Brooklyn Botanic Garden - June 2014

The other day it was so pretty out 

that I decided to cancel my plans

and head out to Brooklyn and see what was blooming. 

Since it is June one would expect the roses to be the stars of the show

and they did not disappoint.  

But I was also pleasantly surprised to see daisies,

poppies,

 clematis

and even some early water lilies.  

And, I made a quick trip inside to see what the orchids were up to as well.

It was a great day.
Enjoy!

PJ

(c) 2014 PJ Lehrer

Park Avenue Paper Chase: Part 2

I got so many beautiful shots of Alice Aycock's installation

that I had to post a second set of pictures right away. 

The swirling shapes of the sculptures are the perfect contrast

to the straight vertical lines of the tall buildings that surround them. 

Practically every photo is a winner. 

And, I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite -- photo or sculpture.

But it's interesting to note that this sculpture -- called "Maelstrom" is 70 feet long

and is the largest art piece featured on the avenue since displays began in 1969. 

See it while you can! 

The exhibit ends July 20th.

Here's a link to the Architectural Digest article about the exhibit.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/blogs/daily/2014/03/alice-aycock-park-avenue-paper-chase

Cheers

PJ

(c) 2014 PJ Lehrer

Park Avenue Paper Chase

Hats off to Alice Aycock creator of the latest sculpture series on Park Avenue. 

Her seven sculptures, made from aluminum and fiberglass,

 line the avenue from 52nd Street to 66th Street. 

And they will remain there through July 20th,

so you still have plenty of time to check them out. 

While I have enjoyed all the sculptures displayed over the years,

these are my favorites. 

Ms. Aycock says they were inspired by the thought of a brisk wind moving up the avenue and blowing paper around. 

How appropriate. 

Although the real thing seldom looks so pretty.

Here's a link to the New York Times article about the exhibit.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/12/arts/design/alice-aycocks-latest-installation-is-unveiled.html?_r=0

Cheers

PJ

(c) 2014 PJ Lehrer

Wisteria

Wisteria is a New York City favorite. 

Beautiful examples are to be found in the local gardens.  (Mine at the Amherst)

And, these extra long ones  

are from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens,

as are these exotic yellow ones. 

 This lovely flower is from Central Park,

which also houses this trellis. 

But wisteria is a local favorite

because you can also find it in front yards

and roof gardens -- in this case, The Amherst's again.

Ciao

PJ

(c) 2014 PJ Lehrer

Embroidery: Wisteria

This piece from the Flower Power collection

 includes both a background photo from Central Park's arbor,

and a close-up taken a year later which provided the inspiration for the watercolor/embroidery.

Ciao

PJ

(c) 2014 PJ Lehrer