Presidents' Day weekend I traveled to Southern California to visit family. . . then I remembered I had an Arizona-related blog post to write, and I wasn’t in the state.
So instead of Arizona culture, we’re easing through the week with one of my favorite places for art in California: The Huntington Library.
The Huntington Library is, according to it’s website, “one of the world’s great cultural, research, and educational centers,” and (if you have a car, and the patience) only a short five hour and 30 minute drive! However, my favorite part, and often the only part I visit, is the 120-acre array of botanical gardens.
I visit these gardens for inspiration, as I’m sure many Californian artists do as well. The colors and variety are what make this place so amazing, and as an artist who works mostly in black and whites, I am always amazed at how beautiful the colors look together.
Here are some highlights of the trip:
The Conservatory, where there are interactive displays, but more importantly where there are a lot of pretty flowers.
A tiny purple flower. I like how delicate it looks. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
The Conservatory entrance. And yeah, it was a beautiful day. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
A falcon/hawk/eagle-like creature perched on a lamppost outside The Conservatory. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
The Statue Garden was lined with sculptures of various mythological creatures.
A limestone statue on the outskirts of the garden. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
The Sculpture Garden, complete with curious observers. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
The Chinese Garden included a pagoda, many a cherry blossom and koi fish!
Very vibrant Koi fish in a less than vibrant pond. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
Pretty pagoda. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
The Japanese Gardens, or the Zen and Bonsai courts.
The bigger the Garden, the bigger the Zen . . . right? Photo by Alexandria Conrad
Expertly maintained bonsai trees in the Bonsai Court. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
The Desert Garden was by far my favorite. The succulents are beautiful, and I was very much drawn to all of the gardens. (Probably because it reminded me so much of Arizona…*readers collectively aww*)
Look at those colors! They complement one another so well. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
Again, the green and orange against the purple of the rocks . . . wow. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
They look fuzzy. They’re not fuzzy. They’re spikey. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
And lastly, some gratuitous zoom-shots of pretty flowers. You’re welcome.
Camellia in the, you guessed it, Camellia Garden. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
My favorite flower from the Desert Garden. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
A succulent wearing a red hat. Just kidding, it’s a flower. Succulents don’t wear hats. Photo by Alexandria Conrad
If you’d like to contact me with comments, concerns or suggestions, you can email me at anconrad13@gmail.com or tweet me at @alliectersely
