Tag: public sculpture

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Oh Dear…pardon me — Deer

ellenparkerwrites

Have you ever imagined a quiet animal in giant size?

Rendered in fiberglass instead of flesh and blood, this deer is unique to Laumeier Sculupture Park in St. Louis County. Considerably larger than life — standing twelve feet tall — this doe observes the grounds both day and night.

Real live deer also frequent the acres of the park. Study the photo and imagine a deer emerging from the woods at dusk, approaching the statue, and giving the legs a good sniff.

Wildlife art, much smaller in scale than the above, makes several appearances in the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines. Already matted and framed, defense attorney Mandy Price uses a butterfly and thistle blossom piece for office decor. Find the book blurb and pre-order information at the link: https://bit.ly/49FtvjF

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The King on the Hill

ellenparkerwrites

Louis IX of France lived in the wrong century to travel to America. He was admired for many fine qualities and accomplishments during his lifetime. And approximately twenty-seven years after his death he was canonized — hence the name, Saint Louis.

Fast forward to the year 1764. French traders establish a trading post on the Mississippi River, just south of the confluence with the Missouri River, and name it Saint Louis in his honor.

The city grew, became a center of manufacturing and trade until the mid-20th century. Today the city has a lower population than the surrounding St. Louis County but remains an anchor in the region. And the king on the hill?

You can find this representation of Saint Louis (aka. Louis IX) in front of the St. Louis Art Museum. He has a great view of a large portion of Forest Park.

Art is an important, yet unspoken, portion of life to Cal Collins. With a satisfying primary job of police detective, he keeps his fine artist activities quiet. However, nothing lasts forever. Seek out the later-in-life romance, Fine Lines, to learn more about Cal — and the defense attorney who puts his life into turmoil.

The book is available for pre-order with shipment on April 8. Follow the link to the Barnes & Noble site: https://bit.ly/4rVvd7M

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Very Public Sculpture

ellenparkerwrites

At various time in this blog, I’ve featured a public sculpture or other work of art. Today I’m going to highlight a very public piece which I hope all Americans recognize.

Good morning from one of the most famous quartets in America!

George Washington: A fine general who managed to hold the Continental Army together long enough to win against the British and then went on to set high standards for the office of President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson: Clever in may aspects of life from writing to invention. As our third president, he purchased land which doubled the size of the United States — and included the area where this mountain stands.

Theodore Roosevelt: A man briming with energy and ideas. He did much to reform and expand the civil service during his time as president. Keenly aware of the importance of public lands, he also did much to preserve wild spaces and create our system of National Parks.

Abraham Lincoln: Rising from modest roots, he used the entire power of his office to preserve the United States as one nation and voice principles of compassion for all.

Volumes have been published about each of these presidents. I suggest you pick one and select a piece of non-fiction reading to go with your lighter fare this summer.

Speaking of lighter fare: New Dreams is a sweet historical romance. Set in 1851, the story traces new immigrants on their journey and first months in an Illinois river town. Escape the cares of today in this decade prior to the Civil War. Here’s a link for more information. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Too Large for a Tabletop?

ellenparkerwrites

Sculpture, like may types of art, is created in many different sizes.

Intricately crafted chess pieces that nestle in the palm of your hand are sculpture as surely as the Statue of Liberty.

St. Louis, like many American cities, contains a number of sculptures on display outside, often due to size. One collection is found at Laumeier Sculpture Park, a facility operated by St. Louis County Parks.

One of my favorite pieces at the park. Can you imagine this tip-toeing across your lawn? Or waving a root in your dreams? (Perhaps the word is nightmare.) Each angle gives a different arrangement.

A quiet, suburban life, where she owns her own home is something Janet Zwingle has worked for since her divorce more than a decade ago. Will she resist change? Or will she seize an opportunity and live with “gusto” when a new man enters her life? Check out the sweet romance, Comfort Zone, for a peek into life in the Midwest. Follow the link to the book: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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The View is Fantastic!

ellenparkerwrites

The view in front of the St. Louis Art Museum looking over the Grand Basin is great.

However, an even better view (at least in my imagination) would be that of a bird perched on the sword hilt of St. Louis.

From this high perch you could see a large portion of Forest Park. The hill sloping down in front of you gives way to the water feature with fountains. The History Museum is a little farther ahead. To your right — you can spot a portion of the zoo. And directly behind — the Art Museum.

In any season Forest Park offers much to the visitor. Outside attractions such as golf, tennis, or ice skating (limited season) are set among museums and an outdoor theater.

Residents of St. Louis are lucky to have an assortment of attractions. As a bonus — many of these are free admission. (You may be charged for parking or special exhibits.)

The characters in the sweet romance, Stare Down, have lived in St. Louis for many years and are familiar with many of the public spaces. Join them as they solve a murder, learn valuable lessons, and become more than neighbors. Click on the link for book information: http://amzn.to/1LXiTwP

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No Trespassing

ellenparkerwrites

Sometimes you see a sign. Or a fence. Or both to signal that a certain area is off limits for visitors.

The reasons are numerous. Perhaps the owner is a very private person. Or there is a danger — poisonous snakes or predator. Sometimes the danger is not visible — heed the warning.

Sometimes no sign is necessary.

These plants and sculptures sport an international, multi-lingual “no trespassing” sign. Stay away or suffer the consequences of my sharp spikes. I need space.

Space — and the ability to own land — brought many immigrants to the United States. Check out the story of one small group in the sweet, historical romance, New Dreams. https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Fiddle among the Ferns

ellenparkerwrites

Is that right? No? Let me try again.

“Among the Fiddlehead Ferns.”

Is that better? Instead of conjuring an image of a violin player standing in a patch of ferns — we have created an image of you, dear reader, in a patch of unfurling ferns.

Translated to glass… the artist came up with this.

Green and graceful the fern unfurls in the spring air.

Can you see the tight coil unwinding as the plant draws nourishment from the soil? If you can identify the fern species the coils make a spring treat — be sure to cook — and have been eaten by numerous generations.

Alas — the glass will only remain in the public garden for a limited time. I do hope I can pay another visit before the exhibit ends.

No ferns cooked by the immigrants in New Dreams, a sweet historical romance. I wonder if some of the native-born in fictional Elm Ridge harvested the treat in early spring.

More book information here: https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

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Please Pass the…

ellenparkerwrites

Gorgeous! Huge! Splendid!

I can see it now. This year — these giant, glass, cupped flowers are a hit at the public garden.

A few years from now — will we find the design copied in snack bowls at the local big box store?

I can see it at the outdoor party now. Please pass me the red bowl — the snack mix is delicious. Oh, you have mixed nuts? In the blue bowl. How delightful. The bright dishes liven up the party.

Parties can be held for many occasions. In Comfort Zone, a sweet romance, Janet holds an engagement party for her daughter and soon-to-be-son-in-law. How is she to know that his uncle is the intriguing HVAC customer? More book information here: https://amzn.to/2ZvL0Av

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Unlikely Companions

ellenparkerwrites

Hey! Toss me that chunk of wood. No need to worry if your aim’s not perfect. Wood’s sturdy — only breaks when you work at it.

Careful! Hand, don’t toss, that piece of glass. We break it — we’ll have a mess and a half to clean up. Never mind the explaining.

Glass and wood. Wood and glass. Not the mostly likely pair — unless you think about a window. Or art.

Glass and wood together make this dramatic outdoor feature. Logs supply a sturdy base and a rustic feel. The straight glass — reeds — according to the sculpture title add a touch of wonder and delicacy. The color, in case you wonder, is given by the metal neodymium. (Yes, metals are often used to color glass.)

Humans sometimes come together in pairs as different as wood and glass. Take, for example, a woman who is retired military, busy with a satisfying career, and living near a loving extended family. Would you ever expect her to make the acquaintance — let alone more — of a semi-reclusive millionaire with an attitude of toleration, not enjoyment, from immediate family? Find their story in Morning Tryst, a sweet romance available at major on-line retailers. Click here to learn more: https://amzn.to/35gH37S

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Garden Greeter

ellenparkerwrites

Welcome to the Missouri Botanical Garden, 2023 edition.

The “WOW” moments start before you exit the glass doors into the grounds. I knew the glass exhibit would be good — and it did not disappoint.

The artist named this “Vivid Lime Icicle Tower”

I certainly won’t dispute the color. And it’s certainly a tower. But this viewer, and I’m thinking many others, find a resemblance to other things in life. Can you see hints of a barrel cactus? A bottle brush?

Books, like art, let you use your imagination to complete the image. Test your mind with a sweet romance set in fictional place more than a century in the past with New Dreams. Can you see, hear, smell, and taste the people and items presented on the page?

https://amzn.to/3vWydWE

I’m getting hungry for a fresh-baked cinnamon bun.