Gertrude Stein had a way with words.  When she said "a rose is a rose is a rose", she was speaking the truth, to a certain extent.  Roses are roses but the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes is astonishing as you will see later in this blog.

But I need to begin at the beginning.  On Friday afternoon, my husband, Fred, and I attended the grand re-opening of the Sacramento Mountain Weavers Art Gallery and Weaving Studio in its new Albuquerque location at 2231 Wyoming in Hoffmantown Square. Owners Kenny Nix and Kelly Stewart (each with art in their veins) have filled the gallery with beautiful work, including their own painting and woven pieces from scarves and shawls and rugs, as well table runners, rugs, felted work and pottery made by a number of other talented artists. You can also find them online at their open Facebook page. www.facebook.com/pages/Sacramento-Mountain-Weavers/321501402671.  

The color within the space is eye popping as shown below in this shot of Kenny and Fred.  

Sacramento Mountain Weavers Albuquerque opening 1 May 2015-14

Here is Kelly and more of the fiber pieces as well as sketches hanging at the shop.  

Sac Mtn Weavers opening 4

Fred's rugs

Sac Mtn Weavers opening 6 - Fred's rugs

When you are finished at the gallery, take a brief walk west and follow your nose.  The Albuquerque Rose Garden is a hidden jewel in the city.  It is on the grounds of the Tony Hillerman branch of the Albuquerque Public Library (my sister and I both worked there during our high school years) and includes 1,200 roses of 400 varieties and 30 different classes.  The smell is divine.   Here are a few examples of the roses growing there. The nearly opened bud below is called "Oranges 'n' lemons".   

rose - oranges 'n' lemons

This lovely is "Windrush""

rose - Windrush

"Flutterby" is a most appropriate name for an open-petaled rose with these colors!

rose - flutterby

I assume the rose below was named for glass artist Dale Chihuly since it is simply titled "Chihuly".

rose - Chihuly

Everyone from New Mexico ends up in Albuquerque at one point or another. On your next trip, check out the gallery and then drift into the peaceful rose garden.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@