Craft and Cats and Point to Point

That's what seems to rule my photo stream these days.

Point to Point Richmond is this Saturday and we have two new pop-up guest artists who will be showing their work (Wei Lah Poh and Tony Esola).

We're also preparing a make-your-own prayer flag activity using hand-dyed samples from my textiles classes stitched to sail cloth, ready for embellishment by participants.

Here's my trusty assistant Marie sewing amid a desk full of CLUTTER.

Thankfully that desk situation is a little more under control this week. When my work environment is clear, my mind can be creative with more ease. The challenge is my process, which involves making a mess, creating different compositions, spreading materials around all over the place. Here's a new series of Mozambique Island shipwreck trade bead necklaces I made recently. I'll be debuting them at the Ali Amaro Gallery for Point to Point.

Maybe one of these guys can help me get a handle on the organizing. After all, they're good with laundry and tablecloths!

Pedra Portugesa

The Portuguese have a unique tradition when it comes to sidewalks and paved outdoor areas. They create elaborate cobblestone mosaics using irregular pieces of stone, usually black and white granite. Everything is done by hand, from cutting the stones to laying them in perfect patterns. It is a fascinating art form. If you are a Portuguese speaker, you can read more here, in English check out this page.

Pedra portuguesa (or calçada portuguesa) isn't limited to Portugal. You can find this tradition all over the lusophone world. Here are some of my favorite examples:

Flower and checkerboard pattern in Lisboa.

Frond pattern in Lisboa. 

Estrelas in Lisboa.

Forgotten waves at Ilha de Moçambique.

Iconic Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. 

Red and white pedra portuguesa we had installed in the courtyard at Casa Rosa. 

Despedida photoshoot at the Casa Rosa, 2011.