For this sunny Sunday, I’m sharing a few photos from here and there in Florida.
I liked this beaten up rowboat artfully left on the edge of Sarasota Bay.
Hibiscus flowers abound in this tropical climate, and pink is a favorite.
Less common is the Tree of Gold (Tabebuia) which flowers forth as early as February.
For a skyward view of Florida’s greenery, experience the canopy walkway at Myakka State Park.
And who doesn’t like a rainbow, part of Mother Nature’s theatrics.
The richness of colors in Tiffany’s glass rival those in nature. This is just one example of his work at the Morse Museum in Winter Park, worth a visit!
Two Chihuly pieces and pair of robins by Ann Craven
One of our favorite places to visit while in Maine is the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. Aside from their extension collection of works by three generations of the Wyeth Family, they have wonderful special exhibitions. We hoped we’d see the Edward Hopper/Andrew Wyeth exhibit, but it was only up for a short time, and we waited too long.
The White Dory 1955, Andrew Wyeth
Nevertheless, we always like seeing items in the permanent collection. The Farnsworth is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with an exhibit entitled: New Voices from Maine in American Art. It includes both old and new acquisitions. Also on display was an exhibit of works presented by the Alex Katz Foundation. There is a range of styles and media. I was captivated by the pair of robins, the bright Chihuly glass, and by the new Wyeth acquisition above and these marvelously colorful juice glasses by Janet Fish.
Detail, Fruit Juice Glasses, 2005, Janet Fish
The Alex Katz Foundation gallery highlights several of Katz’s paintings (a cutout of a green cow, for one) plus works by friends and other artists. I like Katz’s pieces and find that his dramatic use of vibrant color draws the eye in.
Poppy, Alex Katz
His foundation’s mission is to encourage newer artists and to give their work greater notice in a museum setting. To date, the Katz Foundation has donated more than 1,000 works to various art museums.
VISIONS OF MAINE
Next door to the Farnsworth is the Blue Raven Gallery. Originally a bank, this red brick building boasts a gorgeous interior with arched windows and a beautiful ceiling. The current exhibit is photography by Peter Ralston.
Gallery interior with Ralston photos
I first came across Mr. Ralston in the pages of Down East magazine, and now I get his weekly e-mail of photographs and commentary. Growing up in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, his next door neighbors were Betsy and Andrew Wyeth. Once he was out of school and working as a photo journalist, the Wyeths enticed him to Maine. He never left, and today lives and works in Rockport. His images capture the beauty and the mystery of the Maine coast.
Sheep in a Boat (Ralston, Down East)
CASUAL LUNCH
On previous trips to Rockland, we’ve enjoyed lobster rolls at the Brass Compass Café. Sadly, at least for us, that space is now Sweet Dirt, a cannabis store. Left adrift, we walked along Main Street until we came to Clan Maclaren. Reminiscent of Ninth Street Bakery in Durham, NC, it’s a simple place and space.
Order your sandwich at the counter, help yourself to ice tea or coffee, and then bus your dishes when you finish. We sat at a table on the street and enjoyed lobster rolls in slightly chewy buns with a pickle and chips on the side. A somewhat unusual presentation, but the lobster was that-morning-fresh and delicate.
Note: Header photo is Cismont 1962 by Lynne Drexler at the Farnsworth Art Museum. Unattributed photos by JWFarrington.
Earlier this week, we drove down to Brunswick to Bowdoin College. This campus is one out of central casting with its expansive green and soaring church spires. On this day, the green was being readied for the return of students.
Our mission, however, was to visit the latest exhibit at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art.People Watching: Contemporary Photography since 1965is a wonderful exhibit. Wide ranging in appeal with 120 works by a variety of photographers, most, but not all, Americans. The exhibit is divided into sections featuring photos on the street, at home, at work, and self portraits. Here are a few photos that I particularly liked.
When the Storm Ends I Will Finish My Work 2021 (self portrait by Meryl McMaster)
Woman in Leopard Print 2019 (Quasmi)
SPICY LUNCH
While in Brunswick, we also met my Scarborough cousins for an Indian lunch at Shere Punjab. We four had enjoyed this restaurant last year so returned for a rematch. It’s a small place, welcoming, and looks to be family-run. We began with an order of samosas, and they were excellent, some of the best I’ve had recently.
Entrees range from chicken, shrimp or lamb curry to chicken tikka and chicken masala, along with several vegetarian dishes. You decide your level of spiciness from 1 to 10. Three of us increased our level from what we’d ordered before. I went from a 3 to 4 for my chicken curry (plenty spicy for me), while the Chief Penguin and my cousin had a level 6 on their chicken masala. Add in some papadums, chutney, wedges of garlic naan, and you have a filling, satisfying meal.
Vivienne backed by Rob, Billie & David (amcnetworks.com)
The Chief Penguin and I were addicted to London Kills until we had watched it all. There are 4 seasons and 20 episodes total. Each episode is 45 minutes, and some nights we watched two of them back-to-back.
Every episode, detectives from the elite murder squad race out to the latest crime scene. They examine the body, arrive at their initial determination of cause of death and likely weapon, and then decide who will do the “death knock” visit. None of these cases is straightforward, even if they seem so. There are always individuals with connections that lead to other crimes and corruption or tangled motives and unlikely accomplices.
The detectives are Detective Inspector David Bradford (the boss), Detective Sergeant Vivienne Cole, Detective Constable Rob Brady, and trainee DC Billie Fitzgerald. When the series opens, DI Bradford has just returned from leave. His wife has been missing for months and the case is still open.
In a twist that is typical of this series, Amber, the woman who reports the first murder, appears in a later episode with a purse belonging to Bradford’s wife. Initially, David seems put off by Vivienne’s case comments, but she is sharp and insightful, often with the key observation. Rob is also a good detective and a decent guy who has a personal friendship with the boss. Trainee Billie is talented, but her soft approach to suspects occasionally leads her astray.
They are an appealing team who mostly work together well, and the series is an exciting one. It is fun to see Sharon Small as Vivienne Cole. She played the nondescript but smart Barbara Havers in the Inspector Lynley series. Highly recommended! I’m keen for a Series 5, yet to be announced.
Note: Most photos by JWFarrington. Header photo is Monday Morning, Mother of Two by Elinor Carucci, 2010.
