I love LA – Page 14 – No Idle hands here

The old Zoo, Griffith Park

Los Angeles has the one of the largest urban parks in the country – Griffith park. In 1912 a zoo was built there, by 1965 it was felt that the zoo was too small and inhumane to the animals. So a new zoo was built, also in the park.

Today the old zoo is a picnic area.Some of the old enclosures are now open and even have picnic tables in them. Btw, it looks like these people are doing some kind of photography shoot, very common in LA. I have no idea if this is an advertisement or part of a movie or simply a home video.Those people up there? They didn’t climb up, they entered from the back and actually came down some pretty steep steps.The back road goes behind the enclosures. You can see from the angle of the bars how steep the stairs are. These days graffiti covers everything. Some people call it art, others call it vandalism. I’m more towards the vandalism side, but I have to admit it is bright and colorful.Many others shared the path with us, in this case – skateboarders.As we continued our hike, we could hear a lot of music. Both from the merry-go-round and from private birthday parties. Bringing in a bouncie is an integral part of any birthday in the park.It’s spring, a lot of plants are blooming.The rains we’ve had this winter have turned the hillsides a luscious green, it will soon fade to golden brown, so we relish it while we can.On the other hand, erosion turns the bare hillsides into fascinating shapes.As we climbed higher the vistas opened up. Looking north east towards the Glendale narrows on the LA River. The municipal golf course (named for presidents Wilson and Harding) is in the foreground with the red tower of the Autry Museum. The 134 freeway spanning the river and the hills of Glendale and Burbank beyond.Further up and we looked south at the sparkling buildings of downtown. The tallest building was recently sold, so the US Bank sign has come down but nothing has replaced it yet. The top floors will soon be a restaurant and a club.Looking east to Atwater village, El Sereno and Montecito heights. This is the greenest part of the LA river with a lot of birds and wildlife. In the summer people now ride canoes through here.A burnt out tree trunk with downtown Glendale in the background.Back to the zoo, these old cages may be small, but they were built to last.The gate was open, it was an easy in and out.I know, this looks like some strange blowfish. It must have fallen from one of the trees. Rather alien looking.

Another glorious Sunday walking around LA.

Leah

Paper craft

Between blogs, podcasts and Instagram I discovered Robert Mahar. I’m always game to try some new craft. Not to mention his studio is in the Springs Art Tower, The wonderful John Parkinson Citizen National Bank Building that now houses the Last Bookstore.

Although the building was built in 1915, I’m wondering if the elevators were updated later since this is so Art Deco. Yes, they have been upgraded further, but luckily left these wonderful details.I had to walk down the hall to the fire escape to capture this wonderful study in geometry. Yes, there could be a quilt here.

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@robert_mahar valentine award workshop, loving the views from the 11th floor

A post shared by Leah Kabaker (@leahkab) on Feb 8, 2015 at 11:19am PST

Robert with the ribbon we are making. Best part was going down to the labyrinth of the bookstore, there were were to choose a $1 book, Of course I came back with three.Look what the wall paper book yielded. Robert had some solid papers that worked very well with my color scheme.Finished ribbonOther class examples, the instructions for the ribbon are on Roberts website, what makes them so unique is using old books. So yes, I will have fun making more of these as well as taking more classes from Robert. I know, Fiber arts are my thing, but it’s always good to expand one’s horizons.

Leah

The Judson studios

I love Los Angeles, really, I mean LOVE! There is so many wonderful things here. My latest foray was to visit a venerable old institution that is still going strong.

The Judson Studios are 118 years old. They have been making stained glass for that long and the company has remained in the hands of the Judson family all this time. The company started in 1897 in downtown Los angeles, but has been at this address since the 1920s. I need to do some more research, apparently Judson installed many of the wonderful skylights in commercial buildings downtown, must see if any are on my tours.This building was originally built as the fine arts design department for USC. When they moved that department in the 20’s to the central campus, The Judson family bought the building and moved their operations here.Tile work done by the students after a fire in 1910 when most of the building was destroyed and then rebuilt.

We were given a tour by the present owner Karen Judson, it was great when asked who owns the building – she simply said – me. I did ask about photography inside, and after a moment she requested that we not photograph inside. They are working on some very important commissions for private companies and non disclosure is in the contract.

