One Lonely Leaf

Although some trees have really begun to change, there still are a fair percentage whose leaves are green or yellow-green. While walking in Tenney Park, I spotted this maple tree which had a highly contrasting red leaf dangling from a vertical branch. Perhaps it had more courage or was in no mood to procrastinate.

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Early Morning Rays on the Yahara

The shorter amount of daylight has really become apparent these last few weeks, making it harder to get up in the morning. I waited a bit longer so it was lighter before I went out for a walk. I headed down to where the Yahara River is a tributary into Lake Monona to see how the autumn trees were looking. Still at 7:40 AM, the sun was still rather low in the sky, its golden reflection bouncing off the water. 

The trees weren't all that far yet, so I sought a different subject. Some warm-hued leaves were backlit just above the dewy grass.

The combination of cool shadows and warm sunlight peeking beneath the arched trees was quite pleasing. Perhaps with the nippy evenings these past few days, the rate of coloration will increase, prompting a re-visit in a week or so.

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Tenney Park Bridges, Autumn

The other evening I went for a walk to nearby Tenney Park. The early autumn lighting was quite nice, complemented by the very still conditions.

Here I focused on a few of the bridges in the park, combined with some the some changing leaves.

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Lanterns of China and Seoul

When walking through the Chinese Lights display at the Boerner Gardens, I couldn't help but compare them to the Lanterns I had seen in South Korea. I went through some of my MANY photos of the lantern festivals I had seen in South Korea, and paired them up here with ones similar at Boerner Botanical Gardens.

Chinese Dragon, Boerner

Korean Dragon, Seoul

Fish, Boerner

Fish, Seoul

Pandas, Boerner

Pandas, Seoul

Flute Player in Lotus Flower, Boerner

Amongst the Lotuses, Seoul

Which do you like better - the Chinese sculptures at Boerner, or the Korean ones in Seoul?

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Chinese-themed Lanterns at Boerner Botanical Gardens

Although all of the 1,000 silk lanterns at Boerner Botanical Gardens were created by Chinese artists from Sichuan Tianyu, there definitely were some displays that felt more Chinese in theme. 

The warm hues of the Chinese Palace lanterns contrasted beautifully against the sapphire night sky.

The fan was one of my favorites, portraying elegant peacocks, flowers, and butterflies.

Detail of the fan

The Chinese zodiac lanterns were a crowd favorite. People posed in front of the zodiac animal from their birth year. I even had my photo taken in front of mine.

The display also had several Chinese figures, such as the operatic performers below.

A bit of China in Wisconsin!

The China Lights display can be seen at the Boerner Botanical Gardens through the end of October. 

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China Lights in Wisconsin

When living in Seoul, South Korea, I eagerly looked forward to the Lantern festivals which took place at the Cheonggycheon stream as well as the parade of the Lotus Lantern Festival. I loved seeing how illuminated sculptures formed from wire frames and hanji paper could display such elegant beauty. 

Upon hearing that the Boerner Botanical Gardens was having a China Lights Festival, I knew I must attend. Despite the rain, my friends and I traveled from Madison to Hales Corners (near Milwaukee); by the time we arrived, the rain had just stopped. In compensation for the cancellation of some opening events and muddy pathways, we were allowed to hold onto our tickets and return another time. Being hardy paid off! 

When we began to walk through the gardens, it was still rather light outside. It enabled us to see the natural flowers and landscaping, but the colors of the silk-covered displays were not as dynamic.

Soon, the night darkness arrived, enabling the China lights to shine forth in glory. 

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Washington's Ribs

Madison, Wisconsin has many places set up for those who like to bike or go for walks. In fact, views are afforded to such alternative travelers that are not able to be seen by those in cars. Such is the case with Washington Bridge. A walking/bike path follows the Yahara River and goes directly under the bridge and avoiding any interaction with the busy vehicle traffic above. 

For those individuals willing to take a few moments while traversing under the bridge, they are afforded a great interplay of line and value. I love how the "ribs" of the bridge reflect in the rather calm water.

Change your vantage point, move farther away from the light, or tilt your camera, and you've got a variety of abstract compositions. 

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Pointillist Night Walk

While walking through the night exhibit at Olbrich Gardens, one of my favorite parts was this pathway. The white birch trunks were a wonderful canvas for the cool lights, which also cast their glow onward. The archway of branches leaning towards each other contrasted with the night void.

The round-ish leaves appeared stippled, creating a pointillist scene of alternating cool hues. Coupled with the echoes of monkeys from the nearby fire monkey lantern sculptures, a subtle, but exciting mood was established.

