Lead By Imagination

One of my favorite outings while traveling takes me to fresh produce markets. The colors and variety never cease to amaze me.

Just when every cathedral begins to look like the one before and the one after, I discover St. Mathias in Budapest. Grand architecture, ornate carvings, just like the rest. What really struck me, though, were the pillars, specifically that each pillar was painted with a different pattern. A bit like the doodling hobby that is all the rage in the 21st century. I overheard visitors commenting that they didn't care for the decor. I loved it. The pure creativity in painting such a variety of patterns astonished me. Such a change from the gold gilded statues and representational paintings is most other cathedrals. The simplicity in the complexity of St. Mathias' interior offers tribute to the constant changing patterns in life, designed by the greatest Creator of all.

I dreamed of this door. Saw it clearly in my mind's eye. The existing door failed to invite me through it. I wanted a door that opened easily and fully, exposing a bright world beyond. From the outside looking in, here is the door of my imagination.

What to do with all those empty plastic water bottles collected in the recycle bin when you are feeling a little bit creative and need a project? Or you need some quick, fun decoration for a party? Art on display at the Ogden Museum in New Orleans.

While visiting New Mexico in October, I met Arthur Manchego at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. I found his booth inside the interior courtyard at the IPCC and spoke with him about his work. Manchego is a man of few words. His work speaks volumes. One of the few purchases I made in NM is what Manchego referred to as one of his "quick sketches," and I loved this original drawing for the emotions reflected in the soft contours of the face, entitled "Horse Killer." (Top) The other portraits on display he had taken much more time to complete, and his skill as an artist highlights exacting detail. "Red Earth" (above) is a giclee print I had to take home with me, as well. The motion of line and color pulsate to the rhythm in my head as the rich colors compete with one another to move forward and back on the paper, just like the dancers I watched perform in the circle of the IPCC while I spoke to Menchego. Ka Whe Tewa ("here there ...