Happy 4th of July!!

 Final post for China!
 

Yesterday we went to this batik museum one block from where we are staying.. beautiful old home (they dye the fabric in the mountains of China,then fabricate the pieces in Shanghai)

They use a medicinal root that helps the liver to get that indigo blue color.  We loved looking at all of their pieces, what patience these people have with details. Mike got a fabulous blue striped cotton shirt that he is totally excited about( it gets softer as

you wash and wear it) we also got a piece that was displayed on a wall with artistic Chinese characters. I asked the man what it meant and he had to text a friend and ask him

"Where ignorance is bliss, its folly to be wise" loved this and will
use it for a table runner..
here are some of the samples,someday I would love to go to the mountains where they dye the fabric, wanna come?

 

sign out in front

 

We strolled by a few stores today to pick up last minute goodies,

cant fit the brush but was able to stuff our suitcases which are

packed to the hilt and almost ready to go, we leave tomorrow morning and head to SF

 it has become such a ritual sharing this 'Path of Art' with you,
thank you for your time, responses, questions and comments. I am so looking forward to being home in my own bed, fixing my own food
and sharing time with the ones that I love so much!

Toot toot

I wanted to share some of the magic of the other night with you.

 

a river cruising boat

 

we call this the bottle opener building. You can go to the top in an elevator,  beautiful twinkling lights

  

 another river cruise boat

 

loved this building lit up with the moon so close, btw- enjoy the full moon tonight in Capricorn, we are going to the Chinese Acrobatic Circus performance, should be colorful and entertaining! 

 
Yesterday was quite the experience going to Hangzhou and West Lake..the train ride was a terrific short one hour ride on the fast train. West Lake is a gorgeous lake with weeping willows overhanging the edges, on the east edge there is actually a national park and forest. We took a smallish outdoor 10 seater covered bus around the
perimeter of the lake and also walked around a bit, then ate our picnic lunch. When we were ready to leave in the afternoon we actually tried to get a taxi ride to this silk market nearby, the taxi kept making faces at us like he didnt understand. We had flipped a coin as to whether we would go or head back, so I told him just go
to the train station' by showing him the Chinese words but he gave
me a confused look and I wasn't sure he understood so I said
jokingly "toot toot" like the horn of the train, he started laughing
and then we all were laughing and he made some train sounds so we
knew he understood. There is something so wonderful about the universality of body language in any country. I dont think we saw
any expatriots in Hangzhou yesterday which was fine but different.

  
Enjoyed the many lotus plants in the lake yesterday, this flower looked so beautiful and fully open. I am feeling the beginning of
closure to a fabulous journey but also loving the new opening in
myself to the Chinese people and culture.

all that jazz

If you ever find yourself in Shanghai for any reason I would highly recommend staying in the French Concession area with its shady tree lined streets. This morning after breakfast we strolled the area. 
Its always when you're not looking for anything, something special appears. 

We stumbled upon a beautiful park where people were doing tai chi, then found a quaint Thai restaurant with an outdoor veranda (made a note for another evening), then a half a block later we walked past this really nice looking spa, I had to go in. We had been talking about getting a foot massage so after going up the stairs and loving the  comfy feel of the place and warm bamboo floors we decided to recline side by side in overstuffed chairs and were pleasantly surprised. Included in the one hour was a neck and shoulder, arm, hand leg and fantastic foot massage..best part was it only cost us each $18..and now

we really want to go back.

 Next door to that we went inside a designers tea shop, unique place for teapots and cups and tasted some awesome green tea while chatting with a few Chinese students. Later on we went for the 2nd time to the Fabric Market in the south part of the city- having so much fun viewing all of the styles and colors and having a few fun pieces made.

Oh I can't forget to tell you about these pom pom shoes I scored at this hand made cobbler shop one of my fellow artist friends was raving about-very fun!

We had a great dinner at Grandmothers Restaurant, a Shanghai institution, very tasty eggplant,potato dish with a yummy garlic and spinach dish. Topped the night off gazing at all of the tall buildings on the Bund all lit up. The architecture here is the most exciting, daring and unique design I have ever seen. I will post a few photos of the twinkling lights and videos on sides of buildings soon, just fabulous..so we strolled over to the famous Peace Hotel and listened to as they call it "an old man's jazz band"

had a few drinks and called it a day...

plan to train to Hangzhou, West Lake (1 hr) for the day early tomorrow. Time is getting short-only a few more days here in China.