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Fire Monkeys, Olbrich Gardens

One of the most popular artist installations within the GLEAM exhibition at the Olbrich Gardens, "The Fire Monkeys" is the creation by local artists Laurie Rossbach & Jennika Bastian. According to the Chinese (and Korean) zodiac, it is the year of the Monkey. 

The installation hearkened me back to the beautiful lanterns I saw while in Korea, in the Lotus Lantern Parade, at the Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, and at Seoul's annual fall Lantern exhibit.  The Fire Monkeys were also created out of paper (in Korea it was called hanji paper), wire, and paint. 

While walking around the gardens at night, I heard the yelping monkey sounds well before I arrived at the willow tree. Each of the monkey sculptures glowed as if on fire, which is one of the four purified elements within Buddhism.

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Olbrich Gardens GLEAM Installation

Last night I took advantage of the pleasant evening to attend the photographer's session for the GLEAM exhibit. This exhibition features illuminated installations in Madison's excellent Olbrich Gardens. The exhibit is a collaboration between local artists and regional lighting designers.

Some of the installations incorporated existing structures such as this one at the Rose Garden Pool, entitled "Yahara Waters: Yahara Clouds." 

Entitled "Ignis Fatuus," this sculpture incorporates glowing orbs, some of which were embellished with crocheted patterns made from recycled plastic shopping bags.

A star casts its illuminated colors on a small pond.

The sculpture "Portal" by the Sunken Gardens echos the sapphire blue twilight sky.

This was my venture into doing some night photography using manual exposure.

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Gujarat Farmer with Young Water Buffalo - sketch

Sketch for watercolor painting of a Gujarat farmer with his young water buffalo.

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Elephant Ears and Gold Foil

It's comforting to know that when I have a need to feel transported back to Asia, I can go for a walk from my Madison condo and visit the Thai pavilion at Olbrich Gardens. Between the ornate details such as the pavilion's gold foil columns and the broad elephant ear leaves nearby, I get a temporary whiff of Thailand. 

Hard to believe this is Madison, eh? I'll be returning once the autumn leaves start to appear, and again when it is snowing. Now THAT will be a scene unique to tundraland...

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After the Rain

In Wisconsin, we've been getting quite a bit of rain these past few weeks. Although the Madison area did not have the flooding that occurred last week in other areas of the state, it still affected things. With the skies temporarily absent of precipitation, I decided to walk over to the nearby Olbrich Gardens. I loved the way the night's weather transformed the petals, leaves, and spiderwebs.

The petals here reminded me of the scales on a dragon's wing.

Raindrops beaded up along the veins of the elephant ear plant.

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Pastel Artwork by Melissa Enderle - Meditation: Ramayana Dancer

My newest artwork

A pastel painting of a Ramayana Ballet dancer in Prambanan, Indonesia
44x46 cm

See more of my artwork on my website or on Flickr

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Burnay Pots and the 50 m long kiln

The town of Vigan is well known for its burnay pottery, which is characterized by its dense, watertight and unglazed earthenware. Burnay pottery was established by Chinese immigrants who made the typically small-mouth jars to store food and water and ferment food such as brown sugar, sugarcane vinegar, sugarcane wine, and fish sauce. Even prior to the Spanish colonial period, there were many burnay pottery workshops in the region; now there are only a few, mostly located within Vigan. We visited the pottery place known as Vigan Burnayan. right off of the main Calle Crisologo street. 

The clay is gathered locally and is combined with fine sand and then is kneaded by two water buffalo trampling over it. After that, impure particles are picked through and removed. The pieces are formed on a large kick wheel; some pieces are so large that two people are needed to form them. Due to the materials, process, and thickness, the pieces are typically very sturdy and quite heavy. Dried pieces are placed inside the large kiln, known as a dragon. Kindling wood is used to generate heat in this 50 meter long brick kiln. Gradually these massive brick kilns are being replaced by electric kilns. Imagine how long it must take to load such a kiln! The process and structure of the kiln reminded me a lot of the one I saw in Icheon, South Korea.

While burnay pots are still being used for domestic use, the pottery places also depend on purchase of smaller souvenir pieces.

Read more about the Burnay pots of Vigan on this website.

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Mary Delivers

As ubiquitous as McDonald's is, I love how it adapts to the unique features of the host country. In South Korea, McDelivery mopeds were happy to bring Bulgogi burgers to your door.

In Bangalore, India, after one walked past the flower-covered bronze oil lamp, one could enjoy a veggie Maharaja burger.

In Vigan, Philippines, the Virgin Mary got in the act, delivering its crispy chicken fillet with rice in colorful tricycles.

Ronald in Chiang Mai wishes you a pleasant day. Sawatdee krup!

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