Sheep make wool

I am acquainted with sheep and wool in the world of knitting and spinning. I am starting to show ideas for thesis images. Early ideas that I know will grow and change in the next year. Let's see what becomes of this journey.

Quieter

I had a conversation with Murray Tinkelman, director of the MFA program, and received some valuable feedback. So, some changes have been made to soften the barbed wire and not interrupt the beauty of the elements of nature. I may be trying to do too much in one illustration. To tell this whole story would require more than one image. So maybe back to square one. Just a beautiful image of the wet walking garden in The Japanese Tea Garden of Golden Gate Park!

A thing of beauty, an uncomfortable story

Baron Makoto Hagiwara actually constructed the garden, its pavilions and tea house. Designed in a rustic style to address the rugged site and its surroundings, the original Japanese Tea Garden included a large public area and small private area for the Makoto Hagiwara family.

The Hagiwara family lived in, maintained and enhanced the Japanese Tea Garden from 1895 until 1942 and the beginning of World War II, when they were forced to evict and relocate to concentration camps with other Americans of Japanese descent. The garden was renamed The Oriental Tea Garden, many structures were demolished or moved from their original locations, sculptures disappeared and plants died or were relocated.

Latest Progress

I need to adjust colors, but so far this is where I am with the San Francisco project. More to come.

Makoto's Garden

Here is progress on my San Fran assignment. I was stunned by the peaceful beauty of the Japanese Tea garden. Upon returning home and reviewing my images I was drawn to this garden and its history. I hope I can do it justice.

A piece of San Francisco

The following information is from the Internet Tours Website:

The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is the type of Japanese garden known as a wet walking garden, although it has a Zen garden, or dry garden area as well. The Japanese Tea Garden was first developed as the Japanese Village at the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, or World's Fair, which was held in the area that is now the Music Concourse. Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States.

John McLaren, who is credited with much of the overall design and development of Golden Gate Park, was approached by Makoto Hagiwara, a wealthy Japanese landscape designer, with the idea of converting the temporary exhibit into a permanent section of the park. Baron Makoto Hagiwara actually constructed the garden, its pavilions and tea house. Designed in a rustic style to address the rugged site and its surroundings, the original Japanese Tea Garden included a large public area and small private area for the Makoto Hagiwara family.

This increased the size of the garden to about five acres, considerably larger than the original one acre exhibit. In addition to the landscaping and construction of several structures, Mr. Hagiwara imported many plants, bronzes, goldfish, rare Japanese birds, statues— including perched and spread winged eagles, a Shinto Shrine, a porcelain lantern, a wooden Buddha and much more.

The Hagiwara family lived in, maintained and enhanced the Japanese Tea Garden from 1895 until 1942 and the beginning of World War II, when they were forced to evict and relocate to concentration camps with other Americans of Japanese descent. The garden was renamed The Oriental Tea Garden, many structures were demolished or moved from their original locations, sculptures disappeared and plants died or were relocated.

While much of the original Japanese Tea Garden is gone, there is plenty to see and enjoy today. The name Japanese Tea Garden was officially reinstated in 1952. A 9000 pound Lantern of Peace, purchased with contributions from the children of Japan, and presented on their behalf as a symbol of friendship toward future generations, was installed in 1953.

San Fran, MFA Day 1 — a dream day

Found a great Italian cafe around the corner, a fresh breakfast sandwich and Lavazza coffee. Boarded the bus in the rain at 8:30 for the ride to Jane Eisenstat's house to view her private collection. The 89 year old (mother of our faculty member Bunny Carter) and her late husband, illustrator Ben Eisenstat, have collected for years. The work is hanging all over the house, stored in boxes under the bed and stacked in the many flat files. Check out the pictures posted here! An amazing experience because unlike a museum, we could touch them, take them off the wall and take them outside to photograph in natural light! A dreamlike experience!

After lunch, we headed out to the offices of Communication Arts for a tour. Now, understand I have been a subscriber and a fan for my whole career as a graphic designer and this was very exciting for me. The editor, Patrick Coyne, hosted our group giving us a tour and a history lesson in the company his father (a graphic designer) started 50 years ago.

Certainly a dream day for me. My heart and mind are filled with much joy.