It is amazing how hands on this work is. Yes, in the design stage the computer is now a very important tool but once working with glass and lead, it’s all hands on. The studio is not in logical order since they are making the building work for them. I always love glass, I can watch glass blowing for hours, I could have watched the cutting, setting and cleaning as well. The methods really haven’t changed much.I did walk around the back of the building to snap some more pictures.From the inside I had seen these chips of class. Nice to see them from the outside. The bowing of the glass is due to the fact that lead will do that, which is why every 100 years Stained glass needs to be repaired.

A few minutes earlier I had seen this man cutting the lead and fitting it onto the glass.He was so quick and deft with the measuring, cutting and fitting into place.Most stained glass is best view from the inside with the light streaming through. I’m sure these are no exception, but we weren’t invited up to the second story. Judson installed the stained glass in the new Fire Station near my house in Studio City. It actually looks better from the street. One time while passing by I asked if I could peek up the stairwell to see it from inside. The fireman had no idea what I was talking about, he’d never noticed the glass.After the tour I walked around the neighborhood. Garvanza is old, here is a wonderful Victorian. Then, it was down these stairs to Marmion Way. Yes, I cropped the picture so it looks like this could be out in the country somewhere.But no, I was on a bridge over the 110 freeway, looking north at the snow capped San Gabriel mountains.None of the pain the east coast has suffered, just the vista of a beautiful snow capped mountain.

Leah

Look Up!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of giving the Art Deco tour to FIDM students. Yes I told them I was an alum from many years ago – when they were babies or not even born. Downtown midweek has a very different vibe than on weekends. Though I’m happy to say, it’s not empty or deserted on weekends anymore.

One piece of advice I always give is: LOOK! Look up, look around, observe.

After I left them I was doing just that and stopped dead in my tracks (much to the chagrin of others on the sidewalk around me.)The clouds and sunlight created a small rainbow.Sorry, the pictures are grainy – it’s never easy capturing a rainbow, even less so when it’s just the phone camera.In Judaism when one see a rainbow one is required to say a specific blessing, זוכר הברית, Remember the covenant. When Noah and family land on dry land again, they witness a rainbow which is God’s promise to never destroy the earth. He didn’t promise that we wouldn’t have hardships and awful times – but there will be no total destruction. So every time I see any kind of rainbow, even a small one like this – I smile, a sign of hope.

Leah

Beauty in the mundane

I have enjoyed the book Secret Stairways of Los Angeles, as well as joining in on some of the Sunday walks with the author Charles Fleming. He is writing a new book about walks and hikes in and around the city. So he sent out an email asking for testers. I think he got at least 500 responses. I was one of the lucky ones. He sent me the instructions for Fryman Canyon. I was to follow his directions and report back it there were any major changes or if something wasn’t clear.

I am very familiar with this walk, so I decided that this time I’d take pictures of unusual things, rather than the broad vistas.Someone stenciled this on the street, I have no idea what it means – if it’s trying to tell people to walk on the sidewalk – there isn’t one. Maybe it is trying to get the walkers to move to the side of the road.This beautiful wall and gate don’t appear to lead to anything. Maybe there once was a house behind the gate. Maybe this is the back way into a very large estate. Of which there are a few along here.Love the hair, also, having fun with PicMonkey.An inverted toadstool.A good winter in LA, when there is snow on the San Gabriel mountains.Dew on green green grass. Another sign of a good winter.This could be in Ireland, not Studio City.Black and white brings out the real beauty in this tree stump.Just some artwork. Did the child of this family make this? Was it something the owner just didn’t want to throw away?

I will have some more of my creative posts soon. As yet most of my projects are still secret.

Leah

January flowers

Spring in Southern California starts in January. Sure we are still hoping for some rain and cold, but maybe because of the lengthening days – the flowers start blooming.I think this is a gazania.This is when the irises come up. If I’m lucky I’ll get a second blooming, but that rarely happens.I don’t know this ones’ name. But without fail, it’s the first to bloom on January first.Cyclamens are native to the Middle East. As wild flowers they are small and purple, but of course they have been hybridized into many colors and large sizes. These too are winter bloomers.I had cut back my climbing rose and it rewarded me with early flowers. Which reminds me, I really need to prune the rest of the rose bushes.

