“You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.” – George Bernard Shaw
Green trumpets growing among the green foliage. — Photo by Pat Bean
Weekly Photo Challenge: Merge
These brillantly hued flowers will last forever — or until broken. — Photo by Pat Bean
In the summer of 2006, Dale Chihuly and the St. Louis Botanical Gardens got together. The world-recognized glass artist created an exhibit to merge his art with nature’s art in the garden’s geodesic dome greenhouse. I had merged with St. Louis at the same time.
As I walked through the dome’s earthy rain forest, I couldn’t stop taking pictures. Usually I find too much time with a camera in front of my eyes dulls my senses. So I snap a picture or two, then put my camera away and bring out my notebook.
Glass meteorite for the garden. — Photo by Pat Bean
While it’s said “one picture is worth a thousand words,” as a writer I appreciate that it takes words to express that idea.
But this day, staring at Chihuly’s colorful glass creations that represented everything from reeds and Mexican hats, to herons and meteorite balls plopped down among a bounty of foliage, to brilliantly hued flowers and snaky vines,, left me wordless.
When I later looked at the photos, I found I had mingled Chihuly’s art with the creations of nature so well that I sometimes had to stop and ask myself which was which.
Pat Bean's blog 
“A picture is worth a thousand words, but the real thing is worth a thousand pictures”. I wish I’d said that, but when I first heard it, it was attributed to a teenager on a field trip.
You make me laugh Al. Love it.
> Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2012 14:58:12 +0000 > To: patbean@msn.com >
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art has an extensive collection of Dale Chihuly glass art. You might want to take a look when you are in the area.
Thanks for the tip Joyce. I’ll do that.
> Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2012 00:49:23 +0000 > To: patbean@msn.com >
Hi Pat! I just discovered your blog (I’m kind of new to blogs), via your comment on “My Meandering Trail” blog that I started following a month ago. I read your blog about “what makes me happy” & felt compelled to write to tell you I’m the same way, when I glanced over to the side of your blog & saw the name of Dale Chihuly. Well, that did it for me! I’m hooked! I love Chihuly’s work. I first discovered him at an exhibit in Orlando & was immediately intrigued. On a perfect rainy day Mother’s Day in 2006 my sons took me to see his exhibit at the NY Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. Like you, I took many photos of the different installations, trying to soak them all in, with awe. I look at my photos all the time because I can’t get enough! I’m still kicking myself for not taking the time to fly out to Phoenix in 2008 to see his exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden. I love Arizona, so with the added bonus of a Chihuly exhibit would have made such a memorable impression. But I have my other memories!
Ok, I’m off to read more of your blog! BTW, I love the quote from my favorite Beatle!
I’m glad you found me. I must have come across your blog right after you started it. I’m glad you started it.