September when I took a drive in the north half of the valley.  These were taken at a landscaping firm in Cave Creek Arizona.  Along with a huge variety of plants, they also sell lots of artistic ornamentations.  So if you are in the market for a rusty stagecoach this is the place to go.  

I always wonder if they have much luck selling these things.  However, I have seen things similar to this in a variety of places so there must be a market for them.

Ride'em Cowboy!

Theme Day: Smiles

 

I had to take a spin through the photo archives to come up with a photo that would fit today's City Daily Photo Blogger's theme of "Smiles".  These days, the only smiles I see are on TV.  Our pandemic numbers are so high here in Arizona that literally every person I encounter is wearing a mask and the few I see that don't have a mask on I avoid at all costs.  

This photo was taken a year ago back in February of 2020 just weeks before the world changed drastically.  I attended a fund raising event for a charity called "Pet Project".  A group that finds homes for pets that owners can no longer care for.  This lady was holding her cute dog who was a featured guest at the event.  Her smile indicates just how happy she is loving this shaggy fellow.

Last February was only one year ago but somehow seems a world away.

To see other "Smiles" from around the globe, click here.