Constance Hobbs Art & Photography: December 2009

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

A very Merry Christmas and the happiest of Holidays to all. I wish all my family, friends and readers of my blog a joyful holiday season!!!

Joyeux Noel de Geneve

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas Madness

I have always admired people who shop for Christmas all year round. It's such a civilized way to approach the commercial end of the holidays. It allows one to choose gifts with time and thoughtfulness. If you find yourself, as I often do running around at the last minute, it takes away from the joy of being with family and friends without fatigue. My problem is I can't seem to get into the holiday spirit until the weather turns cold and the date draws near. It's similar to people who shop early for the seasonal change of clothes. I never could manage that one either, which is very funny since I was in the fashion business which runs way ahead of everyone else season wise. How do people manage holiday shopping in warm climates? I suppose its what one is used to. I'd probably be a disaster. Well, then again, maybe not!

The image above and the image below were taken at Rockefeller Center with the tree, the flags and the wind whipping everything about. New York is such a wonderful place to be for the holidays. We won't make it there this year. I wish everyone much success with their Christmas Holiday shopping. It's champagne and family in Switzerland for us tonight. Bon appetit!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Tis the Season

The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.

Paul Strand

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Florida Dreaming

Last night we had a lovely evening with friends old and new. It has been snowing here in Geneva for several days now and is quite cold. The lake creates dampness in the air so the cold can be especially piercing. The conversation over dinner found itself gravitating towards warmer climates and to Florida. As many people are flocking away from Florida, due to the financial crisis, there also exits many that find its warm climate, easy going lifestyle and abundant good restaurants hard to beat. So, I offer up these images of Florida from our recent visits to warm every one's hearts while its cold outside. These are for you David!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Swiss Cookie

Yum. Yum. I hope everyone is finding some time for peace and quiet during the insanity and joy of the holiday season.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Water Color on Paper

A friend of mine asked me to put up these water colors. I did them in 2008 in the winter when I was probably thinking of spring. My friend and I were discussing how when you feel stuck in any medium its good to switch gears and play around with something else. I really enjoy doing small works of art on paper or small canvases. It allows me to work on several at one time easily. I have always enjoyed doing things with my hands. I suppose that's why I enjoyed working with clothing. When I was designing clothing I utilized a lot of artistic techniques including applique, patchwork, embroidery, lace, beadwork and transfers. I think the important thing is not to be serious at all when you switch gears. Totally experiment. Use colors you don't like, brushes you've never used before, odd surfaces, you get the idea.

Friday, December 11, 2009

European Pastry

One of the pitfalls, or not, of living in Europe is the constant availability of delicious pastries. Not only pastries but chocolate too! I'm grateful that I am not a chocoholic. That would be a disaster. The variety and quality of both are amazing here. The pastries above are from our little, local, modest pastry shop. I never read the book "Why French Women Don't Get Fat" but I have my own theories about that. Europeans are by and large very slim. One of the major reasons for this is that they do not over consume. They are reasonable about food. They eat fresh food including lots of fruit and vegetables. Snack foods, like chips etc., are very expensive here and consumed rarely. When you go to a restaurant the portions are small compared to American portions. You might call American portions generous, or perhaps grotesque, depending on your point of view. I like to think of them as generous. The important thing to remember is that you don't have to finish everything on your plate no matter where you live.

Geneva is part of French culture. So, living here is almost like living in France. Of course the Swiss won't agree with that, but its largely true. Geneva is surrounded by France. The border is minutes away. So while Americans are having cocktails and munchies the French are having coffee. They do not have a cocktail hour, that is an American invention. They do not drink wine until they eat, which is better for you, and they do not over consume the wine as well. The food here is not as pumped up with pesticides and other chemicals as it is in the States. That is because the food simply does not have to travel the long distances it does in the States. So the Europeans eat lots of pastries "sensibly" and remain slim.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Geneva Switzerland

I thought I would treat everyone to images of Geneva.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Blue Exhibition

My photo above, Meditation #06, was chosen for the exhibition Blue at The Photo Place Gallery in Vermont. The show was curated by Aline Smithson, a very talented photographer in her own right. There is a catalogue of the show that can be purchased for $20.00 from Blurb books at the following link: Click Here to Order from Blurb Books.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

More Snow on the Jura Mountains

We arrived back in Geneva this morning from Florida. We went from beautiful white sand beaches to snow covered mountains. From 80 degrees F. to 32 degrees F. I'm exhausted and totally jet lagged so I'll be brief. This was the view from our flat when we arrived this morning.

Constance Hobbs Art & Photography