Friday, July 31, 2015

Flowers, Love and Social Convention

Hello My Dears,
 
The tropical weather has subsided, and we are in paradise, again.

Over the weekend, Spanish Village Art Center celebrated the yearly 'Art in Bloom".
 
Artists paint their interpretations of the fresh floral arrangements in the courtyard, where visitors watch, enjoy, and talk to the artists.....Humans seem to be the only creatures on earth who imitate and express themselves through art.

Gifts from Mother Nature are plentiful.

Flowers give us colors, shapes, and fragrances.  Our eyes dilate with the pleasure of their beauty, and we savor their aromatic bouquet.
 



And, with further consideration, we see the lessons of aging....first the seed, then the young bud, then to its petals blossoming beauty, then the petals fall, and only the seeds remain to start the process over again. ..just like humans and dogs, if you think about it.
 
 
Mother Nature's plan of Life, and, ironically Death. 
It applies to all her living creatures, even human and dogs....if we are lucky.
Artists, throughout time, have tried to capture its entirety.
 

Over here, Brandon, my poodle buddy, Matilda, the canyon coyote, and I, lazily share a freshly dug hole, listening to Franklin, the village rat, and, Emily, the village squirrel, (who are a 'thing'), making bizarre conversations.  Apparently, Franklin, the rat, claims to have a great-great-great grandfather who was a quarter squirrel. Even more, Emily the village squirrel, claims her great-great-great-great grandmother was pure rat.  Brandon, Matilda and I, listen to the two jabber, look at each other, roll our eyes, and bust out laughing (Matilda howls).

 
 
Love is one thing, whereas, being  'in-love' surpasses everything.....paving new roads for social convention.  For me, I love my buddies and Spanish Village.  
 
You can visit Spanish Village and all its beauty, 7 days a week, from 11-4 PM weekdays, 11-5 PM weekends, free for all, pet and family friendly. We offer summer classes for kids and adults, and have usually live music.  Our artists love to create, sell, and discuss their artwork.     

We are ready to welcome you!
 
This year is Balboa Park's Centennial Celebration, too!
There is even more to see  throughout the park, because of the celebrations!
 
I think of all of you often, and hope to see you at the Village!

Love to all of you, 
 
Bella the Blogging Dog 
Woof!  Woof!
I love pizza and meatballs!

Saturday, July 11, 2015

CATS, DOGS, ANACONDAS, ETC.

Hello My Dears!
Artist - Padget Mason
It is beautiful here in paradise, the sun is out, it's warm, and there is folly Downtown with the celebrations of Comic-Con.....and the ongoing celebration of Balboa Park's Centennial throughout the park.

We just closed the yearly, juried, Catnip Show, in Gallery 21....a salute to felines of all kinds.....Brandon, my poodle buddy, and I, might feel slighted, but we look forward to December's yearly, juried, Dog Show....both shows donate some proceeds to benefit dog and cat foundations...It all balances itself out.  Honor, feed, love, play, and paint our likenesses.....we love it.....and, you will never find better friends than us.

Which, as I lay under this shady tree, makes me wonder why humans refer to us canines, of the 4-legged persuasion, in an offensive, unattractive, disrespectful (or worse), as 'dogs' when it comes to the perceived shortcomings of humans...(I heard someone refer to another someone as a 'dog' in an offensive way)....references to humans as  'dogs' as something that has no morals.  Morals are a human concept.  We, the real dogs of the world, have instinct....and, in many instances, more smarts and humanity than humans.....please don't use the work dog in offensive terms.

However, for us dogs, it is instinctual to not like cats....as cats don't like mice....etc.  
Here, in Spanish Village, we have cats, dogs, anacondas, giraffes, rodents, insects, etc.....a lot to like and try to like.  We all try to be copacetic, follow political correctness, and play nice....and then there are the artists.....they are like herding cats....(no offense to Erika, the rag doll, village cat, who is a buddy of mine)...she even agrees.

Here in Spanish Village, the creative pot is bubbling with diversified cultures, quirky personalities, and even bougeois values, and more,  that make great art.....who all enjoy the process of creating, talking about their creations, teaching their creations, and welcoming  you 7 days a week. 

It takes a good amount of heart and soul to make our community interesting and fun.

Come check us out!  We are open 7 days a week, 11-4pm weekdays, and 11-5 weekends....
and, we are free to enjoy, pet and family friendly....and always, happy to see you.

Come say 'hi' to me and my poodle buddy, Brandon....we like pats on the head, belly rubs, compliments, and really, really, appreciate pizza and meatballs.

In a couple weeks, we will celebrate 'Art N Bloom',  artwork with a flowery influence.  Stay tuned for more information!

                                                        
Love, Bow-Wow's, Woof-Woofs from, 
Bella the Blogging Dog at Spanish Village