Leah

Farmers Market and LACMA

Sometimes having out of town guests is a reason to take my camera to places that I frequent every week.

I’m usually at the Farmers Market on Thursday evenings, knitting and chatting and not taking any pictures – unless they are of knitted items.So it was fun to show off my local hangouts, to some out of town visitors. As well as having Yoch and the other Leah along. Of course the first thing anyone would do is put on goofy hats.No we didn’t get any donuts, but this is a favorite on knit night.These rather uncomfortable looking shopping carts have been a staple at the market for over 75 years.

This time I tried to capture color and texture.

Old fashioned candy.And big massive super sized ones.I’m seeing a color theme with the green and teal.We wondered over to the Grove, and the colors were also found there.

Then it was on to LACMA, I’m usually there on Wednesdays for lectures or docent activity when the museum is closed.Nothing more iconic than hiding among the street lights.Or wandering through the yellow spaghetti.And even noticing how different art works can be very very similar.

Leah

Sunset

Clouds in LA are rare and they create amazing sunsets.I looked out and it looked like the house across the street was on fire, It wasn’t, it was the reflection of the sunset, so I grabbed my camera and ran outside.I didn’t retouch the photos at all, but I did use the ‘sunset’ setting on the camera.I wasn’t the only one, many of my friends were posting pictures like this from all over the Los Angeles area. On the shortest day of the year – it ended in an explosion of light and color.

Leah

Samurai, Japanese Armor

If there is something LACMA does very well it’s exhibitions with Japanese themes. Without reservation, I’d say they do it the best in city. Even The Japanese American Museum can’t hold a candle. So I was very excited to go see Samurai, Japanese Armor. Run, don’t walk, just get to this exhibit!At the entrance I was greeted by Samurai on their horses. Their armor is designed for warriors shooting arrows from the backs of galloping horses. Btw, if you notice the red color, that is all done with lights, but it does suffuse the whole room.I took many photos, but of course, they didn’t come out all that well, anyway, I’m just giving you a taste – my photos are just meant to whet your appetite. Most of the armor on display was made both for protection on the battle field and as Dress uniforms for display.

Of course, whatever example we see in this exhibit probably never made it to battle. Although there are examples of breast plates with dents, the thought is that was simply a way of testing out the armor.The armor is made of thousands of small iron plates sewn together with silk thread. What looks delicate and insubstantial is actually very effectual.The face is often covered with a half mask of iron.The helmets are sight to see, once again, I’ve just captured a few.The fine filigree work would look better on a crown, but then for many of these Samurai this was their crown.

For those of you in Dallas, the exhibition originated at The Ann & Gabriel Barbier Mueller Museum, I would wait until after February 2015 to visit. More than a third of collection is at LACMA right now.

but also – as parade wear. Something this this brightly colored example is more for show.

Leah

Yarn bombing Grand Central Market.

Yarn bombing has gone completely legitimate. What started as some knitters running out in the middle of the night and putting ‘sweaters’ on lamp posts has know gotten the imprimatur of the authorities.

Grand Central market in DTLA has become the hot spot for fancy expensive food, so of course it’s needs a little colorful sprucing up as well. Btw, I’m not a naysayer of the improvements, I’ve enjoyed, Wexler’s Deli, McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream, Valerie. Haven’t stood in line for Eggslut, but have bought fruits, veggies, spices and household goods from the old time vendors.

Yarnbombing Los Angeles, has gone from guerrilla bombing to working hand in hand with the authorities to create yarn centered art. In this case, celebrating downtown with both knitting and crochet.We are in the Laughlin Annex up on Hill St. They do need more seating arrangements, because it’s getting very busy. On the yellow background they have created symbols of downtown, here we have the Metro line.The new Oyster Bar, The fashion and flower districts are represented.The Jewelry district and an overhead view of Disney Hall.City Hall and the toy district.Yarn and crochet side by side.

If you have a chance, go to one of the hippest places in LA, grab some great food and enjoy some yarn art.

Leah