Origins and Destinations

The high speed train was right on time to the minute, it took us only 5 hours to get to Shanghai. What a cosmopolitan, bustling,
huge city, complete contrast to Beijing in many ways. We are staying in the tree lined French Concession area in a little apartment down a hutong. There's a photo on the wall that shows this whole building being demolished. It makes sense because the inside of this place is fresh as can be, big shower and fluffy white towels and beddings, a far cry from what we had in Bei Gao village..changes everywhere


We went to the Yuyaan Gardens market area and had lunch at this
wonderful Chinese restaurant, great veggie dumplings and soup with delightful noodles and mushrooms

We walked along the Bund near the Huangpu River and were amazed at the eclectic architecture and blue skies

I am standing in front of the Oriental Pearl TV tower

Fuzhou Street was filled with small art supply stores, loved browsing and buying a few new materials

Last night we had a real adventure hunting for a restaurant. Mike

was in charge of finding a place to eat..he had it all picked out,the best Indian food in the city etc. taxied there and it was
out of business..he had read about another place on the same street, but we kept walking and walking and passed the intended address so began asking people for help, first a women in a dress shop, then a girl on the street, then we went into a spa and they directed us around the corner, on and on until we were almost ready to give up but found a hutong where we asked a young man and he politely and proudly got up and led us to 'Origin' the restaurant we were seeking out..after an hour and a half of searching we were finally upstairs taking our shoes off and ordering..ahhhh the joys of travel!

We made it home and popped a movie into our DVD, I lasted about 10 minutes, big day!

onward and upward

Bye Bye Beijing

The Forbidden City was a place where civilians were once denied access. This place is vast, grand and totally impressive. We met our Chinese guide, Charlie who is a 82 years young. He was animated as he explained the feng shui (wind,water) and thought behind the design of this city. The number of stairs represent a person's status. The tiers on the roof were meant for protection.

There were a number of good luck pieces he pointed out, one was a large bat made out of stones that we walked on. We also touched the bronze cauldron with lion's head on top, another good luck charm.

We ended up in the beautiful imperial garden area, my favorite.

There were two trees that grew together in an auspicious way, of

course everyone was having their photo taken in front of it..

young and inspiring Charlie

a detail of the roof, the more animals a roof had the more status, the emperor's roof had 10

A retired horticulturist professor he has found his retirement niche

We left Forbidden City and walked across the street to Jingseng Park where we hiked up to the top of the mountain that protected the city. An amazing panoramic view. This is the exact center of Beijing, so all of this is on the central meridian, kind of fascinating how it was planned out. After we hiked down 

the other side and walked through the park  we headed towards the drum tower and walked and walked through many fun hutong areas (Houhai area) where we found a restaurant that had the spicy cuisine of the southwestern Guizhou province.

 We got all the exercise we needed and in a few hours will

be relaxing on the high speed train to Shanghai.

bye bye Beijing!

A Colorful Day

Yesterday morning we taxied to the Temple of Heaven, the center of imperial ritual for Ming and Qing Dynasties. Built in 1420 it is a
masterpiece of ancient architecture.

 

As we strolled through the grounds we enjoyed watching the Chinese people dance. It was remarkable how the older people participated in what looked like storytelling folk dancing. The dancing and the music were infectious.

 

 

We came home and all of the artists hosted our Open Studio Exhbition - I put up 6 of the 10 pieces I completed  

 

It was a good turn out, below the artists are preparing. It rained on and off, we were in and outside

 

Today will be a good time to pack up my work and art supplies. We have another cocktail party at the director's tomorrow night and after that an art opening at the Today Museum, tour of the Forbidden City on Wednesday morning by a Chinese 80 year old retired professor-  Next few days experiencing the last bits of Beijing then high speed train to Shanghai!

Mutianyu (backyard fence)

  Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China. 

We took a gondola up to the highest watchtower point- on the window was a printed message that Bill Clinton had ridden in the very same car.

Feel it this morning in our calves, all of those mini steps on the path but it was totally worth it to hike down to the bottom

On the way we saw several signs like this,love the

way they worded this!

At the bottom it felt so good to connect with this beautiful stone monument 

On the way home there was a mini traffic jam caused by a small herd of cattle crossing the road

Stay tuned 

Art and Tea

Two days ago we visited a local Chinese artist and teamaker Chen Chunmu.   Its amazing how one

can communicate through drawings and hand gestures and a lot of laughs in between. He poured several small bowls  as we tasted red and green teas.

His home/tearoom was filled with ancient teapots and artifacts dating back to the Ming dynasty, what a collection! He then took 

us to his spacious studio where we again had tea. We fell in love with his work, he gifted us with a

beautiful book with numerous images and a biography of his work. We were very excited for him

because his wife is due with their baby in October. He is hoping for a boy so when he gets old he and his wife will be taken care of.

 

 a delightful afternoon with Chunmu our new friend

We are getting so familiar with our Bei Gao village, it is hard to describe in its raw colorful everyday life

 

and lastly a large piece I completed a few days ago titled 'life'

or shenghao

I have been playing with ink wash a bit and having a great time

heading to Mutianyu (northeast an hour and 1/2) section of the Great Wall in a bit, Mike is 

making tasty ginger veggie rice rolls for us!

