Wednesday, January 26, 2011


I'm not sure how I found out about the Sketchbook Project, but I decided, "Why not?  It might be fun." So, I signed up and got a sketchbook.  Since I like to work in Photoshop, I made my "sketches" in photoshop, putting together various images and layers based on the theme "The View From Up Here"

To me, that theme brought to mind various memories, and ideas.  I always liked being up high.  As long as I was sure I wasn't going over the edge:

I also considered whose view it was...

Some views were memories...

Others were flights of fancy...

Some considered what exactly represented up?

It was a lot of fun making all the collages and I'm hoping anyone who looks at the sketch book will enjoy looking at as much as I had fun making it. The exhibition will be in several US cities.  Be sure and stop by if you get a chance!





Wednesday, January 19, 2011


I arrived in Mérida with a reservation at a hotel near the Santa Lucia park, just a few blocks north of the zocalo.  As I trudged up 60th searching for my hotel, I found myself walking more north that I thought it should be.  Just as I was about to turn around and give it another try, I spotted this unusual spot.  Hotel Trinidad Galeria.  The minute I stepped into the lobby, I was enchanted.

Lobby - Hotel Trinidad Galeria

Here was an amazing conglomeration of art of all sorts in a spacious, plant filled room.  The whole hotel is a gallery of art and around every corner is a new visual treat.  Before taking a room, I like to have a look.  The tour included a look at the pool.

Pool - Hotel Trinidad Galeria

My room was tucked away from the street noise.  The room charge included breakfast in the morning.

Breakfast on the balcony

Two nice ladies were waiting to fix breakfast for the guests.  Toast, fresh fruit and coffee overlooking the lobby to one side and palms to the other.
Lobby

This hotel was the brainchild of Manolo Rivero, a wealthy art collector who started with one old home in downtown Mérida and added on until the place rambles this way and that, full of art and other collectibles in a wonderful crazy collection.  Before his death, he also had several shows in the galleries in the hotel.  Guests at this hotel have included artist and film director Julian Schnabel, actor Dennis Hopper, the late Joe Glasco and an endless list of Mexican and Latin American artists.
An to think I had a reservation at another hotel!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Spotted in passing...

Yes.  There we are, plain as day. ordering our breakfast at Mañana.  How did I find this photo of myself out on the internet?  After doing a couple of reviews on Trip Advisor, I was cruising around looking at other people's reviews and photos and found that one reviewer had been there the same time as me and I looked at her photos.  Imagine my surprise when I found my friend and myself, ordering our breakfast, in her photo!
I'm sure I'm not the first person this has happened to but it's still a crazy experience!
Mañana really is a nice place for breakfast, by the way.  You can sit at the fancifully painted tables and chairs or the comfy sofa.
Or at the counter windows with bar stools and watch the world stroll by.  (Or zip by in golf carts.) Order at the counter and your delicious food is brought to you.  Great way to start the day in paradise!