I’m just back from the first leg of my whirlwind of trips in October! I flew to Los Angeles last Thursday to visit the Westside Quilt Guild for an Artful Improv class and a lecture, then back to DC on a red-eye flight last night (Saturday).

On Thursday afternoon, my hostess took me to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). We saw several interesting exhibits, including one about literally centuries of Japanese art featuring animals.

Japanese animal exhibit at LACMA – Cindy Grisdela

These are obviously recent examples of Japanese animal art, but I loved the colors! There were also lovely screens with delicate watercolor brushwork of cranes and other animals, as well as sculptures and kimonos with animals painted or embroidered on them.

Ai Weiwei sculpture at LACMA – Cindy Grisdela

Another exhibit showed the work of Chinese sculptors. The piece above is by Ai Weiwei, and it is constructed entirely without nails or glue–amazing! I had seen his work at the Hirshhorn museum in DC several years ago–always a treat.

Colorful Hotel door in LA – Cindy Grisdela

I stayed in a boutique hotel in LA–the colors of my front door and the beautiful flowers made me happy!

Friday I taught my Artful Improv class to 15 enthusiastic students.

Student work in Artful Improv at Westside Quilt Guild LA – Cindy Grisdela

They used some great colors and came up with some very interesting lines and shapes during the class.

Diana’s finished top – Cindy Grisdela

Diana was able to go home and finish her top to show at the guild meeting the next day.

Saturday I gave my Playing with Colors lecture and then got a tour of Venice Beach and the surrounding area with my hostess. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of the canals that still run through the area, but we walked on the boardwalk and saw the skateboarders working out on the ramps. Of course there were lots of colorful characters everywhere!

Venice Beach, CA 2019 – Cindy Grisdela

Before we went to the airport, we stopped off at a gallery in Santa Monica. We just happened upon a reception in the William Turner Gallery where a lovely Japanese musician was playing music inspired by the art on the walls. It was magical.

William Turner Gallery Reception LA – Cindy Grisdela

Then it was time to go to LAX and catch a red-eye flight home so I can have a couple of days to get ready for the next leg of the whirlwind!

I’m teaching at the Genessee Valley Quilt Club in Rochester, NY this weekend, then flying to Houston for five classes and a lecture. My Fire and Ice Bargello class is sold out, but there are still a few spots left in the others: #244 Angled Stripe Table Runner, #284 Improv Log Cabin, #352 Cracking the Art Show Circuit, and #481 Improv Color Blocks, plus my lecture–Playing with Colors #464.

Stay tuned!

 

 

 

4 Comments

  1. Marla on October 21, 2019 at 2:43 pm

    Wow, Cindy! You have a busy schedule. How nice to have time to see the sights when you travel to teach.



    • Cindy on October 21, 2019 at 3:24 pm

      Yes–it’s usually pretty busy this time of year! I appreciate being able to see a bit of the surrounding area when I travel to teach.



  2. Carol C on November 8, 2019 at 12:21 am

    Cindy
    I took your class in L.A.
    I have a photo of the finished piece.
    If you would like to see it, please provide an email where I can attach a copy.
    Thank you
    Carol Churchill



    • Cindy on November 8, 2019 at 1:44 pm

      Thank you Carol–my email is cindy at cindygrisdela.com and I’d love to see your finished quilt!