Today we went to the 'To Be True Blue Show' again, to finish what we started yesterday. I've bought some fine, fine things on this trip and I'm not quite through yet. Tomorrow, I think we will hit the 'Gem Mall' show. When I get home, I'll post pictures of everything that I've bought. After our shopping we went to the San Xavier del Bac mission on the Tohono O'odham settlement 9 miles south of Tucson. The mission was established in 1700 and the current building was built from 1783-97. The mission is know as the 'white dove of the desert' and it's easy to see why, isn't it? It's so beautiful against that ever-present blue Arizona sky. When I was last here, the restoration of the inside was not yet finished. I have to say, I was stunned when we went inside. The colors of the paintings which were muted, but lovely before, now just jump off of the walls. I never even noticed some of the paintings that are there before as they were covered with centuries of candle soot and dirt. Really amazing. It makes me so grateful for the craftspeople who do that sort of restoration. It's such difficult and painstaking work, but it must be so rewarding to save such a place from the ravages of time. It's a really inspiring place for an artist to visit, practically every available surface is decorated. Just the way we like it.
Isn't this cool?
This one's for you, Gail!
Color, color, and more color!
This statue has the prettiest face, which you couldn't see before the restoration.
Even the windows are beautiful.
I want this for my house. I'm going to need a bigger house!
I'm eyeing this as inspiration for a piece made of bronze.
Inspiration is everywhere here.
Every house needs a kitty.
3 comments:
FANTASTIC pictures, I love cathedral art! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to see what you have been buying!
Just fantastic!! Great photos, Cris!
I want the door and door handle. Before I even saw your captions, I was thinking...I want that :))
Post a Comment