Color Outside – Keeyla Meadows

Yesterday on a fountain excursion to American Soil I wandered into the landscape work of Keeyla Meadows and never wanted to leave. I’d seen pictures before of her outdoor art, but didn’t make the immediately connection to the beautiful display I was captivated by. Hours of research later, and I’m ready to start my own paver and planter designs. I’ll need her master vision to put it all together, but I can get some of the pieces going now.

Her work reminds me of Matisse — so here is a jumble of inspirational images. Pottery class on my list for next fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bolivian Frazadas

My love affair with color hasn’t diminished one bit. This week I’m enthralled with vintage Bolivian frazadas. These vintage textiles have been handwoven by aymara women in the andean region since pre-hispanic times, and used to protect against the high altitude cold. Weaving of each frazada is done in two separate parts which are then sewn together; this central seam shows decorative details and colors that highlight the beauty of the tapestry.

Increasingly difficult to find and/or afford because of the increase in the cost of the price of wool + alpaca in recent years, I’m anxious to build my collection before all that is available are those made from artificial materials. I can get that at our local Target.

I have an inside track with a friend that has deep generational connections throughout Bolivia. Tanya if you are reading this, I could use about ten of these for chilly evenings at the Sonoma house. In return you’ll have a free pass anytime for a visit. :-)

Here are my favorite color combinations.

Which blend perfectly with my other textile obsession suzanis. Suzani is a type of embroidered and decorative tribal textile made in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries.