Back when I was living on the East Coast, my two younger sisters and I established a tradition of meeting somewhere once a year for a spouse-free, offspring-free sisters’ reunion. For the first few years, we gathered in Lancaster, PA, for the long Presidents’ Weekend, but since I’ve moved to California, the “when, where, how often, and how long” factors have required a tweak.
The three “Stever girls” (Darra, Loretta, and Charlie), heading off on an early sisters’ weekend
Last week, my siblings took advantage of accumulated air miles to fly cross-country, and I obliged by securing us a place in one of my favorite places in the world: the village of Mendocino on the northern California coast.
It’s hard not to love Mendocino, a charming village on the northern California coast!
For five days and four nights, we took up residence at the Bever-Roberts Tower, an amazingly transformed, historic water tower within easy walking distance of the headlands and all the wonderful shops, galleries, and eateries that this charming little seaside town has to offer.
The Water Tower, our home away from home for the week; photo by Charlie Brown
Aside from the obvious lure of the Pacific Ocean, which we could see from the upper floors and widow’s walk at the tower, Mendocino abounds in artistic inspiration.
Part of the 360-degree view from the widow’s walk atop the Water Tower
The community is a magnet for artists of all media. Color; shape; texture; light; endless, everchanging vistas of land and sea–even the work of fellow artists–they’re all here. A quilter couldn’t ask for more.
Some of the inspiration is strictly natural. Known locally as “naked ladies,” these colorful pink blooms appear in abundance, as if by magic, in late summer.
Some of the inspiration is manmade, but no less stimulating. For example, the village was established in the 1850s, and its wealth of Victorian and saltbox architecture makes a terrific source for original quilting motifs. (For you trivia buffs: Mendocino was the stand-in for Cabot Cove, ME, in the long-running TV series, Murder, She Wrote.)
Don’t you just love the woodwork surrounding the windows?
One of the most colorful buildings in the village is the Temple of Kwan Tai. This Taoist temple, restored and re-dedicated in 2001, is a living reminder of Mendocino’s 19th-century Chinese community. It has been designated a California Registered Historic Landmark.
Mendocino boasts an extremely vibrant art center, with galleries, artists in residence for various media, a gallery shop, and a busy roster of classes, including those focused on fiber arts. Not all of the art is indoors, however!
This delightful mosaic piece adorns the gardens outside the Mendocino Art Center.
A fanciful seahorse sculpture, constructed of driftwood
Nor is the inpiration confined to the usual venues. If you keep your eyes open, you can spot art in the most unexpected places.
Unexpected art along the headlands
Unusual garden art
Not your typical weathervane!
Creative bench for weary wanderers
Even local businesses display an artistic sensibility 😉
I couldn’t leave you without sharing one fantastic, sea-inspired quilt. I spotted this one last fall at Quilt Market in Houston. It was made by Albuquerque (NM) quilt artist, Patricia Gould, and was inspired by a photograph she took on the northern California coast. (Note: This quilt is available for purchase. It is currently on exhibit at the Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange, TX, as part of the invitational show, America the Beautiful.)
Dancing Waves, © 2011 Patricia Gould, 31 x 49 inches. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Before I sign off, I’m pleased to announce that vivoaks and hardenbrookgirl are the winners of the giveaway from my Tuesday post. Each will receive an autographed copy of Scrap Quilting with Alex Anderson, hot off the press.
That’s it for now. ‘Til next time, happy stitching!
PS: I almost forgot! This weekend (Saturday and Sunday, September 28 – 29) marks the popular annual outdoor quilt event, Quilting in the Garden, at Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, CA. This year’s featured artists are Sandy Klop (of American Jane fame) and quilt sculptor, Susan Else. If you’re anywhere nearby, you won’t want to miss it!
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