Chihuly at Desert Botanical Gardens

Chihuly in the Desert is a special exhibition at Desert Botanical Gardens. Among the thousands of visitors it attracts were several of us who visited the Gardens a number of different days and times, including one evening trip that also included Noches de Luminarias. We share multiple photographs of each exhibit so that you get a broader idea of how different these individual pieces of art look from varying perspectives, weather, editing styles and attention to detail.

There is an inside component to the exhibition and that will be covered in an upcoming blog post.

This is the Fiori Boat which is spotted just as soon as you enter the Gardens. it is a spectacular piece of art whose vibrant colors pop from the otherwise more subdued desert.

Waiting for early morning shadows to fall back away from the boat.

Maybe a bit of flash can pop this boat away from stormy skies.

The detail is exquisite and makes each piece stand out from the chaotic glass crowd around it.

This collection is called Blue Birch Reeds and Scorpion Tails.

Detail showing a scorpion tail.

This is the Opal and Amber Tower located in the area of wildflowers.

So pretty at night!

Detail!

Lime and Lava Red Tower at night.

Detail at the top of the Tower.

We advise photographers to walk around a scene to get a different viewpoint. That is not always possible, especially in displays that are roped off. Somehow, Tom managed to get enough behind the Tower to get the blooming Palo Verde Trees in the background.

Neodymium Reeds give us another chance to see a different perspective, this time with the McDowell Mountain in the background.

Detail.

This detail shows the layering of colors which gives these pieces so much depth when viewed from the path.

This display is entitled, Red Reeds.

Red Reeds at night.

With warmer dusk lighting.

Popping with a bit of help from a flash. I believe Steve is the only one with a flash powerful enough to get this scene!

These are Desert Fiori.

Framing color with plants makes the Fiori look like a smaller picture!

Detail.

This is the Aqua Blue and Amber Chandelier. It was a ‘toughie’ to photograph!

Top detail. Just have to l love it when a nice sky shows up.

Close up detail. I am really fond of this piece of art.

These are called Sonoran Neon. During the day they were quite boring but at night they looked like fireworks frozen in time.

These are Paintbrushes. The collection was kind of hidden from the commonly walked path.

This Chihuly art arrangement is on permanent display at the entrance of Desert Botanical Gardens. I always smile as I pass by, remembering past Chihuly special exhibitions at the Gardens.

These two images is what happens when you are retired and have too much time on your hands! It occurred to me that some of the images might be fun to play around with black and white conversions.

Thanks for joining us on our photo-trip. Up next is the Chihuly glassworks that were housed in the Gallery. Oh my goodness, there were some fascinating pieces in there. Stay tuned.

Coming up Roses

If you love roses, there is no such thing as too many of them. How about walking through a rose garden that has approximately 9,000 rose bushes! That is what you will find at the Mesa Community College Rose Garden, a partnership between Mesa-East Valley Rose Society and MCC. It is the largest public rose garden in the desert southwest, open 24/7 and free to stroll at your own pace and enjoy the roses. There are signs with phone numbers that you can call to get more information on the roses as you walk the garden.

The best months to visit the garden are March, April, May, June, November and December. During the other four months the roses are pruned (not blooming). Our team of six (Tom, Phyllis, Karen, Steve, Jon and I) actually managed to show up on a day they were irrigating the flower beds! No worries, however, we plan on going back. Please enjoy our sample from hundreds of rose images captured.

Grand National Roadster Show 2022

Tom took his 11th annual trip to Los Angeles for the Grand National Roadster Show. Held at the Pomona Fairplex, it is considered the definitive expo of its type by enthusiasts world wide. This year marked the 72nd anniversary of the show, making it the longest running show in the country.

This is a 1963 Cadillac low rider.

A 1932 Ford, also referred to as a ‘deuce’. It is the most popular roadster style. A roadster is defined by folding cloth top and no roll up windows.

Also a deuce roadster but with the fenders intact. The previous roadster had the fenders removed to attain a different style and reduce its weight. There will be other examples of deuces since this year marked 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford and a large gathering was assigned their own area on the fairgrounds.

Is this a deuce? No, this is a 36 Ford coupe designed as an early style custom.

is this a deuce? Yes, you have caught on already!

A 1934 5 window coupe.

Another deuce roadster and it was the winner of the last show’s top award, America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR). Prize included a trophy and $10,000 (a very small portion of what it cost to build it).

So, can you guess what this is?

Two highly modified early Ford custom rods.

Also a deuce, but it is a sedan body model.

A 1934 Ford with extensive modifications.

We are now wandering into the 1932 special exhibition area. This is a a station wagon commonly known as a ‘woodie’, one of the rarest of all the body styles. It is desired by surfers world wide for transporting their surf boards.

Classic deuce roadster. Winner of the 2017 AMBR.

1950 Chevrolet woodie.

Front view of previously shown 1934 Ford 5 window.


Extreme low rider, 1963 Lincoln Continental.

1935 Ford panel delivery truck.

A deuce highboy 5 window coupe.

A collection of deuces from the So-Cal speed shop.

Can you guess what kind of car this is? A deuce!!!

Detail of 1955 Ford station wagon.

Same panel truck as above.

This years winner of AMBR Award, a 1935 Chevrolet.

1939 Ford custom sedan.

One more deuce.

One of Tom’s favorite 1932’s.

Historical custom car from 1951, the famed Hirohata Mercury, by Harris Kustoms.. It had just been sold at the Mecham auction in Florida the previous week for a record $1.9M.

1940 Cadillac with mild custom adjustments.

Overall view of the fairgrounds.

1940 Cadillac.

1934 Ford three window coupe.

Classic deuce sedan.

Guess what? You are right!!