Last Monday, I chaperoned the photography students to Filoli. I only briefly walked through the mansion and photographed their homage to Women's History month.
As much as I looking at all the turn-of-the-century appliances and cooking equipment of the period kitchen of the mansion, I checked in on the students and then moved my exploring outdoors.
Beyond the kiosks, where they were selling wine and charcuterie boards, you can unlatch the gate and further explore the estate. Instead of walking the asphalt path that circled around the meadow, I trod on dirt to the giant bay laurel tree past the hay growing field and compost heaps.I was more interested in seeing how far I could range outside from the main grounds.
I appreciate that the museum includes a little geologic history that tells about the San Andreas fault.
Instead of photographing mostly manicured gardens, I aimed my camera lens on forest flowers and foliage like the periwinkle and the Indian Warrior below.
The museum grounds also cede a bit of land acknowledgement and indigenous history.
More interesting California history is the search for water.
And here's the creek that I ambled alongside.
I hiked further up and encountered live oaks.And then the air started to feel cooler and moist.
I love that there is redwood forest in my backyard a short drive away.
But it was time to go eat lunch with the high schoolers, and I headed back to the mansion to get a glimpse of the tulip gardens.
Why yes I do love monochromatic palettes.
And I could tell that we're nearing the end of tulip season.
And of course, I had to duck into the gift shop for ceramic inspiration. I liked the color palette of these multiple vases on a base. But for individual stems, I think I prefer white ceramic.
And when I looked more closely at these mini vases. The flowers are adhered with epoxy, which I dislike.
I did like this luster dish.
I've plans over the spring break to transcribe all the ideas in my ceramic journal to one that is more securely bound.
Why yes I do love monochromatic palettes.
And I could tell that we're nearing the end of tulip season.
And of course, I had to duck into the gift shop for ceramic inspiration. I liked the color palette of these multiple vases on a base. But for individual stems, I think I prefer white ceramic.
And when I looked more closely at these mini vases. The flowers are adhered with epoxy, which I dislike.
I did like this luster dish.
And these vases weren't even ceramic, but felt like some kind of resin.
And so there were no ceramic forms I wanted to re-make as my own. I arrived home at Patrick's own tulip and spring bulb arrangement.I've plans over the spring break to transcribe all the ideas in my ceramic journal to one that is more securely bound.