A Look Inside The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is one of the most famous addresses in the United States Of America. 
It is the location of the oldest public building in D.C., and is know though out the world by its color alone. 
 The White House.

Over the last 200 years the White House has stood as an icon of power and statesmanship of the chief executive. Work started on this American icon in 1793. Near completion in 1800, John Adams the second president of the United States was the first to move into the White House. On August 24, 1814, british forces captured Washington and burned the White House destroying the building, nothing but brick work remained. Reconstruction started in 1815, and the White House was completed in 1817. Throughout the reconstruction, and alterations the basic structure of the iconic White House has remained unchanged.

I had the opportunity to tour the White House while living in Maryland. With the Presidential election fresh in everyone's head ....I thought this would be a nice time to share a few of my favorite rooms in the White House.

A large well lit entrance way welcomes guests. 

The above photo is a corner of the entry way that displays the playful checkered

 pattern floors made of  Tennessee marble, and showcases the bold red and gold color pallet.

The Cross Hall carries the red and gold color pallet down a corridor lit by two
 absolutely amazing Adam-style chandeliers made in London around 1775.

At the end of the Cross Hall lays the largest room of the White House, the East Room. 

This room was not completed until 1826.

The East Room is adorned in gold colored silk fabric and lit by three grand chandeliers
 that date back to 1902. 
The room is home to four beautiful Rosso Collemandina marble fireplaces.

The East Rooms leads into the Green Room.
 The Green Room is one of my favorite rooms in the White House. 
The color of the room has a calming effect, and the art collection featured here is incredible.

 Once used as Thomas Jeffersons dinning room, 
the Green Room is now used as a reception parlor. 
The furniture was made in New York by Duncan Phyfe around 1810. 
The walls are covered in watered silk, and the drapes are of striped silk damask. 
The white Italian marble mantel was purchased in 1818 and then installed in 1902.

The coffee urn featured in this photo was owned by President John Adams. 
The Candlesticks on either side are from France and were used by
 president James Madison. 

The Green Room leads into the Blue Room.  
This oval shaped room is located in the center of the state floor of the White House.
 Historically the Blue Room has been a place for the President to receive guests of the 
White House. The round shape of the room insures that no one will stuck in the corner.

President James Monroe purchased the seven french chairs and one sofa seen in this room 

after the fire of 1814.

The Blue Room leads into the Red Room. This room is said to be a favorite of many 

First Ladies. 

Decorated as an American Empire parlor of 1810, 
the room features a white Italian marble mantel identical to the one residing in 
the Green room.

The Red  Room leads into the State Dinning Room. This room can seat 140 guests. 
Carved into the mantel of the fireplace is a quote from a letter by 
President John Adams, it reads;

"I pray heaven to bestow the best blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit it. 
May none but honest and wise men (*and WOMEN) ever rule under this roof."

The photo above features one of the three marble toped console tables 
with eagle supports found in the State Dining room.
 These stately tables were made by the AH Davenport company of Boston. 

On the ground floor of the White House you will find many more rooms.
 My favorite of all being the China Room. 
Decorated in a vivid red and white color pallet the room is almost centered around 
a large oil portrait of Grace Coolidge, painted in 1924 by Howard Chandler Christy.

In 1917 the room was set aside by First Lady Edith Wilson for use of displaying pieces of 
china and glass used by the presidential family. It is like a walking into a treasure box that
 features a stunning, and historic collection. When I grow up, I want a room like this!

There is tons more to see in the White House. 
If you are planning a trip to D.C. contact your state congress members and request a tour. 
Keep in mind tour requests can take a few months to process.

If you want a tour of the White House without leaving your computer, 
look no further than google maps. 
They now have a virtual tour that anyone can take from the comfort of your own home.

I hope these photos help to inspire you to go out, VOTE, and explore something grand.

Moving Forward While Looking Back

Dia De Los Muertos, or Day Of The Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to a

 pre-Columbian past. This is a time for families to recognize and remember the souls of 

the departed. However this is not a time for mourning - this is a time to enjoy life.

 After all, Life is for the living.

_________________________________________________________________________________

     

  Frances Ann Day summarizes the three-day celebration, the Day of the Dead—

“	On October 31, All Hallows Eve, the children make a children's altar to invite the angelitos (spirits of dead children) to come back for a visit. November 1 is All Saints Day, and the adult spirits will come to visit. November 2 is All Souls Day, when families go to the cemetery to decorate the graves and tombs of their relatives. The three-day fiesta filled with marigolds, the flowers of the dead; muertos (the bread of the dead); sugar skulls; cardboard skeletons; tissue paper decorations; fruit and nuts; incense, and other traditional foods and decorations.	”
—Frances Ann Day, Latina and Latino Voices in Literature     ________________________________________________________________________________

I was honored to have my work featured in the 23rd annual Dia De Los Muertos 

celebration at Maude Kerns Art Center.

This is my third year participating in this joyous celebration featuring art, music, 

and some fantastic dancing.

 

I hope these photos help to ignite some bright ideas for celebration with your friends
 and family during this time of the year. I know that it has for me.

For more information visit Maude Kerns Art Center.
 www.mkartcenter.org/dia_website/index.html

Last of Summer

            

Here we are again, September. 

My eyes weep for past memories of my Father and little Sister, 

while I try and smile thinking about the incredible summer that has blossomed around me.  

It is always difficult to say goodbye, even though I know that it is the only way to move on.

This New Moon is a Solar Eclipse in Virgo, said to open a doorway into the new. 

If change truly is the only constant in life, now is time to tap into that frame of mind. 

Unplug and Connect

The past summer months have been soaked with outdoor adventures, music, and friends.

As a creative person, I find so much of my energy is given away. It can be difficult to find a life and work balance. Taking time away to recharge is a luxury that is often times overlooked.

How do you recharge? What gives you energy?

These questions are some of the more difficult for myself to answer.
 It is easy for me to ask others what they want and then deliver on the goods. That is how I work. However, when I ask myself what I really want or need - it feels overwhelming!  

With all the ways we are digitally connected it is easy to feel that you are always on call. There are emails, phone calls, and texts that never end. It becomes all encompassing and exhausting. 

It is empowering to be able to walkaway from the screen. 
The most precious thing you can give someone is your time and attention. 
To unplug and consciously make time in order to connect with what feeds your soul is not just a luxury, it is something that every human being needs from time to time.

The following short film offers more ideas of how offline is becoming the new luxury.

>

Murano, An Island of Fire & Water

I found myself feeling especially comfortable on the island of Murano. 

It is a charming island known for the glassblowers that had been exhaled from Venice in 1291.

To this day, the glass artisans are the main attraction to the island.

I found the slower pace and less crowded walk ways to be just what I needed after a long trip.

I enjoyed myself so much here, I decided to stay a while. You will never guess what else I discovered on this island of fire and water. I look forward to sharing my visual gems from adventures in

Murano, Italy with you!!

A City On Water

Venice, a city of mystery covered with reminders of a time long past.

This is a moody place where fog covers a maze of narrow water lined streets.

Old stone buildings seemingly float on water and rise to meet the seabirds flying over head.

This is a land of boats and bridges that seems to be decaying elegantly into the sea before your eyes.

Though there is tons to see in Venice, I could not stay here too long 

with so many other islands to discover I was ready to hop on the next boat. 

Next stop the island of Murano.