Last night was the annual Fall Gallery Night in Fort Worth with my mom and Cindy. This is where all the galleries open up late into the evening serving food and wine. The last several years proved to be upsetting to me in a way. A grassroots effort to get people out to buy art seemed to over the years turn into a sponsored expensive Fine Arts showing. However this year there was an amazing turn-around. It was pouring rain so I couldn't bring my camera but the art was sharp, edgy, and interesting. Perhaps the downturn in the economy forced naturally artistic individuals perhaps laid off or hours cut to experiment with their arts.
My favorite of the night was Angel Cabrales exhibit at Gallery 414. Reminded me of a Charlie Kaufman script but with much more humor. Halfway through browsing the gallery a large group of costumed individuals showed up and filled the place. How bizarre! Yet... how very inspiring. Youth has come back to Fort Worth.
Second favorite was that of Art on the Boulevard which every year my mom or I have bought pieces as it is up and coming young artists. I bought a very psychedelic piece by a young artist about my age and my mom got another piece by "Darla", an artist she has purchased from for the past several years. They have consistently held a great Gallery Night. Darla was a darling, need I say more.
The best party of the night was at Art Space 111 with works from Daniel Blagg which were giant paintings of old vintage signs / businesses decaying among rural settings. I absolutely adored it as I love photographing the same subject. The food was wonderful as well (water chessnut, garlic, wasabi sauce and pita chips? Yum!) and there was live music. The best part of this place is it's location. It is in a very secluded location to the east of downtown Fort Worth in an industrial building that overlooks a gigantic factory. An ideal place I'd live if I had the money!
The best food of the night I'll have to say was that of the Artful Hand. Among their awesome spicy pecans and crazy brie wheels, the 'sushi desert' was beautiful (which I learned later consisted of fruit roll ups wrapping a slice of twinkie sprinkled with dry fruit on top). Of course not to be outdone was the Shear Steel Salon next door which catered Mexican food (tacos, guacamole, chips) along with fruits / cheese, biscuits with ham, and of course a 'full service bar' at the back and a live band in the front. Lovely stilettoed ladies with amazing hair and makeup made sure everyone felt at home. Owner Justin Bates cut my hair a few months back and he is quite the brain for promotions and style. As always I love seeing younger people stepping up in this city and entrepreneuring in new and creative ways.
Here are the things I went away with this evening:
Photo One: Collage and Drawing by Ms Melissa Carson / Photo Two: Chicken coin-purse I bought at Artful Hand. I hope to acquire the full-sized purse soon...
Well alas it is raining all day and perhaps all night again. I am stuck inside and that's ok. I decided it was a perfect time to make a Mint Julep. I will end this blog with my recipe and suggested use.
Mint Julep Recipe
2 cups of water
2 cups of sugar
1.5 cups of mint leaves (remove sprigs)
- Start heating the water and add the sugar until boiling
- then Break up the large mint leaves over the boiling water, add smaller leaves whole
- Wait until mixture reduces into half and has a golden tint, turn off heat and let settle
- Strain mixture to remove leaves into container
- Refrigerate until cool
Making the drink - pour about two tablespoons of syrup over a glass full of crushed ice. Add some mint leaves and mash with ice. Top it off with bourbon whiskey. Sit in a nice dry warm space and sip on this baby, listening to some Stan Getz and become nostalgic.It has been raining cats and dogs for the last several days. It's as if the couple of days in the sun of the Caribbean had to be balanced. I will post about my somewhat interesting experiences aboard the 'fun ship' soon but until then I'm trying to rest up before my trip to San Francisco. Did I really book a trip less than five days after coming back from another one? Might as well not even unpack right?
Bottom's up baby...
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