Silk and the Lotus

I have been experiencing some incredible dining and social time as well as studio progress the past

days. Yesterday I finished my 6th piece called Bei Gao named for the authentic, colorful, hutong village where we live. I am planning to get a few more pieces finished the the next days-

 winding down, taking the speed train the 29th for Shanghai!

Red Gate Gallery once the Ming Dynasty city wall is a superb

place for a gallery. It was the Dongbiamen watchtower with 144 archers windows located in an ancient and huge space. About 35 art related people dined after the opening at an enormous

long table in a private dining room. Here are some of the artists and the director.

After studio yesterday afternoon Mike and I and a few of our artist neighbors headed into town to the Silk Market where they sell everything from clothing to jewelry to bags to all kinds of eyeglasses and way more. Bartering is the norm, I got a pair of Chanel sunglasses for $5 that I love. Mike found a cool chinese cotton shirt.

We then went to 'Pure Lotus' Vegetarian restaurant, a lovely environment. Buddhist Monks led us in with these low lit lanterns.

 Rosewater was poured over our hands after we entered. We were then seated in our own private dining cavelike room. The menu was a beautiful

2 foot book that explained how each delicious dish was beneficial to our health, appetizer was called

'touch of happiness' 

As you walk to the private dining room projected on the wood floor is a lotus flower opening and closing 

To complete the experience the staff brought in a lotus leaf filled with cold melon, underneath it was dry ice magically cascading out. We were led out by the monks and each presented with a fragrant lotus flower -presentation extraordinary- best part is they will be opening one up in a few years in San Francisco!

 Open Studio Exhibition and bbq this coming Sunday, will give you a glimpse of the art soon

Work and Play

Good afternoon, at least it is here..3:25 pm

The past few days have been intense working days

in the studio but also time spent planning our

trip to Shanghai when we leave here in 2 weeks.

We are at our halfway mark for the residency,

the days roll into each other. When I am in the

studio its morning and I am involved with the

work and look up and realize its been many hours-

guess thats a good sign..but whew I feel it today.

Yesterday I struggled on a piece all day just 

about gave up and started back on it today, it

has transformed into something I like but you

never would have known what it looked like yesterday,

layers and layers..next time I will take a photo

and show you the before and after. 

Here's a photo of someone learning the language,

love the way they take this huge brush dip it in

water and practice on the sidewalk, it stopped

me in my tracks when I saw it. The language has

so much character and feels so precise, what a

challenge to learn it, although I met a German

woman who lives here and said it was easy

once she got into it, but she has been here for

a year

Here is a door with streamers on the street we walk on daily..it feels festive but

is someone's front door

Today Mike was out and about without me..he rode his bike to Liao's house and had tea, Liao is an artist who works at the Red Gate, he is a very nice person and next week he is going to take us to meet his friend who has a secret tea shop, his friend's father was a tea broker from the south area, Liao says they have the best tea in the country, I'll keep you posted

What a sweetie, he also went to the art supply store for me today to buy spray fixative and glue so I could keep working

The past week the weather has been unbelievable, blue skies for Beijing..we keep expecting the hot stuff and sure it will come but we are grateful for the coolness, I even wore a long sleeved top riding my bike to dinner last night, there has been a

great breeze, the rains help!

Mike said he liked this photo of me because it was candid 

Tomorrow were going to an opening at the Red Gate Gallery

and next week a day trip to the Great Wall, so much

fun stuff, balancing the work and play

Fun Day Off!

Yesterday we took the day off - Mr Chang, our sweet neighbor taxied us into the beautiful Purple Bamboo Park where we took a canal boat to the Summer Palace, there we met two artist friends who live downtown.

 

a serene and imperial way to enter the Summer Palace, took about 30 minutes by boat

 

This is the tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha on Longevity Hill

we strolled along the path next to the lake and then studied the Marble Boat (or Clear and Peaceful Boat as they call it)

Built in 1755

The saying goes "Water can carry a boat but can also capsize a boat"  this boat was built to mean that the Qing Dynasty would be as solid as rock and never fall, hull made of massive stones

 

walking through entryways, archways and palatial  buildings gave you a sense of what the

scene was here so long ago. The Palace was built by Emperor Quinlong to celebrate his

mother's birthday! The lake covers 3/4 of the Palace, what a sight

 

A Hutong, or alleyway on Tea Street

Shellaine, Ken, Mike and I then took a taxi to Tea Street, the

whole entire street is dedicated to teas and tearooms. We stopped in

several of them and sampled teas, what  fun to be served and

watch the tea being transformed, I have always wanted to experience this process

  

This is all dried tea, its an art form, amazing  variations, packagings of  tea, it

is suppose to last forever, what kind do you want me to bring back?

Topping the day off we all ate dinner at a fabulous Yunnan restaurant called '8' we had kung pao eggplant, assorted marinated bamboo shoots,a dynamite mushroom dish, a medicinal herbal soup, all

totally delicious, want to go back!

Back to work today!